Cut and Dried

The pressure is on to find the big diamond before the winter snow drives the team from the valley. But labour disputes have brought the operation to a halt. A community meeting is called and compromise is reached. The miners agree to pay the labourers directly and employ more people from the local villages. Work resumes at the mine, but overnight 2 accidents occur. The Rhino, their go anywhere off road vehicle has had a spectacular hand brake failure and ramped off a 20 ft cliff. It is a complete write off and will affect the mobility of the team. Warren has also collapsed and fainted, knocking himself unconscious and seriously grazing his face. The altitude and fatigue are wearing him down. Alan is now working the top site, but he has also been gripped by big stone fever and is determined not to leave without finding a large diamond. Kim finds a few small carat stones on the sorting table. Over night the first snow falls and Alan has to rescue his team and equipment from the top site. They get everyone out, but without road access or pumps they cannot continue to mine there. Down in the valley the river freezes over and they are unable to dive or pump. Mining cannot continue and t