There were two areas in Massachusetts where coal mining was conducted. Coal was discovered in Mansfield, Mass., in 1810.  In 1835 three companies, were formed for mining the coal in Mansfield, namely, the Massachusetts Mining Co., the Mansfield Mining Co.; and the Mansfield Coal Co. The Massachusetts Mining Co. raised 1,200 to 1,500 tons of coal. All these mines had stopped work in 1838. The Massachusetts Mine was 64 feet deep, with an entry 40 feet long extending southeastward. The Mansfield Mining Co. was 85 feet deep. The Mansfield Coal site , was sunk to a depth of 100 feet and drifts were cut north-northwest and south-southeast.

In Worcester, coal was discovered circa 1824, and the Worchester Coal Company was incorporated in 1829, however  not long after it was incorporated the mine was abandoned. In 1897 an attempt was made to reopen the mine after it had been abandoned for almost seventy years. However, after pumping out the mine and removing 20-30 tons of the coal it was found to be mixed with graphite and other impurities.

It was concluded that the mine could not be operated profitably on account of the inferior quality of the coal. No further attempts to commercially mine coal within the state were made.

Adandoned Mine Land (AML)

Active mining is not currently being performed within this state. Adandoned mine land (AML) issues are handled by AR's Technical Support Division (TSD).