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

The N.W.T. government won't preserve theiconic RobertsonHeadframe at Yellowknife's Con gold mine, it announced late Friday.

The government was in confidential talks withMiramar Mining Limited, the mine's owner, this year about savingthe headframe from demolition, given its historical significanceand its status as an iconic landmark oftheYellowknife area.

The government says a suitable agreement could not be reached.

Last year, Yellowknifecity councilvoted to end discussions about taking over ownership of the headframe because city administrators recommended againsttaking over the liability for the structure.

The headframe, whichwas 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.