Stilfontein (Afrikaans for quiet spring) is a former mining town which is located on the N12 (National Road) with 17,942 inhabitants, situated between Klerksdorp and Potchefstroom in North West Province of South Africa.

In May 1949, two shafts (Charles and Margaret)[2] were sunk and it was this success at Stilfontein that inspired the opening up of the Hartebeesfontein and Buffelsfontein mines.

The tower mounted on this headgear was the first-ever multi-rope Koepoe hoist in South Africa.

[3] 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.