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The Federated Malay States (FMS) Chamber Of Mines Headquarters
This photograph shows some of the members of the FMS Chamber of Mines arriving at their headquarters in Ipoh.
In early 1901, the first meeting of the representatives of the European mining community was held at the Ipoh Club. It was chaired by JBM Leech, the former Kinta District magistrate who had an interest in the Gopeng Mines. The meeting resolved to form the Perak Chamber of Mines and to approach the Perak Planters and Miners Association, a Chinese based organisation already in existance, to propose amalgamation.
The Perak Chamber of Mines, gazetted in May 1901, organised its first major conference in September 1901 which resulted in the passing of mining legislation in 1904. Meanwhile, the amalgamation invitation was declined by the Planters and Miners Association as the Chinese miners were under-represented at the the 1901 conference.
Around 1904 the Chamber became moribund. In 1907, forced by a drastic drop in tin prices the two organisations joined forces to lobby government for a reduction in tin duty. In 1914, the Perak Chamber of Mines was expanded into the more powerful FMS Chamber of Mines.
For the Ipoh Club’s history, click here.
To read more about the book ‘Kinta Valley ’, click here.