Maverkade Mining in the Media

Gold digging isn’t for everyone, but this Australian model is proud of what she does to earn a buck.

You don’t need to call Kimberley White a gold digger. She will proudly tell you herself.

The former model and Gold Coast socialite alongside husband Richard White are the state’s newest miners and their latest adventure to hopefully strike it rich has caught the attention of Central Queensland locals and reality TV producers.

The couple have recently started Maverkade Mining – named after their twins Maverick and Kayden – and have purchased four gold mining leases with plans to keep expanding.

The investor couple have partnered with the more seasoned mining pair Dan and Kira Herlaar at Cockatoo Mine in Clermont, also known as 1870, where they have begun digging while bringing a bit of Gucci to upcoming new series Gold Wars Downunder.

“I definitely didn’t think I would go from living the Gold Coast lifestyle to becoming a gold miner,” Mrs White said.“ It’s like a Real Housewife mixing it with Gold Rush. “Everyone’s very serious in gold mining and Richard and I are just coming along, having no idea what we are doing and just giving it a go for a bit of fun. “I’m trying to keep myself from getting dirty.”

The couples are still building on the site while living in a caravan but one very important thing that has already been set up. “I’ve got a 40 foot container for my wardrobe so at least I can see everything and organise my outfits, and I’ve gone from wearing high heels to living in cowboy and mining boots lately,” Mrs White said. “I need to invest in a big full length mirror next.”

Mr and Mrs White have not been shy of the spotlight, appearing on reality TV back in the late 2000s and making headlines again in 2016 when heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson helped reveal there were expecting the twins during a trip to Las Vegas.

It’s their boys, who they have to spend time apart from on their days-long trips to the mine, that they are doing this unique venture for. “We’re doing this to build up something for them one day, to leave them a legacy, and hopefully they appreciate it,” she said.

Mrs White has had to remain coy on whether the couple had already struck gold — a commodity that has soared in price over the past five years. “Maybe, I can’t say too much yet,” she said.

Sydney-based Fredbird Entertainment is producing Gold Wars Downunder, which is a spin off of the 2023 Adventure Gold Diggers that filmed with the previous 1870 leaseholders.

Filming at the White’s stunning home on the Gold Coast and at the mine began three weeks ago and will continue over the coming months. “As soon as we met Richard and Kimberley, we knew they’d make a brilliant fish out of water addition to the show,” Fredbird creative director Craig Graham said. “Viewers will relate to their big dreams of rolling the dice and striking it rich. “We think Kimberley will be a huge hit with viewers.” The series is slated for a 10 episode run in Australia in the first half of 2026 with the show to also be aired in New Zealand, the UK and Northern Europe and other locations.