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Abandoned mines › Massachusetts
Abandoned mine inventory

Abandoned mines in Middlesex County, Massachusetts

Middlesex County, Massachusetts has 383 mine and prospect features on USGS topographic maps published 1886–1979; 9 of the features carry a name on the map. MSHA's register carries 72 mines in the county with status Abandoned or Abandoned and Sealed.

Every mine and prospect feature the USGS digitized from historical topographic maps covering Middlesex County, every OSMRE abandoned mine land problem in the county, and every MSHA-registered mine here with status Abandoned. Named features are listed below; unnamed ones are counted by type. Locations are deliberately not shown: this page says what abandoned workings are in the county, not where to find them. They are dangerous and should not be entered.

Mapped mine features (USGS)
383
Mine openings
0
OSMRE problems unreclaimed
0
MSHA mines marked abandoned
72
9 features carry a name0 prospect pits26 quadrangle maps, published 1886–1979 0 MSHA mines abandoned and sealed
What the features are
  1. Mines and surface workings
    labelled mines, open pits, strip mines, placer and hydraulic workings
    74 19.3%
  2. Quarries, gravel and borrow pits
    construction-material and industrial-mineral extraction
    309 80.7%
Named features on the maps9 named · from the USGS compilation
Name on map Feature
Flat Rock Quarry Quarry
Flat Rock Quarry Quarry
Fletcher Quarry Quarry area
granite or other rock Quarry - Rock
granite or other rock Quarry - Rock
granite or other rock Quarry - Rock
granite or other rock Quarry - Rock
granite or other rock Quarry - Rock
granite or other rock Quarry - Rock

A name is the label printed beside the symbol on the map. "First mapped" is the earliest topographic edition that shows the symbol, which bounds the feature's age from above; it is not the date it was worked. Unnamed features (most prospect pits, adits and shafts carry no label) are in the counts above but not this list.

MSHA-registered mines with status Abandoned72 on register
  1. 1265 Main Street
    Surface metal/non-metal · D W White Construction Inc · MSHA ID 1901223
    Abandoned
  2. A J Gagnon And Sons Incorporated
    Surface metal/non-metal · A J Gagnon & Sons Inc · MSHA ID 1900799
    Abandoned
  3. Acton Plant
    Surface metal/non-metal · Lexington Sand & Gravel Corp · MSHA ID 1900330
    Abandoned
  4. Acton Plant
    Facility metal/non-metal · Foster Masonry Products Inc · MSHA ID 1900831
    Abandoned
  5. ACTON PLANT
    Surface metal/non-metal · Kennedy Sand & Gravel Llp · MSHA ID 1900724
    Abandoned
  6. Ashland Plant
    Surface metal/non-metal · Rosenfeld Washed Sand & Stone Company · MSHA ID 1900795
    Abandoned
  7. Ashland Quarry
    Surface metal/non-metal · Aggregate Industries Northeast Region Inc · MSHA ID 1900001
    Abandoned
  8. Ashland Sand & Stone
    Surface metal/non-metal · Ashland Sand & Stone Company · MSHA ID 1900281
    Abandoned
  9. Assabet Sand & Gravel Co Inc
    Surface metal/non-metal · Assabet Sand & Gravel Co. Inc. · MSHA ID 1900282
    Abandoned
  10. BERLIN
    Surface metal/non-metal · Concrete Service · MSHA ID 1900254
    Abandoned
  11. Boxborough Pit And Mill
    Surface metal/non-metal · W D Chisholm Company · MSHA ID 1900362
    Abandoned
  12. Burlington Sand & Gravel Company Inc
    Surface metal/non-metal · Burlington Sand & Gravel Company Inc · MSHA ID 1900293
    Abandoned
  13. Burton Pit
    Surface metal/non-metal · Russell Burton · MSHA ID 1900721
    Abandoned
  14. Chelmsford Mill
    Surface metal/non-metal · Pomerleau Brothers Inc · MSHA ID 1900970
    Abandoned
  15. David I Walsh
    Surface metal/non-metal · David I Walsh · MSHA ID 1900990
    Abandoned
  16. Drinkwater Quarry
    Surface metal/non-metal · Philip Drinkwater · MSHA ID 1900805
    Abandoned
  17. Ethylene Jordan
    Surface metal/non-metal · K G Jordan Excavating · MSHA ID 1900727
    Abandoned
  18. Framingham Pit And Plant
    Surface metal/non-metal · Paulini Loam Company Inc · MSHA ID 1900651
    Abandoned
  19. Glenview Sand & Gravel
    Surface metal/non-metal · Glenview Sand & Gravel Corp · MSHA ID 1900312
    Abandoned
  20. GUILMETTE BROS CORP.
    Surface metal/non-metal · Guilmette Brothers Corp · MSHA ID 1900011
    Abandoned
  21. Haynes Pit
    Surface metal/non-metal · Construction Materials Service Inc · MSHA ID 1900752
    Abandoned
  22. HEFFRON MTLS-WOBURN
    Surface metal/non-metal · Heffron Asphalt Corp · MSHA ID 1901004
    Abandoned
  23. HI-WAY PIT AND MILL
    Surface metal/non-metal · Town Of Natick · MSHA ID 1900664
    Abandoned
  24. HUDSON PLANT
    Surface metal/non-metal · Kane-Perkins Company Inc · MSHA ID 1900307
    Abandoned
  25. Joseph Roberto
    Surface metal/non-metal · Joseph Roberto Inc · MSHA ID 1900781
    Abandoned
  26. Jowalco Incorporated
    Surface metal/non-metal · Jowalco Inc · MSHA ID 1900988
    Abandoned
  27. KIMBALL
    Surface metal/non-metal · Pitcherville S & G Corp · MSHA ID 1901077
    Abandoned
  28. Littleton Pit
    Surface metal/non-metal · Onyx Corporation · MSHA ID 1901289
    Abandoned
  29. Lockbrook Pit & Plant
    Surface metal/non-metal · James F Craven General Contractor · MSHA ID 1901277
    Abandoned
  30. Lowland Pit And Mill
    Surface metal/non-metal · Holliston Sand Company Inc · MSHA ID 1900318
    Abandoned
  31. Lynch Materials
    Surface metal/non-metal · Lynch Materials · MSHA ID 1900322
    Abandoned
  32. Merrimack Granite Company Incorporated
    Surface metal/non-metal · Merrimack Granite Company Inc · MSHA ID 1900010
    Abandoned
  33. Mula Materials Green Street
    Surface metal/non-metal · Mula Materials Corporation · MSHA ID 1901201
    Abandoned
  34. Nardone Pit & Plant
    Surface metal/non-metal · Nardone Company · MSHA ID 1900342
    Abandoned
  35. New England Cement Block Co
    Surface metal/non-metal · New England Cement Block & Pipe Company · MSHA ID 1900344
    Abandoned
  36. New England Sand And Gravel
    Surface metal/non-metal · New England Sand & Gravel Company Inc · MSHA ID 1900345
    Abandoned
  37. Overlook Road
    Surface metal/non-metal · LM Heavy Civil Construction, LLC · MSHA ID 1901245
    Abandoned
  38. PALMERS QUARRY
    Surface metal/non-metal · Tresca Brothers Sand & Gravel Inc · MSHA ID 1901076
    Abandoned
  39. Patterson Pit
    Surface metal/non-metal · Town Of Shirley · MSHA ID 1900830
    Abandoned
  40. Plant #1
    Surface metal/non-metal · On The Level Construction & Excavation · MSHA ID 1901156
    Abandoned
  41. PORTABLE #2
    Surface metal/non-metal · Eastland Partners Inc · MSHA ID 1901097
    Abandoned
  42. PORTABLE #3
    Surface metal/non-metal · Eastland Partners Inc · MSHA ID 1901096
    Abandoned
  43. PORTABLE CEDAR RAPIDS #1
    Facility metal/non-metal · North Meadows Construction Company Inc · MSHA ID 1901070
    Abandoned
  44. Portable Crusher
    Surface metal/non-metal · John Paonessa Co. · MSHA ID 1901159
    Abandoned
  45. PORTABLE CRUSHER
    Surface metal/non-metal · R.J. CINCOTTA CO. INC. · MSHA ID 1901114
    Abandoned
  46. Portable Plant #1
    Surface metal/non-metal · Eastland Partners Inc · MSHA ID 1901095
    Abandoned
  47. Portable Plant #1
    Surface metal/non-metal · WPC Portable Crushing · MSHA ID 1901134
    Abandoned
  48. QUINN PERKINS S & G, INC.
    Surface metal/non-metal · Quinn Perkins S & G Inc · MSHA ID 1900363
    Abandoned
  49. R L Robichaud
    Surface metal/non-metal · R L Robichand · MSHA ID 1900356
    Abandoned
  50. Raymond Haywood
    Surface metal/non-metal · Raymond Haywood · MSHA ID 1900719
    Abandoned
  51. Rich Pit
    Surface metal/non-metal · Rich Auto Parts · MSHA ID 1900825
    Abandoned
  52. ROWE CONTRACTING CO.
    Surface metal/non-metal · Rowe Contracting Company · MSHA ID 1900039
    Abandoned
  53. Screener
    Surface metal/non-metal · W.L. French Excavating Corp · MSHA ID 1901287
    Abandoned
  54. Seven Oaks Pit
    Surface metal/non-metal · Seven Oaks Sand & Gravel Inc · MSHA ID 1900816
    Abandoned
  55. Stonebridge Pit
    Surface metal/non-metal · Town Of Wayland · MSHA ID 1900806
    Abandoned
  56. Stow Pit
    Surface metal/non-metal · Wallace Fletcher · MSHA ID 1900732
    Abandoned
  57. Swan Road Pit
    Surface metal/non-metal · George R Vinal Inc · MSHA ID 1900808
    Abandoned
  58. Testa Corp
    Surface metal/non-metal · Testa Corp · MSHA ID 1901185
    Abandoned
  59. The Black Pit
    Surface metal/non-metal · B R Black Inc · MSHA ID 1900821
    Abandoned
  60. Town Of Chelmsford Pit
    Surface metal/non-metal · Town Of Chelmsford Highway Dept · MSHA ID 1900916
    Abandoned
  61. Townsend Pit
    Surface metal/non-metal · Dunbar Transportation Inc · MSHA ID 1900928
    Abandoned
  62. TYNG/WEST
    Surface metal/non-metal · KITNER CONSTRUCTION INC. · MSHA ID 1901199
    Abandoned
  63. Westford Pit
    Surface metal/non-metal · J E Farmer Inc · MSHA ID 1900669
    Abandoned
  64. Westford Pit And Mill
    Surface metal/non-metal · Pomerleau Brothers Inc · MSHA ID 1900353
    Abandoned
  65. Westford Quarry
    Surface metal/non-metal · Roma Stone Corp · MSHA ID 1900957
    Abandoned
  66. Weston Mine & Mill
    Surface metal/non-metal · Massachusetts Broken Stone Company · MSHA ID 1900021
    Abandoned
  67. Whittemore Perlite Company Incorporated
    Facility metal/non-metal · Whittemore Perlite Company Inc · MSHA ID 1900986
    Abandoned
  68. Willow Pit
    Surface metal/non-metal · Dunbar Sand & Gravel Corp · MSHA ID 1900829
    Abandoned
  69. Wilmington Plant
    Surface metal/non-metal · Heffron Asphalt Corp · MSHA ID 1900802
    Abandoned
  70. Wilmington Plant
    Surface metal/non-metal · Wilmington Crushed Gravel · MSHA ID 1900999
    Abandoned
  71. Wilton Pit
    Surface metal/non-metal · Pitcherville Sand & Gravel Inc · MSHA ID 1901086
    Abandoned
  72. Woburn Pit
    Surface metal/non-metal · Onyx Corporation · MSHA ID 1901283
    Abandoned

Status and date are as reported to MSHA by the operator. Each mine's own page carries its accident, citation and inspection record.

By source vocabularythe publishers' own terms
Feature type Features
Gravel Pit 202
Disturbed Surface 65
Gravel Pit 39
Quarry 25
Quarry 13
Sand Pit 8
Quarry - Rock 6
Sand and Gravel Pit 5
Open Pit Mine or Quarry 5
Sand Pit 5
Open Pit Mine or Quarry 3
Clay Pit 2
Sand and Gravel Pit 2
Borrow Pit 1
Quarry - Rock 1
Disturbed Surface - Pit 1
Other counties in MassachusettsAll counties →
How to read these numbers

A USGS feature is a symbol on a historical topographic map, there when the map was surveyed; it may since have been sealed, reclaimed, built over or reopened as a working mine, and the map does not say which. An OSMRE row is a problem the abandoned mine land program tracks, not a mine. An MSHA mine is a registered operation whose operator reported abandonment, a record that starts in the 1970s. The three overlap and are never added together. The county is assigned from each feature's coordinates against the Census 2023 county boundaries. The full method is on the national page.

Sources
  1. USGS, Consolidated Prospect- and Mine-Related Features from 7.5- and 15-Minute Topographic Quadrangle Maps of the United States (USMIN)
    597,612 point and area features digitized from about 106,350 historical topographic maps published 1886–2006; public domain (CC0). A feature is a map symbol, not a field-verified site, and the map does not say whether it was still worked.
  2. USGS Fact Sheet 2025–3003, The Abandoned Mine Inventory of the United States
    States that as of 2025 there is no comprehensive national inventory of abandoned mine features, and that the detailed national database now being built will not be published.
  3. OSMRE, Abandoned Mine Land Inventory System (e-AMLIS), public Problems layer
    One row per abandoned mine land problem in a problem area, with its type, funding program and reclamation status; mostly coal mined before the 1977 Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act. Coordinates are the problem area's.
  4. MSHA, Mines dataset (Mine Data Retrieval System)
    Every mine registered with MSHA since the 1970s; a mine reads Abandoned or Abandoned and Sealed when its operator reported that status. Refreshed weekly.
  5. US Census Bureau, 2023 cartographic county boundaries (1:500,000)
    Each feature's county is assigned by its coordinates against these boundaries, not copied from the source file.
  6. GAO-20-238, Abandoned Hardrock Mines (March 2020)
    Federal agencies had identified at least 140,000 abandoned hardrock mine features on federal land and estimated more than 390,000 more not yet captured in their databases.
  7. Abandoned Hardrock Mine Reclamation (AHMR) Program, US Department of the Interior
    The program the USGS inventory is compiled for. Its appropriations and the 674,000 field-confirmed feature count on this page were provided by the program manager, Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance, and are cited with permission (2026-09-08).
  8. IMCC-NAAMLP Hardrock AML Report
    Page 48 carries the two figures this page leans on: USGS estimates 633,181 of the 725,690 mine features it recorded from historic topographic maps, 87 percent, are hardrock; and state and federal agencies have submitted more than 724,000 AML features to the national database being built, already more than the historic maps hold. Year-by-year AHMR funding is on page 35.