ABSTRACT
The pioneers of the extensive investigation of radioactive mineral resources were academicians V.I . Vernadskiy and A . E . Fersman. In 1939 V . M . Molotov, the Chairman of Sovnarkom (Council of People's Commissars) approved Vernadskiy's idea of setting up a Uranium Commission. By that time the Academy of Sciences had an Atomic Nucleus Commission headed by S.I. Vavilov. Vernadskiy proposed that the Uranium Commission should be assigned the authorities and finances to map potential uranium-bearing areas, survey and explore uranium deposits, and design technologies for uranium ore processing and uranium isotope separation. He also suggested that the Uranium Commission and the Atomic Nucleus Commission should coordinate their activities in the field of the research and utilization of uranium fission energy.
