The treasures of our region’s depths
Geologist’s Day is a celebration of people who uncover the secrets of the Earth and help reveal the wealth hidden within its depths. In Kazakhstan, it is traditionally celebrated on the first Sunday of April, and this year it falls on April 5. Geology is not just a science, but a special kind of work that requires courage, deep knowledge, and sincere dedication to one’s profession. The fate and history of our city are inseparably linked with geology, which is why this holiday holds a truly special and significant meaning for it.
The subsoil of our region is rich in mineral resources, particularly polymetallic ores. It was precisely благодаря these ores that our city was founded, formed, and achieved its economic development. Even today, these ores remain a key factor in its growth. Thanks to them, the city has become known not only in Kazakhstan but far beyond its borders. Of course, the extraction of ores requires specialists — prospectors, geologists, and explorers of the Earth’s depths, no matter how they are called. Someone must carry out the mining, and it is these people who stand at the origins of developing the Earth’s wealth. Let us turn to the history of geological development in our region.
The founder of our city, Philipp Philippovich Ridder, is traditionally considered the first geologist. However, if we look deeper into history, the origins of ore prospecting date back to the very beginning of human existence. Even then, people were able to distinguish rocks and used them to make tools and weapons — knives, arrowheads, spear tips, and axes. Only limited information has been preserved about geologists closer to our time, known as the “Chud.” Nevertheless, it was thanks to the waste heaps of their ancient workings that many modern deposits were discovered.
Аncient Chud mines
The development of the mineral wealth of Siberia and Altai was greatly facilitated by the establishment of the Siberian Prikaz in 1637, which organized exploration parties based on “izvets” and “skazki” — oral reports from local residents. The first ore prospectors in Altai are traditionally considered to be Tomsk peasants Stepan Kostylev and Fyodor Komar, who in 1717 discovered a rich deposit of copper and silver ores. In 1722, the German geologist Johann Privtsyn and the clerk of the Uktus plant Nikita Petrov discovered the first copper ore deposit on the Alei River. In 1727, the industrialist Akinfiy Nikitich Demidov founded the first copper smelting plant in this region, which ten years later was transferred to the state treasury.
In the 18th century, by order of Catherine II, nine exploration expeditions of ore prospectors were organized and sent to our region to search for new deposits. On May 31, 1786, a research group led by Philipp Ridder discovered a “productive” vein. From this day begins the more than 200-year history of our city.
During 10 years of operation of the Ridder mine, the treasury received a net profit of 105,038 rubles, which was a very significant result for that time, especially considering that the mine had only recently been opened. In 1801, for his achievements, Philipp Ridder was awarded the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, received the rank of Bergtauptmann (colonel), a one-time monetary reward of 2,822 rubles, and a pension.
Philipp Ridder
The Reform of 1861, which abolished serfdom, also affected the mining industry: about 70 percent of the mine workers were serfs, and the population of the settlement sharply declined. There was almost no one left to work. In 1862, mining operations were completely halted, which led to the natural flooding of the mines. On March 29, 1899, a supreme decree was issued “On the closure of the Altai Cabinet mines and plants.” For many years, Ridder became a remote and desolate backwater.
Due to the inability to independently sustain mining operations, the Tsar’s Cabinet entered into an agreement with concessionaires — shareholders. The most well-known among them was Leslie Urquhart, who officially confirmed his consent to transfer the rights to the Ridder concession. The shareholders actively set to work. With the arrival of the concession, a reputable geological exploration team began operating in Ridder, led by mining engineers Dean Mitchell, Hugh Knox, and Gordon Brown. Other British specialists were also invited: geologists, practical chemists, and drilling masters — Steckney, Pimpleton, Reynold, as well as observers and specialists Pillam, Collins, and Madge. It was during this period, in 1916, that the future outstanding scientist Alexander Yevgenyevich Fersman visited Ridder.
Leslie Urquhart
With the arrival of the 1917 Revolution and the subsequent collectivization of the mines, difficult times began, and geology was temporarily forgotten. However, in 1929, an engineering-geological team was organized in Ridder under the leadership of Pyotr Petrovich Burov. New ore reserves were discovered, and previously known ones were уточнены, which made it possible to create a strong raw material base. Thanks to Burov, the Ridder and Sokolnoye deposits became among the largest in terms of non-ferrous metal reserves.
Together with Nikolai Nikolaevich Kurek, Burov published the scientific work “The Ridder Group of Polymetallic Deposits”, and the monograph “The Ridder Ore Field” remains one of the most important books for industrial geologists to this day.
Burov made an enormous contribution to educating a whole generation of talented geologists of Rudny Altai. Streets in Ridder and Ust-Kamenogorsk are named after him. There is also a street named after Kurek in our city. A major ore body at the Novo-Leninogorsk deposit is named in honor of Burov. It was he who disproved the idea that our region lacked prospects.
Pyotr Petrovich Burov and Nikolai Nikolaevich Kurek
In the pre-war years, the pace and scope of geological exploration increased significantly. Burov’s followers — V. D. Obaturov, A. M. Sukhanov, K. Ya. Bykov, L. P. Bryzgalov, A. N. Litvinovich, F. S. Tolchinskaya — continued the development of geology at a high level. The growth in ore extraction led to increased capacities of mining, processing, and metallurgical enterprises, which in turn contributed to the development of industrial and civil construction. This resulted in the reorganization of the geological service and the establishment of a geological exploration office, which later became part of Altaitsvetmetrazvedka.
During the years of the Great Patriotic War, many geologists went to the front, and exploration work almost ceased. Their places were taken by women. F. S. Tolchinskaya headed a team, demonstrating outstanding organizational abilities. The training of new drillers and technicians was carried out directly at the machines. Women drillers A. Burmatova, Z. Korchuganova, E. Antropova, P. Lobanovich, U. Semyonova, A. Troeglazova and many others worked selflessly. During the war and the first post-war years, explored reserves increased threefold thanks to the work of L. P. Bryzgalova, B. G. Bashkirova, K. F. Ermolaeva, S. I. Kominova, A. P. Kuznetsova, F. S. Tolchinskaya, M. A. Loginova, G. Ya. Pogosova. A significant contribution was made by Academician Georgy Nikolaevich Shcherba, a laureate of the Lenin and State Prizes, who compiled a modern map of the ore field.
On October 10, 1957, the Leninogorsk Geological Exploration Expedition (LGRE) was established. In cooperation with specialized organizations, it identified many promising sites and ore occurrences.
In 1958, the Tishinskoye deposit was discovered by geologists E. M. Selifonov, V. V. Popov, A. A. Malygin, V. V. Mankov, D. M. Savchenko, V. Ya. Likhoded, and G. F. Yakovlev, for which they were awarded the Lenin Prize. Production leaders have always been a source of pride. Among them were A. P. Uryupin, I. F. Kurashev, I. A. Shemonaev, N. I. Vdovin and many others who were awarded orders and medals. Many specialists later held senior positions in the Ministries of Geology of the USSR and Kazakhstan, as well as in major geological exploration organizations.
In 1991, the Leninogorsk Geological Exploration Expedition was reorganized into the joint-stock company Leninogorsky Geolog. Later, the private company Geolen was established, with the joint-stock company Kazzinc as its main client. The geological service continues to operate successfully today, ensuring the development of the raw material base and the prosperity of the city of Ridder and the entire country.
Today, on Geologist’s Day, we express our sincere gratitude to everyone who has devoted their lives to studying the Earth’s depths — geologists, geophysicists, drillers, engineers — people whose work leads to the discovery of new deposits, strengthens the economy, and drives the development of our country. Your work is a combination of science, courage, and true professionalism. Thanks to you, our city lives and continues to grow.
We would like to address special words to the younger generation. Dear students choosing the path of geology: great opportunities lie ahead of you. Do not be afraid of difficulties, strive for knowledge, preserve traditions, and continue the work of those who stood at the origins. It is you who will open new horizons and write the next page in the history of our region.
Happy Geologist’s Day!