Beginning of modernisation silver smelting production in cabinet's districts Siberia's in period of leasing (1830-1855)

The article casts doubt on fixed notion by T. I. Agapova in the historiography about metallurgical production backwardness of Altay mining district in 1820th - 1850th. Drawing attention to Russian and foreign mining literature of first half 19th century, the author compares the technical level of silver smelting industry in Altay and Nerchinsk mining districts with Saxony, Upper Harz and Lower Hungary.