Treasure Down Under

In the Exchange Hotel's pub in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, Kasey Wallace, still in his dusty, bright orange mine uniform, is celebrating with his half brother Blake Morgan with a beer — or six. Wallace, 18, just drove home from work. A drive home might seem like a flimsy excuse for a drink, but Wallace has a daunting commute: a 730-km journey north to an iron mine on mostly dirt roads. "You did it, mate," says Morgan, clinking beers with Wallace. "Though, next time you might want to consider flying."

The two order...

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