Legend of Croc Gold is a new series plotting the escapades of an Alaskan miner who heads to the warmer climes of Papua New Guinea in search of gold.
Farley Dean, facing financial ruin at home in Alaksa as the mining business there takes a downturn, has bet his family’s fuure on this mining adventure on the other side of the world.
Bougainville is a small island off the coast of Papua New Guinea and it is said to be rich in gold reserves.
The island is part of a volcanic chain, pushed up where three plates collide. This activity has meant minerals like gold have been forced to the surface and over time have been washed down into the rivers, where the heavy nature of gold means it settles on the bottom.
It might sound like something from Indiana Jones, but these rivers are said to be full of gold and they really are guarded by large crocodiles.
Every year people in the area are killed by these huge reptiles, so the danger is very real indeed.
The remote island has been tempting miners for a long time, but it is tricky to get to the gold and it requires some inventive mining techniques.
Who are the Legend of Croc Gold Team?
Farley Dean has run various businesses out of Alaska for over 30 years and this entrepreneur is always on the look out for new opportunities.
As his mining operation in Alaska ran into some problems he decided to risk it all and head to the other side of the Pacific in search of more gold.
He’s been joined by his daughter Maehan and son Bryce, both seasoned miners.
Also on the expedition is James “Croc Jim” Greene, hailing from the swamps of Florida he’s an expert in handling crocodiles and alligators – he’s keen to see the giant salt water crocs up close.
Captain Todd Beach is the expert in diving and navigating waterways. He’s never minded for gold but he has a lot of experience with boats and he will need it as the Queens River can be tricky.
Ian Rose is also on the team and he’ll fix just about anything, plus he’s been searching for gold since he was a boy.
Sekeli Smith rounds out the diving skills on the boat with over 1200 dives to his name, he could be undertaking some of the most dangerous work.
Finally Ben Daniels is seasoned mechanic and is keen to bring modern mining techniques to the locals, as well as helping the expedition be a success.
It’s the American Dream, but it’s haunted by killer crocs and financial ruin.
Watch Legend of Croc Gold – Rivers of Gold at 10 PM on Discovery.