Which substance is commonly used as an explosive in mining?

Dynamite is commonly used as an explosive in mining due to its effectiveness and stability. Invented by Alfred Nobel in 1867, dynamite contains nitroglycerin, which is a highly sensitive explosive compound, making it particularly powerful for breaking rock and facilitating excavation. Its formulation allows for controlled detonation, which is crucial in mining operations to safely manage the explosive reactions needed to fracture ores and reduce them to manageable sizes.

Dynamite's widespread use can be attributed to its ability to produce a large volume of gas and heat upon detonation, generating a shock wave that effectively fractures surrounding material. This also minimizes the risk of rocky debris flying uncontrollably, which improves safety for miners.

While other substances listed serve important roles in mining, the primary choice of a traditional explosive for immediate rock breaking and excavation tends to point to dynamite. Gunpowder, while historically significant, is less common in modern mining practices due to its lower power and less efficient performance compared to dynamite. Detonating cord is primarily used as a means of initiating detonations rather than for breaking rock itself, and ammonium nitrate, though widely used as an explosive (especially in the form of ANFO), is typically mixed with fuel oil, thus differing from