De Beers Canada Inc. (De Beers) is seeking to build a diamond mine at the Chidliak exploration site on the Hall Peninsula of Baffin Island. This proposed diamond mine, referred to as the Project, is currently in the early stages of planning. The Project is intended to incorporate a FutureSmart Mining approach which follows a set of key principles that will minimize environmental impacts and enable relatively small kimberlites (diamond bearing rock formations) to be mined. The key FutureSmart principles include the following:•Low-carbon energy•Small footprint•Minimal water use•Modular, automated, reliable, connected infrastructure•Remote monitoring•Modern employee operating modelDe Beers is currently in the process of completing the Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) to support the Project. At this stage of the study, we are evaluating a set of options in each key area of the Project including mining, infrastructure, processing, information technology, logistics, and employee work models. It is anticipated that the preferred option in each key area will be identified during the upcoming phase. Alternative options may continue to be considered in some areas if additional study is required prior to a final decision. Completion of the PFS is anticipated in 2023. Feasibility studies on selected options will then begin and a summary of alternatives will be prepared. De Beers will also complete baseline studies to support an Impact Assessment for submission to the Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB). Unlike other projects which start their environmental baseline studies at the feasibility stage, this Project started the environmental baselines studies early and already has 13 years of environmental baseline data in the area.The Project has several important challenges, each of which presents an opportunity for innovation. The kimberlites in the Chidliak cluster are very small when compared to kimberlites that are mined elsewhere using conventional mining methods. The extreme northern climate and remote location of the Chidliak kimberlite cluster is also a challenge. This logistical challenge is complicated by the lack of infrastructure such as roads or an electrical energy grid in the area. The human population on Baffin Island is also small and widely dispersed, presenting a challenge for staffing of a future mine. De Beers views these challenges as opportunities for innovation and as the reason to find creative, low-cost, low-impact solutions. Similarly, by presenting this project proposal early in the planning process and providing a full range of options, De Beers is seeking community input to understand any technical synergies and/or regional collaborations with the host communities, Territorial government, Federal government, local businesses or Inuit organizations/corporations.At this point in the planning process, the mine is envisioned as a series of relatively small open pits, or underground mines, likely to be mined in sequence. Each cluster of kimberlites would have an adjacent rock pile and processed kimberlite area with supporting infrastructure. The process plant is envisioned to be a mobile, modular facility which could be relocated close to each cluster of kimberlites as required. The camp is anticipated to be small and modular, housing only those personnel that must be on site to perform their roles. Additional support personnel will be located off-site and may operate equipment remotely. De Beers is looking at low-carbon energy systems for use at the site, including synthetic diesel, micro-reactors, hydro-electricity, wind, and solar. To realize this vision however, many factors must come together. The site must be supported by adequate satellite or fiber optic line to ensure good connectivity. The mining technology must be developed sufficiently to minimize rock waste and to effectively mine the kimberlite at the site. Most importantly, the people of Nunavut must see the value in the Project and must be partners in the development of this FutureSmart Mine.De Beers has provided a Project Proposal for review by the Nunavut Planning Commission and NIRB. De Beers will work with NIRB to undertake the scoping and guidelines phase of assessment throughout 2022. It is understood that the Project Proposal will later be refined following completion of the PFS and that a detailed Project Description will be provided at that time for consideration by NIRB as part of the Impact Assessment.