Our Affiliates
Paterson & Cooke has always had an entrepreneurial spirit
Paterson & Cooke’s entrepreneurial spirit is evident in growing from our humble origins into an internationally respected company providing specialist engineering to the global mining industry. We have a passion to take ideas and create something new.
Through our experience in engineering complex systems, we have identified opportunities to better serve our clients via a suite of subsidiary technology companies providing products, software and services.
These are the stories of our subsidiary companies:
Aranzu has its roots in work done in the offshore mining industry in the early 2000’s that led to the development of a number of patented and trademarked products that improved the handling and front-end processing of marine gravels. Paterson & Cooke’s Cape Town office formed a company in 2016 to support this equipment and to develop other solutions to improve mining processes. In 2021, this company was rebranded Aranzu, a company that is exclusively focused on developing and supplying high-quality solutions for the mining industry. Since then, Aranzu has grown into a well-established products supplier, providing innovative products that help mining operations run more efficiently and effectively, and delivering tailored solutions that meet the unique needs of mining.
Our Denver office formed MINEXXT in 2014 to improve the performance of existing thickeners, while also accommodating increases in throughputs or changes in material characteristics. This led to the development of several products such as rake mechanisms, control systems and the patented family of Vector® feed systems used to upgrade thickeners. MINEXXT’s holistic approach to improve the operation of dewatering circuits through appropriate, cost-effective upgrades helps clients achieve or exceed their process objectives.
Backfill has always been a core business for Paterson & Cooke. We have grown into global leaders in backfill engineering and with that came experience in operations and site support. This extended service beyond traditional engineering design projects translated into opportunities to supply contracting know-how to meet a growing demand. Backfill Inc. was formed by our Sudbury office in 2023 to fill the niche market between large-scale permanent paste infrastructure and operations seeking a lower capital, practical, hands-on approach from leading experts in the field.
Backfill Inc. owns specialised equipment, and its staff have years of experience making and placing custom backfill. The ability to shift CAPEX to OPEX and place backfill by the tonne or by the hour provides flexibility and offers unique commercial terms to get the job done.
Paterson & Cooke has always been focused on tackling mining’s challenges through innovation. Recognizing the growing demand for digital solutions, the company launched MineSmart in 2023, a dedicated technology company combining Paterson & Cooke’s industry expertise with cutting-edge SaaS technology. Guided by its vision to enable safer, more sustainable, and productive mining, MineSmart is built on core values of Innovation, Trust, Impact, and Excellence, ensuring its tools deliver lasting value to clients and the industry.
MineSmart’s flagship product, Backfill PRO, is a purpose-built solution that streamlines backfill operations by enabling engineers to plan, manage, optimize, and control every stage of the process. This comprehensive tool enhances efficiency, ensures auditable approvals, and provides unparalleled operational visibility.
More than just software, MineSmart reflects Paterson & Cooke’s commitment to advancing the mining industry by offering scalable, intelligent tools that improve safety, sustainability, and performance.