Gold in South Africa

Gold has been mined in South Africa for over a century. Most of this precious metal, over 40 000 tons, has been won from conglomerate reefs of the Witwatersrand goldfields, where production from individual mines often exceeds other countries' entire national output. Notable gold specimens are relatively rare from these deposits, but some fine examples have been preserved. Large gold nuggets and crystal specimens have also been found in other gold producing regions of the country, particularly from the Barberton and Pilgrim's Rest areas. The history of exploration and mining is briefly outlined and the geology and economic mineralogy of the following gold occurrences are discussed: Cape Province, Eersteling; Barberton; Witwatersrand. -after Authors