THE WOODLANDS, TX – Excalibar Minerals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Newpark Resources Inc., announced plans to add a new, fully automated 66‐inch Raymond Roller Mill to its grinding facility in Corpus Christi, TX.

The new milling system is slated to be operational during the first quarter of 2014 and is expected to significantly increase the current plant capacity for processing crude ore into API‐grade barite used in drilling fluids and other industrial applications.

Strategically located in the port of Corpus Christi, the new milling system will help ensure an adequate supply of barite for customers.

“The added capacity will allow us to better meet the growing demand for barite in south and west Texas,” said Joe Gocke, President of Excalibar. “But it also gives us the flexibility to leverage new business opportunities in other regions.”

The roller mill is PLC controlled and brings full automation to Excalibar’s Corpus Christi facility, which will also improve efficiency and increase production capacity.

Excalibar Minerals LLC is a processor and supplier of industrial minerals. Services include sourcing, processing, packaging and distributing high-quality minerals used as fillers/extenders in oil and gas exploration, paint, plastics, rubber, ceramics, and friction end products.