We only just finished agreeing that the NWT's era of big mines is over – and suddenly someone disagrees.

Lithium company Li-FT (pronounced "lift") believes it can open a mine east of Yellowknife that, in some respects at least, rivals one of the biggest diamond mines for size.

Where did this come from? What has to happen for it to open? What would that look like, and where? And why does Li-FT say the mine has to open before 2030 (which is super quick, by mining standards) if it's going to open at all?