Piggs Peak
Following the discovery of alluvial gold in north western Swaziland in 1872, a gold-bearing reef was discovered in the hills to the west of the town by a French prospector, William Pigg, in 1884. Mining began soon afterwards, and as the mine was initially an open-cast operation, the ‘Peak’ soon disappeared. Later, a shaft was sunk and eight levels were mined, with the mine producing some 120 000 ounces of gold between 1889 and 1954. By the mid-1950s, however, the ore body was exhausted and the mine was closed down.
Situated amid plantations of blue gum and pine trees, Pigg’s Peak is the centre of the region’s forestry industry, while tourists are attracted by the magnificent scenery and the many scenic drives. The area is famed for its handicrafts, ranging from mohair articles and carpets to beadwork, grass mats and baskets. The 500-ha Phophonyane Nature Reserve has as its main attraction the Phophonyane Falls, which cascade down a cliff into a series of pools. Situated a few kilometres to the northeast of the town, the reserve has a bird checklist of some 230 species.
Source http://www.southafrica.org.za/tour-sa-kingdom-of-swaziland.html
