Gunpowder Gunpowder was invented by Chinese alchemists of the 9th century as a mixture of sulfur, charcoal, and saltpeter. It was employed in military applications in 10th century China. By the 13th century the secret had spread to Islamic Asia where it was used against Europeans. Ever since, gunpowder has been a staple of the military and political establishments. Consequently the ingredients of gunpowder, especially sulfur and saltpeter, have had strategic importance.
Sulfur is mined from underground deposits.
Saltpeter is mined, typically from deposits in caves, where it is leached from guano. In fact, salpeter was mined in Virginia during the Civil War and was central to the Confederate war effort. Saltpeter Saltpeter, or niter, is the common name for potassium nitrate. On the surface of such soil or in certain caves there will be a white crust on the surface of the soil. These nitrate compounds are among the most soluble of all compounds.