Appeal to delay demolition of Robertson headframe dismissed

Yellowknife's development appeal board has dismissed an appeal to delay the demolition of the iconic Robertson headframe at the former Con gold mine. 

"No big surprise I lost but I wish they had of taken a lot longer to decide," said Walt Humphries, the mining heritage advocate who had hoped to buy the headframe some time in order for it to be designated a heritage site. 

The board said in its decision that Humphries did not adequately illustrate how he was "adversely affected" by the headframe's' removal.

Humphries argued during a hearing last week that no one in Yellowknife had devoted more time and energy than him to saving the headframe, which he said made him adversely affected. 

His other arguments — that the headframe is a local landmark and navigational aid — were beyond the scope of the board's jurisdiction, board chair Margaret Kralt wrote. 

Blasting of headframe to take 10 to 20 days

Miramar Northern Mining, the company that is remediating the Con site, says it plans to begin the demolition right away.

The company will begin by tearing down smaller buildings attached to the headframe.

"Once these buildings have been removed, the [headframe] will be prepared for the next phase of the demolition, which involves utilizing explosives to bring the structure to the ground," said Scott Stringer, the general manager of the site. 

"Over the period of the project we anticipate it will take about 10 to 20 days to prepare and carry out the blasting phase of the structure."

Stringer said the blasting phase is tentatively set to begin in early November, pending discussions with the contractor. 

"Once on the ground, the crews will continue with cleanup of the debris, while scrap/salvage materials will be shipped to a recycling facility. "

'Landmarks can be so easily lost' 

Humphries took to Facebook to vent his frustration, posting a photo with the slogan "This is bad for all of us."

"It is a shame, pity and disgrace that landmarks can so easily be lost," he wrote.

"Unless the mayor, premier or head of a really big mining company steps forward to save it, there is nothing much we can do.

"Let history judge them."