Missing 75yo WA prospector rescued

A 75-year-old prospector has been rescued from Western Australia's Goldfields region after failing to return to his camp.

The man, from Middle Swan in Perth, didn't return to the camp about 40km northwest of Coolgardie within an hour as planned on Wednesday, so a search was launched given factors including his age and the forecast 40C temperature.

He was found five hours after departing, suffering from dehydration and heat exhaustion.

Sergeant Brett Pengilly, officer in charge of Coolgardie Police Station, said he implored anyone planning such an outdoor activity to bring along a personal locating beacon, satellite phone or the like.