Allanridge

Allanridge
Allanridge

 Allanridge shown within South Africa

Coordinates: 27°45′S 26°40′E / 27.750°S 26.667°ECoordinates: 27°45′S 26°40′E / 27.750°S 26.667°E
Country South Africa
Province Free State
District Lejweleputswa
Municipality Matjhabeng
Established 1947
Government
 • Type Municipality
 • Mayor Sebenzile Ngangelizwe [1] (ANC)
Area[2]
 • Total 31.7 km2 (12.2 sq mi)
Population (2011)[2]
 • Total 19,337
 • Density 610/km2 (1,600/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)[2]
 • Black African 94.0%
 • Coloured 0.3%
 • Indian/Asian 0.2%
 • White 5.3%
 • Other 0.1%
First languages (2011)[2]
 • Sotho 71.2%
 • Xhosa 10.5%
 • Afrikaans 6.5%
 • Tsonga 2.5%
 • Other 9.3%
Postal code (street) 9490
PO box 9490
Area code 057

Allanridge is a gold mining town in the Lejweleputswa District Municipality of the Free State province in South Africa. It is the main centre of the Lorraine Gold Mining Company and is dominated by the tall headgear and complex reduction works that processes thousands of tons of gold-bearing ore every month.

Allanridge established as a settlement in 1947 and was named after Allan Roberts whose borehole's proximity to the gold bearing reef was the precursor to the mining in the area. The town layout was designed by town planner William Backhouse, who also planned Welkom. It became a municipality on 21 December 1956 but this changed on the 5 December 2000 when it was incorporated into the Matjhabeng Local Municipality with the city of Welkom and the towns of Hennenman, Odendaalsrus, Ventersburg and Virginia.

The Nyakallong location is 3 km outside of Allanridge. It was established during the apartheid era to house the mine workers of the Loraine Gold Mining Company.

References

  1. ↑ Free State Tourism.org
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Sum of the Main Places Allanridge and Phathakahle from Census 2011.