1 00:00:06,166 --> 00:00:07,367 [man] Yee-haw! 2 00:00:07,367 --> 00:00:09,367 [Rob] The Hoffman family is back. 3 00:00:09,367 --> 00:00:10,600 - Oh! - How you doing? 4 00:00:10,600 --> 00:00:11,500 [all exclaiming] 5 00:00:11,500 --> 00:00:12,800 [Rob] And they're on the gold. 6 00:00:12,800 --> 00:00:16,734 [Jack] It has the potential to really make a lot of money. 7 00:00:16,734 --> 00:00:19,100 [Rob] This season, they got the machines... 8 00:00:19,100 --> 00:00:23,166 It's almost like going to war and this is your tank. 9 00:00:23,166 --> 00:00:24,967 [Rob] ... to get the job done. 10 00:00:24,967 --> 00:00:26,266 [Todd] Holy crap! 11 00:00:26,266 --> 00:00:28,266 Popping nuggets left and right. 12 00:00:28,266 --> 00:00:32,066 [Rob] But when Hunter takes his family's future into his own hands... 13 00:00:32,066 --> 00:00:35,433 I'm basically asking you if I can run my own wash plant. 14 00:00:35,433 --> 00:00:39,100 That caught me by surprise how much he doesn't wanna work with me. 15 00:00:39,100 --> 00:00:42,967 [Rob] Can he deliver the goods to keep the Hoffmans afloat? 16 00:00:42,967 --> 00:00:44,500 Go big or go home, you know? 17 00:00:44,500 --> 00:00:47,967 I think these guys might be a little bit out of their league. 18 00:00:47,967 --> 00:00:50,634 [Rob] Or will it be a huge distraction 19 00:00:50,634 --> 00:00:53,900 that threatens to bring down their whole operation? 20 00:00:53,900 --> 00:00:56,367 How about when you guys say you're gonna have a 650 over here, 21 00:00:56,367 --> 00:00:57,634 don't do the opposite of that? 22 00:00:57,634 --> 00:01:01,533 Knock it off. Be quiet. Let us handle this piece. 23 00:01:01,533 --> 00:01:04,266 I think we're gonna have to take over this little operation. 24 00:01:04,266 --> 00:01:07,433 [Hunter] The [bleep] are we doing? Honestly, this is embarrassing. 25 00:01:20,000 --> 00:01:21,634 [Todd] Start throwing in the back 26 00:01:21,634 --> 00:01:23,266 and start grabbing scraps. 27 00:01:23,266 --> 00:01:25,734 Those valves, throw everything back to quad. 28 00:01:26,000 --> 00:01:27,900 Lay flat. 29 00:01:28,800 --> 00:01:30,100 Everything. 30 00:01:30,100 --> 00:01:34,634 Right now, we're at this point where we need to run. 31 00:01:34,634 --> 00:01:37,000 We're getting everything out of the way, 32 00:01:37,000 --> 00:01:39,433 going through our checklist in our mind. 33 00:01:39,433 --> 00:01:42,967 That's Dakota up in the hopper. He's working on the Sway Bars. 34 00:01:42,967 --> 00:01:46,734 Sluice box is all set. We'll probably check that one more time. 35 00:01:46,734 --> 00:01:49,000 Hydraulic riffles are being built right now. 36 00:01:49,000 --> 00:01:52,166 Electrical, Randy's on that. 37 00:01:52,166 --> 00:01:54,533 So good. It's all good. 38 00:01:54,533 --> 00:01:57,533 Last minute wiring here in the, uh, in the panel. 39 00:01:57,533 --> 00:01:59,467 This is all ready to go. 40 00:01:59,467 --> 00:02:02,367 Generator running and... 41 00:02:02,367 --> 00:02:03,900 let's get this baby turning. 42 00:02:03,900 --> 00:02:06,166 Todd's got a lot of money wrapped up in this. 43 00:02:06,166 --> 00:02:08,100 Build is starting to stack up. 44 00:02:08,100 --> 00:02:10,900 He needs to get some gold in his pocket. 45 00:02:10,900 --> 00:02:13,166 Right now, we're running on fumes. 46 00:02:24,066 --> 00:02:25,634 What's going on, man? 47 00:02:25,634 --> 00:02:28,900 - You got a minute? - Yeah, sure. What now? 48 00:02:29,266 --> 00:02:31,000 So, 49 00:02:31,000 --> 00:02:34,634 basically, Hunter wants to go out on his own. 50 00:02:34,634 --> 00:02:37,266 - He wants to run his own plant. - Yeah. 51 00:02:37,266 --> 00:02:42,000 He wants me to fund it, give him a go-ahead and a blessing on it. 52 00:02:42,000 --> 00:02:43,367 Yeah. 53 00:02:43,367 --> 00:02:47,166 And it caught me by surprise how much he doesn't wanna work with me. 54 00:02:47,166 --> 00:02:50,700 You know, it's like everything I do is wrong right now and it's like... 55 00:02:50,700 --> 00:02:53,166 [Jack] Todd, if you could financially swing that, 56 00:02:53,166 --> 00:02:57,700 I think it's gonna be good for your relationship and his, too. 57 00:02:58,700 --> 00:03:00,900 [Todd] I am way out on a limb. 58 00:03:00,900 --> 00:03:04,634 So, it's just scary. The whole thing's very scary. 59 00:03:04,634 --> 00:03:07,734 You could lose your livelihood. You'd lose a lot of money. 60 00:03:07,734 --> 00:03:11,166 But what I don't wanna do is, I don't wanna lose my family. 61 00:03:11,166 --> 00:03:14,000 If we had two plants going, 62 00:03:14,000 --> 00:03:16,734 we have a better chance at hitting our gold. 63 00:03:16,734 --> 00:03:21,066 But if this turned out to be a very bad experience for him, 64 00:03:21,066 --> 00:03:24,367 it's not gonna really help Hunter in any way, shape or form. 65 00:03:24,367 --> 00:03:28,066 You know, being a father is tough 'cause you wanna protect your boys 66 00:03:28,066 --> 00:03:31,533 from the world and even themselves, but... 67 00:03:31,533 --> 00:03:34,000 you know, if you hold them back, 68 00:03:34,000 --> 00:03:36,700 you know, later, they're gonna resent you for it. 69 00:03:36,700 --> 00:03:39,000 You know, you can't keep taking care of me. 70 00:03:40,000 --> 00:03:41,166 You let him do it? 71 00:03:42,066 --> 00:03:44,166 Part of me says no, but, 72 00:03:45,100 --> 00:03:47,233 but most of me says yeah. 73 00:03:47,967 --> 00:03:50,000 He's gonna sink or swim 74 00:03:50,000 --> 00:03:51,100 with this 75 00:03:51,433 --> 00:03:53,066 opportunity. 76 00:03:53,066 --> 00:03:54,100 It's up to him. 77 00:03:55,867 --> 00:03:57,166 All right. 78 00:03:57,166 --> 00:03:58,533 - Thanks, Dad. - Yep. 79 00:04:02,700 --> 00:04:05,100 [Todd] All right. So, I got something to talk to you about 80 00:04:06,000 --> 00:04:07,533 and it affects everybody. 81 00:04:09,100 --> 00:04:13,634 Hunter came to me and he said he wanted to run his own plant. 82 00:04:14,967 --> 00:04:16,000 [scoffs] 83 00:04:16,700 --> 00:04:17,734 Oh, geez! 84 00:04:19,100 --> 00:04:20,266 That's you... What? 85 00:04:22,100 --> 00:04:23,166 Yeah. 86 00:04:23,500 --> 00:04:24,533 Wow! 87 00:04:27,333 --> 00:04:29,600 Hunter, I wanted to give you the floor for a couple seconds 88 00:04:29,600 --> 00:04:32,000 and to just tell them what you're feeling. 89 00:04:32,000 --> 00:04:34,800 Well, this is like our family business. 90 00:04:34,800 --> 00:04:36,467 I'm your oldest son. 91 00:04:36,467 --> 00:04:39,100 Like, I've been doing this since I was ten years old. 92 00:04:39,100 --> 00:04:40,734 You know, this is my tenth season. 93 00:04:40,734 --> 00:04:43,533 So, I've always wanted to run my own plant 94 00:04:43,533 --> 00:04:45,066 and for me, I'm just like, 95 00:04:45,066 --> 00:04:49,100 I wanna be able to have a little bit of say and also, you know, I feel like, 96 00:04:49,100 --> 00:04:51,800 it's like grandpa always says, no guts, no glory. 97 00:04:51,800 --> 00:04:54,266 From what I know about gold mining, growing up and uh, 98 00:04:54,266 --> 00:04:58,333 watching other gold miners and watching, you know, what we've done, I think 99 00:04:58,333 --> 00:04:59,900 we need a second plant. 100 00:04:59,900 --> 00:05:04,166 None of us can afford to go home with a loss and I think we're behind schedule. 101 00:05:04,166 --> 00:05:07,900 Bottom line, it's gonna take two wash plants to get a 1,000 ounces. 102 00:05:07,900 --> 00:05:11,367 We have the best machines. We have the best crew. We're on a good mine. 103 00:05:11,367 --> 00:05:13,533 Why not run two plants? 104 00:05:13,533 --> 00:05:16,433 I'd rather have more fire power than not enough. 105 00:05:17,166 --> 00:05:18,600 So... 106 00:05:18,600 --> 00:05:23,000 You know, I think you're right. I, you know, no guts, no glory, you know, 107 00:05:23,000 --> 00:05:24,433 really. 108 00:05:24,433 --> 00:05:26,867 For us to attain our goal 109 00:05:26,867 --> 00:05:29,467 with one machine, it isn't gonna work. 110 00:05:33,100 --> 00:05:34,867 Hunter, 111 00:05:34,867 --> 00:05:39,166 the Holy Roller, though, has gotta come first. That is our business plan. 112 00:05:39,800 --> 00:05:41,066 It's gotta come first. 113 00:05:43,634 --> 00:05:45,600 I get it. Like... 114 00:05:45,600 --> 00:05:47,634 Do we have enough equipment you think? 115 00:05:47,634 --> 00:05:49,867 Logistically, it's gonna be super tough. 116 00:05:50,700 --> 00:05:52,600 Everything's gonna be a stretch. 117 00:05:52,600 --> 00:05:54,367 Everything's gonna be a stretch. 118 00:05:54,367 --> 00:05:57,467 So, it's a big gamble. It's a huge, huge risk. 119 00:05:58,967 --> 00:06:01,900 - It's not going to be easy. - No. 120 00:06:01,900 --> 00:06:05,533 I know we're spread thin, but my mind's already made up. 121 00:06:05,533 --> 00:06:07,967 I'm already committed to doing what it takes. 122 00:06:09,333 --> 00:06:11,166 Okay. So, that's it. 123 00:06:12,500 --> 00:06:14,700 We're gonna take a risk on this plant, 124 00:06:14,700 --> 00:06:18,734 and if it becomes where it's, kinda, hurting us, 125 00:06:18,734 --> 00:06:20,066 then, I will pull the plug. 126 00:06:22,433 --> 00:06:24,066 Hunter, can you agree to that? 127 00:06:25,000 --> 00:06:26,433 I will commit to that deal. 128 00:06:28,800 --> 00:06:32,634 [Todd] All right. Go to town and try to find yourself a plant. 129 00:06:32,634 --> 00:06:34,367 Okay. 130 00:06:34,367 --> 00:06:39,500 I wouldn't be here if we hadn't divided and tried to start our own thing, too. 131 00:06:41,066 --> 00:06:44,600 I'm really appreciative. This entire thing is a gamble 132 00:06:44,600 --> 00:06:46,100 and my dad's sticking his neck out. 133 00:06:46,100 --> 00:06:47,367 All right, guys. Let's go. 134 00:06:47,367 --> 00:06:50,900 So, I hope that, just for everybody's sake, that we succeed. 135 00:06:59,533 --> 00:07:01,467 So, right now, I'm heading into Nome. 136 00:07:01,467 --> 00:07:03,533 I'm gonna go meet with this guy, Nate. 137 00:07:03,533 --> 00:07:07,734 Everybody tells me if I need to find something in town, this is the guy to go to. 138 00:07:07,734 --> 00:07:11,867 I'm gonna try to see, you know, what he has for a wash plant. 139 00:07:11,867 --> 00:07:13,800 But I've been through Nome. 140 00:07:13,800 --> 00:07:16,900 There's a lot of wash plants, but there's not a lot of them 141 00:07:16,900 --> 00:07:18,800 that are worth a damn. 142 00:07:18,800 --> 00:07:20,433 So, we'll see what happens. 143 00:07:32,967 --> 00:07:35,100 - Hunter, man. How are ya? What's going on? Come on in. - Hi. 144 00:07:36,900 --> 00:07:38,800 - Grab a seat. - Thank you. 145 00:07:38,800 --> 00:07:41,734 - Dude, thank you for meeting with me today. - Yeah, no problem. 146 00:07:41,734 --> 00:07:43,900 - So, what's going on? - So... 147 00:07:43,900 --> 00:07:45,800 I convinced my dad to 148 00:07:45,800 --> 00:07:49,500 - invest in me doing my own operation this year. - Okay. 149 00:07:49,500 --> 00:07:52,533 He is giving me the go-ahead to come here, try to find a plant. 150 00:07:52,533 --> 00:07:54,433 You got anything more for me than just a plant? 151 00:07:54,433 --> 00:07:57,533 'Cause I got big, small, I got them all. 152 00:07:57,533 --> 00:07:59,266 I know beggars can't be choosers, isn't it? 153 00:07:59,266 --> 00:08:02,000 I'm in Nome, where everybody is looking for a wash plant. 154 00:08:02,000 --> 00:08:04,734 - Right? So, I just, whatever you have, - Yep. 155 00:08:04,734 --> 00:08:08,166 um, just show me and we'll see if it's something we can make work. 156 00:08:08,166 --> 00:08:09,233 Good. 157 00:08:13,600 --> 00:08:16,367 You know, it's a long shot, but in a perfect world, 158 00:08:16,367 --> 00:08:19,900 you know, Nate will have a wash plant that can do at least 300 yards an hour, 159 00:08:19,900 --> 00:08:23,467 similar to The Holy Roller, so we can double our results. 160 00:08:23,467 --> 00:08:25,166 - That's it right there. - Yep. 161 00:08:33,634 --> 00:08:35,166 [Nate] So, here she is! 162 00:08:35,166 --> 00:08:36,533 [Hunter] This thing's great. 163 00:08:36,533 --> 00:08:37,467 [Nate] Yeah, it is. 164 00:08:41,367 --> 00:08:44,100 - [Hunter] Dude... - You think this will do what you need? 165 00:08:44,100 --> 00:08:45,367 [Hunter] Uh, yeah. 166 00:08:46,233 --> 00:08:48,000 This is what I'm talking about. 167 00:08:48,000 --> 00:08:49,900 - This thing is crazy-looking. - Yep. 168 00:08:49,900 --> 00:08:51,433 Looks like a pirate ship. 169 00:08:51,433 --> 00:08:55,000 [Nate] She's worn, but she's still got a lot of life left in her. 170 00:08:55,000 --> 00:08:57,634 I got the parts you need to make it run this season. 171 00:08:57,634 --> 00:09:00,233 - Wow. - Just gonna be a lot of man hours. 172 00:09:00,233 --> 00:09:04,533 [Rob] While The Holy Roller is enormous, weighing close to 50,000 pounds, 173 00:09:04,533 --> 00:09:08,467 this wash plant weighs a staggering 80,000 pounds. 174 00:09:13,100 --> 00:09:15,100 Jeez. Now, we're talking. 175 00:09:16,333 --> 00:09:19,333 You know, like, how much gold dig out this thing? 176 00:09:19,333 --> 00:09:22,900 Man, they were in this trommel for six years before we bought this place 177 00:09:22,900 --> 00:09:26,600 and she worked well. She's probably seen 30,000 ounces or more. 178 00:09:27,433 --> 00:09:29,266 This plant's got 30,000 ounces? 179 00:09:29,266 --> 00:09:30,734 [Nate] At least. At minimum. 180 00:09:30,734 --> 00:09:33,800 - How long has it been sitting here? - 2016. 181 00:09:33,800 --> 00:09:37,634 So, she's been sitting here just gathering rust for a while. 182 00:09:37,634 --> 00:09:41,066 - Damn. You know anything about the motor on it? - Yeah. 183 00:09:42,066 --> 00:09:45,634 - It sat with no, no protection for years so, - Yeah. 184 00:09:45,634 --> 00:09:47,600 fifty-fifty shot she's locked up. 185 00:09:47,600 --> 00:09:49,800 [Hunter] I mean, this entire thing is a huge gamble. 186 00:09:49,800 --> 00:09:53,166 This plant needs a lot of work, but right now, this is the only plant in Nome 187 00:09:53,166 --> 00:09:56,433 that can even handle the kinda yard during the run, so... 188 00:09:56,433 --> 00:09:57,867 I'm gonna have to go for it. 189 00:09:57,867 --> 00:10:00,333 - This is the plant I need, so... - I think so. 190 00:10:00,333 --> 00:10:02,700 I just don't want you to bite off more than you can chew. 191 00:10:02,700 --> 00:10:05,634 It's gonna take a lot to move it. 192 00:10:05,634 --> 00:10:11,634 [Rob] The fully assembled wash plant is 50 feet long, 18 feet tall and 18 feet wide. 193 00:10:11,634 --> 00:10:15,100 Too large to make it across the bridge in one piece. 194 00:10:15,100 --> 00:10:18,266 So, Hunter will have to cut the plant into three pieces, 195 00:10:18,266 --> 00:10:21,333 the base, the trommel and the hopper. 196 00:10:21,333 --> 00:10:25,734 By separating each section, they estimate this will afford the largest section, 197 00:10:25,734 --> 00:10:29,967 just inches of clearance as it enters the bridge. 198 00:10:29,967 --> 00:10:33,900 I think it's gonna take at least four trucks to get everything out there. 199 00:10:33,900 --> 00:10:35,367 [Hunter] No guts, no glory. 200 00:10:35,367 --> 00:10:37,967 - Good. - This is exactly what I was looking for, so, 201 00:10:37,967 --> 00:10:40,634 - I'm ready to go. - We'll see if we can put a deal together. 202 00:10:40,634 --> 00:10:42,634 - That's good. - [Nate] Okay. 203 00:10:42,634 --> 00:10:44,900 [Hunter] It's gonna take a lot to get this thing 204 00:10:44,900 --> 00:10:46,700 up and running the way we need it to, 205 00:10:46,700 --> 00:10:49,266 but I feel like God's on my side right now. 206 00:10:49,266 --> 00:10:51,900 Finding a plant that is this size 207 00:10:51,900 --> 00:10:54,266 is beyond what I thought I was gonna be able to pull off. 208 00:11:05,367 --> 00:11:06,800 - You know, fire the pump. - Yep. 209 00:11:06,800 --> 00:11:10,900 [Todd] And if all looks good, no major changes couple days of running. 210 00:11:10,900 --> 00:11:13,500 Dialing everything in best we can 211 00:11:13,500 --> 00:11:14,967 while we first clean up. 212 00:11:14,967 --> 00:11:17,266 First off, though, we gotta run. 213 00:11:17,266 --> 00:11:20,800 Today, we're finally gonna get The Holy Roller up and running 214 00:11:20,800 --> 00:11:23,467 and we wanna get this ancient river dirt through this 215 00:11:23,467 --> 00:11:26,800 and hopefully, at a really, really decent pace. 216 00:11:26,800 --> 00:11:32,166 I'm excited. We've been waiting for years to, to try to run this plant 217 00:11:32,166 --> 00:11:33,800 and this kinda paydirt. 218 00:11:33,800 --> 00:11:35,734 Okay. Let's warm up the generator. 219 00:11:38,233 --> 00:11:40,266 Andy, get ready on the excavator. 220 00:11:40,900 --> 00:11:42,600 [Andy] What could go wrong? 221 00:11:43,867 --> 00:11:45,266 Everybody, clear? 222 00:11:46,166 --> 00:11:47,533 [Todd] Go for it. 223 00:11:47,533 --> 00:11:48,734 [Andy] Okay, here we go. 224 00:11:50,433 --> 00:11:52,000 [Rob] After days of preparation, 225 00:11:52,000 --> 00:11:54,734 the Holy Roller and the systems that support it 226 00:11:54,734 --> 00:11:56,600 are ready to churn out gold. 227 00:11:56,600 --> 00:11:59,000 The ancient riverbed's paydirt is piled. 228 00:11:59,000 --> 00:12:01,266 The generators are full speed ahead. 229 00:12:01,266 --> 00:12:04,166 - [Todd] it's like that kid's first day at school. - [Andy] Good to go. 230 00:12:04,166 --> 00:12:06,166 Bring the water. Bring it up. 231 00:12:06,166 --> 00:12:07,367 [motor revs] 232 00:12:08,800 --> 00:12:10,533 [Rob] And the water is flowing. 233 00:12:12,266 --> 00:12:15,900 - [Andy on radio] How much are you at? - 875. 234 00:12:17,100 --> 00:12:19,734 [Todd] They've gone off. Give me 1,100. 235 00:12:19,734 --> 00:12:23,367 What I wanna see is 20 fire hoses 236 00:12:23,367 --> 00:12:26,867 beating that frickin' paydirt off. 237 00:12:26,867 --> 00:12:31,367 [Rob] The high water pressure ensures that their paydirt will break down properly 238 00:12:31,367 --> 00:12:33,734 and allow the sluice to trap gold. 239 00:12:33,734 --> 00:12:36,000 [Andy on radio] Let's go to 1,400. 240 00:12:36,000 --> 00:12:38,066 - Fourteen-hundred. - [Andy on radio] 1,400. 241 00:12:38,066 --> 00:12:42,266 [Todd] 1... 4... 0... 0. 242 00:12:43,700 --> 00:12:45,967 Thurber, how's the sluice? 243 00:12:45,967 --> 00:12:47,367 [Jim] Sluice is looking good. 244 00:12:47,900 --> 00:12:49,734 [Todd] I like the water. 245 00:12:49,734 --> 00:12:53,266 Andy, push off the paydirt in, boy. 246 00:12:53,266 --> 00:12:54,467 [Andy on radio] Push off dirt. 247 00:12:55,900 --> 00:13:00,533 [Todd] Getting this thing up and running is huge for everyone. 248 00:13:00,533 --> 00:13:05,900 But we're a long way from right now and right here, where we're starting 249 00:13:05,900 --> 00:13:07,634 to getting to a 1,000 ounces. 250 00:13:08,166 --> 00:13:09,233 We did it. 251 00:13:09,634 --> 00:13:10,900 Keep it running. 252 00:13:10,900 --> 00:13:12,467 Good job, everybody. 253 00:13:13,066 --> 00:13:14,100 Whoo! 254 00:13:29,634 --> 00:13:32,166 [Hunter] I've never been this nervous about loading a wash plant before. 255 00:13:32,166 --> 00:13:34,266 First time loading my own plant. 256 00:13:35,533 --> 00:13:38,066 Everything about this wash plant is a huge risk. 257 00:13:38,066 --> 00:13:40,467 Biggest trommel I've ever seen and we literally have to 258 00:13:40,467 --> 00:13:42,867 cut the entire thing into pieces just to get it 259 00:13:42,867 --> 00:13:44,800 through the bridge to get it out to the mine. 260 00:13:44,800 --> 00:13:48,100 I've never seen something like this done, so we're taking our time 261 00:13:48,100 --> 00:13:49,634 cutting carefully to make sure that 262 00:13:49,634 --> 00:13:52,433 we can actually get this thing put back together once we get it out there. 263 00:13:53,467 --> 00:13:54,967 At some point, we're gonna have to cross 264 00:13:54,967 --> 00:13:57,734 that bridge and if it doesn't fit, then we're screwed, so... 265 00:14:01,367 --> 00:14:04,634 I mean, this is it, dude. We got the drum loaded. That was uh, 266 00:14:04,634 --> 00:14:06,734 kinda my main concern. 267 00:14:06,734 --> 00:14:09,634 We're gonna rig the hopper there, get that on, get the motor on. 268 00:14:09,634 --> 00:14:11,900 - Don't get under it, Cub. - Okay. 269 00:14:11,900 --> 00:14:14,166 [Hunter] Rest the frame and then, that's all the pieces. 270 00:14:18,867 --> 00:14:21,734 It's more stressful when it's your own plant, 271 00:14:21,734 --> 00:14:25,166 especially, when you don't have any replacement parts or anything like that. 272 00:14:26,734 --> 00:14:29,266 I've never seen my brother this focused and determined. 273 00:14:29,266 --> 00:14:31,166 I think it's good right there, yeah. 274 00:14:31,166 --> 00:14:33,000 Yeah, if he believes it, I believe it. 275 00:14:34,233 --> 00:14:36,433 [Hunter] There she goes. Wow! 276 00:14:36,433 --> 00:14:38,100 I'm praying to God it gets there in one piece. 277 00:14:38,100 --> 00:14:39,600 I hope everything fits through the bridge. 278 00:14:40,700 --> 00:14:43,066 Odds are kinda against us, but I feel good, dude. 279 00:14:43,734 --> 00:14:44,800 Good work. 280 00:14:47,867 --> 00:14:49,800 Thousand ounces or nothing. 281 00:15:01,266 --> 00:15:04,634 Hey, Tater. Tell me, tell me about material. 282 00:15:08,166 --> 00:15:11,500 [Todd] On the Holy Roller, we've redesigned the sluice. 283 00:15:11,500 --> 00:15:14,634 We got new types of sluice boxes. 284 00:15:14,634 --> 00:15:17,967 We have hydraulic nugget traps 285 00:15:17,967 --> 00:15:22,634 because I watched last year, us shoot gold right off into the box. 286 00:15:22,634 --> 00:15:26,533 [Rob] Mining paydirt that is heavy with clay is not an easy task. 287 00:15:26,533 --> 00:15:28,634 The clay tends to block up the riffles, 288 00:15:28,634 --> 00:15:32,734 causing gold to flow over them and then, out of the sluice box. 289 00:15:32,734 --> 00:15:35,800 Hydraulic riffles, or hydraulic nugget traps, 290 00:15:35,800 --> 00:15:38,333 solve this problem with a series of half pipes 291 00:15:38,333 --> 00:15:41,634 injected with a steady five pounds of water pressure. 292 00:15:41,634 --> 00:15:44,166 This process keeps the paydirt loose 293 00:15:44,166 --> 00:15:47,367 and allows the gold to sink to the bottom of the traps 294 00:15:47,367 --> 00:15:50,166 before it even hits the sluice box. 295 00:15:50,166 --> 00:15:52,367 [Todd] This thing is dang near brand-new. 296 00:15:52,367 --> 00:15:55,433 With the right team, equipment and everything, we work hard, 297 00:15:55,433 --> 00:15:58,600 we should come out of here with enough gold to make it worth it. 298 00:16:03,100 --> 00:16:05,367 [Hunter] Guys, this is kind of our one shot. 299 00:16:05,367 --> 00:16:07,533 But I have faith in us. 300 00:16:07,533 --> 00:16:09,000 [man] Same here, brother. 301 00:16:09,000 --> 00:16:11,367 We just gotta keep, keep pressing on. 302 00:16:11,367 --> 00:16:14,233 [Rob] With The Holy Roller running, but no results yet, 303 00:16:14,233 --> 00:16:18,266 Hunter's new wash plant could be the extra firepower the Hoffmans need. 304 00:16:18,266 --> 00:16:22,433 to meet their season goal of 1,000 ounces. 305 00:16:22,433 --> 00:16:25,634 Think these guys might be a little bit out of their league. 306 00:16:29,100 --> 00:16:32,100 - These dudes are dorks. - [man] Complete dorks. 307 00:16:32,100 --> 00:16:34,467 I think they think that we don't know that they're there. 308 00:16:34,467 --> 00:16:35,533 Yeah. 309 00:16:36,367 --> 00:16:38,333 You think they can tackle this thing? 310 00:16:43,533 --> 00:16:44,734 Here they come. 311 00:16:48,533 --> 00:16:51,000 That thing is huge. 312 00:16:52,100 --> 00:16:53,634 That is a convoy. 313 00:16:55,066 --> 00:16:57,000 [Todd] I've never seen nothing like this. 314 00:16:57,000 --> 00:16:58,700 What are you calling this thing? 315 00:16:58,700 --> 00:17:02,700 You know, when I first saw it, I thought it looked like an old, like a pirate ship. 316 00:17:02,700 --> 00:17:05,900 I was like, dude, we should call this thing the Black Pearl. 317 00:17:05,900 --> 00:17:09,100 I believe in the Black Pearl. Let's sail that baby to 318 00:17:09,100 --> 00:17:11,233 - a land of treasure. - I love that. 319 00:17:12,433 --> 00:17:14,533 - [Hunter] Go big or go home, you know? - 100 percent. 320 00:17:14,533 --> 00:17:16,634 I think everything should fit, but... 321 00:17:16,634 --> 00:17:19,000 we'll see. Hopefully, uh, 322 00:17:19,000 --> 00:17:20,900 this [bleep] doesn't fall off the truck. 323 00:17:25,333 --> 00:17:27,800 My concern is just this frame. 324 00:17:27,800 --> 00:17:29,867 It's barely gonna make it through the bridge. 325 00:17:29,867 --> 00:17:31,266 It's not a lot of room for error, 326 00:17:31,266 --> 00:17:33,800 so, we'll just go slowly and we'll just kinda keep an eye on it. 327 00:17:36,600 --> 00:17:38,266 I looked it over here. How you guys looking? 328 00:17:38,867 --> 00:17:40,066 So far, so good. 329 00:17:46,734 --> 00:17:50,333 - [Hunter] How's that looking? - [on radio] They got like, eight inches back in. 330 00:17:50,333 --> 00:17:53,333 Yeah, this, I got two, three feet on my side. 331 00:17:53,333 --> 00:17:55,100 I'm really nervous for him right now. 332 00:17:58,367 --> 00:17:59,800 [bleep] 333 00:18:03,433 --> 00:18:05,100 [Cub] My side's got three feet. 334 00:18:06,700 --> 00:18:08,500 We got like, two feet. 335 00:18:08,500 --> 00:18:12,800 Hey, you're about five inches off the uh, outside edge over your... 336 00:18:13,634 --> 00:18:17,634 Wow! That thing is frickin' huge. 337 00:18:19,467 --> 00:18:22,000 That is by far the biggest wash plant 338 00:18:22,000 --> 00:18:24,166 that we've ever had fooled with around. 339 00:18:24,967 --> 00:18:26,433 [Hunter] So far, so good. 340 00:18:27,700 --> 00:18:29,367 I like it. I feel a lot better. 341 00:18:30,266 --> 00:18:31,634 [man on radio] Three more to go. 342 00:18:36,166 --> 00:18:37,600 [Hunter on radio] How're we looking over there? 343 00:18:37,600 --> 00:18:40,533 - [man] Yeah, we got like, three feet inside. See? - [Hunter] Yeah. Okay. 344 00:18:42,333 --> 00:18:45,867 Let's think this up. 20 to 25 feet of trommel. 345 00:18:46,867 --> 00:18:49,066 It's got a lot of time to get beat up. 346 00:18:54,734 --> 00:18:56,500 [Hunter] Isn't going too bad, actually. 347 00:18:58,266 --> 00:19:02,166 Look at the size of the hopper. 348 00:19:04,867 --> 00:19:06,533 [Hunter] There she goes. 349 00:19:06,533 --> 00:19:08,800 Once we get this piece across, then, uh, 350 00:19:08,800 --> 00:19:10,533 I'll be feeling a little bit more confident. 351 00:19:11,333 --> 00:19:12,634 [Todd] Is he in the clearance? 352 00:19:17,500 --> 00:19:21,900 - [Hunter] Yeah, we're good. - [Cub] That's, that's clear. We're in the money. 353 00:19:21,900 --> 00:19:24,367 [Hunter] This is the last piece of the Black Pearl right here. 354 00:19:26,533 --> 00:19:28,000 Money. 355 00:19:28,000 --> 00:19:31,367 We cut everything perfectly. We measured everything and everything went... 356 00:19:31,367 --> 00:19:32,634 how we wanted it to go. 357 00:19:34,500 --> 00:19:36,967 We're gonna keep pushing on to the mine and then, get some excavators 358 00:19:36,967 --> 00:19:39,900 to offload all this stuff, drag it in and then, put it back together. 359 00:19:41,634 --> 00:19:43,900 It's easy to take things apart. 360 00:19:43,900 --> 00:19:46,467 It's not easy to put it back together. 361 00:19:46,467 --> 00:19:48,333 They got their work cut out for 'em. 362 00:19:56,100 --> 00:19:58,900 [Tater] I'm over here checking the sluice runs, 363 00:19:59,900 --> 00:20:01,700 make sure the dirt isn't packing up. 364 00:20:02,600 --> 00:20:04,634 I think everything's working great. 365 00:20:05,266 --> 00:20:06,433 We will win it. 366 00:20:06,967 --> 00:20:08,367 I'm excited. 367 00:20:08,367 --> 00:20:10,166 [Rob] After days of fine-tuning, 368 00:20:10,166 --> 00:20:12,367 The Holy Roller is running paydirt. 369 00:20:12,367 --> 00:20:15,467 Hey, Thurbs. This came out on my hand out of the riffles. 370 00:20:15,467 --> 00:20:18,634 That was stuck to my finger. is that gold? 371 00:20:18,634 --> 00:20:20,800 - Yeah, first piece of gold, dude. - [laughs] 372 00:20:20,800 --> 00:20:24,800 [Rob] And Tater has stumbled into a small, but significant clue 373 00:20:24,800 --> 00:20:27,266 that it's doing the job that it was designed to do. 374 00:20:27,266 --> 00:20:29,066 I think your riffles work. 375 00:20:30,634 --> 00:20:33,800 - First piece of gold. On your hand... - Ah! 376 00:20:33,800 --> 00:20:36,266 - It's your first piece of gold. - [Tater] Look at that. 377 00:20:36,266 --> 00:20:39,867 - The riffle's catching gold. - The hydraulic riffles are catching gold. 378 00:20:39,867 --> 00:20:42,634 Let's run this, let's run this little paydirt. 379 00:20:43,266 --> 00:20:44,433 [Tater] Man, I'm excited. 380 00:20:47,533 --> 00:20:49,800 [Rob] While Todd has Andy in the 650 381 00:20:49,800 --> 00:20:52,266 stacking pay from the ancient river cut... 382 00:20:52,266 --> 00:20:56,600 Little right, little right. Right. There ya go. Come on back. 383 00:20:56,600 --> 00:21:00,266 [Rob] ...Hunter's wash plant has arrived at the mine. 384 00:21:00,266 --> 00:21:02,800 [man on radio] Get it all loaded, get these guys rolling. 385 00:21:03,600 --> 00:21:04,800 Out to make money. 386 00:21:06,734 --> 00:21:10,166 That drum makes that rock truck look small. 387 00:21:10,166 --> 00:21:12,100 [Randy] You know what comes with big trommels? 388 00:21:12,634 --> 00:21:14,000 Big problems. 389 00:21:14,000 --> 00:21:16,333 [Jack] Big gold, sometimes, you know? 390 00:21:16,333 --> 00:21:18,533 It's gonna be interesting, that's for sure. 391 00:21:18,533 --> 00:21:19,867 Oh, yeah. 392 00:21:19,867 --> 00:21:24,266 Okay, what I'm thinking is, me and Dakota will get in excavator. 393 00:21:24,266 --> 00:21:26,734 I'm gonna need the 650. You guys chain and rig it 394 00:21:26,734 --> 00:21:28,467 and once we get it off of his truck, 395 00:21:28,467 --> 00:21:31,333 we'll let him flip around, get outta here, have the next truck come in, 396 00:21:31,333 --> 00:21:33,066 - do the same thing. - Yeah. 397 00:21:33,066 --> 00:21:36,367 [Rob] In order to unload the massive sections of the Black Pearl, 398 00:21:36,367 --> 00:21:40,000 Hunter needs their most powerful excavator, the 650. 399 00:21:40,000 --> 00:21:45,900 It's superior lifting capacity of nearly 70,000 pounds makes it the right tool for the job. 400 00:21:49,000 --> 00:21:53,967 [Rob] But there's a problem. The 650 is busy hauling paydirt to The Holy Roller. 401 00:21:53,967 --> 00:21:55,634 Hey, we need the 650 over here. 402 00:21:58,500 --> 00:22:01,266 You guys said you were gonna bring the 650 over here. 403 00:22:01,266 --> 00:22:05,100 Hunter doesn't quite understand that The Holy Roller comes first. 404 00:22:05,100 --> 00:22:09,066 That is priority one and the 650 is running pay 405 00:22:09,066 --> 00:22:13,367 because this operation needs gold and we need to get paid. 406 00:22:13,367 --> 00:22:16,333 Exactly what I was trying to avoid. 407 00:22:16,333 --> 00:22:19,600 - What is that? 360, 490. - We got 360 and the 490 right there. 408 00:22:19,600 --> 00:22:21,266 I guess, they're giving us those two. 409 00:22:25,467 --> 00:22:29,100 So, me and Dakota are gonna try to get these two excavators in position here. 410 00:22:30,467 --> 00:22:31,700 We're gonna both rig it 411 00:22:32,533 --> 00:22:35,467 and try to lift it at the same time. 412 00:22:35,467 --> 00:22:38,734 Oh, we gotta get these perfect or else, this will be a freakout. 413 00:22:39,634 --> 00:22:41,000 [Cub] How are we doing this? 414 00:22:41,000 --> 00:22:42,734 [Dakota] Grab that chain, we're gonna grab that chain, 415 00:22:42,734 --> 00:22:44,233 I'll grab that chain over there. 416 00:22:48,100 --> 00:22:49,734 [Cub] Just going over the top? 417 00:22:49,734 --> 00:22:52,266 - [Dakota] Yeah, we could hook him up. - [Cub] Are you sure? 418 00:22:52,266 --> 00:22:53,367 [Dakota] Yeah. 419 00:22:57,533 --> 00:22:59,066 What's he doing over there, man? 420 00:23:00,467 --> 00:23:03,800 Hey, Hunter. Come on. That's not how we do it. 421 00:23:03,800 --> 00:23:05,166 Can't do it that way. 422 00:23:07,000 --> 00:23:08,867 I don't really know what the [bleep] he wants. 423 00:23:08,867 --> 00:23:12,166 Let's do it the impossible way. 424 00:23:12,166 --> 00:23:14,634 [Todd] This is heavy equipment that we're dealing with here 425 00:23:14,634 --> 00:23:16,500 and I'm responsible for it 426 00:23:16,500 --> 00:23:18,266 and I don't want anybody getting hurt. 427 00:23:21,066 --> 00:23:23,000 [Todd] Okay. Hold on. 428 00:23:23,000 --> 00:23:26,000 I think we're gonna have to take over this little operation here. 429 00:23:26,000 --> 00:23:29,233 This is the biggest thing we've ever lifted, so... 430 00:23:29,233 --> 00:23:33,100 - This is [bleep] - Listen to me. Knock it off. Be quiet. 431 00:23:33,100 --> 00:23:36,166 Let us handle this piece. You have that block? 432 00:23:36,166 --> 00:23:39,367 Well, this one ain't doing any good. Stick that over there. 433 00:23:39,367 --> 00:23:41,800 [Hunter] You guys said you were gonna bring the 650 here. 434 00:23:41,800 --> 00:23:44,166 - So what? - That was the whole plan in the beginning. 435 00:23:44,166 --> 00:23:47,000 You guys said you were gonna bring it over here and then, you didn't do it. 436 00:23:47,000 --> 00:23:49,800 So, bring the 650 in. We'll hook him up there. 437 00:23:49,800 --> 00:23:52,967 Then, you come over here on this side 'cause I got Andy 438 00:23:52,967 --> 00:23:54,634 driving the 650. 439 00:23:54,634 --> 00:23:56,734 Why don't you just let him pull that side, 440 00:23:56,734 --> 00:23:58,634 - Nope. Nope. - why don't you get on this one? 441 00:23:59,266 --> 00:24:00,900 - You wanna do it? - Yep. 442 00:24:02,100 --> 00:24:05,266 [Todd] Okay, Andy. Bring the 650 in. 443 00:24:07,900 --> 00:24:09,333 Here's the deal. 444 00:24:09,333 --> 00:24:11,634 If you guys make a mistake on this, 445 00:24:11,634 --> 00:24:14,166 not only is it costing these truckers 446 00:24:14,533 --> 00:24:16,634 $250 an hour, 447 00:24:16,634 --> 00:24:18,900 - so that's $750 an hour. - Well, then, how about 448 00:24:18,900 --> 00:24:20,734 when you guys say you were gonna have the 650 over here, 449 00:24:20,734 --> 00:24:24,066 - don't do the opposite of that. - He's gonna run it. 450 00:24:24,066 --> 00:24:26,800 - What do you mean? What're you talking about? - He's running the 650. 451 00:24:26,800 --> 00:24:28,066 You're not gonna run it. 452 00:24:30,634 --> 00:24:33,000 [Andy] We love the guys' enthusiasm and everything, 453 00:24:33,000 --> 00:24:34,800 but this stuff is really dangerous. 454 00:24:34,800 --> 00:24:36,734 When you got stuff this heavy 455 00:24:36,734 --> 00:24:38,433 and your machines are at their max, 456 00:24:38,433 --> 00:24:40,233 sometimes you don't get a second chance. 457 00:24:40,233 --> 00:24:43,634 You make a mistake, you kill somebody, so I know that 458 00:24:43,634 --> 00:24:45,800 they're not very happy that we're here, but... 459 00:24:45,800 --> 00:24:47,166 we've done this for a lot of years. 460 00:24:47,166 --> 00:24:51,467 So, we're just gonna help 'em. It's what's best for them. 461 00:24:51,467 --> 00:24:56,266 We gotta do this right. Otherwise, we're gonna hurt something or, who knows? 462 00:24:57,166 --> 00:24:59,333 It's turning into a big, big nightmare. 463 00:24:59,333 --> 00:25:01,467 You guys have to be careful. 464 00:25:01,467 --> 00:25:04,634 You got that in blocked or is it gonna roll off? 465 00:25:04,634 --> 00:25:07,500 Where is it blocked? Well, I don't want anybody getting hit. 466 00:25:08,367 --> 00:25:09,867 I don't know anything, I guess. 467 00:25:10,867 --> 00:25:14,000 Go, swing over. [bleep] move it. 468 00:25:14,000 --> 00:25:16,734 When he's in a mood like that, he's very dangerous to be around. 469 00:25:20,066 --> 00:25:21,166 Andy's hooked up. 470 00:25:21,166 --> 00:25:23,166 [Hunter] Please don't come unhooked. 471 00:25:23,166 --> 00:25:25,000 Okay, Andy. You call it. 472 00:25:25,000 --> 00:25:26,166 [Andy on radio] Real slow. 473 00:25:34,233 --> 00:25:36,066 Woah, woah! 474 00:25:39,000 --> 00:25:41,000 We gotta get a different plan here. 475 00:25:41,900 --> 00:25:43,266 Come around. 476 00:25:43,266 --> 00:25:47,100 We think we can get that hopper off and get him out of here. 477 00:25:47,100 --> 00:25:49,100 Hopefully, we can lift this. 478 00:25:49,100 --> 00:25:51,800 [Rob] In an effort to create more space for the excavators 479 00:25:51,800 --> 00:25:53,900 to attempt their lift with the trommel, 480 00:25:53,900 --> 00:25:57,000 the heaviest and most crucial section of the Black Pearl, 481 00:25:57,000 --> 00:25:59,600 Todd decides to unload the hopper first. 482 00:26:01,367 --> 00:26:03,000 [Todd] What are you thinking? 483 00:26:03,000 --> 00:26:05,800 - Can we just pick it? - [Jim] Come around this, hook it, 484 00:26:05,800 --> 00:26:07,166 around that, hook it. 485 00:26:07,166 --> 00:26:09,166 - All the four-- - Where? To install? 486 00:26:09,166 --> 00:26:10,533 - Yeah, to install. - Okay. 487 00:26:10,533 --> 00:26:13,333 - Right there through that hole. - Yep. 488 00:26:13,333 --> 00:26:16,100 Dakota, hook that there yourself. There ya go. 489 00:26:16,100 --> 00:26:17,166 It might work! 490 00:26:17,166 --> 00:26:18,734 Everybody, heads up. 491 00:26:18,734 --> 00:26:21,734 - Watch out for those cables. - Hang the bucket in the middle of this. 492 00:26:21,734 --> 00:26:24,266 Chain all four equally. Pick it off. 493 00:26:24,266 --> 00:26:26,166 This is taking like, an hour. 494 00:26:26,166 --> 00:26:30,467 [Rob] The entire weight of the hopper's hefty steel frame rests in the operator's hands. 495 00:26:30,467 --> 00:26:33,600 One wrong move could send it plummeting to the ground, 496 00:26:33,600 --> 00:26:36,467 causing permanent and costly damage. 497 00:26:36,467 --> 00:26:39,900 Truck driver, when we lift up, go forward, okay? 498 00:26:39,900 --> 00:26:42,100 - Get ready. - This [bleep] is funny, man. 499 00:26:44,634 --> 00:26:46,100 Hold on. 500 00:26:46,100 --> 00:26:47,433 Let's stop. 501 00:26:47,433 --> 00:26:49,734 I can't even look at this [bleep]. 502 00:26:49,734 --> 00:26:51,266 Everybody, clear. 503 00:26:51,266 --> 00:26:53,367 Now, watch. Watch it spin. 504 00:26:54,533 --> 00:26:55,634 Easy. 505 00:26:56,166 --> 00:26:57,734 Easy. 506 00:26:57,734 --> 00:27:00,066 [Todd] Hold on. Hang on. Hold on. 507 00:27:00,066 --> 00:27:01,700 [Hunter] Look at this [bleep]. 508 00:27:02,634 --> 00:27:04,867 [Hunter] Look how you guys rigged it. 509 00:27:04,867 --> 00:27:07,433 - How're we gonna weld it back together-- - Don't worry about it. 510 00:27:07,433 --> 00:27:09,166 Just get unloaded first. 511 00:27:09,700 --> 00:27:10,734 There you go! 512 00:27:12,166 --> 00:27:13,967 [Hunter] I don't know why they would do it like that. 513 00:27:13,967 --> 00:27:17,266 [bleep] are we doing? Honestly, this is embarrassing. 514 00:27:28,367 --> 00:27:30,433 [Todd] That machine is probably 515 00:27:30,433 --> 00:27:33,634 $500,000, $600,000 bucks. 516 00:27:33,634 --> 00:27:35,867 Maybe $800,000. 517 00:27:35,867 --> 00:27:38,433 They really need to be careful with this equipment. 518 00:27:38,433 --> 00:27:41,533 If something goes wrong, it is not cheap to fix. 519 00:27:41,533 --> 00:27:44,600 There's actually a chance of injury and maybe even, 520 00:27:44,600 --> 00:27:46,333 somebody getting killed out here. 521 00:27:46,333 --> 00:27:51,100 So, I gotta talk to Hunter. I don't want the Black Pearl to jeopardize 522 00:27:51,100 --> 00:27:52,533 the whole operation. 523 00:27:54,500 --> 00:27:56,900 Hey, guys. I think we need to have a talk. 524 00:27:56,900 --> 00:27:59,000 We need to all get on the same page here. 525 00:27:59,000 --> 00:28:00,634 Here's the deal. 526 00:28:00,634 --> 00:28:03,700 The only reason why I wanna step in, 527 00:28:03,700 --> 00:28:06,367 is if it's because of a safety issue. 528 00:28:06,367 --> 00:28:08,333 It's gonna affect the mine 529 00:28:08,333 --> 00:28:12,533 and it's gonna affect your livelihood, yours, yours, and yours. 530 00:28:13,367 --> 00:28:15,100 That's all I'm gonna say about it. 531 00:28:15,100 --> 00:28:18,100 But if we have to step in on anything like that, 532 00:28:18,100 --> 00:28:19,967 just let us do it. Okay? 533 00:28:20,967 --> 00:28:23,100 If one of us didn't come home, 534 00:28:23,100 --> 00:28:24,367 or got hurt, 535 00:28:24,367 --> 00:28:26,367 our mine's gonna get shut down 536 00:28:26,367 --> 00:28:28,433 then it's gonna affect all of us. 537 00:28:28,433 --> 00:28:32,800 It's nothing personal to you, your leadership or anything else. 538 00:28:32,800 --> 00:28:34,800 You guys are the future of this mine. 539 00:28:34,800 --> 00:28:36,900 Not us. We know that. 540 00:28:37,700 --> 00:28:39,467 I just want everybody to come home. 541 00:28:40,867 --> 00:28:43,367 I hear you and... 542 00:28:43,367 --> 00:28:47,100 I'm in the wrong for putting anybody in danger. 543 00:28:47,100 --> 00:28:48,700 I don't know everything. 544 00:28:48,700 --> 00:28:50,634 But my personal opinion, 545 00:28:51,000 --> 00:28:52,333 as a leader, 546 00:28:52,333 --> 00:28:54,166 I feel like you're in the wrong 547 00:28:54,166 --> 00:28:58,233 for not coming in an appropriate manner and showing some guidance. 548 00:28:58,233 --> 00:29:00,900 I feel like you came in and made us all feel like we're stupid. 549 00:29:00,900 --> 00:29:03,734 It makes it feel like you guys don't respect us. 550 00:29:03,734 --> 00:29:07,100 I just feel like everybody should be treated with equal respect. 551 00:29:07,100 --> 00:29:08,900 It's always hard to work with your family 552 00:29:08,900 --> 00:29:10,266 and so, I'm just trying to figure out 553 00:29:10,266 --> 00:29:12,634 the best way to navigate and communicate with my dad, you know? 554 00:29:12,634 --> 00:29:14,100 He's in this season a lot of money, 555 00:29:14,100 --> 00:29:16,266 so, I'm gonna try to keep a cool head, 556 00:29:16,266 --> 00:29:18,967 but at the same time, like, the respect needs to be mutual 557 00:29:18,967 --> 00:29:20,700 and I think I deserve that. 558 00:29:20,700 --> 00:29:23,467 I'm sorry for coming in there and stepping on your guys' toes. 559 00:29:23,467 --> 00:29:26,166 It scared me and it scared Andy. 560 00:29:26,166 --> 00:29:27,700 We could've handled it better. 561 00:29:29,000 --> 00:29:31,900 I have a lot to learn and do better with. 562 00:29:32,867 --> 00:29:34,634 I love you guys. I'm sorry. 563 00:29:34,634 --> 00:29:36,100 Sorry for my part of it. 564 00:29:37,433 --> 00:29:38,734 Mining's hard, 565 00:29:38,734 --> 00:29:43,233 but parenting is, let me tell you, is a hell of a lot harder. 566 00:29:43,233 --> 00:29:45,867 We just wanna complete this mission that we went on, 567 00:29:45,867 --> 00:29:47,734 to get the plant actually here. 568 00:29:47,734 --> 00:29:51,800 I know that you're paying for it, but for us, I would like us to complete the task. 569 00:29:51,800 --> 00:29:54,100 Here's the compromise I'm gonna offer. 570 00:29:54,100 --> 00:29:56,734 I wanna see you guys get this trommel 571 00:29:56,734 --> 00:29:59,333 because we do want you guys to have experience 572 00:29:59,333 --> 00:30:02,600 and we want you to get your plant up and running. 573 00:30:02,600 --> 00:30:06,367 But you use Tater and follow his lead. 574 00:30:06,367 --> 00:30:09,100 Are you willing to do that, Hunter? 575 00:30:09,100 --> 00:30:11,266 I'm willing to do it however you guys would like it. 576 00:30:11,266 --> 00:30:12,900 We're all willing to listen to you guys. 577 00:30:12,900 --> 00:30:14,500 You guys have a lot more experience. 578 00:30:15,533 --> 00:30:17,367 Do you trust us to do it or not? 579 00:30:18,634 --> 00:30:20,900 - I trust you guys to do it. - Okay. 580 00:30:20,900 --> 00:30:22,533 I'm gonna follow your lead. 581 00:30:22,533 --> 00:30:24,100 Okay, we're in agreement. 582 00:30:24,100 --> 00:30:25,700 I'm gonna tell you right now. 583 00:30:25,700 --> 00:30:29,533 You guys will have lifted the biggest piece of equipment that we've ever lifted, 584 00:30:29,533 --> 00:30:30,900 and if you mess up, 585 00:30:30,900 --> 00:30:32,000 it's on you guys. 586 00:30:33,333 --> 00:30:35,600 Tater, you're in charge. What's the plan? 587 00:30:36,233 --> 00:30:38,166 Dakota, you're in the 490. 588 00:30:38,166 --> 00:30:40,734 - You in the 650, Hunter, if you're good with that. - Yep. 589 00:30:40,734 --> 00:30:42,367 - [Todd] Okay. - All right. Let's do this. 590 00:30:47,533 --> 00:30:49,066 [Hunter] I'm open to learning new things 591 00:30:49,066 --> 00:30:52,634 and Tater has a lot of experience in rigging and doing this kind of stuff, 592 00:30:52,634 --> 00:30:55,433 so, try to give us a little bit more of an advantage because 593 00:30:55,433 --> 00:30:57,634 this thing is extremely heavy. 594 00:30:58,867 --> 00:31:02,734 I've put Tater up against anybody in Nome or anywhere else, 595 00:31:02,734 --> 00:31:05,266 as far as operating, this guy's an expert. 596 00:31:06,066 --> 00:31:07,166 Bravo! 597 00:31:08,367 --> 00:31:10,734 [Tater] I'm gonna need another qualified operator. 598 00:31:12,800 --> 00:31:14,800 If you don't mind, we'll get Andy down here. 599 00:31:14,800 --> 00:31:18,100 Get him on the third haul and then, we'll work out the rest of it. 600 00:31:18,734 --> 00:31:20,600 - Okay. - [Tater] All right? 601 00:31:20,600 --> 00:31:21,900 [Tater] Get Andy over here. 602 00:31:23,066 --> 00:31:26,467 Could we get you over here on this third excavator? 603 00:31:27,634 --> 00:31:29,166 - Just being safe. - Yeah. 604 00:31:31,266 --> 00:31:34,367 [Hunter] Plan is, we're gonna get a third excavator on here on that far side 605 00:31:34,367 --> 00:31:37,333 and just try to relieve a little bit of that weight. 606 00:31:37,333 --> 00:31:40,600 All we wanna do is just get it off this trailer so, we can get this thing outta here 607 00:31:40,600 --> 00:31:41,800 and then uh, 608 00:31:41,800 --> 00:31:43,734 at least it's off the truck. 609 00:31:43,734 --> 00:31:47,166 You got two big excavators on there and they're strong so, 610 00:31:47,166 --> 00:31:49,600 now, we're gonna have to use three, but 611 00:31:49,600 --> 00:31:52,500 we've never even moved anything this big. 612 00:31:53,100 --> 00:31:54,900 Nothing's impossible. 613 00:31:58,266 --> 00:32:03,100 [Tater] The excavator's designed to pick low, not up high. 614 00:32:03,100 --> 00:32:05,867 When they were lifting yesterday, they were pointing down. 615 00:32:05,867 --> 00:32:09,100 The way they had it, it no strength, no boom left. 616 00:32:09,100 --> 00:32:10,734 [Rob] In order to help, 617 00:32:10,734 --> 00:32:15,000 the team has built ramps to provide the optimal lifting angle. 618 00:32:15,000 --> 00:32:17,600 What we're trying to do is get it up a little higher. 619 00:32:17,600 --> 00:32:19,734 To be able to have more lift, to pull it, 620 00:32:19,734 --> 00:32:22,066 it should have the power to pick it off like that. 621 00:32:22,066 --> 00:32:23,867 We have a plan now that's gonna work. 622 00:32:24,533 --> 00:32:25,600 Maybe. 623 00:32:26,333 --> 00:32:28,266 Yeah, this is just ridiculous. 624 00:32:28,266 --> 00:32:33,734 - What do you want me to do? - So, we're gonna put you on the other side with the 650. 625 00:32:33,734 --> 00:32:35,333 Yeah, we're just picking straight up. 626 00:32:46,433 --> 00:32:49,066 - [Andy] That'll work. - [Tater] Okay, let me know when you're already. 627 00:32:53,367 --> 00:32:54,433 [man on radio] I'm ready. 628 00:32:55,500 --> 00:32:57,634 - Ready. - [man on radio] Good to go. 629 00:32:57,634 --> 00:32:59,100 I'm ready. 630 00:32:59,100 --> 00:33:01,233 There, there. Everybody out. 631 00:33:01,233 --> 00:33:02,900 All right. Everybody, pick. 632 00:33:08,166 --> 00:33:09,333 Nice and easy. 633 00:33:12,000 --> 00:33:15,467 [indistinct chatter over radio] 634 00:33:15,467 --> 00:33:17,166 Dakota, stay where you're at. 635 00:33:19,734 --> 00:33:21,100 Yeah, yeah, a little more. 636 00:33:23,166 --> 00:33:24,433 Yeah, yeah, a little more. 637 00:33:26,967 --> 00:33:28,166 I think we're clear. 638 00:33:28,734 --> 00:33:29,867 We're clear. 639 00:33:33,533 --> 00:33:34,800 We're good to do. 640 00:33:35,100 --> 00:33:36,367 Good to go. 641 00:33:38,433 --> 00:33:41,634 [indistinct radio chatter] 642 00:33:42,900 --> 00:33:46,900 What could go wrong? A 50,000-pound drum. 643 00:33:46,900 --> 00:33:49,800 [Tater on radio] Everybody, start going down real easy. 644 00:33:49,800 --> 00:33:51,533 [Todd] If it broke, snapped, 645 00:33:51,533 --> 00:33:54,533 rolled off, it's gonna bend the whole end of the trommel, 646 00:33:54,533 --> 00:33:56,533 and it's over, game over. 647 00:33:56,533 --> 00:33:57,634 Really, really bad. 648 00:33:58,900 --> 00:34:00,166 Hold on. 649 00:34:00,734 --> 00:34:01,967 Stop. 650 00:34:08,000 --> 00:34:10,734 I need you guys to not make fun of Tater. 651 00:34:10,734 --> 00:34:13,600 He's a little sensitive about his head. 652 00:34:13,600 --> 00:34:16,500 My name is Rob, but my nickname is Tater. 653 00:34:16,500 --> 00:34:20,066 I had a really big head as a child, so people called me Big Head. 654 00:34:20,066 --> 00:34:22,900 As I got older, it morphed into Tater. 655 00:34:22,900 --> 00:34:24,367 [Todd] Good job, Tater. 656 00:34:24,367 --> 00:34:28,000 [Tater] I've 30 years of experience at excavation and construction, 657 00:34:28,000 --> 00:34:31,166 mechanic, welding, operator, truck driver. 658 00:34:31,166 --> 00:34:34,066 - And he's good looking. Full package. - [laughs] 659 00:34:34,066 --> 00:34:36,700 It's always been a dream of mine to come up here and do this. 660 00:34:36,700 --> 00:34:39,967 - Yas! - The guy's really cool to work with. He's funny. 661 00:34:39,967 --> 00:34:41,900 I'm gonna another short chain for this. 662 00:34:41,900 --> 00:34:44,367 I'm right here. You don't have to call me short. [laughs] 663 00:34:44,367 --> 00:34:47,000 The best operator I've ever seen. 664 00:34:47,000 --> 00:34:49,100 [Tater] Wouldn't say I'm the best. Wouldn't say I'm the worst. 665 00:34:49,100 --> 00:34:52,266 Truly an expert category. The guy is phenomenal. 666 00:34:52,266 --> 00:34:54,166 [Tater] For every year, you have half a year. 667 00:34:54,166 --> 00:34:59,100 What I hope is that Tater doesn't get any bigger of a head than he already has. 668 00:34:59,100 --> 00:35:02,100 [Todd on radio] 669 00:35:02,100 --> 00:35:04,467 [laughs] I won't. 670 00:35:07,000 --> 00:35:08,100 [Todd] Hold on. 671 00:35:08,533 --> 00:35:09,533 Stop. 672 00:35:09,533 --> 00:35:12,266 Okay, we gotta get some spare weight under it. 673 00:35:12,266 --> 00:35:14,734 We gotta be little gentle with it when we put it down. 674 00:35:14,734 --> 00:35:18,266 Those trommel's got an eight-foot drum, over 50 feet long. 675 00:35:18,266 --> 00:35:20,900 This is one of the biggest trommels I've ever seen. 676 00:35:20,900 --> 00:35:22,700 [Tater] Cut it to all the way down please. 677 00:35:23,734 --> 00:35:25,900 [man] Okay, you guys take it right now. 678 00:35:25,900 --> 00:35:27,166 [Hunter] We gotta just be careful. 679 00:35:27,166 --> 00:35:29,800 We gotta just take everything easy and not get in a hurry. 680 00:35:33,367 --> 00:35:34,634 [Tater] And we're done. 681 00:35:34,634 --> 00:35:37,867 - That's a wrap, my friends. Proud of you guys. - Thank you, Rob. 682 00:35:37,867 --> 00:35:39,600 You guys did an awesome job. 683 00:35:39,600 --> 00:35:42,900 - Thank you. Good job, guys. Sweet. - You did a good job. 684 00:35:42,900 --> 00:35:44,467 We work as a team. 685 00:35:44,467 --> 00:35:46,700 - [Hunter] That thing is heavy. - [Tater laughs] 686 00:35:46,700 --> 00:35:48,634 And I'm just glad that we got it off. 687 00:35:48,634 --> 00:35:50,100 Just we're one step closer. 688 00:35:50,100 --> 00:35:51,900 - Now, we can work on it. - Yep. 689 00:35:51,900 --> 00:35:53,000 [Hunter] Let's get going. 690 00:35:54,800 --> 00:35:58,500 The boys did good. Everybody's safe. Nobody got hurt. 691 00:36:00,100 --> 00:36:01,600 That's what we want. 692 00:36:01,600 --> 00:36:03,634 They got her done. That's what's important. 693 00:36:11,000 --> 00:36:15,266 So, this is dirt that we dug out of the ancient river channel. 694 00:36:16,533 --> 00:36:17,800 Big moment. 695 00:36:17,800 --> 00:36:19,533 Better have some golden box. 696 00:36:21,367 --> 00:36:23,367 Check the bypass. Check the bypass. 697 00:36:24,266 --> 00:36:26,100 Okay. Over, up. 698 00:36:29,000 --> 00:36:30,734 [Todd on radio] Shut the trommel down. 699 00:36:32,800 --> 00:36:35,100 Today is our very first clean-up. 700 00:36:35,100 --> 00:36:39,066 Yeah, we got a few ounces underneath the old plants, but today, 701 00:36:39,066 --> 00:36:40,333 this is big. 702 00:36:40,333 --> 00:36:42,734 This clean-up right here is what matters. 703 00:36:42,734 --> 00:36:47,734 I really want all my gold caught in these hydraulic nugget traps. 704 00:36:47,734 --> 00:36:51,634 - See anything, Tater? - Not yet, but just grabbing big, old handfuls. 705 00:36:52,367 --> 00:36:53,734 [Todd] Here it comes, Framer. 706 00:36:53,734 --> 00:36:55,000 We're just trying to get all 707 00:36:55,000 --> 00:36:57,533 the concentrate out of the hydraulic riffles right now. 708 00:36:59,467 --> 00:37:01,800 [Todd] Look at that gold coming out, guys. Look at that. 709 00:37:01,800 --> 00:37:03,900 - Woah! - What do you got? 710 00:37:03,900 --> 00:37:05,734 [Todd] Look at that honker. 711 00:37:05,734 --> 00:37:07,900 You know what? That's pretty. 712 00:37:07,900 --> 00:37:10,000 - [everyone cheering] - Look at that one. 713 00:37:10,000 --> 00:37:13,166 And, that means, guys, out there in the world right now, 714 00:37:13,166 --> 00:37:16,266 getting nuggets handed to him by a guy named Tater-Tots. 715 00:37:16,266 --> 00:37:18,266 Oh, yeah! 716 00:37:18,266 --> 00:37:20,367 - [Todd] Look at that one. - [Tater] Todd, look at my hand. 717 00:37:20,367 --> 00:37:22,266 Look at this. Look at Tater's hands. 718 00:37:22,266 --> 00:37:23,900 All gold, man. 719 00:37:23,900 --> 00:37:27,367 You think Tater's got gold fever? I think he does, guys. 720 00:37:27,367 --> 00:37:30,233 Putting on little nuggets planted here, fellas. 721 00:37:30,233 --> 00:37:33,100 - Look how much gold is right here. - [Andy] Lot of gold. 722 00:37:33,100 --> 00:37:35,734 [Todd] Popping nuggets left and right. 723 00:37:35,734 --> 00:37:39,734 I think we're just starting something really, really wonderful here 724 00:37:39,734 --> 00:37:42,800 and you know, with all the hard work these guys are putting in, 725 00:37:42,800 --> 00:37:45,734 I'm starting to see nuggets and guys like Framer and Tater, 726 00:37:45,734 --> 00:37:47,533 they're all excited. 727 00:37:47,533 --> 00:37:50,533 I see Andy. He has a smile on his face, you know, and... 728 00:37:50,533 --> 00:37:52,100 I don't know, makes it all worth it. 729 00:37:52,100 --> 00:37:53,867 Lot of gold. Be careful. 730 00:37:53,867 --> 00:37:55,100 Be careful right here. 731 00:37:55,100 --> 00:37:57,166 We've waited a long time for this. 732 00:37:57,166 --> 00:37:58,967 Know what that smells like? 733 00:37:58,967 --> 00:38:00,734 Right there, guys? 734 00:38:00,734 --> 00:38:02,533 Smells like we're starting to win. 735 00:38:02,533 --> 00:38:07,500 We're on the path. I think that we just figured out what this creek, 736 00:38:07,500 --> 00:38:10,166 you know, needed, as far as catching the gold. 737 00:38:10,166 --> 00:38:12,734 But till we get done with the clean-up, 738 00:38:12,734 --> 00:38:15,000 we don't really know how good we did. 739 00:38:15,000 --> 00:38:16,500 I wanna see the clean-up. 740 00:38:26,000 --> 00:38:28,100 [Jack] Oh, my God! 741 00:38:28,100 --> 00:38:29,367 This is very green. 742 00:38:30,166 --> 00:38:32,634 - That's solid gold. - Yeah. 743 00:38:32,634 --> 00:38:35,367 You can poke someone's eye out with those nuggets. 744 00:38:35,367 --> 00:38:39,600 The last time I saw gold like this was back in the '80s. 745 00:38:39,600 --> 00:38:44,500 The ancient river is absolutely a great place to mine. 746 00:38:44,500 --> 00:38:46,100 This is literally 747 00:38:46,900 --> 00:38:49,000 the best stuff we've ever done. 748 00:38:49,734 --> 00:38:51,066 [Jim] It's good-looking stuff. 749 00:38:51,066 --> 00:38:54,433 [Rob] In order to hit their season goal of 1,000 ounces, 750 00:38:54,433 --> 00:38:58,100 the Hoffmans need to average 90 ounces of gold a week. 751 00:38:58,100 --> 00:39:00,433 Let's try and wait, see what Todd's got. 752 00:39:02,867 --> 00:39:04,734 [Todd] All right. Holy Roller's up, 753 00:39:04,734 --> 00:39:06,600 kicking ass it looks like to me. 754 00:39:06,600 --> 00:39:08,000 It's probably a little bit of adjustment, 755 00:39:08,000 --> 00:39:11,000 but this is kinda like I envisioned it. 756 00:39:11,000 --> 00:39:13,533 I think we got the right angle on it and everything. 757 00:39:13,533 --> 00:39:14,900 Yeah, really nice. 758 00:39:14,900 --> 00:39:16,900 All right. Give me an update on the Pearl. 759 00:39:16,900 --> 00:39:18,467 Everything's still in pieces. 760 00:39:18,467 --> 00:39:20,266 But uh, it's just a lot of work, dude. 761 00:39:20,266 --> 00:39:23,367 It's a huge plant. Gotta put the hopper back on. Put the drum back on. 762 00:39:23,367 --> 00:39:25,233 We gotta change out center roller. 763 00:39:25,233 --> 00:39:27,734 So, we're looking at 764 00:39:27,734 --> 00:39:31,100 probably weeks of welding, day in and day out, so... 765 00:39:32,900 --> 00:39:34,000 Hey! 766 00:39:35,800 --> 00:39:39,867 Oh, that's good. He came in with a bottle instead of a little white jar. 767 00:39:39,867 --> 00:39:43,467 The jars are getting a little small. Here we go. 768 00:39:43,467 --> 00:39:45,266 - You ready? - [Todd] Yeah. [clears throat] 769 00:39:48,533 --> 00:39:51,433 - Fill it out now. - Falling it out, I'm not... 770 00:39:51,433 --> 00:39:52,500 Twenty-five. 771 00:39:53,867 --> 00:39:55,367 - Forty. - 40. 772 00:39:58,066 --> 00:40:01,000 - Sixty. - Nice. 773 00:40:02,233 --> 00:40:03,867 Sixty-seven. 774 00:40:04,266 --> 00:40:05,367 Seventy. 775 00:40:06,000 --> 00:40:07,867 Four, five. 776 00:40:07,867 --> 00:40:12,333 There. 76. That's like, $125,000, 777 00:40:12,333 --> 00:40:15,433 $130,000 on our first clean-up. 778 00:40:16,367 --> 00:40:18,266 - Take it. - [Todd laughs] Yeah, I'll take it. 779 00:40:18,266 --> 00:40:22,266 This is beautiful stuff, you know? This is kinda chunky. 780 00:40:22,266 --> 00:40:25,967 So, do you guys give the hydraulic nugget traps 781 00:40:25,967 --> 00:40:30,900 - a clean bill of health and-- - I give your hydraulic riffles a two thumbs up. 782 00:40:30,900 --> 00:40:37,066 [Jack] The only bummer about that we're after 90 ounces. This is only 76. 783 00:40:37,066 --> 00:40:41,367 [Rob] The Holy Roller's first clean-up weighs in at 76 ounces. 784 00:40:41,367 --> 00:40:48,233 The Hoffmans now need 924 more ounces of gold to reach their 1,000-ounce goal. 785 00:40:48,233 --> 00:40:51,433 Now, we need 92 ounces per week. 786 00:40:51,433 --> 00:40:55,000 We're kinda falling back, but we're going forward. That's a lot of gold. 787 00:40:55,000 --> 00:40:58,000 The main thing is that our plant's actually catching gold. 788 00:40:58,000 --> 00:41:01,800 That's what I was worried about, not sending half of it down the creek. 789 00:41:01,800 --> 00:41:06,266 And, we got The Holy Roller back five years. That sucker, it catches the gold. 790 00:41:06,266 --> 00:41:12,467 The 76 ounces is a great start, but we did not get to our weekly goal of 90 ounces. 791 00:41:12,467 --> 00:41:15,600 So, it's a little bit bittersweet, but you know what? 792 00:41:15,600 --> 00:41:18,100 I have faith now in this paydirt. 793 00:41:18,100 --> 00:41:19,734 So, hopefully, 794 00:41:19,734 --> 00:41:21,066 all goes well. 795 00:41:21,066 --> 00:41:22,800 We're gonna turn things around here. 796 00:41:22,800 --> 00:41:25,367 It's a good first step. All right? 797 00:41:25,367 --> 00:41:27,367 Get some sleep, guys. We got a big day tomorrow. 798 00:41:27,367 --> 00:41:28,967 - Okay? - Yep. 799 00:41:28,967 --> 00:41:30,000 See you guys.