SOCORRO, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico university has approved a $5 million deal to buy the former mining town of Playas and transform it into a sprawling classroom for lessons in anti-terrorism.

The town — population about 60 — is currently owned by Phelps Dodge Corp., the mining company that built it in the 1970s. The deal includes 259 company-owned homes, apartment buildings, a community center, grocery store, medical clinic and air strip.

The New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology's regents voted Friday to approve the purchase, which will use money from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The federal money is expected to be approved as early as next week.

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