Despite producing a record-breaking haul last season, Schnabel still failed to beat his longtime mentor-turned-rival, something he admits stayed with him heading into 2026.
Now, with gold prices remaining extremely high and his Dominion Creek operation continuing to expand, Parker says his goal is to discover just how much his company is really capable of producing.
“It’s going to be a hell of a season,” Parker told TV Insider.
“When you see gold prices at these kinds of record numbers, it’s a time when you see people’s full potential. That was my goal this season. What is this company’s full potential and let’s see what that is.”
For Parker, beating Tony is not simply about bragging rights.
He explained that higher production gives a mining company a stronger financial position, particularly when it comes to buying new ground and investing in future operations.
“We are competing for ground, and you want to have the most profitable operation that puts you in the best position,” he said.
That pressure has pushed Parker to rethink how his business operates.
He revealed that his team entered the 2026 season with a clear mandate to improve productivity and make sure they were doing everything possible to maximize the amount of gold recovered.
The rivalry will also become more direct this season because Parker and Tony are working unusually close to one another.
The two miners share a property line, and in previous years they generally managed to work in different areas.
This time, however, they found themselves mining side-by-side.
Parker admitted that situation could become difficult.
“Some days Tony is great,” he said. “Some days he and I get along super well, and some days I feel like I’m his biggest enemy.”
To give himself the best possible chance of success, Parker has also expanded his operation.
He has added new workers and invested heavily in equipment, arguing that with gold prices so high, there is little room for unnecessary downtime.
“We bought some new equipment, quite a bit of new equipment toward the end of last season and this season,” he said.
Much of the pressure will fall on longtime team members Mitch Blaschke and Tyson Lee.
Parker described Tyson as particularly strong when it comes to wash plant logistics and technical setups, while Mitch excels when dealing with difficult mining pits.
But both face one of their toughest seasons yet.
Parker’s operation has opened more ground than ever before, meaning the team now has an enormous amount of material to process.
“We’ve got a lot of ground to sluice,” he said. “Mitch and Tyson both have a huge challenge this season. Our eyes were much bigger than our stomachs.”
Rick Ness is also returning, though Parker suggested Rick faces a very different challenge.
Rick reportedly deals with health struggles early in the season, highlighting the mental and physical strain that comes with running a mining operation.
Parker said one of the reasons he manages the stress better is because he delegates heavily.
He estimated that Mitch, Tyson and his other managers make around 95 percent of day-to-day decisions without needing his approval.
That leadership structure is something Parker believes Rick does not currently have to the same extent.
From Parker’s perspective, Rick lacks a clear and trusted number two who can help carry responsibility.
“It’s a really hard business when you do this and you don’t have that core competent group that’s leading with you,” Parker said.
He added that building such a team takes time, trust and a willingness to give people real autonomy.
Parker also offered an interesting comparison with Tony, suggesting that Beets struggles to let other people fully take control of their own plans.
By contrast, Parker said one of his favorite parts of running the business is watching employees grow into leadership roles.
He credits that approach with helping expand his operation from producing roughly 1,000 ounces a year to around 10,000.
Season 17 also introduces newcomer Greg Gibson.
Parker said he quickly warmed to Greg and praised his aggressive, ambitious approach to mining.
“I really like his energy,” Parker said, adding that Greg appears hungry to build something rather than simply chase a quick profit.
Away from the mine, Parker also briefly confirmed that he has a girlfriend.
However, fans should not expect her to appear on Gold Rush.
When asked whether viewers would see her on the show, Parker gave a clear answer.
“No, those days are over,” he said. “She is smart.”
Gold Rush Season 17 premieres October 2 on Discovery Channel, with Parker, Tony and Rick once again battling to prove who can come out on top in the Klondike.
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