Images of an abandoned gold mining encampment and access road, Aruba. One image shows a boat mysteriously stranded miles inland.
In the 19th century, this small Caribbean island saw a gold rush that transformed its economy and left behind fascinating relics.
Gold mining in Aruba has a storied past, beginning with a discovery that would forever change the island’s economy and landscape.
The gold history of Aruba dates back to 1824 when a young herder named Willem Rasmijn stumbled upon gold while tending his sheep near Rooi Fluit. This discovery set off Aruba's first gold rush. News spread quickly, and soon prospectors from around the world descended upon the island, hoping to strike it rich.
By the mid-19th century, gold fever had firmly gripped Aruba. The government granted several concessions to international mining companies, leading to the establishment of various mines and processing facilities. The most notable among these were the Bushiribana and Balashi Gold Mills, built by the Aruba Island Gold Mining Company. Bushiribana, constructed in 1872 on the island's northern coast, processed ore from nearby mines, while the Balashi Gold Mill, built in 1899, processed gold ore extracted from the nearby hills.
Despite the initial success, the gold mining industry in Aruba faced significant challenges. The extraction process was labor-intensive, and the harsh, desert-like conditions of the island made mining difficult. Additionally, the yield of gold from the ore was often lower than anticipated. By the early 20th century, the profitability of gold mining in Aruba had diminished, leading to the eventual closure of many mining operations. The Balashi Gold Mill ceased operations in 1916, marking the end of significant gold mining activities on the island.
Today, the remnants of Aruba’s gold mining past stand as silent witnesses to a bygone era. These structures, set against Aruba's stark, desert-like landscape, provide striking subjects for photography, especially in monochrome.
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