At the start of colonial times in South America, the Spanish labeled Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao as the “Useless Islands” due to their lack of gold. However, that assumption soon proved to be far from accurate. Aruba, in particular, offered more than horse pastures and aloe vera fields. In June 1824, Willem Rasmijn discovered the coveted yellow metal. Today, the gold mill ruins in Aruba serve as a reminder of its vibrant past.
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The Miralamar trail

Miralamar translates to “look at the sea”, but combined into one word. Credits: Thomas Griggs/Unsplash
Rasmij found the shiny gold nuggets in the dry bed of Rooit Fluit, a river on Aruba’s east coast. His father confirmed their value and sold one of those stones, according to the National Archaeological Museum and the Ministry of Culture. Despite the lack of social media, the news still spread quickly across the island. This triggered a brief gold fever and fueled searches for more deposits. The Miralamar trail ties to this story, as gold was once scattered in the area.
This trail draws hiking enthusiasts with its nearly 2-mile length and an average completion time of 35 minutes. Travelers can expect steep passages with stone steps and orange dirt paths, geckos, and an arid landscape filled with diverse cacti. It is a free activity that is perfect to move the body and free the mind with friends and family.
The Miralamar trail begins at the parking lot near Arikok National Park’s visitor center at the San Fuego entrance (route 7). Due to the arid climate and lack of shade, it is best to start early to avoid the blazing midday sun and enjoy the views comfortably. Although the famous gold mill ruins in Aruba aren’t here, you can spot the remains of other constructions related to it.
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The Bushiribana and Balashi gold mill ruins in Aruba

The Balashi gold mill ruins in Aruba is located near the Spanish Lagoon
Just outside Arikok National Park, also on Aruba’s east coast, you will find the Bushiribana ruins, trail, and smelter. Once highly active, these sites are now popular tourist attractions. The trail, for example, attracts sports lovers and mountain bikers because of its rugged terrain. It is known for being short, taking only 20 minutes to complete, and leads to the gold mine of the same name.
On the other hand, both the mill and the mines, which were built in 1872, offer great photo opportunities with the sea as a picturesque backdrop. People often treat it as a quick stop, and there is no entrance fee. To visit by car, opt for a 4×4 vehicle so you can then go further into Arikok or other nearby places such as the cave pool or lince’s cove.
An article about the gold mill ruins in Aruba would not be complete without mentioning Balashi. So, we head west, almost to the shore of the Spanish Lagoon. Some suggest that this complex began operating in 1899, about 16 years before the local gold industry shut down. Along with imposing stone structures, it features commemorative plaques. However, if you wish to gain a true insight into the site, book a guided tour with companies like ABC Tours.
Though fleeting, the gold rush left a lasting mark on Aruba. A year after Rasmijn’s discovery, deputy R.F. Van Raders updated the island’s map to report the gold find. Most importantly, he used the name “Oranjestad” for the first time in an official document. Who would have thought that a few shiny nuggets would lead to events of such magnitude?
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