Buffelsfontein mine

Not to be confused with Buffelsfontein uranium mine.

Buffelsfontein mine

Location
Buffelsfontein mine Show map of North West (South African province) Buffelsfontein mine Show map of South Africa
Location	Stilfontein
Province	North West
Country	South Africa
Coordinates	26°54′22″S26°48′22″E / 26.906°S 26.806°E / -26.906; 26.806
Production
Products	Gold
History
Closed	2013
Owner
Company	Simmer & Jack Mines

The Buffelsfontein mine was one of the largest gold mines in South Africa and in the world. ^[1] The mine is located in the North West Province, south of Stilfontein and south-east of Klerksdorp. ^[2] The mine had estimated reserves of 11.02 million oz of gold. ^[1]

Trapped miners incident

Main article: Stilfontein mine deaths

The mine ceased operations in 2013. After its closure, it became a site for illicit mining activity, with zama zamas attempting to extract remaining gold deposits in the abandoned shafts. ^[3] In late 2024, hundreds of zama zamas became trapped in disused mine shafts at the mine ^{[4] [5]} after law enforcement blocked key exit shafts, trapping miners underground. Several dozen miners died of starvation and dehydration before their rescue in January 2025. ^[6]

References

1. "Buffelsfontein Gold Mine, South Africa". mining-technology.com. 2013. Retrieved 2013-06-18.
2. "Buffelsfontein Gold Mine Near Klerksdorp, South Africa". The Diggings™. Retrieved 2025-01-31.
3. "South Africa police vow to arrest illegal miners at Stilfontein". BBC. 17 November 2024.
4. "South Africa's police minister promises to clamp down on illegal mining". Al Jazeera . 29 November 2024.
5. "Trapped below: South Africa's illegal mining crisis". The Africa Report . 2 December 2024.
6. https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v47/n04/helen-sullivan/diary