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LOCAL Monday 23 SepteMber 2024
The Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins and its history

(Oranjestad)—The Bushiri-
bana Gold Mill Ruins is one
of the most visited places
by tourists on the island,
as it lies along the north-
ern coast line near the mini
pool and on the way to the
Natural Bridge. Despite its
seemingly plain appear-
ance, this ruin represents
one of the most important
histories of the island: The
Aruban Gold Rush.

Built in 1872 by English com-
pany Aruba Island Gold signment was discontinued At the same time, the Aru-
Mining Company Ltd, the by Printz himself. ban government took im-
gold mill at Bushiribana mediate actions, and in-
was constructed in the It wasn’t until 100 years lat- formed Curacao that gold
area where most gold was er, in 1824, when a young was found. At first, every-
found by locals. The story boy found a lump of gold one could look for gold,
of gold on Aruba actually while out herding his fa- as long as they sold it to
dates back to 1725, when ther’s sheep. His father took the government. However,
a first exploration for gold it to a local merchant who after some time, the gov-
on the island was commis- then sold the lump for $70. ernment decided to im-
sioned by the Dutch West Unbeknownst to the boy plement stricter rules and
India Company. Under the and his father, they quite banned local search par-
leadership of Mr. Paulus literally struck gold, and ties. used a unique method that the Bushiribana Gold Mill.
Printz, a three-year search as word got out, a gold involved grinding the rocks
was conducted on Aruba, fever spread among the Over the years, conces- and letting the dust be The gold mill itself had a
to no avail. Though they locals who started search- sion-holding had seen dif- blown away by the strong short life-span: only 10 years
found some gold, it was ing for more gold. About 25 ferent companies from northeast wind, leaving in service, but its structure
enough to motivate a fur- pounds worth was found. around the world, all of clumps of gold behind. The remained relatively solid till
ther search, and the as- which used primitive meth- next step was melting the this day, and is now a his-
ods to dig and carve out gold and letting it attach torical remnant.
Aruba to me gold from the rocks. Aruba to quicksilver in order to Sources: Etnia Nativa & gold-
obtain pure gold. All these
Island Gold Mining Compa-
ny Ltd. was no different, but processes were done at mineranch.com.

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