Gold Mining in Barberton
Gold mining in South Africa first began in Barberton when in 1874 alluvial gold was discovered by an acclaimed South African prospector, Tom MaLachlan.
After MaLachlan’s golden find, more individuals were eager to make similar discoveries, resulting in the gold rush of Barberton. Which, up until, 1884 was still unnamed until Graham, Fred and Henry Barber struck gold in Rimer’s Creek in the De Kaap Valley of the same year. News of this profitable find soon spread and large numbers of people in search of their fortune descended upon the small town of Barberton.
The steady inflow of miners to Barberton temporarily granted the town the title of ‘biggest town in the old Transvaal’ and saw the development of the Boer republic’s first stock exchange and post office. All kinds of people made up the inhabitants of Barberton from the initial prospectors, to labourers and shopkeepers each determined to earn their living from the mineral rich soil of Baberton.
The geological wealth of Barberton is encased by the Makhonjwa Mountain range, which dates back to a time that preceded the Precambrian period. The Precambrian is a time that makes up the earth’s history beginning from its inception to the formation of intricate life-forms. Consequently making the Makhonjwa Mountain range, which is 3.5 billion years old, one of the most ancient rock formations on Planet Earth. Thankfully this age-old mountain range has remained intact in spite of the decades of gold mining that took place within its immediate locale.
Coupled with its lush biodiversity, it is easy to understand why Sir Percy Fitzpatrick, the author of Jock of the Bushveld included the picturesque landscape of Barberton in his evergreen novel.
The cultural heritage of the Mpumalanga province is both varied and exciting. The Ndebele beadwork and house painting in the north-west, the...