Summer 1990
A joint venture is formed between Chuck Fipke, Stu Blusson, and BHP Billiton Ltd for the NWT Diamonds Project (renamed the EKATI Diamond Mine in 1997.)

Autumn 1991
The first diamonds in NWT are discovered by BHP and Dia Met at Point Lake. This discoverysparks the NWT "diamond rush" - the largest staking rush in North American History.

Summer 1995
BHP submits its Environment Impact Statement (EIS) on the EKATI DIamond Mine to the federally appointed Environmental Assessment Review Panel (EARP).