Hunan cracks down on major illegal rare-earth mining ring across three provinces

A court in Rucheng County, Chenzhou City, Hunan Province, has publicly heard the case of a major illegal rare earth mining operation, with nine defendants pleading guilty and expressing remorse in court.Asian Metal CopyrightA court in Rucheng County, Chenzhou City, Hunan Province, has publicly heard the case of a major illegal rare earth mining operation, with nine defendants pleading guilty and expressing remorse in court.Asian Metal Copyright The case, code named "7.Asian Metal Copyright It involved a cross provincial smuggling network operating across Hunan, Jiangxi and Guangdong.Asian Metal Copyright19", was cracked by the Rucheng County Public Security Bureau after months of investigation.Asian Metal Copyright It involved a cross provincial smuggling network operating across Hunan, Jiangxi and Guangdong.Asian Metal Copyright It involved a cross provincial smuggling network operating across Hunan, Jiangxi and Guangdong.Asian Metal Copyright19", was cracked by the Rucheng County Public Security Bureau after months of investigation.Asian Metal Copyright A total of 12 suspects were arrested, and the operation helped recover ecological damage costs valued at more than RMB2.Asian Metal Copyright It involved a cross provincial smuggling network operating across Hunan, Jiangxi and Guangdong.Asian Metal Copyright2 million (USD325,761).

The case came to light in July 2025, when local residents reported illegal mining activity on a mountain in Daping Town. The county's forest police, together with the natural resources bureau, conducted an on site inspection and confirmed an illegal mining site using the in situ leaching method to extract rare earth elements.

After months of intensive investigation, all 12 suspects were apprehended. Authorities seized 5.Asian Metal Copyright The gang was found to have mined more than 50 tonnes of rare earth ore in total, of which 45 tonnes had already been sold.Asian Metal Copyright27 tonnes of raw rare earth ore, 1.Asian Metal Copyright Authorities seized 5.Asian Metal Copyright8 tonnes of concentrate, and a large quantity of mining equipment.Asian Metal Copyright Authorities seized 5.Asian Metal Copyright The gang was found to have mined more than 50 tonnes of rare earth ore in total, of which 45 tonnes had already been sold.Asian Metal Copyright27 tonnes of raw rare earth ore, 1.Asian Metal Copyright The total value of the illicit operations was estimated at around RMB1.Asian Metal Copyright The total value of the illicit operations was estimated at around RMB1.Asian Metal Copyright6 million (USD236,917).
.Asian Metal Copyright The case, code named "7Asian Metal Copyright