SourcingJan 24, 2023
Tiffany Buys 35 of the Last Diamonds Recovered From Argyle Policies & IssuesFeb 02, 2023
Tiny Radioactive Capsule Lost in Australian Outback Found
A government official said search crews “found the needle in the haystack” when they located the capsule belonging to Rio Tinto along an 870-mile stretch of road.
The radioactive capsule lost along a desolate stretch of road in Western Australia was found Wednesday morning, mining company Rio Tinto and Australian authorities said. The capsule was part of an industrial gauge being used at Rio Tinto’s Gudai-Darri iron ore mine. (Image courtesy of Rio Tinto)
Melbourne, Australia—Search crews have located the small radioactive capsule lost along a long stretch of highway in the Australia Outback, Rio Tinto and government officials announced Wednesday.
The round, silver capsule measures about 6 mm (0.2 inches) in diameter and 8 mm (0.3 inches) long and contains a small amount of cesium-137, a radioactive isotope of the element cesium (Cs).
It was discovered to be missing on Jan. 25.
A team of personnel from Western Australia’s Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFAS) and Australia’s Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) found the capsule Wednesday around 11:30 a.m. local time using specialized radiation equipment, Western Australia authorities said.
“This is an extraordinary result by Western Australians and Australians, and it is a great result for Western Australia,” Stephen Dawson, Western Australia’s minister for emergency services, said in a press conference livestreamed via Facebook.
“When you consider the scope of the search area, locating the subject was a monumental challenge. The search groups have quite literally found the needle in the haystack.”
He continued: “It once again highlights the extraordinary capabilities of our emergency services in Western Australia and of course they have been challenged over the past few weeks with a variety of fires and floods.”
Searchers located the capsule on the northbound side of the highway just south of the town of Newman, which is about 68 miles southeast of the mine.
Authorities said Wednesday it was transported in a lead container to Newman, where it was stored overnight before being taken to a WA Health facility in Perth on Thursday.
Related stories will be right here …
The round, silver capsule measures about 6 mm (0.2 inches) in diameter and 8 mm (0.3 inches) long and contains a small amount of cesium-137, a radioactive isotope of the element cesium (Cs).
It was discovered to be missing on Jan. 25.
A team of personnel from Western Australia’s Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFAS) and Australia’s Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) found the capsule Wednesday around 11:30 a.m. local time using specialized radiation equipment, Western Australia authorities said.
“This is an extraordinary result by Western Australians and Australians, and it is a great result for Western Australia,” Stephen Dawson, Western Australia’s minister for emergency services, said in a press conference livestreamed via Facebook.
“When you consider the scope of the search area, locating the subject was a monumental challenge. The search groups have quite literally found the needle in the haystack.”
He continued: “It once again highlights the extraordinary capabilities of our emergency services in Western Australia and of course they have been challenged over the past few weeks with a variety of fires and floods.”
Searchers located the capsule on the northbound side of the highway just south of the town of Newman, which is about 68 miles southeast of the mine.
Authorities said Wednesday it was transported in a lead container to Newman, where it was stored overnight before being taken to a WA Health facility in Perth on Thursday.
The capsule was part of an industrial gauge being used to measure iron ore feed in the crushing circuit of the fixed plant at the Gudai-Darri iron ore mine.
A contractor Rio Tinto hires to transport radioactive materials picked up the gauge from the mine on Jan. 12.
Though the gauge reached the storage facility on Jan. 16, it wasn’t until Jan. 25 that the contractor discovered the capsule was missing and informed Rio Tinto.
The discovery sparked an intense week-long search along the desolate 870-mile stretch of highway between Gudai-Darri and Perth.
Rio Tinto publicly apologized for the alarm the missing capsule caused the community and aided Western Australia’s DFAS and radiation specialists in the search.
https://nationaljeweler.com/articles/11655-rio-tinto-issues-apology-after-radioactive-capsule-goes-missing
On Wednesday, Simon Trott, the head of the mining company’s iron ore division, apologized again for the incident and vowed a “full and thorough investigation” into how it happened and to assess the company’s use of contractors to transport radioactive materials.
“While the recovery of the capsule is a great testament to the skill and tenacity of the search team, the fact is, it should never have been lost in the first place,” he said. “I’d like to apologize to the wider community of Western Australia for the concern it has generated.
“This sort of incident is extremely rare in our industry, which is why we need to investigate it thoroughly and learn what we can to ensure it doesn’t happen again. As part of our investigation, we will be assessing whether our processes and protocols, including the use of specialist contractors to package and transport radioactive materials, are appropriate.”
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
FinancialsMar 20, 2026
Macy’s Turnaround Plans Shows Promise, Boosted by Bloomingdale’sPlus, why Saks Global’s bankruptcy may have given Bloomingdale’s an edge.
AuctionsMar 20, 2026
Sotheby's, De Beers Unveil ‘Jwaneng 28.88’ DiamondThe flawless, Type IIa stone is estimated to achieve up to $2.8 million at the auction house’s high jewelry sale in April.
TrendsMar 20, 2026
‘Frankenstein’ Costume Designer Is Bejeweled In Brooches for Oscars WinCostume designer Kate Hawley wore three archival Tiffany & Co. brooches, our Pieces of the Week, while accepting her first Oscar.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
FinancialsMar 19, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Close 100 Stores, Shutter James Allen BannerThe jewelry retailer announced changes to its store network and brand portfolio during its fourth-quarter earnings call.
Weekly QuizMar 19, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysMar 19, 2026
NRF Forecasts 4% Retail Sales Growth in 2026From a weaker labor market to inflation, NRF Chief Economist Mark Mathews gave insight on what retailers can expect this year.
AuctionsMar 19, 2026
26-Carat Diamond Tops $1M at AuctionThe historic stone, which sold at Elmwood’s in London, is the largest white diamond to be offered on the U.K. market in more than a decade.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
Events & AwardsMar 19, 2026
JCK Rocks To Ride With NellyThree-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach in Las Vegas on May 31.
AuctionsMar 18, 2026
Collection of the ‘Severely Beautiful’ Lady Wardington Fetches $161KThe model and fashion editor’s gold evening bags were the top lots at the London sale, going for more than $25,000 each.
PodcastsMar 18, 2026
Episode 3: An Interview With Jewelry Designer Johnny NelsonFresh off winning the David Yurman Gem Awards Grant, Nelson discusses the ring that launched his career and his plans for the future.
SourcingMar 18, 2026
Lucara Recovers Nearly 37-Carat Blue DiamondThe “stunning” Type IIb stone was found via x-ray technology at its Karowe mine in Botswana.
MajorsMar 18, 2026
Stuller Releases New Edition of Jewelry Education Book“The Basics of Jewelry” has been updated to include modern topics and visuals.
Events & AwardsMar 17, 2026
The Best Moments From the 2026 Gem Awards Held just before the Oscars, the jewelry industry’s big awards show had its share of standout jewelry, gowns, and acceptance speeches.
SourcingMar 17, 2026
Cruzeiro Mine Debuts ‘Winter Tourmaline’The Brazilian mine’s new collection features cabochons in soft, muted shades like silver and lilac.
TrendsMar 17, 2026
Natalie Portman Is Tiffany & Co.’s New AmbassadorThe Academy Award-winning actress stars in Tiffany & Co.’s latest commercial, which debuted Sunday night during the Oscars.
MajorsMar 17, 2026
Kering Establishes Jewelry Division, Appoints CEOThe organizational change follows Kering’s promise of a transformation after declining sales in 2025.
EditorsMar 16, 2026
2026 Oscars Jewelry: One Necklace After AnotherNatalie Francisco rounds up the top Oscars jewels, including Rose Byrne’s Taffin necklace with a more than 20-carat yellow-brown diamond.
WatchesMar 16, 2026
TAG Heuer Has a New CEOBéatrice Goasglas has been with TAG Heuer since 2018. She is the first woman to head the 166-year-old, LVMH-owned watch brand.
IndependentsMar 16, 2026
Ben Bridge Debuts New Honolulu BoutiqueThe store features the first in-store build for the jeweler’s in-house “Bella Ponte” bridal brand.
AuctionsMar 16, 2026
Bonhams Paris To Offer Antique, Signed Jewels The live fine jewelry auction will take place later this week, showcasing antique pieces, rare gemstones, and signed jewels.
CollectionsMar 13, 2026
A Trio of Jewels from the 3 Gem Award Nominees for Jewelry DesignOur Pieces of the Week honor the 2026 nominees for the Gem Award for Jewelry Design, Silvia Furmanovich, Cece Fein-Hughes, and Catherine Sarr.
WatchesMar 13, 2026
Citizen, Vera Wang to Launch Watch CollectionThe 24-piece watch collection is set to debut in spring 2027.
SourcingMar 13, 2026
Andrea Pooler Joins Third-Generation Diamond Company as COO Pooler, who has more than 25 years’ experience in jewelry, is now chief operating officer of Modani Jewels, Soham Diamonds, and SNJ Creations.
MajorsMar 13, 2026
24 Karat Club of New York’s Banquet to Return to Waldorf AstoriaThe reopening of the Waldorf Astoria means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event, which will take place Saturday.
CollectionsMar 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Sends Gold, Gemstones Into ‘Orbit’McCormack looked to the 19th century’s “golden age” of astronomy when designing her new celestial-themed collection.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on Friday.
