Companies engaged in the sector are subject to a fee of 2,000 dirhams (US$247) for an exploration permit and 7,000 dirhams (US$864) for an exploitation permit, as well as an annual tax of 6,000 dirhams (US$740) in the case of long-term concessions (up to 75 years). Supplementary levies apply on renewal of permits and concessions. Since 2004, the mining sector has benefited from total exoneration of VAT paid on purchases of diesel used by road freight transport vehicles. A “depletion allowance” (provision pour reconstitution de gisement) for the mining sector was abolished in 2008.