The history of coal studies and coal industry in Tuva

This is the first ever attempt at a history of coal studies in Tuva, from the discovery and first use of coal as a fuel to developing contemporary scientific technologies of deep procession of coal. Our study is based at an in-depth research summary, including the publications of the staffmembers of Tuvinian Institute for Exploration of the Natural Resources, SB RAS. Other sources include documents from the Institute's archive, and memoirs The history of geological studies of Tuva in general, and the Ulus-Khem coal basin in particular, three periods can be traced, starting from the fragmentary pieces of information provided by the geographers, surveyors and botanists of the latter half of the 19th century. In 1990s, the latest period was introduced by large-scale prospecting and reconnaissance surveying. Geological exploration helped systematize geological knowledge, stimulated further surveying of the territory of Tuva, and made better economic use of the mineral resources of the region. Special emphasis is placed on the contribution made by prominent scientists, such as A.S. Kol and Z.S. Sat Traced stage by stage, the history of coal studies as science in Tuva fully starts with the establishment of the Laboratory of coal procession technologies at TIENR SB RAS (1987-2002); followed by the studies of managed modification of properties of coal by combining power and physico-chemical impact to ensure coal activation. New equipment for pyrolysis and pelleting of coal was created (2002-2014). In the last decade, scientists argued in favour of setting up a coal chemical facility in the Republic of Tuva, which would allow a subsequent transfer to deep procession of coal. This, in its turn, would make it possible to produce engine fuel, chemicals and other substances, as well as thermal energy and electricity. The article also focuses on the contributions made by most prominent researchers and their various publications, including dissertations.