Stilfontein

Stilfontein
Stilfontein

 Stilfontein shown within South Africa

Coordinates: 26°50′34″S 26°46′28″E / 26.84278°S 26.77444°ECoordinates: 26°50′34″S 26°46′28″E / 26.84278°S 26.77444°E
Country South Africa
Province North West
District Dr Kenneth Kaunda
Municipality City of Matlosana
Established 1949
Area[1]
 • Total 138.82 km2 (53.60 sq mi)
Population (2011)[1]
 • Total 17,942
 • Density 130/km2 (330/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)[1]
 • Black African 42.5%
 • Coloured 1.5%
 • Indian/Asian 0.3%
 • White 55.5%
 • Other 0.2%
First languages (2011)[1]
 • Afrikaans 53.2%
 • Tswana 11.1%
 • English 10.6%
 • Sotho 10.2%
 • Other 14.8%
Postal code (street) 2550
PO box 2551
Area code 018

Stilfontein (Afrikaans for quiet spring) is a mining town with 17,942 inhabitants, situated between Klerksdorp and Potchefstroom in North West Province of South Africa.

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

Stilfontein was struck by a mining-related earthquake in 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.[2] 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.

Demographics

According to the 2011 Census, the population of Stilfontein was 17,942. The racial distribution was as follows: 84.9% White, 14.2% Black, 0.8% Coloured and 0.1% Asian. The population density was 1,717 persons per km² (663 persons per mi²).

Tourist attractions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Main Place Stilfontein". Census 2011.
  2. ↑ http://www.sundaytimes.co.za/zones/sundaytimesNEW/business/business1115643437.aspx