Oil shale mines of the Volga region in the pre war period (second half of 1930's)

Oil shale was a new kind of fuel in the Volga region in the years of first five year plans. There were some problems with fool supply, public catering, living conditions which resulted in turnover and shortage of workforce. Oil shale was a low calorie fuel which required the construction of special fire chambers as well as removal of a huge amount of ash. These circumstances hindered mass transition of the Volga region consumers to this kind of fuel. The difficulties mentioned above led to the regular non fulfillment of the plans and to the lack of output growth through the second half of 1930s.