You Are Here at Miralamar Mining Complex, Arikok National Park, Aruba
N 12° 29.711 W 069° 56.683
19P E 397346 N 1381494
The ruins of the largest gold producing mine complex of Aruba that operated from 1899-1986 and was named after the Miralamar hilltop. This abandoned mining complex and mountain is now in the Arikok National Park. There is a park fee to enter.
Waymark Code: WMNXKD
Location: Aruba
Date Posted: 05/19/2015
Views: 2
Description copied from the sign at the You Are Here - Miralamar Mining Complex sign atop the hill:
"The largest gold producing mine complex of Aruba that operated from 1899-1916, was named after the Miralamar hilltop. Due to the outbreak of World War I (1914-1918) mining materials became scarce and mining activities ceased in 1916. The gold mines were owned and managed by various companies in London, such as the Aruba Gold Concessions Ltd. and the Aruba Island Gold mining Company Ltd.
The very first nugget of gold was found in 1824 by William Ramijn, a small Aruban boy herding goats in Rooi Fluit. This innocent discovery led to a gold rush amongst local citizens and raised the interest of Dutch Colonials.
Dozens of shafts were built with the Mil Esperansa shaft being the most famous and productive one. All in all the gold rush in Aruba appeared greater than the gold winnings, as only some 1,500 kilos of gold were found in the 17 years of the island's gold mine production. Mil Esperansa's most successfuly year 1907/1908 when this gold mine produced a total of 700 kilos in gold."
We stopped at this mountain for a geocache and came across this sign and the remains of the mine complex, long since abandoned it is now only ruble and a history story (A good one by the way).
To get to this waymark, you will have to stop at one of the park entrances and pay the fee, it is fairly small ($11.00 per adult at the time of this posting) and well worth it considering all the places you can visit during this time.
For more information about the park, click here:
(
visit link)