From Olonets to Kabarda. Reference to Johann Friedrich Bluher’s prospecting works and exploration in Russia

Abstract

The article provides a review of Johann Friedrich Bluher’s activities as a prospector, mining engineer, assayer and metallurgist during his search for ferrous and non-ferrous metal ores in Russia. Bluher visited all the regions of the Russian state with existing metal industry. He also searched for mineral deposits in territories where such kind of works had not been previously performed. The author calls attention to his works on iron and copper ores’ prospecting in Olonets region and to his expedition to Bolshaya Kabardin Plain for silver and copper ores. We use records of Berg and Manufaktur Kollegiia (Mining board and Manufactory board) for the interpretation of events. We note the diversity of assessment of Bluher’s activities by his contemporaries and historians of the 21th century.