De Beers Snap Lake Mine Environmental Monitoring 2020-2024
Principal Investigator: Prather, Colleen (1)
Licence Number: 16673
Organization: De Beers Canada Inc.
Licensed Year(s): 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2002 2001 2000 1999
Issued: Jan 13, 2020
Project Team: Michelle Peters

Objective(s): To conduct environmental monitoring of wildlife, vegetation, air quality, hydrology, and aquatic effects in the Snap Lake study area.

Project Description: This licence has been issued for the scientific research application No.4635. The objective of this research are to conduct environmental monitoring of wildlife, vegetation, air quality, hydrology, and aquatic effects in the Snap Lake study area. The research team will collect incidental observational data of wildlife near the Snap Lake Mine. Through this project the research team will collect data on the aquatic environment including water, plankton benthos, sediment, and fish; and, conduct other research including air quality, vegetation, and incidental observations of wildlife around the Snap Lake Mine. For the aquatic resources, research is conducted by boat and helicopter in and downstream of Snap Lake, as well as at the two reference lakes. For air quality research is conducted through passive sampling. For vegetation, research is conducted within the disturbed area of the mine. Research will be conducted between April and September each year. The Snap Lake Project has had an ongoing community consultation program since 1998. It is the intent of De Beers to continue this dialog during the life of the Mine. Discussions held to date include meetings with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, Tlicho Government, the North Slave Métis Alliance, and the Lutsel K’e Dene First Nation. Consultation has focused on updating the communities on the activities at Snap Lake and the program results to-date, arranging for site visits by community members (if desired), and including members as assistants in field programs where possible. Discussions regarding traditional knowledge began in 2000 and this input was reflected in this program’s study design. Sample results are communicated through the various annual reports submitted by the mine to the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board and Snap Lake Environmental Monitoring Agency. These include the Wildlife Effects Monitoring Program Report, the Air Quality Annual Report, the Vegetation Annual Report, the Hydrology Annual Report, the Aquatic Effects Monitoring Program annual report, and the Water License Annual report. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from January 10, 2020 to December 31, 2020.