NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: North Slave Region

Tags: hydrology, fish, habitat assessment, environmental baseline

Objective(s): The objective of the baseline data collection programs is to characterize existing conditions in the Project area.

Project Description: This licence has been issued for the scientific research application No. 6157. The objective of the baseline data collection programs is to characterize existing conditions in the Project area. Desktop and field-based baseline studies will focus on characterizing air quality; light and noise; climate and meteorology; surface and ground water quantity and quality; geochemistry; fish, fish habitat and aquatic life; soils, vegetation, and terrain; birds and wildlife; archaeology, Indigenous Knowledge and Land and Resource Use, and Social and Community Conditions, Economics and Employment, and Other Land and Resource Use. Air Quality Continuous air quality monitoring station(s) will be installed to measure ambient concentrations of particulate matter of various size fractions including total suspended particulate (TSP), particulate matter less than 10 microns (PM10), and particulate matter less than 2.5 microns (PM2.5).... Show more Power for the air quality monitoring station(s) will be provided by a bank of solar panels and batteries. The air quality monitoring station(s) will operate unattended, with occasional attendance by members of the research team to download data and inspect the equipment. Deployment of dustfall and passive NO2 monitoring stations in and around the Project area will also be part of the air quality baseline data collection program for 2025. Noise and Vibration Collection of baseline noise measurements will be conducted at locations that are generally representative of existing noise conditions in the Project area. At one or more of the baseline measurement locations, a portable weather station will be deployed to log meteorological parameters that can influence baseline noise levels (i.e., wind speed, wind direction, temperature, humidity). Light and Visual The light baseline data collection program will consist of the collection of light trespass and sky glow measurements at locations that are generally representative of the baseline environment in the proposed Project area. For the visual program, high-quality photographs will be collected at various locations in the proposed Project area. Surface Water Quantity Under-ice water quantity baseline data collection programs will consist of snowpack surveys and winter streamflow investigations. At snow survey sampling plot locations, multiple snow depth measurements will be recorded using a metre stick or avalanche probe in areas of disturbed snow. One snow density sample will be collected at each location using a snow sampling tube with known diameter that is driven into the snowpack to ground. The depth of snow in the tube will be recorded and the snow sample will be weighted using a hanging scale to determine the density of the snow. At designated winter streamflow investigation locations, holes will be drilled into the ice across the water course. If flows are observed, then flow rate will be estimated visually to inform flow characterization. During the open water season, surface water quantity programs will consist of installing automated hydrometric stations to monitor continuous water levels, performing discrete measurements of discharge and water levels, installing benchmarks and pressure transducers at hydrometric stations, and ground-truthing drainage patterns and characterizing the hydrology of waterbodies and watercourses in the Project area. Surface Water Quality Under-ice water quality baseline data collection programs will be completed for lakes and large flowing water courses in and adjected to areas potentially affected by the Project. At each lake sampling location, the program will consist of ice-depth measurements and profiles of water quality field measurements including water temperature (°C), specific conductivity (µS/cm), dissolved oxygen (mg/L and percent saturation) and pH will be recorded using an appropriate meter. Up to two discrete water quality samples will be collected from each lake station after field profile measurements are collected. At each watercourse station, spot field measurements and water quality samples will be collected beneath the water surface. During the open water season, Secchi-depth measurements and profiles of water quality field measurements will be collected prior to sample collection at each lake station. At a minimum, in situ profile measurements of water temperature (°C), specific conductivity (µS/cm), dissolved oxygen (mg/L and percent saturation) and pH will be recorded at each station in the water column using an appropriate meter. Up to three discrete water quality samples will be collected from each lake station after field profile measurements are collected. At each watercourse station, spot field measurements and water quality samples will be collected beneath the water surface. Geochemistry 500 samples of exploration drill core were collected for the baseline geochemical characterization program that will provide the material for all future testing. Acid base accounting (ABA), whole rock and trace metal analysis, mineralogical analysis and short-term leach testing (STL) have been initiated, testing and analysis will continue. A representative subset of samples will be submitted for kinetic testing (i.e., humidity cell tests) and a statistical analysis of the analyzed drill core will be initiated to assess variability in acid generating and metal leaching potential across the lithologies and mineral license areas. Additionally, tailings samples created during metallurgical testing completed at an offsite facility will be submitted for the same suite of geochemical tests as the drill core samples. Select analyses are underway and additional testing may be completed depending on metallurgical testing progress and outcomes. Sample collection will continue potentially including additional drill core and tailings samples as well as overburden/borrow materials, seep samples, surface water and groundwater samples as required. Additional site-specific kinetic testing (e.g., field barrels) may also be considered as the project progresses. The geochemical test results will be utilized to develop a preliminary geochemical classification criterion for the mine waste materials that will inform future management of rock, ore, and tailings. These results will also be utilized to develop water quality model inputs for water quality modelling in support of future exploration or licensing of the specified mineral areas. Hydrogeology and Permafrost Thermistor strings with vibrating wire piezometers will be installed in selected boreholes to monitor the temperature gradient in the subsurface in the Project area. Monitoring wells will be installed at select locations (to be determined) across the Project area. The monitoring wells will be screened in unconsolidated overburden soils and shallow bedrock. Groundwater sampling will be conducted at a number of occasions each year to capture seasonality to measure flow and collect samples for laboratory analyses to establish baseline groundwater quality; this sampling will investigate potential groundwater flow paths and groundwater discharge receptors and determine groundwater quality in the Project area. Drilling, including the management of drill cuttings, will be conducted in a manner consistent with the requirements of EREX’s Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board (MVLWB) Land Use Permit(s), Water Licences, and Management Plans. Monitoring well development water and groundwater sampling purge water will not be disposed to ground near waterbodies. Monitoring wells will be constructed such that bentonite seals are covered with a minimum of 30 cm of backfill to prevent casual access by wildlife. Fish and Fish Habitat The fish and fish habitat baseline data collection program will collect baseline fish habitat and community information from a wide range of waterbodies and watercourses in the Project area. Seasonal open-water field programs will be timed to coincide with the spring spawning period for Arctic Grayling (and Suckers and Northern Pike), the emergence and outmigration of young-of-year in watercourses during early summer, and late summer baseflow conditions. Field effort and study designs will vary by season depending on the types of information collected from each waterbody and/or watercourse, and whether study watercourses and waterbodies are dry or continue to hold water through the summer/fall; aerial reconnaissance of watercourses and waterbodies in advance of surveys and sampling will help with refining scope (i.e., sites that are dry will be excluded from the study scope). Habitat will be described and fish sampling will be conducted using sampling methods (e.g., electrofishing, minnow trapping, angling, short-set gill netting, and seine netting). Lower trophic level sampling (i.e., plankton and benthic invertebrates) will also be conducted and selected sites. Field studies conducted in 2025 will determine where additional detailed evaluations (e.g., fish health, hydroacoustics, and/or fish fence studies) should be focused. Fish health studies will involve the sampling of large-bodied and small-bodied fish species for the collection of fish health metrics (e.g., length, weight, sex, gonad size), ageing structures, and fish tissue samples for laboratory analyses. Hydroacoustics, which uses sounds waves, may be used to determine substrate characteristics and generate fish population estimates in lakes. Fish fences may be placed in selected streams to measure the spring migration of fish. Fish will be captured and handled in accordance with conditions stated within the DFO fish permits. In general, all captured fish will be recorded by site, sampling method, and enumerated by species. Length and weight will be recorded from each large-bodied fish species along with life-stage, sex, and maturity (if discernible based on external examination). Soils and Terrain The soils and terrain baseline data program will prioritize confirming and updating previous soil and terrain mapping completed in the Project area and with collecting soil samples for soil characterization and quality calculations. Sample collection for soil classification information will occur according to the Canadian System of Soil Classification (SCWG 1997). In 2025, a soil and terrain survey will be completed in the Project area to capture preliminary soil data. In subsequent years, additional field programs will be completed in the Project area to target a survey intensity level 2 (SIL2) as defined in A Soil Mapping System for Canada, which requires a soil inspection site in over 90% of the mapped soil and terrain polygons, with each soil inspection site representing between 2 to 30 hectares (ha). Terrain data will be collected in conjunction with soil inspection sites using the Terrain Classification System for British Columbia terms and attribute codes for surficial geology, topography, and geomorphological processes. Soil samples from each major soil subgroup and parent material identified in the Project area will be sent for laboratory analyses to determine reclamation suitability. Reclamation suitability will be evaluated according to the Soil Quality Relative to Disturbance and Reclamation (SQCWG 1987) specifically for parameters defined for soils for reclamation in the Northern Forest Region. Vegetation In 2025, the baseline data collection program for vegetation will prioritize ecosystem sampling to begin confirming and updating the vegetation mapping in the Project area. Data on rare plants and weeds will also begin to be collected, including collections of lichens and bryophytes. Field surveys will also focus on data collection for ecosystem classification, rare plant species, and traditional use plants. Ecosystem classifications or uplands, wetlands and riparian areas mapped in the vegetation map will be confirmed and updated as needed during field surveys. Ecosystem classification surveys will be completed concurrently with both plant species at risk surveys. Uplands and riparian areas will be classified using the Ecological Regions of the Northwest Territories – Taiga Sheild. Wetlands will be classified using the Canadian Wetland Classification System. Surveys will be completed to capture the recommended survey intensity within the proposed Project area. Ecosystem structural stages will be collected during field surveys to update the structural stages mapped in the vegetation map. Structural stages will be classified using those described in the Field Manual for Describing Terrestrial Ecosystems (BC Ministry of Forests and Range [BC MOFR] BC Ministry of Environment [BC MOE] 2010). An early and late season plant species at risk survey will capture any early or late season flowering plant species at risk (SAR) as recommended by the Alberta Native Plant Council (ANPC) guidelines (ANPC 2012). Potential species include federally listed plant SAR listed in Schedule 1 the Species at Risk Act (SARA; Government of Canada 2002), plant species listed as Endangered, Threatened, Special Concern or Extirpated by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC 2023), and plant species listed in the Species at Risk Act (NWT; Government of Northwest Territories 2010). Lichens, including ground and arboreal lichens, unknown vascular plants, and bryophytes samples will be collected and sent to experts to identify post-field. Occurrences of any non-native, invasive or weed species will also be documented when incidental observations are encountered during the early and late rare plant surveys. For treed ecosystems in the Project footprint and study areas, tree inventory data will be collected using the Alberta forest vegetation inventory plot standards to aid in identifying merchantable timber in the Project footprint and study areas. Wildlife and Birds Wildlife surveys will focus on gathering information about SAR, migratory and resident species, and culturally significant species (e.g., game species, caribou, etc.) in the Project area. Culturally significant species and relevant Indigenous Knowledge will be recorded during upcoming engagement with local communities. Autonomous audio recording units (ARUs), remote cameras, terrestrial surveys and incidental field observations will also be used to capture information about habitat use. These surveys and their relevance are further defined below. Audible-range and ultrasonic audio recorders will be deployed to capture species of interest. ARUs will be deployed and maintained on throughout the spring, summer, and fall to capture sounds from birds, amphibians, some small mammals (audible), and bats (ultrasonic). Recorder placement will focus on areas of high biodiversity, any habitat suitable for species-at-risk and culturally significant species, capturing a variety of sub-habitats, and ensuring wetlands and waterbodies have adequate coverage. Remote cameras will be deployed and maintained year-round to understand the movement of mammals through the Project area. Some game birds may be captured incidentally. Attention will be paid to the angle of the camera to capture both large- and medium-sized animals. Camera placement will focus on areas with relevant habitat attributes for mammalian subjects (e.g., edge habitats, game trails, riparian). Passive audio recording and photography techniques will be honed to broadly capture as many species as possible, programmed to record long-term for good temporal resolution, and will be moved throughout the study area to improve spatial resolution. Passive ARU and camera capture strategies may be adjusted slightly to focus on specific habitats of concern, SAR, and culturally significant species discovered through the engagement process. All photos and recordings will be analyzed by trained observers with expert review. Terrestrial ground surveys will be conducted to assess for the presence of wildlife features (e.g., mineral licks, stick nests, dens) and species that vocalize infrequently or cannot be captured using the above audio and visual methods (e.g., some raptors, some small mammals). Non-acoustic bird and herptile species of the NWT (e.g., vultures, herons, salamanders, reptiles) are not known to occur in the Project area. Terrestrial sweeps, engagement with the community, and maintaining a list of incidental species observed during site visits will serve as a safeguard against any data-deficiencies in current range information. Winter aerial surveys are being planned for moose/caribou, which will involve transect surveys with a fixed wing aircraft and potentially visiting areas with tracks/observations with a helicopter. In addition, aerial surveys for waterbirds may be conducted at selected waterbodies. As audio recordings and photography will be autonomous, they do not require direct operation by a person in close proximity to wildlife. Also, the resultant files will not be shared widely for profit. With these conditions of the research in mind, a wildlife research permit is required over a wildlife observation permit. As all techniques are passive, including terrestrial survey observations, no direct interaction or intervention with wildlife is required. Aerial surveys will be timed to avoid sensitive periods and during aerial surveys, observers will not circle animals, except for the required collection of specific survey information. No wildlife handling permit is sought at this time. Archaeology If an archaeological field program is required, a Class 2 Archaeology Permit Application will be submitted to the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre (PWNHC). A field assessment of high archaeological potential areas within the Project area would be conducted and archaeological sites would be recorded that meet the definition of an archaeological resource (i.e., Archaeological Sites Act; tangible evidence of human activity more than 50 years old is archaeological). The field assessment would be a pedestrian survey and will include a shovel testing program. If any archaeological sites are encountered, these would be recorded to a high level of detail through mapping, measurements, GPS recording, and photography. If archaeological artifacts are recovered a representative sample would be collected, analyzed, and submitted to the PWNHC. Indigenous Knowledge and Land and Resource Use EREX’s plan is that Indigenous communities participating in the Project’s regulatory process will lead their own Indigenous Knowledge studies and associated Indigenous Land and Resource Use reports. Indigenous Knowledge studies would likely characterize historical and current conditions associated with land and resource use, places of cultural or spiritual importance, travel routes, and lifeways. Social and Community Conditions, Economics and Employment, and Other Land and Resource Use Secondary data collection will involve desktop review of publicly available sources, including government websites and publications, the results of previous studies in Project-affected communities, economic development initiatives, and other relevant data sources. EREX and its consultants will engage with communities and regulatory agencies in accordance with its MVLWB-approved Engagement Plan for the Yellowknife Lithium Project. The Engagement Plan outlines EREX’s process and approach to communication and information sharing between the company and interested and potentially affected parties, including the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, Lutselk’e Dene First Nation, Deninu K ´u´e ´ First Nation, Tlicho Government, North Slave Métis Alliance, Ingraham Trail Cabin Owners, and regulatory agencies. EREX regularly engages on project activities and baseline data collection programs with the Government of the Northwest Territories, Government of Canada, and potentially affected communities. EREX will continue to regularly engage on project activities and baseline data collection programs as the project progresses. Engagement may include phone calls, emails, meetings, presentations, and public notices. Engagement is aimed at soliciting input from interested and potentially affected parties, including feedback on baseline data collection programs and results. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from: May 05 - December 31, 2025 Show less