N.W.T. Mining Heritage Society
Encyclopedia
The N.W.T. Mining Heritage Society, in the Northwest Territories
, Canada
, was first formed in early 2000 as the Giant Mine Heritage Group to rescue items from the Giant Mine
site after its owner, Royal Oak Mines Incorporated, went bankrupt.
By 2001 the group had changed its name to the NWT Mining Heritage Group and began planning for the creation of a mining museum for Yellowknife
and the Northwest Territories
and Nunavut
as a whole. The museum will be located at the old Giant Mine site and will include the old 'A'-shaft powerhouse and headframe, a warehouse, recreation hall, a portion of the old townsite, and an outdoor display area that includes mining machinery and an old log cabin from Con Mine
. In July 2002, the group formed a registered society.
Work in 2006 was focused on constructing a length of mine rail, placing old machinery on the rail, renovating the small log cabin, and beginning renovations of the recreation hall. In the summer of 2007, the old recreation hall roof was replaced with a new metal roof and a fundraising campaign was started to help pay for future renovations. In 2010 $60,000 was raised for repairs to the foundation wall and more work is planned in the future dependent on new sources of funds. One of the major causes of construction delays has been the environmental assessment process for the Giant Mine
. Land use planning in the Giant Mine Townsite area is dependent on the completion of remediation at Giant Mine as a whole.
, CHIN
, and Virtual Museum of Canada
.
Northwest Territories
The Northwest Territories is a federal territory of Canada.Located in northern Canada, the territory borders Canada's two other territories, Yukon to the west and Nunavut to the east, and three provinces: British Columbia to the southwest, and Alberta and Saskatchewan to the south...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, was first formed in early 2000 as the Giant Mine Heritage Group to rescue items from the Giant Mine
Giant Mine
The Giant Mine was a large gold mine located on the Ingraham Trail just outside ofYellowknife, Northwest Territories. Gold was discovered on the property in 1935 by Johnny Baker, but the true extent of the gold deposits were not known until 1944 when a massive gold-bearing shear zone was uncovered...
site after its owner, Royal Oak Mines Incorporated, went bankrupt.
By 2001 the group had changed its name to the NWT Mining Heritage Group and began planning for the creation of a mining museum for Yellowknife
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
Yellowknife is the capital and largest city of the Northwest Territories , Canada. It is located on the northern shore of Great Slave Lake, approximately south of the Arctic Circle, on the west side of Yellowknife Bay near the outlet of the Yellowknife River...
and the Northwest Territories
Northwest Territories
The Northwest Territories is a federal territory of Canada.Located in northern Canada, the territory borders Canada's two other territories, Yukon to the west and Nunavut to the east, and three provinces: British Columbia to the southwest, and Alberta and Saskatchewan to the south...
and Nunavut
Nunavut
Nunavut is the largest and newest federal territory of Canada; it was separated officially from the Northwest Territories on April 1, 1999, via the Nunavut Act and the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act, though the actual boundaries had been established in 1993...
as a whole. The museum will be located at the old Giant Mine site and will include the old 'A'-shaft powerhouse and headframe, a warehouse, recreation hall, a portion of the old townsite, and an outdoor display area that includes mining machinery and an old log cabin from Con Mine
Con Mine
The Con Mine was a large gold mine located in the Northwest Territories, just south of Yellowknife. The property was staked by Cominco in September 1935 in response to the discovery of visible gold nearby. The advent of winter prevented any prospecting from being conducted, but work in the summer...
. In July 2002, the group formed a registered society.
Work in 2006 was focused on constructing a length of mine rail, placing old machinery on the rail, renovating the small log cabin, and beginning renovations of the recreation hall. In the summer of 2007, the old recreation hall roof was replaced with a new metal roof and a fundraising campaign was started to help pay for future renovations. In 2010 $60,000 was raised for repairs to the foundation wall and more work is planned in the future dependent on new sources of funds. One of the major causes of construction delays has been the environmental assessment process for the Giant Mine
Giant Mine
The Giant Mine was a large gold mine located on the Ingraham Trail just outside ofYellowknife, Northwest Territories. Gold was discovered on the property in 1935 by Johnny Baker, but the true extent of the gold deposits were not known until 1944 when a massive gold-bearing shear zone was uncovered...
. Land use planning in the Giant Mine Townsite area is dependent on the completion of remediation at Giant Mine as a whole.
Affiliations
The Museum is affiliated with: CMACanadian Museums Association
The Canadian Museums Association is a national organization for the promotion of museums in Canada.The Canadian Museums Association is the national organization for the advancement of the Canadian museum sector, representing Canadian museum professionals both within Canada and internationally. The...
, CHIN
Canadian Heritage Information Network
The Canadian Heritage Information Network is a Canadian government-supported organization that provides a networked interface to Canada's heritage, largely through the World Wide Web. It aims to give access to Canada's heritage for both Canadians and a worldwide audience, by supporting the...
, and Virtual Museum of Canada
Virtual Museum of Canada
The Virtual Museum of Canada is Canada's national virtual museum. With a directory of over 3,000 Canadian heritage institutions and a database of over 600 virtual exhibits, the VMC brings together Canada's museums regardless of size or geographical location.The VMC includes virtual exhibits,...
.