Hartbeesfontein
Encyclopedia
Hartbeesfontein is a settlement near Klerksdorp, in the North West
province of South Africa. It is situated at the intersection of the R503 and R507 routes.
aquifers
of the region. When the water is however allowed to seep into mines it is oxidised and polluted by the exposed iron pyrites
. As of 2005 when Buffelsfontein mine went out of business, it became a burden on the remaining mines to keep the interconnected tunnels free of water.
skirmish on February 17, 1901. The British forces, a contingent of Lord Methuen
led by Captain Poison, were descending the 500ft escarpment above town, when they were confronted by entrenched Boer forces of about double their number. From dawn to 10 o'clock the forces were deadlocked, when Lord Methuen ordered two companies of Major Murray's convoy guard to occupy a strategic position. After some dozens of soldiers were killed on each side, the British secured the pass and captured ample Boer supplies of stock and grain.
Famous people from Hartbeesfontein include Mzonakele "Zacharia" aka Zona, who was famous at the university he attended in the Free State from 2005 to 2007.
North West (South African province)
North West is a province of South Africa. Its capital is Mafikeng. The province is located to the west of the major population centre of Gauteng.-History:...
province of South Africa. It is situated at the intersection of the R503 and R507 routes.
Geology
The town is situated on an ancient geological feature known as the Hartbeesfontein basin (or KOSH basin), which is the source of the gold found on its southern rim. Underground water occurs in abundance in dolomiticDolomite
Dolomite is a carbonate mineral composed of calcium magnesium carbonate CaMg2. The term is also used to describe the sedimentary carbonate rock dolostone....
aquifers
Aquifer
An aquifer is a wet underground layer of water-bearing permeable rock or unconsolidated materials from which groundwater can be usefully extracted using a water well. The study of water flow in aquifers and the characterization of aquifers is called hydrogeology...
of the region. When the water is however allowed to seep into mines it is oxidised and polluted by the exposed iron pyrites
Pyrite
The mineral pyrite, or iron pyrite, is an iron sulfide with the formula FeS2. This mineral's metallic luster and pale-to-normal, brass-yellow hue have earned it the nickname fool's gold because of its resemblance to gold...
. As of 2005 when Buffelsfontein mine went out of business, it became a burden on the remaining mines to keep the interconnected tunnels free of water.
History
A small pass above town, Hartebeesfontein Poort, was the scene of a Boer WarSecond Boer War
The Second Boer War was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902 between the British Empire and the Afrikaans-speaking Dutch settlers of two independent Boer republics, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State...
skirmish on February 17, 1901. The British forces, a contingent of Lord Methuen
Paul Methuen, 3rd Baron Methuen
Field Marshal Paul Sanford Methuen, 3rd Baron Methuen GCB, GCMG, GCVO was a British military commander.-Early life:...
led by Captain Poison, were descending the 500ft escarpment above town, when they were confronted by entrenched Boer forces of about double their number. From dawn to 10 o'clock the forces were deadlocked, when Lord Methuen ordered two companies of Major Murray's convoy guard to occupy a strategic position. After some dozens of soldiers were killed on each side, the British secured the pass and captured ample Boer supplies of stock and grain.
Famous people from Hartbeesfontein include Mzonakele "Zacharia" aka Zona, who was famous at the university he attended in the Free State from 2005 to 2007.
See also
- Klerksdorp
- Stilfontein's Hartebeesfontein mine, situated just east of town, is not to be confused with the town.