EXHIBIT 10.4
[Xxxxx Exploration Option Agreement by and between the Company and Xxxxx
Limited, effective as of January 1, 2002]
AMENDED AND RESTATED
OPTION AGREEMENT
between
XXXXX, LIMITED
and
NORTH STAR EXPLORATION, INC.
made effective as of January 1, 2002
Table of Contents
Section Page
1. DEFINITIONS..............................................................3
2. GRANT OF EXPLORATION RIGHTS AND OPTION TO LEASE.........................10
2.1 Grant..........................................................10
2.2 Separate Surface Use Agreements................................10
2.3 Governmental Permits and Approvals.............................11
2.4 No Reliance....................................................12
3. OPTION PAYMENTS.........................................................12
3.1 Initial Payment and Execution of Equity Participation
Agreement......................................................12
3.2 Later Option Payments..........................................12
3.3 Scholarship Donations..........................................12
4. EXPLORATION MANAGEMENT AND EXPLORATIONEXPENDITURE COMMITMENTS FOR
EXHIBIT APROPERTIES AND EXHIBIT B PROPERTIES............................13
4.1 Exploration Management.........................................13
4.2 Mandatory Expenditures.........................................13
4.3 Exploration Program and Budget.................................14
4.4 Sampling.......................................................14
4.5 Guarantee of Exploration Expenditures..........................14
5. EXERCISE OF OPTION AND EXECUTION OF LEASE...............................15
5.1 Prefeasibility Study; Designated Areas.........................15
5.2 Request for Conveyance and Execution of Lease..................16
6. CONDUCT OF OPERATIONS...................................................16
6.1 Operational Standards and Compliance with Laws.................16
6.2 Condition of Sites and Facilities; Reclamation Bond............17
6.3 Archaeological and Cultural Resources Clearances...............17
6.4 Notice of Non-Responsibility...................................18
6.5 Liens and Encumbrances.........................................18
6.6 Taxes..........................................................18
6.7 Insurance......................................................19
6.8 Indemnification................................................19
6.9 Coordination of Surface Uses; Reservation by Xxxxx of
Alluvial Placer GoldOccurrences...............................19
6.10 No Hunting, Fishing and Trapping; No Consumption of
Alcoholic Beverages............................................20
6.11 Doyon's Liability Limitations..................................20
6.12 Federal or State Mining Claims.................................20
7. CONTRACTING AND HIRING PREFERENCES......................................21
7.1 Contracting Preference.........................................21
7.2 Hiring Preference..............................................21
7.3 No Violation of Laws...........................................22
8. INFORMATION AND REPORTS.................................................22
8.1 Information....................................................22
8.2 Reports........................................................23
9. ACCESS TO THE PROPERTY AND SAMPLING BY XXXXX............................26
9.1 Entry..........................................................26
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9.2 Sampling.......................................................26
10. RELEASES AND CONVEYANCES OF PROPERTY....................................26
10.1 Releases of Property by North Star; Annual Prioritization......26
10.2 Release or Conveyance of Property in the Event of a BLM
Requested Selection Reduction..................................27
10.3 Notice of Selection Status.....................................28
11. TITLE...................................................................28
11.1 Representations and Warranties.................................28
11.2 Land Records...................................................29
11.3 Title Curative Measures........................................29
12. NO REPRESENTATIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF LAND.........................29
13. ACQUISITIONS WITHIN EXPENDITURE AREA...................................29
13.1 Acquisition by Xxxxx...........................................29
13.2 Acquisition by North Star......................................29
13.3 Other Agreements...............................................31
13.4 Survival of Expenditure Area; 1997 Option Agreement............31
14. DEFAULT; TERMINATION OR ABANDONMENT OF PROPERTY.........................32
14.1 Default........................................................32
14.2 Abandonment....................................................32
14.3 Termination....................................................32
15. FORCE MAJEURE...........................................................33
16. ASSIGNMENT AND SUBLEASE.................................................33
17. CONFIDENTIALITY.........................................................35
17.1 General........................................................35
17.2 Disclosures During Term of Agreement...........................35
17.3 Disclosures After Expiration or Termination of Agreement.......36
17.4 Exceptions To Consent Requirements.............................37
17.5 Use of Xxxxx Logo and Name.....................................37
18. GENERAL PROVISIONS......................................................38
18.1 Notice.........................................................38
18.2 Governing Law..................................................39
18.3 Arbitration....................................................39
18.4 Entire Agreement...............................................40
18.5 Binding Effect.................................................40
18.6 Amendments and Waiver..........................................40
18.7 Execution in Counterparts and by Facsimile.....................40
18.8 Headings.......................................................41
18.9 Time of Essence................................................41
18.10 Currency.......................................................41
18.11 Further Assurances.............................................41
18.12 Rule Against Perpetuities......................................41
18.13 Conflicts Between Exhibits and Schedules.......................42
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Attachments
EXHIBITS (Including Maps)
X-0 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx and Area of Interest
A-2 Takotna Village Block and Area of Interest
A-3 Highway Village Block (Xxxxx Lake, Dot Lake and Tanacross) and
Area of Interest
X-0 Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx and Area of Interest
A-5 Yukon Group Block (X. Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx (Tofty) Township, Aloha and
Tofty State Claims) and Area of Interest
B Form of Conveyance of Overriding Royalty
C Third Party Property Working Interest Elections
D Form of Mining Lease
E Amended and Restated Equity Participation Agreement
SCHEDULES
X-0 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
X-0 Xxxxxxx Village Block
A-3 Highway Village Block (Xxxxx Lake, Dot Lake and Tanacross) and
Area of Interest
X-0 Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
X-0 Xxxxx Group Block (X. Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx (Tofty) Township, Aloha and
Tofty State Claims) and Area of Interest
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AMENDED AND RESTATED OPTION AGREEMENT
THIS OPTION AGREEMENT ("this Agreement"), is made effective as of January
1, 2002, regardless of the dates upon which it actually is executed by the
parties hereto, between
XXXXX, LIMITED ("Xxxxx"), an Alaska corporation, optionor,
and
NORTH STAR EXPLORATION, INC. ("North Star"), a Nevada corporation,
optionee.
A. WHEREAS, pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, 43
X.X.X.xx. 1601 et seq., as amended ("ANCSA"), Xxxxx and the Villages (as defined
below) have selected certain lands depicted on the maps attached hereto as
Exhibits A-1 through A-5 ("the Maps") (said lands are also described in
Schedules A-1 through A-5 attached hereto); and
B. WHEREAS, pursuant to ANCSA, (1) Xxxxx has received from the United
States, through the Bureau of Land Management (the "BLM"), conveyances of both
the surface estate and the subsurface estate in and to portions of said lands ,
(2) Xxxxx reasonably believes that it has the right to receive from the United
States, through the BLM, conveyances of both the surface estate and the
subsurface estate in and to additional portions (but substantially less than
all) of said lands, all of which conveyances have been or will be subject to
certain Permitted Exceptions (as defined below), (3) Xxxxx reasonably believes
that the Villages have received or have the right to receive conveyance from the
United States, through the BLM, of the surface estate in and to some of said
lands, and (4) Xxxxx has received or reasonably believes that it has the right
to receive conveyance from the United States, through the BLM, of the subsurface
estate in and to the lands in which the Villages receive conveyance of the
surface estate; and
C. WHEREAS, pursuant to ANCSA, Xxxxx has selected lands within the State
of Alaska other than the Xxxxx Property (as defined herein) depicted on the Maps
for possible conveyance and these other selected lands together with the Xxxxx
Property (as defined herein) depicted on the Maps that it has selected exceed
the total acreage allowed to Xxxxx under ANCSA, such that from time to time the
BLM may require Xxxxx to identify portions of either those of the lands depicted
on the Maps that it has selected but that have not yet been conveyed to it or
the other selected lands, or both, that Xxxxx either does or does not desire to
receive and either to take conveyances of certain lands (limited in amount to
the remaining entitlements granted Xxxxx under ANCSA) or to release certain
lands from the lands selected under ANCSA for conveyance to Xxxxx, or both; and
D. WHEREAS, North Star acknowledges that (1) Xxxxx has no legal ability to
direct a Village to request that the BLM convey to that Village and Xxxxx any
particular lands that have been selected by the Village but not yet conveyed,
(2) certain lands that are or will be conveyed to a Village and Xxxxx may be
subject to the restrictions on mineral activities set forth
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in section 14(f) of ANCSA, and (3) it has been advised by Xxxxx and understands
that certain of the Villages have over-selected the amount of their entitlement
under ANCSA with the result that Xxxxx will not be entitled to conveyance of
that portion of the mineral estate in the Village Property where the Villages
have over-selected land; and
E. WHEREAS, although Xxxxx generally has not yet requested that the BLM
convey to Xxxxx any of the lands depicted on the Maps that have been selected
but have not yet been conveyed, based on Doyon's past experience in allowing
other mineral development companies to explore selected lands, Xxxxx reasonably
believes as follows: (1) The BLM will permit North Star, by and through Xxxxx,
to have helicopter and other limited access to lands managed by the BLM and the
BLM will grant the right to establish exploration camps for the purpose of
conducting geological, geochemical, and geophysical surveys, low impact
sampling, and limited drilling and test pit programs; (2) the National Park
Service and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service may, on an ad hoc basis,
permit North Star, by and through Xxxxx, to have limited helicopter and other
access to lands respectively managed by the National Park Service and the United
States Fish and Wildlife Service, and to conduct limited geological,
geochemical, and geophysical surveys and other limited exploration activities;
and (3) if Xxxxx requests conveyance of any of the lands depicted on the Maps
that have been selected by it, such lands will be conveyed to it by the BLM via
interim conveyance or patent, subject to certain Permitted Exceptions (as
defined below), and any such interim conveyance or patent will enable Xxxxx to
enter into a mineral lease with North Star for such lands to allow North Star to
proceed with exploration for, development of, and production of certain minerals
from such lands, if North Star otherwise is entitled to exercise its option to
receive a lease as to such lands under the terms of this Agreement; and
F. WHEREAS, North Star desires to conduct exploration for such minerals
not only on those of the lands depicted on the Maps that have been selected by
or conveyed to Xxxxx or a Village but also on certain lands surrounded by or
adjoining such selected or conveyed lands, and the parties desire to identify
those portions of the Xxxxx Property (as defined herein) which appear most
promising for mineral production so that (1) North Star can both exercise its
option to lease certain portions of said lands pursuant to this Agreement and
release from this Agreement certain other portions of said lands that do not
appear valuable for minerals, and (2) Xxxxx can from time to time request of the
BLM conveyances of portions of said lands or release from its selections
portions of said lands, or both, in accordance with the provisions of this
Agreement; and
G. WHEREAS, Xxxxx has agreed to grant to North Star the right to conduct
mineral exploration activities on the Xxxxx Property depicted on the Maps to the
extent Xxxxx has the power and authority to do so and has agreed to grant to
North Star the option to lease portions thereof subject to the terms and
conditions set forth in this Agreement, and
H. WHEREAS, Xxxxx and North Star previously entered into an Option
Agreement, dated May 27, 1997 (the "1997 Option Agreement"), pursuant to which
Xxxxx granted to North Star certain rights in certain properties in the State of
Alaska, some of which included the properties subject to this Agreement; and
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I. WHEREAS, Xxxxx and North Star wish to enter into this Agreement for the
purpose and with the intent of amending, replacing and superceding the 1997
Option Agreement in its entirety;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
herein contained, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the
parties hereto agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS
As used in this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires, the
following terms have the following meanings:
1.1 "Affiliate" means a person, partnership (limited, general or
otherwise), limited liability company, joint venture, corporation, or other
entity or form of enterprise which, whether through equity ownership or through
contractual obligations: (i) can control, either directly or indirectly, or be
controlled by a party hereto, or such party's successors or assigns, or (ii) is
under the common control, with a party hereto, or such party's successors or
assigns, directly or indirectly, of a third person or other entity.
1.2 "Alluvial Placer Gold Occurrences" means those gold occurrences which
have resulted from the operation of rivers and streams including the sediments
laid down in river and stream beds, flood plains, lakes, fans at the foot of
mountain slopes, and estuaries and which can be developed through use of
traditional placer mining techniques employing screening and trapping by use of
gravity separation only; if minerals need to be crushed or otherwise processed
prior to gravity separation, those materials and the gold found therein are not
alluvial placers.
1.3 "Area of Interest" means, with respect to the lands and interests
depicted on any one of Exhibits A-1 through A-5, inclusive, attached hereto, (i)
all interests in real property (other than Xxxxx Property) within the areas
depicted on such Exhibit as being within a Block plus (ii) all interests in real
property within the areas depicted on such Exhibit as being within the adjoining
area, designated on such Exhibit as the "Area of Interest."
1.4 "BLM Requested Selection Reduction" means a request to Xxxxx from the
BLM to relinquish Doyon's ANCSA selection to a portion of the Xxxxx Selected
Property.
1.5 "Block" means, with respect to the lands and interests depicted on any
one of Exhibits A-1 through A-5, inclusive, attached hereto, all of the Xxxxx
Property within the areas depicted on such Exhibits as being subject to this
Agreement. Each of Exhibits A-1 through A-5, inclusive, attached hereto thus
depicts, inter alia, a separate and distinct Block of Xxxxx Property, with their
associated Areas of Interests and Buffer Zones as follows:
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Exhibit A-1 shows the Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx X-0 shows the Takotna Village Block
Exhibit A-3 shows the Highway Village Block (Xxxxx Lake, Dot Lake and
Tanacross) and Area of Interest
Exhibit A-4 shows the Minto Village Block
Exhibit A-5 shows the Yukon Group Block (X. Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx (Tofty)
Township, Aloha and Tofty State Claims)
For the sake of clarity the Xxxxx Property constituting each of the Blocks is
further described on Schedules X-0, X-0, X-0, X-0 and A-5 attached hereto, as
follows:
Schedule A-1: Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx X-0: Takotna Village Block
Schedule A-3: Highway Village Block (Xxxxx Lake, Dot Lake and
Tanacross B and Tanacross A)
Schedule A-4: Minto Village Block
Schedule A-5: Yukon Group Block (X. Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx (Tofty) Township,
Aloha and Tofty State Claims)
1.6 "Buffer Zone" means with respect to the lands and interests depicted
on any one of Exhibits A-1 through A-5, inclusive, attached hereto, (i) all
interests in real property (other than Xxxxx Property or Area of Interest)
within the areas depicted on such Exhibit as being within a Block, plus (ii) all
interests in real property within the areas depicted on such Exhibit as being
within the adjoining area designated on such Exhibit as the "Buffer Zone."
1.7 "Commercial Production" means mineral production operations extracting
at least 300 tons of Ore per day from the Premises, on average, for a continuous
period of six (6) months, subject to periods of Force Majeure or periods in
which operations of that type are suspended due to normal weather conditions.
Any operation mining less than an average of 300 tons of Ore per day during a
continuous period of less than six (6) months shall not, for the purposes of
this Agreement, be regarded as capable of Commercial Production unless the
results of the appropriate Feasibility Study indicate that an average of less
than 300 tons of Ore per day is a viable level of full capacity production,
whereupon the parties agree to discuss in good faith an alternative minimum
tonnage requirement, and Doyon's consent to such an alternate minimum tonnage
requirement may not be unreasonably withheld.
1.8 "Designated Area" means the number of acres and tract configuration
which should be included in a Mining Lease in order to exploit fully and
efficiently the Mineral deposit(s) associated with a Prospect.
1.9 "Xxxxx Conveyed Property" means those real property interests within
the Expenditure Area that, as of the date of this Agreement or from time to time
in the future, are conveyed to Xxxxx pursuant to ANCSA either by interim
conveyance or by patent. Xxxxx
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Conveyed Property generally includes the subsurface estate in and to particular
lands; in some cases, Xxxxx Conveyed Property also includes the surface estate
in and to particular lands.
1.10 "Xxxxx Property" means all Xxxxx Selected Property, all Xxxxx
Conveyed Property, all Village Conveyed Subsurface, and any real property
interests acquired by Xxxxx pursuant to Section 13.1 of this Agreement.
1.11 "Xxxxx Selected Property" means those real property interests within
the Expenditure Area that are selected by Xxxxx pursuant to ANCSA but which have
not yet been conveyed to Xxxxx. Xxxxx Selected Property generally includes both
the surface estate and the subsurface estate in and to particular lands; in some
cases, Xxxxx Selected Property includes only the subsurface estate in and to
particular lands.
1.12 "Exhibit A Properties" means the Xxxxx Property referred to and
depicted on Exhibits A-1 through A-5 at any time.
1.13 "Expenditure Area" means all of the lands within each Block plus all
of the lands within each Block's associated Area of Interest, but not lands
within a Block's Buffer Zone. For purposes of convenience each Block's
Expenditure Area shall be designated as the "_________ Block Expenditure Area,"
such as the "Xxxxxxxx Village Block Expenditure Area."
1.14 "Exploration Expenditures" means all actual, direct expenditures
incurred after the date of this Agreement made by or on behalf of North Star on
the Exhibit A Properties in ascertaining the existence, location, quantity,
quality, or commercial value of deposits of Minerals within the Expenditure
Area. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Exploration Expenditures
shall include the following:
(a) a pro rata share (allocated on an hourly basis) of the salaries of
(i) North Star's Denver office staff and (ii) North Star's
geologists, landmen and technical employees, while either group is
working on or for the direct benefit of the Exhibit A Properties,
including but not limited to the costs of providing reports and
samples to Xxxxx and attending any meetings required under this
Agreement, but in the case of items (i) and (ii) in an amount not to
exceed $200,000 in the aggregate in any Option Year;
(b) the costs of (i) staking, filing and recording federal mining claims
and state prospecting sites within the Expenditure Area and (ii) the
cost of paying any Maintenance Fees, but in the case of items (i)
and (ii), not to exceed the amount of $35,000 in the aggregate in
any Option Year;
(c) the costs of any reclamation bond for operations on Xxxxx Property;
and
(d) the costs of all archaeological and cultural resources surveys.
5
Notwithstanding the foregoing, for all Option Years Exploration Expenditures
shall not include (a) payments made by North Star to Xxxxx pursuant to Section 3
below, (b) any costs associated with raising or managing equity capital, (c)
other than as provided above, any costs incurred in acquiring Third Party
Property within the Expenditure Area, (d) any payments made by North Star to
third parties (in cash, services, or anything else of value) pursuant to
agreements entered into with said third parties to acquire Third Party Property
within the Expenditure Area, or (e) any salaries or benefits of officers of
North Star, except for the salary (and not the benefits) of the officer of North
Star whose primary responsibility is geologic evaluation of the Xxxxx Property
and management of operations to be performed by North Star under this Agreement.
1.15 "Feasibility Study" means a written report prepared by an independent
mining consultant selected by North Star and approved by Xxxxx (whose approval
shall not be unreasonably withheld) setting forth in detail an analysis of the
economic and commercial viability of conducting operations for the production
and sale of Mineral Products from a Mine in a Designated Area that recommends
that all or part of the Designated Area should be brought into Commercial
Production. It shall also describe in detail the method by which Commercial
Production should be achieved and continued, including, where applicable,
reasonably anticipated exploration costs which a joint venture formed hereunder
would undertake to identify and quantify new mining reserves in the Designated
Area and shall also contain an analysis of applicable environmental and
reclamation laws and an estimate of the cost of complying with such laws. Such
report shall be in such form as is ordinarily necessary to satisfy substantial
international financing institutions for the purpose of determining the
advisability of providing project financing on a commercially competitive basis
taking into consideration all relevant criteria deemed to be both normal and
prudent for the mining industry in the United States. During the preparation of
any Feasibility Study, North Star shall make available to Xxxxx for review all
drafts of the Feasibility Study as they become available to North Star together
with all data upon which the Feasibility Study or drafts are based; provided,
however, nothing herein contained shall be deemed to give Xxxxx any right of
approval with respect to such drafts. Upon reasonable notice Xxxxx shall be
invited to attend all formal project review meetings between the consultant and
North Star held in connection with the preparation of any Feasibility Study.
1.16 "Maintenance Fees" means all state and federal mining claim rental
fees, mining claim maintenance payments and similar payments required by law to
hold federal unpatented mining claims and state mining claims and prospecting
sites.
1.17 "Mine" means one or more open pits, underground workings, in situ
operations, and processing facilities within a single Designated Area if such
open pits, underground workings, in situ operations, and processing facilities
are physically interrelated or for economic reasons should logically be
developed in conjunction with one another.
1.18 "Mineral(s)" means all substances (whether metallic or non-metallic)
occurring naturally in the earth but excluding Other Minerals.
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1.19 "Mineral Products" means all Ores produced from the Premises which
are sold, processed, or refined for their Mineral content and all products
derived from such processing or refining including, without limitation, dore
bullion, precipitates, and concentrates of Minerals.
1.20 "Mining Lease" means any mining lease entered into pursuant to this
Agreement using the form attached hereto as Exhibit D, as modified by the
revisions contained in Exhibit D-1, with such further changes, if any, as may be
agreed upon by Xxxxx and North Star as necessary and reasonable.
1.21 "Native Corporation" has that meaning given in ANCSA.
1.22 "Native" has that meaning given in ANCSA.
1.23 "Option" means the option rights granted in Section 2.1(c) of this
Agreement.
1.24 "Option Period" means the period commencing on the date of this
Agreement and ending at 11:59 p.m. P.S.T. on December 31, 2004, during which
period North Star may exercise the Option.
1.25 "Option Year" means any year during the Option Period commencing at
12:01 a.m. on January 1 and ending at midnight A.S.T. on the following December
31, with the effect that during the term of this Agreement there shall exist the
possibility for three option years commencing January 1, 2002, January 1, 2003
and January 1, 2004, respectively.
1.26 "Ore" means all material produced from the Premises that contains one
or more Minerals and which in the sole discretion of North Star justifies either
(i) mining, extracting, or recovering from a place in the Premises and selling
or delivering to a processing plant or refiner for physical or chemical
treatment, or (ii) treating in situ in the Premises by chemical, solution, or
other methods; said term shall also include all Mineral-bearing solutions,
natural or introduced, recovered by or for North Star from the Premises and
sold, processed, or refined by or for North Star, and all Mineral and
non-Mineral components of all such materials and solutions.
1.27 "Other Minerals" means all Alluvial Placer Gold Occurrences,
geothermal resources, sand, gravel, shot rock, aggregate, rock, building stone,
limestone, peat, coal, lignite, oil, gas, other liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons,
and all other substances occurring and producible naturally only as gases,
liquids, or fluids from xxxxx.
1.28 "Permitted Exceptions" means such (i) reservations, exceptions,
exclusions, restrictions, and limitations as may be included in interim
conveyances or patents issued to Xxxxx or a Village for property within the
Expenditure Area pursuant to ANCSA, including but not limited to the following:
valid existing rights (including but not limited to unpatented mining claims);
reserved areas set aside by law, executive order, public land order, or similar
action; cemetery and historic sites; air navigation sites; public land entries;
Native allotments; lands underlying inland navigable waters, tidal waters, or
coastal waters; and public easements; and (ii)
7
with respect to the State Mining Claims, the paramount title of the State of
Alaska. (Some Permitted Exceptions constitute Third Party Property.)
1.29 "Positive Prefeasibility Study" means a written study for a Prospect
prepared by an independent mining consultant selected by North Star and approved
by Xxxxx (whose approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) containing (1) an
analysis of the possible economic viability of conducting commercial operations
for the production, marketing, and sale of one or more Mineral Products from a
Mine, (2) an analysis of the possible market for Mineral Products that may be
produced from said Mine, (3) a discussion of the possible methods by which
Commercial Production of Mineral Products may be achieved from said Mine, (4) a
description of the possibly applicable environmental issues associated with the
operation and reclamation of said Mine, including applicable environmental and
reclamation laws, (5) a description of the recommended Designated Area for the
prospect, including if applicable any Village Property, (6) an analysis of the
land status of all lands within the Designated Area and possible impacts of such
land status on the development and operation of said Mine, and (7) a
recommendation, based upon drilling (except in cases of governmental prohibition
on drilling) and limited metallurgical testing evidencing (in conjunction with
such other testing and information as may be available) the possible continuity
and grade of the mineralization on the Prospect, that continued focused
exploration or development work be conducted on the Designated Area to determine
whether all or a part of the Prospect can be brought into Commercial Production.
The parties further acknowledge and agree that a Positive Prefeasibility Study
will be used solely for the purpose of determining whether a Mining Lease should
be entered into for a particular Prospect and that a Positive Prefeasibility
Study will be adequate for this purpose if a reasonably prudent person familiar
with the mining industry in North America would read such study and conclude
that additional work should be performed in the Designated Area with the
expectation that such additional work might reasonably lead to the development
of a paying Mine within the Designated Area. The parties acknowledge that a
Positive Prefeasibility Study cannot and will not be as rigorous or detailed as
a full Feasibility Study. During the preparation of any Positive Prefeasibility
Study, North Star shall make available to Xxxxx for review all drafts of the
Positive Prefeasibility Study as they become available to North Star together
with all data upon which the Positive Prefeasibility Study or drafts are based;
provided, however, nothing herein contained shall be deemed to give Xxxxx any
right of approval with respect to such drafts. Upon reasonable notice Xxxxx
shall be invited to attend all formal project review meetings between the
consultant and North Star held in connection with the preparation of any
Positive Prefeasibility Study.
1.30 "Premises" means such Xxxxx Property as may be included in a Mining
Lease.
1.31 "Prioritization Lists" has the meaning set forth in Section 8.2(b).
1.32 "Prospect" means an area of land within a Block containing
mineralization that may be capable of development into a Mine.
8
1.33 "Reserved Interest" means an overriding royalty, a production
payment, a royalty or any other form of interest that does not bear its
proportionate share of the obligations and liabilities of the cost of
production.
1.34 "Royalty" means the overriding royalty in the amount and at the rate
described in Exhibit B (Conveyance of Overriding Royalty) attached hereto and
forming a part hereof.
1.35 "Sale or Distribution to the Public" means a sale pursuant to a bona
fide public offering, as a result of which members of the public become the
holders, directly or indirectly, of an interest in the Option Agreement, one or
more Mining Leases and/or one or more acquired Third Party Properties referred
to therein. Such transactions shall include, besides actual sales of shares of
North Star to the public, so-called "reverse takeovers," "spin-offs" and similar
transactions in which interests in the Option Agreement, one or more Mining
Leases and/or one or more acquired Third Party Properties become an asset of a
publicly held company in exchange for shares thereof through a corporate merger
or other form of transaction.
1.36 "State Mining Claims" means State of Alaska mining claims or
prospecting sites and the right to convert those State of Alaska mining claims
or sites to a mining lease pursuant to Alaska law.
1.37 "Third Party Property" means those interests in real property,
including State Mining Claims and federal mining claims, within the Expenditure
Area or within a Buffer Zone to that Expenditure Area, as defined in this
Agreement, or within any Expenditure Area as defined in the 1997 Option
Agreement that are neither Xxxxx Property nor Village Property.
1.38 "Village(s)" means an Alaska Native village corporation established
for a Native village on lands within the Xxxxx Property, including any successor
in interest to such village corporation.
1.39 "Village Conveyed Surface" means the surface estate in and to
particular lands within the Expenditure Area that, as of the date of this
Agreement or from time to time in the future, is conveyed to a Village pursuant
to ANCSA either by interim conveyance or by patent.
1.40 "Village Conveyed Subsurface" means the subsurface estate in and to
particular lands within the Expenditure Area that, as of the date of this
Agreement or from time to time in the future, is conveyed to Xxxxx pursuant to
section 14(f) of ANCSA either by interim conveyance or by patent.
1.41 "Village Property" means all Village Selected Surface and all Village
Conveyed Surface.
1.42 "Village Selected Surface" means the surface estate in and to
particular lands within the Expenditure Area that is selected by the Village
pursuant to ANCSA but which has not yet been conveyed to the Village.
9
1.43 "Working Interest" means a working interest elected by Xxxxx pursuant
to either Section 13.2(b) or Section 13.2(c) in accordance with and as further
defined in Exhibit C attached hereto and forming a part hereof.
2. GRANT OF EXPLORATION RIGHTS AND OPTION TO LEASE
2.1 Grant. With respect to the Xxxxx Conveyed Property and the Village
Conveyed Subsurface (including such Xxxxx Conveyed Property and Village Conveyed
Subsurface as may be acquired by Xxxxx after the date hereof), and for the Xxxxx
Selected Property to the extent Xxxxx has the power and authority to do so, and
subject to the rights of termination as provided herein, to the release rights
and obligations of Section 10 and to Permitted Exceptions, Xxxxx hereby grants
to North Star the following, for and during the Option Period:
(a) the nonexclusive right to use the surface of the Xxxxx Property to
the extent such surface or the right to use such surface is owned or
held by Xxxxx, subject to Doyon's right to review and approve the
choice of surface locations for access routes and other surface
facilities and place reasonable restrictions thereon, all in
furtherance of activities undertaken pursuant to this Agreement;
(b) subject to the provisions of Section 2.2, the sole and exclusive
right to explore the Xxxxx Property for Minerals by conducting
geological, geochemical, and geophysical activities and taking
samples (including drilling), if and to the extent permitted by the
BLM or other governmental agency with jurisdiction over the affected
portion of the Xxxxx Property prior to interim conveyance or patent;
(c) the sole and exclusive Option, exercisable, upon giving written
notice of exercise to Xxxxx, at any time and from time to time
during the Option Period, to lease portions of the Xxxxx Property
pursuant to the leasing procedure described in this Agreement;
(d) the exclusive right to use on the Xxxxx Property at no cost such
sand, gravel, shot rock, aggregate, rock, and other materials as may
exist on Xxxxx Property, all in furtherance of activities undertaken
pursuant to this Agreement.
2.2 Separate Surface Use Agreements. North Star acknowledges and agrees as
follows: (i) the Village owns or controls the Village Property; (ii) certain
Third Party Property is owned by individuals who are Natives or descendants of
Natives (or is owned by the U.S. on behalf of Natives) in the form of Native
allotments or pursuant to other federal laws granting land title to individual
Natives from public lands; and (iii) such Third Party Property may include
rights to some or all Minerals. Xxxxx acknowledges its obligation under Section
8.1(a) of this Agreement to provide information to North Star about Village,
Third Party, and Native interests. Whether pursuant to this Agreement or any
Mining Lease granted hereunder, North Star shall not enter upon any Village
Property or any Third Party Property that is owned by individuals who are
Natives or descendants of Natives (or is owned by the U.S. on behalf of Natives
in the form of Native allotments or pursuant to other federal laws granting land
title to individual
10
Natives from public lands), except to the extent of any public rights of access,
until North Star has executed an agreement with all persons or entities that own
or control such Village Property or such Third Party Property. Moreover, North
Star agrees that it shall notify Doyon's Vice-President of Land and Natural
Resources at least 20 days prior to the date it intends to make an initial
contact with a Village or a Native owner of a Third Party Property regarding the
obtaining of a surface use agreement. When North Star's rights regarding a
parcel of land under this Agreement or any Mining Lease granted hereunder are
released, have expired, or otherwise terminate and such parcel is subject to a
surface use agreement with the Village, North Star shall relinquish all rights
under that surface use agreement. North Star shall provide promptly to Xxxxx a
copy of any surface use agreement entered into by North Star with a Village, a
Native or a descendent of a Native. As of the date of this Agreement, North Star
has entered into one Surface Use Agreement being that certain Surface Use
License, dated April 27, 2001 between North Star and Xxxxxxxx Natives, Inc., a
copy of which Agreement has been provided to Xxxxx by North Star.
2.3 Governmental Permits and Approvals. Xxxxx shall, upon request by North
Star, make reasonable efforts to assist North Star in obtaining such permits and
approvals (including, in particular, special use permits and water rights
permits) from the BLM or other governmental agencies with jurisdiction over the
Xxxxx Property and, to the extent required by law or regulation, Xxxxx shall
join in all applications for such permits or approvals as are reasonably
necessary for the exploration activities contemplated by this Agreement. In all
cases, North Star shall be responsible for preparing all such applications.
Xxxxx shall have the right to review such applications, as well as amendments
thereto, before they are submitted and to require reasonable revisions, and
North Star agrees it shall timely provide to Xxxxx before submission to the
regulatory agencies copies of proposed applications and amendments to facilitate
Doyon's review. Xxxxx shall cooperate fully with North Star in seeking permits
and approvals, including during the appeal of any denials or unreasonable
conditions, as requested in good faith by North Star; provided North Star shall
reimburse Xxxxx for any costs or expenses incurred by Xxxxx; and provided
further Xxxxx shall have no obligation to participate on North Star's behalf in
any jurisdictional challenges or disputes regarding permitting or approvals or
in permit or approval disputes which are based upon cultural resource issues.
Permits and approvals shall be issued to and in the name of North Star except
that any water rights permits appurtenant to the Xxxxx Property or the Village
Property shall be issued in the name of Xxxxx, and Xxxxx shall allow use of such
water rights by North Star. North Star shall keep Xxxxx advised of all
communications with regulatory agencies concerning the activities contemplated
under this Agreement and shall invite Xxxxx, at Doyon's expense, to attend and
participate in all meetings with regulatory authorities and vice versa. All
fees, rentals, or other payments, if any, necessary for issuance of such permits
and approvals shall be paid by North Star. No amendments to the terms of any
permit or approval shall be sought by North Star without prior consultation with
Xxxxx and without the prior written consent of Xxxxx, which consent shall not be
withheld unreasonably except in those situations where significant cultural
resources are potentially impacted. North Star promptly shall provide Xxxxx with
copies of all permits and approvals obtained by North Star.
11
2.4 No Reliance. Each of the parties to this Agreement represents to the
other that in negotiating and entering into this Agreement, it has relied solely
on its own appraisals and estimates as to the value of the Xxxxx Property and
upon its own geologic and engineering interpretations related thereto, including
the work and studies performed by North Star pursuant to the 1997 Option
Agreement. North Star acknowledges that for the purposes of its appraisals and
evaluations it has additionally specifically relied upon advice and counsel
received by it from the consulting firm of Xxxxxxx Xxxxx & Xxxx which it hired
for the purpose of evaluating the Xxxxx Property prior to North Star entering
into the 1997 Option Agreement.
3. OPTION PAYMENTS
3.1 Initial Payment and Execution of Equity Participation Agreement..
Simultaneous with the execution of this Agreement, North Star shall (a) pay to
Xxxxx an initial option payment of $225,000, and (b) execute and deliver, and
cause to be executed and delivered, that certain Amended and Restated Equity
Participation Agreement in the form of Exhibit E attached hereto and made a part
hereof.
3.2 Later Option Payments. On or before April 1, 2003 (if this Agreement
is in effect on said April 1, 2003, but not otherwise), and on or before April
1, 2004 (if this Agreement is in effect on said April 1, 2004 but not
otherwise), North Star shall pay to Xxxxx the following option payments:
If, as of the respective April 1 date, North Star has retained the
following number of Blocks, it shall make the following payments to Xxxxx:
5 Blocks $225,000
4 Blocks $175,000
3 or fewer Blocks $150,000.
3.3 Scholarship Donations. North Star agrees that, simultaneously with the
execution of this Agreement and on each April 1 thereafter during the Option
Period (if this Agreement is in effect on each said April 1 but not otherwise),
North Star shall contribute to the Xxxxx Foundation, or as otherwise directed by
the President of Xxxxx, for scholarships to educate Xxxxx shareholders and their
direct descendants in the fields of natural resources development and land
management, the sum of $20,000. North Star shall have no responsibility to
determine the eligibility of the persons receiving scholarships.
12
4. EXPLORATION MANAGEMENT AND EXPLORATION EXPENDITURE COMMITMENTS FOR EXHIBIT A
PROPERTIES
4.1 Exploration Management. If North Star elects to subcontract all or a
substantial portion of the management of its exploration activities under this
Agreement, North Star shall first obtain the consent of Xxxxx to the proposed
subcontractor North Star desires to use as the manager of its exploration
activities. North Star shall provide Xxxxx with a copy of all agreements
(including amendments thereto) between North Star and any manager pertaining in
whole or in part to the Expenditure Area. In the event that any manager, to
which appointment Xxxxx has consented, for whatever reason is unable to continue
as manager or it is determined that such manager must be replaced, North Star
will seek Doyon's consent to the naming of a successor manager, which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld. North Star and Xxxxx recognize that a joint
venture partner may require that it act as manager.
4.2 Mandatory Expenditures. North Star agrees to make mandatory minimum
Exploration Expenditures as set forth below. The obligation to make Exploration
Expenditures for any Option Year accrues on the first day of that Option Year
and not before.
(a)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) Allocated Exploration Expenditures
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Block and Area of Interest Option Year
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002 2003 2004
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xxxxxxxx Village $390,000 $110,000 $350,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Takotna Village $90,000 0 $170,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Highway Village $60,000 0 $150,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yukon Group $130,000 $20,000 $150,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minto Village $10,000 $65,000 $75,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(ii) Non-Allocated Exploration Expenditures:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State of Alaska Mining Claim and Other
Miscellaneous Expenditures $35,000 $35,000 $35,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Database $30,000 0 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fairbanks & Denver Offices $200,000 $200,000 $200,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(b) Exploration Expenditures in excess of the minimum amount required
for each Option Year as described above may be carried forward and
credited toward the minimum Exploration Expenditures amount accruing
for any subsequent year or years, except that only $200,000 of
drilling costs per each Block and associated Area of Interest may be
so carried forward at any one time.
(c) Exploration Expenditures in excess of the minimum amounts required
by Section 4.2(a) for each Option Year on each Block and associated
Area of Interest as described above may be carried forward and
credited toward the minimum
13
required Exploration Expenditures amount for that Block accruing for
the subsequent year or years. Minimum Exploration Expenditures
incurred on one Block and its associated Area of Interest may not be
carried forward as minimum Exploration Expenditures on any other
Block and its associated Area of Interest.
4.3 Exploration Program and Budget. On or before each March 1 during the
Option Period, North Star shall submit to Xxxxx a draft program and budget for
Exploration Expenditures for all properties for that Option Year. On or before
each March 15 during the Option Period, Xxxxx and North Star shall meet at a
mutually agreed time and place in Alaska to discuss North Star's proposed
program and budget for Exploration Expenditures for that Option Year. On or
before each March 30 during the Option Period, North Star shall submit its final
proposed program and budget to Xxxxx for Exploration Expenditures for that
Option Year. On or before each April 15 during the Option Period, North Star
shall approve a final program and budget for Exploration Expenditures for that
Option Year incorporating such features and expenses as it desires, subject only
to (a) the requirements hereof and (b) the right of Xxxxx, if Xxxxx disagrees
with the North Star final program and budget, to direct, on or before April 30
of each Option Year, that up to fifteen percent (15%) of the mandatory minimum
Exploration Expenditures required for that Option Year be expended on programs
which Xxxxx desires to have performed, if such programs comprise exploration
activities that are consistent with generally accepted exploration practices and
are not inconsistent with the objectives of this Agreement.
4.4 Sampling. During the term of this Agreement, North Star agrees that in
obtaining analyses and assays of mineral samples it will test for all Minerals
which it reasonably believes may be present and of potential economic interest.
4.5 Guarantee of Exploration Expenditures.
(a) If this Agreement is in effect for the 2004 Option Year, on or
before April 15, 2004, North Star shall deposit and maintain in a
separate operating account maintained at the National Bank of
Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska, or any other bank to which the parties
agree, for work undertaken pursuant to this Agreement, or otherwise
make available to the operations to be conducted for that Option
Year by use of an irrevocable letter of credit for the benefit of
Xxxxx, a sum equivalent to the minimum amount of Exploration
Expenditures required to be made during said year. North Star shall
notify Xxxxx when the required funds are made available. North Star
shall be entitled to use the deposited funds for the purpose of
paying the costs incurred in implementing the approved program and
budget for Exploration Expenditures for that Option Year. The
balance of any such minimum amount of funds, if any, remaining in
said account after the submittal of the annual accounting provided
for in Section 8.2(c) of this Agreement shall be paid over to Xxxxx.
(b) If, after review of the annual accounting provided for in Section
8.2(c) of this Agreement, Xxxxx believes that North Star has failed
to apply designated funds
14
solely for Exploration Expenditures authorized under this Agreement,
Xxxxx may initiate arbitration pursuant to Section 18.3 of this
Agreement. If the result of that arbitration is a finding that North
Star failed to apply designated funds solely for Exploration
Expenditures, then Xxxxx may terminate this Agreement and all funds
remaining in the operating account maintained at the National Bank
of Alaska for work undertaken pursuant to this Agreement, if not
previously removed and paid to Xxxxx pursuant to the last sentence
of Section 4.5(a), shall be due to Xxxxx upon receipt of Doyon's
request, provided that if the misapplication(s) do(es) not exceed
$50,000 in a single instance or $100,000 cumulatively in a
particular Option Year, then North Star shall have thirty (30) days
after receipt of notice of the arbitration decision to that effect
in which to pay to Xxxxx the amount of the misapplication, in which
event upon receipt of payment by Xxxxx the default shall be cured
and the Agreement deemed not to have terminated.
5. EXERCISE OF OPTION AND EXECUTION OF LEASE
5.1 Prefeasibility Study; Designated Areas.
(a) Once North Star, pursuant to either or both of the 1997 Option
Agreement and this Agreement, has conducted at least 5,000 feet of
diamond core drilling for a Prospect on lands proposed for a
Designated Area, made Exploration Expenditures of at least $500,000
for a Prospect within one (1) mile of the boundary of a Designated
Area for a Prospect, and has submitted a Positive Prefeasibility
Study for that Designated Area, North Star may exercise its Option
to lease with respect to that portion of the Designated Area which
is Xxxxx Property. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a governmental
agency with jurisdiction over the proposed Designated Area prohibits
reasonable drilling requested in good faith, drilling is not
required prior to completing a Positive Prefeasibility Study and
exercising the Option.
(b) Once a Mining Lease has been entered into, North Star may elect to
exercise its Option to lease from the remaining Xxxxx Property, from
time to time during the Option Period, with respect to any one or
more Designated Areas, by giving written notice to Xxxxx of its
election and delivering to Xxxxx a copy of its Positive
Prefeasibility Study for each such Designated Area, except that,
unless otherwise agreed by Xxxxx, not more than 14 Designated Areas,
aggregating not more than 322,560 acres of Xxxxx Selected Property
as of the date of this Agreement, all located in not more than 14
federal townships, may be included in Mining Leases. The aforestated
limitation on the number of Mining Leases does not apply to lands
which are Xxxxx Conveyed property on the date of this Agreement.
15
5.2 Request for Conveyance and Execution of Lease.
(a) Subject to the Permitted Exceptions, within 90 days after delivery
to Xxxxx of:
(i) a satisfactory Positive Prefeasibility Study respecting a
Designated Area; and
(ii) notice of North Star's exercise of the Option on a Designated
Area and, regardless of whether the Option Period expires
after such delivery, Xxxxx shall request from the BLM a
conveyance of all Xxxxx Property therein, if Xxxxx has not yet
received such a conveyance. Xxxxx shall use all reasonable
efforts to expedite the conveyance of such Xxxxx Property.
Within thirty (30) days after Doyon's receipt of conveyance of
all Xxxxx Property as to which North Star has exercised its
Option, or within thirty (30) days after receipt by Xxxxx of
North Star's request if Xxxxx has already received conveyance
of all of the Xxxxx Property as to which North Star has
exercised its Option, the parties shall execute either a
Mining Lease (as to a new Designated Area) or an addendum to
an existing Mining Lease, if appropriate. Such Mining Lease or
addendum shall be effective as of the date of its execution.
(b) If Xxxxx, despite its best efforts, cannot secure a conveyance to
all Xxxxx Property as to which North Star has exercised its Option
because of a title defect which was (i) not of record (either in
federal or state records), (ii) not known to Xxxxx and disclosed by
it to North Star, (iii) not discovered in the course of a search
conducted by North Star during the preparation of a Positive
Prefeasibility Study by North Star, or (iv) was, for any other
reason beyond the reasonable control of Xxxxx or North Star,
undisclosed or unknown, and if the inability of Xxxxx to secure such
conveyance materially impairs North Star's ability to build or
expand (as the case may be) a profitable Mine, in North Star's
reasonable estimation, then North Star may rescind its exercise of
the Option as to such area by written notice to Xxxxx. Any
Designated Area subject to such a rescission shall not constitute a
Designated Area for purposes of the limitation set forth at the end
of the next to last paragraph in Section 5.1. If North Star believes
the title defect preventing Xxxxx from securing conveyance
ultimately may be cured, then North Star may elect to declare an
event of force majeure under Section 15 of this Agreement as to the
optioned area for which conveyance is unavailable and proceed to
attempt to cure such defect pursuant to Section 11.3.
6. CONDUCT OF OPERATIONS
6.1 Operational Standards and Compliance with Laws. All activities under
this Agreement shall be conducted in a good and miner-like manner to the highest
standards reasonably capable of being employed now or in the future by the
mining industry and in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local
laws and regulations, whether now
16
existing or subsequently enacted, including those relating to reclamation of the
Xxxxx Property, air quality, water quality, the treatment, storage, and disposal
of wastes and hazardous substances. Consistent with applicable laws, wastes and
hazardous substances will either be destroyed or removed from Xxxxx Property not
included in a Mining Lease unless Xxxxx consents in writing to storage or
disposal thereon. However, unless such violations of laws or breaches of
operational standards or reclamation requirements cause material harm to Xxxxx,
to Xxxxx shareholders or descendants of shareholders, or to its or their
property or to resources which are or may be owned or used by Xxxxx or by Xxxxx
shareholders or descendants of shareholders, or unless such violations or
breaches cause North Star to default in the performance of its other obligations
under this Agreement, such violations or breaches shall not be grounds for Xxxxx
to terminate this Agreement under Section 14 below. North Star recognizes that
compliance with laws and regulations may not be adequate to meet the operational
standards of this Section 6.1 or the reclamation requirements of Section 6.2
herein. The requirements of this Section 6.1 terminate as to the lands within a
Mining Lease, upon the issuance of that Mining Lease.
6.2 Condition of Sites and Facilities; Reclamation Bond.
(a) North Star shall, at all times, keep all areas of the Xxxxx Property
on which it is conducting activities in a neat and clean condition,
free of unnecessary accumulation of debris and waste resulting from
North Star's operations. During the term of this Agreement, all
improvements constructed on the Xxxxx Property by North Star shall
be maintained in good condition and reasonably secured.
(b) Prior to commencement of exploration activities on the Xxxxx
Property, North Star shall (i) obtain for the benefit of Xxxxx a
reclamation performance bond or other financial security in an
amount equal to 150% of the amount required by all applicable laws
relating to North Star's operations on the Xxxxx Property, and (ii)
provide Xxxxx with a copy of the reclamation bond or other financial
security it so obtains. For purposes of the preceding sentence,
North Star hereby waives any rights it may have under AS
27.19.050(a). Xxxxx shall have the right at any time to require
verification of the existence and amount of financial security
required by this Section. To the extent permitted by law, North Star
shall name Xxxxx as co-beneficiary on any bond or other form of
financial security obtained pursuant to this Section, or in favor of
a federal, state or local governmental agency.
6.3 Archaeological and Cultural Resources Clearances. Prior to conducting
surface disturbing activities such as trenching, drilling, or similar mechanized
operations on any site within the Expenditure Area, North Star shall conduct,
through use of qualified personnel, an archaeological and cultural resources
survey of each site to determine the existence of artifacts, remains, and places
of cultural significance to Alaska Natives and, if such artifacts and remains
are discovered or places identified, to minimize possible adverse effects on
such sites from mineral exploration activities allowed under this Agreement.
North Star shall provide Xxxxx with copies of all archaeological and cultural
resources surveys as they are completed. Selection
17
of such personnel shall be made by North Star and approved by Xxxxx (whose
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) and a written report of each such
survey shall be submitted to Xxxxx. Xxxxx acknowledges its obligation under
Section 8.1(a) of this Agreement to provide information to North Star about
archaeological and cultural resources within the Expenditure Area.
6.4 Notice of Non-Responsibility. North Star shall post and maintain
notices at its operations on the Xxxxx Property stating that Xxxxx (except to
the extent it acquires a working interest in a Mining Lease) shall not be
responsible or liable for any claim for performing labor or furnishing
materials, supplies, machinery, or other fixtures or for damages in connection
with North Star's operations on the Xxxxx Property and that Doyon's interest in
the Xxxxx Property shall not be subject to any lien or claim of lien therefor.
Xxxxx acknowledges that Xxxxx shall be responsible and liable for any such claim
or lien arising out of its own operations on the Xxxxx Property during the
Option Period.
6.5 Liens and Encumbrances. Except with respect to its leasehold interest
under any Mining Lease, its rights to Minerals, Ores, and Mineral Products
produced pursuant thereto, and its improvements in a Designated Area subject to
any Mining Lease, North Star shall not permit or allow the assertion by any
person of any claim, lien, or encumbrance of any nature whatsoever arising out
of or resulting directly or indirectly from its activities on the Xxxxx
Property, including but not limited to North Star's interest in the Minerals,
Ores, and Mineral Products located therein or derived therefrom and any
improvements to the Xxxxx Property. If any such claim, lien, or encumbrance is
asserted by any third person, North Star shall promptly discharge the same
unless North Star in good faith contests the claim, lien, or encumbrance, in
which event North Star shall provide Xxxxx with a bond or other reasonable
assurance of payment acceptable to Xxxxx in an amount adequate to protect Xxxxx
against loss from the claim, lien, or encumbrance and all costs associated
therewith, including without limitation penalties and attorneys' fees.
6.6 Taxes. North Star shall pay when due, during the term of this
Agreement, all taxes assessed against its personal property and all improvements
placed upon the Xxxxx Property, and ad valorem and reserves taxes or other taxes
assessed against the Xxxxx Property which result from North Star's activities on
the Xxxxx Property. North Star shall have the right, at its option, to contest,
in the courts or otherwise, in its own name, the validity or amount of any such
taxes or assessments, if it deems the same unlawful, unjust, unequal, or
excessive, or to take such other steps or proceedings as it deems necessary to
secure a cancellation, reduction, readjustment or equalization thereof, before
it shall be required to pay the same. Xxxxx shall pay property taxes and all ad
valorem taxes assessed against the Xxxxx Property for improvements not placed
thereon by North Star. Xxxxx shall furnish to North Star duplicate receipts of
all such taxes or assessments when paid. If Xxxxx receives tax bills or claims
which are the responsibility of North Star hereunder, the same shall be promptly
forwarded to North Star for appropriate action and, if not so forwarded, Xxxxx
shall be responsible for any delinquent payment charges or interest charges
resulting from the late payment of such taxes.
18
6.7 Insurance. In addition to reclamation bonding required by Section 6.2
above, North Star shall, at all times while conducting operations pursuant to
this Agreement, comply fully with applicable worker's compensation laws and
purchase protection for it and Xxxxx comparable to that provided under standard
form insurance policies for the following: (a) comprehensive public liability
and property damage with combined limits of $2,000,000 for bodily injury and
property damage; (b) automobile insurance with combined limits of $500,000; and
(c) adequate and reasonable insurance against risk of fire and other risks
ordinarily insured against in similar operations. Xxxxx shall be named an
additional insured under all such insurance policies (to the extent permitted by
law) and North Star shall cause Xxxxx promptly to be furnished with insurance
certificates evidencing such insurance at any time upon request.
6.8 Indemnification. North Star shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless
Xxxxx, its shareholders and direct descendants thereof, employees, agents, and
representatives against all liabilities, losses, damages, fines, penalties,
costs, and expenses of whatever kind or character (including without limitation
reasonable attorneys' fees), or any claims therefor, for North Star's failure to
comply with the terms of this Agreement, or the terms of any governmental permit
or approval issued in connection with this Agreement, for destruction of or for
damage to property, including property of Xxxxx or of a Village, arising out of
or resulting from North Star's performance under this Agreement, and for the
death of or injury to any persons, including employees, agents, and contractors
of Xxxxx and North Star, arising out of or resulting from North Star's
performance under this Agreement. North Star shall pay, on behalf of Xxxxx, upon
its demand, the amount of any judgment that may be entered against Xxxxx in
connection with the purposes for which this indemnification is given, if
execution on any such judgment has not been stayed by appropriate court order.
North Star shall not be liable to Xxxxx for punitive damages relating to damages
to Xxxxx and vice versa.
6.9 Coordination of Surface Uses; Reservation by Xxxxx of Alluvial Placer
Gold Occurrences.
(a) North Star and Xxxxx acknowledge that the surface of the Xxxxx
Property, including specifically the Village Property, has uses in
addition to mineral exploration. Xxxxx reserves the right to manage
and use the Xxxxx Conveyed Property and the Xxxxx Selected property
for all such uses during the term of this Agreement. Each party
shall use reasonable and diligent efforts to notify and coordinate
with the other so as to minimize interference to the activities of
the other resulting from its activities. Specifically, North Star
acknowledges that Xxxxx has advised it that sometime in the future
Xxxxx may lease certain of the Xxxxx Property within the Kandik
Block for oil and gas purposes. Such oil and gas lease or leases may
interfere with the operations of North Star notwithstanding Doyon's
or its lessees' reasonable and diligent efforts to minimize such
interference; any such interference shall not be a breach of
obligations by Xxxxx under this Agreement and any Mining Lease
hereunder.
(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Xxxxx shall notify
North Star whenever Xxxxx enters into any exploration or development
contract for any
00
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxx and whenever Xxxxx intends to
conduct operations on any Alluvial Placer Gold Occurrence on the
Xxxxx Property. North Star acknowledges that Xxxxx reserves the
exclusive right to explore for and develop (or to authorize third
parties to explore for and develop) Alluvial Placer Gold
Occurrences. North Star shall conduct its operations under this
Agreement on lands containing Alluvial Placer Gold Occurrences in a
manner which does not materially interfere with the exploration or
development of Alluvial Placer Gold Occurrences by Xxxxx or third
parties claiming under Xxxxx. If requested by North Star, Xxxxx
agrees to lease to North Star Alluvial Placer Gold Occurrences if
and to the extent that North Star is conducting or plans to conduct
operations on those lands. The terms of such lease shall be
substantially the same as those contained in other leases that Xxxxx
grants or is willing to grant to third parties, except that Xxxxx
shall prohibit assignment or subletting of the Alluvial Placer Gold
Occurrences leasehold estate by North Star.
6.10 No Hunting, Fishing and Trapping; No Consumption of Alcoholic
Beverages. North Star, its contractors and consultants, and its and their
employees shall not engage in any hunting, fishing, or trapping nor consume
alcoholic beverages in or on the Expenditure Area or on Village Property without
the prior written consent of Xxxxx and the appropriate Village.
6.11 Doyon's Liability Limitations. Xxxxx shall not be liable to North
Star, its agents, employees, or contractors for any losses, damages, expenses,
liabilities, or claims therefor of whatever kind or character resulting from or
arising out of any dangerous or hazardous conditions in the Expenditure Area,
whether or not known to Xxxxx. This Section is not intended to limit in any way
the tort immunity granted by Alaska Statutes ss. 09.65.200 (tort immunity for
personal injuries or death occurring on unimproved land).
6.12 Federal or State Mining Claims. During the term of this Agreement and
any Mining Lease entered into which covers federal or State Mining Claims, North
Star shall have the sole responsibility of maintaining any federal or State
Mining Claims located by it within the Expenditure Area, including the payment
of any rentals, performance of any assessment work or payment of fees to the
Bureau of Land Management or State of Alaska. If North Star elects not to
continue to maintain any federal or State Mining Claims, it may do so by
releasing those claims from this Agreement, but it shall first offer the federal
or State Mining Claims to be released to Xxxxx by means of a quitclaim deed of
all of its right, title and interest in the claims to Xxxxx. Xxxxx may elect to
accept the released claims and request the quitclaim deed, or it may notify
North Star that it does not elect to accept the release claims, in which event
North Star thereafter may abandon the claims proposed for release.
20
7. CONTRACTING AND HIRING PREFERENCES
7.1 Contracting Preference. North Star shall invite Xxxxx, or any entity
designated by Xxxxx in which Xxxxx has a financial interest of 25% or more, to
make proposals or bids on all contracts bid or let after the date of this
Agreement relating to operations of North Star within the Expenditure Area which
North Star elects to have performed by an independent contractor, which are
normally put out to general bid, and which are a type of contract that Xxxxx has
previously notified North Star that it is interested in performing. To enable
Xxxxx to have an adequate opportunity to prepare itself, and to associate with
others in making proposals or bids for contracts, North Star shall notify Xxxxx
not less than 30 days prior to the date any invitation to bid is scheduled to be
transmitted or published, as early as reasonably possible, of any contracts or
activities in which Xxxxx has the opportunity to participate pursuant to this
Section. In that event, Xxxxx or such entity shall be first and preferentially
considered for such contracts to be performed for North Star as follows:
(a) Each proposal or bid from Xxxxx or such entity shall be accepted if
(1) the goods or services offered are substantially equivalent in
quality to those offered by the best acceptable competing proposal
or bid received by North Star, (2) after full consideration of
likely operating efficiencies, if any, it will cost no more than the
best acceptable competing proposal or bid received by North Star,
and (3) the experience and capability of Xxxxx or such entity, if
applicable, to perform in accordance with good and accepted
practices can be demonstrated by Xxxxx or such entity to North
Star's reasonable satisfaction.
(b) North Star agrees that Xxxxx/Universal Services Joint Venture, or
any successor owned or controlled by Xxxxx or in which Xxxxx
maintains a twenty-five percent (25%) or greater interest, is
experienced and capable of performing remote site food service and
housekeeping services for any operation of North Star.
(c) This Section shall not be construed to restrict in any way the right
of North Star to perform any work or supply any services itself. North Star
shall be relieved of the obligation to comply with any provision of this Section
to the extent that such provision causes any delay in operations that would not
occur if it were not in effect.
7.2 Hiring Preference. North Star shall preferentially hire qualified or
experienced Xxxxx shareholders and their qualified or experienced family
members, if such persons are identified and available to North Star, and shall
use all reasonable efforts to provide training for such shareholders and their
family members to perform such phases and aspects of operations under this
Agreement as is reasonably possible. In that regard North Star agrees that it
specifically shall (i) on or before April 1st of each year and at reasonable
intervals thereafter, or upon request of Xxxxx provide Xxxxx with an estimate of
the number of jobs and types and classification of jobs it expects will be
needed to perform its obligations under this Agreement, and (ii) work with the
Tanana Chiefs Conference located in Fairbanks, Alaska, or another appropriate
agency, to take advantage of existing training programs of the Conference and to
develop with the Conference new training programs as may be necessary in order
to obtain
21
compliance of North Star's obligations under this section. Xxxxx acknowledges,
however, that employment opportunities may be limited prior to the commencement
of Commercial Production under any Mining Lease. Unless otherwise agreed, each
contract entered into between North Star and any person to perform work relating
to operations or other activities undertaken within the Expenditure Area, and
each subcontract thereunder, shall contain specific requirements binding upon
such person similar to those set forth in this Section and making Xxxxx a third
party beneficiary with the power to enforce such rights. North Star shall
cooperate in good faith with Xxxxx to encourage its contractors and
subcontractors to comply with such requirements.
7.3 No Violation of Laws. North Star shall comply with Sections 7.1 and
7.2 only to the extent that such compliance does not violate any federal, state,
or local law.
8. INFORMATION AND REPORTS
8.1 Information.
(a) Xxxxx will make available for North Star's inspection and copying at
North Star's expense all information which it has available as to
the Expenditure Area, including but not limited to information
regarding archaeological and cultural resources on such lands and
any data obtained from mineral exploration on such lands, provided,
however, Xxxxx makes no representations or warranties concerning
such information and shall not be liable to North Star or third
parties for the accuracy or completeness of any information made
available to North Star. Xxxxx represents and warrants to North Star
that (a) neither Xxxxx nor its Affiliates is a party to any other
contract or agreement providing for the mineral exploration of the
Expenditure Area and (b) the provision of information to North Star
under this Section is not restricted in any way by contractual
obligations of Xxxxx or its Affiliates. North Star shall indemnify
and hold Xxxxx harmless from any such liability or responsibility
alleged by North Star or third parties who obtain such information
from or through North Star. North Star shall treat all such
information as confidential in accordance with Section 17 of this
Agreement.
(b) All information received by Xxxxx during the Option Period shall be
considered and treated as confidential by Xxxxx in accordance with
Section 17 of this Agreement. Xxxxx and North Star recognize the
high risks and uncertainties involved in the interpretation of any
information provided by North Star under this Section. North Star's
interpretation or analysis of any information shall be made in good
faith and based on its expertise, provided however that North Star
makes no representations or warranties respecting the accuracy or
completeness of any information and shall not be liable or
responsible to Xxxxx or third parties for any damages or injury
arising out of or resulting from any information or reliance
thereon.
(c) Technical materials generated and samples collected during the term
of this Agreement with respect to any particular lands, or copies of
such materials and
22
representative splits of samples, will be provided to Xxxxx at the
termination of the Agreement as to said lands (or in the case of
materials and samples relevant to further development of Xxxxx
Property then subject to a Mining Lease, at the termination of such
Mining Lease). Such materials and samples will be thoroughly
labeled, indexed, and preserved, in accordance with reasonable
mining industry standards, throughout the term of this Agreement.
Xxxxx shall have the right to inspect all samples, drill stem
cuttings, and drill core taken by North Star, provided that Xxxxx
shall pay any costs associated with Doyon's inspection, including,
but not limited to the costs of travel to the site of sample
storage. At Doyon's request, North Star at its cost shall furnish to
Doyon's representative splits of all such samples, cuttings and
cores. Examples of technical materials and samples to be provided to
Xxxxx at the termination of the Agreement as to any particular lands
are as follows:
(i) Sample Materials: Geochemical samples, rock samples, core
samples, thin section, and other materials gathered during the
course of exploration and evaluation. Specifically,
geochemical sample pulps will be stored throughout the
program.
(ii) Sample Location Maps: Detailed maps showing the locations of
geochemical samples, geophysical flight lines and field
stations, and geologic mapping will be maintained at a scale
sufficient to allow relocation or reproduction of samples or
surveys.
(iii) Field Notes, Sample Cards, Daily/Weekly Logs: Field
investigation will be conducted in a uniform and systematic
manner whenever possible and in consultation with Xxxxx. These
investigations will be documented by field notes, systematic
and unique sample numbers and data cards for geochemical and
rock samples, and daily or weekly logs summarizing the
activities of individual camps or geologists.
(iv) Geophysical Data: Air photos, satellite imagery, airborne and
ground geophysical survey data acquired, used, or generated by
the program, including but not limited to all raw data, will
be provided to Xxxxx along with adequate documentation as to
dates of survey, contractors, and sources of information.
(v) Data Base: Data acquired by the program will be maintained in
a computerized data base in Microsoft Access consistent with
mineral industry standards and according to the field format
provided to North Star by Xxxxx. The data base will include at
a minimum geochemical analytical data and their respective
digitized sample location maps, information on sample type
analytical procedures, and analysis dates.
8.2 Reports.
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(a) North Star shall meet orally (in person or by phone) with Xxxxx at
least monthly to provide progress reports of its operations and
shall provide written quarterly progress reports (i) setting forth
its progress at implementing the approved program and budget for
each Option Year, and (ii) providing notice of operations to be
conducted on Xxxxx Property during the next ensuing three-month
period.
(b) North Star shall prepare and submit to Xxxxx a draft annual report
for each Option Year during the term of this Agreement on or before
February 5 of the succeeding Option Year and North Star shall
provide three copies of the final annual report for each Option Year
during the term of this Agreement on or before March 1 of said
Option Year. This report shall contain a description of work done
within the Expenditure Area, results of sampling, drill logs and
maps, a narrative of North Star's analysis of the results, and the
other types of information described below. In addition, North Star
shall include as an appendix to each annual report an identification
of (1) those portions of each Block which are of no further interest
to North Star for activities under this Agreement and (2) on
separate priority lists for the Xxxxx Selected Property and the
Xxxxx Conveyed Property, those portions of each Block by priority of
importance, described as compact and contiguous tracts in units not
smaller than whole sections, which are of continued interest to
North Star for activities under this Agreement, together with a
narrative of geologic reasons for each ranking (hereinafter referred
to as the "Selected Lands Annual Prioritization List" and the
"Conveyed Lands Annual Prioritization List" or collectively as the
"Prioritization Lists"). It is the intent of the parties that the
Selected Lands Prioritization List shall be of assistance to the
parties in the event of a BLM Requested Selection Reduction, thereby
expediting the intent of Section 10.2, and as a means of identifying
lands which North Star will not further explore and which are thus
of no further interest to North Star. Xxxxx and North Star recognize
the high risks and uncertainties involved in the interpretation of
any information provided by North Star under this Section 8.2. North
Star's interpretation or analysis of any information shall be made
in good faith and based on its expertise, provided however that
North Star makes no representations or warranties respecting the
accuracy or completeness of any information and shall not be liable
or responsible to Xxxxx or third parties for any damages or injury
arising out of or resulting from any information or reliance
thereon. The Annual Report will have the following characteristics:
(i) The Annual Report may consist of several volumes depending on
the nature of the work.
(ii) The Annual Report shall review activities by several
categories:
(A) Exploration: concepts, methodologies and results;
24
(B) Geographic areas of investigation, specifically by
Prospect, Block, and associated Area of Interest;
(C) Minerals studied, to reflect the diversity of
exploration conducted and to demonstrate that all
Minerals have been reasonably and adequately considered.
(iii) The following topics shall be addressed in the Annual Report
as separate sections:
(A) Executive Summary;
(B) Introduction: location of activities, background on each
project, participants, and a general overview of
activities; goals and objectives of the program,
including specific targets, regional activities and
methodology;
(C) Logistics: personnel, dates of activities, location of
camps, laboratory and sampling techniques;
(D) Background geology and previous work;
(E) Results, including goals achieved, new concepts,
particular problems or obstacles, including permitting
and environmental constraints encountered or identified;
(F) Recommendations for future work;
(G) Draft Program and Budget for coming Option Year;
(H) Appendices:
1. Geologic Maps;
2. Geochemical Results: copies of lab sheets showing
techniques, lab and other related information;
3. Geophysical results: showing techniques,
contractor lines and stations, and other
appropriate information;
4. Sample location maps at a scale of one inch = one
mile or more detailed, depending on specific work
conducted;
5. Core logs;
25
6. Sample descriptions;
7. Photos of core, facilities, samples, or Prospects
useful in evaluating the program;
8. Prioritization analysis and lists (beginning in
second Option Year);
9. Other sections and topics may be added at the
discretion of the parties.
(c) Within 45 days after the end of each Option Year during the
term of this Agreement, North Star shall submit to Xxxxx an
accounting showing the Exploration Expenditures on or for the
benefit of each Block within the Expenditure Area in said
Option Year. Such accounting shall be prepared using generally
accepted accounting principles as consistently employed in the
United States.
(d) Upon termination of this Agreement, North Star shall submit to
Xxxxx a termination report which shall be similar in content
and form to an annual report.
9. ACCESS TO THE PROPERTY AND SAMPLING BY XXXXX
9.1 Entry. During the Option Period, Xxxxx and its duly authorized
representatives may enter upon the Xxxxx Property and, to the extent that North
Star has authority to allow entry, may enter upon Third Party Property within
the Expenditure Area, for any purpose at its and their sole risk and expense
provided that such entry does not unreasonably interfere with North Star's
operations within the Expenditure Area. Xxxxx agrees to hold as confidential, in
accordance with Section 17 of this Agreement, any information relative to North
Star's operations within the Expenditure Area gained by such entry.
9.2 Sampling. During the Option Period, Xxxxx and its duly authorized
representatives may take such samples from the Xxxxx Property and, to the extent
that North Star has authority to allow entry, from Third Party Property within
the Expenditure Area; provided, however, that such sampling does not
unreasonably interfere with North Star's operations within the Expenditure Area.
Any information gained from such sampling by Xxxxx shall be considered as
confidential by Xxxxx within the meaning of Section 17 below and shall be shared
with North Star.
10. RELEASES AND CONVEYANCES OF PROPERTY
10.1 Releases of Property by North Star.
(a) From time to time during the Option Period, as more fully described
herein, lands included in the Xxxxx Property which North Star has
elected not to explore
26
further for Minerals shall be released by North Star from this
Agreement by written notice to Xxxxx in units of not less than whole
sections with the limitation that:
(i) all Xxxxx Conveyed Property not released shall be configured
in reasonably compact and contiguous units, comprised of whole
sections, substantially in the shape of a square or a
rectangle whose length is no more than three (3) times its
width; and
(ii) all reasonable efforts shall be made by North Star so that the
Xxxxx Selected Property not released shall be configured in
reasonably compact and contiguous tracts of not less than nine
(9) whole sections having boundaries with no segment of an
exterior line less than two (2) miles in length (except where
shorter segments are necessary (A) to follow section lines
where township lines are offset along standard parallels
caused by the convergence of meridians, (B) to conform to
section lines where a section is less than standard size, or
(C) to avoid crossing the boundary lines of lands which are
unavailable for conveyance) and, except where the boundary is
the border of a navigable body of water, such exterior
boundary lines shall follow section lines.
(b) In addition, if Xxxxx is notified by the BLM of a BLM Requested
Selection Reduction, then North Star upon receipt of Doyon's written
request, shall review such information as it has collected relating
to any portion of the Xxxxx Property then subject to this Agreement
and identified by Xxxxx and, if in North Star's opinion it will not
explore further that portion of the Xxxxx Property, then North Star
shall release that portion of the Xxxxx Property from this Agreement
by written notice to Xxxxx. If so requested by Xxxxx, North Star
shall execute and deliver to Xxxxx a quitclaim and release of such
portion of the Xxxxx Property.
(c) Xxxxx, in its sole discretion, may make any decision regarding
disposition of those portions of the Xxxxx Property released by
North Star from this Agreement. For example, Xxxxx may in its sole
discretion relinquish lands from selection under ANCSA if those
lands have been released from this Agreement by North Star, or Xxxxx
may elect to continue holding those lands as selected lands.
Identification by North Star of lands of no further interest to
North Star under this Section shall have the effect of releasing
such land from this Agreement.
10.2 Release or Conveyance of Property in the Event of a BLM Requested
Selection Reduction. If a BLM Requested Selection Reduction is required of Xxxxx
and as a result of the BLM Requested Selection Reduction Xxxxx believes a
significant portion of the lands selected by it under ANCSA must be relinquished
from the selection process or that Doyon's selection priorities must be
finalized or both, Xxxxx shall promptly notify North Star. If either type of BLM
Requested Selection Reduction occurs, then North Star shall have the right for a
period of ninety (90) days after receipt of notice from Xxxxx, or such shorter
time as is made necessary by
27
the requirements of the BLM, to require that Xxxxx request from the BLM
conveyances of specific portions of the Xxxxx Selected Property, as constituted
on the date of this Agreement, not previously released, aggregating not more
than 322,560 acres (minus the aggregate number of acres of Xxxxx Selected
Property which have been conveyed subsequent to the date of this Agreement), all
located in not more than fourteen (14) federal townships and consistent with the
parcel size restrictions in Section 10.1 above and the possible additional
limitations of Section 5 of this Agreement. If North Star does not respond to
Doyon's notice within the time allowed, Xxxxx in its absolute discretion may
proceed to make the necessary relinquishments and/or conveyance prioritizations
and requests without obligation to take the conveyances otherwise required by
this Section.
10.3 Notice of Selection Status. From time to time Xxxxx shall report to
North Star any developments known to Xxxxx which might result in a BLM Requested
Selection Reduction.
11. TITLE
11.1 Representations and Warranties. Xxxxx represents and warrants to
North Star as follows:
(a) it has received conveyance of the Xxxxx Conveyed Property pursuant
to ANCSA subject to certain Permitted Exceptions, and it has the
sole and exclusive rights to deal in and with the Xxxxx Conveyed
Property and the Village Conveyed Subsurface in accordance with this
Agreement;
(b) it has selected the Xxxxx Selected Property under one or more
provisions of ANCSA, subject to the provisions of ANCSA and to
certain Permitted Exceptions;
(c) the Xxxxx Selected Property, Xxxxx Conveyed Property and Village
Conveyed Subsurface, subject to certain Permitted Exceptions and
except as otherwise disclosed in this Agreement or any Exhibits or
Schedules attached hereto, are free and clear of any lien,
encumbrance, or other interest of any kind arising by, through, or
under Xxxxx.
Except as expressly set forth above, Xxxxx makes no representations or
warranties as to title to the Xxxxx Property, whether express, implied, or
statutory. Except for the limitations noted or implied in Sections 2.2, 6.9 and
10.2 of this Agreement, Xxxxx to the best of its knowledge represents that it
has not taken and covenants that it will not take any action with respect to
title to or the status of the Xxxxx Property that would impair or diminish North
Star's rights under this Agreement or any Mining Lease. Xxxxx further represents
that there are no agreements, arrangements, or understandings to which Xxxxx is
a party (other than those referred to in this Agreement) regarding the Xxxxx
Property or any part of it.
28
11.2 Land Records. While this Agreement is in effect, at North Star's
request, Xxxxx will make available to North Star for inspection and copying, at
North Star's expense, copies of all land records relating to the Xxxxx Property
and the Placer Dome Inc. State Mining Claims in the Elephant Mountain Area in
Doyon's possession or control. Xxxxx makes no warranties or representations and
shall not be liable to North Star or third parties for the accuracy or
completeness of any information made available to North Star. North Star shall
indemnify and hold Xxxxx harmless from any such liability or responsibility
alleged by North Star or third parties who obtain such information from or
through North Star. North Star recognizes that information regarding the land
status of the Xxxxx Selected Property and Village Conveyed Surface and likely
Permitted Exceptions may be available in the BLM records.
11.3 Title Curative Measures. If in North Star's opinion, title to all or
part of the Xxxxx Property is subject to any Permitted Exceptions or any other
reservations, exceptions, exclusions, restrictions, limitations, liens,
encumbrances, or claims or interests of third parties, or if in North Star's
opinion Xxxxx does not own or hold the Xxxxx Property as represented above, then
(in addition to any other rights which it might have under this Agreement or at
law generally) North Star shall have the right to take such action as will
produce a title satisfactory to it, at its own expense. Xxxxx shall bring or
join in any administrative proceeding or litigation relating to the title to any
Xxxxx Property and shall otherwise cooperate fully with North Star in its title
curative efforts hereunder, except that Xxxxx shall not have any obligation to
bring, to join in, or to cooperate with North Star in any administrative
proceeding or litigation relating to a Native allotment conflicting with title
to any Xxxxx Property. North Star shall have the right to set off against the
Exploration Expenditures requirements set forth in Section 4.2 any and all
reasonable amounts expended by it to cure title deficiencies that constitute a
breach of Doyon's "by, through or under" warranty described in Section 11.1(c).
If North Star acquires Third Party Property as part of such title curative
actions, such acquisitions shall be treated as acquisitions within the
Expenditure Area.
12. NO REPRESENTATIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF LAND
Xxxxx makes no representation or warranties to North Star concerning
pollution or hazardous or dangerous conditions on the Xxxxx Property.
13. ACQUISITIONS WITHIN EXPENDITURE AREA
13.1 Acquisition by Xxxxx. If Xxxxx now owns or hereafter acquires, during
the term of this Agreement, any Third Party Property within the Expenditure
Area, Xxxxx shall promptly give notice thereof to North Star and the property
shall become Xxxxx Property subject to this Agreement.
13.2 Acquisition by North Star.
(a) If North Star or any Affiliate of North Star acquires any Third
Party Property which is either totally or partially within the
Expenditure Area or Buffer Zone for the Expenditure Area or totally
or partially within the Expenditure Areas as
29
defined in the 1997 Option Agreement, including any federal or state
mineral interests acquired by the location of unpatented federal
claims or State Mining Claims, and if such Third Party Property is
acquired (a) at any time during the term of this Agreement or (b)
within three (3) years after the date of termination of this
Agreement, then North Star shall promptly give notice of such
acquisition to Xxxxx, together with a copy of the agreement or
document by which North Star acquired a Third Party Property.
(b) With respect to any such acquired Third Party Property as lies
within an Expenditure Area, Xxxxx shall be entitled to, and is
hereby granted the right to, receive a Royalty in the form attached
hereto as Exhibit B (Conveyance of Overriding Royalty) covering only
that portion of the lands of that Third Party Property within the
Expenditure Area, without regard to whether a Mining Lease is issued
for any adjacent Xxxxx Property. In addition, if a Feasibility Study
is prepared which recommends the development of a Mine on such
acquired Third Party Property, within 120 days after receiving a
copy of such Feasibility Study, Xxxxx may elect, by written notice
to North Star, to acquire a Working Interest in all of such acquired
Third Party Property in the manner set forth in Exhibit C (Third
Party Property Working Interest Elections).
(c) If North Star or any affiliate of North Star acquires any Third
Party Property within the Buffer Zone of a block, then Xxxxx shall
be entitled to, and is hereby granted the right to, receive a
conveyance from North Star of an undivided working interest of not
less than 10% and not more than 20% of only that portion of such
Third Party Property interest acquired by North Star,
notwithstanding any subsequent conveyance by North Star to third
parties within the Buffer Zone. Unless Xxxxx then elects to join
with North Star in the exploration and development of such acquired
Third Party Property in the manner set forth in Exhibit C (Third
Party Property Working Interest Elections), the cost of maintenance
of such undivided interest acquired by Xxxxx shall be carried by
North Star until either the relinquishment of such Third Party
Property by North Star (which relinquishment North Star may make 60
days after first delivering such acquired interest to Xxxxx) or the
delivery of a Feasibility Study to Xxxxx which recommends the
development of a mine on such acquired interest, whereupon Xxxxx
shall have 120 days to elect by written notice to North Star, either
(a) to join in the development of said Mine by contributing to the
joint venture formed in the manner set forth in Exhibit C attached
hereto, or (b) to relinquish its undivided working interest in the
Third Party Property to North Star.
(i) Doyon's right to acquire that Working Interest shall be free
and clear of any encumbrances or burdens created by, through
or under North Star, except as provided in Section 2 of
Exhibit C to this Agreement.
(ii) Xxxxx shall notify North Star in writing within sixty (60)
days after Doyon's receipt of North Star's notice whether
Xxxxx elects to acquire a
30
Working Interest and, if so, the percentage Xxxxx elects to
acquire. A failure by Xxxxx to so elect shall be deemed
conclusively to be an election by Xxxxx not to acquire a
Working Interest in that Third Party Property.
(d) North Star shall cause its Affiliates to be bound to the provisions
of this Section 13.2, including the extent to which these provisions
related to the Expenditure Area of the 1997 Option Agreement, by
written agreement and such agreement shall specify that Xxxxx is an
intended third party beneficiary with the right to independently
enforce the provisions of this Section against the Affiliate. If any
Affiliate of North Star ceases to be an Affiliate of North Star, the
time periods listed in the previous sentence shall begin to run at
the time such Affiliate ceases to be an Affiliate of North Star.
13.3 Other Agreements. The parties recognize that Xxxxx may have entered
into an agreement or agreements with third parties (the "Contracting Third
Party") which contain area of interest provisions that may conflict with the
area of interest provisions of Section 13.2 of this Agreement and that Xxxxx may
enter into such agreements after the date of this Agreement. A list of all such
existing agreements shall be provided to North Star within 60 days after
execution of this Agreement. Xxxxx shall notify North Star of any similar
agreements executed after the date of this Agreement, providing a description of
the affected lands. North Star agrees that North Star shall have no right to
acquire any interest in interests or rights obtained by Xxxxx pursuant to the
area of interest provisions in such other agreements whether now existing or
hereafter created unless the Contracting Third Party obtaining an interest is an
Affiliate of Xxxxx. Further, North Star agrees and recognizes that if the
Contracting Third Party acquires any interest in the surface or minerals, or in
any other real property interest, in the area of interest established by this
Agreement, North Star shall not have any rights under this Agreement with
respect to the interests acquired by that Contracting Third Party.
13.4 Survival of Expenditure Area; 1997 Option Agreement.
(a) Sections 13.1, 13.2 and 13.3 of this Agreement shall survive the
termination or expiration of this Agreement. If on their face
Sections 13.1, 13.2 and 13.3 of this Agreement and the "area of
interest" provision of any Mining Lease apply to any particular
lands, only the area of interest provision of said Mining Lease
shall be deemed to apply.
(b) Xxxxx and North Star specifically recognize that they have by this
Agreement amended and superseded the provisions of Section 13.2 of
the 1997 Option Agreement whereby there shall be no three (3) year
limitation imposed on Third Party Property acquisition by North Star
or its Affiliates within the Expenditure Area of the 1997 Option
Agreement except to the extent of the three (3) year limitation
contained in Section 13.2(a) of this Agreement. They further
recognize and agree that this Agreement has the effect of amending
the Royalty payable to Xxxxx with respect to a Third Party Property
acquisition by North Star or its Affiliates but agree that any
Royalty amendment shall not effect in any way the
31
amount of royalty due or calculated pursuant to any Conveyance of
Overriding Royalty granted to Xxxxx pursuant to the terms of the
1997 Option Agreement.
14. DEFAULT; TERMINATION OR ABANDONMENT OF PROPERTY
14.1 Default. If North Star fails to: (i) make the payments required by
Section 3; (ii) deposit the funds required by Section 4.5; (iii) make the
mandatory minimum Exploration Expenditures required by Section 4.2; or (iv)
otherwise materially defaults in the performance of any of its obligations
hereunder and does not cure such default within seven (7) days after receipt of
written notice as to a default under item (i) or item (ii) or does not cure such
default within thirty (30) days after receipt of notice as to a default relating
to either item (iii) or item (iv), or if such default under item (iii) or item
(iv) cannot be cured within thirty (30) days of notice and North Star does not
commence in that thirty (30) day period to cure the default, then this Agreement
and the Option granted hereby shall terminate and all funds designated for
Minimum Exploration Expenditures remaining in the operating account established
pursuant to Section 4.5, if any, shall be transferred to Xxxxx; provided that
(x) if North Star disputes whether a condition of default exists and diligently
pursues resolution of that dispute through discussions with Xxxxx, arbitration
or litigation, then the period for cure above shall be extended until thirty
(30) days following the final resolution of that dispute, and (y) if cure of the
default has commenced during the thirty (30) day notice period and thereafter
North Star diligently pursues all steps necessary to cure the default as
expeditiously as is reasonable under the circumstances, then this Agreement
shall continue so long as North Star is expeditiously attempting to cure the
default and thereafter if the default is cured.
14.2 Abandonment. In the event North Star elects to abandon any interests
owned or controlled by it in any Third Party Property within the Expenditure
Area or any Village Property within the Expenditure Area, or any property
acquired under Section 13.2, it shall first offer such interests to Xxxxx who
shall have sixty (60) days in which to elect in writing to receive a conveyance
of all or some of such interests.
14.3 Termination. If all or any part of the Xxxxx Property is surrendered
by North Star to Xxxxx or this Agreement is terminated with respect thereto,
then:
(a) Upon Doyon's request, North Star shall deliver to Xxxxx all samples
and copies of any information acquired by North Star from its
operations on such surrendered Xxxxx Property;
(b) In accord with the standards set forth in Section 8 of the Mining
Lease, North Star shall clean up and restore all exploration and
drill sites and other parts of the surrendered Xxxxx Property used
in its operations under this Agreement and in doing so also shall
perform all acts of reclamation as are necessary to comply with
federal, state, and local laws in force at the time of abandonment
consistent with Section 6.1 above, so as to reclaim the surrendered
Xxxxx Property to approximately its original state and contour to
the greatest extent practicable;
32
(c) North Star shall remove its buildings, plant machinery, equipment,
wastes, and hazardous substances from the surrendered Xxxxx Property
within ninety (90) days after such termination or abandonment; and
(d) North Star shall deliver to Xxxxx a quitclaim deed in recordable
form forever releasing any and all interest in the surrendered Xxxxx
Property to Xxxxx.
Upon the completion of all of the foregoing, North Star shall have no further
rights, obligations, or liabilities to Xxxxx under this Agreement, except for
those rights, obligations, or liabilities arising under Sections 6.2, 6.5, 6.7
(with regard to reclamation activities conducted after the termination of this
Agreement), 6.8, 6.11, 8, 13, and 17 of this Agreement.
15. FORCE MAJEURE
To the extent that North Star is prevented from carrying out its
obligations hereunder with respect to a Block as contemplated in a Program and
Budget adopted pursuant to Section 4.3, by reason of any cause beyond the
reasonable control of North Star, including without limitation fire, accident,
flood, war, strike, civil disturbance, governmental action or inaction
(including but not limited to executive, legislative, judicial, or
administrative law, rule, policy, decision, decree, order, or failure to act),
failure of title, or non-performance of Xxxxx not otherwise resulting in a
breach of this Agreement, the performance of its obligations hereunder with
respect to that Block and its associated Area of Interest (except the making of
payments pursuant to Section 3) shall be suspended for the period that such
cause prevents North Star from so performing its obligations and the term of
this Agreement, the Option Period as to the Block and associated Area of
Interest to which the force majeure applies, and all other time restrictions as
to that Block and associated Area of Interest shall be extended by the number of
days as such cause exists. If the event of force majeure prevents North Star
from satisfying its obligations to perform field work during the field season,
the extension of the term of this Agreement and the Option Period shall be for a
number of days during the next succeeding field season equal to the number of
days that force majeure prevented field work. Exploration Expenditures not
completed during any year shall be added to the Exploration Expenditure
commitments in the next year, unless otherwise agreed. The party claiming force
majeure shall diligently pursue all reasonable means to terminate the event of
force majeure or otherwise resume its activities hereunder, but nothing herein
shall compel the settlement of any litigation or labor dispute. At Doyon's
option, this Agreement shall terminate with respect to any Block for which a
force majeure existed and is not cured (for whatever reason) for a period of 24
months.
16. ASSIGNMENT AND SUBLEASE
(a) Neither party may transfer an interest in this Agreement or the
Xxxxx Property or any interest that is acquired hereunder or is
subject hereto without first obtaining the express written consent
of the non-transferring party; provided, however, that either party
may, subject to the remaining terms and conditions of this Section
16, transfer all of its interest to an Affiliate. The consent of the
non-transferring party shall not be unreasonably withheld if the
proposed Transferee has the financial
33
capability and mining exploration experience in Alaska which
justifies a reasonable expectation that such Transferee will be able
to fulfill the obligations of the other party under this Agreement
and the Mining Lease if the Option is exercised as to any Designated
Area. The transferring party shall obtain and provide to the
non-transferring party the proposed transferee's written agreement
to assume and perform all obligations of the transferring party
under this Agreement, including but not limited to the transfer
restrictions in this Section 16. Any attempted transfer of an
interest by any party in violation of the terms and provisions of
this Section 16 shall be void ab initio and of no force and effect.
North Star shall not mortgage, pledge, or otherwise encumber its
interest in this Agreement or in the Xxxxx Property or any interest
that is acquired hereunder or is subject hereto without specific
reference to the fact that such mortgage, pledge, security interest,
or other instrument shall be subject to all terms and provisions of
this Agreement including specifically without limitation, Doyon's
Royalty and Working Interest election rights under Section 13.2 and
the contracting and hiring preferences set forth in Section 7. Xxxxx
shall have the right to require North Star to disclose to Xxxxx all
terms and conditions of any proposed transfer or assignment by North
Star. The transferring party shall remain jointly and severally
liable with the transferee for all obligations and liabilities
accrued or incurred under the terms of this Agreement prior to the
effective date of the relevant transfer. As used in this Section 16,
the term "transfer" shall be broadly construed to mean the
alienation of any interest whether by sale, exchange, gift, bequest
or any other means, including the sale of stock, membership
interest, partnership interest or other change in control in the
entity holding any such interest, except that the term "transfer"
shall not include Sale or Distribution to the Public. Any consent
granted by and rights accruing to Xxxxx pursuant to this Section
shall not affect the other obligations of North Star under this
Agreement. Notwithstanding anything previously stated in this
Section 16(a) to the contrary, (i) North Star recognizes Doyon's
legitimate concern that if North Star should transfer an interest in
this Agreement or the Xxxxx Property and as part of that transaction
reserve or create a Reserved Interest the effect of that Reserved
Interest may lessen the probability that the transferred, assigned
or sublet interest would be developed into a mine and for that
reason and other good and valuable reasons North Star agrees that it
shall be prohibited from transferring an interest in this Agreement
or the Xxxxx Property in a manner which shall reserve to or create
in it or an Affiliate a Reserved Interest and (ii) accordingly, if
the terms or conditions of any proposed transfer, assignment or
sublease by North Star provide for the reservation to North Star or
an Affiliate of North Star or the granting to North Star, an
Affiliate of North Star or to any other party of a Reserved
Interest, the parties agree that any withholding by Xxxxx of its
consent to such proposed transfer, assignment or sublease shall be
deemed conclusively to be reasonable.
(b) In the event that North Star intends to enter into any transaction
with a non-Affiliate that will result in a transfer, assignment or
sublease of all or part of North Star's rights in a Block for stock
or equity interest or cash, it shall give Xxxxx
34
reasonable advance notice of same and shall grant, and does hereby
grant, Xxxxx the right to receive ten percent (10%) of such stock,
equity interest or cash pursuant to the terms of the Amended and
Restated Equity Participation Agreement (Exhibit E hereto).
17. CONFIDENTIALITY
17.1 General. Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Section
17, all information and data obtained or generated pursuant to or in connection
with this Agreement shall be owned by and the property of Xxxxx. During the term
of this Agreement, North Star shall have the right to use, solely for the
purpose of this Agreement, all data and information relating to the Xxxxx
Property owned or controlled by Xxxxx or obtained or generated pursuant to, or
in connection with, this Agreement by either Xxxxx or North Star. Except as
otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Section 17, all information obtained
pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement shall be held confidential by
Xxxxx and North Star. Except for information disclosed pursuant to Section
17.2(b)(3), Section 17.2(b)(4), Section 17.2(b)(5), Section 17.3(b)(3), Section
17.3(b)(4) or Section 17.3(b)(5), all information obtained or generated pursuant
to or in connection with this Agreement (including but not limited to all
monthly and annual reports prepared hereunder) shall recite on the first page
thereof the following paragraph, set off in such manner as will call attention
to the confidential nature of the contents thereof:
NOTICE OF DUTY TO MAINTAIN CONFIDENTIALITY
The information contained herein is or may be the exclusive property
of Xxxxx, Limited or North Star Exploration, Inc. Disclosure of such
information is permitted only under certain circumstances set out in
Section 17 of that certain Amended and Restated Option Agreement by
and between Xxxxx, Limited and North Star Exploration, Inc. dated
effective as of January 1, 2002 ("Option Agreement") and then only
after the party receiving such information has agreed in writing to
hold such information confidential and not to disclose it to others.
Any person receiving this information is hereby placed on notice of
such provisions and of the duties and obligations pertaining to such
information.
17.2 Disclosures During Term of Agreement.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Section 17.2,
during the term of this Agreement all information and data obtained
or generated pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement shall
not be disclosed by Xxxxx or North Star to any third party or to the
public, including press releases, without the prior written consent
of the non-disclosing party.
(b) The consent required by this Section 17.2 shall not apply to a
disclosure
35
(i) to an Affiliate, employee, consultant, contractor, or
subcontractor that has a bona fide need to be informed, or
(ii) to a governmental agency or to the public, whether pursuant to
a public offering or otherwise, which the disclosing party
believes in good faith is required by pertinent law or the
rules of any stock exchange.
In any case to which this Section 17.2(b) is applicable, the disclosing party
shall give notice to the other party of the contents of such disclosure at least
fifteen days prior to the making of such disclosure, unless the disclosing party
believes in good faith that a more rapid disclosure is required by pertinent law
or the rules of any stock exchange (in which event such notice shall be given as
much in advance as possible but in any event no later than contemporaneously
with the disclosure). As to any disclosure pursuant to Section 17.2(b)(i), only
such confidential information as such third party shall have a legitimate
business need to know shall be disclosed and such third party shall first agree
in writing to protect the confidential information from further disclosure by
executing a confidentiality agreement incorporating the nondisclosure
obligations of this Section 17.
17.3 Disclosures After Expiration or Termination of Agreement.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Section 17.3 or
in any Mining Lease executed pursuant to this Agreement, after the
expiration or termination of this Agreement in full or as to any
particular property (1) Xxxxx shall own and shall be free to
disclose any or all information and data obtained or generated
pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement to any third party
or to the public, including press releases, without the consent of
North Star but (2) North Star shall not disclose any information or
data obtained or generated pursuant to or in connection with this
Agreement to any third party or to the public, including press
releases, without the prior written consent of Xxxxx, and shall
return all information or data in its possession or controlled by it
to Xxxxx.
(b) The consent of Xxxxx required by this Section 17.3 shall not apply
to a disclosure by North Star
(i) to an Affiliate, employee, consultant, contractor, or
subcontractor that has a bona fide need to be informed, or
(ii) to any third party with whom North Star contemplates entering
into an agreement, or
(iii) to any third party seeking to acquire, other than pursuant to
a public offering, an equity interest in North Star
Exploration or an Affiliate thereof pursuant to an offering
memorandum or similar document, or
36
(iv) to other regional Native Corporations which the disclosing
party believes in good faith is required by pertinent law, or
(v) to a governmental agency or to the public, whether pursuant to
a public offering or otherwise, which the disclosing party
believes in good faith is required by pertinent law or
regulation or the rules of any stock exchange.
In any case to which this Section 17.3(b) is applicable, North Star shall give
notice to Xxxxx of the contents of such disclosure at least five days prior to
the making of such disclosure, unless North Star believes in good faith that a
more rapid disclosure is required by pertinent law or the rules of any stock
exchange (in which event such notice shall be given as much in advance as
possible but in any event no later than contemporaneously with the disclosure).
As to any disclosure pursuant to Section 17.3(b)(i) or Section 17.3(b)(ii), only
such confidential information as such third party shall have a legitimate
business need to know shall be disclosed and such third party shall first agree
in writing to protect the confidential information from further disclosure by
executing a confidentiality agreement incorporating the nondisclosure
obligations of this Section 17.
17.4 Exceptions To Consent Requirements. The limitations and restrictions
imposed by this Section 17 shall not apply to disclosures of information and
data that the disclosing person can establish was owned by the disclosing person
prior to the execution of this Agreement or information or data that the
disclosing person can establish is in the public domain other than as a result
of a disclosure in violation of any provision of this Section 17.
17.5 Use of Xxxxx Logo and Name. No use of the Xxxxx logo or the name
"Xxxxx" or "Xxxxx, Limited" shall be made by North Star or any Affiliate of
North Star without the written permission of Xxxxx. Nothing herein shall prevent
North Star or Affiliates of North Star, in any written or oral communications,
from referring to Xxxxx by name when describing this Agreement or activities
undertaken pursuant to this Agreement, from describing any Xxxxx Property using
the same or a similar term, from describing activities undertaken pursuant to
this Agreement as "the Xxxxx Project", etc.
37
18. GENERAL PROVISIONS
18.1 Notice. Any notices required or which may be given under this
Agreement shall be sent to the other party at the following addresses by
overnight courier (such as FedEx, UPS, or DHL) or by facsimile:
To North Star: North Star Exploration, Inc
00000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, #X-000
Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000-0000
Attn: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Phone: (000) 000-0000
Fax: (000) 000-0000
with copies to: Xxxxx X. Parcel, Esq.
Xxxxxxx Coie LLP
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Phone: (000) 000-0000
Fax: (000) 000-0000
To Xxxxx: Xxxxx, Limited
Xxxxx Plaza
0 Xxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx 00000-0000
Attn: Vice President, Lands and Natural
Resources
Phone: (000) 000-0000
Fax: (000) 000-0000
with a copy to: General Counsel
Xxxxx, Limited
Doyon Plaza
0 Xxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx 00000-0000
Phone: (000) 000-0000
Fax: (000) 000-0000
Changes of address shall be made by giving notice thereof to the other party as
allowed by this Section 18.1. Any notice so given shall be deemed to have been
received by the other party if sent by private courier service, or other
electronic means, on the date of delivery stamped upon the receipt or other form
of electronic transmission confirmation.
38
18.2 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed and interpreted in
accordance with the laws of the State of Alaska.
18.3 Arbitration.
(a) Any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or relating to
this Agreement, or the breach, termination or invalidity thereof,
shall be settled by arbitration in accordance with the American
Arbitration Association's Commercial Arbitration Rules then in
effect (the "AAA Rules"), only to the extent not inconsistent with
the other provisions of this Section. The arbitration shall be
governed by the United States Arbitration Act, 9 X.X.X.xx.xx. 1 et
seq. (the ------- "Act"), and the laws of the State of Alaska shall
be applied by the arbitrators in resolving the substantive issues
raised by such dispute, controversy or claim. All proceedings in any
such arbitration shall be held in Fairbanks or Anchorage, Alaska, as
mutually agreed between the parties. Judgment upon the award
rendered by the arbitrators may be entered, and such judgment
enforced, in any court having jurisdiction thereof. Any dispute
regarding whether any issue arising under this Agreement or any
Mining Lease issued hereunder or in connection with the transactions
contemplated herein is subject to arbitration under this Section
shall be resolved by arbitration in the manner described in this
Section.
(b) The party desiring arbitration shall give written notice to that
effect to the other party and the parties shall attempt to agree on
the appointment of a single arbitrator. If the parties have not so
agreed within seven (7) days after service of such notice, each
party shall notify the other party in writing of the name and
address of the person designated to act as arbitrator on its behalf
within seven days of such failure to agree. If either party fails to
notify the other party of the appointment of its arbitrator within
the time specified above, then the appointment of such party's
arbitrator shall be made by the American Arbitration Association. If
two arbitrators are designated or appointed, the two arbitrators
shall together appoint a third arbitrator. If the two arbitrators
are unable to agree upon the appointment of a third arbitrator
within five days after both have been designated as appointed, the
third arbitrator shall be selected by the American Arbitration
Association. If an arbitrator fails, refuses or is unable to act, a
new arbitrator shall be appointed as provided in the AAA Rules. Each
arbitrator designated or appointed hereunder shall be impartial and
competent and shall have recognized expertise in the subject matter
of the arbitration such expertise to be with respect to such matters
arising in Alaska where relevant.
(c) The parties shall utilize the discovery provisions of the Federal
Rules of Civil Procedure for the Federal District of Alaska then in
effect in all arbitrations hereunder; provided, however, that the
time periods provided in such rules may be shortened in the
discretion of the arbitrator or arbitrators so that all discovery is
completed not later than one (1) week prior to the hearing. The
arbitrator or arbitrators shall commence their hearing within three
months after the
39
appointment of the last arbitrator. Not later than one week prior to
the hearing date, each party shall serve on each arbitrator and on
the opposing party such party's statement of facts, issues and list
of witnesses and exhibits, which exhibits shall be made available
for inspection and copying at the location of the arbitration
proceedings by the opposing party at all reasonable hours after 9
a.m., local time on the day following the date of the service of
such list. The arbitrator or arbitrators shall deliver their
decision and award within one month after completion of the hearing
and shall give prompt notice of their decision to each party
accompanied by findings of fact and conclusions of law. Except as
otherwise provided in the Act, any decision and award of a sole
arbitrator or in which two arbitrators concur shall in all cases be
final, binding and conclusive upon the parties and the parties agree
to abide by the award. The time periods provided in this paragraph
(c) may be shortened if, in the discretion of the arbitrator or
arbitrators, the subject matter of the dispute, controversy or claim
so justifies.
(d) The fees and expenses of the arbitrator appointed by or on behalf of
one party shall be borne by such party. The fees and expenses of any
sole arbitrator or of any third arbitrator and all other costs of
the arbitration proceedings, including but not limited to costs of a
transcript of all or any portion of such proceedings, shall be borne
by both parties equally, unless the arbitrator or arbitrators
otherwise decide.
18.4 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with any and all recitals,
and attached Schedules and Exhibits, represents the entire agreement between the
parties and there are no other representations, warranties or other conditions
between the parties except as provided for in writing in this Agreement. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, this Agreement supersedes any prior
agreements between the parties hereto related to the subject matter herein,
including letter agreements and confidentiality agreements.
18.5 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of the respective permitted successors and assigns of the parties
hereto.
18.6 Amendments and Waiver. This Agreement may be modified or amended only
by an agreement signed by both parties. Failure of either party to insist on
full performance of any obligation of the other party on one or more occasion
shall not waive, modify, release or alter in any manner such party's right to
insist upon full performance of such obligation in the future.
18.7 Execution in Counterparts and by Facsimile. This Agreement and the
documents to be executed and delivered upon execution of this Agreement may be
executed in counterparts, and delivery thereof may be accomplished by
transmitting an executed signature page to the other party by facsimile;
provided that promptly after such delivery, originals of this agreement and all
such documents, executed by all parties thereto, shall be executed, acknowledged
where appropriate and shall be delivered to counsel for the respective parties.
This Agreement shall not become effective unless and until both parties execute
this Agreement, and all consideration to
40
be delivered to Xxxxx upon execution of this Agreement, as described in Section
3.1, has been delivered to Xxxxx.
18.8 Headings. The paragraph headings in this Agreement are inserted for
convenience only and shall not be considered a part of this Agreement or used in
its interpretation.
18.9 Time of Essence. Time shall be of the essence of this Agreement.
18.10 Currency. All monetary amounts specified in this Agreement are
denominated in United States Dollars.
18.11 Further Assurances. Each of the parties agrees that it shall take
from time to time such actions and execute such additional instruments as may be
reasonably necessary or convenient to implement and carry out the intent and
purpose of this Agreement. The parties recognize that the land acreage described
in Schedules A-1 through A-5, to this Agreement are very large. Accordingly,
they recognize that in preparing the Schedules A-1 through A-5 typographical
errors may have occurred. As a result, they further agree that to the extent
conflicts may exist between maps which are Exhibits and the legal descriptions
which are Schedules, the maps shall control. Also, in accordance with the intent
of this Section 18.11, the parties recognize that further review of the legal
descriptions contained in the Schedules is ongoing and that within a matter of
weeks changes to correct typographical errors may be presented for those
Schedules. If so, they will cooperate in the execution of an amendment to this
Agreement to reflect the proper legal descriptions or in the replacement of
those Schedules. The parties further agree, for themselves and their respective
successors and assigns, to cause their respective Affiliates, and the Affiliates
of their respective successors and assigns, to take all actions and execute all
additional documents as are reasonably necessary or appropriate to effectuate
the purpose and intent of this Agreement.
18.12 Rule Against Perpetuities. All interests created under or pursuant
to this Agreement must vest within (a) twenty-one (21) years, less one (1) day,
after the death of the last survivor of the individuals executing this Agreement
or (b) such longer time as may be authorized by Alaska Statutes ss. 34.27.050 -
34.27.090, the Uniform Statutory Rule Against Perpetuities.
41
18.13 Conflicts Between Exhibits and Schedules. In case of any conflict
between the maps included in the Exhibits hereto and the property descriptions
contained in the Schedules hereto, the Schedules shall control.
XXXXX, LIMITED
By:
------------------------------------
Xxxx Xxxxxxxx
President and CEO
NORTH STAR EXPLORATION, INC.
By:
------------------------------------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
President
42
EXHIBIT B
CONVEYANCE OF OVERRIDING ROYALTY
(Attached to and forming a part of the Amended and Restated Option Agreement
dated effective January 1, 2002
between Xxxxx, Limited and North Star Exploration, Inc.)
RECORD THIS INSTRUMENT IN THE _______________ RECORDING DISTRICT
RETURN THIS INSTRUMENT TO: Xxxxx, Limited
Doyon Plaza
0 Xxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx 00000-0000
Attn: Vice President, Lands and Natural Resources
INDEX THIS INSTRUMENT AS FOLLOWS:
Grantor: North Star Exploration, Inc.
Grantee: Xxxxx, Limited
********************************************************************************
CONVEYANCE OF OVERRIDING ROYALTY
THIS CONVEYANCE OF OVERRIDING ROYALTY (this "Conveyance"), given this ____ day
of _____________, 200_, by NORTH STAR EXPLORATION, INC. ("North Star"), a Nevada
corporation the address of which is 00000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, #X-000, Xxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxx 00000-0000, to XXXXX, LIMITED, an Alaska Native regional corporation
the address of which is Doyon Plaza, 0 Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx
00000-0000.
WITNESSETH:
THAT FOR and in consideration of $10.00 and other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, North
Star and Xxxxx hereby agree and act as follows:
1. Definitions
As used in this Conveyance, unless the context otherwise requires, the
following terms have the following meanings:
"Affiliate" means a person, partnership (limited, general or otherwise),
limited liability company, joint venture, corporation, or other entity or form
of enterprise which, whether through
B-1
equity ownership or through contractual obligations: (i) can control, either
directly or indirectly, or be controlled by a party hereto, or such party's
successors or assigns, or (ii) is under the common control, with a party hereto,
or such party's successors or assigns, directly or indirectly, of a third person
or other entity.
"Alluvial Placer Gold Occurrences" means those gold occurrences which have
resulted from the operation of rivers and streams including the sediments laid
down in river and stream beds, flood plains, lakes, fans at the foot of mountain
slopes, and estuaries and which can be developed through use of traditional
placer mining techniques employing screening and trapping by use of gravity
separation only; if minerals need to be crushed or otherwise processed prior to
gravity separation, those materials and the gold found therein are not alluvial
placers.
"Base Metals" means copper, lead, tin, zinc, and non-precious metals.
"Fair Market Value" of Mineral Products shall be determined on a unit
basis as follows:
(i) Refined gold bullion shall be valued on the basis of the average of
the daily London Bullion Brokers Second Gold Fixing for the five
business days prior to the deposit of the bullion into North Star's
account at the refiner's place of business;
(ii) Refined silver bullion shall be valued on the basis of the average
of the daily Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Noon Silver Quotation for the five
business days prior to the deposit of the bullion into North Star's
account at the refiner's place of business;
(iii) Base Metals shall be valued on the basis of an agreed, recognized
published index value for the particular metal, such as the London
Metals Exchange ("LME"). In the absence of such agreed indexed
value, the Fair Market Value shall be the proceeds actually received
by North Star during the calendar quarter from the sale of such
refined or processed metals, subject to Section 15 of the Lease Form
in the case of agreements or arrangements between North Star and
North Star's Affiliates;
(iv) Platinum Group Metals shall be valued on the greater of the average
of the daily Englehard quotation for: [A] industrial platinum, or
[B] industrial palladium, for the five business days prior to the
deposit of the metal into North Star's account at the refiner's
place of business; and
(v) As to all other Mineral Products (i.e., to the extent not covered in
clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) above, the Fair Market Value shall be
equal to the amount of the proceeds actually received by North Star
during the calendar quarter from the sale of such other Mineral
Products, subject to Section 15 of the Lease Form in the case of
agreements or arrangements between North Star and North Star's
Affiliates.
B-2
"Feasibility Study" means a written report prepared by an independent
mining consultant selected by North Star and approved by Xxxxx (whose approval
shall not be unreasonably withheld) setting forth in detail an analysis of the
economic and commercial viability of conducting operations for the production
and sale of Mineral Products from the Lands that recommends that all or part of
the Lands should be brought into commercial production. It shall also describe
in detail the method by which commercial production should be achieved and
continued, including, where applicable, reasonably anticipated exploration costs
which a joint venture formed under the Option Agreement or Lease Agreement would
undertake to identify and quantify new mining reserves on the Lands and shall
also contain an analysis of applicable environmental and reclamation laws and an
estimate of the cost of complying with such laws. Such report shall be in such
form as is ordinarily necessary to satisfy substantial international financing
institutions for the purpose of determining the advisability of providing
project financing on a commercially competitive basis taking into consideration
all relevant criteria deemed to be both normal and prudent for the mining
industry in the United States. During the preparation of any Feasibility Study,
North Star shall make available to Xxxxx for review all drafts of the
Feasibility Study as they become available to North Star together with all data
upon which the Feasibility Study or drafts are based; provided, however, nothing
herein contained shall be deemed to give Xxxxx any right of approval with
respect to such drafts. Upon reasonable notice Xxxxx shall be invited to attend
all formal project review meetings between the consultant and North Star held in
connection with the preparation of any Feasibility Study.
"Lands" means the particular lands depicted or described in Exhibit __ and
described on Schedule __ (Part 1) attached hereto [all of the lands included
within the Subject Property].
["Lease Agreement" means that certain Mining Lease dated ____________,
____, between Xxxxx and North Star, a memorandum of which was recorded on
__________, _____, at Book ____, Page ____, _____________ Recording District.]
"Lease Form" means that certain Form of Mining Lease constituting Exhibit
F to the Option Agreement.
"Mineral(s)" means all substances (whether metallic or non-metallic)
occurring naturally in the earth but excluding Other Minerals.
"Mineral Products" means all Ores produced from the Subject Property which
are sold, processed, or refined for their Mineral content or their Other
Minerals content and all products derived from such processing or refining
including, without limitation, dore bullion, precipitates, and concentrates of
Minerals or Other Minerals.
"Net Smelter Returns" means the Fair Market Value of Mineral Products,
less, but only to the extent actually incurred or paid by North Star, the
following (and only the following, without duplication):
(i) Charges and costs, if any, for transportation (including related
storage and insurance costs) from North Star's mine, mill, or other
processing or refining facility on the Subject Property to the
places where the Mineral Products and
B-3
Minerals are sold; plus charges and costs, if any, for
transportation (including related storage and insurance costs) of
Mineral Products to any contract mill or refinery and from there to
the places where such Mineral Products are sold;
(ii) Smelter or refinery costs and charges, including assaying and
sampling costs, umpire charges and penalties, if any, incurred upon
smelting or refining Mineral Products. In the event smelting or
refining is carried out in facilities owned or controlled, in whole
or in part, by North Star, or by an Affiliate of North Star, charges
and penalties for such operations shall mean the amount North Star
would have incurred if such operations were carried out at
facilities not owned or controlled by North Star then offering
comparable services for comparable products on prevailing terms; and
(iii) Sales, use, gross receipts, severance and other taxes, if any,
payable with respect to severance, removal, sale, or disposition of
Mineral Products but excluding any taxes on net income as well as
any revenue or net proceed taxes.
With respect to heap leaching, in situ leaching or other solution mining
methods, in determining Net Smelter Returns there shall be no deduction
whatsoever for any processing, recovery or refining costs incurred up to the
point at which the final Mineral Product produced or refined by North Star is
obtained, including without limitation the costs of mining, crushing, dump
preparation, pad construction and preparation, distribution of xxxxx solutions
or other mining and preparation costs, transportation of solutions or slurries
to the refining processes, refining of slurry or concentrates, preparation of
dore bullion or other refined Mineral Products for sale to a purchaser or
delivery for final treatment by a third party, and the costs of reclamation or
other environmental compliance relating to any of the foregoing.
"Option Agreement" means that certain Amended and Restated Option
Agreement dated effective January 1, 2002, between Xxxxx and North Star, a
memorandum of which was recorded on ________, _____, at Book __, Page __,
____________ Recording District.
"Ore" means all material produced from the Subject Property that contains
one or more Minerals and which in the sole discretion of North Star justifies
either (i) mining, extracting, or recovering from a place in the Subject
Property and selling or delivering to a processing plant or refiner for physical
or chemical treatment, or (ii) treating in situ in the Subject Property by
chemical, solution, or other methods; said term shall also include all
Mineral-bearing solutions, nature or introduced, recovered by or for North Star
from the Subject Property and sold, processed, or refined by or for North Star,
and all Mineral and non-Mineral components of all such materials and solutions.
"Other Minerals" means all Alluvial Placer Gold Occurrences, geothermal
resources, sand, gravel, shot rock, aggregate, rock, building stone, limestone,
peat, coal, lignite, oil, gas, other liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons, and all
other substances occurring and producible naturally only as gases, liquids, or
fluids from xxxxx.
B-4
"Platinum Group Metals" means platinum, palladium, iridium, osmium,
rhenium and rhuthenium.
"Precious Minerals" means gold, silver and other precious minerals (such
as diamonds) and any such by-product minerals produced from Ores, but not
including any Platinum Group Metals.
"Subject Property" means the particular interests in the Lands owned by
North Star and described on Schedule __ (Part 2) attached hereto.
2. Conveyance
North Star hereby GRANTS, CONVEYS and SPECIALLY WARRANTS (as set forth
below) to Xxxxx and its successors and assigns a royalty interest in and to the
Subject Property equal to the following, TO HAVE AND TO HOLD FOREVER:
The amount, calculated from time to time, by subtracting (A) the royalties
or other interests in Minerals, Other Minerals or Mineral Products derived
from the Subject Property that were reserved by or are otherwise owed to
the party or parties from whom North Star acquired the Subject Property or
such party's or parties' predecessors-in-interest from (B) the Net Smelter
Returns royalty that would be payable under Section 4.4 of the Lease Form
if the Subject Property were subject to a lease in the form of the Lease
Form; provided, however, that in no case shall the royalty payable to
Xxxxx hereunder be less than one percent (1%) of the Net Smelter Returns
derived from or that would be attributable to the Subject Property if the
Subject Property were subject to a lease in the form of the Lease Form.
North Star hereby SPECIALLY REPRESENTS, COVENANTS, and WARRANTS to Xxxxx
and its successors and assigns that (1) North Star owns the Subject Property
free and clear of any liens, encumbrances, or other interests of third parties
arising by, through, or under North Star, but not otherwise, (2) North Star has
the right and power to make and deliver this Conveyance, and (3) North Star
shall defend the title conveyed to Xxxxx by this Conveyance.
3. Other Provisions
Xxxxx hereby acknowledges that North Star does not now and shall never
have any express or implied obligation to explore, develop, or mine the Lands.
Xxxxx hereby acknowledges that North Star may use the Lands for any and
all purposes that North Star deems necessary or desirable, including but not
limited to the construction, use, and maintenance of tailings dams and ponds,
waste dumps, or other facilities necessary or desirable to support mining
operations on lands other than the Lands.
If North Star ever elects to abandon any or all of the Subject Property,
North Star shall first offer such interests to Xxxxx, for no additional
consideration. Xxxxx shall have a 45-day
B-5
period in which to elect to receive a conveyance and assignment of such offered
interests. If Xxxxx timely elects to receive such a conveyance and assignment,
North Star shall promptly execute, acknowledge, and deliver the same to Xxxxx
and Xxxxx shall promptly accept such conveyance and assignment and expressly
assume in writing any and all obligations of North Star, if any, respecting such
interests.
The grant made hereby is effective only with respect to the Subject
Property. If the Subject Property comprises less than 100% of the working
interest in the Lands, then the royalty payable to Xxxxx hereunder shall be
equal to the product of (A) the royalty that would be payable hereunder if the
Subject Property comprised 100% of the working interest in the Lands times (B)
the percentage of said working interest included in the Subject Property.
4. Notice of Right to Acquire Undivided Interest
The parties to this Conveyance hereby notify all other persons that
pursuant to [Section 13.2(b) and Exhibit E of the Option Agreement] [Section 19
of the Lease Agreement] North Star has granted to Xxxxx the option to acquire an
undivided portion of the interest of North Star in the Subject Property, which
option is exercisable by Xxxxx upon the delivery to Xxxxx of a Feasibility Study
relating to the Subject Property.
GIVEN on the date first set forth above.
NORTH STAR EXPLORATION, INC.
By:
------------------------------------------
President
STATE OF ALASKA )
) ss.
BOROUGH OF _________ )
On this ___ day of ___________, 200_, personally appeared
__________________, who acknowledged himself to be the President of North Star
Exploration, Inc., and who acknowledged before me that he, as such President,
being authorized so to do, executed the foregoing Conveyance of Overriding
Royalty for the purposes therein contained.
In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and official seal.
[ S E A L ]
----------------------------------------
Notary Public
My commission expires:
------------------
B-6
EXHIBIT C
THIRD PARTY PROPERTY WORKING INTEREST ELECTIONS
(Attached to and forming a part of the Amended and Restated Option Agreement
dated effective January 1, 2002
between Xxxxx, Limited and North Star Exploration, Inc.)
1. Doyon's Election.
Within 150 days after North Star's submission to Xxxxx of (i) two (2)
copies of a Feasibility Study for a Mine to be developed within acquired Third
Party Property within the Area of Interest; (ii) an accounting of the
expenditures made by North Star on that acquired Third Party Property; and,
(iii) evidence of North Star's good faith intention to develop a Mine consistent
with the recommendations in the Feasibility Study expressed by, for example,
certified copies of the authorizing resolutions of the boards of directors of
North Star and all relevant Affiliates, Xxxxx may elect to participate in the
proposed Mine as a working interest participant at any level of working interest
between a minimum of ten percent (10%) of one hundred percent (100%) of the
interest acquired by North Star, notwithstanding any subsequent conveyance by
North Star to third parties and a maximum of twenty percent (20%) of one hundred
percent (100%) of such interest, by providing written notice to North Star. The
right to acquire such working interest shall be free and clear of any
encumbrances or burdens created by, through, or under North Star except for the
requirement to reimburse prior expenditures as provided in Section 2 of this
Exhibit C, and shall be a burden on any transfers of such interests by North
Star to Affiliates or to third parties. Xxxxx and North Star recognize the high
risks and uncertainties involved in the interpretation of any information
provided by North Star pursuant to a Feasibility Study. North Star's
interpretation or analysis of any information shall be made in good faith and
based on its expertise, provided however that North Star makes no
representations or warranties respecting the accuracy or completeness of any
information and shall not be liable or responsible to Xxxxx or third parties for
any damages or injury arising out of or resulting from any information or
reliance thereon.
2. Contribution by Xxxxx upon Election.
If Xxxxx elects to participate in a proposed Mine after submission by
North Star of a Feasibility Study for a Mine, then within 60 days after its
election to participate Xxxxx shall contribute to a joint venture formed
pursuant to Section 3 of this Exhibit C, an amount as its initial contribution
equal to Doyon's required proportionate share of North Star's expenditures on
the relevant acquired Third Party Property from the effective date of the
acquisition of the Third Party Property calculated using the following equation:
A = BC/(1-B)
where A equals Doyon's initial contribution amount due, B equals Doyon's chosen
percentage interest expressed as a decimal, and C equals North Star's cumulative
expenditures.
C-1
Such contribution shall be applied by the manager of the joint venture to pay
one hundred percent (100%) of venture expenses until such funds are exhausted,
with the income tax deductions for such expenses, if any, being allocated to
Xxxxx in Doyon's discretion. If Xxxxx fails to timely make the contribution
required by this Section 2, then its election to participate shall be null and
void and any joint venture prepared pursuant to Section 3 below shall be of no
further force and effect and Xxxxx shall, upon request, provide North Star with
evidence in writing, in recordable form, indicating that Xxxxx has no working
interest in the proposed Mine and no participating interest in any joint venture
prepared for the proposed Mine.
3. Negotiation of Joint Venture.
The parties agree to negotiate in good faith a form of joint venture
agreement by not later than __________, 200_ to control the joint operation of
those areas in which Xxxxx elects to participate. If the parties are unable to
agree upon such a form, Model Form Mining Venture Agreement Form 5A published by
the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation ("Form 5A"), as amended from time to
time and modified to include the points listed below, shall serve as the basis
for the joint venture agreement between the parties. The parties contemplate
that, among other things, the joint venture agreement will provide as follows:
(i) North Star shall act as manager subject to removal by Xxxxx for
breach of its duty of care as set forth in the current Form 5A or
upon the occurrence of any such event as gives rise to a deemed
offer to resign as manager under the current Form 5A;
(ii) a management committee, consisting of two representatives of Xxxxx
and two representatives of North Star, shall be established to
determine overall policy, objectives, procedural methods and actions
under the agreement, with voting to be in accordance with the
parties' respective participating interests;
(iii) North Star, shall be entitled to charge the venture account in
accordance with the Accounting Procedure to the current Form 5A, but
the administrative charge set forth in Section 2.13 of said
Accounting Procedure may not exceed the following percentage of
"Allowable Costs" during any particular phase:
C-2
After delivery of Feasibility Study and before
Commercial Production, on Allowable Costs
incurred through use of independent contractors: 1.5%
After delivery of Feasibility Study and before
Commercial Production, on all other Allowable Costs: 3.0%
After Commercial Production has been achieved: 3.0%
(iv) there shall be a right of first offer provision, which shall be
different from and separate from any rights of a party under that
certain Equity Participation Agreement dated as of the same date as
the Option Agreement, under which a party shall have the right to
purchase the other party's interest in the joint venture upon any
attempted transfer of interest or material default by the other
party as well as a right to require a party desiring to transfer or
to obtain project financing for its interest to make reasonable
efforts to transfer or obtain project financing for the other
party's interest in the joint venture simultaneously and on
substantially similar terms and conditions, but such right of first
refusal shall have no application to a party's Sale or Distribution
to the Public (as defined in the Option Agreement) of all or part of
such party's interest provided that such party offers the other
party "piggyback" rights whereby it will include in such public sale
or distribution the same proportion of the other party's interest in
the joint venture as the proportion of the offering party's interest
that is included in such sale or distribution;
(v) there shall be dilution of a party's participating interest on a
pro-rata basis because of a timely election by the diluting party
not to pay its proportionate share of costs or an equity reduction
resulting from another cause, provided that if a party's
participating interest drops below 5%, that party's participating
interest shall be converted to a 2% net proceeds interest royalty;
(vi) the parties shall have the right to take in kind their share of
production of Mineral Products from the Premises;
(vii) the agreement shall form a general partnership for a limited purpose
under the laws of the State of Alaska and for federal and state tax
purposes;
(viii) record title to the acquired Third Party Property shall be held in
the partnership name;
(ix) Alaska law shall govern the interpretation of the agreement; and
(x) there shall be a one (1) mile area of interest provision similar to
the area of interest provision contained in the Mining Lease.
C-3
(xi) The parties intend that in using Form 5A they will incorporate
necessary changes required by tax law changes as passed from time to
time.
C-4
Pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
portions of this document have been omitted. The omitted portion has been filed
separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
D-1
EXHIBIT E
AMENDED AND RESTATED
EQUITY PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
(Attached to and forming a part of Amended and Restated Option Agreement
dated effective as of January 1, 2002
between Xxxxx, Limited and North Star Exploration, Inc.)
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED EQUITY PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT (this
"Agreement"), dated effective as of May 27, 1997, but executed by the parties on
the dates shown below, is between Xxxxx, Limited and EMEX Corporation, a Nevada
corporation ("EMEX").
RECITALS
X. Xxxxx and North Star Exploration, Inc., a Nevada corporation, ("North
Star") have entered into an agreement (the "1997 Option Agreement") dated
effective May 27, 1997 and have amended and restated the 1997 Option Agreement
by that certain Amended and Restated Option Agreement dated effective January 1,
2002 (the "2002 Option Agreement").
B. The purposes of North Star include exploration for and development of
minerals on land and interests owned by Xxxxx, or within the Area of Interest or
Buffer Zone (as defined in the 2002 Option Agreement) of the Xxxxx lands and
interests, in the State of Alaska.
C. At the date of the execution of the 1997 Option Agreement, the
shareholders of North Star were Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx; The Cornerhouse Limited
Partnership, a New York limited partnership of which Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx is the
general partner; The Windsome Limited Partnership, a New York limited
partnership of which Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx is the general partner; and Universal
Equities Ltd., a Delaware corporation controlled by Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx and
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx. The said Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, The Cornerhouse Limited
Partnership, The Windsome Limited Partnership, Universal Equities Ltd., Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxx and Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx are herein referred to as the "Other
Investors."
D. As a condition to entering into the 2002 Option Agreement, (i) EMEX has
agreed contemporaneously to entering into this Agreement, (ii) EMEX desires to
ratify Doyon's ten percent (10%) equity interest in each of North Star, Zeus
Consolidated Holdings, Inc., Platinum-Palladium Holdings, Inc., Alaska Energy
Fuels, Inc. and Xxxxxxxx Holdings Corporation (collectively the "Other
Entities"), (iii) Xxxxx desires to obtain the commitment of EMEX to allow Xxxxx
the opportunity to maintain its equity interest in North Star and the Other
Entites, and to acquire an interest in certain other entities in which EMEX or
the Other Entities may acquire an equity interest in the future, all on the
terms and conditions set forth herein, (iv) North Star and EMEX desire to grant
to Xxxxx the right to receive certain consideration in the event North Star
transfers, assigns or sublets an interest in the 2002 Option Agreement or the
Xxxxx
E-1
Property and North Star and EMEX are willing to grant these considerations to
Xxxxx as partial consideration for Doyon's execution of the 2002 Option
Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the other
agreements, representations and covenants set forth below, the parties hereto
agree as follows:
1. Representation by EMEX. EMEX hereby covenants, represents and
warrants to Xxxxx that (i) the Other Investors have exchanged all
their interests in North Star for shareholder interests in EMEX,
(ii) the Other Investors own no continuing interest in North Star
other than through their interest in EMEX, the parent company of
North Star, and (iii) EMEX is the successor of all equity interests
in North Star formerly owned by the Other Investors.
2. Grant of Equity Interest in North Star. EMEX hereby ratifies and
confirms its, or the Other Investors', grant to Xxxxx of a ten
percent (10%) equity interest in North Star and agree, to the extent
not already accomplished, they promptly shall deliver to Xxxxx stock
certificates evidencing Doyon's equity interest in North Star.
3. Preemptive Rights in North Star. In the event that EMEX acquires an
equity interest in North Star from North Star after the date of this
Agreement, EMEX shall offer to Xxxxx the right to acquire, on the
same terms and at EMEX's acquisition cost, that portion of EMEX's
interest in the new equity of North Star sufficient to maintain
Doyon's proportionate interest in the total equity of North Star
then held by Xxxxx and EMEX in the aggregate to the proportion of
such aggregate equity Xxxxx held immediately prior to EMEX's
acquisition of the new equity interest in North Star. For purposes
of this paragraph 3, Doyon's proportionate interest in the equity of
North Star shall include any such equity interest Xxxxx acquires
directly from North Star at the time EMEX acquires its new equity
interest in North Star.
4. Participation in Other Entities. In the event that North Star, EMEX
or the Other Entities, or any of them, acquire an equity interest in
any entity other than North Star that holds or proposes to hold any
mineral rights in the State of Alaska (or any entity that holds such
rights) North Star or EMEX or the Other Entities, as the case may
be, shall offer to Xxxxx the right to acquire, on the same terms and
for the same acquisition cost, that portion of North Star's, EMEX's
or the Other Entities' equity interest in the entity equal to the
percentage interest of Xxxxx in the combined equity interest of
Xxxxx and EMEX in North Star. The provisions of this paragraph 4
shall not apply to acquisitions by North Star, EMEX or the Other
Entities of (a) less than 1% of the equity in any publicly traded
company, or (b) an equity interest in those companies holding the
mineral rights listed on Schedule 1 attached hereto, unless any such
company increases its interest in mineral rights in the State of
Alaska after May 27, 1997. The parties recognize that pursuant to
Section 3 of that certain Equity Participation Agreement dated
E-2
May 27, 1997 among the parties hereto (the "Original Participation
Agreement") the Other Investors or EMEX have heretofore granted
equity interest to Xxxxx in the following entities in the following
percentages:
Entity Xxxxx Shares % Ownership
------ ------------ -----------
North Star Exploration, Inc. 2,000,000 10%
Zeus Consolidated 2,500 10%
Holdings, Inc.
Platinum Palladium 2,000,000 10%
Holdings, Inc.
Northway Holdings 200 10%
Corporation
Alaska Energy Fuels, Inc. 2,000,000 10%
The parties intend that if pursuant to the Original Participation
Agreement the Other Investors or EMEX fail to grant equity interests
to Xxxxx in entities created by either EMEX or the Other Investors
in accordance with the terms of the Original Participation
Agreement, then EMEX shall promptly cause said grant to be made to
Xxxxx and certificates evidencing the grant delivered to Xxxxx.
5. Procedures. Whenever North Star or EMEX is required to make an offer
to Xxxxx under paragraphs 3 or 4 above, such offer shall be made in
writing within 30 days of North Star's or EMEX's purchase, shall
contain all of the information needed by Xxxxx to evaluate the
offer, and shall be sent in accordance with the provisions of
paragraph 9. If such notice is not provided, Xxxxx shall continue to
have the right to purchase such equity interest until such notice is
provided. Xxxxx shall have 30 days after receipt of the offer to
purchase all, but not less than all, of the equity interests
offered, and to pay for such interests by wire transfer to an
account provided by the offeror in the notice of the offer.
6. Purchases by Other Investors. For purposes of this Agreement, North
Star, EMEX or the Other Entities shall be deemed to have purchased
equity interests as described in paragraphs 3 and 4 above if such
purchases were made either directly by North Star, EMEX or such
Other Entities or indirectly for their beneficial interest, which
shall include any purchases for or on behalf of any person or entity
controlled by, controlling, or under common control with, EMEX.
7. Registration and Sales Rights. To the extent permissible under
applicable laws and regulations, EMEX hereby grants to Xxxxx all
registration rights (demand, piggy back, or otherwise) and all other
rights granted to EMEX by North Star or any of the Other Entities
that assist or facilitates such holder's sale or other transfer of
shares of North Star or the applicable entity, all with the
intention of providing to Xxxxx the opportunity to sell or otherwise
transfer its equity interest in North Star or the Other Entities
equal to the opportunity to sell or otherwise transfer shares held
by EMEX or the Other Entities. If EMEX desires to sell any
E-3
of its shares, it shall promptly notify Xxxxx of its intention and
shall provide Xxxxx with the opportunity to sell in the same
transaction that percentage of Doyon's shares of North Star or such
Other Entities equal to the percentage of EMEX shares that EMEX
proposes to sell in the transaction. The rights of Xxxxx set out in
the previous two sentences shall terminate at such time as Doyon's
shares in North Star or in such Other Entities are freely tradeable
on the Toronto Exchange or a comparable national Canadian or U.S.
stock exchange, or other foreign stock exchange approved by the
parties hereto.
8. Transfer Consideration. In the event that North Star elects pursuant
and subject to the provisions of Section 16 of the 2002 Option
Agreement to transfer, assign or sublet an interest in the 2002
Option Agreement or the Xxxxx Property or any interest that is
acquired thereunder or is subject thereto for cash consideration or
a stock or equity interest, then EMEX and North Star agree that
Xxxxx shall receive ten percent (10%) of such cash, stock and equity
interest that is either distributed to North Star's shareholders or
if not distributed, used by North Star for corporate purposes other
than funding for the 2002 Option Agreement or any Mining Leases
issued pursuant thereto. Any stock or equity interest received by
Xxxxx pursuant to this paragraph 8 shall carry with it the same
preemptive rights, participation rights, sales rights, registration
rights and tag along rights granted to Xxxxx by this Agreement.
9. Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications
provided for by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been given when hand delivered, when received if sent
by telecopier or by same day or overnight recognized commercial
courier service (provided written or electronic confirmation of
receipt is received) or three business days after being mailed in
any general or branch office of the United States Postal Service,
enclosed in a registered or certified postpaid envelope, addressed
to the address of the parties stated below or to such changed
address as such party may have fixed by notice:
To Xxxxx:
Xxxxx, Limited
Xxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx 00000-0000
Attention: Vice-President, Land and Natural Resources
Fax: (000) 000-0000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
with copies to
General Counsel
Xxxxx, Limited
Xxxxx Xxxxx
X-0
Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx 00000-0000
Fax: (000) 000-0000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
and
Holme Xxxxxxx & Xxxx LLP
1700 Lincoln, Suite 4100
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx and Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
Telecopier: (000)000-0000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
To North Star:
North Star Exploration, Inc.
00000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, #X-000
Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000-0000
Attn: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Fax: (000) 000-0000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
To EMEX:
EMEX Corporation
00000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, #X-000
Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000-0000
Attn: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Fax: (000) 000-0000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
X-0
00. Miscellaneous.
a. Intention. This Agreement is intended (i) to provide Xxxxx
with the opportunity to maintain its proportionate interest in
North Star, (ii) to allow Xxxxx to acquire an equity interest
in other entities in which EMEX may invest that have purposes
similar to North Star, i.e., to acquire and develop mineral
interests in the State of Alaska, and (iii) to provide Xxxxx
with registration rights and sales rights for Doyon's equity
interests on a similar basis as EMEX and the Other Entities.
This Agreement shall be interpreted liberally to accomplish
such intention.
b. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of
the State of Alaska.
c. Term. This Agreement shall terminate two years after the later
of (i) the date the 2002 Option Agreement is terminated; or
(ii) the date of termination of the last remaining Mining
Lease created pursuant to the 2002 Option Agreement.
d. Original Participation Agreement Superceded. The Original
Participation Agreement is hereby amended, replaced and
superceded in its entirety by this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of
the date first set forth above.
XXXXX, LIMITED
By
----------------------------------------
Xxxx Xxxxxxxx
President and CEO
Date Executed: _______________, 2002
NORTH STAR EXPLORATION, INC.
By
----------------------------------------
Xxxx X. Xxxxx
President
Date Executed: _______________, 2002
E-6
EMEX CORPORATION, a Nevada corporation
By
----------------------------------------
President
Date Executed: _______________, 2002
E-7
SCHEDULE 1
EXISTING OWNERSHIP INTERESTS
(Attached to and forming a part of Amended and
Restated Equity Participation Agreement
dated effective May 27, 1997
between Xxxxx, Limited and EMEX Corporation
The gold and other mineral claims in the Chandalar and Talkeetna Districts
set forth as follows:
1. Chandalar Claims
Auri Nos. 1-143; and
2. Talkeetna Claims
OC Nos. 1-78.
E-8
