V. Yu. Soimonov and N. R. Mamyshev correspondence (1823–1825) in the context of topical issues of mining industry development in Russia

The article reviews the correspondence between the notable figures in mining art—Senator and Mine Inspector of the Moscow Mine Directorate V. Yu. Soimonov and Governor of the Blagodat Mountain Mining District, Oberbergmeister N. R. Mamyshev in the period from 1823 to 1825. The correspondence followed their cooperation at the Interim Yekaterinburg Mining Committee which accumulated actual processes in the mining industry in the Ural, systematized them, scaled up and gave a powerful impetus. The administrative measures promoted in the first turn activation of geological exploration works. A case-study of the Blagodat Mountain Mining District shows that expeditionary parties not only studied areas with a view to discovering gold deposits but also explored the subsoil using a deep drilling method, novel at that time. The result (including efforts aimed at organization of the precious metal placer mining in the winter period) was the increment in gold production. The cause-and-effect of such activities was accumulation of observations, suppositions and hypotheses on geological structure of the Ural Mountains. Administrative high-ranks participated in discussions aimed to promote elaboration of a new knowledge on the structure and wealth of mineral resources in the Ural. The scope of the discussions encompassed the key issues of the contemporary petrology and lithology, and, first of all, understanding of gold and diamond content of the area. Mining practitioners carried their points which encouraged consolidation of a mining corporation. Paternalism was another way of welding the professional community responsible for the critical basic and mining industries, which V. Yu. Soimonov and N. R. Mamyshev believed to belong.