The work settlement of Monchegorsk in the 1930s was the center of copper and nickel mining in the Monchetundra Massif of the Kola Peninsula, and was administratively a part of Kirovsky District of Murmansk Okrug.
[2] On December 21, 1937, the Presidium of the Murmansk Okrug Executive Committee again petitioned to create a new district with the administrative center in Monchegorsk.
[2] In a letter to the Leningrad Oblast Executive Committee and the VTsIK, the Presidium noted that Kirovsky District has two developed but unrelated industrial centers—Kirovsk and Monchegorsk—with the latter having a larger population and being located 111 kilometers (69 mi) away from the former.
[2] Monchegorsky District was eventually formed by the VTsIK Resolution of December 27, 1938, after the creation of Murmansk Oblast.
[2] It existed until December 9, 1949, when by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the Soviet Union Monchegorsk was elevated in status to that of a town under oblast jurisdiction, with the former district's territory passing into its subordination.