VIDEO. A dangerously radioactive capsule wanted for two weeks in Australia

Australian authorities are concerned.

A silver capsule the size of a Tic-Tac, used during mining operations, has been missing since mid-January.

It contains a radioactive substance, cesium 137, according to the Department of Health of Western Australia.

The capsule is said to have fallen from a lorry as it was being transported to a storage location between the remote town of Newman and the northern suburbs of Perth, a distance of around 1,400km.

Health authorities have warned against handling this object that could lead to burns or acute radiation syndrome and recommend staying at least five meters away from it.

"The concern is that someone picks it up not knowing what they're dealing with," said Dr Andrew Robertson, Western Australia medical services manager.

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The authorities were alerted on Wednesday January 25 of this disappearance by the company Rio Tinto, responsible for the capsule.

The Anglo-Australian mining giant apologized on Monday.

“We recognize that this situation is clearly very concerning and we are sorry for the concern it has caused in the Western Australian community,” Simon Trott, chief executive of Rio Tinto Iron Ore, said in a statement.

The radioactive capsule, which is part of a gauge used in the mining industry to measure the density of iron ore, was transported by a certified contractor from the group.

Finding her could take weeks.