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LOCAL Wednesday 12 March 2025

The Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins and its history

Printz himself.

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

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