Gold Rush: Alaska (2010–…): Season 8, Episode 6 - Episode #8.6 - full transcript
THEY'VE TAKEN OUR
PROPERTY RIGHTS FROM US.
YOU GUYS READY TO ROLL?
Narrator: ON THIS "GOLD RUSH"...
TIME TO CIRCLE THE WAGONS.
ALL I WANT TO DO
IS MINE THIS PROPERTY.
IT'S MY LIFE SAVINGS
SITTING THERE.
HEY, KEVIN, WAKE UP.
WHAT THE [BLEEP]?
GET OUT OF MY WAY.
GET OUT OF MY WAY.
*
SLUICE BOX GONNA BE
IN THE TAILINGS POND.
WE CAN'T KEEP SHUTTING DOWN.
HE'S A LITTLE [BLEEP].
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE [BLEEP]
HIS PROBLEM IS.
ALL RIGHT, TIME TO
CRANK IT UP TO 11, I GUESS.
THIS PLANT CAN'T RUN
THAT FAST.
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS
WHEN YOU PUSH STUFF TOO HARD.
[BLEEP] BREAKS.
[BLEEP] PARKER, MAN.
*
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY
DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
*
[ CHIRPING ]
*
YEAH. THERE'S BEEN A LOT
OF POOR CLEANUPS THIS YEAR.
THAT'S FOR SURE.
OH, LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE.
IT CAN'T GET MUCH WORSE.
IT CAN ALWAYS
GET WORSE, CHRIS.
IT CAN ALWAYS GET WORSE?
WELL, SOMETHING'S
GOTTA CHANGE.
Hey, Parker.
YEAH. GO AHEAD, RICK.
Yeah. You better come down
to Big Red.
We've got a serious crack
under a pad over here.
You just need to
come check it out.
YEAH. I'LL BE
RIGHT DOWN THERE.
ALL RIGHT.
TO THE BATTLEFIELD WE GO.
*
Narrator: IN THE KLONDIKE,
MINE BOSS PARKER SCHNABEL
IS GUNNING FOR A $6 MILLION
5,000-OUNCE SEASON.
THINGS AREN'T GOING GREAT
RIGHT NOW.
LIKE, SLUICIFER HAS GOTTEN
OVER 300 OUNCES IN 3 WEEKS,
WHICH AIN'T THE BEST.
BUT IT'S JUST, YOU KNOW,
WE'RE JUST GETTING GOING.
BIG RED, THOUGH, BIG RED
IS JUST KILLING OUR NUMBERS.
Narrator: A QUARTER
OF THE WAY IN,
PARKER SHOULD HAVE 1,250 OUNCES,
BUT THERE'S ONLY 987 IN THE JAR.
I'M PRETTY IRRITATED THAT
BIG RED'S NOT DOING
OVER 100 OUNCES A WEEK.
RIGHT NOW, WE'RE A LONG WAYS
FROM 5,000 OUNCES,
AND, YOU KNOW, THAT'S EXPECTED
THIS TIME OF YEAR,
BUT THE PROBLEM IS,
WE'RE NOT ON TRACK FOR IT.
YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST
[BLEEP] BUSH LEAGUE RIGHT NOW.
*
WE GOING TO LOSE
OUR WASH PLANT, RICK?
I MEAN, IT'S GETTING WORSE.
IT GOES RIGHT UNDER
THE LEG, WHICH IS...
I DON'T KNOW.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO?
I MEAN, I THINK WE NEED TO --
BEFORE THIS ALL FALLS APART,
I THINK WE NEED TO SWING
THESE SLUICE BOXES OUT OF HERE
AND TRY AND SHORE THIS UP,
REBUILD THIS A BIT.
[BLEEP] ME.
WE CAN'T KEEP SHUTTING DOWN
FOR LITTLE STUPID [BLEEP].
UNTIL IT'S LAYING ON
THE [BLEEP] GROUND OFF THE BANK,
I'M NOT GOING
TO [BLEEP] WORRY ABOUT IT.
WE NEED TO BE MORE WORRIED
ABOUT THE [BLEEP] GOLD TOTALS
FALLING OFF A CLIFF,
NOT THIS KIND OF [BLEEP].
THERE'S NO GOLD.
IT'S JUST A [BLEEP] SHOW
ALL AROUND.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY
OTHER THAN IT'S JUST...
IT AIN'T WORKING OUT.
[BLEEP] PARKER, MAN.
HE'S A LITTLE [BLEEP].
THAT'S WHAT IT IS. ALL RIGHT?
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE [BLEEP]
HIS PROBLEM IS.
I'M JUST [BLEEP] SICK OF IT.
IT'S NOT LIKE
I'M SITTING OUT HERE,
AND EVERYBODY HAS [BLEEP] THUMBS
UP THEIR ASS.
WE'RE WORKING OUR ASSES OFF.
HEY, YOU KNOW PARKER SAID
THAT WE HAVEN'T HIT
OUR GOAL RECENTLY,
AND HE WANTS MORE GOLD,
SO THE ONLY WAY I KNOW
HOW TO DO THAT
IS TO TURN
THIS [BLEEP] THING UP.
TIME TO CRANK IT UP TO 11.
[ WHIRRING LOUDLY ]
*
-HAPPENING?
-HEY.
SO I JUST CRANKED THE [BLEEP]
OUT OF THAT FEEDER.
WHAT DID YOU CRANK IT TO?
160 YARDS AN HOUR.
THIS PLANT CAN'T RUN
THAT FAST.
THIS PLANT IS HAPPY
AROUND 120, 130,
IN THAT RANGE.
I KNOW, BUT PARKER IS
GIVING ME [BLEEP]
ABOUT US NOT GETTING
OUR NUMBERS DOWN HERE.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE
TO [BLEEP] DO.
-IT'S YOUR CALL.
-ALL RIGHT.
WELL, YOU'LL BE RACING
TO KEEP UP NOW, I'D IMAGINE.
-THANKS A LOT. ALL RIGHT.
-GOOD LUCK, CHRIS.
*
Narrator:
INCREASING THE YARDAGE BY 25%
COULD DELIVER RICK
ANOTHER 25 OUNCES OF GOLD
BY THE END OF THE WEEK.
*
[BLEEP].[BLEEP].
WHAT'S UP WITH THIS WATER?
IT'S MUDDY AS HELL.
LOOKS LIKE WE'RE SLUICING
WITH PURE MUD.
Narrator: MUDDY WATER
CAN WASH THE GOLD
RIGHT OUT OF THE SLUICES.
LOOK HOW MANY SPRAY NOZZLES
ARE WORKING.
THOSE WERE FLOWING,
AND NOW THEY'RE NOT.
-THEY'RE PUMPING STRAIGHT MUD.
-YEAH.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE
TO SHUT THIS DOWN.
THEY'RE JUST [BLEEP].
*
[BLEEP].
*
*
WE'RE A QUARTER-WAY
THROUGH THE SEASON.
IT'S NOT GOING VERY GOOD AT ALL.
IT'S HORRIBLE.
5,000 OUNCES
SEEMS TO BE SLIPPING AWAY
LITTLE BY LITTLE EVERY DAY.
NOW WE'RE JUST BARELY
PAYING BILLS HERE.
Narrator: IN COLORADO,
TODD HOFFMAN IS FIGHTING
TO STAY AFLOAT
AT SACRAMENTO CREEK.
THIS GROUND IS NOT RICH.
MEDIOCRE AT BEST.
WE CAN RUN A LOT OF IT,
SO HOPEFULLY WE CAN
MAKE IT UP IN VOLUME.
Narrator:
TO HIT HIS 5,000-OUNCE GOAL,
TODD SHOULD HAVE
1,250 OUNCES BY NOW.
HE HAS LESS THAN HALF THAT.
THE REST HE WAS HOPING TO GET
FROM FREDDY'S GOLD-RICH CLAIM.
WE GOT A CEASE AND DESIST.
NOW FAIRPLAY IS SHUT DOWN
FOR REAL.
WE DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE GOING
TO LET US OPEN IT BACK UP.
Narrator: TWO WEEKS AGO...
[ TELEPHONE RINGS ]
HELLO?
OKAY.
WE GOT A CEASE AND DESIST TO
STOP MINING ACTIVITIES FOR NOW.
Narrator: THEY HAVE A PERMIT
FROM THE STATE
ALLOWING THEM TO MINE FAIRPLAY,
BUT PARK COUNTY
JUST INFORMED FREDDY
THAT HIS GROUND HAS
BEEN REZONED AS RESIDENTIAL.
MISSION OF PARK COUNTY
LAND-USE REGULATION.
THAT PIECE OF PAPER
HAS GOT MORE POWER TO STOP ME
THAN ANYTHING ELSE.
WE GOTTA GET FAIRPLAY
BACK IN THE GAME.
THAT'S OUR STAR PLAYER.
IT'S WHERE ALL OUR GOLD IS.
I'LL TELL YOU WHAT,
IF WE CAN'T RUN FAIRPLAY,
THERE'S A LOT OF DEAD DREAMS.
ONE OF THEM IS 5,000 OUNCES.
TRYING TO PUT
THE BEST FACE ON IT
THAT WE CAN,
BUT THIS IS NOT GOOD.
Narrator: TO REGAIN ACCESS TO
THE GOLD-RICH PAY AT FAIRPLAY,
THEY NEED TO PLEAD THEIR CASE
WITH THE COUNTY COMMISSION.
HEY, HUNTER, EVERYBODY,
LISTEN UP.
YEAH, I COPY.
Todd: WE'RE GOING TO SHUT DOWN
MONSTER RED.
WE'RE SHUTTING DOWN
DOUBLE TROUBLE.
I WANT ALL MACHINES OFF.
WE'RE ALL GOING TO HEAD DOWN
TO THE COUNTY.
WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.
WE'RE GOING TO FIGHT
FOR FAIRPLAY.
WE'RE GOING TO FIGHT
FOR OUR RIGHTS ON THIS. OKAY?
ALL RIGHT, TODD,
WE'RE SHUTTING DOWN.
*
IT'S TIME FOR PEOPLE TO RALLY.
IT'S TIME TO CIRCLE THE WAGON.
THIS IS OUR FINAL PUSH.
WE'VE GOT EVERYBODY
GOING DOWN HERE
TO SEE IF WE CAN'T CHANGE
MINDS AND HEARTS, I GUESS.
*
THIS WAS A MINE IN 1859.
YOU CAN'T JUST GO AND PUT
ZONING OVER THE TOP OF MINING.
THAT IS WHAT THE COUNTY DID.
WHAT THEY'VE DONE,
ACCORDING TO OUR ATTORNEYS,
IS THEY HAVE TAKEN OUR VESTED
PROPERTY RIGHTS FROM US.
I KNOW 5,000 OUNCES IS
SLIPPING AWAY FROM US,
SO WE'RE GOING TO GO FIGHT.
JUST LET THEM KNOW HOW MANY
PEOPLE'S LIVES
ARE AFFECTED BY THIS.
Narrator:
AFTER INVESTING EVERYTHING
HE OWNS INTO FAIRPLAY,
TODD'S PARTNER, FREDDY DODGE,
LEADS THE FIGHT
AGAINST THE COUNTY.
TODD AND FREDDY ATTEND
THE CLOSED MEETING.
THE REST OF THE CREW
WATCHES FROM THE SIDELINES.
Freddy: GUYS, I'M HERE TODAY
TO TRY TO GET YOU TO LIFT
THIS CEASE AND DESIST ORDER.
THAT PROPERTY WAS FIRST MINED
ALMOST 160 YEARS AGO.
IT CAN'T BE ZONED RESIDENTIAL,
ACCORDING TO STATUTE 34-1-305.
I AM A COLORADO RESIDENT.
I'VE BEEN IN PARK COUNTY
FOR 30 YEARS ON GOLD,
BUT I AM NERVOUS.
I'VE GOT A LOT ON THE LINE,
ALL OF US, TODD,
EVERY PERSON IN HERE THAT
YOU SEE, ALL THE MINERS OUTSIDE.
WE'VE GOT A LOT
ON THE LINE HERE.
THAT PLANT SITTING OUT
ON THAT MINE,
EVERY PIECE OF THAT
IS OUT OF MY POCKET, RIGHT?
THAT'S MY LIFE SAVINGS
SITTING THERE.
I'VE TRIED TO DO A GOOD JOB.
ALL I WANT TO DO
IS MINE THIS PROPERTY,
AND I BELIEVE WE HAVE
THE LEGAL RIGHT TO DO THAT.
*
WELL, IT'S ALL UP TO
THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS NOW.
I MEAN, IT'S IN THEIR HANDS.
I JUST HOPE AND PRAY
IT'S IN OUR FAVOR.
IF NOT, FAIRPLAY IS SHUT DOWN
FOR THE SEASON.
*
*
Narrator:
GOLD-MINING LEGEND TONY BEETS
HAS PRODUCED ONLY 43 OUNCES
OF GOLD THIS SEASON,
AND HE'S HEMORRHAGING CASH.
Narrator: NOW THE DREDGE NEEDS
TO MINE 175 OUNCES A WEEK
TO HIT TONY'S SEASON GOAL.
*
Narrator: EVERY HOUR,
THE 75-YEAR-OLD DREDGE PROCESSES
100 YARDS OF PAY DIRT
AND DELIVERS
AT LEAST $1,000 WORTH OF GOLD.
*
OH!
*
*
Kevin: YO!
BECAUSE WE GOT HOLES
EVERYWHERE.
WELL, WE'RE PISSING ALL
OUR PAY DIRT ON THE GROUND.
IT AIN'T GOING THROUGH
THE SLUICE.
WE AIN'T MAKING
NO MONEY, ARE WE?
YOU SEE THE [BLEEP] HOLES?
[ SIGHS ]
IT'S [BLEEP] PAPER.
AND WE'VE LITERALLY BEEN
PLUGGING UP OUR SLUICE BOX
WITH EAR PLUGS.
WE'D HAVE TO REPLATE
THE WHOLE [BLEEP] THING.
YOU TRY TO
WELD ANYTHING THERE,
YOU'VE GOT A NEW HOLE
THREE TIMES AS BIG.
YEAH. BUT IF YOU DON'T
FIX THIS NOW...
I GET IT.
...HOW MUCH [BLEEP] ARE WE
GOING TO LOSE FOR THE SUMMER?
ALL RIGHT. YEAH.
-MM-HMM.
-YEAH...
ALL RIGHT.
Narrator: THE OLD SLUICE RUNS
ARE FULL OF HOLES,
AND THE CREW IS LOSING GOLD.
TONY'S PLAN -- FIT A NEW CHUTE.
THE GOLD-RICH MATERIAL
WILL THEN RUN
DIRECTLY INTO THE SLUICE BOX,
BYPASSING THE DAMAGED, OLD RUNS.
NO, I LIKE THAT PLAN.
THAT'LL WORK.
YEAH.
YES.
*
*
*
LOOK AT THAT NICE BEDROCK.
THAT'S WHAT I'M COUNTING ON.
Narrator: IN THE KLONDIKE,
PARKER IS RUNNING 280 YARDS
AN HOUR THROUGH SLUICIFER.
*
IT'S DEFINITELY A GOOD START.
I'VE GOT SOME GOOD GROUND
HERE OPENED UP.
I JUST WANT TO GET THE GOLD
OUT OF THE GROUND.
Narrator: OVER AT INDIAN RIVER,
BIG RED IS SHUT DOWN.
YOU KNOW, THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS
WHEN YOU PUSH A WASH PLANT
TOO HARD.
YOU KNOW, RICK TURNED
THIS THING UP.
WELL, NOW WHAT DO WE HAVE?
PUMPED A BUNCH OF MUD INTO
THE WASH PLANT.
YOU KNOW, WE HAD
BIG RED DIALED IN.
IT WAS RUNNING NICE.
NOW WE HAVE TO TAKE
EVERYTHING APART.
ALL THIS IS DOING IS MAKING
A BUNCH MORE WORK FOR US.
*
YEAH. SO THESE ARE OUR NOZZLES
FOR OUR TOP DECK SPRAY BARS.
WATER IS SUPPOSED TO GO THROUGH
HERE AND THEN FANS OUT OF HERE,
BUT OBVIOUSLY, THERE AIN'T
[BLEEP] NOTHING
GOING THROUGH THAT.
THAT IS WHAT WE'RE PUMPING UP
TO OUR PLANT RIGHT NOW
IS STRAIGHT SILT.
Narrator: BIG RED'S FINE
TAILINGS POUR OUT INTO THE POND
WHERE THE SILT SLOWLY SETTLES.
AT THE OPPOSITE END OF THE POND,
BIG RED ALSO DRAWS
ITS CLEAN WATER.
RUNNING MORE DIRT THROUGH
THE PLANT
HAS INCREASED THE FINE
TAILINGS IN THE POND.
AS A RESULT, THE PUMP
HAS BEEN SENDING
SILTY WATER TO THE PLANT,
BLOCKING THE SPRAY BARS.
YEAH.
THAT WATER IS DISGUSTING.
Narrator: UNTIL RICK CAN GET
CLEAN WATER
BACK TO THE PLANT,
BIG RED IS SHUT DOWN.
YEAH, THIS IS JUST STRAIGHT
[BLEEP] SLOPPY MUD.
IF I CAN'T GET SOME CLEANER
WATER THAN THIS FROM RIGHT HERE,
THEN WE'RE
PRETTY [BLEEP] SCREWED
BECAUSE THERE IS
NO OTHER WATER SOURCE NEAR ME.
I NEED TO MAKE OUR RECIRCULATION
SYSTEM A LITTLE LONGER,
SO I NEED TO MAKE A BERM
SO THAT, THAT SILT
HAS TO GO A LOT FURTHER OUT
BEFORE IT CAN RECIRCULATE
BACK TO OUR PUMP.
BUILDING A NEW BERM WILL FORCE
THE WATER TO TRAVEL FURTHER,
ALLOWING THE SILT TO SETTLE
BEFORE THE CLEAN WATER
IS PUMPED BACK TO THE PLANT.
Rick: SO I DECIDED TO CRANK
THE YARDAGE UP ON BIG RED
TO TRY TO GET SOME MORE GOLD
AND MAKE PARKER HAPPY,
AND HERE IS WHERE WE'RE AT.
WATER GOT DIRTY A LOT QUICKER
THAN I THOUGHT IT WOULD,
AND, YOU KNOW,
IT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT
WE'VE NEVER DEALT WITH
SO LEARNING AS WE GO OUT HERE
STILL, EVEN AFTER 6 YEARS.
*
Narrator: A FULL DAY
BERM BUILDING COSTS PARKER
OVER $20,000 IN LOST GOLD.
I'D LIKE TO HAVE MORE MATERIAL
HOLDING IT BACK IN THERE,
BUT THAT'LL WORK FOR NOW.
I HAVE NOT EVEN BEGUN TO THINK
ABOUT A PLAN B YET
IF THIS DOESN'T WORK.
JUST HAS TO WORK.
WE'LL FIRE UP THE PLANT
AND THEN HOPE FOR THE BEST.
LET'S GET HER FIRED UP
AND FIND OUT.
THAT WATER LOOKS
REAL CLEAR NOW, HUH, MITCH?
-NOT TOO BAD. [ LAUGHS ]
-[ LAUGHS ]
Narrator:
RICK'S BERM HAS WORKED.
ONCE AGAIN, 90,000 GALLONS
OF CLEAN WATER AN HOUR
FLOWS THROUGH BIG RED,
ENOUGH WATER TO FILL ALMOST
200 FIRE TRUCKS
EVERY 60 MINUTES.
NOW WE CAN SEE, WE'VE GOT NICE,
CLEAN WATER COMING OUT,
SO IT LOOKS LIKE WE SOLVED
THAT PROBLEM FOR NOW.
BACK TO SLUICING.
*
*
I DON'T KNOW. I HOPE IT'S
GOOD NEWS FOR FREDDY'S SAKE.
HE DIDN'T LOOK GOOD
AT THAT COUNTY MEETING.
-I KNOW. RIGHT.
-WHO KNOWS?
THERE'S ALWAYS A CHANCE.
I'LL BET YOU, DOLLARS TO
DOUGHNUTS, WE'RE DONE.
Narrator:
IN COLORADO, TODD HOFFMAN'S
MOST LUCRATIVE MINE,
FAIRPLAY, IS SHUT DOWN.
TODD'S PARTNER, FREDDY DODGE,
HAS BEEN FIGHTING TO GET
THE MINE REOPENED FOR WEEKS
AND IS BACK FROM THE COUNTY
HEADQUARTERS WITH NEWS.
*
-HOW'D IT GO?
-WELL...
THEY LIFTED
THE CEASE AND DESIST
UNTIL THE ZONING MEETING.
-YOU ARE KIDDING ME.
-YEAH!
-[ LAUGHS ]
WAY TO GO, BUDDY.
MAYBE THINGS ARE
TURNING OUR WAY, HUH?
OKAY.
THERE ARE RESTRICTIONS,
BUT WE CAN DIG MATERIAL
THAT'S ON THE PART THAT'S
ZONED MINING FOR NOW.
WHEN I SAID 5,000 OUNCES,
I WAS COUNTING ON THIS PLANT
RUNNING FROM DAY 1.
OKAY?
WE'RE BEHIND.
RUN IT.
WE GOT A PILE OF DIRT
DOWN THERE,
AND WE KNOW IT'S GOT
GOOD GOLD IN IT.
-YEAH.
-AND WE'RE BACK IN THE GAME.
-YEAH.
-ALL RIGHT?
-YEAH.
-LET'S GET TO WORK, HUH?
YEAH.
LET'S RUN, GUYS.
*
Narrator: THE HOFFMAN CREW
CAN NOW RUN THEIR BEST PAY DIRT
FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS SEASON.
HERE WE ARE,
PULLING INTO FAIRPLAY.
Freddy: THAT'S A GOOD FEELING.
AT LEAST WE CAN
CATCH GOLD FOR NOW.
GOT A LOT OF BILLS TO PAY.
Narrator: EVERY DAY
FAIRPLAY WAS CLOSED,
THE CREW LOST OVER $20,000
IN UNMINED GOLD.
YOU GUYS READY
TO MAKE SOME GOLD?
LET'S RUN SOME DIRT.
EVERYBODY, CLEAR!
[ BUZZER, WHIRRING ]
SCREEN!
*
SANDSCREW!
*
ROCK CONVEYOR!
*
WITH THIS PLANT RUNNING,
WE'LL PUT GOLD IN OUR POCKETS.
THERE'S NO WONDERING IF THERE
IS GOLD IN THIS GROUND.
WE KNOW IT. IT'S SITTIN'
RIGHT THERE IN A PILE.
FEED CONVEYOR!
*
THOSE BUTTONS SHOULD'VE
BEEN PUSHED 2 MONTHS AGO.
Freddy, are you ready for
the first bucket of pay dirt
at Fairplay this year?
FIRST BUCKET, GUYS!
We're mining at Fairplay!
*
[ POWERING DOWN ]
WHAT THE [BLEEP]?
GET OUT OF MY WAY.
GET OUT OF MY WAY.
OKAY. HEY, SHUT THE WATER OFF.
JUST SHUT IT OFF.
THE GENERATOR SHUT OFF,
LIKE, INSTANTANEOUSLY.
YOU GOT POWER?
I HAVE NOTHING.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.
YOU HAVE NOTHING?
ONE BUCKET.
SHE MADE IT ONE BUCKET.
*
WHAT'S GOING ON, FRED?
WE'RE NOT GETTING ANYTHING
TO THE ELECTRONICS UP THERE.
I WAS LOOKING FOR A RESET
OR A FUSE.
I DON'T SEE ANYTHING
EITHER, FRED.
I THINK IT MIGHT BE
THAT CONTROL PANEL.
RIGHT NOW, WE GOT POWER GOING TO
IT, AND IT'S NOT DOING ANYTHING.
[BLEEP].
WELL, THE CONTROL PANEL'S
SCREWED. IT'S FRIED.
SO BASICALLY, WE'RE DOWN
FOR 2 DAYS
BECAUSE WE CAN'T GET ONE IN HERE
ANY FASTER THAN THAT.
WE GOT WATER.
WE GOT MATERIAL.
WE GOT PERMISSION TO RUN.
NOW THE [BLEEP] GENERATOR
WON'T START.
*
*
*
Narrator: AT EUREKA CREEK,
TONY HAS SHUT DOWN HIS DREDGE
TO REPLACE AN OLD,
RUSTED OUT SLUICE RUN.
*
SO THIS IS WHERE THE NEW
AND THE OLD ARE MEETING.
Narrator:
KEVIN FITS THE LAST FEW BOLTS...
THERE WE GO.
[BLEEP] IS IN.
...BUT HE SPOTS A PROBLEM
AT THE BOTTOM OF THE NEW RUN.
I'M WORRIED THAT,
ONCE WE HIT GRAVEL
AND START GETTING
REAL GOOD BUCKETS,
THEY'RE GOING TO OVERFLOW
AND FLOOD THE DECK,
SO TO SPEAK.
YEAH, EXCEPT WHEN YOU DIG
A LOT OF DIRT,
AND IT DON'T FIT IN THERE
AND IT JUMPS.
Narrator: TONY'S NEW SLUICE RUN
IS HIGHER THAN THE OLD SLUICES.
TO GET TO THE LEVEL
OF THE EXISTING RUNS,
TONY HAS INSTALLED
A VERTICAL DROP BOX,
BUT THE HOLE IN THE DROP BOX
IS NARROWER THAN THE NEW CHUTE.
KEVIN FEARS THIS WILL
CAUSE A BOTTLENECK.
THE MATERIAL WILL BACK UP
AND OVERFLOW, LOSING GOLD.
TONY'S QUICK FIX -- A STEEL LID
TO CONTAIN THE MATERIAL
IF IT STARTS TO BACK UP.
*
*
OKAY. EVERYBODY, CLEAR.
THE REAL TEST IS GOING
TO BE THAT GRAVEL THERE,
AND WE'RE GOING TO FIND OUT HOW
WELL THE NEW RUNS ACTUALLY WORK.
Narrator: EVERY HOUR,
THE DREDGE'S BUCKETS
FEED 100 YARDS OF PAY GRAVEL
THROUGH THE PLANT.
*
*
*
HEY, KEVIN, WAKE UP!
YEAH?
I'M NOT PAYING YOU TO SLEEP,
BUDDY. GET UP.
HEY, THERE'S NOTHING TO DO.
YOU DON'T SEE THE PLANT
RUNNING, DO YOU?
YOU SEE WHAT I GOT
IN MY HAND?
WE'LL BE RUNNING HERE
IN A MINUTE.
Narrator: 10,000 FEET UP
IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS,
FREDDY'S FAIRPLAY MINE
IS SHUT DOWN,
WAITING FOR A REPLACEMENT PART.
YOU KNOW, I THOUGHT
THE CEASE AND DESIST
WAS GOING TO BE THE LAST
OF OUR PROBLEMS, BUT IT WASN'T.
WE SHORTED OUT THE GENERATOR.
WE GOT THE NEW PANEL,
SO HOPEFULLY,
WE'LL BE UP AND RUNNING
HERE IN A MINUTE.
HEY, FREDDY.
THAT'S A SIGHT FOR
SORE EYES RIGHT THERE.
HOPEFULLY, WE CAN GET IT RUNNING
AND START KICKING SOME ASS.
IT'S GOOD TO GO, TODD.
[ WHIRRING, CLACKING ]
[ LAUGHS ] SHE'S RUNNING!
HOPEFULLY, THE SON OF A GUN
DOESN'T BREAK US DOWN AGAIN.
EVERYBODY, GET READY!
WE'RE GONNA FIRE UP.
WE'RE GONNA FIRE UP.
[ BUZZER ]
FIRE IT UP!
*
ALL WE WANT TO DO
IS GET RUNNING,
AND EVERYTHING
HAS BEEN STOPPING US,
WHETHER IT'S ZONING
OR EQUIPMENT.
WE'VE BEEN FIGHTING
ALL KINDS OF CRAP.
I'M TIRED OF FIGHTING
EVERYTHING.
IT'S TIME TO MAKE GOLD.
Narrator: NOT RUNNING FAIRPLAY
SINCE THE START OF THE SEASON
HAS COST TODD AROUND
THREE-QUARTERS OF $1 MILLION
IN LOST GOLD,
ENOUGH GOLD TO HAVE
PUT HIM AHEAD OF PARKER.
EIGHT MONTHS AGO,
I SHUT THIS FEEDER OFF,
RAN THE LAST BUCKET OF DIRT,
AND NOW WE'RE BACK UP
AND RUNNING.
*
THAT FEELS FLIPPING GOOD
RIGHT THERE.
*
YOU SEE THAT?
FIRST PAY DIRT OF THE SEASON.
KNOWING THAT THERE'S GOLD
GOING IN THIS SLUICE BOX,
IT'S LIKE 1,000 POUNDS
OFF MY SHOULDERS.
*
Narrator: FOR THE FIRST TIME
IN HIS CAREER,
TODD HAS THREE WASH PLANTS
MINING FOR GOLD.
YEAH.
WE GOT THREE PLANTS RUNNING,
FULL SPEED AHEAD.
WE'RE GOING TO HIT
OUR GOAL HOPEFULLY.
WE'RE RUNNING 800 YARDS AN HOUR.
THIS IS THE MOST DIRT
WE'VE EVER RAN.
WE GOT TO GO FULL SPEED AHEAD
AND RUN AS MUCH DIRT AS WE CAN.
HOPEFULLY, WE CAN CATCH UP.
IT'S EXCITING.
THE WHOLE CREW IS GONNA
BE WORKING,
AND, YOU KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO BE
PULLING IN SOME SERIOUS GOLD.
*
*
*
ALL RIGHT. WE'LL SEE IF
OUR CLEAN WATER HELPED US OUT.
Narrator: AFTER A TOUGH WEEK,
IT'S TIME TO PULL THE MATS
AT BIG RED.
NOT REALLY SURE WHAT
TO EXPECT FROM THIS CLEANUP.
I MEAN, THIS ONE IS A TOSS-UP.
*
Narrator:
UNDER PRESSURE FROM PARKER,
RICK DECIDED TO CRANK UP
THE YARDAGE THIS WEEK.
SO HOW'S IT LOOKING?
I'M NOT SEEING ANYTHING
IN THAT ONE.
I'M SEEING SOME GOLD
IN THIS ONE,
BUT IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE
THE LAST ONE. THAT'S FOR SURE.
WHY NOT?
OUR TAILINGS MUD BASICALLY
OVERTOOK THE PUMP,
AND WE WERE PUMPING
MUDDY-ASS WATER UP HERE.
[ SIGHS DEEPLY ]
HAVING THINGS CRANKED UP
AIN'T HELPING ANYTHING, IS IT?
YEAH.
[BLEEP].
ALL RIGHT. WELL...YEAH.
WHAT'S DONE IS DONE.
THAT'S [BLEEP].
HOPEFULLY, THE CLEANUP
IS NOT TERRIBLE.
BUT DEFINITELY DOESN'T LOOK LIKE
THERE IS MUCH IN THERE, DOES IT?
NO. WE'LL FIND OUT
ON THE SCALE, I GUESS.
Narrator: IN THE GOLD TENT,
CHRIS CLEANS UP THE CONCENTRATE
FROM BIG RED AND SLUICIFER.
*
WELL, IT'S OBVIOUSLY
NOT MUCH GOLD. NO.
ALL RIGHT.
LET'S SEE WHAT WE'VE GOT.
THAT'S SLUICIFER.
Narrator: TO GET BACK ON TRACK
FOR HIS 5,000-OUNCE,
$6 MILLION SEASON GOAL,
PARKER NEEDS THE TWO PLANTS
TO PRODUCE A TOTAL OF
AT LEAST 240 OUNCES.
104.2.
LAST WEEK, YOU HAD 106,
SO YOU'VE DROPPED 2 OUNCES.
WHAT THE [BLEEP]?
YOU KNOW, SLUICIFER IS SUPPOSED
TO BE THE ACE IN THE HOLE.
THAT'S THE ONE THAT IS SUPPOSED
TO PULL US THROUGH,
AND, UH, YOU'RE
LOSING GROUND, BUD.
[ SIFTING SOUND ]
ALL RIGHT. BIG RED.
10, 20, 30.
-JUST SAY THE [BLEEP] TOTAL.
-[ LAUGHS ]
52.5.
Narrator: A COMBINED TOTAL
OF 156.7 OUNCES,
WORTH $188,000,
MORE THAN 80 OUNCES SHORT
OF WHAT THEY NEED.
UGH. THAT'S DISGUSTING.
RICK, THAT'S THE WORST
CLEANUP YOU'VE HAD
SINCE YOU FIRED
THAT MACHINE OFF.
IN 2 YEARS.
I MEAN, TRYING TO RUN
20% OR 30% MORE YARDAGE
AT BIG RED THIS WEEK
JUST COST US HUGE.
IF WE'D HAVE JUST SAT THERE,
RUNNING 100 YARDS AN HOUR,
WE'D HAVE BEEN
BETTER OFF, SO...
I'LL OWN THAT ONE, AND THAT WAS
A LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR ME,
AND THAT AIN'T GOING
TO HAPPEN AGAIN.
YEAH. AT THE END OF THE DAY,
WE'RE UP HERE TO MAKE MONEY,
AND WE AIN'T, SO...
-YEAH.
GOLD WEIGHS ARE
SOMETIMES NERVE-RACKING,
BUT THESE ARE JUST GETTING
DOWNRIGHT DEPRESSING, MAN.
IT'S JUST LIKE GOING TO
THE CHOPPING BLOCK EVERY WEEK.
HOPEFULLY, WE CAN
FIGURE THINGS OUT,
BUT FOR THE TIME BEING,
WE ARE GETTING MUCH FURTHER AWAY
FROM OUR GOAL THAN WE SHOULD BE.
Narrator: COMING UP...
THERE'S A LOT RIDING ON HOW
MUCH GOLD IS IN THE SLUICE BOX.
YOU KNOW, IT'S WHY
WE'RE ALL HERE,
TO TRY TO MAKE
A LIVING CATCHING GOLD.
HOW WE LOOKING?
*
Narrator: IN COLORADO,
LOADER-OPERATOR KEVIN HIATT
HAS A SURPRISE VISITOR.
-LOOK AT THAT CHIPMUNK!
-[ CHITTERS ]
YOU SURE ARE A LONG WAY
FROM ANY TREES, BUDDY.
HERE.
LET'S GIVE HIM A LITTLE TREAT.
I DON'T THINK THERE'S MUCH FOOD
AROUND HERE FOR HIM.
ALL I SEE IS ROCK.
I GOT SOME POPCORN.
YEAH? COME ON.
THIS GUY HAS BEEN
AROUND HERE FOR A WHILE.
I'VE NEVER REALLY TRIED
FEEDING HIM.
BUT I WONDER IF HE WANTS
TO COME RIDE MY --
NO, DON'T BITE MY FINGER.
NO, NOT MY FINGER, DUDE.
YOU KNOW, PEOPLE PROBABLY THINK
THAT I WHINE A LOT
AND COMPLAIN A LOT.
I'M ACTUALLY A LOT NICER
THAN I COME ACROSS.
*
YEAH, START SHUTTING HER DOWN,
KEVIN.
Narrator: AFTER RUNNING FAIRPLAY
FOR 2 DAYS,
IT'S TIME FOR THE FIRST CLEANUP
OF THE SEASON FOR RUSTY RED.
THERE'S A LOT RIDING ON HOW MUCH
GOLD'S IN THE SLUICE BOX.
THERE ALWAYS IS EVERY DAY
WHEN YOU SHUT DOWN,
BUT IT'S EVEN MORE POWERFUL NOW
BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE
TO RUN FOR 2 MONTHS.
YOU KNOW, IT'S WHY
WE'RE ALL HERE,
TO TRY TO MAKE A LIVING
CATCHING GOLD.
*
HOW WE LOOKING?
Narrator:
TODD'S SACRAMENTO CREEK PLANTS,
DOUBLE TROUBLE AND MONSTER RED,
HAVE BEEN RUNNING ALL WEEK.
WELL, IT'S NOT GOOD AT ALL.
WHICH MINE IS THIS?
-THIS IS SACRAMENTO.
-THAT'S IT, HUH?
-HERE WE GO.
-BE CAREFUL, DAD.
Narrator: TO HIT
HIS 5,000-OUNCE SEASON GOAL,
TODD NEEDS AT LEAST
200 OUNCES FROM SACRAMENTO.
20, 30...
30.7.
Narrator:
WORTH JUST $37,000.
-BOTH?
-YEAH, BOTH.
SOMEWHERE ALONG THE LINE,
YOU GOT OFF THE PAY STREAK.
-THAT'S NOT ENOUGH.
-YEAH.
THAT WAS A WHOLE WEEK.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO.
DO WE GOT TO CRANK THE YARDS
THROUGH THESE TWO PLANTS?
LET'S SEE. HOPEFULLY,
THE NEXT CLEANUP IS BETTER.
-THIS IS FAIRPLAY.
-THIS ONE IS FAIRPLAY?
Narrator:
DUE TO BREAKDOWNS,
RUSTY RED ONLY RAN
FOR HALF A WEEK.
COME ON, GOLD.
AFTER JUST 2 DAYS RUNNING,
FAIRPLAY NEEDS TO DELIVER
AT LEAST 40 OUNCES.
10.
20.
30.
40.
50.
-58.
-YEAH!
TWO AND AND A HALF DAYS.
-GOOD JOB, FREDDY.
-THAT'S GOOD, MAN.
-YEAH.
-GREAT JOB.
Narrator:
FREDDY IS BACK IN THE GAME.
$70,000 DOLLARS WORTH OF GOLD
IN JUST 2 DAYS
PROVES THAT FAIRPLAY IS
THE HOFFMANS' ACE IN THE HOLE.
YOU KNOW, FAIRPLAY IS THE BEST
GROUND THAT WE'VE EVER RAN.
IT'S BEEN A PAIN IN THE ASS
SO FAR.
BUT YOU KNOW WHAT?
LOOK AT THAT GOLD.
NOW WE'RE RUNNING.
WE'RE READY TO ROLL.
BAILED US OUT LAST YEAR.
LET'S HOPE IT BAILS US OUT
AGAIN THIS YEAR.
-LET'S MAKE IT HAPPEN.
-LET'S DO IT.
-BUDDY.
-[ LAUGHS ]
*
WE'RE DOING OUR FIRST CLEANUP
ON THE DREDGE
OF THE SEASON.
WE GOT TO TO CLEAN EVERYTHING UP
AND SEE WHAT WE GOT.
Narrator: THIS WEEK,
KEVIN SHUT THE DREDGE
TO REPLACE THE SLUICE RUNS.
TODAY'S CLEANUP WILL DETERMINE
IF HIS NEW RUNS WERE WORTH IT.
*
Narrator: TONY BEETS IS AIMING
FOR A 3,000-OUNCE,
$3.6 MILLION SEASON,
BUT 7 WEEKS IN, HE ONLY HAS
43 OUNCES IN THE JAR.
OH, KEVIN IS GOING TO
BRING US SOME GOLD.
WE'VE BEEN SPENDING LIKE
YOU WOULDN'T BELIEVE IT.
WELL, I HAVEN'T BEEN SPENDING.
YOU HAVE BEEN SPENDING.
-MY PIGGY BANK IS DONE.
-[ TONY LAUGHS ]
FIRST GOLD FROM THE DREDGE.
ENOUGH YACKING. START
PUTTING IT ON THE SCALE.
I WANT TO SEE
HOW MUCH THERE IS.
10, 15, 20, 30, 40.
TO HIT
TONY'S 3,000-OUNCE TARGET,
HE NEEDS OVER 175 OUNCES
OF GOLD EVERY WEEK.
100, 110, 120,
140, 150, 160,
170,
190, 200.
190.
300.
310 AND CHANGE.
Narrator: 310.85 OUNCES
IS WORTH A STAGGERING $370,000.
RIGHT?
SEE?
I TOLD YOU PUTTING THOSE
NEW RUNS IN WAS A GOOD IDEA.
YOU GOT ONE?
I'LL [BLEEP] TAKE A COOKIE.
I BET WE SAVED
A COUPLE OUNCES DOING THAT.
*
OH, [BLEEP]!
Narrator:
ON THE NEXT "GOLD RUSH"...
HEY, JUAN, STOP!
[BLEEP]! [BLEEP]!
I THINK WE HAVE
SOME MORE SERIOUS ISSUES.
SO BASICALLY, IT'S PRETTY
[BLEEP], HUH?
[BLEEP] BOAT.
[ THUNDERCLAP ]
WE'RE RIGHT IN
THE DANGER ZONE HERE.
IF THE FIRE MAKES THAT RIDGE,
WE'VE GOT TO EVACUATE.
I'M NOT GOING ANYWHERE,
BUT I WOULDN'T BLAME ANY OF YOU
IF YOU WANT TO GO.
*
PROPERTY RIGHTS FROM US.
YOU GUYS READY TO ROLL?
Narrator: ON THIS "GOLD RUSH"...
TIME TO CIRCLE THE WAGONS.
ALL I WANT TO DO
IS MINE THIS PROPERTY.
IT'S MY LIFE SAVINGS
SITTING THERE.
HEY, KEVIN, WAKE UP.
WHAT THE [BLEEP]?
GET OUT OF MY WAY.
GET OUT OF MY WAY.
*
SLUICE BOX GONNA BE
IN THE TAILINGS POND.
WE CAN'T KEEP SHUTTING DOWN.
HE'S A LITTLE [BLEEP].
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE [BLEEP]
HIS PROBLEM IS.
ALL RIGHT, TIME TO
CRANK IT UP TO 11, I GUESS.
THIS PLANT CAN'T RUN
THAT FAST.
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS
WHEN YOU PUSH STUFF TOO HARD.
[BLEEP] BREAKS.
[BLEEP] PARKER, MAN.
*
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY
DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
*
[ CHIRPING ]
*
YEAH. THERE'S BEEN A LOT
OF POOR CLEANUPS THIS YEAR.
THAT'S FOR SURE.
OH, LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE.
IT CAN'T GET MUCH WORSE.
IT CAN ALWAYS
GET WORSE, CHRIS.
IT CAN ALWAYS GET WORSE?
WELL, SOMETHING'S
GOTTA CHANGE.
Hey, Parker.
YEAH. GO AHEAD, RICK.
Yeah. You better come down
to Big Red.
We've got a serious crack
under a pad over here.
You just need to
come check it out.
YEAH. I'LL BE
RIGHT DOWN THERE.
ALL RIGHT.
TO THE BATTLEFIELD WE GO.
*
Narrator: IN THE KLONDIKE,
MINE BOSS PARKER SCHNABEL
IS GUNNING FOR A $6 MILLION
5,000-OUNCE SEASON.
THINGS AREN'T GOING GREAT
RIGHT NOW.
LIKE, SLUICIFER HAS GOTTEN
OVER 300 OUNCES IN 3 WEEKS,
WHICH AIN'T THE BEST.
BUT IT'S JUST, YOU KNOW,
WE'RE JUST GETTING GOING.
BIG RED, THOUGH, BIG RED
IS JUST KILLING OUR NUMBERS.
Narrator: A QUARTER
OF THE WAY IN,
PARKER SHOULD HAVE 1,250 OUNCES,
BUT THERE'S ONLY 987 IN THE JAR.
I'M PRETTY IRRITATED THAT
BIG RED'S NOT DOING
OVER 100 OUNCES A WEEK.
RIGHT NOW, WE'RE A LONG WAYS
FROM 5,000 OUNCES,
AND, YOU KNOW, THAT'S EXPECTED
THIS TIME OF YEAR,
BUT THE PROBLEM IS,
WE'RE NOT ON TRACK FOR IT.
YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST
[BLEEP] BUSH LEAGUE RIGHT NOW.
*
WE GOING TO LOSE
OUR WASH PLANT, RICK?
I MEAN, IT'S GETTING WORSE.
IT GOES RIGHT UNDER
THE LEG, WHICH IS...
I DON'T KNOW.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO?
I MEAN, I THINK WE NEED TO --
BEFORE THIS ALL FALLS APART,
I THINK WE NEED TO SWING
THESE SLUICE BOXES OUT OF HERE
AND TRY AND SHORE THIS UP,
REBUILD THIS A BIT.
[BLEEP] ME.
WE CAN'T KEEP SHUTTING DOWN
FOR LITTLE STUPID [BLEEP].
UNTIL IT'S LAYING ON
THE [BLEEP] GROUND OFF THE BANK,
I'M NOT GOING
TO [BLEEP] WORRY ABOUT IT.
WE NEED TO BE MORE WORRIED
ABOUT THE [BLEEP] GOLD TOTALS
FALLING OFF A CLIFF,
NOT THIS KIND OF [BLEEP].
THERE'S NO GOLD.
IT'S JUST A [BLEEP] SHOW
ALL AROUND.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY
OTHER THAN IT'S JUST...
IT AIN'T WORKING OUT.
[BLEEP] PARKER, MAN.
HE'S A LITTLE [BLEEP].
THAT'S WHAT IT IS. ALL RIGHT?
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE [BLEEP]
HIS PROBLEM IS.
I'M JUST [BLEEP] SICK OF IT.
IT'S NOT LIKE
I'M SITTING OUT HERE,
AND EVERYBODY HAS [BLEEP] THUMBS
UP THEIR ASS.
WE'RE WORKING OUR ASSES OFF.
HEY, YOU KNOW PARKER SAID
THAT WE HAVEN'T HIT
OUR GOAL RECENTLY,
AND HE WANTS MORE GOLD,
SO THE ONLY WAY I KNOW
HOW TO DO THAT
IS TO TURN
THIS [BLEEP] THING UP.
TIME TO CRANK IT UP TO 11.
[ WHIRRING LOUDLY ]
*
-HAPPENING?
-HEY.
SO I JUST CRANKED THE [BLEEP]
OUT OF THAT FEEDER.
WHAT DID YOU CRANK IT TO?
160 YARDS AN HOUR.
THIS PLANT CAN'T RUN
THAT FAST.
THIS PLANT IS HAPPY
AROUND 120, 130,
IN THAT RANGE.
I KNOW, BUT PARKER IS
GIVING ME [BLEEP]
ABOUT US NOT GETTING
OUR NUMBERS DOWN HERE.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE
TO [BLEEP] DO.
-IT'S YOUR CALL.
-ALL RIGHT.
WELL, YOU'LL BE RACING
TO KEEP UP NOW, I'D IMAGINE.
-THANKS A LOT. ALL RIGHT.
-GOOD LUCK, CHRIS.
*
Narrator:
INCREASING THE YARDAGE BY 25%
COULD DELIVER RICK
ANOTHER 25 OUNCES OF GOLD
BY THE END OF THE WEEK.
*
[BLEEP].[BLEEP].
WHAT'S UP WITH THIS WATER?
IT'S MUDDY AS HELL.
LOOKS LIKE WE'RE SLUICING
WITH PURE MUD.
Narrator: MUDDY WATER
CAN WASH THE GOLD
RIGHT OUT OF THE SLUICES.
LOOK HOW MANY SPRAY NOZZLES
ARE WORKING.
THOSE WERE FLOWING,
AND NOW THEY'RE NOT.
-THEY'RE PUMPING STRAIGHT MUD.
-YEAH.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE
TO SHUT THIS DOWN.
THEY'RE JUST [BLEEP].
*
[BLEEP].
*
*
WE'RE A QUARTER-WAY
THROUGH THE SEASON.
IT'S NOT GOING VERY GOOD AT ALL.
IT'S HORRIBLE.
5,000 OUNCES
SEEMS TO BE SLIPPING AWAY
LITTLE BY LITTLE EVERY DAY.
NOW WE'RE JUST BARELY
PAYING BILLS HERE.
Narrator: IN COLORADO,
TODD HOFFMAN IS FIGHTING
TO STAY AFLOAT
AT SACRAMENTO CREEK.
THIS GROUND IS NOT RICH.
MEDIOCRE AT BEST.
WE CAN RUN A LOT OF IT,
SO HOPEFULLY WE CAN
MAKE IT UP IN VOLUME.
Narrator:
TO HIT HIS 5,000-OUNCE GOAL,
TODD SHOULD HAVE
1,250 OUNCES BY NOW.
HE HAS LESS THAN HALF THAT.
THE REST HE WAS HOPING TO GET
FROM FREDDY'S GOLD-RICH CLAIM.
WE GOT A CEASE AND DESIST.
NOW FAIRPLAY IS SHUT DOWN
FOR REAL.
WE DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE GOING
TO LET US OPEN IT BACK UP.
Narrator: TWO WEEKS AGO...
[ TELEPHONE RINGS ]
HELLO?
OKAY.
WE GOT A CEASE AND DESIST TO
STOP MINING ACTIVITIES FOR NOW.
Narrator: THEY HAVE A PERMIT
FROM THE STATE
ALLOWING THEM TO MINE FAIRPLAY,
BUT PARK COUNTY
JUST INFORMED FREDDY
THAT HIS GROUND HAS
BEEN REZONED AS RESIDENTIAL.
MISSION OF PARK COUNTY
LAND-USE REGULATION.
THAT PIECE OF PAPER
HAS GOT MORE POWER TO STOP ME
THAN ANYTHING ELSE.
WE GOTTA GET FAIRPLAY
BACK IN THE GAME.
THAT'S OUR STAR PLAYER.
IT'S WHERE ALL OUR GOLD IS.
I'LL TELL YOU WHAT,
IF WE CAN'T RUN FAIRPLAY,
THERE'S A LOT OF DEAD DREAMS.
ONE OF THEM IS 5,000 OUNCES.
TRYING TO PUT
THE BEST FACE ON IT
THAT WE CAN,
BUT THIS IS NOT GOOD.
Narrator: TO REGAIN ACCESS TO
THE GOLD-RICH PAY AT FAIRPLAY,
THEY NEED TO PLEAD THEIR CASE
WITH THE COUNTY COMMISSION.
HEY, HUNTER, EVERYBODY,
LISTEN UP.
YEAH, I COPY.
Todd: WE'RE GOING TO SHUT DOWN
MONSTER RED.
WE'RE SHUTTING DOWN
DOUBLE TROUBLE.
I WANT ALL MACHINES OFF.
WE'RE ALL GOING TO HEAD DOWN
TO THE COUNTY.
WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.
WE'RE GOING TO FIGHT
FOR FAIRPLAY.
WE'RE GOING TO FIGHT
FOR OUR RIGHTS ON THIS. OKAY?
ALL RIGHT, TODD,
WE'RE SHUTTING DOWN.
*
IT'S TIME FOR PEOPLE TO RALLY.
IT'S TIME TO CIRCLE THE WAGON.
THIS IS OUR FINAL PUSH.
WE'VE GOT EVERYBODY
GOING DOWN HERE
TO SEE IF WE CAN'T CHANGE
MINDS AND HEARTS, I GUESS.
*
THIS WAS A MINE IN 1859.
YOU CAN'T JUST GO AND PUT
ZONING OVER THE TOP OF MINING.
THAT IS WHAT THE COUNTY DID.
WHAT THEY'VE DONE,
ACCORDING TO OUR ATTORNEYS,
IS THEY HAVE TAKEN OUR VESTED
PROPERTY RIGHTS FROM US.
I KNOW 5,000 OUNCES IS
SLIPPING AWAY FROM US,
SO WE'RE GOING TO GO FIGHT.
JUST LET THEM KNOW HOW MANY
PEOPLE'S LIVES
ARE AFFECTED BY THIS.
Narrator:
AFTER INVESTING EVERYTHING
HE OWNS INTO FAIRPLAY,
TODD'S PARTNER, FREDDY DODGE,
LEADS THE FIGHT
AGAINST THE COUNTY.
TODD AND FREDDY ATTEND
THE CLOSED MEETING.
THE REST OF THE CREW
WATCHES FROM THE SIDELINES.
Freddy: GUYS, I'M HERE TODAY
TO TRY TO GET YOU TO LIFT
THIS CEASE AND DESIST ORDER.
THAT PROPERTY WAS FIRST MINED
ALMOST 160 YEARS AGO.
IT CAN'T BE ZONED RESIDENTIAL,
ACCORDING TO STATUTE 34-1-305.
I AM A COLORADO RESIDENT.
I'VE BEEN IN PARK COUNTY
FOR 30 YEARS ON GOLD,
BUT I AM NERVOUS.
I'VE GOT A LOT ON THE LINE,
ALL OF US, TODD,
EVERY PERSON IN HERE THAT
YOU SEE, ALL THE MINERS OUTSIDE.
WE'VE GOT A LOT
ON THE LINE HERE.
THAT PLANT SITTING OUT
ON THAT MINE,
EVERY PIECE OF THAT
IS OUT OF MY POCKET, RIGHT?
THAT'S MY LIFE SAVINGS
SITTING THERE.
I'VE TRIED TO DO A GOOD JOB.
ALL I WANT TO DO
IS MINE THIS PROPERTY,
AND I BELIEVE WE HAVE
THE LEGAL RIGHT TO DO THAT.
*
WELL, IT'S ALL UP TO
THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS NOW.
I MEAN, IT'S IN THEIR HANDS.
I JUST HOPE AND PRAY
IT'S IN OUR FAVOR.
IF NOT, FAIRPLAY IS SHUT DOWN
FOR THE SEASON.
*
*
Narrator:
GOLD-MINING LEGEND TONY BEETS
HAS PRODUCED ONLY 43 OUNCES
OF GOLD THIS SEASON,
AND HE'S HEMORRHAGING CASH.
Narrator: NOW THE DREDGE NEEDS
TO MINE 175 OUNCES A WEEK
TO HIT TONY'S SEASON GOAL.
*
Narrator: EVERY HOUR,
THE 75-YEAR-OLD DREDGE PROCESSES
100 YARDS OF PAY DIRT
AND DELIVERS
AT LEAST $1,000 WORTH OF GOLD.
*
OH!
*
*
Kevin: YO!
BECAUSE WE GOT HOLES
EVERYWHERE.
WELL, WE'RE PISSING ALL
OUR PAY DIRT ON THE GROUND.
IT AIN'T GOING THROUGH
THE SLUICE.
WE AIN'T MAKING
NO MONEY, ARE WE?
YOU SEE THE [BLEEP] HOLES?
[ SIGHS ]
IT'S [BLEEP] PAPER.
AND WE'VE LITERALLY BEEN
PLUGGING UP OUR SLUICE BOX
WITH EAR PLUGS.
WE'D HAVE TO REPLATE
THE WHOLE [BLEEP] THING.
YOU TRY TO
WELD ANYTHING THERE,
YOU'VE GOT A NEW HOLE
THREE TIMES AS BIG.
YEAH. BUT IF YOU DON'T
FIX THIS NOW...
I GET IT.
...HOW MUCH [BLEEP] ARE WE
GOING TO LOSE FOR THE SUMMER?
ALL RIGHT. YEAH.
-MM-HMM.
-YEAH...
ALL RIGHT.
Narrator: THE OLD SLUICE RUNS
ARE FULL OF HOLES,
AND THE CREW IS LOSING GOLD.
TONY'S PLAN -- FIT A NEW CHUTE.
THE GOLD-RICH MATERIAL
WILL THEN RUN
DIRECTLY INTO THE SLUICE BOX,
BYPASSING THE DAMAGED, OLD RUNS.
NO, I LIKE THAT PLAN.
THAT'LL WORK.
YEAH.
YES.
*
*
*
LOOK AT THAT NICE BEDROCK.
THAT'S WHAT I'M COUNTING ON.
Narrator: IN THE KLONDIKE,
PARKER IS RUNNING 280 YARDS
AN HOUR THROUGH SLUICIFER.
*
IT'S DEFINITELY A GOOD START.
I'VE GOT SOME GOOD GROUND
HERE OPENED UP.
I JUST WANT TO GET THE GOLD
OUT OF THE GROUND.
Narrator: OVER AT INDIAN RIVER,
BIG RED IS SHUT DOWN.
YOU KNOW, THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS
WHEN YOU PUSH A WASH PLANT
TOO HARD.
YOU KNOW, RICK TURNED
THIS THING UP.
WELL, NOW WHAT DO WE HAVE?
PUMPED A BUNCH OF MUD INTO
THE WASH PLANT.
YOU KNOW, WE HAD
BIG RED DIALED IN.
IT WAS RUNNING NICE.
NOW WE HAVE TO TAKE
EVERYTHING APART.
ALL THIS IS DOING IS MAKING
A BUNCH MORE WORK FOR US.
*
YEAH. SO THESE ARE OUR NOZZLES
FOR OUR TOP DECK SPRAY BARS.
WATER IS SUPPOSED TO GO THROUGH
HERE AND THEN FANS OUT OF HERE,
BUT OBVIOUSLY, THERE AIN'T
[BLEEP] NOTHING
GOING THROUGH THAT.
THAT IS WHAT WE'RE PUMPING UP
TO OUR PLANT RIGHT NOW
IS STRAIGHT SILT.
Narrator: BIG RED'S FINE
TAILINGS POUR OUT INTO THE POND
WHERE THE SILT SLOWLY SETTLES.
AT THE OPPOSITE END OF THE POND,
BIG RED ALSO DRAWS
ITS CLEAN WATER.
RUNNING MORE DIRT THROUGH
THE PLANT
HAS INCREASED THE FINE
TAILINGS IN THE POND.
AS A RESULT, THE PUMP
HAS BEEN SENDING
SILTY WATER TO THE PLANT,
BLOCKING THE SPRAY BARS.
YEAH.
THAT WATER IS DISGUSTING.
Narrator: UNTIL RICK CAN GET
CLEAN WATER
BACK TO THE PLANT,
BIG RED IS SHUT DOWN.
YEAH, THIS IS JUST STRAIGHT
[BLEEP] SLOPPY MUD.
IF I CAN'T GET SOME CLEANER
WATER THAN THIS FROM RIGHT HERE,
THEN WE'RE
PRETTY [BLEEP] SCREWED
BECAUSE THERE IS
NO OTHER WATER SOURCE NEAR ME.
I NEED TO MAKE OUR RECIRCULATION
SYSTEM A LITTLE LONGER,
SO I NEED TO MAKE A BERM
SO THAT, THAT SILT
HAS TO GO A LOT FURTHER OUT
BEFORE IT CAN RECIRCULATE
BACK TO OUR PUMP.
BUILDING A NEW BERM WILL FORCE
THE WATER TO TRAVEL FURTHER,
ALLOWING THE SILT TO SETTLE
BEFORE THE CLEAN WATER
IS PUMPED BACK TO THE PLANT.
Rick: SO I DECIDED TO CRANK
THE YARDAGE UP ON BIG RED
TO TRY TO GET SOME MORE GOLD
AND MAKE PARKER HAPPY,
AND HERE IS WHERE WE'RE AT.
WATER GOT DIRTY A LOT QUICKER
THAN I THOUGHT IT WOULD,
AND, YOU KNOW,
IT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT
WE'VE NEVER DEALT WITH
SO LEARNING AS WE GO OUT HERE
STILL, EVEN AFTER 6 YEARS.
*
Narrator: A FULL DAY
BERM BUILDING COSTS PARKER
OVER $20,000 IN LOST GOLD.
I'D LIKE TO HAVE MORE MATERIAL
HOLDING IT BACK IN THERE,
BUT THAT'LL WORK FOR NOW.
I HAVE NOT EVEN BEGUN TO THINK
ABOUT A PLAN B YET
IF THIS DOESN'T WORK.
JUST HAS TO WORK.
WE'LL FIRE UP THE PLANT
AND THEN HOPE FOR THE BEST.
LET'S GET HER FIRED UP
AND FIND OUT.
THAT WATER LOOKS
REAL CLEAR NOW, HUH, MITCH?
-NOT TOO BAD. [ LAUGHS ]
-[ LAUGHS ]
Narrator:
RICK'S BERM HAS WORKED.
ONCE AGAIN, 90,000 GALLONS
OF CLEAN WATER AN HOUR
FLOWS THROUGH BIG RED,
ENOUGH WATER TO FILL ALMOST
200 FIRE TRUCKS
EVERY 60 MINUTES.
NOW WE CAN SEE, WE'VE GOT NICE,
CLEAN WATER COMING OUT,
SO IT LOOKS LIKE WE SOLVED
THAT PROBLEM FOR NOW.
BACK TO SLUICING.
*
*
I DON'T KNOW. I HOPE IT'S
GOOD NEWS FOR FREDDY'S SAKE.
HE DIDN'T LOOK GOOD
AT THAT COUNTY MEETING.
-I KNOW. RIGHT.
-WHO KNOWS?
THERE'S ALWAYS A CHANCE.
I'LL BET YOU, DOLLARS TO
DOUGHNUTS, WE'RE DONE.
Narrator:
IN COLORADO, TODD HOFFMAN'S
MOST LUCRATIVE MINE,
FAIRPLAY, IS SHUT DOWN.
TODD'S PARTNER, FREDDY DODGE,
HAS BEEN FIGHTING TO GET
THE MINE REOPENED FOR WEEKS
AND IS BACK FROM THE COUNTY
HEADQUARTERS WITH NEWS.
*
-HOW'D IT GO?
-WELL...
THEY LIFTED
THE CEASE AND DESIST
UNTIL THE ZONING MEETING.
-YOU ARE KIDDING ME.
-YEAH!
-[ LAUGHS ]
WAY TO GO, BUDDY.
MAYBE THINGS ARE
TURNING OUR WAY, HUH?
OKAY.
THERE ARE RESTRICTIONS,
BUT WE CAN DIG MATERIAL
THAT'S ON THE PART THAT'S
ZONED MINING FOR NOW.
WHEN I SAID 5,000 OUNCES,
I WAS COUNTING ON THIS PLANT
RUNNING FROM DAY 1.
OKAY?
WE'RE BEHIND.
RUN IT.
WE GOT A PILE OF DIRT
DOWN THERE,
AND WE KNOW IT'S GOT
GOOD GOLD IN IT.
-YEAH.
-AND WE'RE BACK IN THE GAME.
-YEAH.
-ALL RIGHT?
-YEAH.
-LET'S GET TO WORK, HUH?
YEAH.
LET'S RUN, GUYS.
*
Narrator: THE HOFFMAN CREW
CAN NOW RUN THEIR BEST PAY DIRT
FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS SEASON.
HERE WE ARE,
PULLING INTO FAIRPLAY.
Freddy: THAT'S A GOOD FEELING.
AT LEAST WE CAN
CATCH GOLD FOR NOW.
GOT A LOT OF BILLS TO PAY.
Narrator: EVERY DAY
FAIRPLAY WAS CLOSED,
THE CREW LOST OVER $20,000
IN UNMINED GOLD.
YOU GUYS READY
TO MAKE SOME GOLD?
LET'S RUN SOME DIRT.
EVERYBODY, CLEAR!
[ BUZZER, WHIRRING ]
SCREEN!
*
SANDSCREW!
*
ROCK CONVEYOR!
*
WITH THIS PLANT RUNNING,
WE'LL PUT GOLD IN OUR POCKETS.
THERE'S NO WONDERING IF THERE
IS GOLD IN THIS GROUND.
WE KNOW IT. IT'S SITTIN'
RIGHT THERE IN A PILE.
FEED CONVEYOR!
*
THOSE BUTTONS SHOULD'VE
BEEN PUSHED 2 MONTHS AGO.
Freddy, are you ready for
the first bucket of pay dirt
at Fairplay this year?
FIRST BUCKET, GUYS!
We're mining at Fairplay!
*
[ POWERING DOWN ]
WHAT THE [BLEEP]?
GET OUT OF MY WAY.
GET OUT OF MY WAY.
OKAY. HEY, SHUT THE WATER OFF.
JUST SHUT IT OFF.
THE GENERATOR SHUT OFF,
LIKE, INSTANTANEOUSLY.
YOU GOT POWER?
I HAVE NOTHING.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.
YOU HAVE NOTHING?
ONE BUCKET.
SHE MADE IT ONE BUCKET.
*
WHAT'S GOING ON, FRED?
WE'RE NOT GETTING ANYTHING
TO THE ELECTRONICS UP THERE.
I WAS LOOKING FOR A RESET
OR A FUSE.
I DON'T SEE ANYTHING
EITHER, FRED.
I THINK IT MIGHT BE
THAT CONTROL PANEL.
RIGHT NOW, WE GOT POWER GOING TO
IT, AND IT'S NOT DOING ANYTHING.
[BLEEP].
WELL, THE CONTROL PANEL'S
SCREWED. IT'S FRIED.
SO BASICALLY, WE'RE DOWN
FOR 2 DAYS
BECAUSE WE CAN'T GET ONE IN HERE
ANY FASTER THAN THAT.
WE GOT WATER.
WE GOT MATERIAL.
WE GOT PERMISSION TO RUN.
NOW THE [BLEEP] GENERATOR
WON'T START.
*
*
*
Narrator: AT EUREKA CREEK,
TONY HAS SHUT DOWN HIS DREDGE
TO REPLACE AN OLD,
RUSTED OUT SLUICE RUN.
*
SO THIS IS WHERE THE NEW
AND THE OLD ARE MEETING.
Narrator:
KEVIN FITS THE LAST FEW BOLTS...
THERE WE GO.
[BLEEP] IS IN.
...BUT HE SPOTS A PROBLEM
AT THE BOTTOM OF THE NEW RUN.
I'M WORRIED THAT,
ONCE WE HIT GRAVEL
AND START GETTING
REAL GOOD BUCKETS,
THEY'RE GOING TO OVERFLOW
AND FLOOD THE DECK,
SO TO SPEAK.
YEAH, EXCEPT WHEN YOU DIG
A LOT OF DIRT,
AND IT DON'T FIT IN THERE
AND IT JUMPS.
Narrator: TONY'S NEW SLUICE RUN
IS HIGHER THAN THE OLD SLUICES.
TO GET TO THE LEVEL
OF THE EXISTING RUNS,
TONY HAS INSTALLED
A VERTICAL DROP BOX,
BUT THE HOLE IN THE DROP BOX
IS NARROWER THAN THE NEW CHUTE.
KEVIN FEARS THIS WILL
CAUSE A BOTTLENECK.
THE MATERIAL WILL BACK UP
AND OVERFLOW, LOSING GOLD.
TONY'S QUICK FIX -- A STEEL LID
TO CONTAIN THE MATERIAL
IF IT STARTS TO BACK UP.
*
*
OKAY. EVERYBODY, CLEAR.
THE REAL TEST IS GOING
TO BE THAT GRAVEL THERE,
AND WE'RE GOING TO FIND OUT HOW
WELL THE NEW RUNS ACTUALLY WORK.
Narrator: EVERY HOUR,
THE DREDGE'S BUCKETS
FEED 100 YARDS OF PAY GRAVEL
THROUGH THE PLANT.
*
*
*
HEY, KEVIN, WAKE UP!
YEAH?
I'M NOT PAYING YOU TO SLEEP,
BUDDY. GET UP.
HEY, THERE'S NOTHING TO DO.
YOU DON'T SEE THE PLANT
RUNNING, DO YOU?
YOU SEE WHAT I GOT
IN MY HAND?
WE'LL BE RUNNING HERE
IN A MINUTE.
Narrator: 10,000 FEET UP
IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS,
FREDDY'S FAIRPLAY MINE
IS SHUT DOWN,
WAITING FOR A REPLACEMENT PART.
YOU KNOW, I THOUGHT
THE CEASE AND DESIST
WAS GOING TO BE THE LAST
OF OUR PROBLEMS, BUT IT WASN'T.
WE SHORTED OUT THE GENERATOR.
WE GOT THE NEW PANEL,
SO HOPEFULLY,
WE'LL BE UP AND RUNNING
HERE IN A MINUTE.
HEY, FREDDY.
THAT'S A SIGHT FOR
SORE EYES RIGHT THERE.
HOPEFULLY, WE CAN GET IT RUNNING
AND START KICKING SOME ASS.
IT'S GOOD TO GO, TODD.
[ WHIRRING, CLACKING ]
[ LAUGHS ] SHE'S RUNNING!
HOPEFULLY, THE SON OF A GUN
DOESN'T BREAK US DOWN AGAIN.
EVERYBODY, GET READY!
WE'RE GONNA FIRE UP.
WE'RE GONNA FIRE UP.
[ BUZZER ]
FIRE IT UP!
*
ALL WE WANT TO DO
IS GET RUNNING,
AND EVERYTHING
HAS BEEN STOPPING US,
WHETHER IT'S ZONING
OR EQUIPMENT.
WE'VE BEEN FIGHTING
ALL KINDS OF CRAP.
I'M TIRED OF FIGHTING
EVERYTHING.
IT'S TIME TO MAKE GOLD.
Narrator: NOT RUNNING FAIRPLAY
SINCE THE START OF THE SEASON
HAS COST TODD AROUND
THREE-QUARTERS OF $1 MILLION
IN LOST GOLD,
ENOUGH GOLD TO HAVE
PUT HIM AHEAD OF PARKER.
EIGHT MONTHS AGO,
I SHUT THIS FEEDER OFF,
RAN THE LAST BUCKET OF DIRT,
AND NOW WE'RE BACK UP
AND RUNNING.
*
THAT FEELS FLIPPING GOOD
RIGHT THERE.
*
YOU SEE THAT?
FIRST PAY DIRT OF THE SEASON.
KNOWING THAT THERE'S GOLD
GOING IN THIS SLUICE BOX,
IT'S LIKE 1,000 POUNDS
OFF MY SHOULDERS.
*
Narrator: FOR THE FIRST TIME
IN HIS CAREER,
TODD HAS THREE WASH PLANTS
MINING FOR GOLD.
YEAH.
WE GOT THREE PLANTS RUNNING,
FULL SPEED AHEAD.
WE'RE GOING TO HIT
OUR GOAL HOPEFULLY.
WE'RE RUNNING 800 YARDS AN HOUR.
THIS IS THE MOST DIRT
WE'VE EVER RAN.
WE GOT TO GO FULL SPEED AHEAD
AND RUN AS MUCH DIRT AS WE CAN.
HOPEFULLY, WE CAN CATCH UP.
IT'S EXCITING.
THE WHOLE CREW IS GONNA
BE WORKING,
AND, YOU KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO BE
PULLING IN SOME SERIOUS GOLD.
*
*
*
ALL RIGHT. WE'LL SEE IF
OUR CLEAN WATER HELPED US OUT.
Narrator: AFTER A TOUGH WEEK,
IT'S TIME TO PULL THE MATS
AT BIG RED.
NOT REALLY SURE WHAT
TO EXPECT FROM THIS CLEANUP.
I MEAN, THIS ONE IS A TOSS-UP.
*
Narrator:
UNDER PRESSURE FROM PARKER,
RICK DECIDED TO CRANK UP
THE YARDAGE THIS WEEK.
SO HOW'S IT LOOKING?
I'M NOT SEEING ANYTHING
IN THAT ONE.
I'M SEEING SOME GOLD
IN THIS ONE,
BUT IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE
THE LAST ONE. THAT'S FOR SURE.
WHY NOT?
OUR TAILINGS MUD BASICALLY
OVERTOOK THE PUMP,
AND WE WERE PUMPING
MUDDY-ASS WATER UP HERE.
[ SIGHS DEEPLY ]
HAVING THINGS CRANKED UP
AIN'T HELPING ANYTHING, IS IT?
YEAH.
[BLEEP].
ALL RIGHT. WELL...YEAH.
WHAT'S DONE IS DONE.
THAT'S [BLEEP].
HOPEFULLY, THE CLEANUP
IS NOT TERRIBLE.
BUT DEFINITELY DOESN'T LOOK LIKE
THERE IS MUCH IN THERE, DOES IT?
NO. WE'LL FIND OUT
ON THE SCALE, I GUESS.
Narrator: IN THE GOLD TENT,
CHRIS CLEANS UP THE CONCENTRATE
FROM BIG RED AND SLUICIFER.
*
WELL, IT'S OBVIOUSLY
NOT MUCH GOLD. NO.
ALL RIGHT.
LET'S SEE WHAT WE'VE GOT.
THAT'S SLUICIFER.
Narrator: TO GET BACK ON TRACK
FOR HIS 5,000-OUNCE,
$6 MILLION SEASON GOAL,
PARKER NEEDS THE TWO PLANTS
TO PRODUCE A TOTAL OF
AT LEAST 240 OUNCES.
104.2.
LAST WEEK, YOU HAD 106,
SO YOU'VE DROPPED 2 OUNCES.
WHAT THE [BLEEP]?
YOU KNOW, SLUICIFER IS SUPPOSED
TO BE THE ACE IN THE HOLE.
THAT'S THE ONE THAT IS SUPPOSED
TO PULL US THROUGH,
AND, UH, YOU'RE
LOSING GROUND, BUD.
[ SIFTING SOUND ]
ALL RIGHT. BIG RED.
10, 20, 30.
-JUST SAY THE [BLEEP] TOTAL.
-[ LAUGHS ]
52.5.
Narrator: A COMBINED TOTAL
OF 156.7 OUNCES,
WORTH $188,000,
MORE THAN 80 OUNCES SHORT
OF WHAT THEY NEED.
UGH. THAT'S DISGUSTING.
RICK, THAT'S THE WORST
CLEANUP YOU'VE HAD
SINCE YOU FIRED
THAT MACHINE OFF.
IN 2 YEARS.
I MEAN, TRYING TO RUN
20% OR 30% MORE YARDAGE
AT BIG RED THIS WEEK
JUST COST US HUGE.
IF WE'D HAVE JUST SAT THERE,
RUNNING 100 YARDS AN HOUR,
WE'D HAVE BEEN
BETTER OFF, SO...
I'LL OWN THAT ONE, AND THAT WAS
A LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR ME,
AND THAT AIN'T GOING
TO HAPPEN AGAIN.
YEAH. AT THE END OF THE DAY,
WE'RE UP HERE TO MAKE MONEY,
AND WE AIN'T, SO...
-YEAH.
GOLD WEIGHS ARE
SOMETIMES NERVE-RACKING,
BUT THESE ARE JUST GETTING
DOWNRIGHT DEPRESSING, MAN.
IT'S JUST LIKE GOING TO
THE CHOPPING BLOCK EVERY WEEK.
HOPEFULLY, WE CAN
FIGURE THINGS OUT,
BUT FOR THE TIME BEING,
WE ARE GETTING MUCH FURTHER AWAY
FROM OUR GOAL THAN WE SHOULD BE.
Narrator: COMING UP...
THERE'S A LOT RIDING ON HOW
MUCH GOLD IS IN THE SLUICE BOX.
YOU KNOW, IT'S WHY
WE'RE ALL HERE,
TO TRY TO MAKE
A LIVING CATCHING GOLD.
HOW WE LOOKING?
*
Narrator: IN COLORADO,
LOADER-OPERATOR KEVIN HIATT
HAS A SURPRISE VISITOR.
-LOOK AT THAT CHIPMUNK!
-[ CHITTERS ]
YOU SURE ARE A LONG WAY
FROM ANY TREES, BUDDY.
HERE.
LET'S GIVE HIM A LITTLE TREAT.
I DON'T THINK THERE'S MUCH FOOD
AROUND HERE FOR HIM.
ALL I SEE IS ROCK.
I GOT SOME POPCORN.
YEAH? COME ON.
THIS GUY HAS BEEN
AROUND HERE FOR A WHILE.
I'VE NEVER REALLY TRIED
FEEDING HIM.
BUT I WONDER IF HE WANTS
TO COME RIDE MY --
NO, DON'T BITE MY FINGER.
NO, NOT MY FINGER, DUDE.
YOU KNOW, PEOPLE PROBABLY THINK
THAT I WHINE A LOT
AND COMPLAIN A LOT.
I'M ACTUALLY A LOT NICER
THAN I COME ACROSS.
*
YEAH, START SHUTTING HER DOWN,
KEVIN.
Narrator: AFTER RUNNING FAIRPLAY
FOR 2 DAYS,
IT'S TIME FOR THE FIRST CLEANUP
OF THE SEASON FOR RUSTY RED.
THERE'S A LOT RIDING ON HOW MUCH
GOLD'S IN THE SLUICE BOX.
THERE ALWAYS IS EVERY DAY
WHEN YOU SHUT DOWN,
BUT IT'S EVEN MORE POWERFUL NOW
BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE
TO RUN FOR 2 MONTHS.
YOU KNOW, IT'S WHY
WE'RE ALL HERE,
TO TRY TO MAKE A LIVING
CATCHING GOLD.
*
HOW WE LOOKING?
Narrator:
TODD'S SACRAMENTO CREEK PLANTS,
DOUBLE TROUBLE AND MONSTER RED,
HAVE BEEN RUNNING ALL WEEK.
WELL, IT'S NOT GOOD AT ALL.
WHICH MINE IS THIS?
-THIS IS SACRAMENTO.
-THAT'S IT, HUH?
-HERE WE GO.
-BE CAREFUL, DAD.
Narrator: TO HIT
HIS 5,000-OUNCE SEASON GOAL,
TODD NEEDS AT LEAST
200 OUNCES FROM SACRAMENTO.
20, 30...
30.7.
Narrator:
WORTH JUST $37,000.
-BOTH?
-YEAH, BOTH.
SOMEWHERE ALONG THE LINE,
YOU GOT OFF THE PAY STREAK.
-THAT'S NOT ENOUGH.
-YEAH.
THAT WAS A WHOLE WEEK.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO.
DO WE GOT TO CRANK THE YARDS
THROUGH THESE TWO PLANTS?
LET'S SEE. HOPEFULLY,
THE NEXT CLEANUP IS BETTER.
-THIS IS FAIRPLAY.
-THIS ONE IS FAIRPLAY?
Narrator:
DUE TO BREAKDOWNS,
RUSTY RED ONLY RAN
FOR HALF A WEEK.
COME ON, GOLD.
AFTER JUST 2 DAYS RUNNING,
FAIRPLAY NEEDS TO DELIVER
AT LEAST 40 OUNCES.
10.
20.
30.
40.
50.
-58.
-YEAH!
TWO AND AND A HALF DAYS.
-GOOD JOB, FREDDY.
-THAT'S GOOD, MAN.
-YEAH.
-GREAT JOB.
Narrator:
FREDDY IS BACK IN THE GAME.
$70,000 DOLLARS WORTH OF GOLD
IN JUST 2 DAYS
PROVES THAT FAIRPLAY IS
THE HOFFMANS' ACE IN THE HOLE.
YOU KNOW, FAIRPLAY IS THE BEST
GROUND THAT WE'VE EVER RAN.
IT'S BEEN A PAIN IN THE ASS
SO FAR.
BUT YOU KNOW WHAT?
LOOK AT THAT GOLD.
NOW WE'RE RUNNING.
WE'RE READY TO ROLL.
BAILED US OUT LAST YEAR.
LET'S HOPE IT BAILS US OUT
AGAIN THIS YEAR.
-LET'S MAKE IT HAPPEN.
-LET'S DO IT.
-BUDDY.
-[ LAUGHS ]
*
WE'RE DOING OUR FIRST CLEANUP
ON THE DREDGE
OF THE SEASON.
WE GOT TO TO CLEAN EVERYTHING UP
AND SEE WHAT WE GOT.
Narrator: THIS WEEK,
KEVIN SHUT THE DREDGE
TO REPLACE THE SLUICE RUNS.
TODAY'S CLEANUP WILL DETERMINE
IF HIS NEW RUNS WERE WORTH IT.
*
Narrator: TONY BEETS IS AIMING
FOR A 3,000-OUNCE,
$3.6 MILLION SEASON,
BUT 7 WEEKS IN, HE ONLY HAS
43 OUNCES IN THE JAR.
OH, KEVIN IS GOING TO
BRING US SOME GOLD.
WE'VE BEEN SPENDING LIKE
YOU WOULDN'T BELIEVE IT.
WELL, I HAVEN'T BEEN SPENDING.
YOU HAVE BEEN SPENDING.
-MY PIGGY BANK IS DONE.
-[ TONY LAUGHS ]
FIRST GOLD FROM THE DREDGE.
ENOUGH YACKING. START
PUTTING IT ON THE SCALE.
I WANT TO SEE
HOW MUCH THERE IS.
10, 15, 20, 30, 40.
TO HIT
TONY'S 3,000-OUNCE TARGET,
HE NEEDS OVER 175 OUNCES
OF GOLD EVERY WEEK.
100, 110, 120,
140, 150, 160,
170,
190, 200.
190.
300.
310 AND CHANGE.
Narrator: 310.85 OUNCES
IS WORTH A STAGGERING $370,000.
RIGHT?
SEE?
I TOLD YOU PUTTING THOSE
NEW RUNS IN WAS A GOOD IDEA.
YOU GOT ONE?
I'LL [BLEEP] TAKE A COOKIE.
I BET WE SAVED
A COUPLE OUNCES DOING THAT.
*
OH, [BLEEP]!
Narrator:
ON THE NEXT "GOLD RUSH"...
HEY, JUAN, STOP!
[BLEEP]! [BLEEP]!
I THINK WE HAVE
SOME MORE SERIOUS ISSUES.
SO BASICALLY, IT'S PRETTY
[BLEEP], HUH?
[BLEEP] BOAT.
[ THUNDERCLAP ]
WE'RE RIGHT IN
THE DANGER ZONE HERE.
IF THE FIRE MAKES THAT RIDGE,
WE'VE GOT TO EVACUATE.
I'M NOT GOING ANYWHERE,
BUT I WOULDN'T BLAME ANY OF YOU
IF YOU WANT TO GO.
*