CREATION OF PROFESSIONAL MINING SUPERVISION IN THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE XIX – EARLY XX CENTURY

Abstract

Introduction. Mining supervision is an important part of the supervisory function of the state. It is designed to protect the country’s mineral resources of national importance from plundering or predatory development, and workers from dangerous working conditions, but at the same time should not hinder rational business activities. An important milestone in the development of mining supervision in Russia was the 1860s, when major transformations began in the country, affecting the organizational basis of the mining industry. In historiography the preparation of mining reform has not been subjected to special research. In this situation, the purpose of the article becomes the analysis of the proposed in the 1860s projects of reforming mining supervision in Russia and determining their importance for the development of supervision in the second half of the XIX – early XX centuries. Materials and Methods. The study is based on legislative acts, record keeping documentation of the Commission for the Revision of the Mining Regulations and the Commission for revising the system of taxes and fees, as well as reference publications of the Mining Department and materials of the sectoral periodicals. Historical genetic and comparative methods of scientific analysis are used. Results and Discussion. During the preparation of mining reform in the 1860s two alternatives were proposed for the organization of mining supervision in the Russian Empire. One of them suggested the creation of an institute of district engineers who were part of a specialized mining management system, while the other, together with this system, also abolished mining supervision, transferring its functions to other institutions. In practice the first version of the reform, proposed by the Mining Commission, was implemented. At the initial stage of the formation of the new mining supervision since 1865, it was combined with the pre-reform institutions represented by factory guardians. At the second stage, from 1886, the institute of district engineers completely replaced the former forms of supervision and covered the entire territory of the Russian Empire, which was divided into 11 mining regions. Conclusion. In the second half of the XIX – early XX century а new system of mining administration was created, covering the entire territory of the Russian Empire. The most important function of this department was the supervision of private enterprises, which was organized in accordance with the project, developed during the preparation of the Great Reforms of the reign of Alexander II.