Cecil Rhodes and Charles Rudd founded the original Gold Fields of South Africa in 1887. The name was changed to Consolidated Gold Fields of South Africa in 1892, and then to Consolidated Gold Fields in 1964. This parent group was always London-based. But a wholly-owned subsidiary, Gold Fields of South Africa (GFSA), located in Johannesburg, became the second largest producer in South Africa. Initially its fortunes were based on such mines as Simmer & Jack and Robinson Deep on the Central Rand. But ultimately, in the 1930s, it discovered and developed the 'West Wits Line' of the Far West Rand gold field, 80 miles west of Johannesburg. The first mine was Venterspost in 1939, followed by Libanon, West Driefontein, Doornfontein, Kloof, East Driefontein and Deelkraal. In 1971, the GFSA link with Consolidated Gold Fields in London was decreased, with the Cons.Gold holding reduced to 48%. That holding lapsed completely in 1989 when Cons.Gold was taken over by the Hanson Group. In 1997, GFSA's gold operations were merged with those of Gencor to form Goldco. This group was renamed Gold Fields in 1998. See Gold Fields for all current activities.