Stilfontein

Stilfontein
Stilfontein Stilfontein
Coordinates: 26°50′34″S 26°46′28″E
Country	South Africa
Province	North West
District	Dr Kenneth Kaunda
Municipality	City of Matlosana
Area
• Total	138.82 km2 (53.60 sq mi)
Population  (2011)
• Total	17,942
• Density	130/km2 (330/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
• Black	42.5%
• Coloured	1.5%
• Indian/Asian	0.3%
• White	55.5%
• Other	0.2%
First languages (2011)
• Afrikaans	53.2%
• Tswana	22.1%
• English	10.6%
• Sotho	10.2%
• Other	14.8%
Time zone	UTC+2 (SAST)
Postal code (street)	2550
PO box	2551
Area code	018

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. It was incorporated into the City of Matlosana and some municipality administration is located in Matlosana (Klerksdorp).

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) 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. The tower mounted on this headgear was the first-ever multi-rope Koepoe hoist in South Africa.

The Stilfontein mine closed in 2013. Since its closure, it has been a site for illicit mining activity, with illegal miners known as zama zamas attempting to extract remaining gold deposits in the abandoned shafts. In November 2024, a crisis began as siege efforts by law enforcement to curtail illegal mining resulted in the blocking of key shaft exits, trapping miners underground. Reports suggested that many were unable to resurface, fearing arrest or retribution from armed underground gangs who control mining operations. By mid January, 78 bodies had been retrieved, with reports that more than 100 miners in total have died.

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 [1]
• Ngwenya Hotel & Conference [2]
• Stilfontein People's Hall (Gentle Breezers Hall) [3]

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. 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.