Abstract: The object of this research is the fuel and energy base of ferrous metallurgy of Ural in the late XIX – early XX centuries. Leaning on the materials of Compilations of statistical records of mining industry of Russia” for 1882-1911, the article examines the dynamics of consumption of the various types of fuel; determines the total volume of fuel consumption (tonnage-wise of reference fuel) and specific gravity of vegetal fuel (firewood, charcoal) and mineral fuel (bituminous coal, mazut, peat); reveals the portions of fuel consumed by iron plants and other sectors of mining industry of Ural. The records on collecting fuel by the Ural steel companies and its consumption by iron plants are compiled in a table (over 10,300 of reporting units). The acquired results are converted to reference fuel (by caloric coefficients) and subjected to analysis. The scientific novelty consists that the fact that the article is first in historiography to examine the fuel and energy base of ferrous metallurgy of Ural in the late XIX – early XX centuries. The conclusion is made that the deficit of wood fuel, which has been the major energy resource, led to rationalization of the fuel and energy base. As a result, fuel consumption in semi-integrated steelworks (production of iron, steel, hardware) per production unit has reduced by five times in thirty years.