Cobalt heritage sites face threat

Once the world’s leading silver camp, Cobalt, Ont., is in danger of losing all traces of her long mining history.

The mining landmarks are unlikely to survive unless the townspeople and Agnico-Eagle Mines can agree on a way to pay for their preservation and display. Agnico-Eagle now owns most of Cobalt’s old mining properties.

Several years ago, most remaining structures, foundations and mine artifacts in Cobalt and the surrounding township, Coleman, were grouped together as the Heritage Silver Trail (funded by the Cobalt Mining Museum’s board). Tourists were invited to visit, free of charge, the remnants of the camp’s illustrious mining past. Signs were set up, telling the story of such historic sites as the LaRose blacksmith shop, Right-of-Way mine headframe and 96 shaft.

Virtually all the old mine infrastructure now belongs to Agnico-Eagle, which, under the Mine Closures Act, is required to submit a schedule for the cleanup of its Cobalt properties.

William Reyburn, Cobalt’s town clerk, says most of the sites have not been well-preserved. And while the Cobalt and Coleman councils are willing to maintain them, they are not prepared to pay for any costly environmental cleanup which could be deemed necessary.

Agnico-Eagle, on the other hand, would like to see the municipalities assume liability for safety on the Heritage Silver Trail, which is proving to be a popular tourist attraction.

“If they get hurt on our property, we’re liable,” explains John Young, mine manager for the company’s silver division. “Most things are capped and fenced, but kids climbing fences is natural. For us to take out insurance against that would be cost-prohibitive, whereas if the town were to take it over, their liability insurance would probably cover it.”

Reyburn is uncertain of the town’s ability to cover the insurance costs, but says it is being investigated.

“The town of Cobalt would be interested in helping to preserve some of these sites if the mine liability could be separated from the surface liability,” he says.

However, even the maintenance costs are expected to be steep for a small town like Cobalt.

“The price tag that has been bandied about is about $300,000, which is quite a bit for a municipality of 1,200 people. It’s not that council’s not interested … but maybe there are cheaper options to preserving our heritage besides saving every site.”

Young says Agnico-Eagle would like to see all heritage sites maintained and kept open to the public, “But with us not being in production, we can’t really see our way to beefing up our liability insurance just for tourists.” Meanwhile, a local committee is being formed to decide how to preserve the Heritage Silver Trail.