The American Exploration & Mining Association (AEMA) is an effective and proactive advocate for the North American mining community, successfully influencing the outcome of political dialogue, building effective working strategies with key elected officials, developing and coordinating industry’s response to legislative and regulatory issues, and galvanizing the grassroots. AEMA’s Annual Meeting and Exposition, held the first week of December, is the second-largest annual mining convention in the U.S. The convention includes short courses, technical sessions, and a 250-booth trade exposition.