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LOCAL Friday 27 June 2025

Aruba to me

ORANJESTAD — You are back and The Aruba Today Newspaper, Ca-
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moments alive? Please do note: By For today we received a lovely He wrote to us saying: “Aruba to derful message sharing what Aru-
submitting photos, text or any oth- message from Efraim Pena San- me is a all colors match...” ba means to you with us and our
er materials, you give permission to chez from Maracaibo, Venezuela. readers!q

The Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins and its history

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

At the same time, the Aru-
ban government took im-
mediate actions, and in-
formed Curacao that gold
was found. At first, every-