DATED 4TH MAY, 2015 THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA and NEWMONT GOLDEN RIDGE LIMITED REVISED INVESTMENT AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.2
DATED 4TH MAY, 2015
THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA
and
NEWMONT GOLDEN RIDGE LIMITED
(Government notice of effectiveness received and confirmed by the Company on 17th December 2015.
This revised Investment Agreement is ratified as effective 3rd December 2015.)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Clause | Page | |||||
| 1. | Definitions and Interpretation | 1 | ||||
| 2. | Effective Date | 5 | ||||
| 3. | Term of the Agreement | 6 | ||||
| 4. | Stabilisation | 6 | ||||
| 5. | Taxes and Duties | 8 | ||||
| 6. | Government Carried Interest | 12 | ||||
| 7. | Financial Reporting, Currency and Adequate Capital | 14 | ||||
| 8. | Adequate Capital | 16 | ||||
| 9. | Affiliated Company Transactions | 16 | ||||
| 10. | Miscellaneous Provisions | 17 | ||||
| 11. | Periodic Review | 17 | ||||
| 12. | Employment and Training | 18 | ||||
| 13. | Use of Ghanaian Goods and Services | 19 | ||||
| 14. | Incidental Rights | 19 | ||||
| 15. | Undertakings of the Government | 19 | ||||
| 16. | Conduct of Operations | 22 | ||||
| 17. | Land and Facilities | 22 | ||||
| 18. | Health and Safety | 24 | ||||
| 19. | Confidentiality | 24 | ||||
| 20. | Indemnification | 24 | ||||
| 21. | Encumbrance | 25 | ||||
| 22. | Termination | 25 | ||||
| 23. | Disposition of Assets | 26 | ||||
| 24. | Arbitration | 27 | ||||
| 25. | Notices | 30 | ||||
| 26. | Force Majeure | 32 | ||||
| 27. | Entire Agreement - Modifications | 32 | ||||
| 28. | Assignment and Succession | 33 | ||||
| 29. | Survival Provision | 33 | ||||
| 30. | Non-Waiver of Rights | 33 | ||||
| 31. | Severability | 33 | ||||
Appendix A – Akyem Mining Lease
Appendix B – Calculation of Royalty
Appendix C – Calculations of Guaranteed Payments to Government
Appendix D – Mining List
Appendix E – Current VAT MOU
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THIS AGREEMENT is dated 4th May, 2015 and made
BETWEEN:
| (1) | THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA, represented by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources and the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning (hereinafter referred to as the “Government”); and |
| (2) | NEWMONT GOLDEN RIDGE LIMITED, a company with limited liability established under the laws of Ghana (hereinafter referred to as “Golden Ridge”). |
BACKGROUND:
| (A) | On December 18th, 2003, the Government and Golden Ridge entered into an Investment Agreement (the “2003 Investment Agreement”) under which the Government granted Golden Ridge certain financial and other concessions, warranties and conditions in order to encourage investment by Golden Ridge in Ghana. |
| (B) | Golden Ridge has made significant investment in a gold mining project in the Eastern region of Ghana following execution of the 2003 Investment Agreement. |
| (C) | The Government has proposed changes to certain terms of the 2003 Investment Agreement in light of the changes in conditions in Ghana that have occurred since 2003 and in keeping with other objectives and policies that the Government wishes to see realised with respect to the mining industry in Ghana. |
| (D) | Golden Ridge, in a spirit of cooperation and in order to address concerns of each Party, has agreed to revise the terms of the 2003 Investment Agreement as regards the rights of Golden Ridge under that agreement. |
THE PARTIES AGREE AS FOLLOWS each in consideration of the agreement of the others:
| 1. | DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION |
| 1.1 | The following terms wherever used in this Agreement shall have the respective meanings set forth below: |
“2003 Investment Agreement” means the agreement between the Government and NGGL, Rank Mining Company Limited (which has since been merged into NGGL) and Golden Ridge Resources Limited (now called Newmont Golden Ridge Limited) that was ratified by Parliament and became effective on December 18th 2003 and that, as regards Golden Ridge has been revised and replaced by this Agreement.
“Additional Areas” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.10 below.
“Affiliate” means a legal Person that, with respect to Golden Ridge, directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with Golden Ridge. For purposes of this section, “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, by one legal Person of more than fifty percent (50%) of the equity of or voting power in another legal Person.
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“Agreement” means this Revised Investment Agreement and includes those provisions of the Akyem Mining Lease that are not inconsistent or in conflict with this Revised Investment Agreement.
“Ahafo Revised Investment Agreement” means the investment agreement to be entered into on or about the date of this Agreement between the Government and Newmont Ghana Gold Limited which pursuant to Section 2.1 below must become effective as a condition of this Agreement becoming effective.
“Akyem Mining Lease” means the two Mining Leases entered into between the Government and Golden Ridge each dated 19 January 2010 which are pending ratification by Parliament.
“Basic Stability Period” has the meaning given in Section 4.1.
“Centre” means The International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes established under the auspices of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
“Contract Area” means all Production Areas.
“Convention” means the Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes between States and Nationals of Other States opened for signature at Washington, D.C., United States of America, on March 18, 1965.
“Development” means all preparation for the removal and recovery of Minerals, including the construction or installation of a mill, a Mining Plant or any other Infrastructure to be used for the mining, handling, milling, beneficiation or other processing of Minerals.
“Dollar” and “US$” mean United States dollars and any other currency that is legal tender in the United States of America.
“Effective Date” means the date described in Section 2.
“Equity Capital” means stockholders’ equity as reflected on the balance sheet of Golden Ridge, the balance sheet having been prepared in accordance with IFRS.
“Events of Default” has the meaning given to such term in Section 22.2.
“Exploration” means activities directed towards ascertaining the existence, location, quantity, quality or commercial value of deposits of Minerals.
“Extended Stability Period” has the meaning given in Section 4.3.
“Extension Plan” has the meaning given to it in Section 4.3(a).
“Financial Year” means January 1 through December 31, or such other period as the Parties may agree.
“Foreign Currency” means Dollars and any other currency except Ghana Cedis.
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“Ghana Cedi” means the lawful currency of Ghana and any currency that is legal tender in Ghana.
“Government” means the Republic of Ghana, its government, and any political subdivision, region, branch, division, instrumentality, authority and agency thereof.
“IFRS” means International Financial Reporting Standards issued or adopted by the International Accounting Standards Board and consistently applied.
“Indebtedness” means indebtedness for money borrowed from an Affiliate.
“Infrastructure” includes the following:
| (a) | immovable transportation and communication facilities (including roads, bridges, railroads, airports, landing strips and landing pads for aircraft, hangars and other airport facilities, garages, channels, tramways, pipelines and radio, telephone, telegraph, telecommunications, and electronic or other forms of communications facilities); |
| (b) | immovable port facilities (including docks, harbours, piers, jetties, breakwaters, terminal facilities and warehouses, and loading and unloading facilities); |
| (c) | immovable power, water and sewerage facilities (including electrical generating plants and transmission lines, dams, water drains, water supply systems and systems for disposing of tailings, plant waste and sewage); |
| (d) | immovable public welfare facilities (including schools, clinics and public halls); |
| (e) | miscellaneous immovable facilities used primarily in connection with the operation of any of the foregoing (including offices, machine shops, foundries, repair shops and warehouses); |
| (f) | other immovable facilities used primarily in connection with or as an incident to Operations; and |
| (g) | movable facilities and equipment used as an integral part of the immovable facilities described above. For purposes of this Agreement, immovable items consist of all tangible items that are securely affixed and attached to the land or to buildings or other structures on the land. All other items are movable items. |
“International Standards” means generally accepted world mining industry standards and procedures, due allowance being made for any special circumstances in Ghana.
“Law” means any constitution, law, statute, decree, rule, regulation, judicial act or decision, judgment, order, proclamation, directive, executive order or other sovereign act of the Government that regulates, controls or relates to Golden Ridge and to its Operations, or that is generally applicable in Ghana.
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“London Bullion Market Association Gold Fix” and “London PM Fix” have the meaning given in Section 5.2(f)(ii)(A).
“Mineral” means any naturally occurring, inorganic ores with a defined, characteristic chemical composition and physical properties that has economic value, but excluding oil, gas, coal and geothermal resources.
“Mining Lease” means a right and license granted by the Government to mine and produce Minerals in a specified area in Ghana.
“Mining Plant” means any machinery, equipment, vehicle, tool, building, mill and plant, employees’ housing or other Infrastructure whether movable or immovable constructed by Golden Ridge in the Contract Area or acquired by Golden Ridge and used in connection with Operations.
“Minister” means the Minister of Government responsible for mining.
“Notice” means notice given in accordance with Section 25.
“Operations” means any and all activities and transactions conducted by or on behalf of Golden Ridge in connection with Exploration, Development, Production and reclamation and the financing of any of them.
“Parliament” means the Parliament of the Republic of Ghana or any successor legislative entity or authority.
“Party” means the Government and Golden Ridge (as well as any permitted assignee of either of them).
“Permissible Debt” has the meaning given in Section 8.1.
“Person” means any natural person and any legal person. For purposes of this Agreement, a natural person means a human being and a legal person means a partnership, joint venture, corporation, limited liability company, trust, estate, or any entity that is recognized by the laws of any state as a distinct legal entity, as well as a government or state, and any branch, division, political sub-division or region, instrumentality, authority or agency of any government or state.
“Prevailing Market Rate of Exchange” means the predominant rate, expressed in Dollars, on any day during which Golden Ridge engages in a foreign exchange transaction under this Agreement, at which willing sellers and willing buyers, acting at arm’s length, in the ordinary course of business have most recently purchased or sold or agreed to purchase or sell Ghana Cedis or any other currency except Dollars.
“Production” means the commercial exploitation of Minerals found in the Production Area and all other activities wherever performed that are incidental thereto including the design, construction, installation, fabrication, operation, maintenance and repair of Mining Plant or other Infrastructure, facilities and equipment and the mining, excavation, extraction, recovery, handling, beneficiation, processing, milling, stockpiling, transportation, export and sale of Minerals.
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“Production Area” means any area designated by the Akyem Mining Lease as the “Lease Area” or a part of the Lease Area.
“Profound Changes in Circumstances” has the meaning given to such term in Section 11.
“Royalty” has the meaning given to such term in Section 5.2(f).
“Signature Date” means the date stated at the beginning of this Agreement.
“Stability Period” means the total of the Basic Stability Period as well as any Extended Stability Period as those terms are defined in Sections 4.1 and 4.3 respectively.
“Taxes and Duties” means any direct and indirect income, profit, excess profit, windfall profit, additional profit, supplementary charge, gains, capital gains, corporation, dividend, interest, financing, net worth, sales, goods, transaction, payroll, import, export, customs, consul, inspection, foreign exchange, value added, consumption, supply, use, turnover, severance, stumpage, cash flow, rental, land rental, surface rental, withholding, property, land, stamp and other taxes, duties, fees, levies, excises, rates, charges, imposts, surcharges, royalties, penalties and any other Government imposed revenue payments of whatever nature and however called, whether paid to the Government or to any other Person at the directive of the Government or under Law and whether similar or dissimilar to any of the foregoing.
“Transition Period” has the meaning given in Section 8.2.
| 1.2 | This Agreement shall be read with such changes in gender and number as the context shall require. Headings to the clauses and sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not affect its construction. |
| 1.3 | Unless otherwise stated, a reference to “hereof”, “hereunder”, “herein” or words of similar meaning, means this Agreement and its appendices. The words “and” and “or” includes the conjunctive and disjunctive, as the context may require or permit. The word “include” (and any variation of that word) means “including but not limited to”. Each of the Parties to this Agreement have participated in the drafting and negotiating of this Agreement and this Agreement shall not be construed against either Party as the drafting Party. |
| 1.4 | This Agreement shall from the Effective Date supersede the 2003 Investment Agreement and shall be the sole agreement between the Government and Golden Ridge in respect of the Akyem Mining operations. Except as otherwise provided by its terms, this Agreement shall have prospective effect only and the rights and obligations of the parties under the 2003 Agreement as they relate to activities prior to the Effective Date shall remain subject to the terms of the 2003 Agreement. |
| 2. | EFFECTIVE DATE |
| 2.1 | This Agreement shall become effective and binding on the Parties on the latest of: |
| (a) | the date on which it is ratified by Parliament; |
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| (b) | the date on which the Akyem Mining Lease is ratified by Parliament; |
| (c) | the date on which the terms of Section 5 of this Agreement are approved by a resolution of Parliament pursuant to Article 174(2) of the Constitution of Ghana; or |
| (d) | the date on which the Ahafo Revised Investment Agreement becomes effective. |
| 2.2 | The terms of this Agreement, including the provisions of Sections 22 and 24, shall also control and govern the rights of the Parties under the Akyem Mining Lease. In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the Akyem Mining Lease, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail. The Parties acknowledge and agree that, other than to the extent of any such conflict, the Akyem Mining Lease shall remain valid and in full force and effect. |
| 3. | TERM OF THE AGREEMENT |
The original term of this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and, unless sooner terminated under Section 22 below shall, subject to Sections 2.2 and 4.1, continue for so long as Golden Ridge (or any assignee) is the holder of the Akyem Mining Lease and such lease is valid and in good standing.
| 4. | STABILISATION |
| 4.1 | Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Taxes and Duties payable by Golden Ridge as set forth or described in this Agreement or as otherwise required by Law and assessed in keeping with the terms of this Agreement shall be stabilised up to December 31, 2027 (the “Basic Stability Period”). |
| 4.2 | During the Basic Stability Period and any Extended Stability Period, and except to the extent otherwise provided by the terms of this Agreement, Golden Ridge shall not be affected by any Law enacted after January 1, 2014 or by any changes to any Law in existence as of January 1, 2014 if such new Law or amended Law has the effect either of imposing upon Golden Ridge any new or additional Taxes and Duties or of altering |
| (a) | the basis for determining or calculating the Taxes and Duties applicable to Golden Ridge; and |
| (b) | the level or rate of Taxes and Duties to which Golden Ridge is subject. |
| 4.3 | The Basic Stability Period shall be extended for a single additional term of five (5) years (the “Extended Stability Period”) after the date of its termination if: |
| (a) | under a plan (the “Extension Plan”), presented to and accepted (for purposes of this Section 4.3) by the Minister, Golden Ridge commits to make an additional investment of at least three hundred million Dollars (US$300,000,000) in the mining project which is the subject of the Golden Ridge Mining Lease with respect to activities not previously approved by the Government, provided that the period for the completion of the Development in connection with the additional investment described in the Extension Plan shall not exceed four (4) years; and |
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| (b) | the additional investment is projected under the Extension Plan to result in any one of the following: |
| (i) | an increase in gold production by Golden Ridge of at least ten per cent (10%) when compared to the average of the three (3) calendar years before the completion of the Development described in the Extension Plan and financed by the additional investment; |
| (ii) | an increase by at least three (3) years in the life of the mine which is the subject of the Akyem Mining Lease; |
| (iii) | an increase of at least ten per cent (10%) in the number of permanent employees who are citizens of Ghana employed by Golden Ridge at the mine which is the subject of the Akyem Mining Lease when compared to 31 December of the year prior to the year in which Golden Ridge began construction or other activity required to complete the Development described in the Extension Plan and financed by the additional investment; or |
| (iv) | the satisfaction of any other measure approved by the Minister. |
The Minister’s acceptance of the Extension Plan shall not be unreasonably withheld and shall be deemed to have been given if Notice of disapproval has not been received by Golden Ridge within 120 days of delivery of the Extension Plan to the Minister. The Minister shall specify in writing the grounds for non-acceptance of the Extension Plan for purposes of this Section 4.3.
| (c) | Fulfilment of the measures described in Section 4.3(b) and set forth in the Extension Plan shall be deemed to have occurred if, within one (1) year after the completion of Development with respect to an additional investment project, any one of the conditions set forth in Section 4.3(b) and as described in the Extension Plan has been met or, in the case of Section 4.3(b)(ii), it can be demonstrated to the reasonable satisfaction of the Minister that activities have been completed and given effect such as will permit the attainment of that condition. |
| (d) | Should the conditions described in Section 4.3(a) and 4.3(b) fail to be satisfied on the basis and within the period described in Sections 4.3(b) and 4.3(c) and in the Extension Plan unless such failure is due to Force Majeure or to action taken or inaction by the Government after acceptance of the Extension Plan that prevents the satisfaction of any of the relevant conditions in the Extension Plan, the Government may rescind the Extended Stability Period and Golden Ridge will thereafter become liable for any additional Taxes and Duties that would have accrued but for the extension of the Basic Stability Period. |
| (e) | Any dispute arising out of or in relation to this Section 4.3 shall be subject to the provisions of Section 24. |
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| 5. | TAXES AND DUTIES |
With effect from the Effective Date and for the duration of the Basic Stability Period and any Extended Stability Period only, the following shall apply:
| 5.1 | General |
Golden Ridge shall be subject to all Taxes and Duties in force in Ghana from time to time under Law except:
| (a) | where Golden Ridge is exempt wholly or partly from the application of a Law relating to Taxes and Duties pursuant to a validly granted authority under any applicable Law; or |
| (b) | as otherwise provided in this Agreement. |
| 5.2 | Stability Regime |
Golden Ridge shall be subject to taxation on its income at the rates and on the basis provided by Law except that during the Basic Stability Period and any Extended Stability Period (notwithstanding the provisions of any Law to the contrary):
| (a) | Corporate Income Tax Rate and Basis |
| (i) | the rate of corporate income tax applicable to the taxable income of Golden Ridge derived from its Operations shall be thirty two and a half per cent (32.5%); |
| (ii) | subject to the other provisions of this Section 5.2 and, except as may be otherwise provided by this Agreement, Golden Ridge’s taxable income shall be determined on the basis stipulated by Law in effect on January 1, 2014 with all write-offs, deductions, reliefs and allowances permitted or allowed by the Law as at that date; |
| (iii) | Golden Ridge may deduct for purposes of determining taxable income a fee for management and technical services provided by an Affiliate in an annual amount that in aggregate shall be 2.25% of either: |
| (A) | total revenues from Production or other Operations in the relevant Financial Year; or |
| (B) | if before the start of Production or during other periods when Production has been substantially interrupted, Development capital expenditures in the relevant Financial Year. |
The management and technical services fee of 2.25% of either total revenues or Development capital expenditure that is permitted under this Section to be paid during each year to an Affiliate shall for purposes of this Agreement be deemed to represent a fair arm’s length fee as would apply between unrelated parties in the ordinary course of business for the provision of such services.
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| (iv) | the tax written down value of any capital assets acquired by Golden Ridge before the Effective Date having first been depreciated in accordance with the provisions of the 2003 Investment Agreement (and with the addition of the five per cent (5%) uplift on class three assets) shall be pooled with all capital assets of the same class acquired after the Effective Date and thereafter depreciated as permitted by Law in effect as of January 1, 2014. |
| (v) | Any other income earned by Golden Ridge from activities in Ghana that is not derived directly or indirectly from Operations or Production shall be taxable under Law. |
| (vi) | Golden Ridge’s taxable income shall be determined in Dollars in accordance with Law, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement. |
| (vii) | The payments to be made by Golden Ridge to the Government under Sections 6.1 and 6.2 shall not be deductible for the determination of taxable income but the payment to be made pursuant to Section 6.7 shall be deductible. |
| (b) | Local Taxes and Duties |
Golden Ridge shall pay Taxes and Duties imposed by local or municipal governments under authority granted by Law. Golden Ridge shall not be liable to pay any such Taxes and Duties imposed by local or municipal governments that would impose a disproportionate burden on Golden Ridge when compared to other Persons in the same category, including Persons engaged in exploration or mining operations in Ghana.
| (c) | Withholding Taxes |
Golden Ridge shall withhold tax on any fees paid for management and technical services on the basis and at the rate provided by Law, except that in the case of payment to an Affiliate for such services the rate shall be ten percent (10%) of the amount of the fee paid, and Golden Ridge shall pay all such amounts within the time and in the manner and place required by Law. Except as provided in this Section, no withholding taxes or other Taxes and Duties shall be assessed against Golden Ridge or an Affiliate with respect to (i) dividends paid to that Affiliate; (ii) interest paid to that Affiliate to the extent that such interest is equivalent to the rate that would be charged by a third party lender to a borrower in circumstances substantially the same as those of Golden Ridge; and (iii) any repayment of loan principal paid or payable to that Affiliate.
| (d) | Capital Gains Tax |
Any capital gains realized as a result of the conveyance or transfer of any rights under this Agreement or of the Akyem Mining Lease shall be subject to Taxes and Duties under Law provided that in the case of (i) capital gains realized by Golden Ridge the provisions of Section 5.1 shall apply; and (ii) no Taxes and Duties shall be imposed upon capital gains accruing to or derived
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by Golden Ridge or an Affiliate and arising out of the realization of a chargeable asset from a merger, amalgamation, or re-organization of Golden Ridge or an Affiliate where the Affiliate (or Affiliates) that owns or controls all other Affiliates involved in such transactions will retain at least a 25% beneficial ownership interest in Golden Ridge when the conveyance or transfer has been completed. For the purposes of this Agreement “re-organization” shall mean an internal restructuring or reallocation of the ownership of Golden Ridge such that ownership passes from one Affiliate to another.
| (e) | Import Duties and Excise Taxes |
| (i) | Golden Ridge shall be exempt from Taxes and Duties on the import of plant, machinery, equipment, parts, fuels and petroleum products, supplies and accessories, as well as other items listed in the Mining List (a copy of which is attached hereto as Appendix D), and imported necessarily, specifically and exclusively for Operations. |
| (ii) | Where an item becomes necessary to import for the use of Golden Ridge as a result of advances in technology, or to replace an item on the Mining List that has been rendered obsolete or taken out of production or for any similar reason, Golden Ridge shall make a representation to the Minister as to why such item is necessary for import and should be exempt from customs import duties and the Minister shall give due consideration to such representation in the light of the Mining List and applicable Law. |
| (f) | Royalty |
| (i) | Royalty Rate: |
Golden Ridge shall pay to the Government in Dollars a royalty at the percentage rate specified below on the total revenues received by Golden Ridge from the sale of Minerals obtained from the Production Area during each calendar month (the “Royalty”). This rate has been increased by the addition of 0.6% as a special fee because the Golden Ridge Operations involve mining in a forest reserve area. With the addition of the forest reserve area special fee, the royalty rate is as follows:
| (A) | gold according to a sliding scale starting at a floor of 3.6% at a gold price below US$1,300 per ounce, increasing to 4.1% at a gold price between US$1,300 and US$1,449.99 per ounce, to 4.6% at a gold price between US$1,450 and US$2,299.99 per ounce and to 5.6% at a gold price of not less than US$2,300 per ounce, as set forth and illustrated in Appendix B; and |
| (B) | all other Minerals, at a rate pursuant to Law and subject to Section 14.1 below. |
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The payment of Royalty by Golden Ridge to the Government shall be made within thirty (30) days after the end of the calendar month in which the gold or other Mineral subject to such Royalty was sold. Appendix B hereto illustrates the basis and calculation of the Royalty.
| (ii) | Determination of Gold Price: |
| (A) | For the purposes of Section 5.2(f)(i)(A) above, the price for determining the applicable Royalty rate on the sliding scale shall be the average of the quoted gold price on the daily London Bullion Market Association Gold Fix (the “London PM Fix”) for each calendar month with respect to sales of gold during such month. |
| (B) | Should the London PM Fix cease to exist, then the Parties shall choose an alternative market index as set forth in Section 6.2(d). |
| (iii) | Right to Take Royalty in Kind: |
| (A) | The Government, acting through the Minister, may take all or a part of the Royalty to which it is entitled in this Section 5.2(f), in gold that has a value based on the London PM Fix (or an alternative index in the circumstances provided for by this Section 5.2(f) and Section 6.2(d)) equivalent to the Royalty amount in Dollars payable to the Government on the day it is payable. |
| (B) | Where the Government desires to take its Royalty share or part thereof for the next Financial Year in gold, the Minister shall elect to do so by giving Notice to Golden Ridge not less than six (6) months prior to the beginning of that Financial Year. Such election may be revoked by mutual agreement between the Parties if the Government gives at least one month’s Notice before any gold to be delivered under this Section 5.2 is scheduled for delivery. |
| (C) | Should the Minister make the election to take all or a part of the Royalty in gold as described in Section 5.2(f)(iii)(A) above, the Parties shall meet to agree upon the specific terms and the process for such transfer or delivery of gold which shall be consistent with standard practice as between buyers and sellers of gold. If the Parties have not agreed on the transfer, delivery and other terms by a date that falls one month prior to the scheduled delivery date for such gold, then the Government shall receive the Royalty in Dollars in accordance with Section 5.2(f)(i)(A) above. |
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| (g) | Value-Added Tax |
Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, Golden Ridge shall be exempt from the payment of Value-Added Tax (VAT) on:
| (i) | all items it imports, and |
| (ii) | all local purchases of services, goods and supplies to the extent used in connection with Operations. |
Gold and other Mineral that Golden Ridge may sell for export to Persons outside Ghana, or sell or convey to the Government pursuant to this Agreement, shall be zero rated for VAT purposes.
Notwithstanding the above and for the avoidance of doubt, Golden Ridge shall be subject to VAT on the items listed in Appendix E to this agreement.
The Government is in process of considering certain changes to the administration of the VAT. When such changes are fully implemented, the Parties agree to confer regarding any amendment of this Section 5.2(g) as may be jointly agreed to by them to be appropriate in the light of such changes to the Law governing VAT.
| 5.3 | Integrated Activity |
Golden Ridge’s Operations in respect of the Contract Area shall, for the purposes of any Law relating to the calculation of applicable Taxes and Duties, be deemed to be a single, integrated activity. Accordingly, all write-offs, deductions, reliefs and allowances incurred by or on behalf of Golden Ridge relating to Operations in respect of the Contract Area may be deducted from any income or profits of Golden Ridge arising from the Operations for purposes of determining any applicable Taxes and Duties.
| 6. | GOVERNMENT CARRIED INTEREST |
| 6.1 | Nature of Government Interest |
In satisfaction of the requirements of section 43 of the Minerals and Mining Act, Act 703, or of any other Law that reserves for the Government a ten per cent (10%) free carried, fixed, non-equity interest in the Operations of Golden Ridge (in respect of which financial contribution shall not be paid by the Government), the Government shall receive and Golden Ridge shall make the following payments:
| (a) | a sum equal to 1/9th of the total amount paid as dividends to the shareholders of Golden Ridge on each occasion when dividends are distributed by Golden Ridge, less any advance payments made pursuant to Section 6.2 below; and |
| (b) | any guaranteed annual advance payments made pursuant to Section 6.2 below. |
For the avoidance of doubt, the Parties affirm that the interest provided to the Government and described above is a non-equity interest in Golden Ridge Operations.
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| 6.2 | Guaranteed Advance Payments to the Government |
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, beginning as of January 1, 2018, the fifth complete year after the start of Production of gold by Golden Ridge in Ghana under the Akyem Mining Lease, and for each year thereafter in which the average of the quoted gold price on the London PM Fix for such year was equal to or more than US$1,300 per ounce, the Government shall, subject to the following conditions having been satisfied and as an advance against the payments provided for in Section 6.1(a) above, receive 0.6% of the gross value of all Minerals produced, saved, sold or otherwise disposed of from the Production Area:
| (a) | at the end of each calendar year, the eligibility of the Government to receive an advance payment shall be determined on the basis set forth above in this Section 6.2, and if any advance payment is due to the Government it shall be made by Golden Ridge not later than June 30th of the calendar year after the calendar year with respect to which the advance payment is due; |
| (b) | any advance payment made at any time to the Government (or to any other Person at the Government’s direction) shall be deducted from any future payments to which the Government is entitled under Section 6.1(a); |
| (c) | upon termination of Operations or mine closure in respect of the Akyem Mining Lease there shall be no recovery from the Government of the difference between the aggregate advance payments made to the Government under this Section 6.2 and the total amount due to the Government under Sections 6.1(a) and 6.5; and |
| (d) | should the London PM Fix cease to exist or be quoted, or in any case should the Parties so elect in writing, they may by mutual agreement designate another objective market index as the basis for determining the average price during a given year at which willing sellers and willing buyers acting at arm’s length sold and bought gold at specified levels of purity during the year in question. Once they have so agreed, then that price shall be the average price at which for purposes of this section gold shall be deemed to have been bought and sold during the year in question. |
| 6.3 | Permitted Payments and Distributions to Golden Ridge from Operations |
Golden Ridge shall not pay or distribute any amount to an Affiliate other than:
| (a) | to repay the principal of, and to pay interest, on a loan from an Affiliate; |
| (b) | as a distribution of dividends to an Affiliate subject to Section 6.1(a) above; |
| (c) | as payment of management and technical services fees on the basis set forth in this Agreement; |
| (d) | as payment for goods or services provided to Golden Ridge by such Affiliate; and |
| (e) | as reimbursement of costs incurred by an Affiliate on behalf of Golden Ridge and with its authorization, on a Dollar for Dollar basis. |
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| 6.4 | Entitlement to Section 6.3 Payments |
The Government shall not receive a payment pursuant to this Section 6 with respect to the items specified in Section 6.3(a) to (e).
| 6.5 | Termination Payments |
On termination of Operations or mine closure, in respect of the Akyem Mining Lease, Golden Ridge shall:
| (a) | pay or otherwise satisfy any liabilities including Taxes and Duties and make appropriate provision as required by Law for unknown or contingent liabilities (including reclamation and similar costs not otherwise provided for); and |
| (b) | undertake reasonable efforts to collect all amounts due Golden Ridge by any Person (or to offset any such amounts due to Golden Ridge from a Person against amounts due to such Person by Golden Ridge as permitted by Law or this Agreement). |
Following settlement of all such payments and offsets referred to in Section 6.5(a) above, Golden Ridge shall pay to the Government ten per cent (10%) of its net remaining cash and may distribute the balance remaining after such payment to the Government as a dividend to its shareholders without further obligation to the Government under Sections 6.1 and 6.2.
| 6.6 | Formula Exhibit |
A formula to illustrate the basis and calculation of the distribution of payments to the Government under this Section 6 is contained in Appendix C.
| 6.7 | Additional Payments to be made to the Government |
Golden Ridge shall pay to the Government an additional amount of four million Dollars (US$4 million) within thirty (30) days after the Effective Date in consideration of the exemptions from Taxes and Duties and the special treatment of certain items for tax purposes in Section 5 hereof.
| 7. | FINANCIAL REPORTING, CURRENCY AND ADEQUATE CAPITAL |
| 7.1 | Currency for Accounting |
Accounting by Golden Ridge under this Agreement shall be in Dollars and any amounts paid or received, and obligations incurred or transactions carried out, in Ghana Cedis or in any Foreign Currency other than Dollars shall be converted to Dollars at the Prevailing Market Rate of Exchange between Dollars and Ghana Cedis or any other Foreign Currency on the date of the applicable transaction in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles based on IFRS standards. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and solely for informational purposes, at the request of the Government with respect to any financial year, Golden Ridge shall also keep a set of books in Ghana Cedis.
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| 7.2 | Exchange Control |
| (a) | Golden Ridge may, without restriction, directly or indirectly, of the Government, obtain, hold, deal with and disburse funds in any manner, currencies and places as it chooses, provided that, except during the last two (2) years of Operations when no specific minimum shall apply, Golden Ridge shall return to Ghana a minimum of 30% of its gross proceeds from the sale of gold towards its obligations in Ghana for Taxes and Duties, wages, salaries and employee benefits and other payments for goods and services. If any of the gross sales proceeds of Golden Ridge result from the sale of gold within Ghana (or from the payment of Royalties in gold under Section 5.2(f) and such proceeds are remitted to bank accounts within Ghana or conveyed in gold to the Government, the obligation of Golden Ridge to return a minimum of 30% of its gross sales proceeds to Ghana shall be reduced by such amount or by the value of any gold conveyed to the Government pursuant to Section 5.2(f) or otherwise in an amount mutually agreed by the Parties. |
| (b) | Subject to Section 7.2(a) above, and without limiting the rights granted in that Section, Golden Ridge has the unrestricted and unencumbered right to sell and receive payment for Minerals in any currency, and the proceeds from such sales may be deposited in bank accounts outside of Ghana and held there or remitted from there to anywhere in the world, in any currency. |
| (c) | Golden Ridge shall maintain at least one bank account with a commercial bank or financial institution in Ghana and, as soon as is reasonably practicable after a transaction with that bank, shall provide notice to the Bank of Ghana of any dealing in foreign exchange. |
| (d) | Golden Ridge may acquire Ghana Cedis at the Prevailing Market Rate of Exchange, and also exchange Ghana Cedis for Foreign Currency at the Prevailing Market Rate of Exchange provided that any of the above transactions in Ghana shall comply with applicable Law including any requirement that such transactions in Ghana be conducted with Persons authorized by Law to engage in such transactions. Additionally, any and all transactions between the Government and Golden Ridge relating to Taxes and Duties stated in Ghana Cedis will be converted to Dollars at the Prevailing Market Rate of Exchange except for Golden Ridge’s withholding obligations under Law which shall be governed by and subject to Section 7.3. |
| 7.3 | Currency of Payment |
Payment of Golden Ridge’s obligations to the Government for Taxes and Duties shall be in Dollars, subject to Section 7.4, unless the Parties otherwise agree. Any obligation originally stated in Ghana Cedis, or in any Foreign Currency other than Dollars, will be converted to Dollars at the Prevailing Market Rate of Exchange. However, Golden Ridge shall pay sums it collects on behalf of the Government, including, but not limited to, Taxes and Duties withheld from the salaries or wages of its employees, and any other sums payable to other Persons from which a portion is
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required by Law to be withheld or retained by Golden Ridge on behalf of the Government, in the currency in which such salaries or wages or such other sums are paid. Golden Ridge may make all other payments whether to the Government or to other Persons in Ghana Cedis in accordance with Section 7.2(d).
| 7.4 | Right to Remit and Receive Payments |
Golden Ridge may remit and receive in Dollars all payments of dividends, interest, finance charges, principal, management and technical services fees (subject to the limitations set forth in Section 5.2(a)(iii)) and other properly payable items arising from, as a result of, or related to Operations.
| 8. | ADEQUATE CAPITAL |
| 8.1 | Golden Ridge shall maintain a ratio of Indebtedness to Equity Capital of 2:1 or such other higher ratio as may be permitted by Law, excluding for these purposes any Indebtedness that is non-interest bearing (any non-interest bearing Indebtedness and other Indebtedness within the permitted ratios is referred to as “Permissible Debt”). The penalty for failure to maintain a 2.1 ratio of Indebtedness to Equity Capital shall be that any interest or currency exchange losses accrued and attributable to the excess Indebtedness other than Permissible Debt shall not be deductible for the purposes of determining its taxable income. |
| 8.2 | Notwithstanding Section 8.1, Golden Ridge shall have up to December 31st of the fourth calendar year after the Effective Date to achieve a 2:1 ratio of Indebtedness to Equity Capital or such higher ratio as may be permitted by Law (the “Transition Period”). During the Transition Period any Indebtedness to Equity Capital that does not exceed 4:1 (or that is otherwise permitted by Law) shall be Permissible Debt. The ratio shall be determined annually by reference to the most recent audited financial statement of Golden Ridge and if the audited financial statement should reveal that Golden Ridge is not in compliance with the requirements of this Section 8.2, then the penalty set forth in Section 8.1 shall apply. |
| 9. | AFFILIATED COMPANY TRANSACTIONS |
| 9.1 | Transactions including the purchases of goods and services and the provision of loans and the accrual of interest between Golden Ridge and an Affiliate or any other Person of whom Golden Ridge or an Affiliate of Golden Ridge is a controller shall unless otherwise provided by this Agreement or applicable Law be conducted on an arm’s length basis as would occur between unrelated parties and as required by Law. On request from the Government, Golden Ridge shall provide documentation of the prices, discounts and commissions and a copy of any contracts and other relevant documentation related to transactions with Affiliates. |
| 9.2 | For the purposes of this section, ‘controller’ shall have the meaning given to it by Section 111 of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2003 (Act 703). |
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| 10. | MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS |
| 10.1 | Golden Ridge Board of Directors |
The Government may nominate a Person chosen in its discretion who is qualified and permitted under Law to serve as a member of the board of directors of Golden Ridge after giving not less than thirty (30) days’ Notice of its intention to do so, and providing the identity of the proposed director and any other information reasonably necessary in order for Golden Ridge and the shareholders of Golden Ridge to take such steps as are necessary to complete such nomination. Such Person upon being duly elected shall be subject to the confidentiality requirements generally applicable to all Golden Ridge directors as regards the disclosure of information obtained in his or her capacity as a director to any Persons other than the Government or Golden Ridge or as required by Law. The director thus appointed may be removed as permitted by Law for cause, in which event the Government may nominate a successor.
| 10.2 | Non-Discrimination |
Except as otherwise expressly provided or permitted herein, the Government affirms that when compared to other Persons engaged in exploration for or mining of gold in Ghana, Golden Ridge shall have fair and equitable treatment and shall not be discriminated against or made uniquely or disproportionately liable to obligations by virtue of any Law or any action taken by the Government.
| 10.3 | Governing Law |
This Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of Ghana and by such rules and principles as are generally recognized by international law to be applicable to an investment by nationals of one country in another country.
| 10.4 | Joint Affirmations of the Parties |
Golden Ridge shall in all respects be subject to Law and to each term of this Agreement as regards its presence and activities in Ghana. The Government hereby affirms that it shall also be bound by and shall honour each term of this Agreement, and that Golden Ridge may fully rely on that affirmation. The Parties jointly further affirm that they shall each uphold and honour the rights and remedies provided herein to the other Party including the indemnification provided by Section 20 of this Agreement.
| 11. | PERIODIC REVIEW |
| 11.1 | Profound Changes in Circumstances |
For the purpose of considering Profound Changes in Circumstances from those existing on the Effective Date or on the date of the most recent review of this Agreement under this Section 11.1, the Government and Golden Ridge shall at the request of the other consult together. The Parties shall meet to review the matter raised as soon after the request as is reasonably convenient for them both. In case Profound Changes in Circumstances are established to have occurred, the Parties shall
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effect such change in or clarification of this Agreement as they agree is necessary. For purposes of this Agreement, “Profound Changes in Circumstances” shall mean such changes in the economic conditions of the gold mining industry worldwide or in Ghana, or such changes in the economic, political or social circumstances existing in Ghana or elsewhere in the world at large as to result in such a material and fundamental alteration of the conditions, assumptions and bases relied upon by the Parties at the Effective Date (or the time after any subsequent review pursuant to this Section 11.1) that the overall balance of equities and benefits reasonably anticipated by them will no longer be achievable as a practical matter.
| 11.2 | Other Consultation |
In addition to the consultation provided by Section 11.1, each Party may at any time request a consultation with the other Party with respect to any matter affecting the rights and obligations of the Parties under this Agreement or any matter relating to Operations. The Parties shall meet to review the matter raised as soon after such request as is reasonably convenient for them both. Subsequent to the consultation, the Parties shall take the action, if any, that is mutually agreed to address the matter.
| 12. | EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING |
| 12.1 | Employment |
To the extent that Persons having the requisite skill and experience are available for and willing to accept employment with Golden Ridge, Golden Ridge shall employ (and shall give preference to the employment of) such qualified Persons who are citizens of Ghana (and to such other Persons as the Law may require) for skilled technical, administrative, financial and managerial positions in accordance with Law for the purpose of ensuring that managerial functions of Golden Ridge at all levels including technical and senior executive levels shall be substantially performed by citizens of Ghana. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Golden Ridge shall have the right freely to appoint and employ as its Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Head of Operations Persons who may be either Ghanaian citizens or citizens of any other nation, except:
| (a) | where any individual may be disqualified by Law from entering or residing in Ghana; or |
| (b) | where an individual is from a nation whose citizens may as a general category be banned by Law from residing or working in Ghana. |
Golden Ridge shall, subject to the foregoing, also have the right at all times to choose its employees freely and without restriction. Golden Ridge and the Government shall, from time to time and as permitted by Law, determine how to accomplish the objectives set forth above in this Section which shall guide and control their deliberations and decisions. The Government shall issue such permits as may be required by Law to allow such Persons who are not citizens of Ghana freely to enter into, work and reside in Ghana in connection with Operations, and to depart from Ghana. Any disputes arising under this section shall be considered a dispute subject to resolution pursuant to Section 24.
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| 12.2 | Training of Ghanaians |
Golden Ridge among other measures shall provide on a continuing basis for the training of suitable Ghanaian citizens in order to qualify them for skilled, technical, administrative and managerial positions and to meet the objectives set forth in Section 12.1 above. Golden Ridge shall submit to the Minister a detailed program for the recruitment and training of Ghanaian citizens in connection with Operations pursuant to the Akyem Mining Lease and will update this program as required by Law.
| 13. | USE OF GHANAIAN GOODS AND SERVICES |
| 13.1 | Golden Ridge shall, in accordance with Law and to the maximum extent possible and consistent with safety, efficiency and economy, when purchasing goods and services required with respect to Operations, give preference to materials and goods made in Ghana, and services provided by Ghanaian citizens (and such other Persons as the Law may require) as well as entities incorporated or formed in Ghana and majority owned and controlled by citizens of Ghana (and by such other Persons as the Law may require) who receive a share of the benefits of such entities proportionate to their ownership interest, provided that such goods and services are equal in quality, terms, delivery, service, quantity and price to, or better than, goods and services obtainable outside Ghana. Nothing in this Section 13 shall require Golden Ridge to act upon considerations other than commercial considerations. |
| 14. | INCIDENTAL RIGHTS |
| 14.1 | Use of Resources |
Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, Golden Ridge may, within the Contract Area and for its own use, remove, extract and use water, gravel, sand, clay, stone, other Minerals (except for gold, diamonds and other precious Minerals) and timber (except for protected species, insofar as they do not interfere with or hinder Operations) in accordance with Law.
| 14.2 | Imports |
Golden Ridge may import and use in respect of Operations, and subject to Section 23 and in accordance with Law subsequently export, any machinery, equipment, consumable items, fuels, explosives and any other thing whatsoever reasonably required with respect to Operations, including, without limitation, the items listed on the Mining List attached hereto as Appendix X. Xxxxxx Ridge shall notify the Minerals Commission of the export of any machinery, equipment, consumable items, fuels or explosives and shall at all times comply with Law regarding the safe use, sale, disposal and security of explosives.
| 15. | UNDERTAKINGS OF THE GOVERNMENT |
| 15.1 | Electricity Generation and Transmission |
The Government shall not take any action that would in application or effect deprive Golden Ridge of the right, or hamper its ability on the same basis as other industrial users, to purchase or receive electric power sufficient to meet its reasonable needs for
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the conduct of Operations in Ghana. The foregoing applies to electric power supplied by the Government or other Persons that are providers of electric power in Ghana under license from or authority of the Government. The Government further affirms that Golden Ridge may, at its own cost and in accordance with Law, generate, transmit, use and deal with electricity and lawfully obtain electric power from other Persons who have been so authorized in Ghana by the Government. Golden Ridge may store, treat, use and provide water in connection with Operations. With respect to all of the foregoing, Golden Ridge may construct the necessary Infrastructure and Mining Plant subject to the requirements of any Law regulating the manner in which any of the foregoing rights shall be exercised taking into account the safety of the public and prevention of harm to the environment.
| 15.2 | Issuance of Permits and Necessary Authorization |
Requests for licenses, permits, mining titles, easements, and other authorizations required to permit Golden Ridge to conduct Operations and activities related to Operations shall be dealt with within the period required by Law. In all cases, the decision to grant or deny a request for a permit or other authorization, and any license or title, shall be made in accordance with Law.
| 15.3 | Protection against Nationalization or Expropriation |
Except as permitted and required by Article 20 of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana (and subject both to prompt, adequate and effective compensation of the affected Party in Dollars and to the rules and principles of international law as described in Section 10.3 above), the Government undertakes and affirms that it shall not nationalize or expropriate (or with respect to any of the following take any measures equivalent to nationalization or expropriation):
| (a) | any Infrastructure or other property, movable or immovable, owned by Golden Ridge or subject to its right to possess or use, and whether in its possession or in the possession of its Affiliates, agents, representatives or contractors; |
| (b) | minerals in any form resulting from the Operations; |
| (c) | any equity, shares or ownership interests of whatever nature held in or owned or issued by Golden Ridge or its Affiliates; |
| (d) | any structure or entity put in place by Golden Ridge in connection with Production; and |
| (e) | any capital invested by Golden Ridge in Ghana. |
Any action taken by the Government pursuant to the Constitution of Ghana as described above, or any other action by the Government in violation of the terms of this Section shall each entitle Golden Ridge in addition to any other remedy provided by Law, international law or otherwise by this Agreement, to prompt payment by the Government equivalent to the fair market value of the investment, asset or property nationalized or expropriated immediately before the nationalization or expropriation (or the measures tantamount to nationalization or expropriation) took place or was announced.
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| 15.4 | Peaceful enjoyment |
The Government hereby warrants the title to, possession and peaceful enjoyment by Golden Ridge of all rights granted by this Agreement and all of its property in Ghana in accordance with Law.
| 15.5 | Due Authorization |
Each Party represents and warrants that it has all necessary power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement.
| 15.6 | Production Area |
The Akyem Production Area shall be the area covered by and subject to the Akyem Mining Lease. Golden Ridge may apply for the extension of the term of the Akyem Mining Lease for such additional term as permitted by Law, and the Government agrees that it will not unreasonably refuse any application for an extension made by Golden Ridge up to the maximum period permitted by Law, upon a showing that sufficient Mineral reserves remain that will permit Golden Ridge to carry out Operations for the additional term requested.
| 15.7 | Right to Export Minerals and Other Rights |
| (a) | Under the Akyem Mining Lease and under this Agreement, Golden Ridge has the exclusive right, subject to Law, to: |
| (i) | export and sell, without restriction by the Government or any other Person, Minerals obtained from Operations in a Production Area to any Person in any country or state, |
| (ii) | carry on Exploration for Minerals within each Production Area, |
| (iii) | mine Minerals within each such Production Area, |
| (iv) | subject to Section 7.2 (a), receive all income and proceeds from the export or sale of Minerals and to deposit them in banks within Ghana and outside of Ghana of its own choosing; and |
| (v) | exercise any other rights provided by Law to the holder of a Mining Lease. |
| (b) | The Government, acting through the Minister, and subject to the agreement of Golden Ridge acting in its sole discretion, may purchase quantities of gold from Golden Ridge on a basis to be decided upon by the Parties at such time, provided that the price at which the gold may be purchased shall be based on the London PM Fix on the day of the proposed purchase. |
| 15.8 | Surrender of Production Area |
Golden Ridge may at any time surrender all or part of a Production Area on the terms of the Akyem Mining Lease, on giving the Minister Notice within the time and in accordance with the process specified by Law. After surrender of all or any part of a Production Area, the Akyem Mining Lease shall terminate with respect to the area surrendered.
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| 15.9 | Environmental Compliance and Reclamation |
Golden Ridge shall conduct Operations in order to limit to the extent practicable, adverse impacts to the environment and to comply with Law.
| 15.10 | Right to Additional Areas |
| (a) | Golden Ridge directly or through an Affiliate, and as permitted by Law, may select as additional areas to the Contract Area (the “Additional Areas”), any unencumbered areas that have a geological relationship to adjoining Production Areas or into which extend geological trends from the Contract Area or from the geographic boundaries of any Mineral body discovered in the Contract Area. |
| (b) | On and from the date of approval by the Minister of the selection, the selected Additional Areas shall become part of the Contract Area and the rights and obligations of Golden Ridge shall be increased proportionately to take into account those Additional Areas. |
| 16. | CONDUCT OF OPERATIONS |
Golden Ridge may conduct Operations by itself or through agents and contractors and shall do so in a manner consistent with Law and as required (a) by the terms of this Agreement and (b) by the terms of the Akyem Mining Lease, except to the extent that such terms are inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement in which case the terms of this Agreement shall govern the rights and duties of the Parties.
| 17. | LAND AND FACILITIES |
| 17.1 | Surface Rights |
| (a) | Golden Ridge may, under the Akyem Mining Lease and subject to the requirements of Law, enter upon and utilize all land within the Contract Area for purposes of and incidental to Operations. |
| (b) | Golden Ridge may, in accordance with Law, acquire private land outside the Contract Area that it intends to use for Operations (any such use for Operations being subject to the Minister’s approval or as provided by Law), and once so acquired any such private land shall be deemed a part of the Contract Area during any period of its occupancy and use by Golden Ridge for Operations. |
For the purposes of Section 17.1(b) “private land” shall mean any land other than land subject to a lease granted by this Agreement and includes any creeks, streams, rivers, and bodies of water and their residue contained on such land, that is owned by any Person except the Government, or as to which any Person except the Government or Golden Ridge has a right of possession recognized by Law.
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| 17.2 | Limitation on Exploration and Production |
Nothing contained in this Section 17 shall be construed to permit Golden Ridge to explore for Minerals or to produce Minerals found in any land that is not within a Production Area.
| 17.3 | Mining Plant and the use of Public Infrastructure |
| (a) | Golden Ridge may, subject to Law, acquire, construct, install, maintain and operate a Mining Plant and other Infrastructure reasonably required for Operations. |
| (b) | Golden Ridge may use public Infrastructure, owned, operated or provided by the Government, or by any other Person under license or authority of the Government, to the same extent that those facilities may be used by others to meet the needs of Golden Ridge with respect to Operations. The Government shall ensure that any charges for the use by Golden Ridge of public Infrastructure, as well as other terms and conditions for such use, are fair and reasonable and are not more onerous than those that are generally applicable to others using similar public Infrastructure in a similar manner. |
| (c) | To the extent reasonable in connection with Operations, Golden Ridge may integrate any item of Mining Plant with similar items of public Infrastructure, where it is reasonable and lawful to do so, and subject to prior consultation with the Government. |
The Government reserves the right to construct roads, highways, railroads, telegraph and telephone lines and other lines of communication within the Contract Area, on reasonable Notice to and after consultation with Golden Ridge. In the event of such construction, the Government shall, within sixty (60) days after receipt of an invoice from Golden Ridge compensate it for any damage caused to Golden Ridge property and shall indemnify and hold Golden Ridge harmless from any claims by third parties arising from the construction. The Government shall not engage in such construction if the effect of doing so will be to disrupt or interrupt the conduct of Operations of Golden Ridge.
| 00.0 | Xxxxxxxx Xxxx |
Xxxxxx Xxxxx shall pay ground rent at the rates required by Law for land in a Production Area to the owner of any land subject to a Mineral Lease except for annual ground rent for Stool Lands, which shall be paid to the Person designated by Law. “Stool Lands” shall be lands designated as such by Law.
| 17.5 | Payment |
Ground rent shall be payable annually in advance within the time required by Law, and if no such time is specified for payment, then ground rent shall be paid on or before January 15th of the Financial Year for which payment is being made, or, with respect to the first Financial Year after the Effective Date, within ninety (90) days after the Effective Date.
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| 18. | HEALTH AND SAFETY |
Golden Ridge shall maintain health and safety standards consistent with International Standards, its own best practices and the requirements of Law (including regular safety training instruction for its employees) in connection with Operations and shall report to the Government on an incident or periodic basis as may be required by Law.
| 19. | CONFIDENTIALITY |
| 19.1 | Confidential Information |
All information, reports, and documents exchanged between, received or acquired by the Parties in the context of this Agreement, including those conveying geological information, Mineral reserves, sales data, Production data, the amount set aside as a reserve for reclamation, financial information and data and all other information related to Operations shall be considered and treated as confidential information, subject to Section 19.2 below and applicable Law. The Parties agree not to divulge this confidential information to any other Person without the prior written consent of the other Party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) except in the following cases:
| (a) | where the information is used by one Party in the course of arbitration or court proceedings against the other party; |
| (b) | where such information is made available to a third party providing services to either Party if that third party undertakes an obligation to treat the information as confidential and use it only for the specified purposes; |
| (c) | where the information is provided to a bank or another financial organization from which Golden Ridge receives financial assets, under the condition that the bank or financial organization undertakes an obligation to treat the information as confidential and use it only for the specified purposes; |
| (d) | where disclosure of the information is required in accordance with this Agreement or with Law, or with the laws of other jurisdictions applicable to Golden Ridge or its Affiliates (including securities legislation that requires disclosure in the jurisdiction of incorporation of an Affiliate); or |
| (e) | where the information is requested by a third party that is interested in acquiring an interest in Golden Ridge or an Affiliate, subject to the third party undertaking an obligation to be subject to the confidentiality obligation in this Section 19. |
| 19.2 | Public Information |
The obligation of confidentiality stipulated in Section 19.1 above shall not apply to information exchanged between the Parties that is in the public domain.
| 20. | INDEMNIFICATION |
Any breach of an obligation in this Agreement by either Party entitles the Party aggrieved by the breach to be indemnified by the other Party in an amount equal to the damage suffered by
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the aggrieved Party subject to the limitations of Section 24. If a Party is required to make additional payments, including payments of Taxes and Duties, because of an inability by the Government to perform for the reasons set forth in this section or a breach as described in this Section 20, then the Party so required shall, upon an award pursuant to any arbitration under Section 24 with respect to its right to indemnification hereunder, be entitled to set off the amount of such additional payments against any obligation it may have to make any payments to the other Party, including payments of Taxes and Duties.
| 21. | ENCUMBRANCE |
Golden Ridge may mortgage, charge or otherwise encumber all or part of its interest under this Agreement to raise, from one or more Affiliates or third parties, financing for its Operations and other obligations under this Agreement. The Government agrees that in the event of default by Golden Ridge a Person who holds such mortgage, charge or other encumbrance may either conduct Operations to the same extent and on the same basis as Golden Ridge if it is qualified under Law and has demonstrated the technical and financial ability to conduct Operations under this Agreement or, with the prior consent of the Minister, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, and as permitted by Law to exercise any power of sale granted by any such mortgage, charge or other encumbrance.
| 22. | TERMINATION |
| 22.1 | Termination by Golden Ridge |
Golden Ridge shall have the right to terminate this Agreement (including the Akyem Mining Lease) at any time, either in its entirety or as to any part of the Contract Area, (the latter as provided for by Section 15.8), provided that in the case of termination of this Agreement in its entirety, such termination will be effective 270 days after giving Notice to the Government. Such termination shall be without prejudice to any obligation or liability incurred by Golden Ridge or an Affiliate hereunder prior to the effective date of such termination.
| 22.2 | Termination by the Government |
The Government shall have the right to terminate this Agreement (including the Akyem Mining Lease) only as provided herein and subject to the provisions of Section 24, if any of the following events (hereinafter called “Events of Default”) shall occur and continue:
| (a) | Golden Ridge fails in a material way to comply with its obligations under this Agreement and the failure has a materially adverse effect on the Government; |
| (b) | Golden Ridge: |
| (i) | voluntarily makes an assignment of all or substantially all of its assets for the benefit of creditors other than an assignment made to secure indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business, |
| (ii) | files a petition or application to any tribunal for the appointment of a trustee or receiver for all or any substantial part of its assets, |
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| (iii) | files or commences proceedings for its bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement or insolvency under the laws of any jurisdiction, or if any such petition or application is filed, or any such proceedings are commenced against it, and Golden Ridge indicates its approval thereof, consent thereto or acquiescence therein, or |
| (iv) | if any order is entered appointing a trustee or receiver for Golden Ridge, or adjudicating it bankrupt or insolvent, or approving a petition in any such proceedings, and Golden Ridge permits such order to remain in effect for more than ninety (90) days; or |
| (c) | Golden Ridge ceases Production with respect to all Production Areas, for a period of twenty-four (24) consecutive months unless the failure or cessation is caused by or consented to by the Government or is caused by Force Majeure. |
| 22.3 | Opportunity to Cure |
The Government shall provide Notice to Golden Ridge of an alleged occurrence of an Event of Default on the grounds described in Section 22.2 above and of the Government’s position on the matter and shall offer Golden Ridge a fair opportunity to consult with the Government to resolve the matter. If, after a reasonable period of consultation, the Government is of the opinion that the matter cannot be resolved by further consultation, the Government may send to Golden Ridge Notice of the Government’s intention to terminate this Agreement with respect to Golden Ridge. If the Event of Default is not cured within sixty (60) days after the Notice, or within such longer period as may be necessary to allow a reasonable period of time to effect the cure, then this Agreement shall be terminated with respect to the Party.
| 22.4 | Disputes Regarding Events of Default |
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 22.3, if Golden Ridge disputes whether there has been an Event of Default and refers such dispute to arbitration in accordance with Section 24, or demands non-binding mediation and/or conciliation as required by Section 24.1, within sixty (60) days after receipt of the Government’s Notice of its intention to terminate, termination of this Agreement shall not take effect until the conclusion of the arbitration or non-binding mediation and/or conciliation processes, and shall be in accordance either with an accord reached by the Parties after any mediation or conciliation or with an arbitration award upholding the Government’s right to terminate.
| 23. | DISPOSITION OF ASSETS |
On termination of this Agreement, in its entirety the Mining Plant shall remain the property of Golden Ridge and may be transferred to an Affiliate or to a third party within or outside Ghana in accordance with Law. The Government may also require Golden Ridge to remove from the Contract Area any Mining Plant, including unusable assets, which are within the Contract Area after termination.
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| 24. | ARBITRATION |
| 24.1 | Submission to Arbitration |
Any dispute between the Government and Golden Ridge that arises out of, in relation to or in connection with this Agreement or its formation, or the validity, interpretation, performance, termination, enforceability or breach of this Agreement (including any dispute concerning whether the Government or Golden Ridge has violated or is in breach of this Agreement or of any Law affecting the rights, obligations or duties of any Party under this Agreement), for which resolution by submission to an expert is not specifically provided elsewhere in this Agreement shall be exclusively and finally settled by binding arbitration pursuant to the Convention and in accordance with the rules of the Centre in effect on the Effective Date except to the extent in conflict with this Section 24 which shall prevail under those circumstances, provided that in any event the law governing the rights of the Parties under this Agreement shall be determined as set forth in Section 10.3 above. Prior to the submission of any dispute to arbitration the Parties shall consult and negotiate with each other and use any non-binding mediation or conciliation processes available in Ghana and, recognizing their mutual interests, attempt to reach a satisfactory solution, provided that any such procedures need not take place in Ghana but on demand by any Party shall take place in such other venue as the Parties may agree or if they cannot agree then in London, England (provided that the travel and accommodation costs of the other Party shall be borne as provided in Section 24.5 below by the Party making the demand that the mediation or conciliation take place elsewhere than in Accra, Ghana). The Parties agree that the period set aside for mediation shall not however bar a Party from applying for urgent interim relief. In any event if the Parties do not reach settlement within a period of 120 days after the date on which by Notice one Party has informed the other of its intention to seek arbitration of a dispute as provided hereunder, then, upon further Notice by any party to the other, any unresolved claim shall proceed to arbitration pursuant to this Section 24.
The Parties agree that Golden Ridge’s Operations under this Agreement constitute an “investment” due to, inter alia, the expenditure of a considerable amount of money in Ghana, the long term nature of the Agreement and the investment into Ghana’s infrastructure and that for purposes of Article 25(1) of the Convention, any dispute subject to this Section 24 is a legal dispute arising directly out of an investment. Either of the Parties to this dispute may institute arbitration proceedings by giving Notice to the other Party and Notice to the Secretary-General of the Centre including in each a statement of the issues in dispute.
If the Centre refuses to register any Request for Arbitration or a tribunal declines jurisdiction under Article 25 of the Convention, then the Parties agree to arbitrate under the UNCITRAL Rules.
| 24.2 | Nationality for Purposes of Arbitration |
Notwithstanding the incorporation in Ghana of Golden Ridge or of any of its successors or assignees, or of any of its other Affiliates, all these entities shall be treated under this Section 24 as if they were nationals of the United States of America for purposes of any arbitration pursuant to the Convention and of this Agreement,
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provided such entities are or are controlled by nationals of the United States of America, except that Golden Ridge and any other such entity may, alternatively, elect to be treated instead as a national of any other state of which, under the Convention, international law or the law of such state, it is a national.
| 24.3 | Arbitrators |
Any arbitral tribunal constituted pursuant to this Agreement shall consist of one (1) arbitrator to be appointed by the Government, one (1) arbitrator to be appointed by Golden Ridge and one (1) arbitrator, who shall be the president of the tribunal and shall be a citizen neither of Ghana nor of the United States of America (or of any other state of which a Party is a national under Section 24.2), to be appointed by the Secretary-General of the Centre. In making such appointment the Secretary-General shall not be limited to making an appointment from the Panel of Arbitrators. No such arbitrator shall have an interest in the matters in dispute.
| 24.4 | Referee |
At the request of a Party, any matter otherwise subject to arbitration under this Agreement shall instead be referred for resolution to a single referee to be appointed by the Secretary-General of the Centre, or of any successor entity as stipulated in Section 24.10 below, except for any dispute arising out of or related to Sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 5.3, 6, 7.2, 8, 9, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 15.3, 15.4, 15.6, 15.7, 15.8, 15.10, 20, 22, 24 or 26 of this Agreement, which must be referred to arbitrators appointed under Section 24.3 above unless the Parties jointly agree that any such dispute is not material, in which event it may be referred to the referee for decision at the option of either party. The referee shall act qua expert determiner and not as arbitrator. The decision of the referee shall be rendered pursuant to Section 24.9 of this Agreement (except as regards the requirement for a decision by majority vote) and shall be final and binding unless appealed by any Party to arbitrators appointed as provided in this Section 24.4 who shall examine the referee’s decision only as to manifest disregard of law, findings of fact that are not supported by any credible evidence, and abuse of authority, misconduct or other unauthorized act by the referee.
| 24.5 | Venue |
Without prejudice to Article 62 of the Convention, and except as the Parties may otherwise agree in writing, the Seat shall be as provided by the Convention. However, the venue of any hearing conducted pursuant to this Agreement shall be Accra, Ghana, provided that at the demand of either Party any such hearing may be held either at a place mutually agreed to by the Parties or in London, England. However, should either party demand that the hearing take place elsewhere than in Accra, Ghana, then the party making that demand shall be responsible to pay the reasonable transport and accommodation costs for the representative of the other Party and of its legal counsel as well for such witnesses resident in Accra, Ghana as the arbitral tribunal shall determine must appear in person before it to provide testimony. The arbitration proceedings shall be conducted in the English language. Subject to Section 24.6 below, and except as otherwise provided in this Section 24.5, the arbitral tribunal shall decide how the costs of the proceedings shall be assessed against and borne by the Parties. Any procedural issues that cannot be determined under the arbitral rules of the Centre shall be determined pursuant to Law. Notwithstanding the venue of the hearing, the law governing the rights of the Parties under this Agreement shall be determined as set forth in Section 10.3 above.
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| 24.6 | Award |
The arbitrators shall, by majority vote, render a written decision stating the reasons for their award within the time required by the applicable rules of the Centre or such different period as the Parties shall agree. Any monetary award shall be assessed and payable in Dollars (determined at the Prevailing Market Rate of Exchange as of the date of the award if the award involved an obligation expressed in any currency other than Dollars). Payment shall be through a bank designated by the recipient, and in the case of an award to Golden Ridge, shall be exempt from any Taxes and Duties imposed upon such award by the Government. Each Party shall bear its own costs and attorney fees. Neither Party shall have any liability for either consequential damages (except for purposes of set off) or exemplary or punitive damages, but interest shall be at a rate that does not to exceed the London Interbank Offering Rate (LIBOR) existing at the time of such award, plus 6 percent per annum, multiplied by the amount of the award, shall be assessed from the date of any monetary award until its satisfaction. If LIBOR should cease to be reported, then the rate to be applied shall be another substitute rate agreed to by a majority of the arbitrators.
| 24.7 | Waiver of Defences |
The Government hereby agrees not to claim and irrevocably waives any defense of sovereign or other immunity or of the act of state doctrine to a claim asserted under this Agreement including all claims of immunity from any suit, execution or attachment. In addition, both Parties waive all defenses to the arbitrators’ jurisdiction or any other legal process and from the enforcement of any arbitral or other award rendered by a tribunal or other Person constituted pursuant to this Agreement. The Parties hereby submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of any state or nation in relation to the recognition and/or execution of any arbitral award rendered pursuant to this Agreement, and waive and agree not to claim immunity from the jurisdiction of the courts of any nation or state in relation to the recognition of any such arbitral award.
| 24.8 | Reservation of Rights |
The right to refer a claim or dispute to arbitration under this Agreement shall not be affected by the fact that a claimant or respondent has received full or partial compensation from another Person for a loss or injury that is the object of the claim or dispute, and any such other Person may participate in such proceedings by right of subrogation.
| 24.9 | Nature of Award |
The Parties agree that the arbitral award of any arbitral tribunal constituted under this Agreement may contain orders for specific performance and other equitable relief or monetary damages in respect of or affecting any of the Parties (as well as any loss or damage suffered by any of them). The Parties shall take all such actions as are necessary to give full and complete effect to the award which, in accordance with its terms, shall be binding upon and enforceable against them.
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| 24.10 | Successors |
The consent to the jurisdiction of the Centre as stipulated in this Section 24 shall equally bind any successor of or successors-in-interest to either Party to this Agreement. If the Centre is replaced by, or if its functions are substantially conferred upon or transferred to, any other international body of a similar type and competence, the Parties may submit any dispute to that body for settlement by arbitration in accordance with the provisions of this Section 24.
| 25. | NOTICES |
| 25.1 | Written Communication |
Any orders, approvals, declarations and notices of any kind between the Parties which are required, expressly authorized or provided for under this Agreement (referred to as a “Communication”) shall be in writing and delivered by hand, by fax, by electronic mail, by postage prepaid registered mail, by any other means of communication agreed upon by the Parties, or under Section 25.3. A duly authorized representative of the Party who dispatches the Communication shall also sign the Communication.
| 25.2 | Delivery |
A delivery of a Communication to a Party shall be deemed to have occurred in any one of the following circumstances:
| (a) | if the Communication has been sent under Section 25.3 below; |
| (b) | where a duly authorized representative of the Government, in the case of the Government, or a corporate officer of Golden Ridge, in the case of Golden Ridge, has signed a return receipt of registered mail; |
| (c) | where a fax or electronic mail confirmation of receipt has been electronically issued to the sender by a receiving device at a fax number or at an authorized electronic mail address indicating receipt of a Communication sent via fax or electronic mail; |
| (d) | where verification of receipt of the Communication has been obtained in any manner specifically agreed to in writing by the Parties; or |
| (e) | where a Party has directly or indirectly acknowledged receipt of the Communication in writing. |
| 25.3 | Address |
All Communications from the Government to Golden Ridge shall be addressed as follows:
The Managing Director
Newmont Golden Ridge Limited,
Slot Number 00/00 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx Area
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PMB Airport Post Office
Accra, Ghana
All Communications from Golden Ridge to the Government shall be addressed as follows:
The Minister
Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources
X X Xxx X000
Xxxxxxxxxx
Xxxxx, Xxxxx
And
The Minister
Ministry of Finance & Economic Planning
XX Xxx XX 00
Xxxxx, Xxxxx
| 25.4 | Copies of Communications |
A copy of each Communication from one Party to the other may also be sent by the deposit of the copy in the United States mail, postage prepaid, registered or certified, to the following addresses:
As to Government:
The Ambassador of Ghana to the United States of America
Embassy of the Republic of Ghana
0000 Xxxxxxxxxxxxx Xx. X.X.
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
XXX
As to Golden Ridge:
Newmont Mining Corporation
0000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxx’s Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
XXX
Attn: The General Counsel, Legal Department
| 25.5 | Change of Address |
Either Party may upon prior Notice to the other Party change the designation of the Person named to receive Communications from the other Party, the address or fax number of the office in Ghana, in the United States or elsewhere authorized to receive such Communications or the address or addresses or fax number or numbers of the offices to which copies of Communications from one party to the other are to be delivered.
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| 26. | FORCE MAJEURE |
| 26.1 | Application |
In the event of a Party being rendered unable, in whole or in part, by Force Majeure to carry out any obligation under this Agreement, other than an obligation to make payments of money that accrued before the commencement of Force Majeure, the Person shall give Notice and the particulars of the Force Majeure in writing to the other Parties as soon as practicable after the occurrence of the cause relied on. The obligation of the Party giving the Notice, insofar as it is affected by the Force Majeure, shall be suspended during the continuance of such inability. The inability shall be remedied with all reasonable dispatch, as far as practicable. The time periods specified in this Agreement for the performance of obligations or the enjoyment of rights that are affected by Force Majeure, except in connection with an obligation to make payments of money that accrued prior to the commencement of Force Majeure, but including the term of this Agreement, shall be extended by the period of time the inability caused by such Force Majeure exists.
| 26.2 | Definition |
The term “Force Majeure” as used in this Agreement shall mean acts of God, accidents, wars, acts of war, invasions, acts of public enemies, hostilities (whether war is declared or not), restrictions on trade or other activities imposed by any sovereign, embargoes, blockades, revolutions, riots, civil commotions, acts of terrorism, sabotage, strikes and/or other industrial, labor or employer-employee disputes (if not cured for a period of more than two (2) months), market conditions or other factors that render Production uneconomic, fires, explosions, earthquakes or any other natural disasters, expropriation of facilities or goods, epidemics, public health emergencies and any similar cause, provided that any such cause was beyond the reasonable control of the Party claiming suspension and could not have been avoided or overcome by the Party through the exercise of due diligence.
| 26.3 | No Required Settlement |
Nothing in Sections 26.1 or 26.2 above shall, in and of itself, be construed to require Golden Ridge to settle any strike, lockout or other labor or industrial dispute except as may be required by Law.
| 27. | ENTIRE AGREEMENT - MODIFICATIONS |
| 27.1 | Entire Agreement |
This Agreement, including the Appendices attached to it, represents the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes any previous oral and written negotiations and agreements, except for such rights and obligations of the Parties under the 2003 Agreement that relate to activities prior to the Effective Date which shall remain subject to the terms of the 2003 Agreement.
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| 27.2 | Amendment |
Any modification or amendment of any terms of this Agreement shall be by the mutual written agreement of the Parties and, except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, shall not become effective until ratified by Parliament. However, by written agreement, the Parties may amend and alter the terms and provisions of an Appendix to this Agreement, and take any other action or decision left to their mutual or individual discretion by the terms of this Agreement at any time throughout the duration of this Agreement, without the approval of Parliament.
| 28. | ASSIGNMENT AND SUCCESSION |
The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors, beneficiaries and assignees of the Parties. The rights and obligations of the Parties under this Agreement shall not be affected by a corporate merger, consolidation, amalgamation, or other acquisition or change in control of any Affiliate or parent entity of Golden Ridge.
| 29. | SURVIVAL PROVISION |
Notwithstanding termination of this Agreement by either Party or for any reason, including a termination due to a finding that this Agreement or a portion thereof is void, invalid, or unenforceable, Sections 1, 10.3, 15.3, 20, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 29 shall survive such termination and shall remain effective as to any matters which are the subject of this Agreement or which arise out of, in relation to or in connection with this Agreement. This termination shall be without prejudice to rights, duties and obligations that have accrued before termination. Despite the termination, provisions of this Agreement that are reasonably necessary for the full enjoyment and enforcement of the rights, duties and obligations shall survive for the period necessary.
| 30. | NON-WAIVER OF RIGHTS |
The non-exercise or partial exercise by a Party of any of its rights under the terms of this agreement shall not in any case constitute a waiver of that right.
| 31. | SEVERABILITY |
If any provision of this Agreement is or becomes illegal, invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, the remaining provisions shall nevertheless remain valid and subsisting and shall be construed as if this Agreement had been executed without the illegal, invalid or unenforceable portion.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have signed this Agreement, through their respective duly authorized representatives, on the day, month and year indicated below.
| SIGNED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF THE | ] | |||||
| REPUBLIC OF GHANA acting by | ] | |||||
| NII XXXX XXXXX, the Minister of Lands | ] | /s/ Nii Xxxx Xxxxx | ||||
| and Natural Resources who by this execution | ] |
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| Warrants to the other party that he is duly | ] | |||||
| Authorized and empowered to enter into this | ] | |||||
| Agreement in the presence of: | ] | |||||
| /s/ Xxxx. Xxxxx Banoerf Yakido | ||||||
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| /s/ Akilagpa Sawyerr | ||||||
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| SIGNED BY THE WITHIN-NAMED | ] | |||||
| NEWMONT GOLDEN RIDGE LIMITED by | ] | |||||
| XXXXX XXXXXXXX, its Managing Director | ] | |||||
| and Senior Vice President African Operations | ] | /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx | ||||
| who by this execution Warrants to the other | ] |
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| party that he is duly authorized and | ] | |||||
| empowered to enter into this Agreement in | ] | |||||
| the presence of: | ] | |||||
| /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx | ||||||
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| /s/ Xxxxxx Agboz | ||||||
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APPENDIX A
AKYEM MINING LEASE
THIS MINING LEASE is made the [ILLEGIBLE] day of [ILLEGIBLE] 2010 between THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA (hereinafter called “the Government”) acting by ALHAJI XXXXXXX XXXXX the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources (hereinafter called “the Minister”) of the one part and NEWMONT GOLDEN RIDGE LIMITED having its registered office at 000/00, XXXXX XXXXXX, XXXX XXXXX XXXXX, PRIVATE MAIL BAG, AIRPORT POST OFFICE, ACCRA, GHANA (hereinafter called “the Company”) of the second part:
WHEREAS:
The Government is desirous of developing its mineral resources in such manner as will ensure that the maximum possible benefits accrue to the nation from the exploitation of minerals and has agreed to grant the Company a Mining Lease on the terms and conditions hereinafter following:
NOW THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSETH THAT:
| 1. | GRANT OF MINING RIGHTS |
| (a) | The Government hereby grants to the Company mining rights to ALL that piece of land described in the schedule hereto and more particularly delineated on the Plan attached and shown edged red (hereinafter called “the Lease Area”) together with mines, beds, seams, veins, channels and strata of gold lying and being within and under the surface for a term of fifteen (15) years from the of this Agreement. Such term shall be renewable from time to time in accordance with the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006, (Act 703). |
| (b) | The Government hereby grants to the Company the exclusive rights to work, develop and produce gold in the Lease Area for the said term of fifteen (15) years (including, the processing storing and transportation of ore and materials together with the rights and powers reasonably incidental thereto) subject to the provisions of this Agreement; |
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| (c) | The Company shall not, however, conduct any operations in a sacred area and shall not, without the prior consent in writing of the Minister conduct any operations: |
| (i) | within 50 yards of any building, installation, reservoir of dam, public road, railway or area appropriated for railway; |
| (ii) | in an area occupied by a market, burial ground cemetery or Government office, or situated within a town or village or set apart for, used, appropriated or dedicated to a public purpose. |
| (d) | (i) | The Company shall complete the process of land acquisition, crop compensation and compensation or resettlement of project affected persons including residents, owners or lawful occupiers of land within two years from the date of this Mining Lease (hereinafter referred to as “Phase One”). |
| (ii) | Within two years after the completion of Phase One (hereinafter referred to as “Phase Two”), the Company shall commence commercial production of gold. |
| (iii) | In any event, Phase One and Phase Two shall not exceed 4 years. |
| (iv) | The Company shall, during Phase One and Phase Two, furnish an annual progress report to the Minister and the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission summarizing relevant activities that have taken place in the Lease Area during each Phase. |
| (e) | The Company shall conduct its operations in a manner consistent with good commercial mining practices so as not to interfere unreasonably with vegetation in the Lease Area or with the customary rights and privileges of persons to farm, xxxx and snare game, gather firewood for domestic purposes or to collect snails. |
| (f) | The public shall be permitted at their sole risk to use without charge, any road constructed by the Company in the Lease Area, in a manner consistent with good mining practices, safety and |
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| security, provided that such use does not unreasonably interfere with the operations of the Company hereunder and provided also that such permission shall not extend to areas enclosed for mining operations. |
| (g) | Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to confer any rights on the Company conflicting with provisions contained in the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006, (Act 703) or to permit the Company to dispense with the necessity of applying for and obtaining any permit or authorization which the Company may be required by law or regulation to obtain in respect of any work or activity proposed to be carried out hereunder. |
Notwithstanding the above, the parties to this Agreement are also parties to an Investment Agreement dated 17th December 2003 and ratified by the Parliament of the Republic of Ghana on 18th December 2003. The parties acknowledge that they have agreed to review and possibly amend certain aspects of the Investment Agreement. Therefore, for the avoidance of any doubt, in the event of any difference between the terms of this Mining Lease and those of the Investment Agreement, (including any amendment thereof), the parties hereby agree that the terms of the Investment Agreement (and as it may be amended) shall govern the rights and the obligations of the parties.
| 2. | GRANT OF RIGHTS TO THIRD PARTIES IN THE MINING AREA: |
| (a) | Subject to satisfactory arrangements between the Government and the Company, the Government shall grant the first option to the Company to work minerals other than gold and silver discovered in the Lease Area. |
| (b) | Failing such satisfactory arrangements between the Government and the Company, the Government reserves the right to grant licences to third parties to prospect for or to enter into agreements for the production of minerals other than gold and silver in the Lease Area, provided that any such activity shall not unreasonably interfere with the rights granted to the Company hereunder. |
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| 3. | POWER OF GOVERNMENT TO EXCLUDE PARTS OF THE MINING AREA: |
| (a) | The Government may by reasonable notice in writing to the Company exclude from the Lease Area, at any time and from time to time, any part which may be required for any stated public purpose whatsoever, provided that: |
| (i) | The parts so excluded shall not have a surface area in the aggregate greater than ten percent of the Lease Area. |
| (ii) | Any parts of the Lease Area so excluded shall continue to form part of the Lease Area subject to this Agreement. |
| (iii) | except that no mining operations shall be conducted on the parts so excluded. |
| (iv) | No part of the Lease Area shall be so excluded in respect of which the Company shall have given prior notice specifying that such part is required for mining operations hereunder or on which active operations have commenced or are in progress (such as digging, construction, installation or other works related to gold and silver mining) but, in lieu thereof, a part equal in area to any such part shall be excluded for such public purposes; and |
| (v) | The Government shall not take to itself or grant to third parties the right to mine gold and silver from any part so excluded. |
| (b) | The company shall be relieved of all liabilities or obligations hereunder in respect of any part excluded under this paragraph except liabilities or obligations accrued prior to such exclusion. |
| 4. | WORK OBLIGATION: |
The Company shall continuously operate in the Lease Area in accordance with good mining practices until such time as the reserves or deposits may be exhausted or the mine can no longer be economically worked or until this Agreement expires, whichever shall be sooner.
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| 5. | CONDUCT OF OPERATIONS: |
| (a) | The Company shall conduct all of its operations hereunder with due diligence, efficiency, safety and economy, in accordance with good mining practices and in a proper and workmanlike manner, observing sound technical and engineering principles using appropriate modern and effective equipment, machinery, materials and methods, and pay particular regard to conservation of resources, reclamation of land and environmental protection generally. |
| (b) | The Company shall mine and extract ore in accordance with paragraph 5(a) herein utilizing methods, which include dredging, quarrying, pitting, trenching, stopping and shaft sinking in the Lease Area. |
| (c) | The company shall maintain all equipment in good and safe condition, normal wear and tear excluded, and shall keep all excavated areas, shafts, pits and trenches in good and safe condition and take all practical steps:- |
| (i) | to prevent damage to adjoining farms and villages; |
| (ii) | to avoid damage to trees, crops, buildings structures and other property in the Lease Area; to the extent, however, that any such damage is necessary or unavoidable, the Company shall pay fair and reasonable compensation. |
(d) The Company shall fence off effectually from the adjoining lands, all pits, shafts and other works made or used under the powers hereof.
| (e) | The company shall as far as is necessary or practicable provide and maintain in good repair and condition roads, gates, xxxxxx and fences for the convenient occupation of the surface of the Lease Area. |
| (f) | The Company shall provide and maintain proper and sufficient drains, culverts, arches and passageways for carrying off any waters which shall arise or be produced or interrupted by any of the works hereby authorized so that the drainage of the Lease Area may not be prevented or prejudiced. |
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| 6. | NOTIFICATION OF DISCOVERY OF OTHER MINERALS: |
| (a) | The Company shall report forthwith to the Minister, the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, the Chief Inspector of Mines, Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission and the Director of Ghana Geological Survey, the discovery in the Lease Area of any other mineral deposits apart from gold and silver and the Company shall be given the first option to prospect further and to work the said minerals, subject to satisfactory arrangements between the Government and the Company. |
| (b) | Failing any such satisfactory arrangements the Company shall not produce any minerals from the Lease Area other than gold and silver except where they are unavoidably linked with the production of gold and silver. |
| 7. | SAMPLES: |
| (a) | The Company shall not during the currency of this agreement remove, dispose of or destroy, except in analyses, any cores or samples obtained from the Lease Area without the prior consent in writing of the Head of the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission. |
| (b) | The Company shall provide the Director of Ghana Geological Survey with such samples from the Lease Area as he may from time to time reasonably request, and shall keep such samples as he may be directed to do so by the Head of the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission. |
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| 8. | HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION: |
| (a) | The Company shall comply with all such reasonable instructions as may from time to time be given by the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission for securing the health and safety of persons engaged in or connected with the operations hereunder. The Company shall adopt all necessary and practical precautionary measures to prevent undue pollution of rivers and other potable water and to ensure that such pollution does not cause harm or destruction to human or animal life or fresh water fish or vegetation. |
| 9. | POWER OF CHIEF INSPECTOR OF MINES OF THE INSPECTORATE DIVISION OF THE MINERALS COMMISSION TO EXECUTE CERTAIN WORKS: |
If the Company shall at any time fail to comply with any provisions of this Agreement or applicable law and such failure is likely, in the opinion of the Chief Inspector of Mines of the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission, to:
| (i) | endanger the health or safety of persons, or |
| (ii) | endanger the environment, or |
| (iii) | cause harm or destruction to potable water; or |
| (iv) | result in damage to mining equipment or other structures or installation; the Head of the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission, shall after giving the Company reasonable notice, execute any works which in his opinion are necessary and practicable in the circumstances and the costs and expenses of such works shall be borne by the Company. |
| 10. | LIABILITY FOR DAMAGE OR INJURY AND INDEMNITY: |
| (a) | Nothing in this Agreement shall exempt the Company from liability for any damage, loss or injury caused to any person, property or interest as a result of the exercise by the Company of any rights or powers granted to it under this Agreement. |
| (b) | The Company shall at all times indemnify the Government and its officers and agents against all claims and liabilities in respect of any loss suffered by or damage done to third parties arising out of the exercise by the Company of any rights or powers granted to it under this Agreement provided that the Company shall not so indemnify the Government, its officers and agents where the claim or liability arises out of the wrongful or negligent acts of the Government, its officers and agents. |
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| 11. | EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING: |
| (a) | Citizens of Ghana shall be given preference for employment by the Company in all phases of its operations hereunder to the maximum possible extent, consistent with safety, efficiency and economy. |
| (b) | Except with respect to unskilled personnel, the Company may employ non-Ghanaian personnel in the conduct of its operations provided that the number of such non-Ghanaian personnel employed shall not exceed the number permitted by applicable law. |
| (c) | The Company shall provide appropriate programmes of instruction and theoretical and practical training to ensure the advancement, development, improved skills and qualification of Ghanaian employees in all categories of employment. |
| 12. | PREFERENCE FOR GHANAIAN GOODS AND SERVICES |
In the conduct of its operations and in the purchase, construction and installation of facilities, the Company shall give preference to:-
| (a) | materials and products made in Ghana, if such materials and products are comparable or better in price, quality and delivery dates than materials and products from foreign sources; |
(b) service agencies located in Ghana owned by Ghanaian citizens or companies organized pursuant to Ghanaian law, including but not limited to, insurance agencies, bidding contractors, import brokers, dealers and agents if such agencies give or provide equal or better price and quality of service than competing foreign firms and can render services at such times as the Company may require.
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| 13. | AFFILIATED COMPANY TRANSACTIONS: |
| (a) | Any services including services in respect of the purchase and acquisition of materials outside Ghana provided by an affiliated company shall be obtained only at a price, which is fair and reasonable. The Company shall, at the request of the Minister, provide such justification of costs as may be required, duly supported by an Auditor’s certificate if necessary. |
| (b) | Any other transactions between the Company and an affiliated company shall be on the basis of competitive international prices and upon such terms and conditions as would be fair and reasonable had such transactions taken place between unrelated parties. |
| (c) | The Company shall notify the Minister of any and all transactions between the Company and an affiliated company and shall supply such details relating to such transactions as the Minister may by notice reasonably require. |
| 14. | TECHNICAL RECORDS: |
| (a) | The Company shall maintain at its registered or mine offices complete records of pits and trenches (location, depths of overburden and gravel and assay value) in the Lease Area in such form as may from time to time be approved by the Chief Inspector of Mines of the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission, Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission and the Director of Ghana Geological Survey. |
| (b) | The Company shall maintain at the said offices copies of all reports including interpretations dealing with gold and silver prospects in the Lease Area in the course of its operations hereunder and copies of all tests and analyses, geological and geophysical maps, diagrams or charts relevant to its operations hereunder. These reports and records may be examined by persons in the service or acting on behalf of the Government and authorized in writing by the Minister. |
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| (c) | The Company shall maintain at the said offices correct and intelligible plans and sections of all mines which plans and sections shall show the operations and workings which have been carried on as well as xxxxx, veins, faults and other disturbances which have been encountered in such workings and operations. All such plans and sections shall be made, amended and completed from actual surveys conducted for that purpose. |
| (d) | Upon expiration or termination of this Agreement or the surrender of any part of the Lease Area, such records and data as are required to be maintained pursuant to this paragraph which relate to the Lease Area, or such part of the Lease Area as may have been surrendered shall be delivered to the Chief Inspector of Mines of the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission, Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission and the Director of Ghana Geological Survey and shall become the property of the Government without charge. |
| 15. | PRODUCTION RECORDS: |
The Company shall maintain at its registered or mine offices complete and accurate technical records of its operations and production in the Lease Area in such form as may from time to time be approved by the Chief Inspector of Mines of the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission.
| 16. | FINANCIAL RECORDS: |
| (a) | The Company shall maintain at its registered or mine offices, detailed and complete accounts and systematic financial records of its operations as may be required by law. The books of account shall show all revenues received by the Company from all sources including its operations hereunder, as well as all its expenditure. |
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The Company shall provide for a clear basis for understanding and relating the financial records and accounts to its operations.
(b) The Company’s books of account shall be kept on the basis of generally accepted accounting principles.
| (c) | The Company shall keep separately records and financial statements in terms of Ghana currency and also in terms of U.S. Dollars or other international currency and may record in foreign currency such claims and liabilities as arise in such foreign currency. |
| (d) | The Company’s books of account shall be audited within six (6) months after the close of each Financial Year by a qualified Accountant and member of the Ghana Institute of Chartered Accountants. Such auditing shall not in any way imply acceptance of its results by the Government or preclude the Government from auditing such books of account. The Company shall deliver to the Minister without charge, copies of all or any part of such financial records as he may from time to time reasonably request. |
| 17. | REPORTS: |
| (a) | The Company shall furnish a report each quarter, to the Minister, the Chief Inspector of Mines of the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission, the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission and the Director of Ghana Geological Survey, in such forms as may from time to time be approved by the Minister, regarding the quantities of gold and silver won in that quarter, quantities sold, the revenue received and royalties payable for that quarter and such other information as may be required. Such reports shall be submitted not later than thirty (30) days after the end of each quarter. |
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(b) The Company shall furnish a report each half-year to the Minister, the Chief Inspector of Mines of the Inspectorate Division, Minerals Commission, the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission and the Director of Ghana Geological Survey in such form as may from time to time be approved by the Minister summarising the results of its operations in the Lease Area during the half-year and records to be kept by the Company pursuant to paragraphs 14, 15 and 16 hereof. Each such report shall include a description of any geological or geophysical work carried out by the Company in that half-year and a plan upon a scale approved by the Head of the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission showing dredging areas and mine workings. Such reports shall be submitted not later than forty (40) days after the half-year to which they relate.
| (c) | The Company shall furnish a report each Financial Year in such form as may from time to time be approved by the Minister to the Chief Inspector of Mines of the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission, the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission and the Director of Ghana Geological Survey Department summarising the results of its operations in the Lease Area during that Financial Year and the records required to be kept by the Company pursuant to paragraphs 14, 15, and 16 hereof. Each such report shall include a description of the proposed operations for the following year with an estimate of the production and revenue to be obtained therefrom. Such reports shall be submitted not later than sixty (60) days after the end of each Financial Year. |
| (d) | The Company shall furnish the Minister, the Chief Inspector of Mines of the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission, the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission and the Director of Ghana Geological Survey not later than three (3) months after the expiration or |
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| termination of this Agreement, with a report giving an account of the geology of the Lease Area including the stratigraphic and structural conditions, together with a geological map on a scale prescribed in the Mining Regulations. |
| (e) | The Company shall furnish the Minister and the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, with a report of the particulars of any proposed alteration to its regulations. The Company shall also furnish the Minister and the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission with a report on the particulars of any fresh issues of shares of its capital stock or borrowings in excess of an amount equivalent to the Stated Capital of the Company. All such reports shall be in such form as the Minister may require and shall be submitted not less than twenty-one (21) days (or such lesser period as the Minister may agree) in advance of any proposed alteration, fresh issue or borrowing, as the case may be. |
| (f) | The Company shall, not later than 180 days after the end of each Financial Year, furnish the Minister and the Chief Executive of the Minerals Commission with a copy each of its annual financial reports including a balance sheet, profit and loss account, and all notes pertaining thereto, duly certified by a qualified accountant who is a member of the Ghana Institute of Chartered Accountants. Such certificate shall not in any way imply acceptance of such reports by the Government or preclude the Government from auditing the Company’s books of account. |
| (g) | The Company shall furnish the Minister, the Chief Inspector of Mines of the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission, the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission and the Director of Ghana Geological Survey with such other reports and information concerning its operations as they may from time to time reasonably require. |
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| 18. | INSPECTION: |
| (a) | Any person or persons in the service of or acting on behalf of the Government and authorized in writing by the Minister shall be entitled at all reasonable times to enter into and upon any part of the Lease Area and the Company’s registered office, for any of the following purposes: |
| (i) | to examine the mine workings, equipment, buildings, installation and any other structures used in the mining operation; |
| (ii) | to inspect the samples which the Company is required to keep in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement; |
| (iii) | to inspect and check the accuracy of the weights and measures and weighing and measuring devices, used or kept by the Company; |
| (iv) | to examine and make abstracts of the books and records kept by the Company pursuant to this Agreement; |
| (v) | to verify or ensure compliance by the Company with all applicable laws and regulations and with its obligations hereunder; |
| (vi) | to execute any works which the Chief Inspector of Mines of the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission may be entitled to execute in accordance with the provisions of the Mining Laws and Regulations of Ghana, or of this Agreement. |
| (b) | The Company shall make reasonable arrangements to facilitate any such work or inspection, including making available employees of the Company to render assistance with respect to any such work or inspection. All such works and inspections shall be listed by the Company in the reports and furnished each half year. |
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| 19. | CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT: |
The Government shall treat all information supplied by the Company hereunder as confidential for a period of five (5) years from the date of submission of such information or upon termination of this Agreement whichever is sooner and shall not reveal such information to third parties except with the written consent of the Company which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Government and persons authorized by the Government may nevertheless use such information received from the Company for the purpose of preparing and publishing general reports on Minerals in Ghana and in connection with any dispute between the Government and the Company.
| 20. | FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS: |
| (a) | Consideration Fees |
The Company shall, in consideration of the grant of the Mining Lease pay to Government an amount of US$30,000.00 (thirty thousand U.S. Dollars).
| (b) | Rent: |
The Company shall pay rent (which shall be subject to review) at the rate of GH¢8.20p eight Ghana cedis twenty pesewas) i.e. 50Gp per square kilometre)
| (i) | the said rent shall be paid half yearly in advance on or before the first day of January and on or before the first day of July in each year. |
| (ii) | in the event of a surrender of any part of the Lease Area pursuant to paragraph 25 hereof, no rental payments shall be refunded in whole or in part of any area so surrendered for which yearly rental has been paid in advance or shall rental payments be refunded in the event of termination. |
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| 21. | ROYALTIES: |
| (a) | The Company shall pay to the Government royalty as prescribed by the legislation. |
| (b) | The Company shall pay royalty to the Government each quarter through the Commissioner of Internal Revenue based on the production for that quarter, within thirty (30) days from the end of the quarter. |
Any necessary adjustments shall be made annually within sixty (60) days of the end of each Financial Year, except that any over-payment of royalty shall not be refunded by the Government but shall be credited against royalty due and payable in the next quarter.
| (c) | In the event of a dispute with respect to the amount of royalty payable hereunder, the Company shall first make payment of the lower of the disputed amounts and shall pay forthwith any further royalty which shall be agreed upon or determined to be payable by arbitration in accordance with paragraph 35 hereof. Such further royalty shall carry interest to be agreed upon or at the ruling prime rate in Ghana at the time of the award or agreement to take effect from the date on which such amount ought originally to have been paid. |
| (d) | The Company shall also pay royalty on all timber felled by the Company in accordance with existing legislation. |
| 22. | LATE PAYMENTS: |
| (a) | Anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall, subject to the laws of Ghana, pay as penalty for any late payment of any amounts due to the Government hereunder, an additional amount calculated at the Bank of Ghana re-discount rate for every thirty-day period or part thereof for the period of the delay in paying the amounts, that is to say, the period between the actual payment date and the date on which each such payment should have been made. |
| (b) | In the event the Company shall fail to make payment to the Government of any amount due hereunder, the Government without prejudice to any other rights and remedies to which it may be entitled, may, after giving 30 days notice in writing, enter into and upon the Lease Area and seize and distrain and sell as landlords may do for rent in arrears, all or any of the stocks of gold and silver produced therefrom, and the plant and equipment, materials and supplies belonging to the Company which shall be thereon; and out of the monies obtained from the sale in respect of such distress may retain and pay all of the arrears of any amounts due hereunder and the costs and expenses incidental to any such distress and sale and deliver up the surplus (if any) to the Company. |
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| 23. | TAXATION: |
| (a) | The Company shall not be required to deduct or withhold any taxes from any payment made from its external account of which is authorized under the terms of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) of: |
(i) any interest or other costs or fees paid in respect of any borrowing by or on behalf of the company in foreign currency for the project;
(ii) any dividends paid to the shareholders.
| (b) | Save for the above, the Company shall pay tax in accordance with the laws of Ghana. |
| 24. | FOREIGN EXCHANGE: |
All foreign exchange transactions shall be in accordance with the laws of Ghana.
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| 25. | SURRENDER: |
| (a) | The Company may surrender at any time and from time to time, by giving not less than two months’ notice to the Minister, all its rights hereunder in respect of any part of the Lease Area not larger in the aggregate than 20% of the said Area. The Company may surrender a larger part of the Lease Area by giving not less than twelve (12) months’ notice to the Minister. The Company shall be relieved of all obligations in respect of the part or parts of the Lease Area so surrendered except those obligations, which accrued prior to the effective date of surrender. |
| (b) | The Company shall leave the part of the Lease Area surrendered and everything thereon in a good and safe condition, provided, however that the Company shall have no such obligations for areas surrendered on which the company has not undertaken any works or which have not been affected by the operations of the Company. The Company shall take all reasonable measures, in accordance with good mining practices to leave the surface of such part of the Lease Area surrendered, in good and usable condition having regard to the ecology, drainage, reclamation and the protection of the environment. In the event that the Company fails to do so, the Minister shall make such part and everything thereon safe and in good, usable condition at the expense of the Company. The provisions of sub-paragraphs (a) and (c) of paragraph 29 hereof shall apply. |
| (c) | The Company shall, on such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon between the Government and the Company, be entitled to such wayleaves, easements or other rights through or across the surrendered part or parts as may be necessary for its operations and such wayleaves shall not form part or be included in the calculation of the area of the retained part. |
| (c) | The Government may require that there be reserved over any part surrendered such wayleaves, easements or other rights as will in its opinion be necessary or convenient to any party to whom the Government may subsequently grant a prospecting licence or mining lease. |
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| 26. | EXTENSION: |
If the Company, not less than six (6) months before the expiration of this Agreement, applies to the Minister for an extension of the term hereof and if the Company shall not be in default at that time in the performance of any of its obligations hereunder, the Company shall be entitled to an extension of the period of this Agreement upon such terms and conditions as the parties may then agree.
| 27. | COMPANY’S RIGHT TO TERMINATE AGREEMENT: |
The Company may, if in its opinion the mine can no longer be economically worked, terminate this Agreement by giving not less than nine (9) months’ notice to the Government. Such termination shall be without prejudice to any obligation or liability incurred by the Company hereunder prior to the effective date of such termination.
| 28. | GOVERNMENT’S RIGHT TO TERMINATE AGREEMENT: |
| (a) | The Government may, subject to the provisions of this paragraph terminate this Agreement if any of the following events shall occur:- |
| (i) | the Company shall fail to make any of the payments provided for in this Agreement on the payment date; |
| (ii) | the Company shall contravene or fail to comply with any other provisions of this Agreement; or |
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| (iii) | the Company shall become insolvent or bankrupt or enter into any agreement or composition with its |
| creditors or take advantage of any law for the benefit of debtors or go into liquidation, whether compulsory or voluntary, except for the purposes of reconstruction or amalgamation; or |
| (iv) | the Company makes a written statement to the Government on any material matter in connection with this Agreement or with its operations which the Company knows to be false or makes recklessly without due regard as to whether it was true or false. |
| (b) | If and whenever the Government decides there are grounds to terminate this Agreement pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) of the preceding sub-paragraph, the Government shall give the Company notice specifying the particular contravention or failure and permit the Company to remedy same within one hundred and twenty (120) days of such notice, or such longer period as the Minister may specify in such notice as being reasonable in the circumstances. |
| (c) | If the Company shall fail to remedy any event specified in clauses and (ii) of sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph within the stated period, or an event specified in clauses (iii) and (iv) of the said sub-paragraph shall occur, the Government may by notice to the Company terminate this Agreement, provided that if the Company disputes whether there has been any contravention or failure to comply with the conditions hereof (including any dispute as to the calculation of payments by the Company to the Government hereunder), and the Company shall, within such period as aforesaid refer the dispute to arbitration in accordance with paragraph 35 hereof and, thereafter, diligently prosecute its claim thereunder, the Government shall not terminate this Agreement except as the same may be consistent with the terms of the arbitration award. |
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| (d) | No delay or omission or course of dealing by the Government shall impair any of its rights hereunder or be construed to be a waiver of any event specified in sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph or an acquiescence therein. |
| (e) | Upon termination of this Agreement, every right of the Company hereunder shall cease (save as otherwise specifically provided hereunder) but subject nevertheless and without prejudice to any obligation or liability imposed or incurred under this Agreement prior to the effective date of termination and to such rights as the Government may have under the law. |
| 29. | ASSETS ON TERMINATION OR EXPIRATION: |
| (a) | The Company may within six months of the termination of the Mining Lease or a further period allowed by the Minister, remove the mining plant if the mining plant is removed solely for the purpose of use by the Company or a person deriving title through the Company, in another relevant mining activity in the Country. |
| (b) | A mining plant not removed by the Company within two months after notice is given by the Minister to the Company at anytime after expiration of the period referred to in subsection (a), shall vest in the Republic on the expiration of the two month notice period. |
| (c) | Nothing in this Agreement removes or diminishes an obligation that the Company may have under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006, (Act 703), another enactment or a condition of this Agreement to remove a mining plant and rehabilitate the land. |
| (d) | Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Minister, may by notice to the Company require the removal or destruction of any assets of the Company in the Leased Area, and if the |
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| Company does not remove or destroy such assets within a period of thirty (30) days from the date of the Minister’s notice to that effect, the Minister shall cause such removal or destruction at the expense of the Company. |
| (e) | The Company shall take all reasonable measures to ensure that all of the assets to be offered for sale to the Government or transferred to the Government in accordance with this paragraph shall be maintained in substantially the same condition in which they were at the date of the termination or the date on which the Company reasonably knew that such termination would occur and any such assets shall not be disposed of, dismantled or destroyed except as specifically provided for in this paragraph. |
| (f) | Upon the termination or expiration of this Agreement, the Company shall leave the Lease Area and everything thereon in good condition, having regard to the ecology, drainage, reclamation, environmental protection, health and safety; provided however that the Company shall have no obligation in respect of areas where the Company has not undertaken any work or which have not been affected by the Company’s operations. In this connection, unless the Chief Inspector of Mines otherwise directs, the Company shall, in accordance with good mining practices, fill up or fence and make safe all holes and excavations to the reasonable satisfaction of the Chief Inspector of Mines. In addition the Company shall take all reasonable measures to leave the surface of the Lease Area in usable condition and to restore all structures thereon not the property of the Company to their original condition. In the event that the Company fails to do so, the Minister shall restore and make safe the Lease Area and everything thereon at the expense of the Company. |
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| (g) | The Company shall have the right to enter upon the Lease Area for the aforesaid purposes, subject to the rights of surface owners or others, for a period of six (6) months from the effective date of the termination or such longer period as the Minister may decide. |
| (h) | On the termination of this Agreement, the Company shall deliver to the Minister the records which the Company is obliged to maintain under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006, (Act 703); the plans and maps of the area covered by the mining lease prepared by the Company; and other documents, including in electronic format, if available that relate to the mineral right. |
| 30. | FORCE MAJEURE: |
| (a) | For the purpose of this paragraph, force majeure includes acts of God, war, strikes, insurrection, riots, earthquakes, storm, flood or other adverse weather conditions or any other event which the Company could not reasonably be expected to prevent or control, but shall not include any event caused by a failure to observe good mining practices or by the negligence of the Company or any of its employees or contractors. |
| (b) | The Company shall notify the Minister within forty-eight (48) hours of any event of force majeure affecting its ability to fulfil the conditions hereof or of any events, which may endanger the natural resources of Ghana and similarly notify the Government of the restoration of normal conditions within forty-eight hours of such restoration. This provision shall be in addition to any requirements contained in the Mining Regulations in force in Ghana. |
| (c) | All obligations on the part of the Company to comply with any of the conditions herein (except the obligation to make payment of monies due to the Government) shall be |
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| suspended during the period the Company is prevented by force majeure from fulfilling such obligations, the Company having taken all reasonable precautions, due care and reasonable alternative measures with the objective of avoiding such non-compliance and of carrying out its obligations hereunder. The Company shall take all reasonable steps to remove such causes of the inability to fulfil the terms and conditions hereof with the minimum of delay. |
| (d) | The terms of this Agreement shall be extended for a period of time equal to the period or periods during which the company was affected by conditions set forth in the subparagraph (a) and (b) of this paragraph or for such period as may be agreed by the parties. |
| 31. | POLITICAL ACTIVITY: |
The Company shall not engage in political activity of any kind in Ghana or make a donation, gift or grant to any political party. The Company shall make it a condition of employment that no employee, other than a citizen of Ghana shall engage in political activity and shall not make donations, gifts or grants to any political party. In the event of any such employee acting in disregard to this condition, he shall be dismissed forthwith.
| 32. | ADVERTISEMENTS, PROSPECTUSES, ETC: |
Neither the Company nor any affiliated Company shall in any manner claim or suggest, whether expressly or by implication that the Government or any agency or official thereof, has expressed any opinion with respect to gold in the Lease Area and no statement to this effect shall be included in or endorsed on any prospectus notice, circular, advertisement, press release or similar document issued by the Company or any affiliated Company for the purpose of raising new capital.
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| 33. | CO-OPERATION OF THE PARTIES: |
Each of the parties hereto undertake that it will from time to time do all such acts and make, enter into, execute, acknowledge and deliver at the request of the other party, such supplemental or additional instruments, documents, agreements, consents, information or otherwise as may be reasonably required for the purpose of implementing or further assuring the rights and obligations of the other party under this Agreement.
| 34. | NOTICE: |
Any application, notice, consent, approval, direction, instruction or waiver hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or by registered mail. Delivery by hand shall be deemed to be effective from the time of delivery and delivery by registered mail shall be deemed to be effective from such time as it would in the ordinary course of registered mail be delivered to the addressee.
| 35. | ARBITRATION AND SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES: |
| (a) | Any dispute between the parties in respect of the interpretation or enforcement of the provisions of this document shall be settled in accordance with the procedures available in Ghana for the settlement of such dispute provided that at the instance of either of the parties any such dispute may be submitted for settlement by arbitration under the Arbitration Rule of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (the “UNCITRAL Rule”). |
| (b) | Any arbitration under the UNCITRAL Rules shall be by three (3) arbitrators unless the parties agree to a single arbitrator. The place of arbitration shall be Accra and the proceedings shall be in English unless the parties otherwise agree. Ghana Law shall be the law applicable to the proceedings. |
| (c) | Nothing in clause 35(a) or 35(b) shall prevent either of the parties from requesting any judicial authority to order provisional measures prior to the initiation of arbitration proceedings or during the proceedings for the preservation of their respective rights. |
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| (d) | The parties acknowledge and that this Agreement was made on the basis of the laws and conditions prevailing at the date of the effective conclusions of the negotiation of this Agreement and accordingly, if thereafter, new laws and conditions come into existence which unfairly affect the interest of either party to this Agreement, then the party so unfairly affected shall be entitled to request a re-negotiation and the parties shall thereupon re-negotiate. |
The parties hereby undertake and covenant with each other to make every effort to agree, co-operate, negotiate and to take such action as may be necessary to remove the causes of unfairness or disputes.
| 36. | ASSIGNMENT AND TRANSFER OF RIGHTS: |
| (a) | This Agreement shall not be assignable in whole or in part by the Company without the prior consent in writing of the Government |
| (b) | The Government may impose such conditions precedent to the giving of such consent as it may deem appropriate in the circumstances. No assignment, however, may relieve the Company of its obligations under this Agreement except to the extent that such obligations are actually assumed by the Assignee. |
| (c) | During the term of this Agreement, no shares of the capital stock of the Company may be transferred except in accordance with the Minerals and Mining Law. |
| 37. | HEADINGS: |
The headings given to paragraphs in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.
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| 38. | GOVERNING LAWS: |
This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the Laws of Ghana.
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THIS IS THE PLAN REFERRED TO
IN THE ANNEXED MINING LEASE
DATED THIS 19th DAY OF January 2010
THE HON. MINISTER OF LANDS AND NATURAL RESOURCES
| HON. MINISTER MIN. OF LANDS & NATURAL RESOURCES P. O. BOX MB 212. ACCRA |
THE SCHEDULE ABOVE REFERRED TO
All that piece or parcel of land containing an approximate total area of 46.40 square kilometers Lying to the North of Latitudes 6°17’57”, 6°18“47”, 6°19’10”, 6°19’10”, 6°19’51”, 6°19’55”, and 6°17’56”; South of Latitudes 6°18’27”, 6°21’32” and 6°22’48”; East of Xxxxxxxxxx -0x00’04”, -1°00’49”, -1°01’08”, -1°01’08”, -1°01’05”, -1°03’35”, -1°03’17”, and -1°03’13”; West of Xxxxxxxxxx -0x00’00”, -1°01’35”, and -1°02’35” in the Xxxxx North District of the Eastern Region of the Republic of Ghana which piece or parcel of land is more particularly delineated on the plan annexed hereto for the purposes of identification and not of limitation.
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IN WITNESS OF WHICH the Parties have respectively executed the original and counterpart of this Agreement on the date first above written.
| SIGNED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA acting by ALHAJI XXXXXXX XXXXX, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources who by this execution warrants to the other party that she is duly authorized and empowered enter into this Agreement in the presence of: |
] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] |
| ||||
|
HON. MINISTER MIN. OF LANDS & NATURAL RESOURCES P. O. BOX MB 212. ACCRA | ||||||
|
||||||
| SIGNED BY THE WITHIN-NAMED | ] | |||||
| NEWMONT GOLDEN RIDGE LIMITED | ] | |||||
| acting by its Chief Executive/Managing | ] | |||||
| Director who by this execution warrants | ] | |||||
| to the other party that he is duly | ] | |||||
| authorized and empowered to enter into | ] | |||||
| this Agreement in the presence of: | ] | |||||
|
| |||||
| (DIRECTOR/SECRETARY) | (MANAGING DIRECTOR) | |||||
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OATH OF PROOF
I, [ILLEGIBLE] of ACCRA make oath and say that on the [ILLEGIBLE] day of [ILLEGIBLE] 2010 I was present and saw ALHAJI XXXXXXX XXXXX, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources duly execute the Instrument now produced to me and marked “A” and that the said XXXXXX XXXXXXX, DAUDA can read and write.
SWORN at Accra, this 10th day of February 2010 BEFORE ME
|
|
DEPONENT |
This is the instrument Marked “A” Referred to in the Oath of Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Sworn before me this 10th day of February 2010
|
CERTIFICATE OF PROOF
On the 10th day of February 2010 at 1030 O’clock in [ILLEGIBLE] noon this Instrument was proved before me by the Oath of the within-named Xxxxxx Xxxxxx to have been duly executed by the within-named ALHAJI XXXXXXX XXXXX for and on behalf of “the Government” of the Republic of Ghana for Lessor herein.
|
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THIS MINING LEASE is made the 19th day of January 2010 between THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA (hereinafter called “the Government”) acting by ALHAJI XXXXXXX XXXXX the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources (hereinafter called the Minister”) of the one part and NEWMONT GOLDEN RIDGE LIMITED, having its registered office at 000/00, XXXXX XXXXXX, XXXX XXXXX, XXXXX, PRIVATE MAIL BAG, AIRPORT POST OFFICE, ACCRA, GHANA (hereinafter called “the Company”) of the second part:
W H E R E A S:
The Government is desirous of developing its mineral resources in such manner as will ensure that the maximum possible benefits accrue to the nation from the exploitation of minerals and has agreed to grant the Company a Mining Lease on the terms and conditions hereinafter following:
NOW THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSETH THAT:
| 1. | GRANT OF MINING RIGHTS |
| (a) | The Government hereby grants to the Company mining rights to ALL that piece of land described in the schedule hereto and more particularly delineated on the Plan attached and shown edged red (hereinafter called “the Lease Area”) together with mines, beds, seams, veins, channels and strata of gold lying and being within and under the surface for a term of fifteen (15) years from the date of this Agreement. Such term shall be renewable from time to time in accordance with the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006, (Act 703). |
| (b) | The Government hereby grants to the Company the exclusive rights to work, develop and produce gold in the Lease Area for the said term of fifteen (15) years (including, the processing, storing and transportation of ore and materials together with the rights and powers reasonably incidental thereto) subject to the provisions of this Agreement; |
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| (c) | The Company shall not, however, conduct any operations in a sacred area and shall not, without the prior consent in writing of the Minister conduct any operations: |
| (i) | within 50 yards of any building, installation, reservoir of dam, public road, railway or area appropriated for railway; |
| (ii) | in an area occupied by a market, burial ground cemetery or Government office, or situated within a town or village or set apart for, used, appropriated or dedicated to a public purpose. |
| (d) | (i) | The Company shall complete the process of land acquisition, crop compensation and compensation or resettlement of project affected persons including residents, owners or lawful occupiers of land within two years from the date of this Mining Lease (hereinafter referred to as “Phase One”). |
| (ii) | Within two years after the completion of Phase One (hereinafter referred to as “Phase Two”), the Company shall commence commercial production of gold. |
| (iii) | In any event, Phase One and Phase Two shall not exceed 4 years. |
| (iv) | The Company shall, during Phase One and Phase Two, furnish an annual progress report to the Minister and the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission summarizing relevant activities that have taken place in the Lease Area during each Phase. |
| (e) | The Company shall conduct its operations in a manner consistent with good commercial mining practices so as not to interfere unreasonably with vegetation in the Lease Area or with the customary rights and privileges of persons to farm, xxxx and snare game, gather firewood for domestic purposes or to collect snails. |
| (f) | The public shall be permitted at their sole risk to use without charge, any road constructed by the Company in the Lease Area, in a manner consistent with good mining practices, safety and |
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| security, provided that such use does not unreasonably interfere with the operations of the Company hereunder and provided also that such permission shall not extend to areas enclosed for mining operations. |
| (g) | Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to confer any rights on the Company conflicting with provisions contained in the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006, (Act 703) or to permit the Company to dispense with the necessity of applying for and obtaining any permit or authorization which the Company may be required by law or regulation to obtain in respect of any work or activity proposed to be carried out hereunder. |
Notwithstanding the above, the parties to this Agreement are also parties to an Investment Agreement dated 17th December 2003 and ratified by the Parliament of the Republic of Ghana on 18th December 2003. The parties acknowledge that they have agreed to review and possibly amend certain aspects of the Investment Agreement. Therefore, for the avoidance of any doubt, in the event of any difference between the terms of this Mining Lease and those of the Investment Agreement, (including any amendment thereof), the parties hereby agree that the terms of the Investment Agreement (and as it may be amended) shall govern the rights and the obligations of the parties.
| 2. | GRANT OF RIGHTS TO THIRD PARTIES IN THE MINING AREA: |
| (a) | Subject to satisfactory arrangements between the Government and the Company, the Government shall grant the first option to the Company to work minerals other than gold and silver discovered in the Lease Area. |
| (b) | Failing such satisfactory arrangements between the Government and the Company, the Government reserves the right to grant licences to third parties to prospect for or to enter into agreements for the production of minerals other than gold and silver in the Lease Area, provided that any such activity shall not unreasonably interfere with the rights granted to the Company hereunder. |
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| 3. | POWER OF GOVERNMENT TO EXCLUDE PARTS OF THE MINING AREA: |
| (a) | The Government may by reasonable notice in writing to the Company exclude from the Lease Area, at any time and from time to time, any part which may be required for any stated public purpose whatsoever, provided that: |
| (i) | The parts so excluded shall not have a surface area in the aggregate greater than ten percent of the Lease Area. |
| (ii) | Any parts of the Lease Area so excluded shall continue to form part of the Lease Area subject to this Agreement. |
| (iii) | except that no mining operations shall be conducted on the parts so excluded. |
| (iv) | No part of the Lease Area shall be so excluded in respect of which the Company shall have given prior notice specifying that such part is required for mining operations hereunder or on which active operations have commenced or are in progress (such as digging, construction, installation or other works related to gold and silver mining) but, in lieu thereof, a part equal in area to any such part shall be excluded for such public purposes; and |
| (v) | The Government shall not take to itself or grant to third parties the right to mine gold and silver from any part so excluded. |
| (b) | The company shall be relieved of all liabilities or obligations hereunder in respect of any part excluded under this paragraph except liabilities or obligations accrued prior to such exclusion. |
| 4. | WORK OBLIGATION: |
The Company shall continuously operate in the Lease Area in accordance with good mining practices until such time as the reserves or deposits may be exhausted or the mine can no longer be economically worked or until this Agreement expires, whichever shall be sooner.
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| 5. | CONDUCT OF OPERATIONS: |
| (a) | The Company shall conduct all of its operations hereunder with due diligence, efficiency, safety and economy, in accordance with good mining practices and in a proper and workmanlike manner, observing sound technical and engineering principles using appropriate modern and effective equipment, machinery, materials and methods, and pay particular regard to conservation of resources, reclamation of land and environmental protection generally. |
| (b) | The Company shall mine and extract ore in accordance with paragraph 5(a) herein utilizing methods, which include dredging, quarrying, pitting, trenching, stopping and shaft sinking in the Lease Area. |
| (c) | The company shall maintain all equipment in good and safe condition, normal wear and tear excluded, and shall keep all excavated areas, shafts, pits and trenches in good and safe condition and take all practical steps:- |
| (i) | to prevent damage to adjoining farms and villages; |
| (ii) | to avoid damage to trees, crops, buildings structures and other property in the Lease Area; to the extent, however, that any such damage is necessary or unavoidable, the Company shall pay fair and reasonable compensation. |
| (d) | The Company shall fence off effectually from the adjoining lands, all pits, shafts and other works made or used under the powers hereof. |
| (e) | The company shall as far as is necessary or practicable provide and maintain in good repair and condition roads, gates, xxxxxx and fences for the convenient occupation of the surface of the Lease Area. |
| (f) | The Company shall provide and maintain proper and sufficient drains, culverts, arches and passageways for carrying off any waters which shall arise or be produced or interrupted by any of the works hereby authorized so that the drainage of the Lease Area may not be prevented or prejudiced. |
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| 6. | NOTIFICATION OF DISCOVERY OF OTHER MINERALS: |
| (a) | The Company shall report forthwith to the Minister, the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, the Chief Inspector of Mines, Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission and the Director of Ghana Geological Survey, the discovery in the Lease Area of any other mineral deposits apart from gold and silver and the Company shall be given the first option to prospect further and to work the said minerals, subject to satisfactory arrangements between the Government and the Company. |
| (b) | Failing any such satisfactory arrangements the Company shall not produce any minerals from the Lease Area other than gold and silver except where they are unavoidably linked with the production of gold and silver. |
| 7. | SAMPLES: |
| (a) | The Company shall not during the currency of this agreement remove, dispose of or destroy, except in analyses, any cores or samples obtained from the Lease Area without the prior consent in writing of the Head of the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission. |
| (b) | The Company shall provide the Director of Ghana Geological Survey with such samples from the Lease Area as he may from time to time reasonably request, and shall keep such samples as he may be directed to do so by the Head of the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission. |
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| 8. | HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION: |
| (a) | The Company shall comply with all such reasonable instructions as may from time to time be given by the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission for securing the health and safety of persons engaged in or connected with the operations hereunder. The Company shall adopt all necessary and practical precautionary measures to prevent undue pollution of rivers and other potable water and to ensure that such pollution does not cause harm or destruction to human or animal life or fresh water fish or vegetation. |
| 9. | POWER OF CHIEF INSPECTOR OF MINES OF THE INSPECTORATE DIVISION OF THE MINERALS COMMISSION TO EXECUTE CERTAIN WORKS: |
If the Company shall at any time fail to comply with any provisions of this Agreement or applicable law and such failure is likely, in the opinion of the Chief Inspector of Mines of the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission, to:
| (i) | endanger the health or safety of persons, or |
| (ii) | endanger the environment, or |
| (iii) | cause harm or destruction to potable water; or |
| (iv) | result in damage to mining equipment or other structures or installation; the Head of the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission, shall after giving the Company reasonable notice, execute any works which in his opinion are necessary and practicable in the circumstances and the costs and expenses of such works shall be borne by the Company. |
| 10. | LIABILITY FOR DAMAGE OR INJURY AND INDEMNITY: |
| (a) | Nothing in this Agreement shall exempt the Company from liability for any damage, loss or injury caused to any person, property or interest as a result of the exercise by the Company of any rights or powers granted to it under this Agreement. |
| (b) | The Company shall at all times indemnify the Government and its officers and agents against all claims and liabilities in respect of any loss suffered by or damage done to third parties arising out of the exercise by the Company of any rights or powers granted to it under this Agreement provided that the Company shall not so indemnify the Government, its officers and agents where the claim or liability arises out of the wrongful or negligent acts of the Government, its officers and agents. |
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| 11. | EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING: |
| (a) | Citizens of Ghana shall be given preference for employment by the Company in all phases of its operations hereunder to the maximum possible extent, consistent with safety, efficiency and economy. |
| (b) | Except with respect to unskilled personnel, the Company may employ non-Ghanaian personnel in the conduct of its operations provided that the number of such non-Ghanaian personnel employed shall not exceed the number permitted by applicable law. |
| (c) | The Company shall provide appropriate programmes of instruction and theoretical and practical training to ensure the advancement, development, improved skills and qualification of Ghanaian employees in all categories of employment. |
| 12. | PREFERENCE FOR GHANAIAN GOODS AND SERVICES |
In the conduct of its operations and in the purchase, construction and installation of facilities, the Company shall give preference to:-
| (a) | materials and products made in Ghana, if such materials and products are comparable or better in price, quality and delivery dates than materials and products from foreign sources; |
| (b) | service agencies located in Ghana owned by Ghanaian citizens or companies organized pursuant to Ghanaian law, |
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| including but not limited to, insurance agencies, bidding contractors, import brokers, dealers and agents if such agencies give or provide equal or better price and quality of service than competing foreign firms and can render services at such times as the Company may require. |
| 13. | AFFILIATED COMPANY TRANSACTIONS: |
| (a) | Any services including services in respect of the purchase and acquisition of materials outside Ghana provided by an affiliated company shall be obtained only at a price, which is fair and reasonable. The Company shall, at the request of the Minister, provide such justification of costs as may be required, duly supported by an Auditor’s certificate if necessary. |
| (b) | Any other transactions between the Company and an affiliated company shall be on the basis of competitive international prices and upon such terms and conditions as would be fair and reasonable had such transactions taken place between unrelated parties. |
| (c) | The Company shall notify the Minister of any and all transactions between the Company and an affiliated company and shall supply such details relating to such transactions as the Minister may by notice reasonably require. |
| 14. | TECHNICAL RECORDS: |
| (a) | The Company shall maintain at its registered or mine offices complete records of pits and trenches (location, depths of overburden and gravel and assay value) in the Lease Area in such form as may from time to time be approved by the Chief Inspector of Mines of the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission, Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission and the Director of Ghana Geological Survey. |
| (b) | The Company shall maintain at the said offices copies of all reports including interpretations dealing with gold and silver prospects in the Lease Area in the course of its operations hereunder and copies |
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| of all tests and analyses, geological and geophysical maps, diagrams or charts relevant to its operations hereunder. These reports and records may be examined by persons in the service or acting on behalf of the Government and authorized in writing by the Minister. |
| (c) | The Company shall maintain at the said offices correct and intelligible plans and sections of all mines which plans and sections shall show the operations and workings which have been carried on as well as xxxxx, veins, faults and other disturbances which have been encountered in such workings and operations. All such plans and sections shall be made, amended and completed from actual surveys conducted for that purpose. |
| (d) | Upon expiration or termination of this Agreement or the surrender of any part of the Lease Area, such records and data as are required to be maintained pursuant to this paragraph which relate to the Lease Area, or such part of the Lease Area as may have been surrendered shall be delivered to the Chief Inspector of Mines of the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission, Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission and the Director of Ghana Geological Survey and shall become the property of the Government without charge. |
| 15. | PRODUCTION RECORDS: |
The Company shall maintain at its registered or mine offices complete and accurate technical records of its operations and production in the Lease Area in such form as may from time to time be approved by the Chief Inspector of Mines of the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission.
| 16. | FINANCIAL RECORDS: |
| (a) | The Company shall maintain at its registered or mine offices, detailed and complete accounts and systematic financial records of its operations as may be required by law. The books of account shall show all revenues received by the Company from all sources including its operations hereunder, as well as all its expenditure. |
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The Company shall provide for a clear basis for understanding and relating the financial records and accounts to its operations.
| (b) | The Company’s books of account shall be kept on the basis of generally accepted accounting principles. |
| (c) | The Company shall keep separately records and financial statements in terms of Ghana currency and also in terms of U.S. Dollars or other international currency and may record in foreign currency such claims and liabilities as arise in such foreign currency. |
| (d) | The Company’s books of account shall be audited within six (6) months after the close of each Financial Year by a qualified Accountant and member of the Ghana Institute of Chartered Accountants. Such auditing shall not in any way imply acceptance of its results by the Government or preclude the Government from auditing such books of account. The Company shall deliver to the Minister without charge, copies of all or any part of such financial records as he may from time to time reasonably request. |
| 17. | REPORTS: |
| (a) | The Company shall furnish a report each quarter, to the Minister, the Chief Inspector of Mines of the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission, the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission and the Director of Ghana Geological Survey, in such forms as may from time to time be approved by the Minister, regarding the quantities of gold and silver won in that quarter, quantities sold, the revenue received and royalties payable for that quarter and such other information as may be required. Such reports shall be submitted not later than thirty (30) days after the end of each quarter. |
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| (b) | The Company shall furnish a report each half-year to the Minister, the Chief Inspector of Mines of the Inspectorate Division, Minerals Commission, the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission and the Director of Ghana Geological Survey in such form as may from time to time be approved by the Minister summarising the results of its operations in the Lease Area during the half-year and records to be kept by the Company pursuant to paragraphs 14, 15 and 16 hereof. Each such report shall include a description of any geological or geophysical work carried out by the Company in that half-year and a plan upon a scale approved by the Head of the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission showing dredging areas and mine workings. Such reports shall be submitted not later than forty (40) days after the half-year to which they relate. |
| (c) | The Company shall furnish a report each Financial Year in such form as may from time to time be approved by the Minister to the Chief Inspector of Mines of the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission, the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission and the Director of Ghana Geological Survey Department summarising the results of its operations in the Lease Area during that Financial Year and the records required to be kept by the Company pursuant to paragraphs 14, 15, and 16 hereof. Each such report shall include a description of the proposed operations for the following year with an estimate of the production and revenue to be obtained therefrom. Such reports shall be submitted not later than sixty (60) days after the end of each Financial Year. |
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| (d) | The Company shall furnish the Minister, the Chief Inspector of Mines of the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission, the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission and the Director of Ghana Geological Survey not later than three (3) months after the expiration or termination of this Agreement, with a report giving an account of the geology of the Lease Area including the stratigraphic and structural conditions, together with a geological map on a scale prescribed in the Mining Regulations. |
| (e) | The Company shall furnish the Minister and the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, with a report of the particulars of any proposed alteration to its regulations. The Company shall also furnish the Minister and the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission with a report on the particulars of any fresh issues of shares of its capital stock or borrowings in excess of an amount equivalent to the Stated Capital of the Company. All such reports shall be in such form as the Minister may require and shall be submitted not less than twenty-one (21) days (or such lesser period as the Minister may agree) in advance of any proposed alteration, fresh issue or borrowing, as the case may be. |
| (f) | The Company shall, not later than 180 days after the end of each Financial Year, furnish the Minister and the Chief Executive of the Minerals Commission with a copy each of its annual financial reports including a balance sheet, profit and loss account, and all notes pertaining thereto, duly certified by a qualified accountant who is a member of the Ghana Institute of Chartered Accountants. Such certificate shall not in any way imply acceptance of such reports by the Government or preclude the Government from auditing the Company’s books of account. |
| (g) | The Company shall furnish the Minister, the Chief Inspector of Mines of the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission, the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission and the Director of Ghana Geological Survey with such other reports and information concerning its operations as they may from time to time reasonably require. |
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| 18. | INSPECTION: |
| (a) | Any person or persons in the service of or acting on behalf of the Government and authorized in writing by the Minister shall be entitled at all reasonable times to enter into and upon any part of the Lease Area and the Company’s registered office, for any of the following purposes: |
| (i) | to examine the mine workings, equipment, buildings, installation and any other structures used in the mining operation; |
| (ii) | to inspect the samples which the Company is required to keep in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement; |
| (iii) | to inspect and check the accuracy of the weights and measures and weighing and measuring devices, used or kept by the Company; |
| (iv) | to examine and make abstracts of the books and records kept by the Company pursuant to this Agreement; |
| (v) | to verify or ensure compliance by the Company with all applicable laws and regulations and with its obligations hereunder; |
| (vi) | to execute any works which the Chief Inspector of Mines of the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission may be entitled to execute in accordance with the provisions of the Mining Laws and Regulations of Ghana, or of this Agreement. |
| (b) | The Company shall make reasonable arrangements to facilitate any such work or inspection, including making available employees of the Company to render assistance with respect to any such work or inspection. All such works and inspections shall be listed by the Company in the reports and furnished each half year. |
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| 19. | CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT: |
The Government shall treat all information supplied by the Company hereunder as confidential for a period of five (5) years from the date of submission of such information or upon termination of this Agreement whichever is sooner and shall not reveal such information to third parties except with the written consent of the Company which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Government and persons authorized by the Government may nevertheless use such information received from the Company for the purpose of preparing and publishing general reports on Minerals in Ghana and in connection with any dispute between the Government and the Company.
| 20. | FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS: |
| (a) | Consideration Fees |
The Company shall, in consideration of the grant of the Mining Lease pay to Government an amount of US$30,000.00 (thirty thousand U.S. Dollars).
| (b) | Rent: |
The Company shall pay rent (which shall be subject to review) at the rate of GH¢8.20p eight Ghana cedis twenty pesewas) i.e. 50Gp per square kilometre)
| (i) | the said rent shall be paid half yearly in advance on or before the first day of January and on or before the first day of July in each year. |
| (ii) | in the event of a surrender of any part of the Lease Area pursuant to paragraph 25 hereof, no rental payments shall be refunded in whole or in part of any area so surrendered for which yearly rental has been paid in advance or shall rental payments be refunded in the event of termination. |
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| 21. | ROYALTIES: |
| (a) | The Company shall pay to the Government royalty as prescribed by the legislation. |
| (b) | The Company shall pay royalty to the Government each quarter through the Commissioner of Internal Revenue based on the production for that quarter, within thirty (30) days from the end of the quarter. |
Any necessary adjustments shall be made annually within sixty (60) days of the end of each Financial Year, except that any over-payment of royalty shall not be refunded by the Government but shall be credited against royalty due and payable in the next quarter.
| (c) | In the event of a dispute with respect to the amount of royalty payable hereunder, the Company shall first make payment of the lower of the disputed amounts and shall pay forthwith any further royalty which shall be agreed upon or determined to be payable by arbitration in accordance with paragraph 35 hereof. Such further royalty shall carry interest to be agreed upon or at the ruling prime rate in Ghana at the time of the award or agreement to take effect from the date on which such amount ought originally to have been paid. |
| (d) | The Company shall also pay royalty on all timber felled by the Company in accordance with existing legislation. |
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| 22. | LATE PAYMENTS: |
| (a) | Anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall, subject to the laws of Ghana, pay as penalty for any late payment of any amounts due to the Government hereunder, an additional amount calculated at the Bank of Ghana re-discount rate for every thirty-day period or part thereof for the period of the delay in paying the amounts, that is to say, the period between the actual payment date and the date on which each such payment should have been made. |
| (b) | In the event the Company shall fail to make payment to the Government of any amount due hereunder, the Government without prejudice to any other rights and remedies to which it may be entitled, may, after giving 30 days notice in writing, enter into and upon the Lease Area and seize and distrain and sell as landlords may do for rent in arrears, all or any of the stocks of gold and silver produced therefrom, and the plant and equipment, materials and supplies belonging to the Company which shall be thereon; and out of the monies obtained from the sale in respect of such distress may retain and pay all of the arrears of any amounts due hereunder and the costs and expenses incidental to any such distress and sale and deliver up the surplus (if any) to the Company. |
| 23. | TAXATION: |
| (a) | The Company shall not be required to deduct or withhold any taxes from any payment made from its external account of which is authorized under the terms of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) of: |
(i) any interest or other costs or fees paid in respect of any borrowing by or on behalf of the company in foreign currency for the project;
(ii) any dividends paid to the shareholders.
| (b) | Save for the above, the Company shall pay tax in accordance with the laws of Ghana. |
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| 24. | FOREIGN EXCHANGE: |
All foreign exchange transactions shall be in accordance with the laws of Ghana.
| 25. | SURRENDER: |
| (a) | The Company may surrender at any time and from time to time, by giving not less than two months’ notice to the Minister, all its rights hereunder in respect of any part of the Lease Area not larger in the aggregate than 20% of the said Area. The Company may surrender a larger part of the Lease Area by giving not less than twelve (12) months’ notice to the Minister. The Company shall be relieved of all obligations in respect of the part or parts of the Lease Area so surrendered except those obligations, which accrued prior to the effective date of surrender. |
| (b) | The Company shall leave the part of the Lease Area surrendered and everything thereon in a good and safe condition, provided, however that the Company shall have no such obligations for areas surrendered on which the company has not undertaken any works or which have not been affected by the operations of the Company. The Company shall take all reasonable measures, in accordance with good mining practices to leave the surface of such part of the Lease Area surrendered, in good and usable condition having regard to the ecology, drainage, reclamation and the protection of the environment. In the event that the Company fails to do so, the Minister shall make such part and everything thereon safe and in good, usable condition at the expense of the Company. The provisions of sub-paragraphs (a) and (c) of paragraph 29 hereof shall apply. |
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| (c) | The Company shall, on such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon between the Government and the Company, be entitled to such wayleaves, easements or other rights through or across the surrendered part or parts as may be necessary for its operations and such wayleaves shall not form part or be included in the calculation of the area of the retained part. |
| (c) | The Government may require that there be reserved over any part surrendered such wayleaves, easements or other rights as will in its opinion be necessary or convenient to any party to whom the Government may subsequently grant a prospecting licence or mining lease. |
| 26. | EXTENSION: |
If the Company, not less than six (6) months before the expiration of this Agreement, applies to the Minister for an extension of the term hereof and if the Company shall not be in default at that time in the performance of any of its obligations hereunder, the Company shall be entitled to an extension of the period of this Agreement upon such terms and conditions as the parties may then agree.
| 27. | COMPANY’S RIGHT TO TERMINATE AGREEMENT: |
The Company may, if in its opinion the mine can no longer be economically worked, terminate this Agreement by giving not less than nine (9) months’ notice to the Government. Such termination shall be without prejudice to any obligation or liability incurred by the Company hereunder prior to the effective date of such termination.
| 28. | GOVERNMENT’S RIGHT TO TERMINATE AGREEMENT: |
| (a) | The Government may, subject to the provisions of this paragraph terminate this Agreement if any of the following events shall occur:- |
| (i) | the Company shall fail to make any of the payments provided for in this Agreement on the payment date; |
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| (ii) | the Company shall contravene or fail to comply with any other provisions of this Agreement; or |
| (iii) | the Company shall become insolvent or bankrupt or enter into any agreement or composition with its creditors or take advantage of any law for the benefit of debtors or go into liquidation, whether compulsory or voluntary, except for the purposes of reconstruction or amalgamation; or |
| (iv) | the Company makes a written statement to the Government on any material matter in connection with this Agreement or with its operations which the Company knows to be false or makes recklessly without due regard as to whether it was true or false. |
| (b) | If and whenever the Government decides there are grounds to terminate this Agreement pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) of the preceding sub-paragraph, the Government shall give the Company notice specifying the particular contravention or failure and permit the Company to remedy same within one hundred and twenty (120) days of such notice, or such longer period as the Minister may specify in such notice as being reasonable in the circumstances. |
| (c) | If the Company shall fail to remedy any event specified in clauses and (ii) of sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph within the stated period, or an event specified in clauses (iii) and (iv) of the said sub-paragraph shall occur, the Government may by notice to the Company terminate this Agreement, provided that if the Company disputes whether there has been any contravention or failure to comply with the conditions hereof (including any dispute as to the calculation of payments by the Company to the Government hereunder), and the Company shall, within such period as aforesaid refer |
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| the dispute to arbitration in accordance with paragraph 35 hereof and, thereafter, diligently prosecute its claim thereunder, the Government shall not terminate this Agreement except as the same may be consistent with the terms of the arbitration award. |
| (d) | No delay or omission or course of dealing by the Government shall impair any of its rights hereunder or be construed to be a waiver of any event specified in sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph or an acquiescence therein. |
| (e) | Upon termination of this Agreement, every right of the Company hereunder shall cease (save as otherwise specifically provided hereunder) but subject nevertheless and without prejudice to any obligation or liability imposed or incurred under this Agreement prior to the effective date of termination and to such rights as the Government may have under the law. |
| 29. | ASSETS ON TERMINATION OR EXPIRATION: |
| (a) | The Company may within six months of the termination of the Mining Lease or a further period allowed by the Minister, remove the mining plant if the mining plant is removed solely for the purpose of use by the Company or a person deriving title through the Company, in another relevant mining activity in the Country. |
| (b) | A mining plant not removed by the Company within two months after notice is given by the Minister to the Company at anytime after expiration of the period referred to in subsection (a), shall vest in the Republic on the expiration of the two month notice period. |
| (c) | Nothing in this Agreement removes or diminishes an obligation that the Company may have under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006, (Act 703), another enactment or a condition of this Agreement to remove a mining plant and rehabilitate the land. |
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| (d) | Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Minister, may by notice to the Company require the removal or destruction of any assets of the Company in the Leased Area, and if the Company does not remove or destroy such assets within a period of thirty (30) days from the date of the Minister’s notice to that effect, the Minister shall cause such removal or destruction at the expense of the Company. |
| (e) | The Company shall take all reasonable measures to ensure that all of the assets to be offered for sale to the Government or transferred to the Government in accordance with this paragraph shall be maintained in substantially the same condition in which they were at the date of the termination or the date on which the Company reasonably knew that such termination would occur and any such assets shall not be disposed of, dismantled or destroyed except as specifically provided for in this paragraph. |
| (f) | Upon the termination or expiration of this Agreement, the Company shall leave the Lease Area and everything thereon in good condition, having regard to the ecology, drainage, reclamation, environmental protection, health and safety; provided however that the Company shall have no obligation in respect of areas where the Company has not undertaken any work or which have not been affected by the Company’s operations. In this connection, unless the Chief Inspector of Mines otherwise directs, the Company shall, in accordance with good mining practices, fill up or fence and make safe all holes and excavations to the reasonable satisfaction of the Chief Inspector of Mines. In addition the Company shall take all reasonable measures to leave the surface of the Lease Area in usable condition and to restore all structures |
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| thereon not the property of the Company to their original condition. In the event that the Company fails to do so, the Minister shall restore and make safe the Lease Area and everything thereon at the expense of the Company. |
| (g) | The Company shall have the right to enter upon the Lease Area for the aforesaid purposes, subject to the rights of surface owners or others, for a period of six (6) months from the effective date of the termination or such longer period as the Minister may decide. |
| (h) | On the termination of this Agreement, the Company shall deliver to the Minister the records which the Company is obliged to maintain under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006, (Act 703); the plans and maps of the area covered by the mining lease prepared by the Company; and other documents, including in electronic format, if available that relate to the mineral right. |
| 30. | FORCE MAJEURE: |
| (a) | For the purpose of this paragraph, force majeure includes acts of God, war, strikes, insurrection, riots, earthquakes, storm, flood or other adverse weather conditions or any other event which the Company could not reasonably be expected to prevent or control, but shall not include any event caused by a failure to observe good mining practices or by the negligence of the Company or any of its employees or contractors. |
| (b) | The Company shall notify the Minister within forty-eight (48) hours of any event of force majeure affecting its ability to fulfil the conditions hereof or of any events, which may endanger the natural resources of Ghana and similarly notify the Government of the restoration of normal conditions within forty-eight hours of such restoration. This provision shall be in addition to any requirements contained in the Mining Regulations in force in Ghana. |
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| (c) | All obligations on the part of the Company to comply with any of the conditions herein (except the obligation to make payment of monies due to the Government) shall be suspended during the period the Company is prevented by force majeure from fulfilling such obligations, the Company having taken all reasonable precautions, due care and reasonable alternative measures with the objective of avoiding such non-compliance and of carrying out its obligations hereunder. The Company shall take all reasonable steps to remove such causes of the inability to fulfil the terms and conditions hereof with the minimum of delay. |
| (d) | The terms of this Agreement shall be extended for a period of time equal to the period or periods during which the company was affected by conditions set forth in the subparagraph (a) and (b) of this paragraph or for such period as may be agreed by the parties. |
| 31. | POLITICAL ACTIVITY: |
The Company shall not engage in political activity of any kind in Ghana or make a donation, gift or grant to any political party. The Company shall make it a condition of employment that no employee, other than a citizen of Ghana shall engage in political activity and shall not make donations, gifts or grants to any political party. In the event of any such employee acting in disregard to this condition, he shall be dismissed forthwith.
| 32. | ADVERTISEMENTS, PROSPECTUSES, ETC: |
Neither the Company nor any affiliated Company shall in any manner claim or suggest, whether expressly or by implication that the Government or any agency or official thereof, has expressed any opinion with respect to gold in the Lease Area and no
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statement to this effect shall be included in or endorsed on any prospectus notice, circular, advertisement, press release or similar document issued by the Company or any affiliated Company for the purpose of raising new capital.
| 33. | CO-OPERATION OF THE PARTIES: |
Each of the parties hereto undertake that it will from time to time do all such acts and make, enter into, execute, acknowledge and deliver at the request of the other party, such supplemental or additional instruments, documents, agreements, consents, information or otherwise as may be reasonably required for the purpose of implementing or further assuring the rights and obligations of the other party under this Agreement.
| 34. | NOTICE: |
Any application, notice, consent, approval, direction, instruction or waiver hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or by registered mail. Delivery by hand shall be deemed to be effective from the time of delivery and delivery by registered mail shall be deemed to be effective from such time as it would in the ordinary course of registered mail be delivered to the addressee.
| 35. | ARBITRATION AND SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES: |
| (a) | Any dispute between the parties in respect of the interpretation or enforcement of the provisions of this document shall be settled in accordance with the procedures available in Ghana for the settlement of such dispute provided that at the instance of either of the parties any such dispute may be submitted for settlement by arbitration under the Arbitration Rule of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (the “UNCITRAL Rule”). |
| (b) | Any arbitration under the UNCITRAL Rules shall be by three (3) arbitrators unless the parties agree to a single arbitrator. The place of arbitration shall be Accra and the proceedings shall be in English unless the parties otherwise agree. Ghana Law shall be the law applicable to the proceedings. |
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| (c) | Nothing in clause 35(a) or 35(b) shall prevent either of the parties from requesting any judicial authority to order provisional measures prior to the initiation of arbitration proceedings or during the proceedings for the preservation of their respective rights. |
| (d) | The parties acknowledge and that this Agreement was made on the basis of the laws and conditions prevailing at the date of the effective conclusions of the negotiation of this Agreement and accordingly, if thereafter, new laws and conditions come into existence which unfairly affect the interest of either party to this Agreement, then the party so unfairly affected shall be entitled to request a re-negotiation and the parties shall thereupon re-negotiate. |
The parties hereby undertake and covenant with each other to make every effort to agree, co-operate, negotiate and to take such action as may be necessary to remove the causes of unfairness or disputes.
| 36 | ASSIGNMENT AND TRANSFER OF RIGHTS: |
| (a) | This Agreement shall not be assignable in whole or in part by the Company without the prior consent in writing of the Government |
| (b) | The Government may impose such conditions precedent to the giving of such consent as it may deem appropriate in the circumstances. No assignment, however, may relieve the Company of its obligations under this Agreement except to the extent that such obligations are actually assumed by the Assignee. |
| (c) | During the term of this Agreement, no shares of the capital stock of the Company may be transferred except in accordance with the Minerals and Mining Law. |
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| 37. | HEADINGS: |
The headings given to paragraphs in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.
| 38. | GOVERNING LAWS: |
This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the Laws of Ghana.
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THIS IS THE PLAN REFERRED TO
IN THE ANNEXED MINING LEASE
DATED THIS [ILLEGIBLE] DAY OF January [ILLEGIBLE]
THE HON. MINISTER OF LANDS AND NATURAL RESOURCES
| HON. MINISTER MIN. OF LANDS & NATURAL RESOURCES X. X. XXX XX 000 XXXXX |
THE SCHEDULE ABOVE REFERRED TO
All that piece or parcel of land containing an approximate total area of 16.35 square kilometers Lying to the North of Latitudes 6°18’27”, 6°18”40”, 6°18’43”, 6°20’02”, 6°20’43” and 6°21’03”; South of Latitude 6°21’32”; East of Xxxxxxxxxx -0x00’25”, -1°04’27”, -1° 04’42”, -1° 05’09”, -1° 06’29” and -1°29’29”; West of Xxxxxxxxxx -0x00’17” and -1°03’13” in the Xxxxx North District of the Eastern Region of the Republic of Ghana which piece or parcel of land is more particularly delineated on the plan annexed hereto for the purposes of identification and not of limitation.
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IN WITNESS OF WHICH the Parties have respectively executed the original and counterpart of this Agreement on the date first above written.
| SIGNED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA acting by ALHAJI XXXXXXX XXXXX, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources who by this execution warrants to the other party that she is duly authorized and empowered enter into this Agreement in the presence of: |
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| SIGNED BY THE WITHIN-NAMED NEWMONT GOLDEN RIDGE LIMITED acting by its Chief Executive/Managing Director who by this execution warrants to the other party that he is duly authorized and empowered to enter into this Agreement in the presence of: |
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| (DIRECTOR/SECRETARY) | (MANAGING DIRECTOR) | |||
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OATH OF PROOF
| I, [ILLEGIBLE] of ACCRA make oath and say that on the [ILLEGIBLE] day of [ILLEGIBLE] 2010 I was present and saw ALHAJI XXXXXXX XXXXX, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources duly execute the Instrument now produced to me and marked “A” and that the said ALHAJI XXXXXXX XXXXX can read and write. |
SWORN at Accra, this 10th day of February 2010
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| DEPONENT | ||||||
This is the instrument Marked “A” Referred to in the Oath of Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Sworn before me this 10th day of February 2010
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| On the 10th day of February 2010 at 1030 O’clock in the noon this Instrument was proved before me by the Oath of the within-named Xxxxxx Xxxxxx to have been duly executed by the within-named ALHAJI XXXXXXX XXXXX for and on behalf of “the Government” of the Republic of Ghana for Lessor herein. |
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Dated this day of 2010
GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC
OF GHANA
AND
NEWMONT GOLDEN RIDGE LIMITED
MINING LEASE
TERM : FIFTEEN (15) YEARS
COMMENCEMENT : 19/01/2010
EXPIRY DATE : 18/01/2025
FILE NO :
SOLICITOR OF THE SUPREME COURT GHANA
31
Appendix B
Illustrative Calculation of Royalty
Provided for the purpose of illustrating the calculation mechanism defined in section 5; not indicative of predicted volumes, price, revenue, or distribution. The Royalty Rate shown below applies only to gold mined in a forest reserve area. For gold mined outside a forest reserve area the rate is 0.6 percentage points lower but not lower than 3% (e.g. a royalty rate shown below of 4.1% would be 3.5% and one of 3.6% would be 3%).
| Average Gold Price, Year |
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| Royalty Rate |
Low Value |
High Value |
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| 3.6% | $ | 0.00 | $ | 1,299.99 | ||||||
| Item 1 |
4.1% | $ | 1,300.00 | $ | 1,449.99 | |||||
| 4.6% | $ | 1,450.00 | $ | 2,299.99 | ||||||
| 5.6% | $ | 2,300.00 | Unlimited | |||||||
| Item |
January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Average Monthly Gold Price ($/oz) | $ | 1,100.00 | $ | 1,290.00 | $ | 1,295.00 | $ | 1,305.00 | $ | 1,449.99 | $ | 1,449.99 | $ | 1,450.00 | $ | 2,200.00 | $ | 2,299.00 | $ | 2,300.00 | $ | 2,305.00 | $ | 3,000.00 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Applicable Royalty Rate (%) | 3.6 | % | 3.6 | % | 3.6 | % | 4.1 | % | 4.1 | % | 4.1 | % | 4.6 | % | 4.6 | % | 4.6 | % | 5.6 | % | 5.6 | % | 5.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Ounces Sold (Oz) | 40,000 | 40,000 | 40,000 | 40,000 | 40,000 | 40,000 | 40,000 | 40,000 | 40,000 | 40,000 | 40,000 | 40,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Total Revenues Received ($M) | $ | 46.0 | $ | 51.8 | $ | 52.2 | $ | 51.8 | $ | 57.8 | $ | 62.0 | $ | 58.0 | $ | 86.0 | $ | 92.0 | $ | 92.0 | $ | 92.4 | $ | 116.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Royalty Paid to Government ($M) | $ | 1.7 | $ | 1.9 | $ | 1.9 | $ | 2.1 | $ | 2.4 | $ | 2.5 | $ | 2.7 | $ | 4.0 | $ | 4.2 | $ | 5.1 | $ | 5.2 | $ | 6.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
NOTE: In conformity with the current understanding and arrangements between Newmont Golden Ridge Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority, the extra royalty of 0.6% payable for mining in the forest reserve, is paid to the Forestry Commission of Ghana.
B-1
Appendix C
Illustrative Calculation of Carried Interest Payments to Government
(provided for the purpose of Illustrating the calculation mechanism defined in section 6, not Indicative of predicted price, revenue, costs or distributions)
| Item |
Year After First Year Which Gold Produced |
Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | Year 6 | Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 | Year 10 | Year 11 | Year 12 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Part 1 - Illustrative Gold Price & Revenue | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 |
Average Yearly Gold Price ($/Ounce) | $ | 1,300 | $ | 1,400 | $ | 1,300 | $ | 1,200 | $ | 1,300 | $ | 1,600 | $ | 1,800 | $ | 1,200 | $ | 1,500 | $ | 1,800 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 |
Revenue ($M) | $ | 390.0 | $ | 420.0 | $ | 390.0 | $ | 360.0 | $ | 390.0 | $ | 480.0 | $ | 540.0 | $ | 360.0 | $ | 450.0 | $ | 540.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Part 2 - Guaranteed Advance Payment calculation under section 6.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 |
Guaranteed Advance Payment Annual Payment ($M) | $ | 0.0 | $ | 0.0 | $ | 2.3 | $ | 0.0 | $ | 2.3 | $ | 2.9 | $ | 3.2 | $ | 0.0 | $ | 2.7 | $ | 3.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 |
Cumulative Guaranteed Advance Payments ($M) | $ | 0.0 | $ | 0.0 | $ | 2.3 | $ | 2.3 | $ | 4.7 | $ | 7.6 | $ | 10.8 | $ | 10.8 | $ | 13.5 | $ | 16.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Part 3 - Government Interest calculation under Section 6.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 |
Dividends Declared, to Shareholders ($M) | $ | 0.0 | $ | 0.0 | $ | 0.0 | $ | 0.0 | $ | 0.0 | $ | 0.0 | $ | 54.0 | $ | 54.0 | $ | 67.5 | $ | 108.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 6 |
l/9th of Declared Dividends ($M) | $ | 0.0 | $ | 0.0 | $ | 0.0 | $ | 0.0 | $ | 0.0 | $ | 0.0 | $ | 6.0 | $ | 6.0 | $ | 7.5 | $ | 12.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Part 4 - Government Carried Interest Payments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7 |
0.6% Guaranteed Advance Payment ($M) | $ | 0.0 | $ | 0.0 | $ | 2.3 | $ | 0.0 | $ | 2.3 | $ | 2.9 | $ | 3.2 | $ | 0.0 | $ | 2.7 | $ | 3.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 8 |
1/9 Government Interest Payable ($M) | $ | 0.0 | $ | 0.0 | $ | 0.0 | $ | 0.0 | $ | 0.0 | $ | 0.0 | $ | 0.0 | $ | 1.2 | $ | 4.8 | $ | 8.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 9 |
Total Government Carried Interest Payments ($M) | $ | 0.0 | $ | 0.0 | $ | 2.3 | $ | 0.0 | $ | 2.3 | $ | 2.9 | $ | 3.2 | $ | 1.2 | $ | 7.5 | $ | 12.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumptions and Walkthrough | ||
| YEAR |
GAPs are made in all years, building a prepayment account. GI payments are deducted from this account. | |
| 9 |
$6.0m GI due (item 6) but offset by $10.8m GAP already made (item 4), which includes $3.2m GAP (item 7) made in this year 9. Balance of GAP prepayments would stand at 10.8 - 6.0 = $4.8m. | |
| 10 |
$6.0m GI due (item 6), but prepayment account stands at $4.8m, so GI payment to be made would be 6.0 - 4.8 = $1.2m. | |
| 11 |
$2.7m GAP made. $7.5m GI due, reduced by $2.7m paid so GI to be paid is 7.5 - 2.7 = $4.8m | |
| 12 |
$3.2m GAP made, $12.0m GI payment due, reduced by $3.2m paid, 12.0 - 3.2 = $8.8m |
| Year 4 | Year 5 | Year 6 | Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 | Year 10 | Year 11 | Year 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Part 5 - Timing of Payments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7 |
0.6% Guaranteed Advance Payment ($M) |
$ | 0.0 | $ | 0.0 | $ | 2.3 | $ | 0.0 | $ | 2.3 | $ | 2.9 | $ | 3.2 | $ | 0.0 | $ | 2.7 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 8 |
1/9 Government Interest Payable ($M) |
$ | 0.0 | $ | 0.0 | $ | 0.0 | $ | 0.0 | $ | 0.0 | $ | 0.0 | $ | 0.0 | $ | 1.2 | $ | 4.8 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 9 |
Total Government Carried Interest Payments ($M) |
$ | 0.0 | $ | 0.0 | $ | 2.3 | $ | 0.0 | $ | 2.3 | $ | 2.9 | $ | 3.2 | $ | 1.2 | $ | 7.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
C-1
APPENDIX D
MINING LIST
APPENDIX E
CURRENT VAT MOU
