Russian Gold Research Articles

ПІДРОБКА ЗОЛОТИХ МОНЕТ В УКРАЇНІ У ХІХ – на початку ХХ ст.

The problem of the money counterfeiting in Russian Empire has long been out of sight of the scientists, in Ukraine doesn’t exist any single comprehensive work devoted to the study of this problem. In the period of the Russian Empire rule in Ukraine, the counterfeiting of gold coins acquires its own features and tendencies. This article introduces into the scientific circulation the materials of the state historical archives criminal cases, newspapers and museum collections related to the falsification of the gold coins in Ukraine. During the XVIII century the gold coins were little known to the public, that’s why the cases of falsification of them through the historical sources are unknown. Before the middle of the XIX century the counterfeiting of the foreign gold coins was widespread. The traditional crime was clipping of the gold and silver coins, which was also fixed in the studied period. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, due to the small number of Russian gold coins in the circulation, the counterfeiters used foreign Holland ducats and Ottoman mahmudis as a model. Counterfeiting of the Russian gold coins has been known since the middle of the 19th century. False semi-imperials are known from Ukrainian finds, although analysis of the sources indicates their potential importation from the Baltic provinces, where they were probably manufactured. With the introduction of the gold standard in Russian Empire, the new coins are rapidly gaining a high popularity. Extensive use of the new gold coins leads to the falsification of almost the entire line of the denominations. Even the rarest gold coin of 7 rubles and 50 kopecks, minted only in 1897, was identified in Zhytomyr. Counterfeits of the gold coins also came to the Ukrainian provinces from the neighboring regions, as in 1911 the fact of importation of the counterfeit imperials was revealed from Nakhichevan. The First World War has radically changed the principles of the money circulation in Ukraine. The huge was expenses and the financial crisis led to a «coin hunger», the use of money substitutes and speculation with small coins. The gold coins were purposefully withdrawn from the population in exchange for paper banknotes. We suggest that the known today specimens of the counterfeit coins made for the loss of the money circulation could have been made during the financial crisis of the WWI.

Strategic positioning of the Russian Far East gold mining industry

The objectives of this paper is to investigate internal and external factors influencing the gold mining in Russian Far East. Justification of the methodological and practical recommendations as well as effective strategies which in full measure correspond to the range of economic and technical factors aimed to increase the effectiveness of gold mining industry in Russia are presented. In this paper, we analysed the current state and main development trends, identified strengths and weaknesses of the internal environment, as well as opportunities and threats of the external environment for the gold mining enterprises based on SWOT analysis. Based on the analysis identified directions of production strategies improvements, sound strategic response and strategic management mechanisms to mitigate the challenges of current times. Their implementation will allow companies using the strengths to reduce the negative impact of weaknesses and prevent key threats, that will significantly increase the competitiveness and economic efficiency of the Russian gold mining industry.

GOLD MINING IN SALAIR IN THE LATE XIX – EARLY XX CENTURIES

The research determines the dynamics of gold mining and identifies the specifics of the development of the gold industry in Salair in the late XIX – early XX centuries. The Salair ridge was then under the jurisdiction of the Cabinet of His Imperial Majesty. At the end of the XIX century, the Cabinet spent a lot of money on geological survey of the ridge and invested in the development of the local gold mines. The extraction of gold during this period fluctuated within 6–8 poods (1 pood = 16 kg). At the beginning of the XX century, the Cabinet leased the Salair mines to private entrepreneurs and joint-stock companies. Such agreements were signed by Prince A. von Thurn und Taxis and Dr. Josef Jeanne (Austria), Arthur Stanley and mining engineer Farrukh Bek-Vezirov (Great Britain), State Councilor Berezin (Russia), and The Russian Gold Mining Company. Private companies operated more successfully than the Cabinet. In the XX century the extraction of gold in Salair increased. However, after the companies had developed the ready retrievable gold deposits, they ceased operating. As the calculations have shown, more than 3.6 tons of gold were mined on the Salair Ridge in 1892 – 1915. The main feature of the Salair gold mining was that gold was extracted both by the Cabinet and private companies, which means that state and private capital acted in parallel.

ПОВЫШЕНИЕ ЭФФЕКТИВНОСТИ ПОДЗЕМНОЙ РАЗРАБОТКИ ЗОЛОТОРУДНЫХ МЕСТОРОЖДЕНИЙ ВОСТОЧНОЙ СИБИРИ

Vein deposits of gold in Eastern Siberia are located in remote areas with a severe sharp-continental climate and are characterized by complex conditions of geological environment. This fact jeopardises the profitability of production. The task of increasing the efficiency of ore underground mining in the development of these deposits is relevant. The purpose of the conducted researches is to solve the problems of improving the development efficiency of vein gold deposits. Research methods are based on the profound study of gold ore body occurrence conditions and the geomechanical state of the rock massif using field observations and measurements, mathematical modeling, laboratory and industrial tests. As a result of this, the mining order of inclined gold-bearing veins in technologically separated contours of reserves with the division into production zones (working, stoping, localization) and subsequent backfilling of voids by controlled caving was substantiated and proposed. When this technology was introduced in Russian gold mines, an explosion-proof hydraulic support and vacuum stoping of ore were used for the first time. A structure of the flexible system of stope drift location has been created for a sublevel development system in order to provide the effective excavation of steeply dipping veins. The rock massif was supported from stope drifts. The rocks were supported using rope anchors. This enabled the effective extraction of ore in unstable rocks. It is proposed to mine the balance reserves of thin steeply dipping veins by sublevel ore breaking with combined overhand-underhand stoping and support work. The carried out works directed at the improvement of the development technology of vein deposits allowed significant reduction in the costs of metal production at the mines.

Are gold markets weak form efficient? Evidence from China, India and Russia

The main purpose of this study is to determine the weak form efficiency of the emerging gold markets such as China, India and Russia with the special focus on testing random walks (RWS) and martingale difference sequence (MDS) hypotheses during different periods of time. This study uses biased free statistical techniques such as runs test, parametric variance ratio tests and recent modified non-parametric variance ratio tests based on ranks and signs by using daily spot gold prices from January 12, 1993 to October 28, 2016. Findings of the study suggest that Russian gold market is weak form efficient throughout the period whereas other two markets are found weak form efficient during second sub period only that is, January 2000 to December 2005.

PRESENT DAY CLASSIFICATION OF INVESTMENT ON RUSSIAN GOLD MARKET

The article provides findings of the research done on Russian gold market. Continuous growth in investment in gold was pointed out. The author puts forward the classification of investment by ‘investment object’, which includes two types of investment, i.e. direct and indirect. Direct investment consists of mutual and share capital, crediting and physical metal and indirect investment – portfolio and digital gold. Detail characteristics of all types of deals on precious metal market are provided. Ways of investing capital into new investment products are proposed. Advantages and disadvantages of each investment tools of the classification are shown. The article describes investment in gold-mining, bank, exchange and market sectors of the market and puts forward recommendations for investors concerning the choice of the most effective tools existing on the Russian market of precious metal.

АНАЛИЗ СОСТОЯНИЯ И РАЗВИТИЯ ЗОЛОТОДОБЫВАЮЩЕЙ ОТРАСЛИ (НА МАТЕРИАЛАХ РЕСПУБЛИКИ АЛТАЙ)

The article shows Russian gold mining branch development, where gold acts as key reserve mean of the country. Russia traditionally is the world leader in gold mining, as the branch is expected to have huge resources. It creates a stable basis of development of a financial system of the country in the conditions of devaluation of ruble and political sanctions. The main trends in the branch development are revealed. The mountain region of the Altai Republic is chosen as an object of the research. The region has rich resource potential, including in the sphere of gold mining. On his example, authors reveal the factors interfering the branch development such as environmental pollution, violation of the natural landscape, low support from the state, lack of investment privileges. The solution of these problems will allow the branch to reach the higher level of development and will ensure safety of the ecology of the region.

Consolidation of small and medium mining business in the gold mining industry of the Russian Far East

The gold mining industry of the Russian Far East has a great development potential, whose economic growth largely depends on the efficiency of developing a unique mineral resource base. To do this, it is necessary to solve a number of tasks, including the management and organization of economic activities of enterprises engaged in the extraction of placer gold in medium and small volumes. Gold mining companies themselves positively assess the prospects for the development of the industry, despite the preservation of external restrictions imposed by Western countries. At the same time, the current position of the modern gold mining industry is determined not only by the state of the Russian economy, but also by a number of branch features related to the management of gold mining at the enterprise level. At the present time, there are increasing questions about the feasibility of consolidation of small and medium mining enterprises, which will allow them to overcome current trends in the economic development of the industry, by combining their own resources. At the same time, in practice, reverse phenomena are observed, indicating that the industry is segmented and the number of mining companies developing placer deposits is gradually increasing. However, consolidation processes, in the form of integration associations, represent one of the directions of development and effective functioning of Russian gold mining enterprises, therefore they require comprehensive research and remain relevant.

A possible growth of the gold resources at the three domestic deposits - Bamskoe, Mnogovershinnoe, Olcha

A brief review has been made to the memory of the untimely and suddenly gone from us, leading expert of the Russian gold ore deposits, M.M. Konstantinov. Using of his materials during the further exploration of the three large domestic deposits (Bamskoe, Mnogovershinnoe and Olcha) has been shown to be able to help to increase gold resources.

Предметы ювелирного искусства домонгольской Руси в коллекциях российских музеев

The article deals with the question of exhibiting of jewelry art items of pre-Mongolian Russia in Russian museums. Public and private museums that were opening in the Russian Empire contributed to preservation of the cultural heritage of the country. When they were emerging, many private collectors donated part or all of their collections to state. This was especially promoted by opening of the Historical Museum in 1883 for the general public. Exhibits of public museum were replenished by the collections of Uvarovs, Kropotkins, Shcherbatovs, Golitsyns. The fate of collection of the outstanding collector M. Botkin is noteworthy.
 Masterpieces of jewelry art of ancient Russia may be exhibited in only a few museums in the country, including two sites in the Moscow Kremlin, which show such kind of items. Collection "Russian gold and silverware of beginning of XII-XVII centuries" is located in the exposition hall 1 of Armory Chamber. The glass case 2 presents gold and silver items, made by goldsmiths of Kiev, Chernigov, Ryazan, Suzdal, Novgorod.
 Museum affair after the October Revolution in the country was significantly reformed. Museums and collections of the palaces were declared as the national property. For registration, accounting and secure of all artistic and cultural treasures, the artistic and historical commissions and the State Museum Fund were created. Majority private collections were nationalized. 
 Russian Museum, located in the Mikhailovsky Palace in Sankt Petersburg has one of the largest collections of pre-Mongolian Russian treasures and individual items of jewelry art of X-XIII centuries.
 Thousands of works of jewelry art of ancient Russia are collected in the expositions and funds of Russian museums. Today collections of not only central but also local museums are multiplied, facilities and exhibitions are quality improving.

California on the Amour?: Russian Gold Rush in the 19th Century and the Zheltuga Republic(1883~1886)

California on the Amour?: Russian Gold Rush in the 19th Century and the Zheltuga Republic(1883~1886)

On the 90th anniversary of the Department and Clinic of Otorhinolaryngology, Irkutsk State Medical University

Teaching otorhinolaryngology in East Siberia based at the Medical Faculty of East-Siberian Medical University dates back to 1922. The first lecturer was A.D. Bolotov who represented the Moscow medical school headed by professor von-Stein. The Department of Clinic of Otorhinolaryngology were founded in 1924. The building of the Irkutsk Clinic of diseases of the ear, throat and nose and of the Moscowvon-Stein Hospital was financed by Bazanovs, the family of Russian merchants and gold producers. During different periods, the Department Otorhinolaryngology at the Irkutsk State Medical University was headed by associate professor A.S. Nikolaev, professors A,T, Bondarenko, I'V. Gol'dfarb, and Krukover, associated professor A.P. Misharin, V.A. Filenius, professors A.G. Shanturov and E.V. Nosulya, candudates of medical sciences S.V. Dudkin and M.V. Subbotina. The authors describe the main stages in the development of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology of the Irkutsk State Medical University the special reference to its key activities and achievement.

Роль интеграционных процессов в развитии золотороссыпного добывающего комплекса

In modern economic conditions effective methods are
 necessary for the Russian gold mining companies for development
 of production, increase of competitiveness, profitability growth. The
 integration processes directed on consolidation of the medium-sized
 and small companies, are objective inevitability of a further stage of
 development of the Russian gold mining branch.

Особенности управления и современные тенденции менеджмента золото-добывающих предприятий

In modern economic conditions effective methods are
 necessary for the Russian gold mining companies for development
 of production, increase of competitiveness, profitability growth. The
 integration processes directed on consolidation of the medium-sized
 and small companies, are objective inevitability of a further stage of
 development of the Russian gold mining branch.

Bolshevism and the British Left, Part 1: Labour Legends and Russian Gold- By Kevin Morgan

<i>Bolshevism and the British Left, Part 1: Labour Legends and Russian Gold</i>- By Kevin Morgan

The Dog Barks but the Caravan Moves On

Abstract: With the revenue from Russia's oil exports, Russia has moved from its near-bankrupt status after the August 1998 financial collapse to a situation where it is now a financial powerhouse. Although revenue from natural gas exports is not as large, Russia's natural gas pipelines into Europe bring Russia immense political clout. Putin has used Russia's oil and gas skillfully so that the country is once again a superpower--emphasis on power. Keywords: Gazprom, ITERA, natural gas, petroleum, Putin, Russia ********** When asked at his January 31, 2006, press conference how he responded to calls by U.S. Senator John McCain and Congressman Tom Lantos to kick Russia out of the G-8, Russian President Vladimir Putin quoted an old Arabic proverb: The dog barks but the caravan moves on. This was Putin's way of saying, Who cares if some American senator thinks Russia is not up to the standards of the world's richest democracies. Russia will do as it pleases and there is not much anyone can do about it. They need Russia more than we need them. This was very different from what Boris Yeltsin used to say when he was president and, for that matter, how Putin would probably have responded to the same question during his first term. More than anything, this new assertiveness is a result of oil at $70 a barrel and the fact that Russia is the world's largest exporter of natural gas and the world's second largest exporter of petroleum. Considering the context, this new hubris might seem overly presumptive. Russia's GDP is growing at 6-7 percent per year--primarily because of growth in the energy and metals sector rather than manufacturing, which is lagging. Russia's per capita income is still less than Portugal's, and its army is bogged down in misadventures in Chechnya and by public revulsion at a scandal highlighting army hazing and brutalizing of draftees. But today, with oil and natural gas prices at record highs, abundant energy reserves count for more than per capita income and, like Venezuela, Russia is learning how to leverage those resources. I Russia's transformation from impoverished supplicant in the 1990s to haughty creditor today has been breathtaking. Less than a decade ago, in August 1998, because of its weakened economy and ever-increasing deficit, Russia was forced to default on its state loans, which in turn precipitated the collapse of most of its private banks. Russia's foreign reserves all but disappeared and its RTS index of stock (the Russian equivalent of the Dow Jones index) fell to 39 from a high the year before of 571. In July 2007, fewer than ten years later, the RTS index hit a new high of 2,091, a fifty-one-fold increase. Export volume rose from $71 billion in 1998 to $275 billion in 2006, most of which was generated by oil and gas earnings. Moreover, with export earnings in 2006 almost double the spending on imports, Russia had a $130 billion trade surplus. When added to reserves accumulated from previous years, Russian gold and foreign currency reserves hit $420 billion in August 2007. This is in addition to another $120 billion or so set aside from oil export tax revenue as a stabilization fund intended to reduce inflationary pressure. (1) Russia's gold and currency reserves are now the third largest in the world, although still far below China's $1 trillion. But the geographic location of Russia's oil and gas, particularly its gas, is even more important than the actual amount of its dollar, euro, and gold hoard. Although Russia's petroleum reserves are not as large and are often in locations with extreme temperatures, Russia's land access adjacent to Western Europe and its natural gas pipelines in particular put it in a much more strategic position than Saudi Arabia, whose influence arises almost exclusively from its oil. Still, in January 2006 Russia actually produced more crude oil than Saudi Arabia. Moreover, Russia was the source of up to 40 percent of the increase in world oil output between 2000 and 2005. …

An American Perspective on Russian Gold Specimens

An American Perspective on Russian Gold Specimens

Samuil Lubarsky: Portrait of an outstanding agronomist1

Samuil Lubarsky: Portrait of an outstanding agronomist1

Regional Trends in Russian Gold Production

A noted Western specialist on the energy and natural resource industries of the former USSR assesses trends in the production of gold in the Russian Federation in the 1990s, focusing on regional patterns of output. A discussion of changes in the organizational structure and legal environment surrounding gold production is followed by a description of state gold purchasing and storage activities. Coverage then turns to an indepth analysis of production in Russia's gold-producing regions—the Urals, West Siberia, East Siberia, and the Far East. A concluding section surveys key obstacles confronting the industry in 1997 and the production outlook over the near and longer-term future. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: L72, N50, Q38. 8 tables, 31 references.

White gold: The imperial Russian gold reserve in the anti‐Bolshevik east, 1918‐? (An unconcluded chapter in the history of the Russian civil war)

THE ECONOMIC CRISIS currently besetting post-communist Russia has given rise to a febrile and potentially unstable cocktail of resurgent national pride and an acute awareness of national poverty. This in turn has inspired a mixture of reflection on the potential riches of a country so generously endowed with natural resources and nostalgia for the former, imperial grandeur of the pre-1917 regime. In relation to this, the alleged squandering of the nation's wealth by the communists has been a popular theme in the Russian media since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Also of note is that some attention has begun to be focused upon the fate of the huge gold reserves which had been accumulated by the tsars in the late imperial era. It is widely known that some Romanov gold was sold during World War I in order to feed the Russian War machine and that in the early 1920s the Soviet government exported gold in order to finance the import of Western technology. Not so well appreciated (particularly in the West) is the fact that a significant part of the Imperial Russian Gold Reserve found its way into the custody of Admiral Kolchak's anti-Bolshevik forces in Siberia and the Far East during the Russian civil war. Following the Red Army's defeat of the eastern counter-revolution in early 1920, much of the gold held by Kolchak was recaptured and returned to Lenin's dominion. Rumours as to the ultimate fate of the remainder, however, have abounded ever since: tales of its misappropriation, loss and illegal expenditure during the confused years of the civil war have become common currency.' It is the purpose of this article, therefore, to describe, in as much detail as the available sources allow, how it was that a portion of the Russian gold reserve came to fall into Kolchak's hands, and to present the