Authorities in Western Australia say they have found a tiny radioactive capsule which went missing last month.
Emergency services had “literally found the needle in the haystack”, they said.
A huge search was triggered when the object was lost while being transported along a 1,400km (870 mile) route across the state.
Authorities released a close-up picture of the pea-sized capsule – which could cause serious harm if handled – on the ground among tiny pebbles.
A serial number enabled them to verify they had found the right capsule, which is 6mm (0.24 inches) in diameter and 8mm long.
It contains a small quantity of Caesium-137, which could cause skin damage, burns or radiation sickness.
Mining giant Rio Tinto apologised for losing the device, which is used as a density gauge in the mining industry.
A 20m “hot zone” has now been established around the capsule and it will be placed into a lead container.
It will be stored at a secure location in the town of Newman overnight before being transported to a secure facility in the city of Perth on Thursday.
Announcing their find, the state emergency services paid tribute to “inter-agency teamwork in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds”.
The capsule was found when a vehicle equipped with specialist equipment, which was travelling at 70 km/h (43 mph), detected radiation, officials said.
Portable detection equipment was then used to locate the capsule, which was found about 2m (7ft) from the side of the road.
The device is part of a density gauge, which was being used at Rio Tinto’s Gudai-Darri mine in the remote Pilbara region of Western Australia.
Source: bbc.com
