Laboratories are equipped to support research and educational instruction in rock mechanics, ventilation, geotechnical instrumentation, blasting, and mine systems design and simulation.  In addition, department computer facilities are available for research in the above areas and for use in ore reserve estimation, mine planning, financial analysis, mine evaluation, and cost engineering.  College-wide networking expands the computer capability to include workstations, access to other campus mainframe computers, and links to off-campus facilities. PC Instruction and Design Lab -- 306 WBB A new networked computer lab has been added to the Department.  Available software includes:  MS Office,  AutoCAD, Vulcan, SurvCADD, and other software specific to mining research and classroom instruction. Contact the Department Office for access information. Rock Mechanics Laboratory Testing of rock for strength and material properties (confined and unconfined), also permeability and dynamic properties. Mine Aerosols Laboratory Equipment is available for collecting dust samples and determining the size fractions of the samples. IRECO Explosives/Fragmention Laboratory Equipment for measurement of detonation velocity of explosives and field equipment for measurement of environmental effects of blasting. Mine Systems Research Laboratory This facility provides construction and maintenance of instructional and research equipment.  A well-equipped machine shop and a full-time technician provide resources to support the mining program.