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When was black powder first used in civil engineering?
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explosive
A coal miner loading a drill hole with a water gel explosive called Tovex.
The first application of black powder in civil engineering occurred in 1679 during the construction of the Malpas Tunnel for the Canal du Midi in France.1
While black powder had been utilized in mining operations as early as 1627 in Schemnitz, Hungary, its adoption for broader engineering and construction projects was initially slow due to high costs, a lack of appropriate boring equipment, and safety concerns regarding potential collapses.1