Down Our Opal Mine
Months of planning, a pegged claim and a dream that started long before the first bucket of dirt was ever pulled from the ground. This is Justin and Saxon's Lightning Ridge opal mining operation.
Part One: Before a single pass of the jackhammer, Justin and Saxon sit down to walk you through everything it took to get here. The honest costs of starting a mining venture, the equipment decisions, the setbacks along the way, and what the road ahead looks like as they prepare to go underground.
Part Two: Five months of preparation, paperwork, and patience, Saxon is finally underground at Lightning Ridge. But nothing about those five months could have prepared him for the reality of what mining actually feels like down there. The heat is relentless. No ventilation, no airflow, just a jackhammer and dirt that needs to go somewhere. They rigged an old fire hose down the shaft for air, set up the hoist, sorted the monkey, and got to work. Imperfect but effective. And from the very first session on the walls traces of black potch that made every brutal moment promising.
Read more
I just got back from Lightning Ridge and brought something back that had me buzzing. A parcel of fossilised opal that looks like it was once a massive piece of ancient wood, millions of years in th...
This 13.25 carat nobby came from one of the most stunning parcels of rough I've had my hands on in a long time. This video will be part of a series where I cut every nice piece of rough from that p...
18 comments
You guys are inspirational to watch. I’m in Florida and its hot but not like you are experiencing. If and when the going gets really tough remember “a little sweat today can improve all your tomorrows.” And by the looks of it you are sweating a bunch but learning lots of skills that will pay off in the long run. Anyway, this is great video to watch, and I can’t wait for more. Take care and God’s speed👍😁
———
Black Opal Direct replied:
Haha Saxon was so hot before he broke through to the other shaft
Larry Orr
Great to see father and son engaging in a business that will carry you through life. You both deserve the opportunity
of working together to achieve a successful bond and business. You both have the tools and knowledge to make it happen.
Good luck on your endeavors and keep us informed on your progress, with making Black Opal Direct the Greatest
Best Regards,
John Hubley
———
Black Opal Direct replied:
Thank you John I appreciate the kind words
John Hubley
I grew up in Australia then moved to the USA and now live in UK. I’ve never appreciated opals until I stumbled on your videos. I purchased a stone from your website and watch your upload regularly. It’s fantastic to see how these gems have taken millions of years to form and then all the hard work it took for them to come up to the surface. Finally, how you cut and polish them into what beautiful stones they can be. They truly are one of a kind and no two stones are the same. Good luck and keep them coming. Thanks for showing me how unique, precious and beautiful opals are.
———
Black Opal Direct replied:
Thank you for the nice message and yes opals are unique like you and me. Definitely one of a kind
DL
Good to see the boys having ago.Quicker and safer to put the 3 footers closer together.Get and escape route and much quicker🤔
Some thing to think about next time.
Good luck👍🤠
———
Black Opal Direct replied:
Yes next time we will do that haha
AshleyBoxsell
Congratulations Saxon on all you’ve accomplished to date. I can’t wait to see what comes from your claim. I also think the videos of your journey could be a valuable educational tool for future generations.
I look forward to your future videos .
Well done young man and a big heads up to your dad and his father before him.
Good luck
———
Black Opal Direct replied:
Thank you Gaynor I appreciate the kind words
Gaynor Wright
I love the way you take us through the whole process, from setting up the mine to sorting the “chaff from the wheat” to cutting and polishing the opal as a true team. (I am aware that you showed us how to cut opal first and that now we get to see the source of the raw material … “cart before the horse” so to speak). I wish you
well and look forward to being educated and entertained by you both into the future.
———
Black Opal Direct replied:
Thank you Conor for the kind words. We are hoping to be around for years to come
Conor
SAXON lovely to see your start up. number one advice drink plenty of water. Give you an idea i worked in 50 degrees heat for a couple of hours I drank 4.5 litres of water . Second good advice never ever ever give up no matter how bad things turn out. Your worst enemy is being negative. That kills the mind. With dad cutting you will make good money. My very best to all of you ❤️
———
Black Opal Direct replied:
Thank you Mario I appreciate the kind words
Mario Manestar
I am glad to see you are smiling while doing a hard days work and still smiling at the end of the day .You have my repect for the way you work!
———
Black Opal Direct replied:
Thanks Gavin
Gavin Hagstrom
good luck with the venrure guys hope it works out for you
———
Black Opal Direct replied:
Thank you
john crockford
well done lads
———
Black Opal Direct replied:
Thank you
Terry Granfield
Great work Saxon & Ryan! Looking forward to seeing your first season unfold and wishing you the best of luck!
PS: does my heart good to hear a young bloke still talking in feet & inches!
———
Black Opal Direct replied:
Thanks Sandra for the kind words
Sandra Clarke
Good luck, and thanks for sharing your experience.
———
Black Opal Direct replied:
You are welcome Marc. Thanks for watching on!
Marc Pruett
My 2 mates and myself went through all this 44 years ago. We mined our claims part time as we all had full time jobs. Some success, had great times.and Experiences I have been cutting opal for over 50 years and I continually watch black opal direct. My cutting style is very similar to yours except I use dob sticks. I wish Justin lots of luck most of all be safe in all your mineing. Geoff Elliott
———
Black Opal Direct replied:
Thanks Geoff it must be nice to see this again after 44 years. It’s always a memorable time out there
Geoff elliott
Saxon, you are a very lucky dude. My envy for you is immense. 1 having a world class father and family and 2 being able to spend priceless time with your dad. It is damn good to see a young man of your caliber out there getting it done instead of of lounging around and living off of mom & dad.
I wish I lived closer to you guys and were in a position to help in anyway that I could.
Now you know there is no pressure on you at all.
Other than the WORLD is watching you! Ha ha, it’s a piece of cake.
You have the world by the tail, so grab it and crack it like a bullwhip! And remember, cherish every moment with your father. Good or bad they will all be great in the long run.
Here is to you and your father the best of luck and the greatest of times shared!
Now get out there and find some world class opals!
Rick in Pantano,AZ U.S.A.
Yes the ghost town. 🇺🇸
———
Black Opal Direct replied:
Hi Rick Yes saxon grabs life by the whip and cracks it everyday. Im very proud of him and thank you for the kind words
RICK
Absolutely loving watching the journey. Wonderful insight into how it all works. So excited to see the next episode. Brilliant job Saxon. Keep going!
———
Black Opal Direct replied:
Thank you Sally Saxon is doing is best and Im very proud of him. Thanks for the support Sally
Sally Cooper
Thank you for sharing! We have enjoyed watching the journey thus far.
———
Black Opal Direct replied:
Glad you enjoyed Bryce. Thanks for watching
Bryce M
Good luck and stay safe, Jason! Your power base is not only in the jeans….more importantly, it’s in the ‘genes’….and the guy’s sitting right there beside you!
A Royal Canadian Mounted Police salute (I only wish) from Joel in Toronto, Canada.
———
Black Opal Direct replied:
Haha thank you for the kind words Joel
Joel Roher
What a hot/cool experience! Thanks for letting us be apart of it. Clay Dunn
———
Black Opal Direct replied:
Haha and a very fun not fun experience too
Clay and Carol Dunn
Leave a comment
All comments are moderated before being published.
This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.