Section 8
[(1A) The Central Government may in consultation with the State Government, reserve any area not already held under any prospecting licence 7 [or exploration licence] or mining lease, for undertaking prospecting or mining operations through a Government company or corporation owned or controlled by it, and where it proposes to do so, it shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify the boundaries of such area and the mineral or minerals in respect of which such area will be reserved.]
8 [(1A) The Central Government may in consultation with the State Government, reserve any area not already held under any prospecting licence 7 [or exploration licence] or mining lease, for undertaking prospecting or mining operations through a Government company or corporation owned or controlled by it, and where it proposes to do so, it shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify the boundaries of such area and the mineral or minerals in respect of which such area will be reserved.]
(2) The State Government may, with the approval of the Central Government, reserve any area not already held under any prospecting licence 7 [or exploration licence] or mining lease, for undertaking prospecting or mining operations through a Government company or corporation owned or controlled by