This would create more job opportunities for locals in the district, they said.

Resident U Aung Htoo said the mining sites were originally mined by the locals, and with the permits granted to companies for years, locals were deprived of work.

He said now was the time to do it since the permits for some companies were expiring.

Locals are claiming that five companies out of the ten that are mining alabaster in Sakyin’s nine mountains, which include Kamma Taung, Sakyin Taung, Yathe Taung, Ngawet Taung, Kyaung Taung, and Hnaw Taung, have expired permits.

Among those with expired permits are the U Taw Taw and Sons company that mined on Kyaung Taung, and 
Sein Thiha Thama company on Hnaw Taung.

U Aung Htoo said the government should not consider extending the permits in the interest of the locals.

“We are gathering signatures to push for this. We will send the signatures to the regional government and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Mines,” he told The Myanmar Times last week.

The over 350 signatures, mostly from locals who were struggling to find work, would be sent to the relevant departments this month.

Another local, U Soe Win from Sakyin area, said the residents in the region had also collectively founded the Myanmar Residents Sakyin Marble Company with hopes to obtain a mining permit from the government.

“When outside companies were given permits, the locals did not benefit. There was no development for the people here. Locals had to look for odd jobs,” he said, adding that some 80 percent of the residents were sculptors and others worked as farmers and potters.

– Translation by Khine Thazin Han and Swe Zin Moe