In the latest episode of Gold Rush, 29-year-old Parker Schnabel dives headfirst into a high-stakes venture at Dominion Creek.
He has an ambitious target of 10,000 ounces of gold worth a staggering $25 million.
However, the journey gets off to a rocky start, with only 5.6 ounces recorded so far and the team struggling to get any wash plants running.
The operation centers on a 20-acre site known as the Long Cut and is notorious for its unpredictability.
Despite initial challenges, Schnabel remains optimistic, envisioning a potentially record-breaking haul.
A glimmer of hope emerges when the wash plant, Roxanne, finally powers up, switching from a red warning light to green, signaling it’s ready for action.
Parker Schnabel’s Long Cut operation has issues
However, Roxanne’s operational debut is fraught with complications. The team notices that the tray meant to channel water isn’t functioning as expected, leading to water mismanagement and damage to the plant’s pan.
Acting quickly, the crew decides to move the 30-foot excess water tray, re-excavate the ditch it sits in, and reposition the tray to redirect water safely under the sluices. Their efforts temporarily restore Roxanne’s functionality, only for new obstacles to arise.
Sticks and debris clog the wash plant, and thick mud accumulates in the water section of the suction basket, further stalling progress.
As if that weren’t enough, a loader operator inadvertently hits the radio station feeding the plant, causing a tire to explode. These setbacks leave the crew scrambling to keep Roxanne operational, with every hour of downtime costing valuable opportunities to hit their massive gold target.
Despite the relentless challenges, mechanics Mitch Blaschke and Lee prove their worth, tackling each issue with skill and persistence. Their hard work pays off, as Roxanne finally resumes operation, albeit briefly. The day’s final gold count comes in at 30.80 ounces, valued at $77,000—a significant shortfall from Schnabel’s ambitious goals.
Parker may have made the wrong move with the Long Cut site
The disappointing yield raises questions for Schnabel about whether starting with the Long Cut site was the right move.
The site’s unpredictable nature and Roxanne’s operational struggles have added pressure to an already challenging season.
As the team looks to rebound from these early setbacks, Schnabel’s determination remains unshaken.
The episode highlights the relentless effort required in gold mining and the ever-present gamble of putting everything on the line in the hope of striking it rich.
With the stakes higher than ever, the question lingers: Can Schnabel and his team turn things around before time runs out?
Gold Rush airs Fridays at 8/7c on Discovery Channel and is available for streaming in its entirety on Max.