Surface mining activities can have cascading effects within sagebrush ecosystems, fundamentally altering multiple components such as soil composition, topography, vegetation communities, and ultimately wildlife populations. Despite the potential for significant disruption of ecosystem function and species composition, surface mining impacts within sagebrush ecosystems are relatively understudied. We quantified the disturbance footprint and duration of operation for all surface mines within Nevada. We then assessed changes in vegetation communities and sage-grouse populations at varying distances from mine sites during active mining operations, post-mining operations, and post-mine reclamation at each site. We found that vegetation communities were substantially altered at mining locations, with the presence of woody shrubs declining following mining operations, even after reclamation was completed. Further, we found that sage-grouse population annual rates of change (λ) declined near mining sites, with substantive declines in λ detected up to 8 km from mining sites, even after active mining operations had ended. Ultimately, we demonstrate evidence that surface mining alters sagebrush vegetation communities and affects sage-grouse populations during and following active mining operations and extending even beyond reclamation. Results can inform conservation efforts to mitigate impacts of future mining operations. Information is preliminary and provided for best timely science.