DE BEERS CANADA INC. CHIDLIAK DIAMOND EXPLORATION PROJECT
Peregrine Diamonds Ltd. contracted EcoLogic to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement Guidance Plan for the Chidliak Diamond Exploration Project in 2015. The plan provided direction for Peregrine’s management regarding the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process in Nunavut. EcoLogic's Guidance Plan included:
a summary of the requirements outlined by the Nunavut Impact Review Board regarding the EIS process and standard baseline requirements related to projects of similar scope,
assessment of the utility of historical baseline data specific to the Project area in supporting the Draft EIS,
assessment of the likely valued components for the Draft EIS, and
a baseline data collection program targeted to meeting the information requirements of the likely valued components.
To support the ecological mapping requirements of the Draft EIS, EcoLogic developed Ecological Land Classification (ELC) mapping for the Chidliak Project. ELC is necessary to enable project planning, infrastructure layout, identification of rare or sensitive wildlife habitat or traditional use plants, and mapping of special landscape features.
After determining the Project’s local study area, EcoLogic undertook a review of geological and climatic data, scientific papers, regional maps, and professional reports. We incorporated data from a number of studies that had developed site-level ecosystem classification systems for proposed and realized projects in northern Canada, in areas with similar climate and terrain. Preliminary mapping was done in 2014 and further refined in 2016. Field work was carried out in 2016 to support the 2014 mapping and further refine the ELC vegetation associations. EcoLogic delivered a final Ecological Land Classification and terrain map of the Chidliak Local Study Area to Peregrine in November 2017.
In September 2019, De Beers Canada Inc. acquired the Chidliak Project through purchase of Peregrine. Core principles that De Beers is considering in development of the mine include use of renewable energy and minimal environmental impact.
De Beers has contracted EcoLogic to carry out baseline studies and effects assessments in preparation for submission of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement. EcoLogic will prepare studies for:
Meteorology and Air Quality;
Noise and Vibration;
Landforms, Soils, and Permafrost;
Vegetation; and
Wildlife.
Read more about De Beers' Chidliak project: http://canada.debeersgroup.com/operations/projects/chidliak-project
