New Delhi, Aug. 21 -- Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy on Thursday said that exploration of critical minerals is currently underway in the northeastern states of Mizoram and Assam.

In an interview with ANI, the Minister added that the government will consult with the Northeastern states.

Acknowledging the presence of region-specific legal frameworks, Reddy said that the Centre will consult with the northeastern states to explore the scope of extraction of critical minerals in these states.

"Arunachal Pradesh has been brought into the auction regime in the coal sector for the first time... In Mizoram and Assam, too, exploration on critical minerals is ongoing... There are different Acts in the northeast, so we will speak wit...