i recall a similar story about someone flying out of lightning ridge with a similar operation, though he wasnt mining and shipping opal. using Mooneys and Bos to move his product, apparently he was doing it for decades before an engine failure became his undoing. quite genius when you think about it, nothing unusual about high energy use in a mining operation, nothing strange about locals having quite a bit of free cash and nice aircraft in mining towns. nothing above ground..
so, i take it a ute muster will be short of supplies this year..