What Happened to Jason Sanchez from Gold Rush: Dave Turin’s Lost Mine?

If you’ve been following Gold Rush: Dave Turin’s Lost Mine, you might be wondering—what happened to Jason Sanchez? He was one of the show’s most reliable crew members, known for his skill as an excavator operator and steady presence across all four seasons.

The show itself, Gold Rush: Dave Turin’s Lost Mine, is a spin-off of Discovery Channel’s popular Gold Rush franchise. Rather than focusing on large-scale operations in Alaska, it follows Dave Turin and his handpicked crew—Jason included—as they revisit and revive abandoned gold mines across the American West. The spin-off places greater emphasis on teamwork, small-claim challenges, and second chances in mining.

While Jason never appeared on the main Gold Rush series, he became a familiar face on Gold Rush: Dave Turin’s Lost Mine, where he served as a reliable crew member for four consecutive seasons. Since the spin-off concluded in 2022, he hasn’t returned to Discovery Channel programming, leaving many fans curious about his current status. So where did Jason go after the cameras stopped rolling—and what’s he doing now? Let’s take a closer look.

Early Life and Background

Jason Sanchez, whose full name is Jason Ray Sanchez, was born on September 27, 1981, in Billings, Montana, and later moved to Deer Lodge. He is the son of Danny and Kim Sanchez. Both cities have strong ties to Montana’s mining and construction industries, which later aligned with his career path.

Jason attended Billings Senior High School. He began working in Montana’s construction and mining sectors, where he developed skills in operating heavy equipment used for excavation and site work. In an interview, he once joked that his childhood Tonka toys “just got bigger”—a nod to his early interest in heavy machinery.

Over the years, Jason worked in various construction and local mining projects across Montana. His reputation as a reliable and capable operator eventually led to his selection for Dave Turin’s team on the Discovery Channel series.

His Role on Gold Rush

Jason joined the crew around 2018 during the early development of Gold Rush: Dave Turin’s Lost Mine, which officially premiered in 2019. He remained a key member of the team for all four seasons until the show concluded in 2022.

Jason regularly operated heavy equipment on site, particularly excavators, and was frequently shown handling tasks such as moving paydirt and supporting day-to-day mining operations. In one segment released by Discovery, he gave viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the machinery he worked with, offering insight into his role on the crew.

As the team’s go-to equipment specialist, Jason played a major role in site development and gold extraction. His responsibilities grew over time, and his presence became closely tied to some of the show’s most impactful moments. One such moment occurred in Season 3, Jason opened up about the loss of fellow miner Jesse Goins, saying, “It’s hard when you lose a brother… You’ve got to step up.” Jesse, who worked in the gold room, tragically passed away from a sudden heart attack on August 18, 2020, while filming at the Box Creek site in Colorado. The incident was a significant moment for the crew. Jason, who had worked closely with Jesse, acknowledged the loss on camera and emphasized the need to keep going despite the emotional weight. His comment underscored the seriousness of the work environment and the bonds formed among crew members during long mining seasons.

So… What Happened to Jason Sanchez?

As the final season of Gold Rush: Dave Turin’s Lost Mine wrapped in 2022, viewers naturally began to ask: what happened to Jason Sanchez?

Jason remained a steady and visible presence through all four seasons of the series. He was featured regularly in all four seasons, continuing to operate machinery and contribute consistently to the crew’s daily mining operations without any noticeable change in his role or visibility on the show. There was no official farewell or dramatic exit—just a clean cutoff as the show concluded.

Because the series ended after Season 4, Jason’s absence in later Gold Rush content aligns directly with the conclusion of the spin-off. His departure wasn’t due to controversy or creative decisions—it simply followed the natural end of production.

Theories and Community Buzz

Since Jason Sanchez was never part of the main Gold Rush series and appeared exclusively on Gold Rush: Dave Turin’s Lost Mine, much of the speculation about his post-show activities comes from dedicated fan forums and online mining communities:

1. Side Projects in Nevada: Jason may have explored additional ventures with Dave Turin, including a Nevada-based site casually referred to as the “Mexcavator” project. Reports from forums mention that visible gold was discovered early on, but the operation was paused due to water rights issues that limited continued excavation.
2. Claim Ownership Transition: In the final season of Gold Rush: Dave Turin’s Lost Mine (2022), Dave Turin began the process of transferring his Valdez Glacier Creek claim in Alaska to Jason Sanchez and Nathan Clark. This transition was later featured in Gold Rush Season 13, in the episode titled “The Last Frontier,” which aired in early 2023. The move marked Jason and Nathan’s shift from trusted crew members to official co-owners and operators of the claim, as Dave stepped back from active mining operations.
3. Return to Montana: Forum users have speculated that Jason may have returned to Montana after the show ended. Some posts even suggest he could be managing a local business or mining a smaller, private claim. This theory remains unverified but aligns with his off-camera lifestyle.
4. The Nature of Mining Careers: Like many reality TV miners, Jason may have simply resumed traditional mining or construction work after the show ended. Mining is unpredictable and financially intense, and TV appearances often provide only temporary exposure.

One forum user noted: “He owns a bar somewhere in Montana as well. Maybe I can hunt him up.”

Personal Life: Wife and Children

Jason Sanchez is married to Melanie Sanchez, and the couple celebrates their anniversary on June 4. They have two children, and while Jason tends to keep his family life private, occasional public posts offer small glimpses into that side of his life.

In a Facebook post dated March 6, 2019, just ahead of the premiere of Gold Rush: Dave Turin’s Lost Mine, Jason expressed gratitude to his family and loved ones for their support during his time working on the road. He began by thanking his wife and children:

“I would like to thank my wife and kids for all they sacrifice and take on when I’m mining!”

He followed it with a note of gratitude for his parents:

“I’d also like to thank my parents for all the support!”

His message reflects how important his family’s support has been throughout his time on the show.

Quick Facts

Jason Sanchez joined Gold Rush: Dave Turin’s Lost Mine around 2018 and was a key operator through Season 4 (2019–2022).

• Known for operating excavators and being Dave Turin’s trusted crew member.
• Quietly left the show after 2022 with no formal exit.
• Believed to have pursued side projects in Nevada, possibly owning a bar or small claim in Montana.
• Example of the many miners whose careers evolve off-camera after reality TV.