“I Need My Money” – Troy Taylor Corners Rick Ness Over $350,000 Debt | GOLD RUSH SEASON 16

Rick Ness’s season has been full of obstacles, but nothing has tested him more than the looming deadline from Troy Taylor. With an outstanding debt of 100 ounces of gold, worth roughly $350,000, and Rick two weeks behind schedule, things are looking dire. Troy, Rick’s landlord and business partner on Lightning Creek, came to collect the debt, making it clear that he’s not a bank and needs his money.

The outstanding payment was the last hurdle in Rick’s plan to buy out the Lightning Creek ground, but it hasn’t been a smooth path. Mining there got off to a slow start, and despite investing time, fuel, and manpower, the gold just wasn’t coming through as expected. With mounting expenses and not enough returns, Rick made the tough decision to pull out of Lightning Creek and shift all resources to Vegas Valley—a known gold-bearing ground that could potentially turn his season around.

This decision wasn’t easy, especially after the challenging start to the year. Rick entered the season without a water license, without any active ground, and with a substantial debt hanging over him. The gamble on Lightning Creek was supposed to stabilize things, but it only made things worse. However, the news of a water permit for Vegas Valley reignited hope.

Rick assured Troy that the gold would come from Vegas Valley and promised to pay the full 100 ounces by the end of the week. The key to meeting this goal was a stockpile of pay dirt from last season at Vegas Valley, which was already mined and ready to process. However, there was a significant obstacle: Monster Red, the wash plant, needed repairs. The crew hadn’t been able to fix the machine earlier in the season due to uncertainty about whether mining would even be possible.

But with Troy’s deadline looming, Rick couldn’t afford any more delays. The pressure mounted, and the crew worked quickly to get Monster Red up and running. Unfortunately, disaster struck immediately. When they began preparing the wash plant, water started pouring out from behind the feeder. Upon inspection, they discovered a catastrophic rupture in the main water line, which had likely been caused by a bucket strike during excavation. This was a major problem as the line had been poorly routed behind the feeder, vulnerable to damage from falling boulders.

With no time for a full replacement, Rick’s team had to make an emergency repair. The only solution was to cut out the damaged section, pull the pipe together, and clamp it back in place. This quick fix was risky, but without it, Rick’s season would come to an abrupt halt. The crew worked under pressure, inching their way through the repair with no margin for error. After hours of work, they finally managed to restore the water line, and when they tested it, the repair held.

But the challenge wasn’t over. The pump needed to be moved from Lightning Creek to Vegas Valley, and it had to be hauled eight miles over muddy, rain-soaked roads. As if things couldn’t get worse, a tire blew out just five miles from the destination, further delaying their progress. But the crew stayed focused, quickly changing the tire and pushing forward.

Finally, after all the setbacks, they arrived at Vegas Valley with the pump ready to be installed. The stockpile of pay dirt was waiting, and Rick had hopes of recovering 300 to 400 ounces of gold. If everything went as planned, the gold would cover the 100 ounces owed to Troy and provide a lifeline for the operation. After months of delays, setbacks, and pressure, Rick Ness was finally back in the game, and Monster Red was roaring to life, processing some of the best material Rick has mined.

The road ahead may still be tough, but with the water line fixed and the wash plant working again, Rick’s path to recovery is now clear. If Vegas Valley delivers as expected, this season could still end on a high note, and Rick’s gamble on Vegas Valley may prove to be the turning point that saves his operation.