Page 12 - AHATA

a8 local
Saturday 15 November 2025

The Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins and its history

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

Aruba celebrates 70th anniversary of our Coat of Arms

(Oranjestad)—Today, Aru- Aruba’s Coat of arms. After- In the first quarter: The Aloe This handshake symbol-
ba celebrates 70 years wards, the Atelier voor Her- plant izes the bonds of friendship
since our Coat of Arms was aldische Kunsten of Amster- The Aloe plant symbolizes between our people and
inaugurated. The six nation- dam, the Netherlands, was our first source of income, other nations in political,
al symbols of Aruba are the given the task of creating a the Aloe industry. economic, and cultural
Coat of Arms, Anthem, Flag, basic design for the Coat areas. The heart-red color
Papiamento Language, of Arms. In the second quarter: The signifies our generous char-
Currency, and the Shoco. Hooiberg hill acter, our simplicity, and the
All of them symbolize our On November 15, 1955, the This symbolizes our island value of work to strengthen
identity as the country of Government of the Insular that rose out of the sea. these ties.
Aruba. Territory of Aruba officially The green color is the color
approved our Coat of arms. of the joy we feel since our In the fourth quarter: The of the Coat is a symbol of
Our first national symbol is: A people’s Coat of arms is self-determination, and the wheel devotion and faith. The red
a symbol of different typical lines like waves symbolize The wheel symbolizes a lion on the Coat symbolizes
Our Coat of Arms: aspects of that people. our sea. helm that guides our in- strength and generosity. The
On March 27, 1953, the dustry, which is the most laurel branches at the bot-
Government announced Our Coat of Arms symbol- In the third quarter: A hand- important source of life on tom of the Coat symbolize
a competition to establish izes: shake our island. The central cross peace and friendship.q