1 00:00:02,000 --> 00:00:05,400 [birds chirping] 2 00:00:05,433 --> 00:00:07,166 [dramatic music playing] 3 00:00:15,767 --> 00:00:19,033 [narrator] On this episode of Parker's Trail. 4 00:00:19,066 --> 00:00:20,967 [Parker] We're trying to expand into Alaska. 5 00:00:21,000 --> 00:00:23,233 It's good timing to make this trip. 6 00:00:23,266 --> 00:00:24,667 New Zealand's awesome, 7 00:00:24,700 --> 00:00:26,734 so I'm looking forward to actually, like, 8 00:00:26,767 --> 00:00:28,433 digging into the country and checking it out. 9 00:00:28,467 --> 00:00:30,000 Checking out the mining that's going on. 10 00:00:30,033 --> 00:00:31,867 Check out the gold they're finding. 11 00:00:31,900 --> 00:00:33,467 [Tyler] It looks like you got a bit of ground here. 12 00:00:33,500 --> 00:00:35,266 [Iain] 13 00:00:42,000 --> 00:00:43,900 - [Parker] That's really nice. - [Iain] Yeah. 14 00:00:43,934 --> 00:00:45,533 I really like this plant. 15 00:00:45,567 --> 00:00:46,734 [Iain] 16 00:00:52,467 --> 00:00:54,000 There is some gold in there. 17 00:00:54,033 --> 00:00:54,834 [Iain] Yup. 18 00:00:55,567 --> 00:00:57,200 That is wicked. 19 00:00:57,233 --> 00:00:59,066 [Parker] They're mining super-efficient. 20 00:00:59,100 --> 00:01:01,000 They're all getting [bleep] rich. 21 00:01:01,734 --> 00:01:02,900 Oh, yeah. 22 00:01:04,367 --> 00:01:06,400 That's awesome. Look at that. 23 00:01:06,433 --> 00:01:07,233 Awesome. 24 00:01:26,333 --> 00:01:28,233 [engine accelerating] 25 00:01:30,600 --> 00:01:32,200 Hope this is the right way. 26 00:01:32,233 --> 00:01:33,600 [Parker] Tyler, this is not a road. 27 00:01:33,634 --> 00:01:34,734 - Yeah. - [all chuckling] 28 00:01:34,767 --> 00:01:36,233 This is an old dirt track. 29 00:01:37,266 --> 00:01:39,333 [narrator] Parker Schnabel and his crew, 30 00:01:39,367 --> 00:01:41,300 Danny Etheridge, Tyler Mahoney 31 00:01:41,333 --> 00:01:43,700 and new recruit, wash plant engineer, 32 00:01:43,734 --> 00:01:44,667 Jeff Turnell 33 00:01:44,700 --> 00:01:46,600 are on the search for a plant 34 00:01:46,634 --> 00:01:48,900 in the home of mining innovation, 35 00:01:48,934 --> 00:01:50,333 New Zealand. 36 00:01:50,367 --> 00:01:53,567 To get it back to the States in time for the season, 37 00:01:53,600 --> 00:01:55,533 Parker has just seven weeks 38 00:01:55,567 --> 00:01:57,767 to find a needle in a haystack. 39 00:01:59,166 --> 00:02:00,500 [Tyler] So, this is a shortcut. 40 00:02:00,533 --> 00:02:01,734 Who's there? 41 00:02:01,767 --> 00:02:03,300 He's a local miner 42 00:02:03,333 --> 00:02:04,934 and he's got a wash plant for sale. 43 00:02:06,266 --> 00:02:07,734 [narrator] The team begin their search 44 00:02:07,767 --> 00:02:10,967 on the south island's gold rich west coast. 45 00:02:11,000 --> 00:02:12,367 For their first stop, 46 00:02:12,400 --> 00:02:15,166 they're heading 204 miles south 47 00:02:15,200 --> 00:02:18,166 to a claim near the historic mining town 48 00:02:18,200 --> 00:02:19,400 of Hokitika. 49 00:02:21,867 --> 00:02:26,400 So, Iain has given me a pin for his location. 50 00:02:26,433 --> 00:02:29,834 I think we're gonna have to pass through some old tunnels to get there. 51 00:02:29,867 --> 00:02:31,367 Like, train tunnels? 52 00:02:31,400 --> 00:02:33,600 [Tyler] No, like, tunnels from the old gold miners. 53 00:02:35,634 --> 00:02:37,166 Guys. 54 00:02:37,200 --> 00:02:39,800 - This is clearly the wrong way. - [Jeff] Yeah. 55 00:02:39,834 --> 00:02:43,233 - [Tyler] Relax... Guys. - [Danny] What do you mean relax? 56 00:02:43,266 --> 00:02:45,867 [Tyler] Parker just tasked me with finding the contacts. 57 00:02:45,900 --> 00:02:47,634 But yeah, it's proven hard in New Zealand, 58 00:02:47,667 --> 00:02:49,100 people are secretive, you know. 59 00:02:49,133 --> 00:02:51,667 It's the gold game. Everyone likes to keep their cards close to them. 60 00:02:51,700 --> 00:02:54,066 I also did not have much time to set this trip up. 61 00:02:54,100 --> 00:02:55,200 It was very rushed. 62 00:02:56,367 --> 00:02:57,333 [Jeff] Left or right? 63 00:02:58,634 --> 00:03:00,367 Go straight through there. 64 00:03:00,400 --> 00:03:01,834 - Straight through here. - Yeah. 65 00:03:05,133 --> 00:03:07,934 [water splashing] 66 00:03:11,066 --> 00:03:13,667 Oh, my [bleep] That's it, there. 67 00:03:14,567 --> 00:03:16,600 - Oh, my [bleep] - [bleeping] 68 00:03:18,233 --> 00:03:20,533 [Jeff] We're going in there? 69 00:03:20,567 --> 00:03:22,867 Wait, wait! Hang on a minute. Whoa, whoa. Jeff, Jeff. 70 00:03:22,900 --> 00:03:25,433 [Tyler] Stop! It's like a [bleep] river. 71 00:03:25,467 --> 00:03:28,133 [Jeff] [bleep] It looks deep on this right hand side. 72 00:03:28,166 --> 00:03:29,133 We should check it. 73 00:03:29,166 --> 00:03:30,533 [Parker] Tyler has boots on. 74 00:03:30,567 --> 00:03:31,467 Go on, Ty. 75 00:03:32,767 --> 00:03:35,166 [Danny] Holy [bleep] 76 00:03:35,200 --> 00:03:37,834 - I don't know. - [Danny] It's dark on the right there. 77 00:03:37,867 --> 00:03:38,700 [Jeff] So, what's the conclusion? 78 00:03:38,734 --> 00:03:39,900 We're actually going through that? 79 00:03:39,934 --> 00:03:42,000 [Danny] I think so. And just stay to the left, yeah. 80 00:03:42,033 --> 00:03:43,300 [door closes] 81 00:03:45,333 --> 00:03:47,533 [Jeff] Okay, we're gonna get stuck in here. 82 00:03:47,567 --> 00:03:48,900 Okay, okay, okay. 83 00:03:48,934 --> 00:03:50,700 You need to be the one that's confident, Jeff. 84 00:03:51,367 --> 00:03:53,133 All right. Are we ready? 85 00:03:53,166 --> 00:03:54,767 - [Tyler] No. - Stay left, Jeff. 86 00:03:54,800 --> 00:03:56,800 [dramatic music playing] 87 00:04:04,033 --> 00:04:05,433 [Jeff] Holy [bleep] 88 00:04:07,734 --> 00:04:08,867 That's too deep. 89 00:04:13,634 --> 00:04:15,634 Oh, my [bleep] Oh, my! 90 00:04:15,667 --> 00:04:17,367 [Danny] Shh... Oh. 91 00:04:18,000 --> 00:04:20,433 [Tyler] Oh, my [bleep] 92 00:04:20,467 --> 00:04:22,300 This is like Indiana Jones. 93 00:04:22,333 --> 00:04:24,000 - [Danny] Wow! - [Parker] That is cool. 94 00:04:24,767 --> 00:04:26,166 So, this is all handmade, right? 95 00:04:26,200 --> 00:04:28,800 [Tyler] Yeah. By the old timers in 1870s. 96 00:04:29,767 --> 00:04:31,934 [narrator] Built in 1878, 97 00:04:31,967 --> 00:04:34,233 miners hand dug the tunnels 98 00:04:34,266 --> 00:04:36,400 to divert the original creek 99 00:04:36,433 --> 00:04:39,033 and expose gold-rich ground. 100 00:04:39,066 --> 00:04:40,567 This area has produced 101 00:04:40,600 --> 00:04:43,600 750,000 ounces of gold, 102 00:04:43,634 --> 00:04:46,433 worth today over a billion dollars. 103 00:04:49,734 --> 00:04:51,500 [all] Oh, yeah! 104 00:04:51,533 --> 00:04:52,734 Good idea, Jeff. 105 00:04:52,767 --> 00:04:54,233 [Jeff chuckles] Yeah. 106 00:04:54,266 --> 00:04:55,800 Look at the layers. 107 00:04:55,834 --> 00:04:57,133 Yeah. 108 00:04:57,166 --> 00:05:00,900 See, that would be like a, it looks like a sand layer. 109 00:05:00,934 --> 00:05:03,400 [Danny] Look at that. 110 00:05:03,433 --> 00:05:05,600 [Tyler] This is like, the prettiest place I've ever seen. 111 00:05:05,634 --> 00:05:07,066 [Jeff] Yeah. Yeah. 112 00:05:07,100 --> 00:05:08,767 I'm just waiting for the dinosaurs. 113 00:05:08,800 --> 00:05:10,734 I feel like I'm in Jurassic Park. 114 00:05:10,767 --> 00:05:13,834 [engine revving] 115 00:05:13,867 --> 00:05:14,900 Oh, we have to go up there. 116 00:05:16,900 --> 00:05:18,667 - [Tyler] Oh, absolutely not. - [Danny] What? 117 00:05:20,066 --> 00:05:21,734 That's [bleep] steep. 118 00:05:24,600 --> 00:05:28,033 Like, I can't even stop, like, once we set spinning out on this. 119 00:05:28,066 --> 00:05:29,333 I believe in you, Jeff. 120 00:05:30,934 --> 00:05:32,333 Ban the hatches, Dan. 121 00:05:32,967 --> 00:05:35,000 [engine roaring] 122 00:05:36,700 --> 00:05:38,433 Easy, boy. 123 00:05:39,834 --> 00:05:41,567 [bleeping] 124 00:05:42,467 --> 00:05:44,333 - Wow! - [Tyler] Oh, my [bleep] 125 00:05:44,367 --> 00:05:46,166 [Danny exclaiming] 126 00:05:46,200 --> 00:05:47,467 - [bleep] - [tires screech] 127 00:05:48,300 --> 00:05:50,500 [engine revving] 128 00:05:52,266 --> 00:05:53,400 [Danny] Nearly, eh? 129 00:05:53,433 --> 00:05:54,800 [Jeff] Oh, so close. 130 00:05:54,834 --> 00:05:56,867 - [Danny] Very close. - [Jeff] We're definitely in a hole now. 131 00:05:57,700 --> 00:05:59,200 [door closes] 132 00:05:59,233 --> 00:06:01,200 - Where's the winch control. - [Jeff] I don't know. I'm trying to find it. 133 00:06:01,233 --> 00:06:03,100 [Danny] I reckon it's in that back drawer. 134 00:06:04,834 --> 00:06:06,333 [Danny exclaims] 135 00:06:06,367 --> 00:06:07,333 Is it in there? 136 00:06:08,166 --> 00:06:09,433 No, this is a tool box. 137 00:06:11,967 --> 00:06:13,567 Do you need help? 138 00:06:13,600 --> 00:06:16,200 Ah, [bleep] Tyler. 139 00:06:16,233 --> 00:06:18,467 [Parker] This is why you always test your equipment 140 00:06:18,500 --> 00:06:19,700 before you go. 141 00:06:20,400 --> 00:06:21,233 [Tyler] He's right. 142 00:06:22,634 --> 00:06:24,867 The only other place we haven't looked 143 00:06:24,900 --> 00:06:26,967 is in that little side compartment on this side. 144 00:06:27,934 --> 00:06:28,834 [Danny] Let's try that. 145 00:06:32,500 --> 00:06:33,300 Here we go. 146 00:06:33,967 --> 00:06:35,200 There it is! 147 00:06:35,867 --> 00:06:37,600 Yeah! Come on! 148 00:06:37,634 --> 00:06:39,800 Hey, this literally feels like Jurassic Park now. 149 00:06:43,634 --> 00:06:44,900 Get ready to fire up. 150 00:06:44,934 --> 00:06:46,467 [engine starts] 151 00:06:47,367 --> 00:06:48,967 [Danny] Oh, yeah! Go on! 152 00:06:50,266 --> 00:06:51,433 [Tyler] Get it! 153 00:06:51,467 --> 00:06:52,834 [Danny] Go on! 154 00:06:53,800 --> 00:06:55,634 - Come on! - [Tyler] Get it! 155 00:06:57,033 --> 00:06:58,066 Go, Jeff! 156 00:06:58,533 --> 00:07:00,233 [Danny] Oh, yes! 157 00:07:00,266 --> 00:07:02,433 - Woo-hoo! - [Danny] Get in there. 158 00:07:02,467 --> 00:07:03,567 - Nice! - [Tyler exclaims] 159 00:07:03,600 --> 00:07:04,700 [Parker] Well done, Jeff. 160 00:07:05,533 --> 00:07:07,533 [Danny] That was awesome. 161 00:07:07,567 --> 00:07:10,667 Some shortcut. There's probably about another eight of these. 162 00:07:10,700 --> 00:07:12,567 [Parker] Maybe we should keep this somewhere we know where it is now. 163 00:07:12,600 --> 00:07:13,500 [Danny] Yeah, I would. 164 00:07:13,533 --> 00:07:14,567 Woo! 165 00:07:19,634 --> 00:07:22,000 [narrator] After a four and a half hour journey, 166 00:07:23,400 --> 00:07:25,900 the team finally hit the gold fields 167 00:07:25,934 --> 00:07:27,967 of Hokitika. 168 00:07:28,000 --> 00:07:30,266 [Tyler] So, the guy who we're about to see, Iain Whyte. 169 00:07:30,300 --> 00:07:34,300 He has lots of cool technology here that is concentrating on finding fine gold. 170 00:07:34,333 --> 00:07:37,934 And separating it from the blacks and it refines. 171 00:07:37,967 --> 00:07:39,300 He hasn't told me a lot, to be honest. 172 00:07:39,333 --> 00:07:41,533 But from what I can gather he knows what he's doing. 173 00:07:41,567 --> 00:07:42,367 [Danny] Good stuff. 174 00:07:43,400 --> 00:07:46,867 [narrator] Founded on gold mining in 1864, 175 00:07:46,900 --> 00:07:50,000 Hokitika was at the heart of the west coast gold rush. 176 00:07:50,700 --> 00:07:52,634 By 1866, 177 00:07:52,667 --> 00:07:55,700 it was one of New Zealand's most populous areas. 178 00:07:55,734 --> 00:07:57,433 And home to some of the country's 179 00:07:57,467 --> 00:07:59,433 most successful gold fields. 180 00:07:59,467 --> 00:08:02,133 In total, the west coast has produced 181 00:08:02,166 --> 00:08:05,066 almost nine million ounces in gold. 182 00:08:07,000 --> 00:08:08,500 [Tyler] Beautiful place to work. 183 00:08:09,166 --> 00:08:10,734 - Oh, there he is. - Oh. 184 00:08:10,767 --> 00:08:13,934 [narrator] Now, almost an 160 years later, 185 00:08:13,967 --> 00:08:16,000 miners like Iain Whyte... 186 00:08:16,033 --> 00:08:16,900 How's it going? 187 00:08:19,433 --> 00:08:21,500 [narrator] ...are still finding the gold 188 00:08:21,533 --> 00:08:23,700 with state-of-the-art equipment. 189 00:08:23,734 --> 00:08:25,300 [Tyler] It looks like you got a bit of ground here. 190 00:08:29,233 --> 00:08:30,033 Right. 191 00:08:31,734 --> 00:08:33,433 [all laughing] 192 00:08:33,467 --> 00:08:35,767 But yeah, thanks for agreeing to meet with us. 193 00:08:35,800 --> 00:08:38,200 - [Iain] Yeah. - [Parker] We're looking at buying a wash plant. 194 00:08:38,233 --> 00:08:39,233 [Iain chuckles] Yeah. 195 00:08:42,667 --> 00:08:43,734 Yeah, that'd be great. 196 00:08:43,767 --> 00:08:44,900 [all chuckling] 197 00:08:49,800 --> 00:08:52,166 [narrator] With over 45 years' experience 198 00:08:52,200 --> 00:08:54,667 spanning three continents, 199 00:08:54,700 --> 00:08:57,934 Iain is one of the most successful miners in New Zealand. 200 00:08:59,233 --> 00:09:00,300 They're big. 201 00:09:02,100 --> 00:09:05,000 [narrator] He's been working this 44 acre plain 202 00:09:05,033 --> 00:09:06,634 since 2019. 203 00:09:07,533 --> 00:09:09,700 [Iain] 204 00:09:09,734 --> 00:09:10,700 [Parker] Yeah, that'd be great. 205 00:09:15,100 --> 00:09:17,266 [Iain] 206 00:09:20,200 --> 00:09:21,734 [Parker] How long have you been in this spot? 207 00:09:21,767 --> 00:09:23,333 [Iain] 208 00:09:23,367 --> 00:09:25,567 [Parker] The ground here from what I know, 209 00:09:25,600 --> 00:09:27,900 it's fairly similar in Alaska. 210 00:09:27,934 --> 00:09:29,934 In that, like, the ground that's left, 211 00:09:29,967 --> 00:09:32,166 - a lot of it is deeper ground. - [Iain] Yeah. 212 00:09:32,200 --> 00:09:33,634 And then you'll take 213 00:09:33,667 --> 00:09:35,433 probably not even anytime soon, 214 00:09:35,467 --> 00:09:38,200 but you'll take a strip off that whole side then, huh? 215 00:09:38,233 --> 00:09:40,433 [Iain] 216 00:09:50,467 --> 00:09:51,567 [Iain laughs] 217 00:09:58,634 --> 00:09:59,500 [Parker] Right. 218 00:09:59,533 --> 00:10:01,567 [Iain] 219 00:10:01,600 --> 00:10:03,567 - [Parker] Right. Should we go check out the plant? - [Iain] Yeah. 220 00:10:03,600 --> 00:10:05,433 [machine whirring] 221 00:10:08,033 --> 00:10:10,033 [Iain] 222 00:10:12,500 --> 00:10:13,367 [Parker] Right. 223 00:10:13,400 --> 00:10:14,767 [Iain] 224 00:10:14,800 --> 00:10:16,834 - [Parker] 'Cause these have hydraulics on them, huh? - [Iain] Yeah. 225 00:10:18,333 --> 00:10:21,867 [narrator] Iain is offering up a pair of five-foot trommels 226 00:10:21,900 --> 00:10:24,166 that runs side-by-side 227 00:10:24,200 --> 00:10:29,100 and can churn through a 160 yards of gold rich pay per hour. 228 00:10:29,133 --> 00:10:32,400 And have a price tag of $200,000. 229 00:10:36,400 --> 00:10:40,467 So, why run two plants side-by-side 230 00:10:40,500 --> 00:10:42,233 instead of one big one? 231 00:10:56,433 --> 00:10:57,233 [Parker] Right. 232 00:11:02,867 --> 00:11:03,667 [Parker] Right. 233 00:11:04,767 --> 00:11:07,133 [narrator] A saving of 30 minutes 234 00:11:07,166 --> 00:11:08,700 every 12 hours, 235 00:11:08,734 --> 00:11:12,800 could amount to extra $500,000 a season 236 00:11:12,834 --> 00:11:15,100 for Parker in Alaska. 237 00:11:15,133 --> 00:11:17,400 [Parker] All right. Well, mind if I have a go? 238 00:11:22,266 --> 00:11:23,300 [Tyler] Sweet. 239 00:11:23,333 --> 00:11:25,867 And what kind of, like, a bucket per minute or? 240 00:11:25,900 --> 00:11:27,634 [Iain] 241 00:11:27,667 --> 00:11:28,500 Okay. 242 00:11:28,533 --> 00:11:31,000 [Iain] 243 00:11:31,033 --> 00:11:32,200 [Parker] All right. 244 00:11:32,233 --> 00:11:35,100 [plant starts] 245 00:11:45,734 --> 00:11:46,934 [Danny] First bucket. 246 00:11:51,133 --> 00:11:53,300 [Parker] This is a cool operation. 247 00:11:53,333 --> 00:11:55,867 Minds like Iain's are why I came to New Zealand. 248 00:11:57,700 --> 00:11:59,066 [Iain] 249 00:12:02,033 --> 00:12:03,033 [Danny chuckles] 250 00:12:04,467 --> 00:12:07,600 [Iain] 251 00:12:18,133 --> 00:12:20,333 - Cheating? - [both laugh] 252 00:12:31,900 --> 00:12:35,033 Really glad that Iain let us come here because 253 00:12:35,066 --> 00:12:36,600 this is a cool operation. 254 00:12:37,834 --> 00:12:40,734 [narrator] In the gold fields of Hokitika, New Zealand, 255 00:12:40,767 --> 00:12:43,500 Parker is testing out a double trommel setup. 256 00:12:44,900 --> 00:12:47,333 We're definitely gonna be able to get some really good ideas here. 257 00:12:47,367 --> 00:12:49,533 I think that all New Zealanders that are miners 258 00:12:49,567 --> 00:12:51,767 really put a lot of effort into thinking about 259 00:12:51,800 --> 00:12:53,467 what they're doing and why they're doing it. 260 00:12:53,500 --> 00:12:55,500 And Iain's obviously a thinker. 261 00:13:15,367 --> 00:13:16,967 [Parker] Um, yeah. I mean, this seems like 262 00:13:17,000 --> 00:13:18,133 a pretty good setup, 263 00:13:18,166 --> 00:13:19,967 But running two small plants, 264 00:13:20,000 --> 00:13:23,200 isn't something I'd really consider for my current operation. 265 00:13:25,033 --> 00:13:26,767 I get the reasoning behind it. 266 00:13:26,800 --> 00:13:28,700 Having two smaller plants, 267 00:13:28,734 --> 00:13:31,033 it's really no different than having one big plant. 268 00:13:31,066 --> 00:13:31,867 Except... 269 00:13:33,667 --> 00:13:36,634 the odds of having both plants break down are pretty slim, 270 00:13:36,667 --> 00:13:39,266 so you'll always be able to keep running. Right? 271 00:13:39,300 --> 00:13:40,967 It's definitely making me think about 272 00:13:41,000 --> 00:13:43,033 the two wash plant things. 273 00:13:43,066 --> 00:13:44,867 And the yardage for these two plants 274 00:13:44,900 --> 00:13:48,000 is about the kind of yardage that we're aiming for, 275 00:13:48,033 --> 00:13:49,934 so the yardage works. 276 00:13:51,567 --> 00:13:55,133 [narrator] Parker needs to run at least 150 yards an hour 277 00:13:55,166 --> 00:13:57,033 at his Alaska operation. 278 00:13:57,066 --> 00:13:59,967 If he can maintain that pace or beat it, 279 00:14:00,066 --> 00:14:01,667 he could mine out the claim 280 00:14:01,700 --> 00:14:03,967 and bank the $11 million 281 00:14:04,000 --> 00:14:06,233 estimated to be in the ground. 282 00:14:06,266 --> 00:14:08,367 They're very short loose boxes, Jeff. 283 00:14:08,400 --> 00:14:09,467 [Jeff] Yes, they are. 284 00:14:09,500 --> 00:14:10,667 The only way you can do that 285 00:14:10,700 --> 00:14:12,500 is by having hydraulic riffles. 286 00:14:12,533 --> 00:14:15,834 - So, if you reach in here... - [Danny] Yeah. 287 00:14:15,867 --> 00:14:17,900 [Jeff] And you can feel that the material is loose? 288 00:14:18,433 --> 00:14:19,533 Oh, yeah. 289 00:14:19,567 --> 00:14:21,634 So, now come down to the Hungarian riffles. 290 00:14:21,667 --> 00:14:23,000 Feel, it's harder. 291 00:14:23,033 --> 00:14:27,300 So, that's the difference between Hungarian and hydraulic riffle. 292 00:14:27,333 --> 00:14:29,000 [narrator] In Hungarian riffles, 293 00:14:29,033 --> 00:14:31,000 the iron angles in the sluice 294 00:14:31,033 --> 00:14:34,367 create a swirling vortex that agitates the dirt 295 00:14:34,400 --> 00:14:36,634 and catches the heavier gold. 296 00:14:36,667 --> 00:14:39,500 Whereas, hydraulic riffles stir the material 297 00:14:39,533 --> 00:14:40,967 with water injection. 298 00:14:41,834 --> 00:14:43,367 [Jeff] On this particular plant, 299 00:14:43,400 --> 00:14:45,734 80 percent of its recovery is here. 300 00:14:45,767 --> 00:14:48,800 And additional ten percent here. 301 00:14:48,834 --> 00:14:50,300 Anywhere from four to six months, 302 00:14:50,333 --> 00:14:51,500 he'll clean the end. 303 00:14:51,533 --> 00:14:54,467 And he's cleaning up here every day or two, 304 00:14:54,500 --> 00:14:55,934 depending on how much material he's running 305 00:14:55,967 --> 00:14:57,233 and how long he's running. 306 00:14:57,266 --> 00:14:58,634 That's key because, 307 00:14:58,667 --> 00:15:00,734 you know, over the course of a mining season, 308 00:15:00,767 --> 00:15:02,500 you know, that's down time. 309 00:15:02,533 --> 00:15:05,934 And it's key to have the most you put through your plants 310 00:15:05,967 --> 00:15:07,000 in a mining season. 311 00:15:08,000 --> 00:15:09,800 [narrator] Hydraulic riffles also allows 312 00:15:09,834 --> 00:15:11,533 for shorter sluice runs 313 00:15:11,567 --> 00:15:13,533 which could mean faster cleanups. 314 00:15:13,567 --> 00:15:15,867 Perfect for Parker's Alaska operation. 315 00:15:18,433 --> 00:15:21,333 Oh, it's really good seeing a miner like Iain, 316 00:15:21,367 --> 00:15:23,600 you know, he's really just shaving seconds 317 00:15:23,634 --> 00:15:25,634 off of each hour. 318 00:15:25,667 --> 00:15:26,667 And at the end of the year 319 00:15:26,700 --> 00:15:28,800 that adds up to be a lot of time. 320 00:15:32,400 --> 00:15:33,867 [Tyler] Having Jeff here is great. 321 00:15:33,900 --> 00:15:35,600 It kinda takes the pressure off my back 322 00:15:35,634 --> 00:15:37,100 'cause wash plants aren't my thing. 323 00:15:37,133 --> 00:15:40,233 The fact he's here and he's all over that side of things, 324 00:15:40,266 --> 00:15:43,100 it's one less thing that I have to worry about. 325 00:15:43,133 --> 00:15:45,600 So now I can concentrate on finding new contacts. 326 00:15:46,367 --> 00:15:47,800 [cell phone ringing] 327 00:15:49,000 --> 00:15:50,834 [cell phone ringing] 328 00:15:50,867 --> 00:15:52,333 [Tyler] Hey, how are you? 329 00:15:52,367 --> 00:15:53,767 Yeah, I'm good. Good. 330 00:15:53,800 --> 00:15:55,467 Thank you for getting back to me. 331 00:15:55,500 --> 00:15:57,967 I was just hoping that maybe you wouldn't mind 332 00:15:58,000 --> 00:15:59,800 if we headed up to your site 333 00:15:59,834 --> 00:16:02,133 and put some wash plants and... 334 00:16:02,166 --> 00:16:03,100 Hello? 335 00:16:04,200 --> 00:16:05,533 H... Hello? 336 00:16:11,000 --> 00:16:12,333 Yes, sorry. I can just hear you. 337 00:16:12,367 --> 00:16:13,567 You're just breaking up a little bit. 338 00:16:16,233 --> 00:16:18,533 Yeah, I don't think tailings for these plants 339 00:16:18,567 --> 00:16:19,967 would be a full time job. 340 00:16:21,066 --> 00:16:22,834 Tyler's doing tailings right now. 341 00:16:22,867 --> 00:16:24,700 But it's probably something where 342 00:16:24,734 --> 00:16:27,233 the loader operator also helping 343 00:16:27,266 --> 00:16:30,500 get the material close enough to the plants more. 344 00:16:33,233 --> 00:16:34,400 Sweet. Okay, thank you. 345 00:16:39,767 --> 00:16:40,700 Oh [bleep] 346 00:16:42,834 --> 00:16:44,367 Oh [bleeping] 347 00:16:46,367 --> 00:16:48,033 [Tyler] [bleep] that was so stupid. 348 00:16:52,367 --> 00:16:54,200 [engine starts] 349 00:16:59,567 --> 00:17:00,734 [engine revs] 350 00:17:03,400 --> 00:17:05,400 Parker has 100 percent noticed that. 351 00:17:07,634 --> 00:17:10,100 Hurry up, Tyler. I've got a box walk free. 352 00:17:10,500 --> 00:17:11,500 Yeah. Roger. 353 00:17:17,667 --> 00:17:20,767 That's like, number one rule when you're in the loaders, 354 00:17:20,800 --> 00:17:22,433 don't let the [bleep] tailings back up. 355 00:17:23,400 --> 00:17:25,066 I hope Iain hasn't seen that. 356 00:17:26,266 --> 00:17:28,867 But the phone call was actually a positive. 357 00:17:28,900 --> 00:17:32,233 I've been trying to get a hold of Ben for literally days now. 358 00:17:32,266 --> 00:17:34,133 Ben's got a wash plant for sale. 359 00:17:34,166 --> 00:17:35,900 That's a positive if I can make it happen. 360 00:17:41,400 --> 00:17:43,066 How're you going, up there? 361 00:17:43,100 --> 00:17:45,100 Yeah, just peachy. 362 00:17:45,133 --> 00:17:46,567 [on radio] I figured if it was really bad, 363 00:17:46,600 --> 00:17:47,900 somebody would have said something. 364 00:17:48,600 --> 00:17:50,367 Yeah, fair enough. 365 00:17:50,400 --> 00:17:52,567 [on radio] What are your thoughts on the two wash plants? 366 00:17:54,767 --> 00:17:56,867 I don't know. Lot of moving parts. 367 00:17:58,600 --> 00:17:59,967 [on radio] I think probably the only thing 368 00:18:00,066 --> 00:18:02,934 I really don't like about this is the... 369 00:18:04,467 --> 00:18:05,533 the feed. 370 00:18:07,300 --> 00:18:08,767 Feeding two plants, 371 00:18:08,800 --> 00:18:11,500 you pretty much have to excavator feed them. 372 00:18:12,000 --> 00:18:13,700 Excavator feeding 373 00:18:13,734 --> 00:18:15,467 makes things easy. 374 00:18:15,500 --> 00:18:17,567 But I just... I like to take 375 00:18:17,600 --> 00:18:20,166 the human element out of the consistency 376 00:18:20,200 --> 00:18:21,500 of the feed to a plant. 377 00:18:21,533 --> 00:18:24,333 And our big line of conveyors and feeders do that. 378 00:18:26,133 --> 00:18:28,634 You can conveyor feed into two separate plants, 379 00:18:28,667 --> 00:18:30,400 but it takes this big splitter bin 380 00:18:30,433 --> 00:18:32,867 to split the material from one conveyor belt going in 381 00:18:32,900 --> 00:18:34,433 into two separate feeds 382 00:18:34,467 --> 00:18:35,867 and the two separate plants. 383 00:18:35,900 --> 00:18:37,634 I've never seen one of those work, 384 00:18:38,433 --> 00:18:39,834 like I've seen them not work. 385 00:18:49,934 --> 00:18:50,900 [Jeff] Hey, Danny. 386 00:18:50,934 --> 00:18:53,333 I'm noticing, there's another plant being fed. 387 00:18:53,367 --> 00:18:54,567 [Danny] Oh, yeah. 388 00:18:54,600 --> 00:18:56,100 [narrator] Across the claim, 389 00:18:56,133 --> 00:18:58,533 Jeff and Danny find the real reason 390 00:18:58,567 --> 00:19:01,367 Iain is selling his double trommel. 391 00:19:01,400 --> 00:19:02,700 [Danny] That one looks fresh. 392 00:19:02,734 --> 00:19:04,133 [Jeff] I'm liking what I'm seeing here. 393 00:19:05,600 --> 00:19:07,333 - [Danny] Oh, nice! - [Jeff] Yeah! 394 00:19:07,367 --> 00:19:09,533 She's beautiful. Brand new. 395 00:19:10,634 --> 00:19:12,634 [Jeff] It's got a base hopper. 396 00:19:13,767 --> 00:19:16,467 Six-foot trommel. Check. 397 00:19:16,500 --> 00:19:18,367 And this is pretty unique here. 398 00:19:18,400 --> 00:19:20,133 It's got a bit of a primary catch tray 399 00:19:20,166 --> 00:19:22,367 that can lower down with hydraulics here. 400 00:19:22,400 --> 00:19:25,533 I'd like to see what this looks like once it shuts down. 401 00:19:25,567 --> 00:19:27,166 And I can see hydraulic riffle, 402 00:19:27,200 --> 00:19:29,500 so this is what we're looking for. 403 00:19:29,533 --> 00:19:30,400 Right here. 404 00:19:31,233 --> 00:19:32,433 [Danny] We should go find Parker. 405 00:19:36,967 --> 00:19:38,834 [Tyler] Iain's just turned off the pump. 406 00:19:38,867 --> 00:19:40,867 Parker's about to park up. 407 00:19:40,900 --> 00:19:42,600 I think we're wrapping up for the day. 408 00:19:44,200 --> 00:19:45,634 [Parker] Is there any gold in it? 409 00:19:45,667 --> 00:19:47,934 [Iain] 410 00:19:47,967 --> 00:19:50,600 Your plant operator is probably throwing all the gold away. 411 00:19:50,634 --> 00:19:52,066 [all chuckling] 412 00:19:52,100 --> 00:19:53,433 [Iain] 413 00:19:53,467 --> 00:19:54,300 [J] Yeah. 414 00:19:54,333 --> 00:19:55,734 [Iain] 415 00:19:58,100 --> 00:20:00,533 [Jeff] I'm totally with you on hydraulics. I love 'em. 416 00:20:00,567 --> 00:20:03,066 Parker is used to using Hungarian riffles. 417 00:20:03,100 --> 00:20:04,800 And on this plant, 418 00:20:04,834 --> 00:20:06,500 there's hydraulic riffles 419 00:20:06,533 --> 00:20:09,166 and that's something I'd like to kind of move him towards. 420 00:20:09,200 --> 00:20:10,934 I know it's gonna take a little convincing. 421 00:20:10,967 --> 00:20:13,367 But if it's ran properly and it's done properly, 422 00:20:13,400 --> 00:20:17,233 it can be a big time saver for cleanups sort of season. 423 00:20:17,266 --> 00:20:20,367 [Parker] Um, that is just finicky, you know. 424 00:20:20,400 --> 00:20:22,800 Like, too much water pressure blows everything out of 'em. 425 00:20:22,834 --> 00:20:25,100 Not enough, they're packing up super tight. 426 00:20:25,133 --> 00:20:27,100 [Iain] 427 00:20:36,100 --> 00:20:38,200 Myself and Jeff were having a little look round. 428 00:20:39,500 --> 00:20:42,734 We spotted a nice kinda new looking 429 00:20:42,767 --> 00:20:43,967 six-foot trommel. 430 00:20:53,333 --> 00:20:55,166 [Jeff] Yeah. Parker, it's wicked, I really like it. 431 00:20:55,200 --> 00:20:58,533 I think there's gonna be some good stuff on here for you to see. 432 00:20:58,567 --> 00:20:59,700 [Parker] Mind if I check it out? 433 00:21:04,867 --> 00:21:05,734 [Danny] Let's get over there. 434 00:21:13,000 --> 00:21:13,934 [Parker] It's quiet. 435 00:21:16,433 --> 00:21:17,834 - Really quiet. - Yeah. 436 00:21:20,033 --> 00:21:21,400 [Iain] 437 00:21:43,800 --> 00:21:46,533 [narrator] Iain's compact six-foot super trommel 438 00:21:46,567 --> 00:21:50,367 can run 235 yards of dirt per hour 439 00:21:50,400 --> 00:21:53,800 and is custom built for fine gold recovery. 440 00:21:53,834 --> 00:21:58,033 A one of a kind hydraulic powered catch tray drops down. 441 00:21:58,066 --> 00:22:02,133 Allowing for up to 70 percent of Iain's gold to be cleaned up 442 00:22:02,166 --> 00:22:04,867 in a quick ten minute shutdown. 443 00:22:04,900 --> 00:22:10,367 An innovation, which can save Parker days in downtime across the season. 444 00:22:17,300 --> 00:22:20,767 - That's really nice. I really like this plan. - [Iain] Yeah. 445 00:22:22,467 --> 00:22:23,266 He likes it. 446 00:22:36,634 --> 00:22:39,734 - That's really nice. I really like this plan. - Yeah. 447 00:22:41,600 --> 00:22:43,200 He likes it. 448 00:22:43,233 --> 00:22:44,500 So does Jeff. 449 00:22:45,900 --> 00:22:47,667 [narrator] But Iain Whyte's claim. 450 00:22:47,700 --> 00:22:49,734 Parker is decoding Iain's new, 451 00:22:49,767 --> 00:22:51,266 six foot super trommel. 452 00:22:52,367 --> 00:22:55,600 - Again, this is the primary path trail. - Yeah. 453 00:22:58,166 --> 00:23:00,166 No, I don't wanna shut your plant down. 454 00:23:00,200 --> 00:23:01,567 [Iain] 455 00:23:08,233 --> 00:23:09,800 [Jeff] We shut her down, 456 00:23:09,834 --> 00:23:11,300 so we can take a look in the primary. 457 00:23:13,233 --> 00:23:16,867 The primary catch tray is, it's a small sluice run 458 00:23:16,900 --> 00:23:19,266 underneath the belly of the trommel 459 00:23:19,300 --> 00:23:21,033 and Iain's catching around 460 00:23:21,066 --> 00:23:22,333 70 percent of his gold in that. 461 00:23:22,367 --> 00:23:24,367 So, he does a quick cleanup of that each day. 462 00:23:24,400 --> 00:23:26,300 - There's some gold in there. - [Iain] Yup. 463 00:23:29,800 --> 00:23:31,767 - Nice system, innit? - [Parker] Oh, yeah! 464 00:23:42,567 --> 00:23:43,800 Super easy cleanup. 465 00:23:44,233 --> 00:23:45,333 Oh, yeah. 466 00:23:46,266 --> 00:23:48,233 That is awesome, look at that. 467 00:23:49,667 --> 00:23:50,867 That is wicked. 468 00:23:50,900 --> 00:23:53,400 [Iain] 469 00:23:53,433 --> 00:23:54,934 So quick! 470 00:23:54,967 --> 00:23:57,100 That was on, like, 15 minutes 471 00:23:57,133 --> 00:23:58,934 and we probably slowed you down. 472 00:24:01,233 --> 00:24:04,433 [Paul] Catch tray cleanups on Iain's new Super Trommel 473 00:24:04,467 --> 00:24:08,000 can be performed by one person in ten minutes, 474 00:24:08,033 --> 00:24:11,066 whereas cleanups on Parker's Slucifer Plant 475 00:24:11,100 --> 00:24:14,300 can take at least three crew members over an hour. 476 00:24:15,500 --> 00:24:18,600 What's, uh, what're your thoughts here, like? 477 00:24:18,634 --> 00:24:20,033 It's going through a hydraulic riffle, 478 00:24:20,066 --> 00:24:21,467 something you would think about? 479 00:24:21,500 --> 00:24:24,567 Yeah, I think the only change I'd want, is expand the metal. 480 00:24:28,300 --> 00:24:30,200 [narrator] For his entire mining career, 481 00:24:30,233 --> 00:24:33,533 Parker has preferred to use long sluice runs 482 00:24:33,567 --> 00:24:36,066 with a combination of Hungarian riffles 483 00:24:36,100 --> 00:24:37,900 and expanded metal 484 00:24:37,934 --> 00:24:40,266 giving him more areas to catch gold. 485 00:24:41,967 --> 00:24:43,066 In contrast, 486 00:24:43,100 --> 00:24:45,734 the Kiwi miner's secret to success 487 00:24:45,767 --> 00:24:49,700 is short sluice runs with hydraulic riffles. 488 00:24:49,734 --> 00:24:52,500 [Parker] These short little runs that these guys use are just, 489 00:24:52,533 --> 00:24:53,800 I'm not used to it. 490 00:24:53,834 --> 00:24:55,100 - [Jeff] They're very short. - [Parker] We usually have like, 491 00:24:55,133 --> 00:24:56,700 three different types of riffles. 492 00:24:56,734 --> 00:24:59,400 I mean, you could convert this one to have a longer... 493 00:24:59,433 --> 00:25:01,533 - ...runs. And a lot of variation. - [Jeff] Yeah. 494 00:25:01,567 --> 00:25:03,000 This could work for you up north. 495 00:25:03,767 --> 00:25:05,433 [Parker] Yeah. It's a nice plan. 496 00:25:05,734 --> 00:25:06,767 [Iain] 497 00:25:06,800 --> 00:25:07,600 [Jeff] Yeah, simple. 498 00:25:13,066 --> 00:25:15,567 I think we should get out of here, they're talking price here. 499 00:25:15,600 --> 00:25:17,600 - Is he asking him now? - All right. Bye, bye. 500 00:25:19,867 --> 00:25:20,900 [Jeff] This trip could be over. 501 00:25:21,800 --> 00:25:23,634 A nice setup. 502 00:25:23,667 --> 00:25:27,700 - That's definitely a very quick cleanup. - Yeah. 503 00:25:27,734 --> 00:25:29,166 Would you change anything? 504 00:25:30,000 --> 00:25:30,800 Um... 505 00:25:44,934 --> 00:25:46,333 You wanna sell me your plant? 506 00:25:46,367 --> 00:25:49,367 [Iain laughs] 507 00:25:49,400 --> 00:25:51,266 So, Parker's asking for a price. 508 00:25:51,300 --> 00:25:53,066 [Jeff] He's asking him right now and I mean, 509 00:25:53,100 --> 00:25:55,033 in all honesty, if the price is right 510 00:25:56,333 --> 00:25:58,367 and shipping was to work out, 511 00:25:58,400 --> 00:26:00,767 he could have this plant for the beginning of the season, no problem. 512 00:26:00,800 --> 00:26:02,834 What's something like that worth, Jeff? 513 00:26:02,867 --> 00:26:06,433 - I've gotta say it's probably around six, seven. - [Danny] Right. 514 00:26:07,400 --> 00:26:09,600 [narrator] At $700,000, 515 00:26:09,634 --> 00:26:12,934 it would be within Parker's $1,000,000 budget. 516 00:26:12,967 --> 00:26:14,533 So, I guess 517 00:26:14,567 --> 00:26:16,467 it's all gonna come down to uh-- 518 00:26:16,500 --> 00:26:17,800 Yeah, the big dollar! 519 00:26:19,066 --> 00:26:19,967 All right. 520 00:26:22,433 --> 00:26:23,266 [Danny] What do you reckon? 521 00:26:23,700 --> 00:26:25,634 Um... 522 00:26:25,667 --> 00:26:29,734 I mean, he had that twinkle in his eye when I asked him if he'd sell it. 523 00:26:29,767 --> 00:26:30,734 Of like... 524 00:26:32,367 --> 00:26:33,433 probably could. 525 00:26:34,100 --> 00:26:34,934 But... 526 00:26:36,133 --> 00:26:37,467 it's his baby. 527 00:26:37,500 --> 00:26:40,033 - [Danny] And it's pretty new. - Like, he's just not gonna do it. 528 00:26:40,066 --> 00:26:41,900 We started talking money a little bit, 529 00:26:41,934 --> 00:26:45,300 but by the time I pry it out of his hands, 530 00:26:45,333 --> 00:26:47,367 cut it up and get it in containers, 531 00:26:47,400 --> 00:26:49,400 ship it to Burbank's 532 00:26:49,433 --> 00:26:50,634 and put it back together, 533 00:26:51,800 --> 00:26:54,033 a million dollars would be long, long gone. 534 00:26:54,533 --> 00:26:55,333 [Danny] Yeah. 535 00:26:56,767 --> 00:26:59,600 This sets a very high standard for what we're looking for. 536 00:27:00,367 --> 00:27:01,467 [Jeff] I like those words. 537 00:27:02,333 --> 00:27:03,900 I like those words. 538 00:27:03,934 --> 00:27:05,266 The pressure's on, but I like 'em. 539 00:27:06,667 --> 00:27:10,600 Well, thank you for showing us around and sharing all your 540 00:27:10,634 --> 00:27:12,634 - tricks and wisdom. - [Iain laughs] 541 00:27:14,333 --> 00:27:15,567 - [Jeff] Really appreciated. - [Parker] Thanks, buddy. 542 00:27:16,433 --> 00:27:17,333 [Jeff laughs] 543 00:27:29,033 --> 00:27:30,634 [Parker] That new trommel that he's got 544 00:27:32,100 --> 00:27:34,166 is very close to perfect. 545 00:27:34,200 --> 00:27:35,233 I wish he would've sold it. 546 00:27:36,567 --> 00:27:38,800 But Iain obviously runs a very good mine site, 547 00:27:38,834 --> 00:27:41,100 that is super well-organized 548 00:27:41,133 --> 00:27:44,934 and I'm coming away from here with a lot of good ideas. 549 00:27:56,133 --> 00:27:58,400 [Danny] I thought you were gonna buy a wash plant at one point. 550 00:27:58,433 --> 00:27:59,300 [Parker] Yeah, so did I! 551 00:27:59,333 --> 00:28:01,066 [Jeff] True. For a minute there. 552 00:28:01,100 --> 00:28:03,200 Would've been nice to have gotten it. 553 00:28:03,233 --> 00:28:04,867 - An early win. - [Tyler] Mmm. 554 00:28:05,133 --> 00:28:06,700 Yeah. 555 00:28:06,734 --> 00:28:08,400 You know how quiet that thing was? 556 00:28:08,433 --> 00:28:10,066 - [Tyler] So quiet. - It was very quiet. 557 00:28:10,100 --> 00:28:12,467 [Parker] I mean, since he wouldn't sell that thing, 558 00:28:12,500 --> 00:28:14,634 it makes me think, okay, what we could change. 559 00:28:14,667 --> 00:28:16,166 - Mmm-hmm. - [Parker] The only major thing is, 560 00:28:16,200 --> 00:28:18,200 hydraulics, they're super finicky. 561 00:28:18,233 --> 00:28:20,000 I do like having longer sluice runs 562 00:28:20,033 --> 00:28:22,467 that have a bunch of different variations in them. 563 00:28:22,500 --> 00:28:25,266 With a few little changes, that plant would have been 564 00:28:25,800 --> 00:28:27,300 super usable for us. 565 00:28:27,333 --> 00:28:28,533 - [Tyler] Good. - It was a very nice trommel. 566 00:28:28,567 --> 00:28:31,233 We have to go see someone who actually has a wash plant 567 00:28:31,266 --> 00:28:33,066 for sale tomorrow which is really exciting. 568 00:28:33,100 --> 00:28:35,734 - Let's call it a night. I'm shattered. - [Tyler] Bed. 569 00:28:35,767 --> 00:28:37,433 - Yeah. - Night, guys. 570 00:28:37,467 --> 00:28:38,400 [Parker] Nighty night. 571 00:28:58,266 --> 00:29:00,266 - [Tyler] This is beautiful. - [Jeff] It is. It's gorgeous. 572 00:29:00,300 --> 00:29:02,734 Oh, my [bleep] 573 00:29:02,767 --> 00:29:03,700 Look at that. 574 00:29:07,000 --> 00:29:09,900 [narrator] After striking out at Iain Whyte's claim, 575 00:29:09,934 --> 00:29:13,734 Parker's search for the perfect wash plant continues. 576 00:29:13,767 --> 00:29:16,066 I did really like that trommel at Iain's. 577 00:29:16,100 --> 00:29:17,066 It's good, though. 578 00:29:17,100 --> 00:29:19,033 Good feeling for moving forwards. 579 00:29:19,066 --> 00:29:20,567 - Mmm. - Right? 580 00:29:20,600 --> 00:29:22,734 Yeah, we are in the right spot, on the trail. 581 00:29:22,767 --> 00:29:24,634 [Tyler] So, we're going to see a guy called Ben Ferguson. 582 00:29:24,667 --> 00:29:25,900 [Parker] Who's that? 583 00:29:25,934 --> 00:29:27,967 He's a local miner and farmer 584 00:29:28,000 --> 00:29:30,333 and he's got a wash plant for sale. 585 00:29:30,367 --> 00:29:33,300 [narrator] Parker and his team travel 62 miles north 586 00:29:33,333 --> 00:29:35,533 to Ben Ferguson's farm 587 00:29:35,567 --> 00:29:38,533 in the heart of New Zealand's agricultural district 588 00:29:39,066 --> 00:29:40,467 to tour a flat. 589 00:29:40,500 --> 00:29:43,767 - What kind of plant? - Um, I don't actually know a lot about it. 590 00:29:43,800 --> 00:29:45,367 But, you wanted to see the wash plants 591 00:29:45,400 --> 00:29:46,367 that were for sale in the area. 592 00:29:46,400 --> 00:29:49,166 We are on the west coast, this one's for sale. 593 00:29:49,200 --> 00:29:50,800 So, I thought while we're in the area 594 00:29:50,834 --> 00:29:52,567 we might as well pop by and see it. 595 00:29:58,033 --> 00:29:59,333 - Ben. - [Ben] Hi, guys. 596 00:29:59,367 --> 00:30:00,467 Hello, mate. How are you? 597 00:30:00,500 --> 00:30:01,867 - [Parker] How you doing? - [Ben] I'm good, buddy. 598 00:30:01,900 --> 00:30:03,834 - It's all right. Here we go. How you do? - Good, good to see you. 599 00:30:03,867 --> 00:30:04,867 Nice to meet you, Ben. It's Jeff. 600 00:30:04,900 --> 00:30:06,367 - Hi, Jeff. How are you? - Hi, Ben. 601 00:30:06,400 --> 00:30:08,266 - How are you doing, mate? - Oh, I've been good. I've been good. 602 00:30:08,300 --> 00:30:09,700 - [Ben] You guys? - [Parker] Good. 603 00:30:09,734 --> 00:30:12,934 - Hi, lovely. [laughs] - Who's that? Are you shy? You wanna say hello? 604 00:30:14,400 --> 00:30:18,033 - [Parker] There he is. - [all laughing] 605 00:30:18,066 --> 00:30:21,166 [Paul] Ben Ferguson is a sheep and cattle farmer 606 00:30:21,200 --> 00:30:25,433 who prospects his 415 acres of land for gold 607 00:30:25,467 --> 00:30:27,000 on his days off. 608 00:30:27,033 --> 00:30:28,333 [Tyler] Hear you got a wash plant for sale, eh? 609 00:30:28,367 --> 00:30:30,734 - Everything's for sale for the right price, so. - [Danny laughs] 610 00:30:31,500 --> 00:30:33,700 So, this is the gold screen. 611 00:30:35,367 --> 00:30:38,600 So, this actually was a cross section plant 612 00:30:38,634 --> 00:30:41,667 but I'm gonna get something that can wash gravel and might as well 613 00:30:41,700 --> 00:30:43,266 - do the whole lot, you know? - [Parker] Yeah. 614 00:30:43,300 --> 00:30:45,300 [Ben] All those tables, they just fold up. 615 00:30:45,333 --> 00:30:46,800 - There's hand winches. - Gotcha. 616 00:30:49,133 --> 00:30:51,333 [narrator] Ben's 15-year-old plant 617 00:30:51,367 --> 00:30:55,233 chugs through 30 yards of gold rich pay an hour. 618 00:30:55,266 --> 00:30:58,333 Its fold-up sluices make it quick to move. 619 00:30:58,367 --> 00:31:00,100 At $50,000, 620 00:31:00,133 --> 00:31:03,100 it's way under Parker's $1,000,000 budget. 621 00:31:04,767 --> 00:31:09,834 I'm guessing we're not buying this. [laughs softly] 622 00:31:09,867 --> 00:31:11,800 - Why would say that? - Um, just a hunch. 623 00:31:13,734 --> 00:31:15,467 [laughs] 624 00:31:15,500 --> 00:31:17,533 I mean, we're here. We may as well see it run. 625 00:31:18,567 --> 00:31:20,033 We could go resurrect that thing. 626 00:31:22,266 --> 00:31:23,433 [Ben laughs] 627 00:31:23,467 --> 00:31:25,233 I'll go get some tools. 628 00:31:25,266 --> 00:31:27,533 - You get started? - [Jeff laughs] 629 00:31:27,567 --> 00:31:30,066 - Do you like that truck? It's for sale, too. - [Parker] I like that, yeah. 630 00:31:30,100 --> 00:31:32,066 - [Danny] Is it? - Yeah, you can... Two for one. 631 00:31:33,266 --> 00:31:34,266 Yeah, why not? 632 00:31:35,333 --> 00:31:36,333 Okay, coming down. 633 00:31:44,567 --> 00:31:46,500 [Ben] Yeah, she'd be good. Some water. 634 00:31:47,133 --> 00:31:47,967 What do you think? 635 00:31:48,900 --> 00:31:50,200 - Yeah, some water, eh? - See what happens. 636 00:31:53,333 --> 00:31:54,333 Moment of truth. 637 00:31:57,033 --> 00:31:58,033 Here she comes. 638 00:32:10,367 --> 00:32:11,900 - Yeah! Hah! - Holy [bleep] 639 00:32:11,934 --> 00:32:14,033 - [Parker] We got a hole. - [Ben] Yeah, it's just a little one. 640 00:32:14,066 --> 00:32:15,467 [Ben] Shut her down. 641 00:32:15,500 --> 00:32:16,567 There's a couple of holes. 642 00:32:18,100 --> 00:32:19,934 [Parker] Holy moly. 643 00:32:19,967 --> 00:32:21,834 - [Ben] There is leakage. - [Jeff] Leaking everywhere. 644 00:32:26,567 --> 00:32:28,166 Um, gaffer tape? 645 00:32:31,867 --> 00:32:33,800 I mean, even if you got this for free, 646 00:32:33,834 --> 00:32:36,700 you'd have to get it to Alaska. 647 00:32:38,000 --> 00:32:39,967 I mean, not to [bleep] on someone's wash plant, 648 00:32:40,000 --> 00:32:42,066 but it's just not what we're looking for. 649 00:32:45,500 --> 00:32:48,233 Jeff, so... 650 00:32:48,266 --> 00:32:51,767 I mean, is there anything that you can see for us to not waste our time? 651 00:32:52,567 --> 00:32:54,467 Why don't we see if we can, uh, 652 00:32:54,500 --> 00:32:55,700 do a bit of a riffle test? 653 00:32:57,100 --> 00:33:00,166 We can disconnect one of the hydraulic riffles on one of the sides 654 00:33:00,200 --> 00:33:02,200 and run one side with hydraulics and the other side 655 00:33:02,233 --> 00:33:04,433 with Hungarian and maybe we can prove to Parker that 656 00:33:04,467 --> 00:33:05,967 hydraulic riffles work a lot better. 657 00:33:06,000 --> 00:33:07,333 That's a great idea. 658 00:33:07,367 --> 00:33:10,033 There's been a lot of chat about yay or nay to hydraulic riffles. 659 00:33:10,066 --> 00:33:13,300 Yeah, he's not convinced, but if I can sell him on this, then I can sell him on 660 00:33:13,333 --> 00:33:14,333 hydraulic riffles. 661 00:33:14,367 --> 00:33:16,066 That would be, uh, pretty cool. 662 00:33:16,100 --> 00:33:19,667 Mate, let's, um I think we should put that up the... 663 00:33:20,900 --> 00:33:21,734 up the, what's the word? 664 00:33:21,767 --> 00:33:22,867 - The what up there? - [Danny laughs] 665 00:33:22,900 --> 00:33:24,734 You know when you put the idea up there to the boss. 666 00:33:24,767 --> 00:33:25,734 [Jeff] Oh, um... 667 00:33:28,166 --> 00:33:31,533 [laughs] What is that? I'm just trying to think of that, too. 668 00:33:31,567 --> 00:33:32,800 Let's put it to the boss. 669 00:33:32,834 --> 00:33:34,233 [both laugh] 670 00:33:36,433 --> 00:33:38,166 [Tyler] So... 671 00:33:38,200 --> 00:33:40,000 feel like if this is gonna be a waste of a day or not? 672 00:33:41,667 --> 00:33:44,767 Well, to make it not a complete waste of the day, 673 00:33:44,800 --> 00:33:46,367 - Parker... - [Parker] Mmm-hmm. 674 00:33:46,400 --> 00:33:48,934 what about we do a bit of a test 675 00:33:50,066 --> 00:33:52,333 and we run one side with hydraulics and one side, 676 00:33:52,367 --> 00:33:54,800 just the standard Hungarian style 677 00:33:54,834 --> 00:33:57,166 to prove that hydraulic riffles work a lot better? 678 00:33:59,934 --> 00:34:00,934 That's not a bad idea. 679 00:34:02,734 --> 00:34:06,967 [narrator] Jeff's plan. Swap out one side with hydraulic riffles 680 00:34:07,000 --> 00:34:09,600 and to do a test to see which one is better. 681 00:34:12,266 --> 00:34:15,300 [Parker] And this wash plant is probably not worth 682 00:34:15,333 --> 00:34:18,100 shipping over to North America from here. 683 00:34:18,133 --> 00:34:20,634 But, Jeff had a good idea, it is worth 684 00:34:20,667 --> 00:34:22,300 testing out these hydraulic riffles. 685 00:34:22,333 --> 00:34:23,867 For me, they've always been a bit finicky. 686 00:34:23,900 --> 00:34:28,500 They plug up, but everybody in New Zealand's using them and so, 687 00:34:28,533 --> 00:34:30,767 it's a kind of a good chance for us to 688 00:34:31,500 --> 00:34:34,667 just try 'em out. 689 00:34:34,700 --> 00:34:36,667 Did you find some lead shot or something? 690 00:34:36,700 --> 00:34:37,900 - [Danny] Lead shot? - [Jeff] Yeah. 691 00:34:37,934 --> 00:34:39,533 So, Ben, we were just wondering, 692 00:34:39,567 --> 00:34:43,000 I'm guessing that your plant might not be like, mega gold rich. 693 00:34:43,033 --> 00:34:44,533 - [Ben] No. - [Danny] Jeff was just suggesting, 694 00:34:44,567 --> 00:34:47,867 - maybe if we could get some lead shot? - Yeah. 695 00:34:47,900 --> 00:34:50,133 - to run through it, so we run a bit of a test. - Sure. 696 00:34:50,166 --> 00:34:52,266 - Is that cool? - That's good, man. Yeah, I could get some. 697 00:34:52,300 --> 00:34:54,033 This is something that we do quite often 698 00:34:54,066 --> 00:34:55,467 to try and test plants. 699 00:34:55,500 --> 00:34:57,133 And we do choose lead pallets. 700 00:34:57,166 --> 00:35:01,467 [narrator] Lead is cheap and significantly heavier than black sand and gravel 701 00:35:01,500 --> 00:35:04,200 making it the ideal substitute for gold 702 00:35:04,233 --> 00:35:05,634 when running tests. 703 00:35:05,667 --> 00:35:08,233 - [Danny] Any ideas where we'd get it from? - Uh... 704 00:35:08,266 --> 00:35:10,200 hardware store or anything like that. 705 00:35:10,233 --> 00:35:12,467 - [Danny] We could go get the lead pallets. - Okay. 706 00:35:12,500 --> 00:35:15,467 [Jeff] So, should we put like a wager on which side's gonna work better? 707 00:35:15,500 --> 00:35:17,467 You have that side. I'm gonna be on this side. 708 00:35:18,367 --> 00:35:20,667 My bet that we get 709 00:35:20,700 --> 00:35:24,600 the lead shot in, within these first two riffles on this side. 710 00:35:24,634 --> 00:35:28,066 [narrator] The winner will be determined by who has the most lead 711 00:35:28,100 --> 00:35:29,700 at the top of the sluice box. 712 00:35:31,767 --> 00:35:33,333 - [Parker] So, you gonna fix this hose? - [Ben] Yeah. 713 00:35:33,367 --> 00:35:34,166 Ahh! 714 00:35:38,200 --> 00:35:39,467 [Parker] It is coming down now. 715 00:35:39,500 --> 00:35:40,700 [Jeff] Yeah, it is. 716 00:35:48,100 --> 00:35:50,600 [narrator] Danny and Tyler arrive in Reefton 717 00:35:50,634 --> 00:35:53,500 in search of lead shot for the riffles test. 718 00:35:53,533 --> 00:35:54,400 [exclaims] 719 00:35:54,433 --> 00:35:56,166 [alarm blaring] 720 00:35:58,500 --> 00:35:59,667 What the [bleep] 721 00:35:59,700 --> 00:36:00,734 What the [bleep] is that! 722 00:36:02,400 --> 00:36:03,867 It's a flood or something? 723 00:36:03,900 --> 00:36:04,700 [Tyler] Earthquake? 724 00:36:07,333 --> 00:36:09,300 [alarm blaring] 725 00:36:15,066 --> 00:36:16,133 - [Tyler] Hello! - [Danny] Hi, guys. 726 00:36:16,166 --> 00:36:17,233 We're a little bit worried about 727 00:36:17,266 --> 00:36:19,500 the air raid sirens going off. 728 00:36:19,533 --> 00:36:21,467 [woman] No, that's not an air raid, that's a fire alarm. 729 00:36:21,500 --> 00:36:24,266 - [Tyler] Bit eerie, isn't it? - It is, it is quite an eerie sound. 730 00:36:24,300 --> 00:36:25,800 You're probably gonna be able to help us, 731 00:36:25,834 --> 00:36:30,100 I'm after some, like, lead pellets or something like that. 732 00:36:30,133 --> 00:36:32,867 Sure, I think we might have something out-- 733 00:36:32,900 --> 00:36:35,700 [Danny] So, you got a couple of bits of people to go out prospecting and-- 734 00:36:35,734 --> 00:36:37,200 [woman] Yes, yes we have. 735 00:36:37,233 --> 00:36:38,433 [Danny] Look at that! 736 00:36:38,467 --> 00:36:40,433 - [Tyler] Dan, that'll work perfect. - [Danny] Boom! 737 00:36:40,467 --> 00:36:42,066 - I'm happy with that. - [Danny] Winner! 738 00:36:42,100 --> 00:36:43,700 - Oh, wow! Should we get a coffee? - Yeah. 739 00:36:43,734 --> 00:36:44,533 Coffee it is. 740 00:36:54,500 --> 00:36:56,133 [narrator] At part time gold miner, 741 00:36:56,166 --> 00:36:57,934 Ben Ferguson's farm, 742 00:36:57,967 --> 00:36:59,600 Jeff is setting up a comparison 743 00:36:59,634 --> 00:37:03,634 test between hydraulic and Hungarian riffles. 744 00:37:03,667 --> 00:37:06,900 [Jeff] Maybe we can prove to Parker that hydraulic riffles work a lot better. 745 00:37:06,934 --> 00:37:09,834 If I can sell him on this, then I can sell him on hydraulic riffles. 746 00:37:12,266 --> 00:37:13,333 Oh, look at that! 747 00:37:13,367 --> 00:37:14,166 That's good. 748 00:37:16,133 --> 00:37:17,333 Oh they don't look too wet. 749 00:37:17,367 --> 00:37:20,266 - Okay. - Oh, no, Jeff does look wet, look he's drenched. 750 00:37:20,300 --> 00:37:21,967 - [Tyler] Oh, my [bleep] - [Danny] He's drenched. 751 00:37:22,700 --> 00:37:23,767 Did you find something? 752 00:37:23,800 --> 00:37:25,367 - [Tyler] We managed just. - [Danny] Mate, did we? 753 00:37:25,400 --> 00:37:26,767 - You wanna check it out? - Yeah. 754 00:37:26,800 --> 00:37:28,400 - [Parker] Wow! - [Jeff] You got a milk container. 755 00:37:28,433 --> 00:37:30,834 With lead shot! 756 00:37:30,867 --> 00:37:33,133 So, can we pound some of this out 'cause 757 00:37:33,166 --> 00:37:34,400 it's a lot of round gold. 758 00:37:34,433 --> 00:37:35,467 Why do we need to pound it? 759 00:37:35,500 --> 00:37:37,500 - 'Cause gold's not round, Dan. - Gold's not round. 760 00:37:38,667 --> 00:37:40,834 Parker, I'll let you count them out. 761 00:37:40,867 --> 00:37:42,467 [Parker] I'm gonna do groups of five. 762 00:37:42,500 --> 00:37:44,266 I bet you we'd dig some lead up 763 00:37:44,300 --> 00:37:45,600 out of the ground, too. 764 00:37:45,634 --> 00:37:47,333 [Danny] Is that the old timers? 765 00:37:47,367 --> 00:37:49,033 [Ben] So, what used to happen, 766 00:37:49,066 --> 00:37:50,867 the old fellas away for a flood 767 00:37:50,900 --> 00:37:51,967 and then, they'd get the lead shot 768 00:37:52,000 --> 00:37:54,367 and they'd literally toss it in the river. 769 00:37:54,400 --> 00:37:57,266 And then they go pan, once the water go down 770 00:37:57,300 --> 00:38:00,066 pan it into a river bag until they found the lead shot. 771 00:38:00,100 --> 00:38:02,667 When the found the lead shot, that's obviously where the flood goes 772 00:38:02,700 --> 00:38:03,634 and they start digging down. 773 00:38:03,667 --> 00:38:04,967 - [Jeff] Ahh! - No way! 774 00:38:05,000 --> 00:38:07,433 [Ben] Yeah, I have not mined anywhere, I have not found lead. 775 00:38:08,533 --> 00:38:11,266 [Parker] Here, Tyler. You can keep these. 776 00:38:11,300 --> 00:38:12,266 [Danny] That's what we're gonna use. 777 00:38:13,367 --> 00:38:14,867 So, what's the plan, team? 778 00:38:14,900 --> 00:38:16,500 [Jeff] So, the test that we're doing, 779 00:38:16,533 --> 00:38:20,500 on the right hand side of the sluice run, we're gonna be running Hungarian riffles 780 00:38:20,533 --> 00:38:23,567 and on the left hand side, we're gonna be running the hydraulic riffles. 781 00:38:23,600 --> 00:38:26,400 [Danny] We're gonna put some on one side and some on the other? 782 00:38:26,433 --> 00:38:27,433 [Jeff] Yeah, exactly. 783 00:38:38,400 --> 00:38:40,000 More sluice in. 784 00:38:40,033 --> 00:38:41,667 [Jeff laughing] 785 00:38:41,700 --> 00:38:43,433 [Danny] How many pieces have you got each? 786 00:38:43,467 --> 00:38:45,834 - [Jeff] I have 20. - I've got 20. 787 00:38:45,867 --> 00:38:47,600 - [Danny] Okay. - [Tyler] Let's go. 788 00:38:50,200 --> 00:38:51,033 [Parker] Do it! 789 00:38:59,867 --> 00:39:01,900 So now, he's gonna run for a little while 790 00:39:01,934 --> 00:39:03,500 and make sure they stay in there. 791 00:39:03,533 --> 00:39:05,333 Giving a chance for the lad to sink down 792 00:39:05,367 --> 00:39:07,600 and see how far down it makes it down each side. 793 00:39:10,567 --> 00:39:12,900 I'm hoping that the hydraulic riffles, 794 00:39:12,934 --> 00:39:15,700 the lead shot makes it into the first or second riffle. 795 00:39:15,734 --> 00:39:18,667 And on this side, it travels down a little bit further. 796 00:39:22,133 --> 00:39:24,934 [narrator] After ten minutes, the crew shut down. 797 00:39:26,100 --> 00:39:27,767 [Parker] Cleanup time! 798 00:39:27,800 --> 00:39:30,166 [narrator] The crew pan each riffle separately 799 00:39:30,200 --> 00:39:34,166 to determine exactly where each piece of lead was caught. 800 00:39:34,200 --> 00:39:37,834 - Anything, Jeff? - Yeah, I got, I got two. 801 00:39:37,867 --> 00:39:38,800 Gonna put 'em over here. 802 00:39:39,734 --> 00:39:40,800 [Parker] I've got four. 803 00:39:41,400 --> 00:39:42,266 [Danny] Any more, Ty? 804 00:39:43,367 --> 00:39:45,066 Not quite yet. 805 00:39:45,100 --> 00:39:48,734 [narrator] If Jeff can prove that Kiwi-preferred hydraulic riffles are better, 806 00:39:48,767 --> 00:39:53,500 it'll open up more options for potential plants for Parker. 807 00:39:53,533 --> 00:39:56,100 So, Jeff, you've got the last pan, mate. 808 00:39:56,133 --> 00:39:58,634 Yeah, these came out of the fourth riffle here. 809 00:39:58,667 --> 00:40:00,634 [Tyler] So, this one loses, doesn't it? 810 00:40:00,667 --> 00:40:02,467 'Cause they all come too far down. 811 00:40:02,500 --> 00:40:04,166 Well, it caught them all, but, 812 00:40:04,200 --> 00:40:07,266 the hydraulic riffles side caught 'em within the first four. 813 00:40:07,300 --> 00:40:08,333 I'm gonna call this a win. 814 00:40:09,800 --> 00:40:13,400 [Tyler] So, does this prove Jeff's theory on hydraulics are better? 815 00:40:13,433 --> 00:40:14,734 Seems to. 816 00:40:14,767 --> 00:40:18,000 [Danny] I think that was a hard proud out yes there, I think. 817 00:40:18,033 --> 00:40:20,634 - [Tyler laughs] - They're just finicky, you know? 818 00:40:20,667 --> 00:40:23,166 Keeping 'em clean, you're just like, every time you do a big cleanup, 819 00:40:23,200 --> 00:40:25,934 you tip 'em all upside down. It's like an oil change, you just gotta... 820 00:40:25,967 --> 00:40:27,367 - do it, yeah. - [Jeff] Just gotta do it. 821 00:40:28,867 --> 00:40:30,266 [Jeff] Being able to do a hydraulic 822 00:40:30,300 --> 00:40:32,800 versus Hungarian riffle test, 823 00:40:32,834 --> 00:40:34,266 turned out awesome 824 00:40:34,300 --> 00:40:38,500 and I'm feeling pretty confident that Parker's on board a little bit. 825 00:40:38,533 --> 00:40:40,600 I'm used to running big sluice boxes that have 826 00:40:40,634 --> 00:40:42,233 a bunch of variations in them, 827 00:40:42,266 --> 00:40:44,300 but if you can recover the same amount of gold 828 00:40:44,333 --> 00:40:47,467 in a shorter sluice box or a narrower sluice box then, 829 00:40:47,500 --> 00:40:49,967 it's worth looking into hydraulic riffles, right? 830 00:40:50,834 --> 00:40:54,200 So, um, I don't quite think that we'll 831 00:40:54,233 --> 00:40:57,300 be interested in buying and shipping this to Alaska. 832 00:40:57,333 --> 00:40:58,934 Couldn't imagine why, but sure. 833 00:40:58,967 --> 00:41:00,667 [all laugh] 834 00:41:00,700 --> 00:41:02,634 [Tyler] Thanks for having us though, Ben. This has been good. 835 00:41:02,667 --> 00:41:03,467 That's all right, guys. 836 00:41:05,867 --> 00:41:08,233 [Parker] I, of course, am not interested in that wash plant, like, 837 00:41:08,266 --> 00:41:11,500 not only is it old and small, but you just can't 838 00:41:12,333 --> 00:41:14,967 move something like that to Alaska. 839 00:41:15,000 --> 00:41:16,900 I'm just happy that we're still 840 00:41:16,934 --> 00:41:21,500 getting access and people are being super friendly and open and um, 841 00:41:21,533 --> 00:41:23,100 and having those conversations with us. 842 00:41:23,133 --> 00:41:25,667 So, yeah, overall, it's a win still. 843 00:41:29,400 --> 00:41:30,600 [Dan] On to the next place. 844 00:41:31,600 --> 00:41:32,800 - [Tyler] Yup. - [Jeff] On to the next.