Tonight could be the night that the Hoffmans strike it big in the Klondike, but Parker and Dakota Fred have nothing but time and training on their hands at Porcupine Creek.
Is tonight the night the Hoffman gang finally strikes real gold? Possibly, but there won’t be any golden moments coming out of tonight’s episode on Porcupine Creek.
“We’re law enforcement,” the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration inspector tells Parker.
“I have to come out and do my job. I have to find violations, and I have to cite them.
With everything I’ve seen so far, it’s like you guys haven’t been inspected before. So, there’s a little more than normal on the violations.”
Of course, according to Parker, in the 26 years the mine has been operated by his grandfather, the mine hasn’t been inspected, so the inspector was right on the money in that assessment.
He subsequently cites Parker for six safety hazards, each carrying a fine of about $300.
“Nothing serious,” Parker tells his grandfather. But, then came the paperwork inspection.
“I hope I remembered to put the right papers in here,” Parker says as he takes files to the inspector. But, it doesn’t go well.
“Parker right now is in violation of part 48 training, because he doesn’t have a certified plan in place,” the inspector says.
“So, I have to withdraw the miners from the mine site, because they are considered a hazard upon themselves and others, for not having the proper training.”
Background: ‘Gold Rush: Alaska’ mines on Porcupine Creek shut down temporarily (VIDEO)
Dakota Fred and his crew do not fare any better. They, like those at the Big Nugget mine, have not had the required 8-hour, site-specific safety training.
“Untrained miners are a hazard to themselves and others,” the inspector said. “We’re regulating it to protect the health and safety of the miners.”
“I just don’t understand a site-specific anything,” Dakota Fred complains. “Because we know this mine better than any instructor ever thought of knowing.”
Both mines were shut down until the crews could get the required training—minimum two to three days of mining for the Dakota Fred crew, possibly more for Parker’s team.
“Just tell me how anyone would feel other than angry over BS like this,” Fred says as he stomps away from the camera.
In the Klondike, however, the Hoffman crew is excited about what they are seeing in the mud and dirt.
Tiny flakes of gold, swirling around in the muck, catch the eye of the team, and get their gold-miner juices flowing at peak levels once again.
“I think it’s loaded with gold,” Greg says of the ground. “Eveything is just glistening, in the water, throughout this whole area. … oh my gosh, you can almost pick them up with your fingers.”
“Oh, that’s good stuff,” Thurber says as he pans.
“Were on the gold,” Todd says. “Now, we’ve just gotta go get it.”
Hmmmm. Where have we heard that one before?
Will this be the time, though, that they really will go get it?