On 12/2, the Economic Police Department of Hue City Police announced the arrest and temporary detention of Tran Hai Sinh, 66; Nguyen Van Phu, 38, operations director of La Dut kaolin mine; and Phan Hung Linh, 42, technical staff at La Dut mine. They were detained for violating regulations on resource exploitation.

Kaolin is a natural white clay, primarily used in the production of ceramics, tiles, and various other industries.

Nguyen Hai Sinh and accomplices at the investigation agency. Photo: Hong Nhung.

Nguyen Hai Sinh and accomplices at the investigation agency. Photo: Hong Nhung.

The Economic Police Department stated that the La Dut kaolin mine, located in A Luoi 1 commune, was initially licensed for exploitation by Thua Thien Hue Ceramic Tile Mineral Joint Stock Company, under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Subsequently, this company, legally represented by Cao Van Minh, 50, transferred its exploitation rights to Hucera Mineral Exploitation and Processing Company Limited.

According to investigators, from June 2019 to August 2025, Sinh, despite being fully aware of the licensed boundaries and scope of the mine, allegedly instructed Phu and Linh to extract kaolin beyond the permitted area by 11,209 m². The total value of the illegally mined mineral exceeds 9 billion VND.

This illegally obtained kaolin was transported to a processing plant and subsequently sold to various companies and entities.

Vo Thanh