Bushiribana Gold Mill is one of two sizeable ruins sites on Aruba used for processing the over 3 million pounds of gold mined from the island at one time.
With gold first discovered on the island in the early 1800s, the Aruba Island Gold Mining Company constructed the stamp mill structure in 1872. The mill was operated for about a decade, processing around two thousand ounces of gold. Eventually, the Bushiribana Mill was shuttered, as a more modern alternative mill building was used.
The stone ruins have remained standing since Bushiribana's permanent closure in 1899. Standing atop a flat plateau just below the island's windswept landscape along its eastern shore, the mill site remains popular as it lies at a crossroads for those driving to the Natural Bridge area, or further up the dirt road tracing Aruba's coastline.
The large flat area in front of the site is used as a staging area for off-road vehicle tours, and as such, can get very crowded and noisy. Signs around the mill ruins explain its history, and ask visitors not to climb on the ruins.
Due to its popularity as a tour staging area, there are often food vendors located in front of the mill site. However there are no bathrooms, water or any other amenities available.
Bushiribana Gold Mill is a part of Arikok National Park, however there is no fee required to visit the site.
The unique Cave Pool swimming area is located directly across the stone plateau parking area from the ruins site.
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