Formation of domestic material basis of mineral resources (to the 120th anniversary of All-Russian Scientific- Research Institute of Mineral Resources)

Formation of a new type institution is described from its origin to gradual transformation into a model of a modern unit of scientific research. The signature of the Litogea Institute–then the Institute of Applied Mineralogy–finally VIMS in the whole field of its history is the joining of theoretical, methodical and applied research with production functions. In the first years of the Litogea, the field of the research interest of the staff became microscopic petrography and crystal optics. The competent personnel and excellent equipment were a passport to success in discovery and analysis of mineral resources in the country. After nationalization and transformation of a small scientific unit to the Institute of Applied Mineralogy in 1923, its research profile changed drastically. The objective was set to free the domestic industry from import of mineral resources in the years immediately ahead, and to create a native grown material basis of heavily deficient mineral resources. The leading organization concept for the whole work became an integrated method developed by N. M. Fedorovsky to implement the research and actualize the results. This method involves prospecting and exploration of a certain type of mineral raw materials together with extensive geological and mineralogical research, comprehensive technological and economic evaluation of ore-bearing objects being studied and with scrutinized project recommendations on commercial-scale mining. To this effect, all components of rocks extracted in the course of mining are to be thoroughly studied with a view to revealing their useful properties toward their practical use to a maximum extent. Such approach allowed import substitution in terms of key types of minerals and enabled foundation for their domestic production. The long-term experience of VIMS shows that integrated solution of exploration, technology, performance and research problems is an effective way of overcoming dependence on raw materials and increasing gradually domestic mineral resources and mineral reserves.The illustrations are the pictures from the VIMS archive and lithology fund.