In the latest episode of Gold Rush, Season 15, Episode 15, titled Vegas, Baby!, the mining crews face significant challenges as they strive to meet their ambitious gold targets.
After a prosperous run at Rally Valley, miner Rick Ness confronts dwindling returns at Duncan Creek.
Midway through the season, three consecutive cuts have failed to yield substantial gold, depleting his profits and jeopardizing his operation.
Desperate for a breakthrough, Ness considers mining an extension of Rally Valley, a channel located half a mile away.
Initial assessments deemed this ground too risky due to its depth, requiring an estimated 7-8 weeks of overburden removal before reaching pay dirt.
This timeline would leave only a brief window for sluicing before winter conditions halt operations.
Rick Ness makes a bet on the Vegas Valley
The financial stakes are high; investing approximately a million dollars in stripping costs without a guaranteed return could be catastrophic.
Despite the risks, Ness and his crew, motivated by potential gold bonuses and the need to secure their financial future, embark on this venture, dubbing the new site Vegas Valley.
Early efforts involve deploying the 750 excavator to remove overburden, but mechanical issues, such as a truck losing its hinge pin, pose immediate challenges.
Fortunately, the issue was caught and resolved before causing serious delays. With one week of work completed and much more ahead, Ness remains cautiously optimistic.
Parker Schnabel’s strategic acquisition
Meanwhile, Parker Schnabel has accumulated less than 3,000 ounces toward his ambitious 10,000-ounce season goal.
To accelerate progress, Schnabel invests $2.5 million to acquire a neighboring mining company, including the Sulphur Creek claim, which boasts ground ready for immediate sluicing.
This strategic move aims to bolster his gold production in the face of mounting pressure. However, the new site presents its own set of challenges.
Damien Browne and a reduced crew operate the wash plant Bob at Sulphur Creek, encountering mechanical failures such as a jammed pre-wash conveyor and a misaligned shaft, leading to operational delays.
The considerable distance between sites further complicates logistics, as transporting replacement parts becomes time-consuming. Despite these setbacks, the team’s resilience leads to promising results.
Big Red, running top gravel at the Bridge Cut, produced 98.50 ounces, valued at approximately $250,000. Roxanne at the Long Cut yielded 168.20 ounces, worth over $420,000. Lastly, Bob, running at Sulphur Creek, brought in an impressive 299.00 ounces, nearly $750,000 in value.
These gains bring Schnabel’s season total to 3,446.20 ounces, marking progress but still leaving a long way to go to reach his ultimate goal.
Gold Rush Season 15 airs Fridays at 8/7c on Discovery.