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Missing radioactive capsule found in WA outback after frantic search

abc.net.au

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Re: Missing radioactive capsule found in WA outback after frantic search

#71

Post by TomK32 »

Gare wrote: post #58
martynr wrote: post #57

Does anyone else feel like this is slightly overblown? From my perspective it was a localised and relatively limited risk and had fairly obvious and achievable corrective actions with a relatively good chance of success. It intrigues me that this seems to be perceived as something so calamitous/ risky.

I'd rather live in a country where authorities are overly cautious and transparent than secretive and negligent.

Australia has slipped quite a few places on the last World Press Freedom Index. Let's not forget that friendlyjordies, while also making comedy videos but also making videos on corruption, politicians and the gambiling industry, was targeted by a firebomb and his house burnt down. Luckily he was away and no one at home.

Re: Missing radioactive capsule found in WA outback after frantic search

#72

Post by hef19898 »

nl wrote: post #60
defrost wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm guessing that's because you don't work in a 800 million tonne per annum mining industry that routinely ships heavy equipment 1,000 - 2,000 km backwards and forwards and has done so for 50 years. The equipment was logged when loaded on the 11th, the load sat and then travelled for a couple of days and was unloaded and then sat until it was first inspected (to have the capsule replaced) at which point the loss was…

Dangerous items should be prioritised.

That would be a goal, and by which means would do so in the above mentioned example?

Re: Missing radioactive capsule found in WA outback after frantic search

#73

Post by iamtedd »

martynr wrote: post #57

Does anyone else feel like this is slightly overblown? From my perspective it was a localised and relatively limited risk and had fairly obvious and achievable corrective actions with a relatively good chance of success. It intrigues me that this seems to be perceived as something so calamitous/ risky.

"Localised"? Along a route 1400 km long?

That's approximately the distance between New York City and Atlanta, GA.

Or London, UK to Monaco.

Re: Missing radioactive capsule found in WA outback after frantic search

#74

Post by stirlo »

TomK32 wrote: post #71
Gare wrote: post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd rather live in a country where authorities are overly cautious and transparent than secretive and negligent.

Australia has slipped quite a few places on the last World Press Freedom Index. Let's not forget that friendlyjordies, while also making comedy videos but also making videos on corruption, politicians and the gambiling industry, was targeted by a firebomb and his house burnt down. Luckily he was away and no one at home.

Right but there is no suggestion the firebombing was linked to any government or regulatory policy/action/initiative.

It's simply that he upset organised crime groups. These exist everywhere in the world and theres no suggestion the Australian authorities aren't investigating and trying to bring those responsible to justice.

Re: Missing radioactive capsule found in WA outback after frantic search

#75

Post by antihipocrat »

dabiged wrote: post #68
martynr wrote: post #57

Does anyone else feel like this is slightly overblown? From my perspective it was a localised and relatively limited risk and had fairly obvious and achievable corrective actions with a relatively good chance of success. It intrigues me that this seems to be perceived as something so calamitous/ risky.

I think you are missing the context around nuclear anything in Australia. We have no nuclear powerplants. We have no nuclear submarines. Large portions of the country are staunchly against mining uranium. Most people don't know We operate a single nuclear reactor that only produces medical isotopes. There is no nuance on anything nuclear here because it is almost completely absent from the country.

I don't disagree that nuclear anything is a big deal, but just wanted remind everyone that the British tested their nuclear bombs in the outback.. and Australia has ordered some nuclear subs.

Re: Missing radioactive capsule found in WA outback after frantic search

#76

Post by hef19898 »

defrost wrote: post #53
askvictor wrote: post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> It vanished between January 11 and January 16, but its loss was not reported for more than a week. That doesn't seem that quick or professional to me...

I'm guessing that's because you don't work in a 800 million tonne per annum mining industry that routinely ships heavy equipment 1,000 - 2,000 km backwards and forwards and has done so for 50 years. The equipment was logged when loaded on the 11th, the load sat and then travelled for a couple of days and was unloaded and then sat until it was first inspected (to have the capsule replaced) at which point the loss was…

I just checked some of the articles online, and didn't find any information on the capsule itself. More specifically, what it is used for in mining equipment.

Re: Missing radioactive capsule found in WA outback after frantic search

#77

Post by justatdotin »

isomorphic wrote: post #38
lelaurent wrote: post #8

How did they find it?

The best part of the article: "The Australian Defence Force has been asked to verify the recovered capsule by checking its serial number." So they're not certain they have found it, yet. They could have found one of the other radioactive capsules lying about the Western Australia outback.

username etc

Re: Missing radioactive capsule found in WA outback after frantic search

#78

Post by Oxidation »

martynr wrote: post #57

Does anyone else feel like this is slightly overblown? From my perspective it was a localised and relatively limited risk and had fairly obvious and achievable corrective actions with a relatively good chance of success. It intrigues me that this seems to be perceived as something so calamitous/ risky.

I don't think it's much more complex than "nuclear doomsday crisis" gets clicks and sells papers.

Re: Missing radioactive capsule found in WA outback after frantic search

#79

Post by N19PEDL2 »

hef19898 wrote: post #72
nl wrote: post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Dangerous items should be prioritised.

That would be a goal, and by which means would do so in the above mentioned example?

For example: if they know there is a radioactive source on board the vehicle they should check for its presence and integrity as soon as it arrives at its destination.

Ideally they should check for its presence on board at the end of each transport day, perhaps by measuring the level of radiation near the box which contains the item.

Re: Missing radioactive capsule found in WA outback after frantic search

#80

Post by flangola7 »

defrost wrote: post #54
sounds wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I appreciate the willingness to give them a shout out, by name. Not the first time I've had a brush with Rio Tinto.

Yeah, they certainly FUBAR'd and lost brownie points when they blew up Juukan Gorge. Let's not forget they're sitting on $64 billion US worth of Copper in the US on native lands either.

Also having a labor mass murder in their name
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