Hundreds of armed men attacked a gold mine in the central province of Quang Nam, injuring security guards and robbing 15 tons of gold ore early Tuesday.

Around 400 locals stormed into the mine of Bong Mieu Gold Company in Phu Ninh District and took the gold ore away before the eyes of guards and local police officers.

It is the second time locals attacked the gold mine. On June 4, more than 300 men also stormed into the mine, injuring guards and stealing over 10 tons of gold ore. 

Tran Ha Tien, general director of the Bong Mieu Gold Company, said the company will go bankrupt if a similar attack happens.

The company’s mining activities have been threatened by illegal gold diggers since last year; they even repeatedly challenged the security guards and local police, Hai said.

Many of them brought weapons to the guards’ houses and threatened their families, he added.

The company has asked Quang Nam Province’s authorities to take measures to protect its staff, including foreigners, working at the gold mines and its factory.