Gold Rush fame Parker Schnabel talks season 16 mindset, challenges, interpersonal dynamics, and more

Parker Schnabel is entering Gold Rush Season 16 with a blend of pressure, hope, and concern. 

The miner, who is 31 years old, claims that nothing has ever pushed him as hard as this season has. 

He is determined to recover from last year’s troubles and is working to change things at the Dominion Creek, the location his crew has been preparing for years. 

Parker is operating over 60 machines plus four wash plants this year, pushing his daily expenses to nearly $100,000. 

Thus, he states that failure is not an option at all. 

He aims to extract 10,000 ounces of gold, and he relies on his team, which includes Mitch Blaschke and Tyson Lee, to remain alert and ensure that the production is consistent. 

The new season also marks the comeback of Tony Beets and Rick Ness.

Tony, known as the “King of the Klondike,” continues to work strongly at Indian River with the help of his family. 

Rick’s future is less certain since he still does not have a water license for Duncan Creek, which puts his season in doubt. 

Fans will see how all three miners deal with their own problems while trying to hit big numbers.

Ahead of the November 7 premiere, Parker spoke about his mindset going into Season 16. 

He said the biggest challenge was getting Dominion Creek fully ready after years of prep work and stripping. 

He admitted they were not sure if they could reach the production level needed for 10,000 ounces, which added a lot of pressure. 

Parker also spoke about his growing fear for the mining industry, saying there are “unclear mining regulations”, making it tough for miners to plan. 

According to Parker, mining needs stable rules, and when the rules keep changing, it becomes risky to invest money into new ground.

Parker Schnabel opens up about crew, expansion, and growing problems in mining

Parker mentions that the only reason he felt it was natural to expand his mining business was the presence of strong managers capable of leading teams as the operation grew. 

The high price of gold increased the cost of purchasing machines, helping him acquire a larger fleet with less difficulty.

He said Mitch and Tyson play a huge role, but there are many others managing smaller teams across the site. 

For Parker, the real key to growth is having the right people in charge and trusting them to handle the work.

Fans will also see Parker, Rick, and Tony share a few moments this season. 

Parker said they grabbed beers a couple of times, but he does not get involved in what they are dealing with. 

Even so, people love watching the three of them interact. 

Parker added that now that he and Tony do not work together closely, they actually get along better and are “somewhat decent friends.”

A major issue this season is the pressure miners face from decisions about permits, water licenses, and rules that affect their work. 

Parker said the process is hard because it feels random, and even responsible miners who follow guidelines are treated the same as those who do not. 

When miners do not know the future, it becomes risky to invest in new ground.

Parker fears that if this continues, many mining businesses could shut down.

Looking back, Parker said he feels grateful for his journey from age 16 to now. 

He admits the job is tough, but he has always had good people on his side. 

He also said filming the show is just part of the job, and he rarely watches it. 

Stay tuned for more updates.