Golden Gate Capital Completes Acquisition of EP Minerals

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (August 2, 2011) Golden Gate Capital today announced it has completed the acquisition of EP Minerals through its purchase of EP Management Corporation. In line with Golden Gate Capital’s investment strategy, this acquisition presents new opportunities for growth and success in markets where significant ongoing change is taking place.

“Our decision to acquire EP Minerals was based in large part on the strength of the management team, and the company’s strong track record of delivering consistent growth and profitability,” said Rajeev Amara, a Managing Director of Golden Gate Capital. “We are fully committed to building EP Minerals into a larger and more diversified minerals company.”

“Golden Gate Capital shares our vision for accelerating the growth of EP Minerals,” said Dave Keselica, CEO of EP Minerals. “With this new partnership we will be able to pursue acquisitions, as well as invest additional resources in fast growing markets. We are pleased to welcome them as a partner.”

BMO Capital Markets acted as Sole Bookrunner, Joint Lead Arranger and Administrative Agent for the credit facility used to finance a portion of the transaction. Key Bank also acted as Joint Lead Arranger for the facility. Harris Williams and Gibson Dunn advised EP Minerals. Moelis & Company and Kirkland & Ellis advised Golden Gate Capital.

EP Minerals is a worldwide leader in diatomaceous earth and perlite filter aids, functional additives and absorbents, based in Reno, NV. It operates mines and processing plants in Nevada and Oregon and has sales offices on five continents. With more than 2,000 customers in nearly 100 countries, the company serves over 60 end markets including food and beverage, water treatment, coatings, plastics, catalysts, chemicals, biofuels and agriculture.

About EP Minerals LLC

EP Minerals started operations in Nevada in 1945 and has grown to become a worldwide leader in diatomaceous earth (DE) filter aids, functional additives and absorbents. The company serves dozens of diverse markets including food and beverage, biofuels, paints and plastics. The company also produces perlite filter aids and drinking water purification media. EP Minerals is the sole remaining subsidiary of EP Management Corporation. For more information, visit www.epminerals.com.

About Golden Gate Capital

Golden Gate Capital is a San Francisco-based private equity investment firm with approximately $9.0 billion of capital under management. Golden Gate is dedicated to partnering with world-class management teams to invest in change-intensive, growth businesses. The principals of Golden Gate have a long and successful history of investing with management partners across a wide range of industries and transaction types, including leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, corporate divestures, and buy-and-builds. For more information, visit www.goldengatecap.com.