February 19th, 2003

LANGLEY, Canada - In 1978, Byron Knelson developed the first centrifugal concentrator that bears his name - The Knelson Concentrator. Today, the Knelson Concentrator has become an integral component in many of the most modern and sophisticated precious metal recovery circuits the world over. From modest beginnings as an idea that just might work, to proven industry leader in the field of gravity concentration, the 25 years have seen this Langley, B.C. based enterprise blossom into an international going concern with a global reach and a flair for success.

"When I built the first Knelson, I had no intention of becoming an equipment supplier to the mining industry," chuckles Byron Knelson when asked to reflect on his early days in business. "I built it because I needed something to recover fine gold from a small placer mine that I had gotten myself involved in," he went on to explain. "It was truly a case of necessity being the mother of invention and in my case I was fortunate to come up with something that a whole lot of other people had a need for as well." (Excerpt from a special one-on-one interview with Byron Knelson to be released later this year)

There certainly was a need for a device that combines centrifugally enhanced gravitational force and a patented fluidization process to capture gold particles far below those detectable by the naked eye. Having sold over 2500 units during the course of the past quarter century, the Knelson Concentrator has had, and continues to have, a major impact on the gold processing industry.

"It's a landmark year for the Knelson Concentrator and for the company" remarked Doug Corsan; Knelson's VP Sales. "Over the course of 2003, we'll be chronicling the many major events and achievements of our first 25 years, and as we do we'll be announcing some big contests, some big prizes and some big surprises," Corsan added. "I think it's fair to say that 2003 is going to be a monster of a year."