Mining is a necessary and major component of historic and future growth in the western United States and numerous other parts of the world. Although problems have occurred, modern regulations and technological advances have greatly improved the mining industry's ability to minimize and mitigate the impact of mining on the environment. What are these technological advances and where are we headed? What are some of the examples of improved practices at active mines? What are some of the lessons learned and what additional factors might we want to consider in the future? This session seeks to answer these questions.