Returning: Gold Rush

Season 9 of Gold Rush begins in October on Discovery with new miners who will stop at nothing as they risk it all in pursuit of the American Dream.

In the wake of Todd Hoffman’s shock departure last season, there are some major shake ups to the crews with a new boss and team. This year, Rick Ness has decided to step it up and become a mine boss with a claim of his own. He’s seen it all, and put in the grunt work, after working six years as a foreman for fellow miner Parker Schnabel. Rick cashes in his life savings and literally puts everything on the line. But is this underdog ready to go head-to-head with Parker and Tony Beets?

In the off-season, Rick spent most of his time nursing his mother before she sadly passed away. As a result, he’s way behind the others as they race into the mining season. However that isn’t his only uphill battle. Rick has recruited a crew of his Wisconsin buddies – but they’re all mining rookies – plus he’s setting himself a challenge to deliver more gold than Parker and Todd did in their first season in the Yukon. Only time will tell if his dad’s prediction will come true that “he’ll come home broke with no friends.” The stakes don’t come much higher this year than for Rick.

While gold miner and rival Todd Hoffman is out, things aren’t any easier for 23-year-old Parker Schnabel. As the new season kicks off, Parker finds himself in a land war with legendary Klondike miner Tony Beets. Parker’s initial plan was to return to Tony’s ground – the richest he’s ever mined – and deliver more than 6,000 ounces of gold worth USD$7.2 million dollars. But things go south when he tries to negotiate a royalty rate and must move to another claim. The plan doesn’t sit well for Tony, who could lose millions, and he’s determined to teach young Parker a lesson. It’s a tough start for Parker – especially without having Rick or his long-term girlfriend Ashley by his side. Plus having invested in two USD$1 million dozers and a fleet of trucks, the pressure is really on for him to find a motherlode of gold.

Meanwhile, maverick miner Tony Beets has a masterplan this year: to get his two ancient dredges mining and turning around some major profit. And he’s determined that nobody, especially Parker, will get in his way. Tony’s also looking ahead at his kids’ futures and is doubling down on everything this season including dredges, barges and gold. He’s also not afraid of a good challenge – and has vowed to match Parker’s lofty USD$7.2 million season goal. And if one thing is certain, he’ll run as many wash plants as it takes to ensure he beats his young rival.

As gold fever sets in, will the crews’ big risks lead to an even bigger payout? This season of Gold Rush will be unlike anything seen before. Each week, the gold total will be tallied, pushing the miners to their limits to prove who is ultimately on top.

Thursdays from 18 October at 7:30pm on Discovery.