A set of thirteen publications initially published under the auspices of the Imperial Mineral Resources Bureau 1920-1925. Volumes for 1926-1931 were prepared by the Imperial Institute. The Imperial Mineral Resources Bureau was set up for the purposes of promoting the development of mineral resources of the British Empire. The IMRB Legal Committee recommended the preparation and publication of detailed accounts of the mining laws of the British Empire. The idea was that these volumes would contain all the information necessary for the prospector, the miner, the financier and their legal advisers. The aim was to start with the colonies and protectorates in tropical Africa. By volume three the policy had been changed and a focus on South Africa became desirable. After Volume III, the priority changed to the Overseas Dominions, Canada, Australia, British India and the Federated Malay States.