Digging Up The Secrets Of Discovery Channel’s Gold Rush

Gold mining is a big business. Take for example Barrick Gold Corp which mined $8.77 billion in 2016 or Newmont Mining Corp which collected $7.11 billion that same year. Despite the possibility of riches most miners will fail or see a minuscule return on investment. It’s those struggling miners that interested executives at Discovery Channel when they greenlit Gold Rush and then started airing the reality TV show starting in December 2010. The show focuses on greenhorn miners and their team of often inexperienced bosses who are hoping to strike it rich.

Since 2010 we’ve watched as James Harness, Parker Schnabel, and the rest of the cast of Gold Rush have searched for untold fortunes. Along the way, there have been plenty of questionable practices from the TV network, the show’s producers, and the gold miners they are filming.

Parts Of The Show Are 100% Scripted

Discovery Channel

Former Gold Rush miner Jimmy Dorsey spoke with Oregon Gold and revealed that producers script parts of the show to make it as interesting as possible. Creating conflict and driving the story are the main reasons for this decision.

Dorsey says the scripted segments are planned out well in advance of filming, allowing miners to prepare for fake conflicts and sudden plot changes. Dorsey says he knew well ahead of time that he would be removed from the show.

Wait until you hear about the show’s re-enacted scenes, that’s up next.