thumb|Balashi gold mine '''Balashi''' is a former gold smelter on Aruba.

In 1899, the Aruba Gold Concessions Company built a gold smelter at Balashi, at the southern end of Frenchman's Pass.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aruba.com/nl/ontdek/historische-goudmijnen |title=Historische Goudmijnen|website=Aruba|access-date=27 April 2021|language=nl}}</ref> In 1916 during the First World War, it closed for lack of raw materials and spare parts, as most of them came from Germany.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.arubatoday.com/island-insight-episode-xxviii-yes-aruba-had-its-own-gold-rush/ |title=Island Insight Episode XXVIII: Yes! Aruba had its own gold rush |website=Aruba Today|date=30 July 2019 |access-date=27 April 2021}}</ref>

In 1933, a sea water desalination plant was constructed at Balashi.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.monumentenfondsaruba.com/project/watertower-san-nicolas/ |title=Water Tower San Nicolas 1939|website=Monumenten Fonds Aruba |access-date=19 February 2022 }}</ref>

== See also ==

* Bushiribana

== References == {{Reflist}}

{{Buildings in Aruba}}

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Category:Buildings and structures in Aruba Category:History of Aruba Category:Gold mining