Rescan scientists (hydrologists, meteorologists, geologists, limnologists, botanists, and fisheries and wildlife biologists) began comprehensive environmental baseline studies of the Ekati Diamond Mine™ project area in 1993 and have continued to conduct environmental studies every year since then. Rescan completed the Environmental Impact Assessment in 1996, and the mine began operation in 1998.

Rescan scientists currently conduct a wide range of studies to monitor environmental quality, including the annual Aquatic Effects Monitoring Program, the Wildlife Effects Monitoring Program, the Panda Diversion Channel Monitoring Program, and baseline studies of lakes and streams prior to development within a watershed. These studies form the basis for environmental permitting, environmental management planning and mitigation planning.

EKATI’s Aquatic Effects Monitoring Program (AEMP) underwent an extensive re-evaluation and refinement in 2002 in order to address stakeholder needs. Part of the re-evaluation process included an extensive comparison of the EKATI AEMP to other established monitoring programs, including the proposed metal mining Environmental Effects Monitoring (EEM) program. While the Ekati AEMP very closely resembled the proposed metal mining EEM program, some refinements and alterations were made to further address potential environmental concerns which apply to mines. The proposed program refinements were accepted at stakeholder meetings and were implemented into the 2003 AEMP.