Section 18. Prospecting and mining to be done by Central Government in conformity with the Mineral Concession Rules.

Where prospecting is done under this Act by or on behalf of the Central Government in any land situate within the jurisdiction of a State Government or where the Central Government or a Government company has become the lessee of a State Government in respect of any land under this Act, the terms and conditions under which the prospecting can be done or rights under the lease exercised shall, as far as may be, be the same as the terms and conditions applicable to prospecting licences and mining leases under the Mineral Concession Rules; and in case of doubt or dispute, shall be settled by arbitration or in such other manner as the Central Government and the State Government may decide.