Stilfontein

Stilfontein (Afrikaans for quiet spring) is a former mining town which is located on the N12 (National Road) with 17,942 inhabitants, situated between Klerksdorp and Potchefstroom in North West Province of South Africa. Khuma is situated 11,3 kilometres from the town. It was incorporated into the City of Matlosana and some municipality administration is located in Matlosana (Klerksdorp).

Stilfontein
Stilfontein is located in North West (South African province)
Stilfontein
Stilfontein
Stilfontein is located in South Africa
Stilfontein
Stilfontein
Coordinates: 26°50′34″S 26°46′28″E
CountrySouth Africa
ProvinceNorth West
DistrictDr Kenneth Kaunda
MunicipalityCity of Matlosana
Area
[1]
 • Total138.82 km2 (53.60 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Total17,942
 • Density130/km2 (330/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
[1]
 • Black42.5%
 • Coloured1.5%
 • Indian/Asian0.3%
 • White55.5%
 • Other0.2%
First languages (2011)
[1]
 • Afrikaans53.2%
 • Tswana22.1%
 • English10.6%
 • Sotho10.2%
 • Other14.8%
Time zoneUTC+2 (SAST)
Postal code (street)
2550
PO box
2551
Area code018

History

Stilfontein was established in 1949 as a residential centre for three large gold mines: the Hartebeesfontein, Buffelsfontein, and Stilfontein mines.

In May 1949, two shafts (Charles and Margaret)[2] were sunk and it was this success at Stilfontein that inspired the opening up of the Hartebeesfontein and Buffelsfontein mines.

The Margaret shaft at the Stilfontein mine was the first concrete headgear ever to be erected in South Africa and was designed locally and completely constructed form local materials. Tower mounted on this headgear was the first ever multi rope Koepoe hoist in South Africa.

Demographics

According to the 2011 Census, the population of Stilfontein was 17,942. The population density was 1,717 persons per km² (663 persons per mi²).

Tourist attractions
  • Hartebeesfontein Gold Mine
  • Annual Rose Festival in spring
  • Matlosana Mall
  • Ngwenya Hotel & Conference

Earthquakes

Stilfontein was struck by a mining-related earthquake on 9 March 2005, which damaged buildings in the town, which was followed by the closure of the Hartebeesfontein and Buffelsfontein mines when the Stilfontein Gold Mining was handed over into liquidation.[3] The Simmer and Jack Mines took over the mines but disaster struck again on 23 March 2006 when a fire trapped 8 miners underground at the Buffelsfontein mine.

References
  1. "Main Place Stilfontein". Census 2011.
  2. "Some History – Stilfontein Dorp / Town".
  3. "TimesLIVE".
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.