Radioactive capsule discovery ‘needle in a haystack’

A tiny but highly radioactive capsule that disappeared along a 1400km stretch of the WA outback has been found after a week-long search.

A tiny but potentially deadly radioactive capsule has been found in WA’s outback near Newman.

A tiny but highly radioactive capsule that disappeared along a 1400km stretch of the Western Australian outback has been found after a week-long search.

WA’s Department of Fire and Emergency Services on Wednesday announced that the capsule – which was just 8mm by 6mm in size – had finally been recovered after it was detected using specialist equipment supplied by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation.

The capsule of caesium-137 was lost when it was being transported from Rio Tinto’s Gudai-Darri iron ore mine in WA’s Pilbara to Perth in mid January.

The radioactive substance was part of a damaged mining gauge that was being sent back to Perth for repair.

Fire and Emergency Services commissioner Darren Klemm said the capsule had been found just south of the remote Pilbara town of Newman. He thanked the broad range of state and federal agencies and personnel who had helped in the search.

“We have essentially found the needle in the haystack,” he said.

There had been fears that the capsule may have been lost in the Perth metropolitan area, or become wedged in a car tyre and driven well outside the search area.

Mr Klemm said the capsule’s location – two metres from the side of the road in a remote corner of the Pilbara – was a good outcome.

“You can’t help but imagine there was an element of surprise for the people in the car when the equipment did spike up,” Mr Klemm said.

Authorities are now investigating how the capsule came to fall out of the gauge and off the truck.

Prosecution of the parties involved is possible, although the relevant fine under the current law is a maximum of $1000.

WA Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson confirmed there had been discussions about reviewing those penalties in the wake of the latest incident but said Rio Tinto had been “exceptional” in their support for the search.

The loss of the material triggered an urgent search along the stretch of road between the mine and Perth, although WA chief health officer Dr Andrew Robertson had stressed that the risk to individuals was “extremely low”.

Individuals would need to be exposed to the material for a prolonged period before they were in any danger.

One hour within one metre of the capsule was the equivalent radiation dose of 10 X-rays.