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In January 2023, a radioactive capsule containing caesium-137 was lost from a truck in Western Australia. The capsule was being transported 1,400 kilometres (870 miles) from Rio Tinto's Gudai-Darri iron ore mine near Newman to a depot in the Perth suburb of Malaga. After a week-long search involving over 100 personnel and specialised equipment, the capsule was found on 1 February 2023, next to a road 74 kilometres (46 miles) south of Newman. The successful recovery of the capsule, which could have posed serious health risks to humans, was hailed as a victory for science by experts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of incident | Between 10 and 16 January 2023 |
| Date reported missing | 25 January 2023 |
| Date found | 1 February 2023 |
| Size | 6mm x 8mm |
| Type of capsule | Caesium-137 |
| Radioactivity emitted | Equivalent to receiving 10 X-rays in an hour |
| Hazards | Skin damage, burns, radiation sickness, cancer |
| Search method | Radiation detection equipment |
| Search crew | More than 100 personnel |
| Agencies involved | Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, WA Police, DFES, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation |
| Search area | 1,400km (870 miles) |
| Location found | 74km (46 miles) south of Newman, Western Australia |
| Distance from road | 2m (7ft) from the side of the road |
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What You'll Learn
The capsule was found by a vehicle travelling at 70km/h
A radioactive capsule containing caesium-137 went missing in Western Australia in January 2023. The capsule, which was being transported 1,400 kilometres (870 mi) from Rio Tinto's Gudai-Darri iron ore mine near Newman to a depot in Perth, fell from a secure device on the truck and was lost.
The capsule posed a significant public health risk, with health authorities warning that standing within a metre of it would be equivalent to receiving 10 X-rays in an hour. A search was carried out, with more than 100 personnel involved, including agencies such as the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, WA Police, and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation.
The capsule was eventually found on 1 February, 74 kilometres (46 mi) south of Newman by a search crew vehicle travelling at 70 kilometres per hour (43 mph). The vehicle was staffed with personnel who used specialist radiation detection technology to detect the capsule. A handheld radiation device was then used to find the capsule's exact location.
The successful recovery of the capsule was attributed to the additional resources provided by the federal government, including specialised equipment for detecting radioactivity. The find was hailed as a "victory for science," and authorities confirmed that no one was injured by the capsule and that it did not appear to have moved from where it fell.
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Search involved over 100 personnel
In January 2023, a radioactive capsule containing caesium-137 went missing in Western Australia. The capsule was being transported by a truck that was travelling 1,400 kilometres (870 mi) from Rio Tinto's Gudai-Darri iron ore mine near Newman to a depot in the Perth suburb of Malaga.
An extensive search operation ensued, involving over 100 personnel from various agencies, including the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, WA Police, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES), and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation. The search was challenging due to the small size of the capsule, which was only 6 mm × 8 mm (0.24 in × 0.31 in).
The search teams utilised specialised radiation detection equipment, including survey equipment and Geiger counters, to try and locate the capsule along the vast 1,400km route. Authorities believed that the capsule had fallen off a radiation gauge that was being transported to a storage facility. The search focused on the GPS route the truck had taken and prioritised sites close to Perth's metropolitan and high-density areas.
On 1 February 2023, after nearly a month of searching, the capsule was finally located. A search crew vehicle travelling at 70 kilometres per hour (43 mph) along the Great Northern Highway detected the radiation emitted by the capsule, which was found on the side of the road 74 kilometres (46 mi) south of Newman.
The discovery of the capsule was a significant achievement, as these types of "orphan sources" of radioactive material are often not recovered. Authorities confirmed that the capsule was intact and had not caused harm to anyone during the time it was lost. The incident sparked criticism of the low penalty for losing radioactive materials in Western Australia, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calling for a review of the Radiation Safety Regulations Act.
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The capsule was found 74km south of Newman
The radioactive capsule was found 74 km south of Newman, Western Australia, on 1 February 2023. The capsule was discovered on the side of the Great Northern Highway by a search crew vehicle driving at 70 kilometres per hour. The vehicle's detection equipment picked up radiation emitted by the capsule.
The capsule had been reported missing on 25 January 2023, after it fell off a truck transporting it from the Gudai-Darri mine near Newman to a depot in Perth. The capsule is used in mining equipment and contains caesium-137, a radioactive material that can cause skin burns and radiation sickness if mishandled.
The search for the capsule involved over 100 personnel from various agencies, including the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, WA Police, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation. Authorities believed that the capsule had fallen off a radiation gauge that was being transported from the mine site to a storage facility in Perth.
The discovery of the capsule was hailed as a "victory for science" by Associate Professor Nigel Marks from Western Australia's Curtin University. Authorities confirmed that no one appeared to have been injured by the capsule, and it did not seem to have moved from where it fell.
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Rio Tinto apologised for losing the capsule
Rio Tinto, a mining company, apologised for losing a tiny radioactive capsule in Western Australia. The capsule, containing Caesium-137, went missing while being transported from the company's Gudai-Darri mine site to a storage facility in Perth. The loss was reported on 25 January 2023, but it is believed the capsule may have gone missing up to two weeks prior.
The gauge containing the capsule was picked up from the mine site on 12 January by a third-party contractor and transported to a storage facility. When it was unpacked for inspection on 25 January, the gauge was found broken apart, with one of four mounting bolts and screws missing. Authorities suspect that vibrations during transit caused the bolts and screws to come loose, allowing the capsule to fall out of the package and through a gap in the vehicle.
Rio Tinto issued a statement expressing concern and apologising for the alarm caused in the Western Australian community. The company also stated that it would launch its own investigation into how the capsule was lost in transit.
The incident sparked a radiation alert across Western Australia, with authorities warning of the potential danger of coming into contact with the capsule. The public was advised to stay at least five metres away from the capsule as exposure could lead to radiation burns or sickness. The chances of finding the tiny capsule were deemed "pretty good" due to the use of specialised radiation detection equipment.
On 1 February 2023, the missing capsule was located by a search crew vehicle travelling past it at 70 kilometres per hour. It was found on the side of the road, 74 kilometres south of Newman. Authorities confirmed that it was the right capsule by checking its serial code.
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The capsule was found on 1 February 2023
The radioactive capsule was found on 1 February 2023, after a massive search operation spanning 1,400 kilometres (870 miles) from the Outback to metropolitan Perth. The search operation lasted seven days and involved more than 100 personnel from various agencies, including the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, WA Police, DFES, and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation. The search focused on the GPS route the truck had taken and on sites close to Perth's metropolitan and high-density areas.
The capsule was eventually detected by a search vehicle using radiation detection equipment. It was found about two meters from the side of the road, 74 kilometres (46 miles) south of the mining town of Newman on the Great Northern Highway. The discovery was announced by state emergency authorities on Wednesday afternoon, and a 20-meter exclusion zone was set up around the capsule.
The capsule, which is about 8 millimetres high and 6 millimetres round, contains highly radioactive Caesium-137 and is believed to have fallen off the back of a truck as it was being transported along the highway. The capsule's disappearance sparked warnings to the public not to approach it, as it could cause serious burns and severe illness on contact with skin.
The recovery of the capsule was hailed as a "victory for science" and an "extraordinary result," with authorities expressing relief that no one appeared to have been injured by the capsule or exposed to its radiation during the time it was missing. The successful recovery of the capsule demonstrates the effectiveness of the search operation and the importance of specialized equipment and resources in locating such hazardous materials.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, on 1 February 2023, a radioactive capsule containing caesium-137 was found in Western Australia.
The capsule was being transported 1,400 kilometres (870 miles) from Rio Tinto's Gudai-Darri iron ore mine to a depot in Perth when it fell off the truck.
The radioactive capsule was found by a passing search vehicle travelling at 70 kilometres per hour (43 miles per hour) using specialised radiation detection equipment.
The capsule contained dangerous amounts of radiation and could have caused skin burns and radiation sickness. However, authorities confirmed that no one was injured by the capsule and it did not appear to have moved from where it fell.
