Statute Details
- Title: Sand and Granite Quarries Regulations
- Act Code: SGQA1970-RG1
- Legislative Type: Subsidiary legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Sand and Granite Quarries Act (Cap. 284), Section 24
- Current Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Revised Edition / History (high level): Revised Edition 2001 (31 Jan 2001); earlier amendments include S 99/1998 and S 200/2018
- Key Subject Areas: Licensing and administration; quarry planning and alterations; safety and conduct of persons; explosives and blasting controls; dust and environmental controls; age and prohibited persons; offences and penalties
- Selected Key Provisions (from metadata): Regulations 6, 12–14, 17, 21–22, 25–26, 28–34
What Is This Legislation About?
The Sand and Granite Quarries Regulations are subsidiary rules made under the Sand and Granite Quarries Act to regulate how sand and granite quarries are operated in Singapore. In practical terms, the Regulations set out the licensing framework and impose detailed operational, safety, and environmental obligations on quarry licensees and the people working within quarry sites.
The Regulations address both “front-end” administrative requirements—such as how to apply for a licence, what plans must be submitted, and what fees apply—and “on-the-ground” compliance duties. These include controls on quarry waste and silt, safe blasting practices, safe movement of workers, dust extraction, and restrictions on who may work in a quarry.
For practitioners, the Regulations are particularly important because they translate broad statutory objectives (safe and responsible quarrying) into enforceable, site-specific obligations. Non-compliance can lead to regulatory action, criminal liability, and—through the compensation mechanism—financial exposure to affected neighbours and landowners.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1) Licensing administration: applications, plans, directions, deposits, fees, and renewal
Regulation 2 requires an applicant to submit a written application to the Licensing Officer in the form directed by that Officer. Where required, the Licensing Officer may demand further information. This gives the regulator a structured but flexible information-gathering power.
Regulation 3 is a core planning requirement. Applications must be accompanied by three copies of a plan containing specified technical details, including (a) a comprehensive topographical survey showing salient features and the extent of the proposed quarry, (b) the siting of pumps, crusher plant or other mechanical apparatus for sand washing or quarry operations, and (c) the siting of silting ponds (silt traps) and the drainage arrangements from those ponds to existing waterways. For sand quarries, the plan must indicate that provision has been made for at least two silting ponds sized consistently with the capacity of the pumps or mechanical apparatus.
Regulation 4 empowers the Licensing Officer to issue written directions to ensure efficient and satisfactory operation. It also requires the licensee to amend the plan copies within the time specified by the Licensing Officer. Regulation 5 allows the Licensing Officer to require a security deposit, with specified amounts: for sand quarries, the deposit varies by whether motive power is used and by aggregate power thresholds; for granite quarries, the deposit is $10,000.
Regulation 6 sets annual licence fees: $4,260 per annum for sand quarries and $10,800 per annum for granite quarries. Regulation 7 governs renewal: the licensee must apply in writing and provide either (a) a statement that the quarry remains unchanged from the original approved application/plan, or (b) particulars of proposed changes.
2) Alterations to the approved plan and enforcement consequences
Regulation 8 addresses changes to quarry operations as represented in the approved plan. A licensee intending to alter the quarry must apply in writing to the Licensing Officer, enclosing two copies of a plan indicating the alterations. Critically, the licensee must not carry out the work until the Licensing Officer has approved the proposed alterations. If a licensee carries out alterations without prior approval, Regulation 8(3) creates an offence, punishable on conviction by a fine not exceeding $2,000.
For counsel advising quarry operators, this is a compliance “tripwire”: operational changes that affect layout, machinery siting, drainage, or other plan-represented features may require formal approval even if the changes appear minor. The safest approach is to treat any deviation from the approved plan as potentially requiring an amendment application.
3) Damage assessment and compensation mechanism
Regulation 9 provides a structured process for assessing damage or interference caused by quarry operations. The Licensing Officer may assess damage or interference to adjoining/surrounding land or property (including damage or loss of livestock or poultry) and interference with normal agricultural pursuits. If attributable to quarry operations, the Licensing Officer may direct the licensee to compensate affected persons.
If there is a dispute about the question or amount of compensation, the dispute is referred to a committee of three persons appointed by the Minister. The committee’s decision is final and binding on the licensee. Importantly, Regulation 9(4) allows the Licensing Officer to use the whole or part of the security deposit to meet compensation payments. Failure to pay compensation directed by the Licensing Officer or determined by the committee is an offence with a fine not exceeding $500.
Regulation 9(6) preserves civil remedies: nothing prevents affected persons from bringing court proceedings for damages or compensation. However, Regulation 9(7) limits double recovery: if a person has recovered damages or compensation under Regulation 9, they cannot maintain a suit against the sand quarry licensee in respect of the same property damage.
4) Explosives and blasting controls (granite quarries)
The Regulations impose detailed controls on blasting for granite quarries, reflecting the heightened risk of explosives, misfires, and nuisance/damage. Regulation 12 requires that explosives used for charging holes are approved by the Arms and Explosives Branch of the Singapore Police Force, and that initiation uses an approved combination of safety fuse, cord, detonating cord (as indicated in the extract), and detonators.
Regulation 12 also imposes minimum safety distances and procedural controls. At least one metre of fuse must be outside each hole. Where the number of holes to be fixed at any one time is more than 20, the licensee must obtain the Licensing Officer’s prior written approval. The Regulation further requires careful post-blast inspection: material blown down must be examined for any cartridges or pieces of cartridges that have remained unexploded.
While the extract truncates the remainder, the metadata indicates additional blasting-related provisions: Regulation 25 (regulating blasting operations where blasting may cause nuisance or damage), Regulation 26 (precautions before, during and after blasting), and Regulation 27 (fumes, dust, etc.). These provisions collectively create a compliance regime that addresses both technical blasting safety and external impacts on neighbours and the environment.
5) Weather and prohibited conduct: thunderstorm withdrawal and intoxication restrictions
The Regulations also address situational hazards. Regulation 28 requires that on the approach of a thunderstorm, all persons are withdrawn. This is a critical safety rule for blasting and other quarry operations where lightning risk can trigger catastrophic outcomes.
Regulation 29 prohibits persons under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs from being in or conducting quarry work in a way that would compromise safety. This is complemented by other conduct and cleanliness provisions (e.g., Regulation 30 on handwashing after handling explosives), which are designed to reduce both immediate operational risks and longer-term health risks.
6) Environmental controls: silt, dust extraction, and dust masks
For sand quarries, the Regulations focus heavily on controlling silt and waste. Regulation 10 requires the licensee to maintain and desilt canals or streams caused by indiscriminate and unauthorised discharge of quarry waste. Regulation 11 requires silting ponds to have an overflow weir of permanent construction set at a specified level below the top of the bund; silt from sand washing must flow into silting ponds and not into existing streams/canals/drains; and when a silting pond is full, another pond must be used with arrangements for removal of silt to a suitable approved place.
For dust control, the metadata indicates Regulation 32 requires every licensee to install dust extraction plants to ensure that dust is controlled (the extract truncates the exact wording, but the intent is clear). Regulation 33 requires the licensee to provide dust masks and related protective measures. These provisions are important for occupational health compliance and for reducing nuisance dust impacts on surrounding areas.
7) Workforce safety and site access: age limits, safe travelling ways, and duties of licensees
The Regulations include workforce-specific safety requirements. Regulation 17 provides an age limit: persons employed in a quarry must not be less than 18 years of age. This is a protective labour rule tied to the inherent hazards of quarry work.
Regulation 21 requires the licensee to provide secure and safe travelling ways for employees to move to and from their work locations. Regulation 22 (from metadata) allows the Licensing Officer to give notice requiring excavation to be worked in benches, which is a safety and stability measure to manage face stability and reduce collapse risk.
Regulation 34 (from metadata) indicates broader duty of licensees provisions—typically capturing overarching obligations to ensure safety, compliance, and proper supervision. Regulation 13 and 14 (from metadata) address conduct of employees/other persons and safety appliances, while Regulation 16 covers unauthorised entry. Regulation 34, together with the other safety provisions, is likely to be the “catch-all” compliance anchor used by enforcement officers.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
The Regulations are organised as a sequence of numbered regulations, beginning with licensing and administrative matters and moving through operational controls. The structure (as reflected in the provision list) includes:
Regulations 1–8: citation, application for licence, quarry plan requirements, directions of the Licensing Officer, security deposit, fees, renewal, and alteration of quarry in the approved plan.
Regulations 9–11: assessment of damage, clearing of quarry waste, and disposal of silt.
Regulations 12–14: explosives for granite quarries, conduct of employees and other persons, and safety appliances.
Regulations 15–20: machinery safety, unauthorised entry, age limits, safety of surroundings of excavations, no overhang of face or wall, and notice to cease work.
Regulations 21–24: safe travelling ways, notice to work in benches, night work, and obstruction controls.
Regulations 25–33: blasting operations and precautions, fumes/dust, thunderstorms, prohibited persons, cleanliness, storage of explosives in magazines, dust extraction plants, and dust masks/related measures.
Regulations 34–37: duties of licensees, medical examinations and X-ray requirements, register of persons employed, and application of the Factories Act.
Regulation 38: offences and penalties.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Regulations apply primarily to licensees operating sand and granite quarries in Singapore, and to persons working in or about such quarries (including employees and other persons present on site). The obligations are drafted as duties of the licensee, but they operate in practice through requirements imposed on site management, supervision, and operational procedures.
They also apply to persons seeking a licence (or renewal) and to the Licensing Officer (and, by extension, the Minister and relevant committees) in the exercise of regulatory powers such as issuing directions, requiring security deposits, assessing damage, and determining compensation disputes.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
The Regulations are important because they provide a detailed compliance framework for quarrying activities that are inherently high-risk. They cover not only worker safety (age limits, safe travelling ways, safety appliances, explosives handling hygiene) but also external impacts (silt and waste management, dust extraction, and blasting nuisance/damage controls).
From an enforcement and litigation perspective, the Regulations create multiple pathways to liability: (1) offences for breaches such as unauthorised alterations to the approved plan, (2) offences for failure to pay compensation directed under the damage assessment regime, and (3) broader duties that can be used to establish negligence or regulatory breach in the event of incidents. The security deposit mechanism also means that financial exposure can be managed—and recovered—through regulatory channels.
For practitioners advising quarry operators, the Regulations should be treated as a “compliance map” for quarry operations: approved plans must be maintained, operational changes require approval, blasting must follow approved explosive and initiation methods, and environmental controls (silt and dust) must be implemented and maintained. In addition, the Regulations’ interaction with the Factories Act (via Regulation 37) means that quarry operators may face overlapping occupational safety and health obligations.
Related Legislation
- Sand and Granite Quarries Act (Cap. 284) — authorising provisions and overarching regulatory framework
- Factories Act — occupational safety and health framework applied by reference (Regulation 37)
- Granite Quarries Act — referenced in the metadata as related legislation (context for historical development)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Sand and Granite Quarries Regulations for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.