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Sibling Rivalry: Beets Family Dynamics in Gold Rush
Season 15 • Episode 7
[Warning: The following article contains spoilers for Gold Rush Season 15, Episode 7.]
In the latest episode of Gold Rush, Tony Beets continues to enjoy a successful season, having amassed an impressive $3 million in gold within the first six weeks. In stark contrast, his counterpart Parker Schnabel has faced multiple setbacks, reflecting the unpredictable nature of mining. Beets, looking to take a breather, planned a trip to Sweden with his wife Minnie, but left the operational reins to his children, Monica and Mike, along with his nephew Mike. This shift in responsibility raised questions about how well the team could manage in his absence.
Tony Beets had outlined ambitious plans for his crew, aiming to have three wash plants operational upon his return. Nephew Mike headed to Paradise Hill to assist Tony’s son Mike with the Trommel setup. However, a disagreement emerged between the two Mikes regarding the maintenance-related reinstallation of the distribution box, leading to a tense situation. Monica attempted to mediate, sensing that involvement might not help ease the growing strain. Perfection in setup was crucial to avoid losing any valuable gold during the process. Ultimately, the frustrations led son Mike to abandon the effort and return to his own operation at Indian River.
As son Mike tackled challenges with the Trommel, including a problematic water pump, it became evident that the work was far from complete. Meanwhile, cousin Mike was busy at his own site, running two wash plants. The Beets family gathered for a crucial gold weigh-in, and son Mike had to confront the consequences of his unfinished projects. The goal for Tony was substantial—230 ounces weekly to reach a seasonal target of 5,000 ounces. The results came in: the Shaker Deck, after two days of operation, yielded nearly 80 ounces, while the Sluice-A-Lot generated over 276 ounces throughout the week. Together, this raised the total output to 1,607 ounces, encouraging a cautious optimism from Tony as the season progressed.
Parker Schnabel’s Struggles
Over at Dominion Creek, Parker Schnabel’s operations have not been as fruitful. After six weeks of mining, he had secured only 290 ounces, with his team unable to run any wash plants. Concerns mounted when he decided to shut down his only operating plant, Roxanne, due to challenging permafrost conditions. However, with a recent warm spell, the team was eager to resume work. Schnabel’s strategy involved excavating deeper ditches in both the Bridge Cut and Long Cut areas to revitalize Roxanne’s efficiency. Yet, equipment failures persisted, costing the crew an additional $12,000 for repairs on the excavator.
Veteran crew member Damien Browne undertook a daunting task on his own, aiming to clear a significant area at the Ken Tatlow and Stuart Schmidt grounds. Browne encountered his share of obstacles, dealing with equipment malfunctions, including a downed converter and a flat tire, shortly after starting. Fortunately, timely mechanic intervention helped him expedite repairs, allowing him to progress with the sluicing tasks and generate revenue. His perseverance earned him praise from Schnabel, who admired his efforts.
On the home front, the team made headway in digging their mega ditch, leading to the long-awaited firing up of Roxanne. After two days of operation in the Long Cut, the results were still underwhelming, yielding just over 76 ounces. This brought Schnabel’s seasonal total to 364.50 ounces, leaving him in a precarious position as he pondered his next moves.
As the season unfolds, both mining bosses face unique challenges that test their leadership and resilience. Gold Rush airs Fridays at 8/7c on Discovery Channel.
Source
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