The Hoffman crew's attempt to keep the mine running is disrupted when key equipment malfunctions and brings the operation to a halt. As the setback threatens their already fragile progress, James Harness suffers a serious health scare and Jimmy Dorsey's decisions create more division within the crew.

With winter closing in and the mining season nearly over, the Hoffman crew is running out of money and options. Todd brings in a gold recovery expert to help the inexperienced miners improve their operation, but new problems are uncovered in the team's equipment setup. Forced to make major modifications with limited resources, Todd takes increasingly desperate measures to keep the season alive.