The state of the coal industry of Donbass at the end of the XIX – at the beginningof the XX century

Abstract

The article deals with the development of coal industry of the Donetsk basin and technical support of mineral fuel production in the mines of the region in the late XIX - early XX centuries.
 The last decade of the XIX century. characterized by the concentration of coal enterprises, which led to the widespread implementation of steam lifting, drainage and ventilation devices, the use of dynamite instead of gunpowder in the conduct of underground mining; construction of better equipped and capital super-mine technological complexes. It is noted that the coal mining enterprises of Donbass in 1914, although technically lagging behind the leading capitalist countries, were relatively modernized and showed positive tendencies to their further improvement.One of the major drawbacks of the beginning of the development of the Donbass coal industry was the lack of advanced machinery. By the middle of 1914 at least 12 types of felling machines were already actively used in the mines of the Donetsk basin, moreover, the supply of disk and rod machines was carried out by British factories, chain - American, shock - British, American, and German. Cutting machines belonged to the heavy type and cost several times more than percussion. Cutting machines were driven by pneumatic or electropneumatic engines. It was emphasized that miners in search of maximum optimization and productivity of coal mining were increasingly concerned about the technical improvement of their enterprises, as the introduction of appropriate innovations could significantly affect the economic feasibility and profitability of enterprises. This was required by the technological necessity in connection with the expansion of production and the constant shortage of labor. Foreign owners and shareholders who tried to introduce advanced technologies of their countries played an important role in the implementation of innovations.
 In addition, technical improvements in mining processes not only brought economic benefits to their owners, but sometimes indirectly improved working conditions and safety at mining facilities.