GOLD MINING ACTIVITY AND GOLD MINING HERITAGE OF A. KH. BENKENDORF

Abstract

Aim. To determine the reasons for the interest of the first chief of gendarmes A. Kh. Benkendorf to the development of gold mining in Siberia, as well as to analyse the history of his own gold mining business. Methodology. The research methodology involved a collection and analysis of archival materials on the history of the Russian gold mining industry in the 19th century, as well as those related to the Imperial legislation regulating gold mining processes. The study was conducted based on the principles of historicism and comparative historical analysis. Results. It was found that A. Kh. Benkendorf considered the gold industry as the most important economic sector. The reason for establishing his own business in the field of gold production was to improve his family’s financial position. However, neither his heirs nor himself managed to achieve this goal due to their reluctance to participate actively in the process of gold mining. Research implications. The findings contribute to the study of the history of the Russian gold industry, as well as reveal a previously unknown direction in the biography of A. Kh. Benckendorf.