Stilfontein is a former mining town situated along the N12 National Road, between Klerksdorp and Potchefstroom, in the North West Province of South Africa.
The town’s name Stilfontein, means “quiet spring” in Afrikaans.
Stilfontein falls under the City of Matlosana Local Municipality in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality of North West Province.
History
Stilfontein was established in 1949 as a residential centre for three large gold mines: the Hartebeesfontein, Buffelsfontein, and Stilfontein mines.
In May 1949, two shafts (Charles and Margaret) were sunk and it was this success at Stilfontein that inspired the opening up of the Hartebeesfontein and Buffelsfontein mines.
The Margaret shaft at the Stilfontein mine was the first concrete headgear ever to be erected in South Africa and was designed locally and completely constructed form local materials. The tower mounted on this headgear was the first-ever multi-rope Koepoe hoist in South Africa.
The Stilfontein mine was closed in 2013. Since its closure, it has been a site for illicit mining activity, with illegal miners known as zama zamas attempting to extract remaining gold deposits in the abandoned shafts.
In November 2024, a crisis began as siege efforts by law enforcement to curtail illegal mining resulted in the blocking of key shaft exits, trapping miners underground. Reports suggested that many were unable to resurface, fearing arrest or retribution from armed underground gangs who control mining operations. By mid January, 78 bodies had been retrieved, with reports that more than 100 miners in total have died.