Li-FT Power Ltd. announced the launch of the 2026 Environmental Baseline Data Collection Program, representing the next phase of environmental studies at the Yellowknife Lithium Project. The 2026 program will expand the geographic extent of baseline data collection activities conducted to date, focusing on the Big-Nite pegmatite cluster. This work will continue to support ongoing project planning and future permitting activities, including Environmental Assessment.
The 2026 program represents the continuation of multi-year baseline studies that are used to understand current environmental, cultural, and socioeconomic conditions in the area. The Program will include local and regional baseline data collection activities and will focus on areas immediately adjacent to known pegmatite dykes where Project infrastructure may be present in the future. Lakes and streams that are immediately up- and down-stream of potential future infrastructure will also be included in the program, along with areas that are up- and downwind of potential future Project activities.
The Program will build on previous work in the area and will include aquatic, atmospheric, terrestrial, and human environment components and will employ approaches rooted in the scientific method and Indigenous Knowledge. Li-FT Power Ltd. is working closely with local Indigenous communities and regulatory authorities to develop and execute the baseline data collection programs for the Project. Community engagement sessions specific to baseline data collection programs were held in 2024 and 2025, with additional sessions planned for 2026.
The Program will be managed by Det?on Cho Environmental, which is owned by the Yellowknives Dene First Nation and prioritises Indigenous employment. Aquatics Program: The program includes bathymetry, hydrology, hydrogeology, and water quality surveys as well as fish, fish habitat, and aquatic life surveys. The program began on April 5th with under-ice water quality sampling, fish habitat surveys, and winter hydrological surveys.
The aquatics program will continue on an approximately monthly basis until the end of September or beginning of October, when freeze-up is likely to occur. Atmospherics Program: The program includes air quality, noise, vibration, light, and meteorological components to establish ambient conditions in and around the Project area. The atmospheric data collection program will begin in late spring/early summer will continue year-round going forward.
Terrestrial Program: The program includes vegetation, soils and terrain, permafrost, host rock geochemistry, and wildlife components. Soils and vegetation field programs will occur in the summer (July-September) and will be used to verify models built from geological maps and remote sensing data. The host rock geochemistry program will build upon initial work completed in previous years and will include static and kinetic testing of host rock.
The wildlife program will include acoustic data collection, t, and the continuation of camera trapping, which commenced in the autumn of 2023. Human Environment Program: The 2026 program will build on archaeological studies, Indigenous resource use, and Indigenous knowledge studies completed previously. and will focus on heritage resources and land and resource use components.
