Lynette Louw

Equipped with gumboots, hard hat and lamp, you can explore the originally discovered reef through the legendary Pioneer Mine and experience the Greenstone belt up close and personal.

If you haven’t been down a mine or done gold panning yet, and would like to try it out, go on a tour through Pioneer Mine and be taught by expert and South African champion Danny Brink on how to pan for that ever elusive yellow stone.

A few years ago, a group of people at Agnes Mine decided to open the Pioneer Mine for underground tours in a mountain range that is 3,5 billion years old.

French Bob (Auguste Robert) discovered the very first gold reef on June 3. 1883 and panned his way towards his own historic destiny. He was born in France in 1871 and joined the rush to Kimberley Diamond fields. He left for Barberton and discovered the Pioneer Mine that was the first area being mined for gold. It was only a year later that Barberton was officially established by the Barber brothers.

Phil Wikberg and Andrea Botha are your official guides at the mine with facts and tales of the early gold rush to Barberton in the 1800s. Mining was primitive and dangerous and it can be clearly seen in the mine. Although working in extreme dangerous circumstances the pioneers continued to seek fortunes and undaunted spirit, endured untold hardships, suffered many disappointments and disasters, but, always encouraged by a sparkle of gold and unexpected triumphs. Listening to your guides you actually feel the spirits of bygone pioneers and closing your eyes you can imagine them digging underground, hanging from ropes always chipping away at the gold specs that could clearly be seen.

The geology of the area is also quite amazing and many different rocks are shown to the visitor. The greenstone belt is clearly visible at a number or areas in the mine as well as volcanic rock.

After this truly amazing experience you team up with Danny at the same spot where many pioneers panned for gold. This excursion can yield a wealth of fine gold and even for the more patient, a gold nugget.

Underground mine tours for an hour at Tiger Trap will cost you R80 per person. For two hours you can do the Beaver, Tiger Trap tour at a cost of R70 per person or a three hour trip through Pioneer, Beaver and Tiger Trap at R180 per person.

Gold panning can be done for R80.

A combined tour and panning can be done between R150 to R220 per person. There are also concession prizes for pensioner over 65, students with a valid student card, scholars under 16 years and large tour of family groups. Toddler’s five years or younger are free.

For more information contact Phil on 084-580-2845 or Andrea on 079-180-1488 or Danny on 082-482-1803.

Phil Wikberg addresses a tour group

Andrea Botha explaining to a group how stalactites are formed through the rotting wood.

A close up of the stalactites

The greenstone is clearly seen in the walls of the mine

A horse bat spotted by Pieter, Piet, AC and Anseri Lategan

Danny Brink explains how gold panning is done

Danny Brink explains how gold panning is done