. >> reporter: tim hunter is one of the miners.it was reopened by this man. >> we are very strictly convinced this place was totally underexplored and underdeveloped and that this was a great opportunity for us. of course the gold price plays a big role. >> reporter: coon says he and his investors spent the last years and $17 million bringing back the pulse this mine had. last month it became operational. a week and a half after that, these miners struck gold. >> it was one of the most gratifying moments in my career. >> reporter: the dig for gold on this day begins 1,800 feet deep down into the mine where 500 pounds of explosives are set for detonation. once the dynamite is loaded, a fuse is lit, minor surface and the explosion. and when the dusts settles. the rocks are scooped up, driven out and dumped at this mill where they are crushed. crushed again and again until the rocks turn into sand that is mixed into a solution which is then spun and eventually filtered on to the shaker table which separates the gold from the sand. >>

tim vargas talked today with hunters for bargains who have ditched their cars altogether. jim? >> reporter: the evening grind has started here on the east shore freeway. we have been talking to people in two counties. all are unhappy about the higher gas prices but few things they can do much in the area of saving money. nationally as the price of gasoline has risen demand has taken a fall by about 3% according to 1 survey. some people are thinking of ways to save money by not driving. >> trying to drive only during the week, not drive during the weekend or something like that. >> but most say they can't do much about driving for their needs. >> i have a husband who drives to work and it is making a huge impact. >> reporter: traffic has fallen by 1% on the bay bring but they don't know if gas prices are contributing. b.a.r.t. says ridership is creeping up. >> gas prices are a factor but the biggest thing is do you have a job to get to, do i need to take b.a.r.t. to get there. >> reporter: aaa has many people have psychological tipping points to get them out of their cars. >> so