Eighty-nine people have applied to extend gravel production license while 13 people applied for new gravel production license and one person applied to extend laterite production license, according to him.

He said a one-year license is granted to the applicants that follow the law and rules in systematically making, importing, transporting, storing, and using explosive substances.

“We have instructed the quarry owners and gunpowder owners from the state to follow the Explosives Substance Act in buying, storing, preserving, and using gunpowder,” said Col Win Naing Oo.

The quarry license is extended once a year and it is extended after collecting 25 percent tax on the annual production, according to an official from the Mon State Forest Department.

“We have included the rules and the points that must be followed in the back of the contract since they apply for the license. The license is only granted if they can follow them,” the official said.

Eighteen rules relating to quarrying has been included in the contract and respective forest department and inspection teams conduct field inspections to check whether or not the quarry owners follow the rules.

Companies, which will run the rock quarries, are required to plant 20 percent of trees and the license is not extended to those that fail to plant the trees.

Col Win Naing Oo said 108 people received quarry license – 104 people received crushed stone production license and four people received laterite production license – in the state last year.