Methods of prospecting and exploration of mineral deposits in Russia in the first half of the 19th century (based on the materials of Gornyi Zhurnal)

The article discusses history of the methods for prospecting and exploration of mineral deposits in the first half of the 19th century in Russia. This time period takes a special place in the history of geology in Russia. Owing to industrial development, raw materials became in high demand which greatly spurred the subsoil research. That was the rise of geology as an independent science in Russia. The study uses the materials published in the journal Gornyi Zhurnal between 1825 and 1850. The journal promoted the spread of knowledge in the sphere of mineral prospecting and exploration. The journal offered more than 200 publications on geological investigation of the area of Russia within the mentioned period of time. The published materials enabled reconstruction of history of mineral prospecting and exploration in Russia in the first half of the 19th century. The rise and development of knowledge on prospecting and exploration of minerals in Russia in the first half of the 19th century was stimulated by a purely practical goal, namely, the necessity of geognostical description of Russia to increase the volume of raw materials essential for the developing industry. Advancement of knowledge in the field of prospecting and exploration of mineral deposits went through two stages. At the first stage (before the 1820s), there was a process of accumulation of practical experience in prospecting work. The number of geological expeditions jumped and the area covered by geological research expanded significantly. On this basis, the first practical recommendations for organizing mineral prospecting and exploration were compiled. On the other hand, the accumulated experience lacked a methodological basis. In the 1820s, the task of systematization, comprehension and methodological generalization of the acquired knowledge was set. At the same time, a number of prospecting indicators of deposits were identified and the first geological maps were plotted. In general, the first half of the 19th century can be considered as a period of laying a scientific foundation for the prospecting and geological exploration work.