Plot Synopsis

PROSPECTORS is a reality show that follows a group of miners searching for the rarest gems on Mt. Antero, Colorado's 10th highest peak, as they face extreme climates, weather and other perilous conditions in their pursuit of topaz, aquamarine and rhodochrosite. The prospectors use picks, sledgehammers and dynamite to send Volkswagen-sized boulders spinning out of control down the 60% grade mountainside. They open holes, looking for veins of brilliant red, blue and green crystals. And the right pocket, extracted correctly, can bring a million dollar payday or more, because these precious gems are rarer than diamonds, more valuable than gold and far more difficult to mine. Plus, at 14,000 feet above sea level, there's 50% less oxygen, and weather is always more extreme, with twice as many lightning strikes, hurricane force winds, and vicious storms that move in without warning. The miners are: Amanda Adkins, a former model and full-time miner with more than 20 years experience, whose latest claim sits atop a 60% grade talus slope, one of the most dangerous mining claims on Mount Antero; Steve Brancato, first introduced to prospecting at the age of five, who uncovered a gem deposit on the mountain in 2004 -- the best aquamarine pocket ever found in North America, worth more than an estimated $2 million; the Busse family, with parents Brian and Yolanda and five of their six sons -- Brian Jr., Chris, David, Elijah and Nathan -- who spend their summers camped on Mt. Antero, living and working off the land; and the Dorris family, who own and operate Glacier Peak Mining, with Joe in charge, son Tim as the expert heavy equipment operator, eldest son Scott helping when he's home, and little sister Krystle doing PR. PROSPECTORS returned for its second season on Sunday, October 27, 2013 at 9pm ET/PT, immediately following a new behind-the-scenes special at 8:30pm. Plus, on the day of the Season 2 premiere, Weather Channel aired repeats of the previous season from 2-4pm, 5-7pm, and 8-8:30pm ET/PT. On Sunday, December 7, 2014 at 9pm ET/6pm PT, Weather Channel premiered the third season of PROSPECTORS, immediately following a 1-9pm marathon of encore episodes from Season 2. In the new season, these gem hounds face tornadoes, claim jumpers and more in the new season.
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Season 4 of PROSPECTORS premiered on Sunday, December 6, 2015 at 9pm ET/6pm PT on the Weather Channel, immediately following an eight-hour marathon (1-9pm ET/10am-6pm PT) of encore episodes, which the cable channel broadcast as part of an every-episode-ever marathon that started on Saturday, December 5 at Noon ET. In the season opener, "Rock Beats Blizzard," Amanda and Jessica get a scare on the mountain.