Panners Mate Announces New Ownership
In early 2025 the Panners Mate entered a new chapter as ownership and production officially transitioned from long-time creator Paul Meyer to northern NSW prospector and entrepreneur Mark Britton.
A Legacy Born in the Goldfields
Paul Meyer, best known as the owner-operator of Three Creeks Gold Mine at Upper Bingara, first developed the Panners Mate after decades of working in the precious metals and gem industry. His invention, the Panners Mate, was created to solve the same problem many Australian prospectors face: how to work clay-rich and dry country without hauling heavy tubs of water. The device concentrated paydirt quickly, broke up stubborn material, and gave beginners and experts a simple way to boost recovery rates.
Over the years, Paul refined his design in real gold-bearing ground across Australia, proving its toughness and high efficiency. Prospectors from across Australia came to know the Panners Mate as practical, Aussie-made equipment built by someone who truly lived the lifestyle.
The 2025 Transition: Enter Mark Britton
As Paul moved towards retirement from manufacturing, he began looking for someone who could not only preserve the Panners Mate but modernise it for a new generation of prospectors.
In 2025, he found that successor in Mark Britton, a keen prospector and problem-solver who immediately saw the potential to update the product for easier transport, postage and commercial scale.
Mark undertook a round of significant improvements while preserving Paul’s original functionality. The most notable upgrade was the flat-pack redesign - a clever engineering change that allows the Panners Mate to break down into a compact, lightweight kit. This makes it easier to carry into remote gullies, stash in a ute or caravan, or post anywhere in Australia at a reasonable cost. He also created detachable hooks to hang The Panners Mate in a barrel or bucket.
Mark’s work keeps the extraction efficiency Paul was known for - typically 93–95% gold recovery from prepared material - while expanding the product’s usefulness for modern travellers and field prospectors.
Going Online and Going Australia-Wide
Under Mark’s leadership, The Panners Mate is now shifting into a national sales model. Key plans for 2026 include:
- Building a network of stockists and authorised resellers in every state and territory
- Shipping Australia-wide, made feasible by the flat-pack format
- Supporting the prospecting community with clear information on equipment care, soil preparation and concentrate handling
These changes position the Panners Mate for a much larger audience, everyone from weekend fossickers to commercial operators who need durable gear that’s easy to move and maintain.
Honouring the Past While Building the Future
The 2025 transition marks both a respectful handover and an exciting evolution.
Paul Meyer’s contribution to Australian prospecting, through education, invention and his stewardship of Three Creeks Gold Mine, has shaped countless prospectors’ experiences. Mark Britton’s improvements carry that legacy forward while making the Panners Mate more accessible, portable and ready for the digital age.
Together, their work ensures that this uniquely Australian product will keep helping people find colour in the pan, whether they’re standing in a creek bed in WA or a quiet gully in the NSW ranges.