LATERITE. 
A red-brown 9 ferruginous rock, 
formed by the decomposition of 
various rocks containing iron, and 
widely spread in moist tropical areas. 
Laterite is of considerable 
economic importance in the Straits, 
being used as road “metal,” and, cut 
into blocks as a substitute for bricks. 
Like certain other rocks laterite is 
soft when freshly cut but hardens on 
exposure. Bricks of shaped blocks 
of this stone are exhibited below. 
The value of laterite for building 
purposes has been recognized from 
very early times and one of the few r 
prehistoric ruins in the Peninsula 
contains many laterite bricks. 
TIN. 
In the Federated Malay States tin 
mining is the principal industry and 
the main source of wealth (see table 
of exports). About three-quarters 
of the whole tin supply of the world 
comes from these States. Detailed 
information on the occurrence, 
mining, smelting and output of tin is 
given elsewhere in the Court. 
ARSENIC. 
Arsenic occurs in the Federated 
Malay States associated with ores of ■ 
iron, copper, tin and other metals. 
It will doubtless be of considerable 
* 
value in the future as a by-product. 
- '•. fv? 
V, 
• * . * -< 9 > 
TUNGSTEN. 
Tungsten occurs as Wolframite 
(tungstate of iron and manganese) 
and Scheelite (tungstate of lime) in 
several localities in the Federated 
Malay States, usually associated 
with tin ores. 
The ores have been worked to a 
limited extent, but there appears to 
be a difficulty in finding a steady 
market at remunerative prices. 
GOLD. 
Gold is the metal next in 
importance to tin in the Federated 
Malay States (see table of exports). 
Alluvial gold mining is carried on, 
with more or less success, in Pahang, 
Perak and elsewhere. The largest 
mine is in Pahang and is called the 
Raub mine. In Perak there are, and 
have been for a long time, extensive 
gold workings. Much of the gold 
occurs with tin from which it is 
separated by washing, as described 
in an adjoining case. 
MARBLE. 
Widely spread in the Federated 
Malay States is an extensive 
formation of limestone, wdiich, in 
most places, has been converted 
into marble of various colours, and 
handsomely marked with grey, red 
and black veins. 
Large works have recently been 
erected in Kinta to quarry, cut and 
polish this stone. 
COPPER. 
t 
Copper ores have been found in 
many places in the- Federated Malay 
States, but, hitherto, they have not 
been worked. 
SILVER. 
, • • 
• # 
Galena, and other ores of lead, 
containing appreciable quantities 
of silver—up to as much as ioo 
to 200 ounces per ton—hav^ been 
discovered in the Federates 
States, but so far, have nf 
worked. ' • 
MANGANES 
Manganese ores are found , 
quantities in the Federated; 
States. The deposits are not 
at present. 
TOPAZ. 
Topaz has been found in 
and Selangor in the Federated 
States. f 
Specimens of rough and cut 
are exhibited. 
__J 
CORUNDUM. 
Blue corundum is fairly common in 
certain localities in Kinta, Federated 
Malay States, but no commercic 
use is. at present, made of it. 
