| Aggeneys | |
|---|---|
| Country | South Africa |
| Province | Northern Cape |
| Time zone | SAST (UTC+2) |
| Postal code | |
Aggeneys is a small mining town established in 1976 and situated between Pofadder and Springbok in the Northern Cape, South Africa.
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Aggeneys the town, on a farm of that name, was founded to service the Black Mountain Mine, an underground base-metal operation nearby, currently employing over 600 permanent staff. This zinc/lead/copper/silver mine is just to the west of the town.[1] The produce of the mine is transported by truck to the nearest railway line, located 90 miles (150 km) to the south-east along a virtually straight gravel (dirt) road. A major zinc deposit has been identified in the nearby Gamsberg inselberg, also set to be mined.
The ranges of hills, mountains and inselbergs in the area display some of the most diverse and complex geology in Southern Africa including some of the richest known concentrations of copper, lead and zinc.[1]
In a semi-desert landscape, the name Aggeneys, from the Nama language, is said to mean ‘Place of Water’. Lawns and trees planted when the town was established accentuate the sense of ‘oasis’ and one of the town’s principal attractions is its golf course. The town’s water wants are greater than could be supplied by any nearby springs, however, and all is kept green by water pumped up from the Orange River some 40 km to the north.
But beyond the edges of town the arid conditions and the unique ecologies on the various inselbergs, peaks, hills and plains, with their varied rocky and shallow soil substrate, support a wide range of plants, animals, birds and insects, including rare and endemic species. The writer William Charles Scully wrote that, “for sheer uncompromising aridity, for stark grotesque naked horror, these mountains stand probably unsurpassed on the face of the globe.”[2]
Average, but variable, annual rainfall at the town is about 112mm, with greatest precipitation occurring between January and April. The lowest recorded annual rainfall (11mm) was measured in 1992, while the ‘wettest’ year (220mm) was recorded in 2006. Temperatures average between 15°C and 38°C in summer and between 0°C and 18°C in winter.[1]
The town is served by an airstrip known as the Aggeneys Airport. No scheduled flights operate to and from this airstrip. [3]
| Municipalities and communities of Namakwa District Municipality, Northern Cape District seat: Springbok |
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|---|---|
| Local municipalities |
Hantam • Kamiesberg • Karoo Hoogland • Khâi-Ma • Nama Khoi • Richtersveld |
| Cities and towns |
Aggeneys • Alexander Bay • Brandvlei • Buffelsrivier • Bulletrap • Calvinia • Carolusberg • Concordia • Eksteenfontein • Fraserburg • Garies • Hondeklip Bay • Kamassies • Kamieskroon • Karkams • Kheis • Khubus • Kleinzee • Klipfontein • Koingnaas • Komaggas • Lekkersing • Leliefontein • Loeriesfontein • McDougall's Bay • Nababeep • Niewoudtville • Nourivier • Okiep • Onseepkans • Paulshoek • Pella • Pofadder • Port Nolloth • Rooifontein Norap • Sanddrif • Soebatsfontein • Spoegrivier • Springbok • Steinkopf • Sutherland • Tweerivier • Vioolsdrif • Williston |