Rio Tinto’s iron ore division chief Simon Trott apologized after a contractor hired by the mining giant lost a radioactive capsule in transit in Western Australia, sparking a radiation alert across parts of the state
The Rio Tinto logo is displayed on a visitor's helmet at a borates mine in Boron, California, U.S., November 15, 2019. REUTERS/Patrick T. Fallon/File Photoiron ore division chief Simon Trott apologised on Monday after a contractor hired by the mining giant lost a radioactive capsule in transit in Western Australia, sparking a radiation alert across parts of the state.
A search is now underway for the small silver capsule which measures 6 millimetres in diameter and is 8 mm long and contains Caesium-137 which emits radiation equal to 10 x-rays per hour. Authorities have recommended people stay at least five metres away. "Rio Tinto engaged a third-party contractor, with appropriate expertise and certification, to safely package the device in preparation for transport off-site ahead of receipt at their facility in Perth," he said, adding that Rio was also conducting its own investigation into how the loss occurred.
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