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
MajorsDec 19, 2025
MadaLuxe Group Acquires Ippolita The luxury goods company said founder Ippolita Rostagno will remain at the brand’s helm.
MajorsDec 19, 2025
LVMH Names New Bulgari CEOLaura Burdese, who joined the Italian luxury brand in 2022, will take on the role in July.
EditorsDec 19, 2025
2025 Jewelry Superlatives: A Yearbook-Style Year in Review The National Jeweler editors revisit the most noteworthy industry happenings and design trends from 2025.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
AuctionsDec 19, 2025
Jean Schlumberger’s ‘African Cat’ Is Purr-Fection Need a gift for the cat lover who has everything? Look no further than our latest Piece of the Week.
Weekly QuizDec 18, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsDec 18, 2025
Audemars Piguet Reclaims Historic Pocket Watch at AuctionIt purchased the “Grosse Pièce,” an ultra-complicated Audemars Piguet pocket watch from the ‘20s, for a record-breaking price at Sotheby’s.
Lab-GrownDec 18, 2025
Kira Jewels Debuts Custom Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry ServiceThe lab-grown diamond grower now offers custom engagement and fashion jewelry through its Kira Custom Lab Jewelry service.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
EditorsDec 18, 2025
Terry Chandler Looks Back on 40 Years of Opportunity, Change, and FriendsChandler got his start at Michelson Jewelers and has served as DCA president and CEO since 2001. He will retire at the end of the month.
WatchesDec 18, 2025
Bob’s Watches to Open Store in New York’s JFK AirportThe boutique is slated to open this week inside Terminal 8, offering pre-owned Rolex watches and more to international travelers.
Supplier BulletinDec 18, 2025
Cell Jammers Are Targeting Your Business. Here's How to Beat ThemSponsored by Digital Monitoring Products
CrimeDec 17, 2025
Man Pleads Not Guilty to Swallowing Fabergé PendantThe special-edition egg pendant ingested in a New Zealand jewelry store was recovered after a six-day wait.
EditorsDec 17, 2025
2025 Jewelry Rewind: The Best Piece of the Week PicksAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco plays favorites with Piece of the Week, selecting a standout piece of jewelry from each month of 2025.
CollectionsDec 17, 2025
Lucy Hale Stars in Jacquie Aiche’s Holiday CampaignThe “Love and Desire” campaign is inspired by the magic that follows when one’s heart leads the way, said the brand.
GradingDec 17, 2025
SSEF Announces 2025 Scholarship WinnersTwo awardees will receive free tuition for an educational course at the Swiss lab, with flights and lodging included.
MajorsDec 16, 2025
Pandora’s New CEO Will Step Up EarlyBerta de Pablos-Barbier will replace Alexander Lacik at the start of January, two months earlier than expected.
AuctionsDec 16, 2025
Suzanne Belperron, JAR Shine in Sotheby’s First Auctions at New HQSotheby’s held its first two jewelry sales at the Breuer building last week, and they totaled nearly $44 million.
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
TJS Now Accepting Scholarship Applications for 2026Winners will receive free registration and lodging for its fourth annual event in Detroit.
ColumnistsDec 16, 2025
Beyond Unboxing: Creative Reveals to Drive Reach and EngagementHere are six ideas for making more engaging content for Instagram Reels and TikTok, courtesy of Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams.
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
Diamonds Do Good Names 2026 Award RecipientsThe honorees include a notable jewelry brand, an industry veteran, and an independent retailer.
CrimeDec 15, 2025
Men Receive Life Sentences in Home Invasion Murder of Jeweler Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in the 2024 murder of Hussein “Sam” Murray.
IndependentsDec 15, 2025
M.S. Rau to Open Store in AspenThe New Orleans jeweler is also hosting pop-up jewelry boutiques in New York City and Dallas.
AuctionsDec 12, 2025
13.54-Carat Paraíba Tourmaline Sets Records at Christie’sSet in a Tiffany & Co. necklace, it sold for $4.2 million, the highest price and price per carat paid for a Paraíba tourmaline at auction.
MajorsDec 12, 2025
David Webb Reveals Ice-Cold Holiday Window DisplayThe jeweler’s “Deep Freeze” display showcases its iconic jewelry designs frozen in a vintage icebox.
CollectionsDec 12, 2025
Piece of the Week: Oscar Heyman’s Sphene RingTake luxury gifting to new heights this holiday season with the jeweler’s showstopping 12-carat sphene ring.
Events & AwardsDec 12, 2025
IGI Jewelry Design Contest Now Accepting SubmissionsThis year's theme is “Unveiling the Depths of the Ocean.”
TrendsDec 11, 2025
Pinterest 2026 Trend Report: Brooches, Bold Gold, Cool BlueIn its annual report, Pinterest noted an increase in searches for brooches, heirloom jewelry, and ‘80s luxury.
