The state of the art in lignite mining as implemented by RWE Power AG in the Rheinish lignite area located between the cities of Aachen, Cologne and Düsseldorf is presented using a selection of current technical and operational challenges and the solutions identified in the fields of production, process technology, automation and maintenance as well as recultivation. The underlying need for action to continuously extend one’s know-how and the resulting positive prospects for the future that are opening up for Rheinish lignite, in particular, are illustrated to direct the reader’s attention from the common prejudice of traditional and technically stagnating mining to a mine operator who — today more than ever — is future-oriented, flexible and uses customized and high-quality technical equipment.