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
WatchesNov 05, 2025
Shinola President Steps Down Just as He Starts Former Signet CEO Mark Light will remain president of Shinola until a replacement for Ulrich Wohn is found.
AuctionsNov 05, 2025
Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring Designer Makes Her Auction DebutKindred Lubeck of Artifex has three rings she designed with Anup Jogani in Sotheby’s upcoming Gem Drop sale.
FinancialsNov 05, 2025
Pandora Posts Modest Q3 Sales Growth Amid ‘Weak’ Consumer Sentiment The company focused on marketing in the third quarter and introduced two new charm collections, “Pandora Talisman” and “Pandora Minis.”
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America Aligns New Mission to Create Meaningful Impact for MembersFrom educational programs, advocacy, and recent MJSA affiliation, Jewelers of America drives progress that elevates businesses of all sizes.
FinancialsNov 05, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q3 Sales Climb 10%The jewelry retailer raised its full-year guidance, with CFO Jeff Kuo describing the company as “very well positioned” for the holidays.
Weekly QuizOct 30, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsNov 04, 2025
Danny Clark to Become Stuller CEO, Succeeding Matt StullerStuller COO Belit Myers will take on the additional role of president, with all changes effective at the start of 2026.
ColumnistsNov 04, 2025
Peter Smith: What Do Birds Have to Do With the Price of Gold? Smith cautions retailers against expending too much energy on things they can’t control, like the rising price of gold.
TrendsNov 04, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Fall Colors for November BirthdaysCitrine and topaz are birthstones fit for fall as the leaves change color and the holiday season approaches.
IndependentsNov 04, 2025
Weston Jewelers Heads to Fort LauderdaleThe family-owned jeweler will open its fourth store in Florida in late 2027.
CrimeNov 03, 2025
Men Dressed as Construction Workers Burglarize Jeweler’s Home The NYPD is looking for three men who stole a safe and jewelry valued at $3.2 million from the home of a jeweler in Jamaica Hills, Queens.
MajorsNov 03, 2025
Matthew Rosenheim Takes Over as JA Board ChairThe trade organization also announced its executive committee and five new directors.
CollectionsNov 03, 2025
Muse’s ‘Have a Heart’ Collab Returns, Now With DDGThe “Have a Heart x Diamonds Do Good” collection is championed by model and humanitarian Flaviana Matata and will benefit her foundation.
AuctionsNov 03, 2025
Kashmir Sapphire Ring Tops Christie's Online AuctionThe ring, set with a nearly 17-carat Kashmir cabochon sapphire, sold for $1 million.
TrendsOct 31, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Spinner Fit for ‘Frankenstein’This “Mother Father” spinner necklace from Heavenly Vices Fine Jewelry draws inspiration from Victorian Era jewelry.
CrimeOct 31, 2025
5 More Arrested in Louvre Heist, Jewelry Still Missing The suspects were rounded up in Paris and its suburbs on Wednesday night, but none of the stolen jewels were recovered with them.
Recorded WebinarsOct 31, 2025
Watch: How to Master Google Reviews for Your BusinessExperts share top tips on how to encourage positive reviews and handle negative feedback.
Supplier BulletinOct 30, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
CrimeOct 30, 2025
29-Year-Old Man Charged in Multiple Seattle-Area Smash and Grabs The suspect faces charges in the August robbery of Menashe & Sons Jewelers and is accused of committing smash and grabs at two pawn shops.
Lab-GrownOct 30, 2025
Alison Lou’s New Collection Uses Lab-Grown Diamonds and ResinThe “Lumière Fine” collection was born from designer Alison Chemla’s interest in the transformative power of light.
TrendsOct 30, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: A Haunted HalloweenShow off your spooky side with these 12 festive jewels.
Events & AwardsOct 30, 2025
Jewelers Mutual to Host Jewelry Panel at Frazier History MuseumThe “Brilliant & Beyond” panel coincides with the “Love & Marriage” exhibition curated by Davis Jewelers in Louisville, Kentucky.
Events & AwardsOct 29, 2025
October Brings Little Change to Consumer Confidence Consumers are feeling more optimistic about their present situation while the short-term future remains a little scary.
Events & AwardsOct 29, 2025
Couture Partners With Time to WatchesThe company, which organizes a watch show in Geneva every spring, will bring a selection of watch brands to the 2026 Couture show in Vegas.
TrendsOct 29, 2025
Beth Bernstein Releases Vintage Jewelry Guide“The Modern Guide to Vintage Jewellery” follows the evolution of jewelry design from the ‘30s to the ‘80s with buying and styling advice.
EditorsOct 29, 2025
Why Creepy, Crawly Bugs Inspire Beautiful JewelryFor her annual Halloween story, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow explores the symbolism behind spiders, beetles, and other eerie insects.
Events & AwardsOct 28, 2025
Meet the 2026 Gem Award NomineesNotable jewelry designers, members of the press, and retailers are up for an award at next year’s gala.
