Mining company Rio Tinto confirmed that the six-by-eight millimeter capsule came from one of its mines. She reportedly left the mine in a truck on January 10 and was only reported missing 15 days later.
A search is being carried out along the 1,400km haul route between a mine north of the mining town of Newman and a radiation protection company in Malaga, a suburb of the Perth metropolis. Radioactive capsules are used in mining. In the Newman region, where shipping began, iron ore is mainly mined.
Portal/David Gray Mining company Rio Tinto confirmed the capsule came from one of its mines
Search in “strategic locations”
Authorities are primarily looking for “strategic locations” along the vehicle’s transport route near populated areas, Darryl Ray of Western Australia’s Department of Fire and Emergency Services told a news conference on Saturday. Radiation gauges are designed to help locate the capsule. Ray: “We’re not trying to find a little device by eye.”
In addition, special equipment was requested within the Commonwealth. The Guardian reported that a mobile radiation detection device that could be installed in a car was being sought. The exact route with all the stops was determined using the transport company’s GPS data. However, this does not necessarily mean that the capsule can be found on this route. “It could have been thrown farther into the bush, it could have been picked up by a tire wheel and carried in a different direction,” says Ray.
Owners of vehicles traveling on the Grande Norte Highway were instructed to check the tires, according to broadcaster ABC. The capsule could have gotten stuck there. The Fire Brigade, Western Australia Police, Ministry of Health and experts participated in the search.
Damaged protection device
After a six-day journey, the vehicle that was supposed to transport the capsule arrived at the radioprotection company in Malaga on January 16th. The package wasn’t opened there until January 25th, explained Ray. It was found that it had fallen apart and been damaged in transit and that the capsule itself was missing.
According to Rio Tinto, an expert was hired to pack the capsule and transport it safely to the warehouse. It was only on January 25 that Rio Tinto was informed by a contractor about the disappearance of the capsule, the miner said.
Portal Region health official Robertson warned of health risks
Area health officer Andrew Robertson described it as “unusual” for a meter like this to come loose: “These meters are designed to be rugged and used in industrial environments where they can be exposed to the elements and vibration. now missing from the protective device when the capsule was reported missing.
Health warning due to radioactivity
Robertson issued an urgent health alert. Anyone discovering anything that looks like a tiny capsule must maintain a distance of at least five meters. The capsule emits “a good amount of radiation,” Robertson said.
Within a meter radius, that’s equivalent to ten X-rays in an hour – or the amount of natural radiation a person is exposed to in an entire year. “It emits beta and gamma rays. If you get close to it, you could get skin damage, including burns,” Robertson said.