STILFONTEIN

Greater Stilfontein forms part of the KOSH-area (Klerksdorp, Orkney, Stilfontein, Hartebeestfontein). The Khhuma suburb has it's origin as the farm 'Wildebeespan'. Stilfontein Town was established on 19 October 1949. The development of the gold mines in the Stilfontein region was made possible by the perseverance of Jack Scott, son of Charles Scott, who in 1888 whilst working the farm Strathvaal, on the southern boundary of the Klerksdorp town lands, discovered and developed the outcropping gold reef which he called the Strathmore reef. Jack Scott shared his father's opinion that in the area to the east of Klerksdorp a suberranium reef would be found. From 1933 to the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, Jack Scott thoroughly prospected the Klerksdorp area but failed to find the elusive Strathmore reef. In 1945 he obtained options over the farm Stilfontein and portions of adjoining farms. The first borehole on Stilfontein, which was started in July 1947, intersected the reef at a depth of 2637 feet. Three more borehole yielded payable results. Under is first chairman, Jack Scott, two shafts (Charles and Margaret) were sunk in May 1949. The success of the Stilfontein undertaking inspired the opening up of the other mines, including the Hartebeestfontein and Buffelsfontein Mines. Unfortunately, due to economic circumstances, the company commenced with the retrenchment of staff in 1988. on 31 January 1992 underground mining operations at Stilfontein Mine were ceased. Margaret shaft was the first concrete headgear ever to be erected in South Africa and was completely constructed form local materials. The structure was also designed locally. The first ever multi rope Koepoe hoist to be commissioned in South Africa was tower mounted on this headgear.

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there

Bloemfontein 300 km, Cape Town 1350 km, Johannesburg 130 km, Kimberley 300 km, Klerksdorp 10 km, Mafikeng 180 km, Potchefstroom 35 km

Altitude – 1380 m

Average Rainfall

Stilfontein is situated in a summer rainfall region. The rain season is from October until March with maximum rain in January

Average Temperatures – Summer 25°c; Winter 8,7°c

Banks – Absa (ATM's 3), Fnb (ATM's 2), Standard (Only ATM's3)

Dams – Klerksdorp

River – Vaal

ATTRACTIONS

Annual Events

Miss Stilfontein Crowning – September

Rose Gala (Swimming) – October

Rose Half Marathon – October

Cultural Dancers

Gold Pour – At Hartebeestfontein Gold Mine

Accommodation in and around Riebeek-Wes