Put safety first

Prospecting is a popular pastime taking tourists and professional prospectors to regional and remote parts of the State. Attention to safety is important, unexpected events can happen. Be prepared, plan your trip and come home safely.

You need to:

  • Be aware of what you need to do to be safe
  • Research the terrain to minimise risks
  • Be satisfactorily equipped with water, fuel, maps and first aid supplies

You should also seriously consider:

  • Taking some form of telecommunications and a global positioning system to fix locations
  • Carrying a Personal Location Beacon. This could turn out to be your most important piece of safety equipment

If you are new to prospecting, it is recommended you seek information and advice from experienced prospectors about their field equipment. Prospecting and metal detecting clubs provide useful sources of information.

Importance of Personal Location Beacons

A prospector who was not carrying a Personal Location Beacon died in 2014 in Western Australia’s northwest after a month-long aerial and land search failed to find him.

Following the incident, the State Coroner recommended all prospectors carry these beacons in remote areas. When activated, the beacons transmit location coordinates to emergency services via satellite, eliminating reliance on telecommunication networks.

There is a range of small and inexpensive Personal Location Beacons at outdoor stores throughout the State. The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety encourages all prospectors to take responsibility for their personal wellbeing and carry the beacons in remote locations.