The Department of Mines and Petroleum is investigating asbestos contamination in the Pilbara.

Rio Tinto has confirmed brown asbestos was found last month at its West Angelas mine site.

The fibres were identified in material which was brought in from the Holcim quarry in Newman as landfill.

A Rio Tinto spokeswoman says exposure levels were below the occupational exposure limit and employees were immediately informed.

The Holcim quarry has voluntarily shut down its operations.

The department says an initial report on asbestos at West Angelas is due tomorrow.

The mining union says it has been conducting tests at BHP Billiton’s Jimblebar mine site near Meekatharra.

The CFMEU’s safety officer Steve McCann says he has spent three days investigating asbestos contamination at the site, after calls from several concerned workers.

The union says Jimblebar has also sourced material from the Holcim quarry.

Mr McCann says he is concerned that workers at the BHP site could suffer exposure whilst the investigations continue there.

“The mine itself has been made aware; their position on the subject was until they receive confirmation from further testing, they were going to continue to use this,” he said.

“Now that borders on negligence as far as I’m concerned.

“Even the risk of contamination or exposure to the workers on that site, they should at least stop production until such time as they have confirmation that the material they’re using is safe.”

The Department of Mines and Petroleum has called a meeting with the union, the quarry, Worksafe WA, Rio Tinto and BHP to discuss potential health impacts.