Policies & IssuesJan 10, 2023
Rio Tinto Donates $2M to Kimberley Flood ReliefPolicies & IssuesJan 31, 2023
Rio Tinto Issues Apology After Radioactive Capsule Goes Missing
The tiny capsule, which is believed to have fallen out of a truck, was lost somewhere along an 870-mile stretch of desert road.
This file photos shows Rio Tinto employees in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, where the company mines for iron ore. On Monday, Rio Tinto apologized after a radioactive capsule being transported from the Gudai-Darri iron ore mine was lost during transport. (Image courtesy of Rio Tinto)
Melbourne, Australia—Rio Tinto Group is making another public apology, this time over a tiny radioactive capsule lost in a vast expanse of desert in Western Australia.
The Melbourne, Australia-based mining company issued the statement of apology Monday, with Rio Tinto Iron Ore CEO Simon Trott stating, “We are taking this incident very seriously. We recognize this is clearly very concerning and are sorry for the alarm it has caused in the Western Australian community.”
The round, silver capsule is tiny—about 6 mm (0.2 inches) in diameter and 8 mm (0.3 inches) long—and was part of a gauge used to measure the density of iron ore feed in the crushing circuit of the fixed plant at the Gudai-Darri iron ore mine, the company said.
The capsule contains a small amount of cesium-137, a radioactive isotope of the element cesium (Cs).Other cesium isotopes include barium and mercury.
Rio Tinto said the gauge was picked up from the mining site on Jan. 12 and loaded onto the truck of a third-party company it uses to transport hazardous materials.
It was then transported about 870 miles south to a suburb of Perth, Australia, where the third-party company has a storage facility for radioactive materials. It arrived on Jan. 16.
The contractor informed Rio Tinto of the missing capsule on Jan. 25, after the gauge was found “broken apart with one of the four mounting bolts missing and the source itself and all screws on the gauge also missing,” the government of Western Australia said.
It’s believed the gauge broke during transport and the radioactive capsule fell out of a gap in the truck.
The misplaced miniscule capsule has caused Western Australia’s Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) to issue a hazmat warning stretching from remote regions in the north of the state to Perth.
“Exposure to this substance could cause radiation burns or radiation sickness … Risk to the general community is relatively low, however it is important to be aware of the risks and what to do if you see the capsule,” the warning notes.
DFES said anyone who spots it is advised to stay at least 5 meters (about 16 feet) away—don’t try to pick it up or put it in a car and take it anywhere—and call the authorities.
DFES and radiation specialists are driving north and south along the Great Northern Highway looking for the capsule.
Rio Tinto’s Trott said the company is aiding in the search while also trying to figure out how the capsule got lost.
“As well as fully supporting the relevant authorities, we have launched our own investigation to understand how the capsule was lost in transit. As part of this investigation, we are working closely with the contractor to better understand what went wrong in this instance,” he said.
“We have offered our full and ongoing support to authorities in the search for the missing device. We have completed radiological surveys of all areas on site where the device had been, and surveyed roads within the mine site as well as the access road leading away from the Gudai-Darri mine site.”
Rio Tinto’s statement regarding the misplaced radioactive capsule comes just a few years after its executive director and chief executive along with other top officials resigned after the mining company blew up ancient caves sacred to two Australian Aboriginal groups—the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura people—in Western Australia’s Juukan Gorge in order to get to the iron ore underneath.
The resignations took place in September 2020, with Rio Tinto issuing a statement at the time acknowledging what happened to the culturally and historically significant site in the Juukan Gorge was “wrong.”
The following February, the mining company apologized to Australian aboriginals again after failing to tell them the iron ore division was under new leadership.
Editor's note: This story was corrected post-publication to clarify that it is the third-party contractor that has a radioactive materials storage facility outside of Perth, not Rio Tinto, and that it was the contractor that discovered the missing capsule, not Rio Tinto.
Editor's note: This story was corrected post-publication to clarify that it is the third-party contractor that has a radioactive materials storage facility outside of Perth, not Rio Tinto, and that it was the contractor that discovered the missing capsule, not Rio Tinto.
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Cast Closes Business, Plans for RelaunchThe jewelry company has closed its three California brick-and-mortar stores, as well as its online shop, for now.
Events & AwardsJul 01, 2025
William Goldberg Diamonds, FIT Partner for Apprenticeship ProgramThe company is providing the opportunity for an FIT student to work alongside master diamond cutter Willie Lopez in its workshop.
IndependentsJul 01, 2025
Elie Hannoush, Founder of Hannoush Jewelers, Dies at 73He is remembered for his successful entrepreneurship, generosity, and dedication to his family.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Claire’s Is Looking for a Buyer, Report SaysThe jewelry store chain has reportedly been struggling with costs related to tariffs as well as tough retail competition.
Weekly QuizJun 26, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TrendsJul 01, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Red Hot RubiesWelcome warm summer days with red hot rubies perfectly chosen as July’s birthstone.
CollectionsJun 30, 2025
State Property’s New Jewelry Tells ‘The Story of Everything’Co-founders Afzal Imram and Lin Ruiyin brought their son’s story of a cosmic egg, toadstool, and railroad to life in their new collection.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
ColumnistsJun 30, 2025
The Smart Lab: Why Q3 Is the Secret Weapon For Holiday Jewelry SalesThe best time to prepare for the holiday season is right now, according to columnist Emmanuel Raheb.
Events & AwardsJun 30, 2025
AGA Names Recipient of 2025 Gemological Education ScholarshipThis year’s winner is Morgan Keefe, who is currently studying at GIA to be a gemologist.
IndependentsJun 30, 2025
Melanie Grant’s New Book Explores 200 Years of Jewelry“The Jewelry Book” comes out this September.
TechnologyJun 27, 2025
Gemist Raises $6M in Funding to Scale Jewelry Tech PlatformThe company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.
IndependentsJun 27, 2025
David Webb Announces New Hires, PromotionsFollowing its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.
Events & AwardsJun 27, 2025
AGS, GIA Announce Beatrice Shipley Scholarship Winner AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.
CollectionsJun 27, 2025
Piece of the Week: Buddha Mama’s ‘Monstera’ Wrap RingThe 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.
MajorsJun 26, 2025
Why Rocksbox Is Opening Stores As Signet Jewelers DownsizesRocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.
IndependentsJun 26, 2025
Penny Ruston Dies at 80 The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.
SurveysJun 26, 2025
After Recovering in May, Consumer Confidence Dips in June The decline was consistent across age groups and almost all income groups, with tariffs and inflation still top of mind.
CollectionsJun 26, 2025
Jam Out With Sorellina’s Jimi Hendrix-Inspired JewelsThe “Playlist: Electric Dreams” collection brings lyrics from the musician’s song, “Little Wing,” to life through fine jewelry.
Events & AwardsJun 26, 2025
The Jewelry Symposium Is Looking for Speakers for 2026 EventThe event is set for May 16-19 in Detroit, Michigan.
IndependentsJun 25, 2025
Marissa Collections Opens in Nantucket as Legal Fight ContinuesThe Vault’s Katherine Jetter is accusing the retailer of using info she shared for a potential partnership to move into Nantucket.
CrimeJun 25, 2025
Customs Nabs Another Big Shipment of Fake Cartier, Van Cleef JewelryAgents seized 2,193 pieces, a mix of counterfeit Cartier “Love” and “Juste Un Clou” bracelets, and Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Alhambra” design.
CollectionsJun 25, 2025
Splash into Karina Choudhrie’s Collection of Underwater Circus PerformersThe designer brought her children’s book, “The Big Splash Circus,” to life through a collection of playful fine jewelry characters.
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2025
JA Announces Impact Initiative Fund RecipientsThe trade association has chosen the recipients of the funding initiative it formed to foster the growth and sustainability of the industry.
SourcingJun 25, 2025
2025 AGTA Spectrum Awards Open for EntriesThe organization has also announced this year’s slate of judges.
EditorsJun 24, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 2Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 additional pieces that stood out to her at the Couture show.
IndependentsJun 24, 2025
Colorado Bench Jeweler Celebrates 50 Years With Local RetailerLori Tucker started at Williams Jewelers when she was 18 years old.
