Miners Association established in Cornwall

Background. Historically, mining of tin and copper was vital to the Cornish economy. Special laws for tin miners pre-date written legal codes in Britain, with ancient traditions exempting those connected to tin mining in Cornwall and Devon from jurisdiction other than the stannary courts. This distinct legal and economic context surrounded the mining industry in which the Association was later established.

Founding. The Miners Association was founded in 1858 by Robert Hunt FRS and the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society. The Association was formed to create a body that would discuss, develop, address the needs, and represent the hard rock mining industry within the south west region of the United Kingdom.

Early Development. Within the first year of its existence, the Association took the name Miners Association of Cornwall & Devon to also represent the interests of the mining community of the counties of Devon, which had strong links within Cornwall. The Association also created classes in different mining areas of Cornwall.