An industrialist, the founder mining industry on Altai. In the beginning of XVIII century together with his father Demidov constructed several copper-smelting plants in Urals. After discovering polymetallic ores on Altai Demidov received a sanction and monopoly to construction of mines and factories here.

In 1729 Kolyvanovo-Vokresenskiy factory on Loktevka river produced the first metal. Barnaul factory well equipped was constructed in1740-1744. Extraction of copper was not profitable as charges on manufacture and transportation were too big, therefore Demidov was smelting silver illegally.