According to the Persian economic daily Donya-e-Eqtesad, the ministry issued 1,617 permits for industrial operations, up by 0.1% year-on-year. In the field of mining, 336 exploration permits were issued during the four-month period, up by 21% YOY. Also, 135 and 184 permits were issued for mining discovery and operation, which indicate a 5% and 8% year-on-year decline respectively, Financial Tribune reported.