Chu Huu Thai, director of Giao Son Construction and Mineral Exploitation Co., Ltd., along with Luu Thi Hanh, an accountant, and Nguyen Trung Hieu, director of Shinhan Vietnam Co., Ltd., were arrested on 6/8 by Ho Chi Minh City police. They are being investigated for violating resource exploration and exploitation regulations.
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From left to right: Chu Huu Thai, Luu Thi Hanh, and Nguyen Trung Hieu. Photo: Police Department |
From left to right: Chu Huu Thai, Luu Thi Hanh, and Nguyen Trung Hieu. Photo: Police Department
Shinhan Vietnam Co., Ltd., the investor of the Shinhan factory project in Long Huong ward, Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Ba Ria - Vung Tau province), had a permit to extract construction stone on an area of over 7 hectares. Lacking expertise, in 2022, Shinhan contracted Giao Son, led by Thai, for the mining operation.
In early 2025, their explosives permit expired. However, needing to fulfill pre-paid customer orders, Thai's group excavated two pits deeper than permitted, extracting a significant amount of stone for sale.
Recent investigations into illegal mining operations prompted Thai to take action. Fearing discovery, he ordered the backfilling of the two pits to restore the original ground level, consistent with their permit. However, the police uncovered this attempt to conceal the illicit activity.
Investigators determined that over 7,000 cubic meters of stone were illegally mined, resulting in over 1 billion VND in illicit profits.
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The site of the illegal mining operation. Photo: Police Department |
The site of the illegal mining operation. Photo: Police Department
The Ho Chi Minh City Police Department stated that illegal mining not only depletes national resources but also severely damages the environment. It creates risks of land subsidence and other consequences for nearby residential areas. The investigation is ongoing to determine the responsibility of all parties involved, with increased inspections and strict penalties for this type of crime.
Quoc Thang
