Guwahati, Aug. 21 -- The Union government has initiated large-scale exploration of critical minerals in Assam and Mizoram as part of its ambitious strategy to strengthen domestic mineral security and reduce reliance on imports, Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy announced on Thursday.

The minister emphasised that the Centre would move cautiously in the northeast, where unique legal and land ownership frameworks apply.

"There are different Acts in the northeast, so we will speak with the state governments first and then move ahead with extraction after proper consultation," Reddy said in an interview to ANI.

Highlighting the broader reforms, Reddy pointed to the recently passed Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) ...