Copperton was a Copper and Zinc mining town in the central Karoo region of South Africa. In its heyday from about 1970 to the end of the century, the town housed about 3000 workers and their families. It provided a school and excellent recreation facilities, including a nine-hole golf course. Today, most of the buildings have been demolished and only a few houses are used by DENEL, who operate a missile testing centre in the area.

Since 2018, Copperton has enjoyed a revival with the creation of solar and wind farms in the region.

“Copperton was one of those strange places that despite the total desolation, crept into the hearts of all who lived there. The isolation, resulted in the formation of a very close-knit community where people cared about others and began to love the town and surroundings. It was said: ‘You cry twice – Once when you get transferred to Copperton and once when you have to leave’. The photographs come from various ex residents and the contribution is dedicated to all the magnificent people who lived there and made it an oasis in a dry hostile environment. I salute you.” - Chris Smit, 2011/09/06

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