N.W.T. gov't won't save Yellowknife's Robertson headframe

The N.W.T. government won't preserve the iconic Robertson Headframe at Yellowknife's Con gold mine, it announced late Friday.

The government was in confidential talks with Miramar Mining Limited, the mine's owner, this year about saving the headframe from demolition, given its historical significance and its status as an iconic landmark of the Yellowknife area.

The government says a suitable agreement could not be reached.

Last year, Yellowknife city council voted to end discussions about taking over ownership of the headframe because city administrators recommended against taking over the liability for the structure.

The headframe, which was built in the mid-1970s, supported an elevator that carried miners to and from work underground, and lifted ore out, when the Con mine was operating.

Miramar was planning to demolish the headframe in the third quarter of this year.

A representative of the company could not be reached Friday to confirm whether that remains the case.