Poisoned food found at Gina Rinehart’s Pilbara mine

WA Police have sent extra resources, including forensic officers, to investigate a case of suspected poison found in food at one of Gina Rinehart’s Pilbara mines.

11/07/2011 BUSINESS: Businesswoman Gina Rinehart at the Boao resources forum in Perth, WA. Pic. Warchomij Bohdan

A POLICE investigation into possible attempted poisoning is underway after a worker at a remote mining company construction site in Western Australia noticed a bad taste as he started eating a meal.

The contractor employee also noticed discolouring in a piece of fruit he was served on Monday at the dining hall at the Pilbara site run by mining magnate Gina Rinehart’s Roy Hill company. He alerted staff who contacted police.

Analysis of the food item confirmed the presence of a dangerous chemical late on Wednesday, but it appears to be an isolated incident, with no similar reports since, police said.

It is not known what the intent of the poison was, or if there was a specific target.

Major crime squad detectives are investigating.

An aerial shot of the Roy Hill iron ore project in the Pilbara in Western Australia.

WA police today said there had been no other reports of poisoning and they believed it was an “isolated incident.’’

WA Police are continuing to work closely today with the Department of Health, Chem Centre and Roy Hill to ascertain how a dangerous chemical has contaminated an item of fruit at the Roy Hill construction site,’’ Police said.

“There are a number of potential explanations, which are all currently being explored.

“The incident occurred on Monday, December 15 and to date there are no other reported incidents, indicating that this is an isolated incident.

“To assist with identifying the cause of the contamination, this morning we have sent additional investigators and forensic staff to the site to assist with inquiries into this incident.

“WA Police would like to remind members of the public that if there appears to be something not right about any kind of food item; in particular if the food tastes or smells off, has any unusual discolouration, or appears to have been tampered with, then it should not be eaten.

“If a person feels unwell after eating items of food, urgent medical advice should be sought.’’

A statement from Roy Hill company said the employee had been tested and had shown no signs of health issues and there had been no other reports of contamination.

“Our first and foremost priority is the safety and wellbeing of our people,” said Roy Hill Chief Executive Officer Barry Fitzgerald.

“We have tightened our food security as a means of ensuring no further incidents occur and are working closely with the police in their investigation.”

If anyone has any information regarding the Roy Hill mine incident, they should contact Police on 131444, or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as Poisoned food found at Gina Rinehart’s Pilbara mine