Stilfontein

Stilfontein
Stilfontein  Stilfontein shown within North West
Coordinates:
Country	South Africa
Province	North West
District	Dr Kenneth Kaunda
Municipality	City of Matlosana
Established	{{#property:P571}}
Area
• Total	138.82 km2 (53.60 sq mi)
Population (2011)
• Total	17,942
• Density	130/km2 (330/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
• Black African	42.5%
• Coloured	1.5%
• Indian/Asian	0.3%
• White	55.5%
• Other	0.2%
First languages (2011)
• 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. 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

• Hartebeesfontein Gold Mine
• Annual Rose Festival in spring