The miners of Gold Rush are really starting to feel the pressure as they inch closer to the end of the season. For Rick Ness, it’s a race against the clock knowing this could be his last chance to pull anything out of his Duncan Creek claim without a potential water license. The crew has been hard at work moving overburden with hopes of sluicing as they hope to hit a potential $2 million payday. Ness spent all the profits gained on this big gamble at the aptly named Vegas Valley.
Rick Ness
Earlier this season Ness hit a 900-ounce jackpot mining out the Rally Valley pit. Three weeks ago he went on a high stakes treasure hunt chasing the same at the newly minted Vegas Valley. Good progress was made, but the crew still had 60 feet to go before hitting pay dirt. Maxed out of people and resources. Ness realized he needed another person to join the immediate efforts. He turned to foreman Buzz Legault to get in fourth truck. Legault isn’t about that life and pushed back a bit. He would end up getting in a truck before running into issues with the turbo. To get him back on the road, mechanic Ryan Kent replaced the part with a $4,500 spare after only four hours down.
With the four trucks working, the roads were rough. Legault hopped back into the excavator to run through the rocks and smooth things out. Feeling demoted, he felt less motivated to get the job done and decided to take a nap. Ness attempted to contact him and grows frustrated by his work ethic. The mine boss honked his horn to try to get him up, but to no avail. He yelled for him on the walkie and got him to come out of his sleep. Ness met Legault, who at this point was on the verge of leaving, to address his concerns. Ness was basically going to lay down the ultimatum to step and to help or leave. Though he tried to uplift Legault by expressing how much he was needed for the small team. The two found common ground for now and hugged it out.
