Executive Yuan Amends Law: Illegal Quarrying Fines Up to NT$10 Million, Life Imprisonment for Causing Disaster
Taiwan's Executive Yuan passed an amendment to Article 36 of the 'Quarrying Act,' increasing fines for illegal quarrying to a maximum of NT$10 million and introducing life imprisonment for profit-driven quarrying that causes disaster or death.
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- 📰 Published: May 7, 2026 at 13:16
- 🔍 Collected: May 7, 2026 at 13:31 (15 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 7, 2026 at 14:29 (57 min after Collected)
TAIPEI (Central News Agency) - To curb large-scale illegal quarrying, the Executive Yuan today passed an amendment to Article 36 of the 'Quarrying Act,' raising the upper limit of fines and adding criminal penalties. Fines for unauthorized quarrying will be doubled to a maximum of NT$10 million. If illegal quarrying for profit causes disaster or death, the maximum penalty can be life imprisonment, with an additional fine of up to NT$100 million.
Illegal quarrying cases are endless, severely damaging the environment and endangering public safety. The Executive Yuan meeting passed the amendment to Article 36 of the 'Quarrying Act' drafted by the Ministry of Economic Affairs. In addition to raising the upper limit of fines and adding criminal penalties, it also stipulates that equipment can be confiscated immediately during investigation and clearly defines site restoration regulations.
Regarding the increase in fines and criminal penalties, according to the draft, for those who quarry without permission, the upper limit of fines will be doubled to a maximum of NT$10 million; for those who quarry without permission for profit, they will be sentenced to imprisonment of up to 5 years, with an additional fine of up to NT$50 million; if those who quarry without permission for profit cause disaster, serious injury, or death, the penalty will be aggravated, with a maximum of life imprisonment and an additional fine of up to NT$100 million.
The draft also strengthens the confiscation mechanism. In the future, during investigation, vehicles or mechanical equipment used by the perpetrator can be confiscated immediately. For illegal acts intended for profit, the relevant equipment and vehicles used, regardless of ownership, will be compulsorily confiscated.
In addition, the amendment also establishes restoration regulations, adding that the materials and methods used for restoration shall be announced by the central competent authority, and strictly prohibiting the use of waste materials. Those who 'fail to restore as required' by the deadline will be subject to continuous penalties.
Executive Yuan spokesperson Li Hui-chih conveyed at the post-meeting press conference that Premier Cho Jung-tai stated that after the amendment, it will have three major benefits: 'precise打击, blocking illegal activities, and environmental restoration,' further safeguarding national land resources and public safety. (Edited by Wan Shu-chang) 1150507
Illegal quarrying cases are endless, severely damaging the environment and endangering public safety. The Executive Yuan meeting passed the amendment to Article 36 of the 'Quarrying Act' drafted by the Ministry of Economic Affairs. In addition to raising the upper limit of fines and adding criminal penalties, it also stipulates that equipment can be confiscated immediately during investigation and clearly defines site restoration regulations.
Regarding the increase in fines and criminal penalties, according to the draft, for those who quarry without permission, the upper limit of fines will be doubled to a maximum of NT$10 million; for those who quarry without permission for profit, they will be sentenced to imprisonment of up to 5 years, with an additional fine of up to NT$50 million; if those who quarry without permission for profit cause disaster, serious injury, or death, the penalty will be aggravated, with a maximum of life imprisonment and an additional fine of up to NT$100 million.
The draft also strengthens the confiscation mechanism. In the future, during investigation, vehicles or mechanical equipment used by the perpetrator can be confiscated immediately. For illegal acts intended for profit, the relevant equipment and vehicles used, regardless of ownership, will be compulsorily confiscated.
In addition, the amendment also establishes restoration regulations, adding that the materials and methods used for restoration shall be announced by the central competent authority, and strictly prohibiting the use of waste materials. Those who 'fail to restore as required' by the deadline will be subject to continuous penalties.
Executive Yuan spokesperson Li Hui-chih conveyed at the post-meeting press conference that Premier Cho Jung-tai stated that after the amendment, it will have three major benefits: 'precise打击, blocking illegal activities, and environmental restoration,' further safeguarding national land resources and public safety. (Edited by Wan Shu-chang) 1150507