Проблемы развития золотодобывающего комплекса на Северо-Востоке СССР в конце 1950-х - начале 1960-х гг.

Abstract

The article explores the features of the gold mining industry development in the North-East of the USSR in the late 1950s - early 1960s. The author examines the causes and consequences of the crisis in the industry as well as the complex of measures taken to overcome it at the regional and central levels. The main focus is made on the role of the regional Communist Party (CPSU) and governmental authorities in the formation and implementation of a new strategy for the gold mining complex development, based on the intensification of geological survey, the gold placer exploration in Chukotka, the attraction of financing and the personnel. The author demonstrates that of the decisive importance was the interaction of the regional CPSU committee and Council for People's Economy (Sovnarkhoz) with geological exploration organizations, the change of leadership of the latter, and the reorientation to the search for gold placers in Chukotka. Due to regional initiatives and the targeted state support, it became possible to increase capital investments in geological exploration and construction of mining enterprises, to ensure the inflow of additional labour resources. The author bases his research on a wide range of archival sources, which permit to study the dynamics and specifics of managerial decisions and actions under an intricate economic and social situation. The article reveals the fact that, despite the achieved growth of gold production, the industry still faced serious problems, related to the Dalstroy heritage, planned unprofitability, moral and physical wear and tear of equipment, stealing of gold, etc. The author concludes that, for the further development of the gold mining industry in the North-East, it was necessary to reequip the enterprises, to implement innovations, to increase labour productivity, and to solve social problems in the region.