Licensing
Initial Year of Licensure
MassDOT will accept online applications for initial licensure on a rolling basis beginning in November 2025. Licenses will be effective for one year.
An application and license fee must be submitted for each location at which materials will be extracted for use in concrete aggregate. Online licenses will be submitted through ePlace Portal.
Subsequent Years and Renewal
After the initial licensure period, MassDOT will accept new online license applications or renewal applications between November 1 and December 31 of each year.
MassDOT will continue to accept online applications after December 31 each year, however, the effective date of the license will not be extended as a result of late filing.
Aggregate Testing
As part of the license application process, each applicant must work with a qualified laboratory to test samples from the area to be mined or quarried and assess materials for the presence of total sulfur, pyrrhotite, and framboidal pyrite. Test results must be included in the Geological Survey Report.
- For further information about testing requirements, please visit Aggregate Program Detailed Sampling, Testing, and Examination.
- Preliminary list of Laboratories Capable of Conducting Pyrrhotite Testing and Examination
Geological Source Report (GSR)
An applicant for a license shall submit a Geological Source Report (GSR) with their application. The GSR shall be prepared by a certified professional geologist, licensed professional geologist or an equivalent acceptable to the State Geologist. The GSR shall include any relevant information as determined by the certified, licensed, or qualified (accepted by the State Geologist) professional geologist completing the report, however, it must also contain the minimum requirements identified herein. The GSR shall be valid for a period of one year from the date of preparation. The GSR shall be submitted annually with the license application and fee. If there is a change to the contents of the GSR during the license year, a new GSR shall be prepared and submitted to MassDOT within 60 days of the change.
- For further information please visit Geological Source Report requirements
Operations Plan
In addition to the GSR, an applicant for a license shall submit an Operations Plan with their application.
The Operations Plan shall be prepared by the quarry and shall describe in sufficient detail the following minimum requirements: Aggregate quality control procedures, Aggregate manufacturing in the mine and processing plant covering each of the following steps, including Extraction, Processing, Stockpiling, Blending, Sales / Delivery, Plant Flow Diagram, Current Contact Information.
If there is a significant change to the operations plan during the license year, a new Operations Plan shall be prepared and submitted to MassDOT prior to implementing the change.
Regulatory Rulemaking
MassDOT has published the proposed regulations and will accept public comment through January 10, 2025 pursuant to the regulatory rulemaking process required under MGL c. 30A. MassDOT will accept both written comment and hold a public hearing. More information about the public comment process can be found here. (Insert link to public hearing announcement page.)
Questions and Concerns should be directed to: MA-Pyrrhotite@dot.state.ma.us