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Western-EGI›Services›Rock Mechanics & Mineral Exploration
Rock Mechanics & Mineral Exploration

From Surface
to Seam

Western-EGI operates Wyoming's only known commercial full-suite rock mechanics testing laboratory — and pairs it with drill program management, geological core logging, and exploration experience in the Green River Basin's coal, evaporite, and mineral deposit sequences.

2,000+
Ft Drill Depth
3,000+
Ft Equivalent Confining Depth
Only
Commercial Full-Suite Lab in WY
160+
Miles to Nearest Competitor Lab
Two Disciplines, One Firm

Rock Mechanics & Mineral Exploration

Rock mechanics testing and mineral exploration are deeply connected disciplines — the same drilling program that characterizes a mineral seam also provides the samples needed for unconfined compressive strength, triaxial shear, and Brazilian tensile testing. Western-EGI manages drill programs using subcontracted drilling contractors matched to each project's requirements, and performs all geological logging and rock mechanics testing in-house. One point of contact, one contract, complete subsurface characterization from program design through laboratory reporting.

Rock Mechanics Testing
Wyoming's Full-Suite Rock Lab

Western-EGI's rock mechanics laboratory is the only known commercial facility in Wyoming offering the complete suite of rock mechanics tests — from unconfined compressive strength and Brazilian split-tensile testing through triaxial shear at confining pressures equivalent to more than 3,000 feet of overburden. For energy, nuclear, mining, and infrastructure clients in the Rocky Mountain region, this means world-class testing without the round-trip to Colorado or South Dakota.

Mineral Exploration Drilling
Green River Basin Expertise

Western-EGI has managed and supported drilling and coring programs to depths exceeding 2,000 feet in the Green River Basin. Drilling is performed by subcontracted drilling contractors — we work with a wide range of qualified drillers to match the right rig and crew to your project's depth, access, and formation requirements. Our geologist and engineering team manages the program, performs geological logging, and handles all rock mechanics characterization from surface to target depth.

Labeled rock core boxes from mineral exploration program
Rock Core · Confidential Mineral Exploration Program · Green River Basin, Wyoming
Rock Mechanics Lab

Testing Capabilities

Our rock mechanics testing program is built around the primary ASTM and ISRM test methods used in engineering design, mine planning, and nuclear facility siting. All testing is performed in-house by trained technicians under the supervision of our registered professional engineers and geologist.

ASTM D7012 — Method C
Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS)

Measures the peak compressive stress a rock core specimen can sustain under uniaxial loading — the foundational rock mechanics parameter for virtually every engineering application.

  • NQ, HQ, and PQ core diameter specimens
  • Strain measurement and Young's modulus
  • Poisson's ratio determination
  • Failure mode documentation
  • Applications: foundation design, underground openings, pillar sizing, blasting design
ASTM D3967
Brazilian Split-Tensile Strength

Determines indirect tensile strength of rock by applying diametral compressive load to a disk-shaped specimen — the standard method for characterizing rock's resistance to tensile fracture.

  • Indirect tensile strength measurement
  • Complements UCS for rock mass characterization
  • Failure plane orientation and mode
  • Applications: fragmentation analysis, roof support, hydraulic fracturing, liner design
ASTM D7012 — Method A/B
Triaxial Compressive Strength

Determines rock strength under confining pressure conditions — replicating the stress state at depth. Western-EGI's triaxial cell applies confining pressures equivalent to 3,000+ feet below the earth's surface.

  • Multi-stage and single-stage protocols
  • Confining pressure to 3,000+ ft equivalent depth
  • Mohr-Coulomb failure envelope development
  • Cohesion and friction angle determination
  • Applications: deep foundation design, underground mine design, nuclear facility siting, in-situ stress analysis
ASTM D5731
Point Load Strength Index

Rapid field and laboratory method for estimating rock strength using irregular core or lump specimens — useful for preliminary screening and logging programs where formal testing is not yet warranted.

  • Axial, diametral, and irregular specimen testing
  • Index-to-UCS correlation
  • High throughput for large programs
  • Applications: logging characterization, drill program screening, quarry and aggregate evaluation
ASTM D2216 / D7928
Rock Core Classification & Index Properties

Complete physical and index property characterization of rock core including unit weight, moisture content, RQD measurement, geological logging, and photographic documentation.

  • Rock Quality Designation (RQD)
  • Unit weight and porosity
  • Moisture content and absorption
  • Detailed geological core logging
  • Core box photography and archiving
ASTM D4644 / D5312
Slake Durability & Soundness

Evaluates rock resistance to wetting-drying and freeze-thaw cycles — critical for surface rock in Wyoming's climate and for engineered fills, riprap, and roadway applications.

  • Two-cycle slake durability index
  • Freeze-thaw soundness testing
  • Aggregate durability evaluation
  • Applications: riprap design, aggregate specification, cut slope weathering assessment
Regional Advantage

Wyoming's Only Full-Suite Lab

For rock mechanics testing, location matters. Sample shipping introduces risk of core damage, moisture change, and delay — and the round-trip logistics to a regional lab in Colorado or South Dakota adds real cost and schedule risk to your program. Western-EGI eliminates that problem.

Laboratory Location Distance from Rock Springs Full Suite (UCS + Triaxial + Brazilian)?
Western-EGI Rock Springs, WY On-site ✔ Yes — in-house
Agapito Associates Grand Junction, CO ~160 miles Available
Advanced Terra Testing (ATT) Lakewood (Denver), CO ~280 miles Available
RESPEC Materials Testing Rapid City, SD ~390 miles Available
Earth Mechanics Institute (EMI) Golden, CO (CSM) ~280 miles Research/Academic

Distance from Rock Springs, WY. Best available information; verify with each laboratory for current capabilities and availability.

Mineral Exploration

Deep Drilling & Geological Investigation

Western-EGI provides full-service mineral exploration program management and geological investigation for mining companies, energy producers, and industrial mineral clients in Wyoming and the surrounding Rocky Mountain region. Drilling is subcontracted to qualified contractors selected to match your project requirements — Western-EGI manages the program, performs geological logging, and delivers the technical reporting. Our team understands the Green River Basin's geology — coal, oil shale, evaporite, nahcolite, and saline mineral deposits — and brings that regional knowledge to every exploration program.

🔩
Exploration Drilling & Coring

Deep rotary and core drilling programs designed to characterize mineral deposits, overburden stratigraphy, and structural geology from surface to target depth. Western-EGI manages drill programs and works with a wide range of subcontracted drilling contractors — matching the right equipment and crew to your project's specific depth, access, and formation requirements.

  • Rock coring to 2,000+ ft (NQ, HQ, PQ)
  • Rotary drilling with geologic sampling
  • Borehole deviation and orientation surveys
  • Electronic borehole logging (e-logs)
  • Drill program design and management
  • Mobilization throughout Wyoming and region
🪨
Geological Core Logging

Systematic geological characterization of drill core including lithological description, structural features, mineralization, RQD, and photographic documentation.

  • Detailed lithological and stratigraphic logging
  • Structural feature identification and orientation
  • Mineral identification and grade assessment
  • RQD measurement and fracture logging
  • Core photography and digital archiving
  • Geologic cross-section development
📊
Geotechnical Characterization

Integration of geological logging with rock mechanics testing to develop a complete geomechanical model of the deposit and host rock sequence.

  • Geomechanical domain definition
  • Rock mass classification (RMR, Q-system, GSI)
  • Intact rock strength testing (UCS, triaxial, Brazilian)
  • Discontinuity characterization
  • Mining pillar and roof support design input
  • Subsidence risk assessment
📝
Exploration Reporting

Comprehensive technical reporting that synthesizes field data, laboratory results, and geological interpretation into actionable conclusions for mine planners, owners, and regulatory agencies.

  • Borehole logs and stratigraphic columns
  • Geologic maps and cross-sections
  • Laboratory data summary and interpretation
  • Geomechanical design parameter recommendations
  • Mine map and historical record integration
  • PE-stamped reports (WY, CO, UT, TX, SD)

Wyoming Geology.
On Staff.

Western-EGI's exploration and rock mechanics programs are led by PE-licensed engineers with deep regional knowledge of Southwest Wyoming's geology — combining geological investigation and geotechnical engineering under one roof. One firm, one report, one point of accountability.

Discuss Your Program
Humboldt triaxial rock press Brazilian split tensile fixture Drill crew field operations
Representative Projects

Proven at Depth

Mineral Exploration Drilling — Green River Basin
Confidential 2023 Mineral Exploration Program
~$4.5M

Deep drilling and coring program to approximately 2,000 feet below surface for mineral exploration in the Green River Formation. Western-EGI performed drill program management, geological core logging, rock mechanics testing, e-log interpretation, and geotechnical reporting. Client: Confidential — one of Wyoming's largest mining operations.

Years: 2023–2024
Client: Confidential — Major Wyoming Mining Operation
Staff: Gerrard, Lyman, Woods, Meek, Peraza, Randall, Ditton
Nuclear Facility CMT & Geotech — Kemmerer, WY
Natrium Reactor — TerraPower / WSP
$4B+ Project

Laboratory testing services supporting the Natrium advanced nuclear reactor — the first commercial advanced nuclear facility in the United States. Western-EGI serves as a subconsultant to WSP USA, providing in-house materials and lab testing for this ongoing project. Client: WSP USA (Adamson Mwembeshi, PE).

Years: 2020–Ongoing
Client: WSP USA
Staff: Lyman, Meek, Peraza, Randall
Subsidence Mitigation — Rock Springs, WY
AML 17.6 Series (17.6B/C/D)
$132.5M+

Ongoing drill-and-grout abandoned mine land subsidence mitigation program. Geological investigation, mine map research, e-log interpretation, and geotechnical characterization of coal-bearing strata are integral to drill program design and grouting operations. Client: BRS Engineering (Harold Hutson).

Years: 2015–Ongoing
Client: BRS Engineering
Staff: Gerrard, Lyman, Woods, Meek, Ditton, Peraza, Randall
Forensic Geotech & Rock Investigation — Blackhawk, SD
Hideaway Hills Abandoned Gypsum Mine
~$34M Est.

Forensic investigation of an abandoned gypsum mine affecting 150+ residential properties. Geological investigation of the gypsum karst sequence, subsidence mechanism analysis, and ongoing expert support for litigation. Client: Fox Rothschild LLP (Kathleen Barrow).

Years: 2020–Ongoing
Client: Fox Rothschild LLP
Staff: Gerrard, Lyman, Woods, Meek
Get In Touch

Ready to Work Together?

Whether you need a single UCS test or a complete exploration drilling and rock mechanics program, Western-EGI can help. Contact us to discuss your project requirements.

Office
415 N Street
PO Box 1478
Rock Springs, WY 82902
Phone
(307) 362-5180
Email
Submit an Inquiry