Vietnam: Company executives charged over illegal mining profits

The Chairman and Director of Investment Company 706 in Vietnam's Quang Ngai province face criminal charges for allegedly violating resource extraction regulations. The provincial police's investigation unit has initiated legal proceedings against P.A.T, the company's Chairman and owner, and Đ.M.K, the Director, for illicitly profiting billions of dong from the Nui Le Thuy land mine.

Authorities state that between March 2023 and February 2026, the accused illegally extracted and sold large quantities of land fill material from the Nui Le Thuy mine to unauthorized customers. This occurred despite the company's knowledge that the extracted resources were strictly designated for state-funded projects, as stipulated in the mining permit issued by the Quang Ngai Provincial People's Committee.

This alleged misconduct is seen as a serious breach of laws governing the extraction and management of mineral resources. It has reportedly impacted the supply of essential materials for key provincial projects, particularly as the government urges accelerated progress and capital disbursement for public investments.

The investigation, which began in February 2026, uncovered that Investment Company 706 was extracting land fill material in a manner inconsistent with its mining permit. The company had been granted permission to operate the Nui Le Thuy open-pit mine for land fill material, but the permit specified that the material could only be supplied to the Phan D road project.

Following these revelations, the Quang Ngai Provincial Police's Department of Investigation for Corruption, Economic Crimes, Smuggling, and Environment has urged all organizations and individuals involved in mineral extraction within the province to strictly adhere to geological and mineral laws and their issued permits. They are cautioned against prioritizing short-term economic gains over legal compliance.