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Opal Hunting Adventures
Australia
Registrace 22. 10. 2023
My Opal Hunting Adventures
You WON'T see this on Opal Hunters! - Crawling through a Dangerous Opal Mine in Lightning Ridge
Me Crawling around an abandoned opal mine that is no longer mined it.
I'm in Lightning Ridge, NSW, Australia and about 50 feet (15m) underground in this video.
Thank you to all our new subscribers and if you enjoyed our video and haven't liked or subscribed yet please do to follow us along on our opal mining adventures - it encourages us to upload more videos. Thanks!!
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Lightning Ridge Opal Field
- Lightning Ridge is the most famous opal field in the world
- Lightning Ridge is located in New South Wales, Australia
- Lightning Ridge is home to some of the world's finest opals
History of Lightning Ridge
- Lightning Ridge was first settled in the 1890s
- The town was named after a lightning bolt that struck a nearby tree
- Lightning Ridge quickly became a boom town
The different types of opal found at Lightning Ridge
- There are many different types of opal found at Lightning Ridge
- The most common type of opal is the white opal
- Other types of opal found at Lightning Ridge include black opal, blue opal, and green opal
How to get to Lightning Ridge
- Lightning Ridge is located about 600 kilometers from Sydney
- The best way to get to Lightning Ridge is by car
- There are also flights from Sydney to Lightning Ridge
Tips for opal hunting at Lightning Ridge
- Do your research before you go
- Get a good guide
- Be prepared to spend a lot of time
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You can send us mail (absolutely anything) and we will open it on camera:
The mailing address is:
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Nathan
PO BOX 1322
LIGHTNING RIDGE, 2834, NSW
AUSTRALIA
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I'm in Lightning Ridge, NSW, Australia and about 50 feet (15m) underground in this video.
Thank you to all our new subscribers and if you enjoyed our video and haven't liked or subscribed yet please do to follow us along on our opal mining adventures - it encourages us to upload more videos. Thanks!!
*********************************
Lightning Ridge Opal Field
- Lightning Ridge is the most famous opal field in the world
- Lightning Ridge is located in New South Wales, Australia
- Lightning Ridge is home to some of the world's finest opals
History of Lightning Ridge
- Lightning Ridge was first settled in the 1890s
- The town was named after a lightning bolt that struck a nearby tree
- Lightning Ridge quickly became a boom town
The different types of opal found at Lightning Ridge
- There are many different types of opal found at Lightning Ridge
- The most common type of opal is the white opal
- Other types of opal found at Lightning Ridge include black opal, blue opal, and green opal
How to get to Lightning Ridge
- Lightning Ridge is located about 600 kilometers from Sydney
- The best way to get to Lightning Ridge is by car
- There are also flights from Sydney to Lightning Ridge
Tips for opal hunting at Lightning Ridge
- Do your research before you go
- Get a good guide
- Be prepared to spend a lot of time
*********************************
You can send us mail (absolutely anything) and we will open it on camera:
The mailing address is:
*********************************
Nathan
PO BOX 1322
LIGHTNING RIDGE, 2834, NSW
AUSTRALIA
*********************************
zhlédnutí: 572
Video
Explore Around an OPAL Mine With Me - Opal Mining in Australia
zhlédnutí 412Před 14 dny
Just a bit of a further look around Nippers Opal mine in Lightning Ridge, NSW, Australia We are approximately 45-foot (14 meters) underground in this video. Thank you to all our new subscribers and if you enjoyed our video and haven't liked or subscribed yet please do to follow us along on our opal mining adventures - it encourages us to upload more videos. Thanks!! Lightning Ridge Opal Field -...
Exit Of the Opal Mine - Don't Fall! NO Safety Equipment. Opal Mining in Australia.
zhlédnutí 294Před 14 dny
Just some footage that accidentally got left out of the last video of Xin climbing the ladder and exiting the opal mine. We are approximately 45-foot (14 meters) underground in this video. Please like and subscribe to see more of Xinny, me and some of my friends, on our opal mining adventures. You can send us mail (absolutely anything) and we will open it on camera: The mailing address is: Nath...
Opal Mining in Australia - Xinny Hunting for Opal - It's her First Opal Mining Experience
zhlédnutí 954Před 21 dnem
Meet Xin - It's her first time down an opal mine. We are in approximately 50feet underground in this video in Lightning Ridge, NSW, Australia. Lightning Ridge produced some of (if not the highest) quality opals in the world. Thank you to all our new subscribers and if you enjoyed our video and haven't liked or subscribed yet please do to follow us along on our opal mining adventures - it encour...
Mining for Opal in Lightning Ridge Australia - Can Otto Find Black Opals?
zhlédnutí 4,1KPřed měsícem
Meet the legend, Otto a long-time opal hunter, gouging for the opal again in Lightning Ridge. Back in the same spot as last time still chasing the opal. We are approximately 45-foot (14 meters) underground in this video. Please like and subscribe to see more of Otto and friends and me. You can send us mail (absolutely anything) and we will open it on camera: The mailing address is: Nathan PO BO...
Black Opal Mining in Outback Lightning Ridge Australia
zhlédnutí 3,2KPřed měsícem
Hi Everyone, Another video of me out mining for the day - including climbing down the ladders and finding some colorless opal in the wall with some bonus footage of my Mrs Xin playing a song about Lightning Ridge. (those it kind of goes off on a tangent but comes back to Lightning Ridge :D) We are approximately 45-foot (14 meters) underground in this video. Please subscribe to see more mining a...
Otto Gouging for Opals in Lightning Ridge Australia - Like a Wombat or a Mole
zhlédnutí 1,7KPřed měsícem
Everyone loved Otto, we got a bunch of new subscribers already, thankyou and welcome! - so here is some more footage I had left over of him - but we will be filming again soon and hope to show you some colour. Part 1 of this video can be found here: czcams.com/video/laFwW6XCmtE/video.html Lightning Ridge is one of the towns featured in the popular TV show opal hunters. We are approximately 45-f...
Hunting, Mining for Opals in Lightning Ridge Australia
zhlédnutí 13KPřed měsícem
Meet the legend, Otto a long-time opal hunter, gouging for the opal in Lightning Ridge. We are approximately 45-foot (14 meters) underground in this video. Please like and subscribe to see more of Otto and friends. Lightning Ridge Opal Field - Lightning Ridge is the most famous opal field in the world - Lightning Ridge is located in New South Wales, Australia - Lightning Ridge is home to some o...
Black Opal Mining in Lightning Ridge Australia
zhlédnutí 1,6KPřed 2 měsíci
Just saw more unedited footage of me doing some opal mining for black opals in Lightning Ridge Australia. I'm removing dirt from the face and checking for colour as I go. Sorry again for sound quality. Lightning Ridge Opal Field - Lightning Ridge is the most famous opal field in the world - Lightning Ridge is located in New South Wales, Australia - Lightning Ridge is home to some of the world's...
Opal Mining in Australia - Mine Tour and Exploration
zhlédnutí 427Před 2 měsíci
Hopefully a slightly better-quality video of a bit of a tour of an opal mine in Lightning Ridge, NSW, Australia. I have been digging for opals in this mine. In this video i also do some exploring in some areas I had never been. Please subscribe and like if you enjoy the video :D
Opal Mining in Lightning Ridge Australia
zhlédnutí 224Před 2 měsíci
Some more low-quality unedited video of me being down in an opal mine in Lightning Ridge, NSW, Australia when I've been experimenting with filming. I've got an external microphone on the way to improve the audio. Subscribe if you want to see more and better-quality footage. :D
Opal Mining in Australia Raw Footage - Lightning Ridge, NSW - The Town Featured in Opal Hunters
zhlédnutí 496Před 2 měsíci
Uploading some footage of what it's like to be mining for opal in Lightning Ridge, NSW Australia
Sometimes you got to ask yourself when is the risk worth the reward. I keep hoping you'll find a big black opal, then you take it to justin (black opal direct) . So I can see him cut it. Your momma would be proud of you.
My point is please be careful !!!
So true, i'll take one to him one day hopefully.
Yeah, no thanks. I have dug my own underground gold mines, and I would not be down where you were in todays vid.
Hey guys, was absolutely lovely meeting yous at the RSL. Wishing yous all the best of luck and looking forward to seeing yous next time ❤
Hey mate, was great meeting you too. Will see you around :D
Lots of people just can't mentally take the confined space!! Tell unc michigan says hello!! Keep an extra torch with yea!
Have you tried a black light down there??
Yep always do, normally two on my helmet, one little emergency one on my belt and sometimes spare 18650 batteries in my pocket. I never need that much but it's good piece of mind. Will say hi to Unc for ya! :)
Thanks for watching, please like and subscribe, we really appreciate it!!!!!
Must of been very rich for the miners to make a ballroom. How are those timbers looking ?
My understanding is was that it was quite rich (but not the richest). I think I recall Nipper telling me that the best they ever got was $140,000 in about 10 truckloads of dirt - but there was alot of digging unproductive areas too where they got $0 - Some of the timbers are not so good as you can see (where more weight is) - others are fine. We need to put a few more in some places, some areas just aren't going to be mined any further so we don't worry about us much and I'm only really going to those areas for the camera.
If you enjoyed the video, please kindly like and subscribe to follow us on our opal mining adventures :)
great vid but your bloody crazy lol
@@MrComfyAustralia I remember you were amongst our first subscribers - I remember your Newcastle drone footage. I was born at the Mater Hospital. I don't think I'm that crazy but apparently a lot of other people do. Thanks MrComfy glad you enjoyed the video, I personally like exploring the mines as much as I do digging in them. I'm always in awe of all the work that has been done.
Now that's an unsafe mine.you wouldn't get me in it
There's much worst than this I reckon. I'll show you worst in upcoming videos. Fingers crossed they don't fall while I'm there.
Greetings from Michigan! How's the Hunt
It's been slow but getting out there when we can. Our truck is currently under repair and will be back in action soon, so far, you've only seen us gouging but hopefully soon we will be washing our dirt at the agitator site, so we will share some of that. Still got to check and keep on eye on the mail - it's front of mind. We don't have mailboxes here, so it involves a trip to the post office. :)
Boring.
I'll stay tuned for your exciting videos - no need to watch mine if you find them boring though :) thanks for your constructive feedback it was a wonderful part of my day
Please kindly like and subscribe if you haven't already. Thanks!
Why are not using a black lite .
Doesn't work well in Lightning Ridge
You guys are seriously the best!!! Nearly five years ago you told me that you were going bush and taking up mining. Then it happened and now I get to see it from the comfort of my bed 😂 Legends, love you both!
Thanks Fae, it's been fun sharing a bit of what we do out here & we love you too. One day we hope you and Dylan make it here for a visit, you will really enjoy it here :)
Those galleries are massive, the pay layer must have been very rich. The over burden must be very shallow as the weight on most of those props can't be too massive otherwise the whole lot would be on the floor. I would certainly be mindful of a sudden collapse especially seeing that one area with weight deforming that group of props. If you're planning on keeping it open another dozen props is needed at that spot.
Thank you! We passed on your feedback to the owner and he says, "That's very true" about everything you said 👍- and we will do that - Cheers for commenting and thanks for watching!
OUTSTANDING
I love your comment especially the capitilization
Them props aren’t leaning posts , great videos, stay safe , keep these videos coming
Haha yea no time time for leaning, more digging! 😂 Cheers will do!
There props not pillars, two different things
Yeah, I realised when watching it back I kept saying the wrong word - shows my inexperience too.
Good on ya guys, keep it up, Broken Hill NSW
Thanks! Visited BH a couple months ago, beautiful heritage city and wonderful people. I was lucky to have stumbled on a small chunk of silver ore near Silverton...no opals though 😂
@@opalAdventures Yes sadly no Opals here, but plenty of lead & zinc, Cheers again, I have enjoyed your videos, take care , keep living the dream.
WOW 😮... She was speechless ..I don't think it's funny that she kept touching the pillars. I don't believe she completely understood how dangerous bad habits can get everyone in trouble... Hopefully everything will be better with practice. It's unbelievable how much has been taken out of the mine... Noticed her knee under where she was drilling 🤞 She's better than me though, I don't believe I'd be able to get down there, or maybe she really doesn't realize how dangerous it is?
I was speechless alright! Dont know why I kept touching the props, bit of nerves and excitement being a rookie I suppose. They did tell us about this in the Mines Safety Course. Gotta always make sure to be vigilant under ground. It is easy to get complacent though. Cheers heaps for the tips on using the Jack hammer! I've got a long way to go on that drive. Will need all the tips I can get.
@@XinnyOpalAdventures like I said... I believe you did better than me, just going in... it's always easy watching someone else do it and commenting on this and that... I believe you'll be fine. I was worried, like it was live 😂 You've got people training you and I believe with the way you responded you'll learn without prejudice... Be safe... Find those HUGE Opals for us... It's going to be an exciting adventure. I'm 6ft 220... Couldn't imagine walking around down there... You're a brave person... Good luck and best wishes to you and yours 🤞
Thanks for your kind words of encouragement! Stay tuned... 😉
Greatings from Michigan I've been away for a week or so! Just catching up! Keep your eyes on the mail!!
Righto mate, haven't checked the mail in a couple of weeks (and haven't been mining much due to rain and life) but will do!!
@@opalAdventures no hurry! We're all in it together! Your doing great!
Thanks to all the new subscribers and to encourage us to post more videos and follow us on our opal hunting adventures please like and subscribe if you haven't. Hope you enjoy!!
It's great hearing him talking about it, nothing like experience... You're a lucky man to have his knowledge and time. Priceless
It's so true!
It's amazing you're underground drilling the ceiling of your cave... I hope you are blessed with the biggest Opal's and well being, you truly deserve it. I really enjoy your channel. I hope you don't get hurt down there
It is amazing isn't it. I'm glad you enjoy the channel, I hope to be able to post some more soon. Thanks for hoping with us that we find the biggest opal :)
im enjoying an ice cold bundy rum for ya guys keep up the good work it will come cheers from Q.L.D
Awesome & Thanks 👍
Do you see many brown snakes or have to worry about them much?
You got to keep an out for them - i've seen two snakes in my time - go back to mine tour exploration video to hear the story :)
Good job
You guys work so hard I just know God's going to give you a big black opal.
God loves a working man
I read this comment to the owner of the mine who is a lay preacher and said how do you want to respond he said "He's already given us better than that in Jesus" - and I hope so :)
Amen, brother (mate), friend
If you enjoy what you are doing it's not work. Best of luck with your opal digging.
Exactly, even when we find nothing the experience is still enjoyable. Thankyou
Coober pedi reident here. Love seeing the Lightning Ridge stuff.
I haven't been there yet - but I will make it there soon. Glad your enjoying watching :)
Keep it up fellas, live free!
Will do!
😢 didn't find any keep trying
Very interesting
Very cool
I have 2 very small white crystal opals I found in a box of junk jewelry. I just love opal..I feel like it is a gift from almighty God..and that is why its so hard a job to find good stones. I really enjoyed watching You work and the fact that You are hopeful..I am certain You will find gem quality soon!
Your right I sometimes call opal 'tears of god' because they are that awesome, and indeed they are hard to find! Thank you so much, we're loving sharing a bit of what we enjoy and that others are loving it too!
Michigander here!! Thank you for the mention! I totally agree with UNC! Life goes fast, do something you enjoy! remember no matter the job or what the pay is!! Do your very best! For the pride of it!!
Thanks so much to everyone who subscribes! ❤
Thanks for the mention!! Michigan has the most fresh water in America! 5 great lakes! I've heard of lightning ridge! But only in the movies
That was lovely to have that musical expression in you video too Lovely , educational and inspiring video people 😊 Thankyou
We're really glad you enjoyed it & thankyou for the kind words!
Nice, keep trying
Thanks, subscribed to your beautiful channel and looking forward to watching, we'd be looking for gold if we were not looking for opal :D
No black light
No I don't think they are as useful in Lightning Ridge as opposed to other places opal in mined.
Michigan checking in! Thanks for the look around!! Otto im probably going to call him UNC (uncle)when im washing sand! Sometimes i forget and when i find gold its like oooo yea that what im doing!! Does your heart go faster when you find an opal?? If your on a long ladder!! Ti a rope around your belt! If you get tired! Stick a leg threw and tie off! I climb 200 foot ladders (I hate them)
Hi Michigan! UNC Otto - I'll let him know that, he will like it (i don't think he's gotten around to reading the comments yet, he's newish to CZcams) The heart does go a little but faster - especially when you hit it and some color exposes! and you hope it could be an extravagant stone, and I'm yelling something like "Otto, Otto, I've got color", and he will rush over and we will dig it out together and often still not know how good it is or isn't till it goes through a wash. Tying off with a belt makes me laugh (it's sounds like something Lightning Ridge people would do) - I'm not sure if I want to rely on my belt? and using ropes would probably complicate things for me, so luckily the ladders I climb are never 200ft! That would certainly require rests. Where are you climbing to? (a gold mine?) The biggest I go down are 65ft so a small standing rest is enough for that distance if and as needed and I get up and down pretty comfortably, I have also used one foot against the back of the shaft wall in the past (but that's probably not ideal)
@@opalAdventures I'm a boilermaker here in Michigan! The smoke stacks are 250 feet! The emergency exits to the iron Orr mines are ladders! Guess who inspects and repairs them!! ( Boilermakers) I wash beach sand from lake Michigan for fun! I've found a few arrows head's! you just need 3 feet sorry 1 meter! LoL of rope! It's for just in case! Tie one end to your belt the other one to the ladder! Only if you need a break!! My last name is Foster ask Otto if he knows any fosters! Might be my dad!! That's a joke!! Everybody always asks me if I'm a Aussie( last name) till we talk again!! Stay safe down there!!
Wow about your job - Americans all think we drink fosters, no Aussie I have ever met drinks Fosters (it's not a good beer), I have no idea why people think that lol. We will do our best to stay safe. Thanks! oh your mentioned in the next video too :)
@@opalAdventures LMAO oooo I know about nobody drinking that beer!! I've heard it my hole life!! That's my last name!! Thanks for mentioning me!!! I'll be watching for sure!! I Found some pudding stone while washing beach sand!! Very rare!!
@@jrfmichigian Cool, maybe you could send us some and we will show it properly in a video (as a gift from a subscriber, if it's not too precious)? - and if you include a return address, we will send some equivalent value opal back in return :D. Someone else asked if they could send us something so we decided we will be putting our PO BOX mailing address in from next video and opening all mail on camera if anyone does send us anything.
I like the chest harnesses better
I'll give that a go soon too.
You keep up the hard work and I'll keep watching someday we'll both get to see some opal.
Please help us by subscribing - we're brand new to this. All support is greatly appreciated.
Just subbed
Thanks & Welcome!!
Good luck hope you strike a fat seam ❤
Thanks!!
Your mate is very knowledgeable, but if he talks too much it will use up all your air.
haha, yeah i had to stop recording this day because we had work to get done :D
A taste of history....
Do you use a black light now and again to see any material ?
Yep, I've tried, but it's seemingly not that effective in Nobby turf for me, some miners have told me the black lights don't work well in Lightning Ridge as opposed to places like Cooper Peedy. In places where there is seam opal i think it's more usefull?
Put plenty of pick marks in the roof myself,thats a lot of widow makers around,lucky you didnt wear one,you surely dont have your miners ticket,lol
yeah i do have my ticket, but very inexperienced, but i know what i was doing was a bit dangerous, owner of the mine told me not to go back there after seeing footage, curiosity gets the better of me sometimes
@@opalAdventures Yeah I reckon your mine would be pretty safe from the ratters after watching that,curiosity killed the cat.The first thing the mine owner should show you are the no go zones,honestly couldn't believe what I was watching.Did you learn anything doing the course.
Yeah I did learn a lot from the course (although they didn't talk about where you shouldn't crawl, but I guess it's obvious) - I also probably stupidly justify it by saying well cave explorers do dangerous stuff like this too and I'm only going here once and of it hasn't fallen after all this time i don't think it's going to fall this second while I'm here. I believe most falls would happen at night when the lower temperatures cause everything to contract and make gaps between rocks bigger. Or if you dig someone stupid no just crawling around if I'm careful not to bump things? Tell me I'm wrong and stupid cause I appreciate it
@@opalAdventures Great to see new opal mining channels mate! Ive spent years crawling around in dangerous areas, not many this bad but as long as you sneak around like a mouse and don't touch anything not much chance it will move, still puckery AF though!
@@Opaldigger Yeah i had a camera and took it down with me one day because some relatives from far away wanted to see what it's like down there so I thought why not post it on CZcams and now we got a bunch of views so it's encouraged me to post some more. And WOW about your channel - I'm so excited you came and commented here so I got to find your channel! - I'm looking forward to getting some time to watch your videos! Yep it's hard to believe it will come down suddenly when it's been like how it is for so long if you don't knock anything and that's what we try to do be like a mouse.
Michigan USA! Was hoping you'd Post some more!! Good to have the old timer showing you a thing or two!! Di you pay him for his help!
We love that Michigan USA is watching us in remote outback underground Australia, don't worry we will be posting more. I don't pay him for his help, we split what we find, but I do appreciate him teaching me!
@@opalAdventures he reminds me of one of my uncles!! Always telling me about the old day's!!! We wash beach sand off lake Michigan for gold! Just for fun! Not getting rich!!
It's funny you say that, because I've never told him, but he reminds me of my favorite uncle - he looks and sounds just like him. Otto has a lot of gold prospecting experience also in WA, Australia he might share stories about one day. I don't need to get rich from opal mining but indeed it's all about the fun doing it and you never know you could hit the big one.
@@opalAdventures lmao! I didn't want to sound cheaky and say he looks like my uncle!! It's dark in there! My uncle is 5'5" not tall! Looks. Like he has not eating anything his hole life (skinny) the way he will stop you if he thinks your saying something about him!! Then you got to explain! (Quickly) LMAO! Good on yea!!! Me and my boy!! (He's 20 know) Been sifting sand on the beach for gold! Never found a bunch! Just enough to keep us going!! My last name is foster! Everybody always asks if I'm from Australia! Lol! Id imagine there's a few Foster's over there! Ask around A? See if my dad's over there! I haven't found him over here!!! LMFAO!!! Little joke there!