Narrator: ON THIS EPISODE OF "PARKER'S TRAIL"...
Parker: I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS.
Narrator: ...THE HUNT FOR OUTBACK GOLD INTENSIFIES.
-I CAN'T SEE. -GO EASY.
AAH.
YOU'VE DEFINITELY GOT MY CURIOSITY GOING.
HEY!
Narrator: PARKER AND HIS TEAM ENTER THE WILD WEST...
-GUYS, LOCK THE DOORS. -LET'S GET OUT OF HERE.
...WHERE PROSPECTORS TRUST NO ONE.
YOU DON'T WANT THESE GUYS AROUND?
ARE YOU ALRIGHT, FRANK?
Narrator: AND THE METHODS THEY USE FOR MINING
ARE EVEN DEADLIER THAN THE UNFORGIVING DESERT.
IF YOU INHALE A BIT OF CYANIDE DUST, YOU'RE DEAD.
-[ COUGHS ] -DANNY?!
♪♪
--Captions by VITAC-- www.vitac.com
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
♪♪
Danny: YOU DO REALIZE THAT THE AIR-CONDITIONING IN THIS CAR
ONLY REACHES HALFWAY?
WELL WE'VE GOT IT TURNED UP ALL THE WAY, ALRIGHT?
YOU NEED TO POINT THAT ONE AT US OR THAT ONE AT US.
THAT IS DIRECTLY POINTING AT YOU.
-THAT'S NOT. -TICKLE HIM!
-STOP. -TICKLE HIM!
DON'T MAKE ME PULL THIS CAR OVER!
FRED, COULD YOU PLEASE JUST GET US SOMEPLACE.
Narrator: 5,500 MILES INTO THEIR EPIC TWO-MONTH GOLD TREK,
PARKER AND HIS TEAM HEAD INTO WESTERN AUSTRALIA'S
LEGENDARY MURCHISON GOLD FIELDS
AND THE TINY TOWN OF SANDSTONE.
SANDSTONE'S COOL. I LOVE SANDSTONE.
YOU'VE SPENT TIME HERE?
YEAH, SO, MY GREAT GRANDFATHER
WAS ACTUALLY QUITE A BIG MINER HERE.
HE USED TO TAKE MY DAD HERE,
AND THIS IS WHERE MY DAD LEARNED TO FIND GOLD.
THE TOWN USED TO BE A LOT BIGGER AND A LOT MORE FAMILIES
BECAUSE ALL THE MEN WERE WORKING ON THE MINE.
BUT WHEN THE MINE CLOSED DOWN, A LOT OF PEOPLE LEFT.
Narrator: SANDSTONE NOW HAS A POPULATION OF JUST 80,
BUT AT THE TURN OF THE 20th CENTURY,
THIS REMOTE PATCH OF DESERT
WAS AN EPICENTER OF GOLD PROSPECTING,
INHABITED BY 8,000 MINERS.
SINCE 1903, SANDSTONE HAS PRODUCED
OVER 3-MILLION OUNCES.
SO, WHAT'S OUR PLAN FOR BEING HERE?
WE ARE ON THE WAY TO SEE MY MATE JAKE.
HE'S QUITE YOUNG. HE'S AROUND OUR AGE, PARKER.
AND IS THERE GROUND FOR SALE AROUND HERE?
HE'S GOT AN EXPLORATION LEASE, WHICH HE'S DONE SOME DRILLING ON
AND THEN HE'S GOT A MINING LEASE, AS WELL.
OH, YEAH, THAT'S THE OTHER THING.
SANDSTONE IS AN EXTREMELY TIGHT-KNIT COMMUNITY.
DON'T TALK TO ANYONE ABOUT THE GOLD YOU'RE FINDING.
DON'T TALK TO ANYONE ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
OH, THIS IS SER-- OH, YOU'RE SERIOUS.
-I'M BEING DEADLY SERIOUS. -WOW.
♪♪
PRIVATE ROAD, NO ACCESS. TYLER.
IT'S ALRIGHT.
LET'S JUST READ WHAT THIS SAYS, HEY.
[BLEEP] OFF NOW, KEEP OUT.
WHAT'S 222 MEAN?
PROBABLY THE SIZE OF RIFLE YOU'RE GOING GET SHOT WITH.
OH [BLEEP]
IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S WRITTEN IN BLOOD.
Narrator: IN THESE PARTS, ILLEGAL PROSPECTING IS RIFE.
GROUND IS FIERCELY PROTECTED, AND SHOOTINGS ARE NOT UNCOMMON.
-WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK? -IT'S FINE, GUYS. IT'LL BE FINE.
ALRIGHT.
TYLER, ARE YOU SURE ABOUT THIS?
Parker: WELCOME TO AUSTRALIA.
HOW LONG DID YOU SAY JAKE'S BEEN MINING HERE?
Tyler: NOT LONG AT ALL.
WELL, THEN THIS IS NOT HIS PLACE.
YEAH.
♪♪
OH, THERE'S SOMEBODY.
GUYS LOCK THE DOORS.
HE LOOKS ANGRY.
YEAH.
I'M GOING JUMP OUT BECAUSE --
NO, I GOT IT TYLER. IT'S KIND OF WHY I'M HERE, SO --
THEY'RE NOT GOING KNOW WHO YOU ARE.
THAT'S OKAY. I CAN HANDLE THIS.
I'VE BEEN TRAINED IN THESE KIND OF SITUATIONS.
♪♪
HOWDY.
Narrator: A FIELD MEDIC FOR THE GREEN BERETS,
FRED IS ALSO A TRAINED LINGUIST AND COMMUNICATOR.
AH, WE'RE LOOKING FOR A MINE SITE.
I'M SUPPOSED TO MEET THE YOUNGER BLOKE IN HIS MID-20s.
THAT WAY?
OKAY, I APOLOGIZE.
THEY'RE SHAKING HANDS.
♪♪
AH, OKAY.
-YOU ALRIGHT? -YEP.
WE WENT THE WRONG WAY,
BUT, YEAH, HE DOES NOT TAKE KINDLY TO PEOPLE
COMING UP ON HIS PROPERTY, YOU COULD TELL.
-SO, THE SIGNS WERE HIS THEN? -YEP.
♪♪
THERE'S SOMEBODY WALKING AROUND UP THERE.
-YEAH, THERE'S JAKE. -IS THAT HIM?
-YEP, THAT'S JAKE. -OH.
WE FOUND THE RIGHT PERSON. YOU'RE JAKE?
-YEAH, JAKE. -FRED.
27-YEAR-OLD JAKE LARSON HAS HELD THE HONEYPOT LEASE
FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS.
-I'M PARKER. -GOOD DAY, PARKER, JAKE.
-NICE TO MEET YOU. -HELLO. HOW ARE YOU?
-NOW I RECOGNIZE YOU. -YEAH, GOOD TO SEE YOU.
HEY. HEY, JAKE, I'M DANNY.
-JAKE. NICE TO MEET YOU. -NICE TO MEET YOU, MAN.
-THE FLIES ARE WICKED. -OH, THE FLIES ARE TERRIBLE.
-WELL, WELCOME TO HONEYPOT. -WHY DO THEY CALL IT HONEYPOT?
THERE'S A HOLE JUST THERE THEY PULLED OUT
A THOUSAND OUNCES OF DETECTABLE GOLD.
-REALLY? -YEAH.
MIGHT BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND THE GEOLOGY MORE THAN ME.
Narrator: THE HONEYPOT HOLE EARNED ITS NAME IN 2008
WHEN PROSPECTORS WITH HAND TOOLS DUG UP OVER TWO POUNDS OF GOLD.
TWO YEARS LATER, PROFESSIONAL MINORS ARMED WITH DYNAMITE
AND AN EXCAVATOR EXPANDED THE MINE
AND RECOVERED A FURTHER 62 LBS WORTH $1.3 MILLION.
EVEN NOW, THE HONEYPOT HOLE IS THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING.
-IT'S STILL FULL OF GOLD. -OH, WOW.
-OH, COOL. -THIS IS A LITTLE BIT
OF THE GOLD THAT'S BEEN COMING OUT.
THERE'S DETECTABLE GOLD STUCK IN THE WALL DOWN THERE,
AND YOU CAN SEE THE OLD BLASTING HOLES.
THERE'S GOLD IN THERE AS WELL.
-WOW. -I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING
LIKE THIS, AND ULTIMATELY, SEVERAL THOUSAND OUNCES
WILL COME OUT OF THIS AREA, HUH?CORRECT.
BECAUSE THERE WAS A THOUSAND OUNCES
BEFORE YOU EVEN GOT THE PROPERTY?
CORRECT, YEP.
SO, YOU WANT TO SELL THIS LEASE, OBVIOUSLY.
I DO. UNFORTUNATELY, I'M STRETCHED REALLY THIN.
I'VE GOT PROJECTS IN BETWEEN HERE AND SOUTHERN CROSS.
YEAH, OKAY. TO GET JUST BACK TO MY YARD,
IT'S 550 KILOMETERS.
I'D LIKE TO SELL IT TO SOMEONE AT A REASONABLE PRICE,
AND THEN JUST KEEP A ROYALTY ON IT.
WHAT'S A REASONABLE PRICE TO YOU?
TO BE NEGOTIATED.
-OKAY. YEP. -YEP.
-MIND IF I GO DOWN THERE? -YEAH, JUST BE CAREFUL.
IT'S SLIPPERY.
I CAN'T BOUNCE LIKE THAT.
SO, YOU FOUND THOSE NUGGETS AFTER THIS HAD ALL BEEN MINED?
CORRECT, YEP. THEY DIDN'T DO A VERY GOOD JOB.
THEY LEFT A LOT OF GOLD BEHIND.
-HMM. -AMAZING, ISN'T IT.
I'M ACTUALLY SUPER INTRIGUED BY THE PIECE OF GROUND.
IT'S TOTALLY DIFFERENT THAN ANYTHING I'VE EVER BEEN AROUND.
HOW ARE YOU LIKING THE FLIES?
CRAZY, ISN'T IT?
Jake: YOU'RE LIKE A MOUNTAIN GOAT.
Tyler: THE HONEY HOLE THAT JAKE'S GOT HERE IS INSANE.
THIS WILL BE THE THIRD TIME IT'S MINED,
AND IT'S STILL PULLING 3.5 GRAMS PER TON,
WHICH IS VERY GOOD.
INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.
SO, WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW?
WE'RE GOING TO EXTRACT ALL THE FINE GOLD.
YOU WANT TO COME HAVE A LOOK?
-YEAH. -YEAH, LET'S DO IT.
Narrator: JAKE'S HONEYPOT LEASE IS A 247-ACRE SITE
AND INCLUDES A MASSIVE PILE OF MINE TAILINGS
FROM THE HONEYPOT HOLE.
THIS IS WHERE JAKE BELIEVES THE REAL MONEY'S AT.
USING A METHOD CALLED VAT LEACHING,
JAKE PLANS TO EXTRACT THE REMAINING FINE GOLD
AT A RECOVERY RATE OF 90%.
Jake: RIGHTY-OH. THIS IS THE VAT LEACH HERE.
THE DIRT GETS SUBMERGED IN A CHEMICAL SOLUTION,
AND THEN WE'LL RUN THAT THROUGH CARBON
TO EXTRACT THE FINE GOLD.
Parker: OH, WOW.
Narrator: JAKE'S VAT LEACH METHOD IS A SIX-STAGE PROCESS.
FIRST, HE CONSTRUCTS A HUGE RECTANGULAR DAM FROM DIRT.
STAGE TWO, A MASSIVE PLASTIC SHEET
CREATES A WATERPROOF BASIN.
THEN HE INSTALLS A PERFORATED PIPE SYSTEM BEFORE STAGE FOUR,
WHEN HE FILLS THE VAT WITH GOLD RICH TAILINGS.
STAGE FIVE, HE PUMPS A CHEMICAL SOLUTION THROUGH THE PIPE SYSTEM
AND ALLOWS IT TO SOAK FOR TWO DAYS.
ONCE THE GOLD IS DISSOLVED, HE PUMPS THE LIQUID INTO A DRUM
WHERE THE GOLD SPECS BIND TO LUMPS OF CARBON.
♪♪
SO, IT'S CONSTANTLY LEACHING, AND THEN YOU'RE CONSTANTLY
PULLING THE GOLD OUT OF THE SOLUTION IN THERE?
-CORRECT. YEP. -GOT YOU.
Jake: WHAT DO YOU THINK?
I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS.
AND THERE'S STILL 3 GRAMS A TON IN IT?
YEP. 3.5 GRAMS PER TON.
WOW.
SO THAT'S LIKE TEN TIMES BETTER THAN WHAT WE MINE
IN THE YUKON.
HM.
Narrator: A VAT TAKES A DAY TO BUILD AND ANOTHER TWO TO SOAK.
A PROCESS LOW ON MANPOWER
WITH NO NEED FOR AN UNRELIABLE GAS GUZZLING WASH PLANT.
AT 3.5 GRAMS A TON, EVEN BUILDING A VAT EVERY OTHER DAY
WOULD EARN PARKER $180,000 A WEEK.
YOU'VE DEFINITELY GOT MY CURIOSITY GOING.
IS IT ALRIGHT IF WE STAY AROUND?
ARE YOU DOING ANY WORK HERE?
I'M PLANNING TO BUILD ANOTHER VAT LEACH,
SO IF YOU GUYS ARE HAPPY TO PITCH IN AND HELP,
WE CAN PRODUCE SOME MORE GOLD.
YEAH, I MEAN, IT'S A TOTALLY DIFFERENT PROCESS
THAT I'D LOVE TO GET TO KNOW BETTER.
AWESOME. SOMEONE WANT TO DRIVE THE LOADER?
-I CAN DRIVE A LOADER. -PERFECT.
FRED, CAN YOU FEND OFF BUGS?
Fred: NOPE.
[ LAUGHTER ]
[ ENGINE STARTS ]
THIS IS ACTUALLY A PRETTY COOL PLACE.
IT SEEMS LIKE JAKE IS LIKE PRETTY SMART.
HE SEEMS LIKE A NICE GUY, YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?
SEEMS REALLY NICE AND DOWN TO EARTH.
SO I'M ACTUALLY LOOKING FORWARD
TO GETTING INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS.
-THE RACE IS ON... -[BLEEP] FLIES.
Narrator: ...TO SHIFT 80 TONS OF DIRT...
MOVE!
...AND BUILD A BRAND-NEW RECTANGULAR VAT
100 FEET LONG AND 25 FEET WIDE.
SO RIGHT NOW, WE'RE JUST CLEARING THIS CONTAINMENT AREA
FOR THE LEACHING PROCESS.
I'M DEFINITELY EXCITED TO LEARN A NEW PROCESS.
YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO END UP FINDING.
JAKE VISITS ANOTHER MINE SITE IN THREE DAYS.
FOR THE YOUNG MINE BOSSES TO CUT A DEAL,
HE MUST SHOW PARKER THAT VAT LEACHING HERE DELIVERS BIG GOLD.
WITH ANY LUCK, THIS VAT WILL PRODUCE SOME QUITE GOOD GRADES
AND WE CAN PULL A KILO OUT OF IT.
THAT WOULD BE NICE. NICE SOLID GOLD BAR.
WE'VE ONLY GOT A DAY TO BUILD THIS VAT.
IF WE DON'T GET THIS VAT DONE, WE WON'T BE POURING ANY GOLD.
♪♪
Narrator: THE MIDDAY HEAT HITS 100 DEGREES.
Danny: OH, IT'S SO HOT.
AND WATER-SEEKING FLIES BECOME MORE ACTIVE.
I THOUGHT THE DUST WOULD KEEP THE FLIES AWAY.
YOU END UP WITH SOME DUSTY CONDITIONS SOMETIMES
IN THE YUKON, BUT IT'S NOTHING LIKE THIS.
THIS ENVIRONMENT IS ABSOLUTELY BRUTALIZING.
THIS IS FREAKING BAD.
I CAN'T SEE!
GOOD [BLEEP] FLIES. WHAT THE HELL?
FLIES [BLEEP] OFF.
THE FLIES ARE PUTTING PARKER OFF A LITTLE BIT.
-[ GROANS ] -BUT THERE'S TOO MUCH GOLD HERE
TO WORRY ABOUT THE FLIES.
I'M GOING TO LOSE MY MIND. WHOSE IDEA WAS AUSTRALIA?
-[ COUGHING ] -DANNY?
ARE YOU OKAY?
♪♪
Danny: [ COUGHING ]
♪♪
I CAN FEEL IT RIGHT DOWN HERE.
Narrator: IN REMOTE WESTERN AUSTRALIA,
YUKON MINE BOSS PARKER SCHNABEL AND HIS TEAM
BATTLE 100-DEGREE HEAT AND THOUSANDS OF FLIES.
I BREATHED IT DOWN. I FELT IT DOWN HERE.
Parker: I'M SURE IT WILL HAPPEN TO ALL OF US.
HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THE FLIES?
-THE LONG HAIR. -I HAVE PRETTY LONG HAIR.
YOU GOT TO KEEP IT DOWN LIKE THAT.
-YOU'LL BE LAUGHING. -YEAH?
YEAH.
♪♪
I THINK THIS IS GOING TO WORK.
FRED HAS HIS OWN WAY TO COMBAT THE FLIES.
-COME ON FLIES. -SO, WHAT'S THE THEORY, FRED?
WELL BACON'S MORE TASTY THAN ME.
SO, I'M HOPING THAT THIS WILL ATTRACT FLIES.
SEE, FIRST CUSTOMER. OH YEAH.
YOU WANT SOME MORE BARBECUE SAUCE?
OH, THANKS PARKER.
[ CHUCKLES ]
OH, THERE'S NO FLIES ON MY FACE, IS THERE?
WHERE'S MY SCUBA GOGGLES?
OH, YEAH. INSTANT RELIEF.
-I HAVE TWO FREE HANDS. -YEAH, BUT YOU CAN'T BREATHE.
[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]
-I'M BREATHING. -AND YOU LOOK RIDICULOUS.
UM...
OKAY.
50 BUCKS, EAT IT FRED.
[ ALL GROANING ]
[ LAUGHTER ]
YUCK!
WAIT FOR IT. [ CHUCKLES ]
♪♪
Jake: GOT MY BUSINESS PARTNER, MATT, HERE.
WE GOT A NEW LOADER, AND WE GOT SOME TARPS FOR THIS DAM.
Parker: OH, RIGHT ON.
Narrator: JAKE LARSON IS UNDER THE GUN.
HE NEEDS TO PROVE TO PARKER
THAT VAT LEACHING IS A ONE-WAY TICKET
TO BIG AUSSIE GOLD.
BUT JAKE LEAVES FOR ANOTHER SITE IN THREE DAYS,
SO CO-LEASE HOLDER MATT IS HERE TO HELP.
PARKER, DO YOU WANT TO JUMP IN THE LOADER AND RUN THAT?
MATT AND I, WE'LL GET THESE WALLS SURVEYED
AND WE'LL JUST TELL YOU BASICALLY WHERE TO DUMP IT.
-OKAY. -IF WE DON'T GET THIS DONE
AND FLOODED TODAY, YOU GUYS AREN'T GOING TO SEE ANY GOLD.
OH, BECAUSE IT TAKES A WHILE FOR THE LEACHING TO HAPPEN, RIGHT?
YEAH, YEAH. IT TAKES SOME TIME.
THAT'S ONE THING WE CAN'T SPEED UP.
YEAH. WE MIGHT EVEN BE WORKING INTO THE NIGHT,
BUT WE'LL PUSH FOR IT AND MAKE IT HAPPEN.
SWEET.
CAN YOU JUST PUT ONE MORE LINE OF BUCKETS
ALL THE WAY ALONG THIS RIGHT BANK?
-ANOTHER LINE OF BUCKETS THERE? -YEP, ROGER.
WITH THIS PROCESS, IT TAKES A WHILE FOR THE GOLD TO DISSOLVE,
SO WE'VE GOT TO GET THIS DAM BUILT TODAY.
♪♪
WE'RE BUILDING THE WALLS NOW,
BUT THEY'VE GOT TO BE COMPLETELY DEAD LEVEL,
SO WE'LL USE THIS TOOL AND WE CAN DIRECT HIM
WHERE TO PUT THE DIRT.
IF THEY'RE NOT THE RIGHT HEIGHT THEY'LL BREACH,
AND WE'LL USE ALL OF OUR GOLD SOLUTION.
SO THAT'S WHY WE'VE GOT ALL THIS TECHNOLOGY.
Matt: JUST COME UP A BIT, EH.
YEAH, WE STILL NEED A BIT MORE DIRT.
HOW'S PARKER DOING ON THE LOADER? IS HE ALRIGHT?
YEAH, PARKER'S GOOD.
FLOGGING IT A BIT, BUT HE'S ALRIGHT.
HE'S GETTING IT DONE.
♪♪
PARKER, WE'VE GOT TO GET THIS PLASTIC GOING NOW.
THIS WIND'S STARTING TO PICK UP.
Narrator: WITH THE DAM NOW LEVEL,
IT'S ALL HANDS ON DECK TO TACKLE THE VAT LINER --
A 100-SQUARE-FOOT, 800-POUND TARPAULIN.
SO, WE'VE GOT TO HUSTLE THEN, HUH?
YEAH. IF YOU CAN PICK IT UP WITH THE DIGGER,
AND WE'LL SLOWLY ROLL IT OUT.
IT'S GOING TO ACT LIKE A BIG SAIL.
-SOMEONE'S DIED, HAVEN'T THEY? -YEAH.
A YOUNG FELLA WAS LINING OUT THE TARP
AND A BIG GUST OF WIND COME ALONG
AND CAUGHT HIM, AND HE DIED.
DID IT, LIKE, THROW HIM IN THE AIR?
THREW HIM RIGHT UP IN THE AIR, SO...
-LET GO. -LET GO.
EVEN THE WIND KILLS YOU IN AUSTRALIA.
♪♪
SO, WE'VE GOT TO PULL ALL THESE STICKS OUT BECAUSE
THEY'RE PRETTY SHARP, YOU KNOW?
THEY COULD PUNCTURE THE TARP THAT'S GOING TO BE LAID DOWN
IN HERE AND, YOU KNOW,
LEAKING CHEMICALS INTO THE ENVIRONMENT IS HORRIBLE.
SO WE'RE TRYING TO KEEP EVERYTHING SAFE,
AND WE'RE ALSO TRYING TO TEST THIS GROUND PROPERLY.
A CHEMICAL SPILL FROM A TEAR CAUSED BY THE EX
COULD RESULT IN A FINE OF OVER $325,000.
THAT DIGGER CAN ACTUALLY TIP NOW IF HE MAKES
A SUDDEN MOVE TOO QUICKLY.
AND WE DON'T WANT TO RIP THE TARP.
A SEVERE ENVIRONMENTAL INCIDENT
COULD LEAD TO UP TO FOUR YEARS IN PRISON
AND THE END OF JAKE AND MATT'S MINING CAREERS.
FOR WHAT'S IT WORTH, WE MAY AS WELL TAKE IT SLOW
AND GET IT DONE.
DO I WANT TO BE RUNNING THIS WAY WITH MY TRACKS?
YEAH, JUST TRACK IT NICE AND SLOW, MATE.
♪♪
THERE WE GO.
[ WHISTLES ] THIS IS THE DANGEROUS PART.
-IS THE WIND OKAY? -IT'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE.
♪♪
Narrator: ONCE UNROLLED, THE 100-SQUARE-FOOT TARP
MUST BE SPREAD EVENLY ACROSS THE PIT.
EASY!
BUT IN THE FIERCE AUSTRALIAN WIND,
THE TEAM MUST SECURE IT QUICKLY
BEFORE IT BECOMES A MASSIVE SAIL.
CAREFUL GUYS, YOU'RE GETTING GUSTS DOWN THIS END.
IT'S PICKING UP.
WHOA, WHOA, WHOA, WHOA!
[BLEEP]
THIS WIND'S PICKING UP NOW PROPERLY.
Fred: TYLER, COME OVER HERE!
-GUYS! -IT'S COMING OFF THE OTHER SIDE.
Parker: PUT THE [BLEEP] CAMERA DOWN, DAN, AND GO OVER THERE!
♪♪
HEY, WE'RE LOSING THAT CORNER.
-AAH! -GO EASY!
ARE YOU ALRIGHT, FRED?
♪♪
-ARE YOU ALRIGHT, FRED? -OH [BLEEP]
ARE YOU OKAY?
Narrator: WRESTLING A TARPAULIN IN AUSTRALIA'S HIGH WINDS
IS DANGEROUS WORK.
-ARE YOU ALRIGHT? -[ SIGHS ]
YEAH.
THAT LIFTED ME OFF THE GROUND.
I MEAN, WE'VE DONE SOME CRAZY [BLEEP] FOR GOLD
ON THIS TRIP SO FAR, BUT THIS IS [BLEEP] RIDICULOUS.
Matt: WE NEED THIS TARP IN NOW.
I THINK THAT WAS EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT I SAID TO DO.
DON'T DIVE ON IT.
EASY.
JUST A SCRATCH. LET THE FLIES CLEAN IT OUT.
♪ BAH, BAH, BAH, BAH, BAH, BAH, BAH, BAH, BAH, BAH, BAH ♪
♪ TOODLE-OODLE-OODLE-OOH
[ LAUGHS ]
-LET'S GO. -WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?
US TO STOP ACTING LIKE CHILDREN?
♪♪
Narrator: NOW THE PIPE SYSTEM FOR THE VAT MUST BE PLUMBED IN.
SO, WE'RE GOING TO KEEP GOING, GUYS.
PUSH ON. SUN'S ABOUT TO GO DOWN.
Narrator: TO PROVE THE VALUE OF HIS LEASE,
JAKE NEEDS TO BE LEACHING GOLD BY NIGHTFALL.
♪♪
ONCE THE PIPES ARE INSTALLED,
THE TEAM WILL FILL THE VAT
WITH 400 TONS OF GOLD RICH TAILINGS.
A CHEMICAL SOLUTION IS THEN PUMPED IN
AND LEFT FOR TWO DAYS TO LEACH OUT THE GOLD.
♪♪
ALRIGHT GUYS, NOW THIS IS LOOKING GOOD.
LET'S JUMP OUT, AND WE'LL GET SOME DIRT IN HERE.
♪♪
-YOU BEAUTY. -GOOD LOOKING DIRT, EH?
♪♪
AN HOUR BEFORE SUNDOWN, THE VAT IS READY.
TO DISSOLVE THE MICROSCOPIC GOLD AND MAKE IT SOLUBLE IN WATER,
JAKE USES THE TIGHTLY CONTROLLED CHEMICAL SODIUM CYANIDE.
IT'S BEEN A YEAR WAIT JUST TO GET THE PERMITTING
FOR THE ENVIRONMENTALS,
AND THEN IT'S ANOTHER SIX-MONTH WAIT
JUST TO GET YOUR CYANIDE PERMIT,
PLUS YOU NEED A DANGEROUS GOODS LICENSE.
SO AS LONG AS YOU DON'T INGEST IT,
DRINK IT, OR TOUCH IT, YOU'RE LAUGHING.
Narrator: FOR THE PAST CENTURY,
THE U.S. AND AUSTRALIA HAVE RECORDED NO ACCIDENTAL DEATHS
FROM CYANIDE, BUT SPILLS DO HAPPEN.
IT'S THE MOST DANGEROUS PART OF THIS OPERATION.
IT'S 99.9% PURE CYANIDE.
I'VE GOT FULL FACE MASKS AND RESPIRATORS,
GLOVES, AND SUITS FOR US TO WEAR.
DANNY PLANS TO FILM CLOSE-UPS OF THE POUR
RIGHT NEXT TO JAKE ON TOP OF THE CONTAINER.
Danny: LISTEN, IF IT'S SAFE TO DO, THEN I'LL DO IT.
Tyler: WHAT CAN GO WRONG? WHAT'S THE WORST-CASE SCENARIO?
SAY OUR FILTERS WEREN'T WORKING PROPERLY
AND YOU INHALE A BIT OF CYANIDE DUST, YOU'RE DEAD.
♪♪
Narrator: PARKER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS TEAM'S SAFETY.
HE'S KNOWN DANNY FOR SIX YEARS.
IN 10 YEARS OF MINING, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME
I'VE BEEN AROUND IT AT ALL, AND I'M LIKE --
I DON'T PARTICULARLY WANT YOU GOING UP THERE.
IF YOU DEALING WITH SOMETHING
THAT ONE BREATH OF IT CAN KILL YOU...
YEAH.
...THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT YOU'RE SAFE UP THERE.
NO.
IT'S NOT WORTH THE SHOT ON THE CAMERA.
WE'LL FILM IT FROM A DISTANCE.
-YEAH? -YEAH.
COOL.
♪♪
LET'S GET THIS SHOW ON THE ROAD.
Narrator: JAKE PROTECTS HIMSELF WITH A FULL MASK AND BIO-HAZARD SUIT.
-RIGHTY-OH. -PLUS, A NEARBY SAFETY POND
TO IMMEDIATELY SUBMERGE ANYTHING CONTAMINATED BY CYANIDE.
♪♪
CERTAINLY NOT TOO USER FRIENDLY.
-TYLER, CAN YOU SMELL IT? -YEAH.
WHEN EXPOSED TO AIR,
SODIUM CYANIDE GIVES OFF A BITTER ALMOND-LIKE ODOR.
I THINK I'M VERY LIKE IGNORANTLY BLASé
ABOUT ALL THESE CHEMICALS
BECAUSE DAD JUST TALKS ABOUT THEM LIKE THEY'RE NOTHING.
-REALLY? -YEAH.
ALL THE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS THAT JAKE'S DOING,
AND, YEAH. IT CAN GO WRONG, I GUESS.
[ METAL BANGS ]
♪♪
Danny: FRED, FRED, FRED, WAIT A MINUTE.
HEY, DUDE, I DON'T FEEL NORMAL. MY EYES ARE BURNING.
Narrator: IRAQ, 2009 --
FRED WAS SHOT IN THE HEAD,
ENDING HIS SPECIAL FORCES CAREER.
THE LAST MISSION WE WERE ON,
I ACTUALLY GOT SHOT BY A SNIPER
RIGHT IN THE TOP OF THE HELMET.
MILLION-DOLLAR SHOT WHERE IT DIDN'T KILL ME,
BUT IT JUST ENDED UP SNAPPING ONE OF THE VERTEBRAE IN MY NECK.
SEVERAL SEIZURES LATER,
FRED WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A BRAIN INJURY
LEAVING HIM MORE SUSCEPTIBLE
TO NEUROLOGICAL CHEMICALS LIKE CYANIDE.
MY EYES ARE REALLY SENSITIVE TO LIGHT RIGHT NOW.
REALLY? YOU'RE SHAKING A LITTLE BIT, TOO.
I DON'T WANT TO FREAK YOU OUT, BUT...
[ SIGHS ]
SO WHEN YOUR SEIZURE THRESHOLD'S LOWER BASICALLY.
YEAH.
AND THEN WHAT, WHAT SHOULD I DO --
WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP YOU? YOU BEING THE MEDIC.
WELL, TO BE HONEST I GET KIND OF BELLIGERENT
FOR A SEIZURE, SO...
SO LET ME JUST GET YOU SOMETHING.
Narrator: DANNY ONLY KNOWS BASIC FIRST AID,
AND THE NEAREST HOSPITAL IS TWO HOURS AWAY.
[ SIGHS ]
♪♪
[ GROANS, SIGHS ]
I'M GOOD NOW.
I WAS THINKING I COULD LAST A LOT LONGER THAN THIS.
I'M A GREEN BERET, DUDE.
I THINK THE REALITY IS IS THAT IF PARKER EVER DID
INDULGE IN A THING LIKE THIS
MOVING FORWARD, I DON'T THINK YOU COULD HAVE
ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT, COULD YOU?
I DON'T THINK I COULD.
AT THE SAME TIME, I DON'T WANT TO MAKE MYSELF
LOOK LIKE LESS OF AN ASSET, TOO.
THAT KIND OF WORRIES ME.
THANKS FOR HAVING MY BACK.
NO WORRIES, MAN.
ALRIGHT, I'LL SEE YOU IN A BIT.
YEP.
I HAVE NO DOUBTS THIS IS A SAFE PRACTICE
AND IT SEEMS LIKE HE'S DOING THE RIGHT THING HERE.
THIS IS HOW THEY MINE, SO I'VE JUST GOT TO BE
A LITTLE MORE CAUTIOUS IN MY SITUATION,
SO THAT'S ABOUT IT.
♪♪
Narrator: IT WILL TAKE TWO DAYS FOR THE CYANIDE
TO FULLY SOAK THE TAILINGS
AND DISSOLVE THE MICROSCOPIC GOLD.
-HAPPY DAYS. -SO NOW YOU'RE SLUICING?
WELL, IT'S NOT SLUICING, IT'S LEACHING.
WELL, YOUR VERSION.
IT'S PRODUCING GOLD.
GIVE US A SHOUT WHEN WE CAN COME BACK.
NO WORRIES.
♪♪
Narrator: BACK IN SANDSTONE, PARKER'S TEAM
WAITS FOR JAKE'S LEACHING PROCESS TO FINISH.
MY FAMILY'S MINED HERE FOR 50-PLUS YEARS.
MY GREAT GRANDDAD ACTUALLY WAS A LOCAL HERE.
THAT'S YOUR GREAT GRANDDAD?
YEAH.
NICE NUGS.
Narrator: FOR A YUKON MINER,
A NEW PROCESS ISN'T THE ONLY OBSTACLE TO WORKING HERE.
DUST, HEAT, AND FLIES IS A MURDEROUS ONE, ISN'T IT?
WITH A FEW CHEMICALS MIXED IN THERE.
YEAH.
I GET THE WHOLE WARINESS WITH THE CHEMICALS,
BUT THERE'S LOTS OF OTHER PROCESSES
YOU CAN DO AROUND HERE.
I ACTUALLY KNOW A GUY WHO'S RUNNING
A DRY BLOWER AT THE MOMENT.
IT'S LIKE A WASH PLANT WITH NO WATER?
YEAH, EXACTLY. HE'S NOT TOO FAR OUT OF TOWN.
I MEAN, WE'VE GOT TO LET THAT DIRT SOAK ANYWAYS,
SO WE'VE GOT TIME.
BUT LET'S DRINK SOME BEER FIRST.
-CHEERS. -HERE'S TO ANOTHER DAY DONE.
Tyler: I'M EXCITED TO SHOW THEM DRY BLOWING.
IT'S A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT PROCESS.
THIS IS A REALLY GOOD BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY FOR PARKER,
AND I'M HOPING OVER THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS,
THEY'LL BE ABLE TO SEE THAT.
THERE'S DEFINITELY GOLD IN THE GROUND OUT HERE.
IT'S JUST THAT WHAT JAKE DOES,
IT'S A VERY DIFFERENT MINING PROCESS.
YOU KNOW, I'M ACTUALLY VERY INTERESTED
IN FINDING SOMETHING THAT SUITS US,
AND THAT'S THE NUMBER-ONE PRIORITY.
♪♪
Narrator: THE NEXT MORNING, THE GROUP SETS OUT
FOR TYLER'S LATEST BUSINESS LEAD.
SO, WE'RE GOING TO JAMES ALLISON'S LEASE.
I'VE NEVER MET HIM. I'VE JUST HEARD ABOUT HIM
THROUGH MY CONTACTS IN SANDSTONE.
THE WORD IS JAMES IS LOOKING FOR A BUYER
ON GROUND WHERE HE USES TRADITIONAL AUSSIE EQUIPMENT.
HE'S RUNNING A DRY BLOWER.
WE FINALLY SEE THE ILLUSIVE DRY BLOWER.
I'M EXCITED ABOUT THAT.
IT WILL BE GOOD BECAUSE IT'S SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO LEACHING.
IT'S A VIABLE OPTION FOR GETTING GOLD, FOR SURE?
100%. YEP.
WELL, WE'RE ABOUT TO FIND OUT.
I'M GUESSING ALL THAT DUST IS NOT JUST THE WIND.
[ CHUCKLES ]
♪♪
-HE'S IN A DOZER. -WOW, LOOK AT THAT.
Narrator: TYLER LEADS THE TEAM TO A LOCAL MINER
NAMED JAMES ALLISON WHO HAS A SIZABLE GOLD CLAIM FOR SALE.
[ DOG BARKING ]
I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF HE'S NOTICED WE'RE HERE.
VETERAN GOLD MINER JAMES RUNS AN OLD-SCHOOL DRY BLOWER,
A GOLD RECOVERY SYSTEM THAT WORKS WITHOUT WATER.
OH, HERE WE GO. WE'RE IN BUSINESS.
[ BLOWER POWERS DOWN ]
-I'M PARKER. NICE TO MEET YOU. -ALRIGHT.
HOW'S THIS THING WORK?
FEED THE DRY MATERIAL IN ON THE TOP,
AND IT SEPARATES.
SO YOU'VE GOT YOUR COURSE MATERIAL.
Parker: THAT'S YOUR OVERSIZE.
AND THEN IT DROPS INTO YOUR BOXES.
OKAY.
YOUR COURSE MATERIAL GETS CAUGHT ON THOSE TOP RIFFLES.
MM-HMM.
AND IT PULSES, WORKS IT WAY DOWN.
-GOT YOU. -ALRIGHT.
Narrator: IN THE YUKON, WET PLANTS USE WATER
TO WASH PAY DIRT INTO A SLUICE BOX
SEPARATING THE LIGHTER DIRT
AND TRAPPING THE HEAVIER GOLD IN THE RIFFLES.
BUT A DRY BLOWER'S RIFFLES WORK THE OTHER WAY AROUND.
AIR BLOWS UP THROUGH VIBRATING SCREENS BLASTING AWAY DIRT
WHILE THE RIFFLES CATCH THE HEAVIER GOLD.
♪♪
ARE THEY PRETTY EFFECTIVE?
YOU WON'T GET 100%.
YOU'LL GET ANYTHING FROM 60% TO 75%.
GOT YOU.
♪♪
Tyler: SO BASICALLY, GUYS, HE'S SORTING THROUGH
THE PAY DIRT AND HE'S GETTING RID OF THE OVERSIZED,
AND THIS UNDERSIZED STUFF, HE'S GOING TO PAN
TO GET THE GOLD OUT, AND THEN THIS OVERSIZED,
HE'LL DETECT TO GET THE BIGGER NUGGETS.
NOW, WOULD THIS BE YOUR BIG NUGGETS HERE, JAMES, IF THERE WERE ANY?
[ DETECTOR PINGING ]
♪♪
THERE'S ONE.
-THERE IT IS. -LOOK AT THAT.
THERE YOU GO.
-THERE'S ANOTHER ONE. -WOW.
IS THAT ONE?
-GOOD SPOT, FRED. -WOW, GEEZ.
THERE, ABOUT SIX GRAMS.
HOW MUCH FINDS WOULD YOU EXPECT TO ACCOMPANY THAT?
OH, WE'LL PROBABLY GET ANOTHER COUPLE OF GRAMS.
Narrator: EIGHT GRAMS IS WORTH ABOUT $420 U.S. DOLLARS.
FIVE OR SIX RUNS A DAY WOULD NET OVER $10,000 A WEEK.
♪♪
I MINE IN THE YUKON, AND WE'RE LOOKING FOR GROUND
THAT IS MINABLE FOR MORE OF THE YEAR.
DO YOU HAVE ANY GROUND AROUND HERE THAT'S FOR SALE?
IF YOU WANT TO BUY THIS ONE.
YOU'VE GOT THIS PLACE FOR SALE?
WHAT KIND OF PRICE ARE YOU LOOKING AT?
OH, YOU DON'T WANT THESE GUYS AROUND?
ALRIGHT. THAT'S FAIR ENOUGH.
♪♪
GOLD DEALS IN THE YUKON ARE OFTEN SHROUDED IN SECRECY,
AND AUSTRALIA IS NO DIFFERENT.
I THINK THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF POLITICS INVOLVED
AND BECAUSE SANDSTONE'S SUCH A SMALL AREA,
HE WON'T WANT THAT INFORMATION GETTING OUT TO THE LOCALS.
I'VE GOT 17 OUNCES IN PLACES LIKE THIS.
-WOW. -AND SO, THERE'S A LOT OF WORK
TO BE DONE HERE OVER A LONG TIME.
HECK, MAYBE THAT THING'S FOR SALE, YOU KNOW?
YOU'RE GOING IN FOR THE KILL ON HIS BIT OF EQUIPMENT.
ALWAYS THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX, RIGHT?
♪♪
HOW DID IT GO?
I DON'T THINK HE'S VERY SERIOUS ABOUT SELLING THIS PLACE.
IT'S STILL A CLASSIC THING OF EVERYTHING IS FOR SALE, BUT...
-WHAT'S YOUR PRICE? -YEAH.
LIKE MY MINE SITE'S FOR SALE, TOO.
[ LAUGHTER ]
-EVERYTHING IS FOR SALE. -EVERYTHING IS FOR SALE.
FRED HAD A GOOD IDEA, THOUGH, THAT HE MIGHT BE INTERESTED
IN SELLING THE DRY BLOWER.
-I KIND OF LIKE IT. -RIGHT?
Narrator: A DRY BLOWER WOULD LET PARKER TEST GROUND,
STRENGTHENING HIS HAND FOR THE REST OF THE TRIP.
SO, YOU WOULDN'T HAPPEN TO WANT TO SELL THIS, WOULD YOU?
NO.
-NO? -NO.
I REPLACED THE MOTOR ON IT,
AND I'VE HAD THE GEAR BOX OVERHAULED LAST YEAR.
SO, IT'S KIND OF YOUR BABY, IT SOUNDS LIKE.
-IT'S HAD A LOT OF WORK. -THAT'S FAIR ENOUGH.
NICE LITTLE SET UP YOU'VE GOT HERE.
-THANKS, JAMES. -THANK YOU.
REALLY APPRECIATE IT.
DUD?
IT'S NOT A DUD.
IF WE WANTED TO PURSUE IT HARDER, WE COULD.
LET'S GET OUT OF HERE, FRED.
Tyler: THE MORE TIME I SPEND WITH PARKER,
I'M STARTING TO SEE WHAT HE REALLY ENJOYS
IS MOVING DIRT AROUND AND WASHING ROCKS.
HE LIKES THAT HANDS-ON SIDE OF MINING.
HE GOT A LITTLE INTRODUCTION TO DRY BLOWING TODAY.
I THINK HE QUITE ENJOYED THE PROCESS,
ESPECIALLY AFTER LEACHING.
THE WHOLE LEACHING THING WILL COME DOWN TO GOLD.
I'M SURE HIS MIND MIGHT CHANGE
IF WE DO A REALLY GOOD GOLD PULL.
♪♪
-LET'S GO BACK TO JAKEY. -YEP.
Narrator: THE NEXT MORNING, PARKER AND HIS TEAM
ARE BACK AT THE HONEYPOT CLAIM
WHERE LEASE HOLDERS JAKE AND MATT
ARE ABOUT TO START THE NEXT STAGE OF THE VAT LEACH PROCESS.
♪♪
-HOW'S IT GOING? -HELLO.
SO, WHAT'S NEXT?
Jake: WE JUST TURNED ALL THE PUMPS OFF
AND WE'VE FLUSHED ALL THE CYANIDE OUT,
SO IT'S JUST FRESH WATER NOW.
AND BASICALLY, WE'VE GOT TO PULL
OUR CARBON TANK OUT OF HERE WITH ALL THE GOLD IN IT.
OH, SWEET.
Narrator: THE CYANIDE DISSOLVES ALL THE FINE GOLD
IN THE TAILINGS SO THE GOLD-RICH LIQUID
CAN BE PUMPED INTO A DRUM
WHERE THE MICROSCOPIC SPECS BIND TO LUMPS OF CARBON.
ALL TRACES OF CYANIDE HAVE BEEN RINSED FROM THE DRUM,
BUT FRED'S NOT TAKING ANY CHANCES.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE LEVELS OF CYANIDE HERE ARE,
BUT IT'S JUST NOT WORTH IT TO ME,
SO I'M JUST TAKING THE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS.
ADDED BONUS HERE IS THERE'S NO FLIES IN MY FACE, SO...
IT'S GOING TO GET A BIT OF A MISSION TRYING TO GET IT OUT.
WE KIND OF MANIPULATED IT TO GET IT IN HERE,
AND WE'LL HAVE TO MANIPULATE IT TO GET IT OUT.
-COOL. -SEE HOW IT GOES.
Tyler: THIS MOMENT'S PRETTY BIG. THIS IS WHERE ALL THE GOLD IS.
AND IT WILL DETERMINE IF THAT LEACH HAS WORKED.
Narrator: MAKING A VIABLE BUSINESS OF THE HONEYPOT CLAIM
MEANS COMMITTING TO THE CYANIDE PROCESS.
BUT JAKE'S CONVINCED THE FINAL GOLD EXTRACTION
WILL SHOW PARKER JUST HOW EFFICIENT LEACHING CAN BE.
♪♪
I'M NOT REALLY LIKING IT TO BE HONEST.
EVEN JUST THE TANK EMPTY WITH NO GOLD IN IT OR ANYTHING,
IT'S A $10,000 TANK.
I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO WORK.
-GIVE IT A SHOT. -YEAH. GIVE IT A GO.
SEE WHAT HAPPENS.
♪♪
ALRIGHT.
[ HORN HONKS ]
♪♪
Fred: THIS IS NERVE-RACKING.
PARKER'S GONE A BIT QUIET
AND THAT NORMALLY MEANS HE'S A LITTLE BIT NERVOUS.
HE'S GOT 50 GRAND WORTH OF GOLD ON HIS FINGERTIPS.
[ CLICKS TONGUE ]
♪♪
ALRIGHT. ALL GOOD.
[ CHAIN RATTLES ]
♪♪
OH, MY GOODNESS.
WHAT THE HECK IS THAT?
HOLY COW.
YOU WOULDN'T WANT THAT GUY RUNNING UP YOUR LEG, WOULD YOU?
[ CHUCKLES ]
JUST SAW A WHACKING GREAT LIZARD OVER THERE.
-WAS IT A BUNGARRA? -IS THAT WHAT IT IS?
-MASSIVE. -YEAH. THEY'RE NORMALLY SCARED,
BUT IF YOU THREATEN THEM, THEY'LL GO, YEAH.
Narrator: BUNGARRA IS AN ABORIGINAL WORD FOR THE SAND GOANNA.
THIS FORAGING MONITOR LIZARD CAN KILL
AND EAT SOME OF THE DEADLIEST SNAKES IN THE WORLD
INCLUDING THE INLAND TAIPAN.
LIKE FEW OTHER SPECIES ON EARTH,
BUNGARRA HAVE EVOLVED IMMUNITY TO SNAKE VENOM.
♪♪
ALRIGHT. ALL GOOD.
Narrator: IN THE REMOTE AUSTRALIAN BUSH,
LEASE HOLDER JAKE AND MEDIC FRED
PREPARE TO EXTRACT GOLD FROM A TWO-TON IRON DRUM.
♪♪
AAH! [BLEEP]
HOLY [BLEEP]
-YOU ALRIGHT? -YEAH, I'M FINE.
SORRY.
ALRIGHT. LOOKING GOOD.
Narrator: NEXT JOB, OPEN THE DRUM'S SEALED LID.
Jake: YOU ALRIGHT?
♪♪
WE PUT TOO MUCH GLUE ON.
THERE'S ONLY ONE CHAIN THAT'S HOLDING UP THIS WHOLE BUCKET
AND HE'S WOBBLING IT AROUND UP THERE.
Parker: OW.
[BLEEP] GUYS, WHAT DID YOU PUT THIS ON WITH?
SUPER GLUE.
♪♪
-THERE YOU GO. -WHOO!
-GET IN THERE! -GOOD JOB, BOYS.
WELL DONE.
Narrator: NOW THE TEAM CAN COLLECT ALL THE CARBON LUMPS
CONTAINING THE FINE GOLD.
WE'RE FLUSHING THE CARBON INTO THE BAG.
THIS IS THE MOST CRUCIAL POINT.
ANY CARBON WE SPILL, IT'S GOLD THAT WE'RE LOSING.
Tyler: THERE IT IS.
-LOOKS LIKE IT'S ABOUT OVER. -THAT'S ALL THE CARBON OUT.
Fred: WELL, THAT'S A LOT OF CARBON.
CURL IN.
-YEAH. WELL DONE EVERYONE. -GOOD JOB, FRED.
-HAPPY DAYS. -AWESOME.
-WE'RE ALL STILL ALIVE. -GOOD WORK.
SO, DO YOU JUST, LIKE, TRADE THIS IN AT THE BAR
FOR CASES OF BEER?
WE'LL TAKE THIS DOWN TO THE STRIPPING PLACE,
AND THEY'LL PROCESS IT INTO STEEL WOOL FOR US,
AND THEN WE'LL POUR A BAR OUT OF THAT.
SWEET. WE'LL JUST FOLLOW YOU THEN?
-YEP. LET'S GO. -LET'S GO MAKE SOME MONEY.
♪♪
Narrator: JAKE DRIVES THE GROUP 20 MILES SOUTH TO ONE OF HIS WORKSHOPS.
Parker: I'LL BE INTERESTED TO SEE HOW MUCH GOLD
COMES OUT OF THAT FROM A DIRT-MOVING STANDPOINT.
YOU KNOW, IT'S PRETTY SIMPLE, AND THEN THE COSTS ARE LOW
ONCE YOU GET TO THIS POINT.
BUT USING CHEMICALS,
I'M NOT REALLY SURE HOW I FEEL ABOUT IT.
Narrator: THE CARBON IS LEACHED AGAIN THROUGH A PROCESS
CALLED ELECTROWINNING GIVING JAKE HIGH PURITY MATERIAL
HE MELTS FOR 20 MINUTES AT 1,400 DEGREES.
♪♪
DANNY HAS TO PUT A CAMERA ON ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING
INCLUDING THE TONGS GOING INTO THE FURNACE.
♪♪
-OH. -HOLY CRAP.
-WOW. -WOW.
-NOT BAD. -ONE GOLD CAKE.
-HAPPY WITH THAT? -YEAH.
WE'RE GOING TO JUST PUT THIS BAR IN A BIT OF NITRIC ACID.
THAT WILL CLEAN UP ALL OF THE RUBBISH ON THE OUTSIDE
AND SHOW US THE ACTUAL COLOR OF THE GOLD.
THE ACID DISSOLVES THE REMAINING UNWANTED MATERIAL
LEAVING A GOLD BAR OF 98% PURITY READY TO BE WEIGHED.
COOL. I LIKE IT.
28 OUNCES. YOU READY?
OH, BLIMEY. I'LL GO 29.
Narrator: JAKE'S FINAL BAR IS THE PRODUCT OF 400 TONS OF DIRT.
-34. -OOH.
-34. -34.
SO, 35 OUNCES OF GOLD WOULD MAKE JAKE'S GROUND
WORTH 10 TIMES WHAT PARKER MINES IN THE YUKON.
Jake: YOU GOING TO SLAP IT ON THE SCALES OR WHAT?
♪♪
-WHOA. -OH [BLEEP]
-THAT'S A BIT MORE. -SHUT UP.
Parker: 44.5.
Narrator: 44.5 OUNCES IS WORTH OVER $66,000.
-GOOD WORK. -THAT'S GOOD.
-THE OPTIMIST. -YEAH.
SO, WE'VE HAD A REALLY GOOD RESULT. ARE YOU INTERESTED?
GOD, THIS WHOLE PROCESS IS JUST SO FOREIGN TO ME.
YOU GUYS ARE DOING A REALLY GOOD JOB WITH IT.
IF I SHOWED UP HERE,
I WOULD MAKE AN ABSOLUTE MESS OUT OF IT.
[ CHUCKLES ]
AS INTRIGUED AS I AM BY IT,
I REALLY GOT LEARN WAY MORE ABOUT IT
BEFORE I START TAKING SOMETHING LIKE THIS ON.
YEP. YOU CAN SEE IT MAKES GOOD MONEY, THOUGH.
OH, YEAH.
-CHEERS. THANKS, GUYS. -CHEERS.
REALLY GLAD I DID END UP BRINGING THE BOYS HERE.
THEY LEARNED A LOT.
IT WAS REALLY COOL TO SEE THREE YOUNG MINERS WORKING TOGETHER.
YOU NEVER SEE THAT. IT'S SO RARE.
AND YEAH, IT'S GOOD TO SHOW THEM HOW WE DO IT
IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA.
-THANKS AGAIN. -NICE ONE, MATT.
-TAKE IT EASY, MATE. -TAKE IT EASY, MATE.
PARKER, THERE'S THE GOLD.
THERE'S THE GOLD.
-SHALL WE GO? -LET'S GET IN THE TRUCK AND GO.
THERE IT IS.
I DO LIKE THOSE GUYS. DON'T LIKE THE MINING PROCESS.
♪♪
I LIKE DIGGING DIRT.
♪♪
Narrator: NEXT TIME...IT'S A NUGGET.
...PARKER SWINGS FOR THE FENCES....
SHOW ME THE MONEY.
...HIRING A 50-TON PLANT...
YEAH!
...WORTH HALF-A-MILLION DOLLARS...
-WE ARE RUNNING. -YEAH!
...IN A GAMBLE THAT PUSHES HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH TYLER...
Tyler: I'VE GOT A LOT RIDING ON THIS ONE.
WE'RE RUNNING DIRT THAT HAS NO GOLD IN IT.
...TO ITS LIMIT.
WE HAVEN'T HAD THIS MUCH ON THE LINE THE WHOLE TRIP.
-I CAN'T SEE ANYTHING! -[ COUGHS ]
Danny: FRED?