Dated 17 March 2009 SHAREHOLDERS' AGREEMENT relating to CHINA GLOBAL MINING RESOURCES (BVI) LIMITED
EXHIBIT
10.2
Dated 17 March 2009
(1) LONDON
MINING PLC
(3) CHINA
GLOBAL MINING RESOURCES (BVI) LIMITED
SHAREHOLDERS'
AGREEMENT
relating
to
CHINA
GLOBAL MINING RESOURCES (BVI) LIMITED
CONTENTS
CLAUSE
|
PAGE
|
|
1.
|
DEFINITIONS
AND INTERPRETATION
|
4
|
2.
|
BUSINESS
OF THE COMPANY
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19
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3.
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SHAREHOLDERS'
UNDERTAKINGS
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19
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4.
|
BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
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20
|
5.
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PROVISION
OF INFORMATION
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28
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6.
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CONDUCT
OF BUSINESS
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30
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7.
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FINANCE
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37
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8.
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VOTING
RIGHTS
|
39
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9.
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TRANSFERS
AND ALLOTMENTS OF SHARES
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40
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10.
|
QUOTATION
|
46
|
11.
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COME
ALONG
|
48
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12.
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BREACH
OF THIS AGREEMENT/INSOLVENCY
|
51
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13.
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WITS
BASIN INDEMNITY
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54
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14.
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DEADLOCK
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62
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15.
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SHARE
RIGHTS
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62
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16.
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RESTRICTIVE
COVENANTS
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66
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17.
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CONFIDENTIALITY
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69
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18.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
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71
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19.
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TERMINATION
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71
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20.
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MEMORANDUM
AND ARTICLES
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71
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21.
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COSTS
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71
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22.
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APPLICABLE
LAW AND JURISDICTION
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71
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23.
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GENERAL
|
72
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24.
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NOTICES
|
73
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1.
|
RESERVED
MATTERS
|
77
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2.
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DEED
OF ADHERENCE
|
|
APPROVED
TERM DOCUMENTS
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||
1.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
|
|
2.
|
BUSINESS
PLAN
|
|
3.
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MONITORING
AGREEMENT
|
|
4.
|
OPERATOR
AGREEMENT
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WB
LOAN AGREEMENT
|
||
6.
|
PROMISSORY
NOTE
|
THIS AGREEMENT is made
on 17 March 2009
BETWEEN:-
(1)
|
LONDON MINING PLC a
company incorporated in England and Wales with registered number 5424040
whose registered office is at 00 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx XX0X 0XX ("London
Mining");
|
(2)
|
WITS BASIN PRECIOUS MINERALS
INC. a company incorporated in the State of Minnesota, United
States with registered number 00-0000000 whose registered office is at 00
Xxxxx 0xx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx 00000 ("Wits Basin");
and
|
(3)
|
CHINA GLOBAL MINING RESOURCES
(BVI) LIMITED, a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands
with registered number 1513743 whose registered office is at 56
Administration Drive, P.O. Box 3190, Road Town, British Virgin Islands
(the "Company").
|
WHEREAS:
The
parties have agreed to regulate their affairs in relation to the Company on the
terms and conditions of this Agreement.
IT IS AGREED as
follows:-
1.
|
DEFINITIONS
AND INTERPRETATION
|
1.1
|
Definitions
|
|
Throughout
this Agreement, the following words and phrases have the meanings set out
below:-
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20%
Shareholder
|
means
any person who holds A Shares and/or B Shares which carry the right to
exercise 20% or more of the votes ordinarily exercisable at a general
meeting of the Shareholders.
|
50%
Notice
|
has
the meaning given to that expression in clause
4.2.3.
|
4
50%
Shareholder
|
means
any person who holds A Shares and/or B Shares which carry the right to
exercise more than 50% of the votes ordinarily exercisable at a general
meeting of the Shareholders.
|
Announcements
|
means
the announcements to be made by the parties in the approved
terms.
|
Annual
Budget
|
has
the meaning given to that expression in clause 5.2.5.
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A
Shares
|
means
the fully paid A ordinary shares of $0.01 each in the capital of the
Company.
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Attorney
|
has
the meaning given to that expression in clause 11.6 where used in clause
11, in clause 12.10 where used in clause 12 and in clause 13.14 where used
in clause 13.
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Available
Profits
|
means
the Company's accumulated, realised profits, so far as not previously
utilised by distribution or capitalisation, less its accumulated, realised
losses, so far as not previously written off as a reduction or
reorganisation of capital duly made.
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Board
|
means
the board of Directors of the Company from time to
time.
|
B
Shares
|
means
the fully paid B ordinary shares of $0.01 each in the capital of the
Company.
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Business
|
means
the business to be carried on by the Company set out in clause
2.1.
|
Business
Day
|
means
any day other than a Saturday or Sunday, on which clearing banks are open
for business in the City of London, the British Virgin Islands, the United
States, Hong Kong and the People's Republic of
China.
|
5
Business
Plan
|
means
the business plan of the Group, as may be amended or replaced from time to
time in accordance with this Agreement, the first such business plan being
the business plan in the approved terms.
|
Chairman
|
means
the Chairman of the Board appointed in accordance with clause
4.24.
|
China
Gold
|
China
Gold, LLC, a limited liability company organised under the laws of the
State of Kansas in the United States.
|
Competitor
|
a
person engaged or interested in the mining of iron ore within 100kms of
any of the land owned by any member of the Group at the date of this
Agreement or of any other land owned by any member of the Group from time
to time.
|
Confidential
Information
|
means
all information (whether oral or recorded in any medium) relating to any
Group Company's business, financial or other affairs (including future
plans of any Group Company) which is treated by a Group Company as
confidential (or is marked or is by its nature
confidential).
|
Consulting
Agreement
|
the
Consulting Agreement entered into by the Company and Lu Benzhao dated 11
August 2008 as amended by the Agreement on Amendment dated 13 January
2009, as novated by the Novation Agreement dated 13 January 2009, as
amended by the Agreement on Amendment dated 11 February 2009, by Letter
Agreements dated 26 February 2009 and 5 March 2009 and as further amended
novated or substituted from time to time.
|
Conversion
Notice
|
has
the meaning given to that expression in clause
13.16.
|
6
Deed
of Adherence
|
means
the deed of adherence to this Agreement in the form of Schedule
2.
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Deferred
Shares
|
means
the deferred non-voting shares of $0.01 in the capital of the Company
resulting from the conversion of the B Shares under clause 13 which shall
carry the rights set out in the Memorandum and
Articles.
|
Diminution
Value
|
means
the diminution in fair market value of each A Share and B Share held (or
deemed to be held under clause 13.7.3) by London Mining and calculated in
accordance with clauses 13.5 to 13.8.
|
Director
|
means
any director for the time being of the Company or any Subsidiary Company
including, where applicable, any alternate director.
|
Director
Fee
|
has
the meaning given to that expression in clause 4.2.5.
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Exit
|
means
a Sale or Quotation.
|
Extra
Shares
|
has
the meaning given to that expression in clause 9.10 where used in clause 9
and in clause 12.5 where used in clause 12.
|
Fee
Adjustment Date
|
has
the meaning given to that expression in clause 6.15.1.
|
Fee
Repayment Amount
|
means
the amount repaid by London Mining as determined by clauses 6.16.15 and
6.16.16.
|
Group
|
means
the Company and any company which is a subsidiary undertaking of the
Company from time to time (including the Target Entities and MZM (on
completion of the acquisition of MZM pursuant to the MZM Equity Transfer
Agreement) and any of their subsidiary undertakings) and references to
"Group Company"
and "member of the
Group" shall be construed accordingly and references to "Subsidiary Company"
shall mean a member of the Group other than the
Company.
|
7
HK
Co
|
means
China Global Mining Resources Limited, a limited liability company
incorporated pursuant to the laws of Hong Kong whose registered office is
at 41st
Floor Bank of Xxxxx Xxxxx, 0 Xxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxx
Xxxx.
|
Independent
Valuer
|
means
a partner of at least 10 years' standing at a leading UK firm of
accountants (acting as an expert and not an arbitrator) nominated and
agreed to by the parties concerned or in the event that the parties
concerned disagree on the nomination and no agreement is reached within 10
Business Days of the proposed nomination by one party, appointed by the
President from time to time of Institute of Chartered Accountants in
England and Wales on application by any of the parties
concerned.
|
JORC
Code
|
means
the Australian Code for Reporting Mineral Resources and Reserves published
by the Joint Ore Reserves Committee of the Australasian Institute of
Mining and Metallurgy, Australian institute of Geoscientist and the
Minerals Council of Australia.
|
Licences
|
means
up-to-date and valid licences, approvals, permits and certificates for
each Target Entity and MZM issued by the appropriate body (and for the
appropriate purpose) necessary for operation of the businesses (as set out
in the Business Plan) of the Target Entities and MZM including, but not
limited to:
|
(a)
in the case of MXM:
|
8
(i)
|
an
updated business licence;
|
||
(ii)
|
a
safe production permit;
|
||
(iii)
|
an
explosives permit;
|
||
(iv)
|
a
permit for water and soil conservation plan;
|
||
(v)
|
a
land use and/or occupation rights certificate; and
|
||
(vi)
|
the
extended mining licence referred to the Target Entity Equity Transfer
Agreement for MXM;
|
||
(b)
|
in
the case of NSM:
|
||
(i)
|
the
licences and permits set out in (a)(i) to (v) above.
|
||
(ii)
|
a
land use right certificate;
|
||
(iii)
|
a
premises ownership certificate;
|
||
(iv)
|
a
construction and land use planning permit; and
|
||
(v)
|
a
construction project planning permit; and
|
||
(c)
|
in
the case of MZM:
|
||
(i)
|
an
updated business licence;
|
||
(ii)
|
the
licences and permits set out in (a)(ii) to (v), (b)(iv) and (v) above;
and
|
||
(iii)
|
a
mining licence.
|
9
LM
Fee Termination Date
|
has
the meaning given to that expression in clause 6.11.
|
|
LM
Management Fee
|
has
the meaning given to that expression in clause 6.11.
|
|
LM
Services Agreement
|
has
the meaning given to that expression in clause 6.19.
|
|
Management
Information
|
means
the financial statements and management accounts for the Group made up to,
and as at the end of, the relevant calendar month, in such form as may be
specified by the Board from time to time but, in any event (or unless
otherwise specified) incorporating:
|
|
(a)
|
an
operational report from the Operator (or, if the Operator Agreement is
terminated, any successor appointed by the Company or if no successor is
appointed, the Company) identifying key issues relating to the Business
including a description of any matters that have arisen which may affect
the reputation of the Group and details of any iron ore or iron ore
related products both mined, produced or sold;
|
|
(b)
|
a
profit and loss account, balance sheet and cash flow statement (including
details of all funds spent and all commitments made during the relevant
period) for the Group on a monthly and year-to-date basis together with a
breakdown identifying and explaining variances from the current Business
Plan and the prior year figures; and
|
|
(c)
|
a
commentary by the Operator (or, if the Operator Agreement is terminated,
any successor appointed by the Company or if no successor is appointed,
the Company) on the items listed in paragraph (b)
above.
|
10
Matang
Development Cost
|
means
any cost or expense incurred or agreed to be incurred in connection with
the development of MZM and its operations required in order for MZM to
have an ongoing production rate as contemplated by the Business Plan as
approved as at the date of this Agreement.
|
Memorandum
and Articles
|
means
the memorandum and articles of association of the Company, as amended from
time to time.
|
MOFCOM
|
means
the Ministry of Commerce for the People’s Republic of
China.
|
Monitoring
Agreement
|
means
the agreement in the approved terms entered into by Wits Basin and London
Mining on or around the date of this Agreement pursuant to which Wits
Basin agrees to review and monitor the Operator's compliance with the
terms of the Operator Agreement as amended, novated or substituted from
time to time.
|
MXM
|
means
Maanshan Xiaonanshan Mining Co. Ltd, a limited liability company
incorporated in the People's Republic of China whose registered address is
Putang Village, Huoli Town, Maanshan Municipality, Anhui Province,
PRC.
|
MXM
Equity Transfer Agreement
|
means
the equity transfer agreement dated 11 August 2008 relating to the
acquisition of all the shares in MXM, as amended by an agreement dated 29
October 2008 and as further amended, assigned, novated or substituted from
time to time.
|
MZM
|
means
Maanshan Zhao Yuan Mining Co. Ltd, a limited liability company
incorporated in the People's Republic of China whose registered address is
0 Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxx Economic and Technology Development Zone,
Maanshan Municipality, Anhui Province,
PRC.
|
11
MZM
Consideration
|
has
the meaning given to that expression in clause 6.24.
|
MZM
Equity Transfer Agreement
|
means
the equity transfer agreement dated 11 August 2008 relating to the
acquisition of all the shares in MZM, as amended by letter agreements
dated 11 February 2009 and 5 March 2009 and as further amended,
assigned, novated or substituted from time to time.
|
Nominated
Director
|
means
a director appointed by a Shareholder in accordance with clauses 4.2 or
6.5 (other than a Non-Shareholder Director).
|
Non-Shareholder
Director
|
means
Lu Benzhao, pursuant to his appointment to the board of the Target
Entities in accordance with clause 4.2.5.
|
NSM
|
means
Nanjing Sudan Mining Co. Ltd, a limited liability company incorporated in
the People's Republic of China whose registered address is Dangyang Town,
Jiangning District, Nanjing Municipality, Jiangsu Province,
PRC.
|
NSM
Equity Transfer Agreement
|
means
the equity transfer agreement dated 11 August 2008 relating to the
acquisition of all the shares in NSM, as amended by an agreement dated 29
October 2008 and as further amended, assigned, novated or substituted from
time to
time.
|
12
Operator
|
means
Green Earth Mining Resources Limited, registration number 1518318 with
registered address: x/x Xxx & Xxx/Xxxxxx Xxx, 0000-0, 00/X, Xxxxx 0,
Xxxxx Hong Kong City, 00 Xxxxxx Xxxx, XXX, Xxxx Xxxx, that is the company
incorporated and owned by Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, which is engaged by the Company
or a member of the Group to manage and operate the Target Entities and MZM
and any future operations of the Group as approved by the Qualifying
Shareholders.
|
Operator
Agreement
|
means
the agreement in the approved terms dated on or around the date of this
Agreement entered into by MXM, the Company, Wits Basin, London Mining and
the Operator as amended, novated or substituted from time to
time.
|
Oslo
Axess
|
means
a regulated marketplace at the Oslo Xxxx XXX (in English: "the Oslo Stock
Exchange").
|
Other
Shareholders
|
has
the meaning given to that expression in clause 9.9 where used in clause 9
and in clause 11.1 where used in clause 11.
|
Outstanding
Sudan Consideration
|
has
the meaning given to that expression in clause 6.23.
|
Payment
Date
|
has
the meaning given to that expression in clause 6.14.
|
Percentage
Threshold
|
has
the meaning given to that expression in clause 4.2.1
|
Promissory
Note
|
means
the Promissory Note in the approved terms dated on or around the date of
this Agreement for US$4,800,000 in principal issued by the Company in
favour of Wits Basin in consideration for the acquisition of HK Co by the
Company from Wits
Basin.
|
13
Proportionate
Allocation
|
has
the meaning given to that expression in clause 9.10 where used in clause 9
and in clause 12.5 where used in clause 12.
|
Qualifying
Shareholder
|
means
any person who holds A Shares and/or B Shares which carry the right to
exercise 40% or more of the votes ordinarily exercisable at a general
meeting of the Shareholders.
|
Quotation
|
means
the admission of the whole of any class of the issued share capital of the
Company or any Subsidiary Company to the Official List of the Financial
Services Authority, and to trading on the London Stock Exchange's market
for listed securities, or to trading on the AIM market of the London Stock
Exchange, or to trading on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange's market for
listed securities or on any other recognised investment exchange,
recognised overseas investment exchange, designated investment exchange or
designated overseas investment exchange, in each case as defined in the
Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 or any other securities
exchange.
|
Reserved
Matters
|
means
the matters listed in Schedule 1 requiring Qualifying Shareholders'
consent.
|
Repayment
Amount
|
has
the meaning given to that expression in clause 6.11.
|
Repayment
Date
|
has
the meaning given to that expression in clause 15.4.
|
Retained
Consulting Payment
|
means
such part of the US$2 million retained from the First Payment (as that
term is defined under the Consulting Agreement) that is payable to Lu
Benzhao in accordance with the Consulting
Agreement.
|
00
XXX
|
means
Renminbi, the lawful currency of the People's Republic of
China.
|
Sale
|
means
the sale of the whole of the issued equity share capital of the Company or
all or substantially all of the assets of the Group to a single buyer or
to one or more buyers as part of a single transaction.
|
Second
Amended and Restated
|
|
Pledge
Agreement
|
means
the Second Amended and Restated Pledge Agreement dated 22 December 2008
granted by Wits Basin in favour of China Gold.
|
Shares
|
means
the A Shares and the B Shares.
|
Shareholders
|
means
any holder of any Share from time to time in accordance with the
provisions of this Agreement.
|
Shareholder's
Group
|
means,
in relation to a Shareholder, that Shareholder and its subsidiary
undertakings, any parent undertaking, whether direct or indirect, of such
Shareholder and any other subsidiary undertaking of any such parent
undertaking from time to time but excluding the Company and each
Subsidiary and references to "member" or "members" of the "Shareholder's Group"
shall be construed accordingly.
|
Subscription
|
means the subscription
by London Mining for A Shares on or around the date of this
Agreement.
|
Subscription
Agreement
|
means
the subscription agreement dated 12 January 2009 entered into by Wits
Basin and London Mining in relation to the establishment of the joint
venture through which the Business will be operated as amended by the
amendment agreement dated 17 March 2009, and as further amended, novated,
restated or substituted from time to
time.
|
15
Subsidiaries
|
means
the Group excluding the Company.
|
Target
Entities
|
means
each of NSM and MXM, together with their respective subsidiary
undertakings.
|
Term
|
means
the period of two years commencing on the date of this Agreement or such
longer period as may be agreed in writing by the Qualifying
Shareholders.
|
Third
Party Funding
|
has
the meaning given to that expression in clause 7.5.2.
|
Top
Up Shares
|
shall
have the meaning given to that expression in clause 9.11 where used in
clause 9 and in clause 12.6 where used in clause 12.
|
Transfer
Shares
|
has
the meaning given to that expression in clause 13.1.
|
Trigger
Event
|
has
the meaning given to that expression in clause 13.2.
|
US$
|
means
United States Dollars, the lawful currency of the United
States.
|
WB
Loan
|
means
the loan in the amount of US$5,750,000 granted by London Mining to Wits
Basin under the terms of the WB Loan Agreement.
|
WB
Loan Agreement
|
means
the loan agreement in the approved terms dated on or around the date of
this Agreement pursuant to which London Mining grants Wits Basin the WB
Loan.
|
16
Wits
Basin Promissory Note
|
means
the Second Amended and Restated Promissory Note in the aggregate principal
amount of US$10,421,000 issued by Wits Basin to China Gold dated 22
December 2008 pursuant to the Convertible Notes Purchase Agreement dated
10 April 2007 between China Gold and Wits Basin as amended by the
Amendment to the Convertible Notes Purchase Agreement dated 19 June 2007,
by the Amendment No. 2 to the Convertible Notes Purchase Agreement dated
10 November 2008, the Amendment No. 3 to the Convertible Notes Purchase
Agreement dated 22 December 2008 and as amended from time to
time.
|
1.2
|
Interpretation
|
|
1.2.1
|
Unless
the context otherwise requires, words and expressions defined in or having
a meaning provided by the UK Companies Xxx 0000 shall have the same
meaning in this Agreement. The term "connected person" shall
have the meaning attributed to it at the date of this Agreement by section
839 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 and the words "connected with" shall
be construed accordingly.
|
|
1.2.2
|
A
reference to any statutory provision in this
Agreement:-
|
|
(a)
|
includes
any order, instrument, plan, regulation, permission and direction made or
issued under such statutory provision or deriving validity from
it;
|
|
(b)
|
shall
be construed as a reference to such statutory provision as in force at the
date of this Agreement (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any
amendments made to such statutory provisions that are in force at the date
of this Agreement);
|
|
(c)
|
shall
also be construed as a reference to any statutory provision of which such
statutory provision is a re-enactment or consolidation;
and
|
|
(d)
|
shall
also be construed as a reference to any later statutory provision which
re-enacts or consolidates such statutory
provision.
|
17
|
1.2.3
|
References
to a clause are (unless otherwise stated) to a clause of this
Agreement.
|
|
1.2.4
|
The
headings used in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not
affect its meaning.
|
|
1.2.5
|
A
document expressed to be "in the approved terms"
means a document, the terms, conditions and form of which have been
approved by the Shareholders and a copy of which has been identified as
such and initialled by or on behalf of each of London Mining and Wits
Basin.
|
|
1.2.6
|
A
document expressed to be an Annexure means a document a copy of which has
been identified as such and initialled by or on behalf of each of the
Shareholders.
|
|
1.2.7
|
Words
importing one gender shall (where appropriate) include any other gender
and words importing the singular shall (where appropriate) include the
plural and vice versa.
|
|
1.2.8
|
Any
English legal term for any action, remedy, method of judicial proceeding,
legal document, legal status, court, official or any legal concept or
thing shall, in respect of any jurisdiction other than that of England, be
deemed to include what most nearly approximates in that jurisdiction to
the English legal term.
|
|
1.2.9
|
Any
time or date shall be construed as a reference to the time or date
prevailing in England.
|
|
1.2.10
|
If
any event or payment under this Agreement must occur on a stipulated day
which is not a Business Day, then the stipulated day will be taken to be
the next Business Day.
|
|
1.2.11
|
A
reference in this Agreement to London Mining or Wits Basin (as the case
may be) shall be deemed where the context permits to be or to include a
reference to any permitted transferee under this Agreement (including in
the case of Wits Basin, China Gold if it enforces its security
over the Shares held by Wits
Basin).
|
1.3
|
A
reference in this Agreement to the transfer of any Share shall mean the
transfer of either or both of the legal and beneficial ownership in such
Share and/or the grant of an option to acquire either or both of the legal
and beneficial ownership in such Share and the following shall be deemed
(but without limitation) to be a transfer of a
Share:-
|
18
|
1.3.1
|
any
direction (by way of renunciation or otherwise) by a Shareholder entitled
to an allotment or issue of any Share that such Share be allotted or
issued to some person other than
himself;
|
|
1.3.2
|
any
sale or other disposition of any legal or equitable interest in a Share
(including any voting right attached thereto) and whether or not by the
registered holder thereof and whether or not for consideration or
otherwise and whether or not effected by an instrument in writing;
and
|
|
1.3.3
|
any
grant of a legal or equitable mortgage or charge over any
Share.
|
1.4
|
In
construing this Agreement, general words introduced by the word "other" shall not be
given a restrictive meaning by reason of the
fact that they are preceded by words indicating a particular class of
acts, matters or things and general words shall not be given a restrictive
meaning by reason of the fact that they are followed by particular
examples intended to be embraced by the general
words.
|
2.
|
BUSINESS
OF THE COMPANY
|
The
Business
2.1
|
The
Business shall be:-
|
|
2.1.1
|
the
operation of the Target Entities and, following the completion of the
acquisition of MZM pursuant to the MZM Equity Transfer Agreement (if
applicable), MZM, whose main businesses are the mining, processing and
sale of iron ore; and
|
|
2.1.2
|
to
do such other things as may be ancillary to any of the above or agreed
from time to time in accordance with this
Agreement.
|
2.2
|
Unless
otherwise agreed by the Qualifying Shareholders, the Company shall not
carry on any business other than the
Business.
|
3.
|
SHAREHOLDERS'
UNDERTAKINGS
|
Each of the Shareholders undertakes to
the other:-
3.1
|
to
observe and perform its own obligations under this Agreement and give full
effect to the provisions of this Agreement and (so far as it is able so to
do by the exercise of voting rights in the Company and the power to
appoint and remove directors of the Company and the Subsidiary Companies
in accordance with this Agreement) to procure that the Company will and
procure that each Subsidiary Company will at all times perform and observe
all its obligations under this
Agreement;
|
19
3.2
|
to
procure that, in the case of a meeting of the Company, a duly authorised
representative empowered to do all acts and make all decisions on its
behalf in connection with such meeting, and in the case of a meeting of
the Board, a Shareholder shall procure that a director nominated by it, or
his alternate, shall at all reasonable times be available to attend
relevant meetings of the Company or the Board or the board of each
Subsidiary Company (as the case may be);
and
|
3.3
|
to
disclose to the Company and the other Shareholders as soon as practicable
after it becomes aware of the same, any information of a material nature
relating to the Business of which it becomes
aware.
|
4.
|
BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
|
Appointment
and removal of Directors
4.1
|
The
number of Directors of the Company shall be not less than two and not more
than five (or such higher number as shall be required to give effect to
the provisions of this clause 4 or clause 6.5) unless otherwise agreed in
writing by all of the Qualifying
Shareholders.
|
4.2
|
Subject
to the receipt of any required regulatory
approvals:
|
|
4.2.1
|
subject
also to clauses 4.2.3 and 6.5, each Shareholder shall be entitled, by
serving written notice of appointment on the Company, to appoint from time
to time one Director to the Board (and to any committee of the Board) for
every 20% of the issued Shares held by it (each a "Percentage Threshold")
and to remove or substitute from time to time any Director so appointed by
it by serving written notice of such removal or substitution on the
Company and, by serving written notice of appointment, to appoint from
time to time another Director in place of any Director so removed or who
vacates office for any reason;
|
|
4.2.2
|
subject
also to clauses 4.2.3, 4.2.4, 4.2.5, 4.2.6 and 4.10, each Qualifying
Shareholder shall be entitled, by serving written notice of appointment on
a Subsidiary Company, to appoint from time to time two Directors to the
board of each Subsidiary Company (and to any committee of any such board)
or such other number as the Qualifying Shareholders shall agree in writing
and to remove or substitute from time to time any Director so appointed by
it by serving written notice of such removal or substitution on the
relevant Subsidiary Company and by serving written notice of appointment,
to appoint from time to time another Director from time to time in place
of any Director so removed or who vacates office for any
reason;
|
20
|
4.2.3
|
subject
also to clauses 4.2.4, 4.2.5, 4.3.3, 4.10, and 6.5, any 50% Shareholder
shall be entitled by serving written notice of appointment or removal on
the Company or relevant Subsidiary Company to appoint and remove from time
to time such Directors to or from the Board and/or to or from the board of
each Subsidiary Company (and to any committee of any such board) ("50% Notice") such that
the 50% Shareholder has a majority of Directors appointed to the Board
and/or the board of each Subsidiary (and to any committee of any such
board) ("Majority
Representation") and by serving written notice of appointment from
time to time to remove any such appointed Director and replace him with
any other Nominated Director. This clause shall not entitle any
50% Shareholder to serve a notice of removal on the Company or any
Subsidiary Company in respect of a Nominated Director (other than in
respect of a Director nominated by the 50% Shareholder) unless the
articles of association of the relevant company prevent the appointment by
the 50% Shareholder of such additional Directors required to give it a
Majority Representation on the relevant
board;
|
|
4.2.4
|
subject
also to clauses 4.10 and 6.5, for so long as the articles of association
of any Target Entity limits the number of directors appointed to the board
of such Target Entities to three, each Qualifying Shareholder shall be
entitled, by serving written notice of appointment on such Target Entity,
to appoint from time to time 1 Director to the board of such Target Entity
(and to any committee of any such board) and to remove or substitute from
time to time any Director so appointed by it by serving written notice of
such removal or substitution on the relevant Subsidiary Company and by
serving written notice of appointment, to appoint from time to time
another Director from time to time in place of any Director so removed or
who vacates office for any reason;
|
|
4.2.5
|
the
Qualifying Shareholders agree that Lu Benzhao shall be appointed as a
Non-Shareholder Director of the Target Entities. The Non-Shareholder
Director shall be removed as a Director of the Target Entities in
accordance with clause 4.5. The parties agree that for so long as the
Non-Shareholder Director is appointed as a Director to the Target
Entities, the Company and the Shareholders shall (so far as they are able)
procure that:
|
21
|
(a)
|
the
Non-Shareholder Director shall receive from the Target Entities a monthly
fee as agreed by the Qualifying Shareholders in respect of his role as a
director of both of XNS and Sudan ("Director Fee") provided
that, in the absence of agreement from London Mining, the Director Fee
shall not be, in aggregate, in excess of US$0.5 million in 2009 and US$0.5
million in 2010. There shall be no Director Fee payable in any subsequent
year unless agreed in writing by each of the Qualifying
Shareholders;
|
|
(b)
|
the
Director Fee shall be paid in US Dollars, however if regulatory
requirements require that the Director Fee is paid in RMB, the Director
shall be paid in RMB, using an exchange rate of US Dollars to RMB at the
middle rate issued by the People's Bank of China on the date immediately
prior to payment; and
|
|
(c)
|
the
amount or timing of payment of the Director Fee cannot be varied without
the consent of each Qualifying Shareholder;
and
|
|
4.2.6
|
subject
also to clauses 4.10 and 6.5, following the amendment to the articles of
association of the relevant Target Entity pursuant to clause 4.3.2 and for
so long as Lu Benzhao is a Non-Shareholder Director of the relevant Target
Entity, London Mining, so long as it is a Qualifying Shareholder, shall be
entitled, by serving written notice of appointment on the relevant Target
Entity, to appoint two directors to the board of the relevant Target
Entity (and to any committee of the board) (in addition to the appointment
rights of London Mining under clauses 4.2.1 to 4.2.4 and 6.5) and Wits
Basin shall be entitled, so long as it is a Qualifying Shareholder, by
serving written notice of appointment on the relevant Target Entity, to
appoint 1 Director to the board of the relevant Target Entity (and to any
committee of the board) (in addition to the appointment rights of Wits
Basin under clauses 4.2.1 to 4.2.4) and each of London Mining and Wits
Basin shall be entitled from time to time to remove such further directors
so appointed and replace them with any other
Director.
|
4.3
|
The
Company (or the Company will procure that the relevant Subsidiary Company
(as appropriate)) shall as soon as reasonably practicable after the date
of this agreement:
|
|
4.3.1
|
use
its best endeavours to obtain any regulatory approvals required
to:
|
|
(a)
|
appoint
and remove Directors in accordance with clauses 4.2, 4.4 and 6.5;
and
|
22
|
(b)
|
amend
the memorandum and articles of association of any Subsidiary Company in
accordance with clause 4.3.2 and clause
4.3.3;
|
|
4.3.2
|
amend
the articles of association of the Target Entities such that they permit
the appointment of 4 or more Directors to the board of each Target Entity;
and
|
|
4.3.3
|
amend
the articles of association of any Subsidiary Company (as applicable) such
that they permit the appointment of a majority of Directors to the board
of each Subsidiary Company in accordance with clause 6.5 or by a 50%
Shareholder pursuant to clause 4.2.3 with effect from (or as soon as
practicable following) a Shareholder becoming a 50%
Shareholder.
|
4.4
|
Subject
to clause 6.5, a Shareholder shall be obliged to remove
from:
|
|
4.4.1
|
the
Board (and any relevant committee of the Board) such number of Directors
appointed by it each time its holding of Shares decreases to below a
Percentage Threshold such that the number of remaining Directors appointed
by such Shareholder is commensurate with its revised percentage
shareholding in accordance with clause 4.2. Any Shareholder whose holding
of Shares decreases, for any reason, to less than 20% of the Shares shall
cease to be entitled to appoint a Director and shall be obliged to remove
all of its existing Directors appointed by it from the
Board;
|
|
4.4.2
|
the
board of any Subsidiary Company (and any relevant committee of the board
of a Subsidiary Company), any Director nominated by it under clause 4.2 if
it ceases to be a Qualifying Shareholder;
and
|
|
4.4.3
|
the
Board or any board of any Subsidiary Company (and any relevant committee
of such board), such Directors nominated by it under clause 4.2.3 to give
effect to any 50% Notice if that Shareholder ceases to hold A Shares or B
Shares which carry the right to exercise 50% of the votes ordinarily
exercisable at a general meeting of
Shareholders.
|
4.5
|
The
Shareholders and the Company shall procure that the relevant shareholder
of each Target Entity shall remove from the board of the Target Entity
(and any associated committee) the Non-Shareholder Director on the earlier
of the date that is 12 months following the date of this Agreement and as
requested in writing by London Mining, or as otherwise agreed by the
Qualifying Shareholders in writing.
|
23
4.6
|
A
Shareholder removing any of its Nominated Directors from the Board or any
Subsidiary Company, shall be responsible for, and shall indemnify the
Company or the Subsidiary Company (as applicable) and the other
Shareholders, against any claim by any Director so removed for wrongful or
unfair dismissal or redundancy or any other claim for compensation arising
out of such removal or loss of
office.
|
4.7
|
Each
Shareholder entitled to appoint a Director or Directors under clause 4.2
may at any time elect to appoint observers instead of appointing
directors, provided that no Shareholder may elect to appoint an observer
instead of appointing a Director if it would result in the Board having
less than the number of Directors required pursuant to clause
4.1.
|
4.8
|
Other
than in accordance with clauses 4.2 and 6.5, no Directors of the Company
or any Subsidiary Company can be appointed or removed without the prior
written consent of each Qualifying
Shareholder.
|
4.9
|
No
Shareholder may exercise its voting or other powers in relation to the
Company to remove a Nominated Director unless requested to do so by the
Qualifying Shareholder which appointed the Nominated
Director.
|
4.10
|
In
respect of any appointment or removal of directors to the Company or any
Subsidiary Company to be made pursuant to clauses 4 or 6.5, each party
agrees to do all things necessary to give effect to such appointment or
removal.
|
Alternate
Directors
4.11
|
Each
Nominated Director shall be entitled to appoint by written notice any
person to be his alternate, and each Director or any such alternate shall
not be required to hold any share qualification, shall not be subject to
retirement by rotation and, with respect to any such alternate, shall not
be removed except by the Nominated Director who appointed him. Any
Director who is also appointed as an alternate shall be entitled to vote
at a meeting of the Board or the board of each Subsidiary Company on
behalf of the Director so appointing him in addition to being entitled to
vote in his own capacity as a Director and in such circumstances his two
votes shall be counted as votes from two Directors for the purposes of
clause 4.17.
|
4.12
|
Any
Director appointed under clauses 4.2 or 6.5 shall be entitled to pass to
the Shareholder appointing him and any member of such Shareholder's Group
full details of any information which may come into his possession as a
Director of the Company or any Subsidiary
Company.
|
24
Board
Meetings
4.13
|
Unless
otherwise agreed in writing by the Nominated Directors of the relevant
board, 10 Business Days' prior notice shall be given of each meeting of
the Board or the board of each Subsidiary Company (except in the case of
an emergency or in order to comply with any timetable laid down by this
Agreement). Notice of a meeting of the Board or the board of
each Subsidiary Company shall be deemed to be properly given to a Director
if it is given to him personally or sent in writing to him by email or
facsimile transmission to such address or number as the Director may have
notified to the Company or Subsidiary Company (as applicable) for this
purpose or, if no such address or number has been notified, by first class
pre-paid post (or by first class pre-paid airmail if from one country to
another country) at his last known address or any other address given by
him to the Company or Subsidiary Company (as appropriate) for this
purpose. Such notice shall, unless the Board or the board of
the relevant Subsidiary Company otherwise determines, include an agenda of
the business to be considered at that meeting. A Director may waive notice
of any board meeting either prospectively or
retrospectively.
|
4.14
|
The
Board shall meet or convene a Board meeting as often and in such places as
the Board shall decide, provided that, unless otherwise agreed by the
Board, a Board meeting shall be held at least once every quarter at such
place as the Board may agree in each year provided that a Director shall
be entitled to attend the meeting by telephone. The board of
each Subsidiary Company shall meet or convene a board meeting as often and
in such places as the relevant board shall decide provided that a Director
shall be entitled to attend the meeting by
telephone.
|
4.15
|
The
quorum for any meeting of the Board or of the board of any Subsidiary
Company shall be two and shall consist of at least one Nominated Director
(or his alternate) appointed by each Qualifying Shareholder entitled to do
so under clauses 4.2 or 6.5 and a quorum of Directors must be present
throughout all meetings of the Board or the board of any Subsidiary
Company except that a Nominated Director (or his alternate) shall not be
required to be present for the discussion of any business in respect of
which such Nominated Director is not entitled to attend or vote pursuant
to clause 4.20 and the quorum for such meeting shall be altered
accordingly.
|
4.16
|
If
within half an hour from the time appointed for a meeting of the Board or
a board of a Subsidiary Company a quorum of Directors is not present, or
during a meeting a quorum of Directors ceases to be present, the meeting
shall stand adjourned to the same day in the next week, at the same time
and place, or to such other time and place as the Directors present may
decide and at the adjourned meeting, any two Directors shall constitute a
quorum.
|
25
4.17
|
Subject
to clause 4.11, each Director shall have one vote. Subject to
clause 4.18, a simple majority of votes cast by those Directors present
and eligible to vote will be required to pass any resolution of the Board
or the board of each Subsidiary
Company.
|
4.18
|
Subject
to clauses 6.5 and 7.5.4, the Board and the board of directors of any
Subsidiary, shall not have the power to carry out any of the Reserved
Matters without prior written consent of the Qualifying Shareholders in
accordance with clause 6.2.
|
4.19
|
For
so long as the Non-Shareholder Director is appointed to the board of a
Target Entity, subject to clause 4.2.3 having effect and subject to
clauses 6.5 and 7.5.4, each Shareholder covenants that it shall procure
that its Nominated Directors (if any) shall exercise their voting rights
at any board meeting of such Target Entity to procure that all decisions
of the board have the prior written consent of each of the Qualifying
Shareholders. The parties agree that breach of this clause by a
Shareholder shall constitute a material breach of this Agreement by that
Shareholder.
|
Conflicts
of Interest
4.20
|
No
Director (or his alternate) shall be entitled to vote on any resolution
concerning a matter in which he has a direct interest or duty which is
material and which conflicts with the interests of the Company or any
Subsidiary Company, and for the purposes of this clause 4.20, the
interests of the Shareholder which appointed a Nominated Director shall be
deemed to be the interests of the Nominated Director (and his alternate)
so appointed provided that this clause 4.20 shall not apply to any matter
if all the Nominated Directors have a conflict in respect of such matter
and provided further that, subject to clause 4.23, such Director (and his
alternate) shall still be entitled to receive notice of and attend and
speak in respect of the business at any meeting in respect of which a
resolution is proposed on which, by virtue of this clause 4.20, such
Director is not entitled to vote. For the avoidance of doubt,
Wits Basin’s obligation to monitor and review the Operator’s performance
shall not constitute a conflict of interest of Wits Basin or any Wits
Basin Nominated Director (other than Xxxxxxx Xxxxx) in connection with any
resolution concerning the Operator absent any additional evidence of such
conflict. However, to the extent that there is a resolution on a matter
concerning the Operator and any Wits Basin Nominated Director is connected
with the particular matter by virtue of being employed by, engaged by or
otherwise affiliated with the Operator, that would give rise to a conflict
of interest for the purpose of this
Agreement.
|
26
4.21
|
For
the purposes of clause 4.20, an interest of the Nominated Director who
appointed an alternate or the Shareholder which appointed the relevant
Nominated Director shall be treated as an interest of the alternate,
without prejudice to any interest which the alternate otherwise has (but
not vice versa).
|
4.22
|
A
Director (or an alternate) shall not be entitled to attend and speak at
such part of the meeting of the Directors at which it is proposed to
discuss or vote on any matter upon which he (or if an alternate, the
Nominated Director who appointed him) is not entitled to vote by virtue of
clause 4.20 if the disclosure to such Director or his nominating
Shareholder or his alternate of the specific commercial terms being
discussed or voted upon could compromise the Company's ability or
Subsidiary Company's ability to secure the most favourable commercial deal
or where the information or proposals to be discussed or voted upon at the
meeting directly relate to a dispute between the Company or any Subsidiary
Company and the Shareholder which appointed the Nominated Director or a
member of the respective Shareholder's
Group.
|
4.23
|
All
of the Directors present at a meeting of the Board or the board of a
Subsidiary Company shall together determine in good faith whether any
Director is or is not eligible to vote in accordance with this clause 4 or
is or is not eligible to attend in accordance with clause 4.22 and, unless
the vote of the conflicted Director would not affect the decision of the
Board or the board of a Subsidiary Company reached in accordance with
clause 4.17, in the absence of agreement a dispute shall be deemed to have
arisen and the provisions of clause 14 shall
apply.
|
Chairman
4.24
|
The
Qualifying Shareholders agree that the first Chairman of the Board shall
be Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx, who shall be appointed for a term of two years from
the date of this Agreement subject to his being a Nominated Director
throughout that term. Thereafter, the Qualifying Shareholders
shall co-operate to appoint one of the Nominated Directors to be Chairman
of the Board who shall be appointed for such term as the Qualifying
Shareholders shall agree from time to time. If no such
appointment is agreed on the expiry of the term of Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx, the
Qualifying Shareholders shall procure that the Chairman of the Board shall
be appointed for successive terms of two years (or such other terms as the
Qualifying Shareholders shall from time to time agree) from among the
Nominated Directors appointed by each of the Qualifying Shareholders in
rotation, starting with London
Mining.
|
27
Directors'
Expenses
4.25
|
The
Company (or the Company will procure that the relevant Subsidiary Company
as the case may be) shall pay the Shareholders monthly in arrears, all
out-of-pocket expenses properly incurred by their respective Nominated
Directors (or alternates) in connection with the performance of their
duties as directors (together with VAT or any similar tax if applicable
thereon). Unless the Qualifying Shareholders otherwise all
agree, none of the Nominated Directors shall be entitled to a fee for
acting as a director, for attending to its business or for attending
meetings of any board (or committee) meeting of the Company or any
Subsidiary Company.
|
Subsidiary
Company
4.26
|
The
Shareholders agree that the provisions of clause 4 relating to board
meetings of Subsidiary Companies can be varied with the prior written
consent of the Qualifying Shareholders and otherwise each of the Company
and each Shareholder undertakes to procure, so far as legally possible,
that the constitution of the boards of the Subsidiary Companies and the
proceedings of meetings of the board (and committees) of any Subsidiary
Company reflects clauses 4 and 6.5.
|
5.
|
PROVISION
OF INFORMATION
|
5.1
|
The
Company agrees with the Shareholders that it will introduce and maintain
effective and appropriate control systems in relation to the financial,
accounting and record-keeping functions of the Group and will keep the
Board and the Shareholders informed of the progress of each Group
Company's business and affairs and in particular
will:-
|
|
5.1.1
|
procure
that the Qualifying Shareholders are given such information and such
access to the officers, employees and premises of the Group as such
Qualifying Shareholder may reasonably require for the purposes of enabling
it to monitor its investment in the Company and the development of the
Group and to enable it to comply with rules of any exchange on which such
Shareholder is listed; and
|
|
5.1.2
|
direct
the Company's auditors from time to time to provide direct to the
Qualifying Shareholders such information as such Qualifying Shareholder
may reasonably request for the purposes of enabling them to monitor their
investment in the Company and the development of the Group or to satisfy
the requirements of Oslo Axess, or any other securities exchange on which
the Qualifying Shareholder or any member of the Qualifying Shareholder's
Group is listed or seeks a listing.
|
28
5.2
|
Without
prejudice to the generality of clause 5.1, the Company agrees with the 20%
Shareholders that it will prepare and send to them or as they may direct
(all in such form and detail as is specified by them or as is approved by
the Board):-
|
|
5.2.1
|
the
Management Information for each monthly accounting period, as soon as
reasonably practicable following, and in any event within three weeks of,
the end of the relevant month;
|
|
5.2.2
|
the
audited consolidated accounts of the Group (together with the notes to
those accounts and the Directors' report and auditors' report on those
accounts), as soon as reasonably practicable following, and in any event
within three months of, the end of the financial year to which they
relate;
|
|
5.2.3
|
minutes
of each board meeting of any Group Company (and of each committee meeting
of any such board), as soon as reasonably practicable following, and in
any event within two weeks of, such
meeting;
|
|
5.2.4
|
immediately
on the Company or any Subsidiary Company becoming aware of them, written
details of any circumstances which will or
might:-
|
|
(a)
|
cause
any actual or prospective material adverse change in the financial
position, prospects, assets or business of any Group Company;
or
|
|
(b)
|
materially
adversely affect the Company's ability to perform its obligations under
this Agreement or any Group Company's ability to perform its obligations
under any material contract to which it is a party;
and
|
|
5.2.5
|
no
later than 30 Business Days before the start of each financial period of
the Company, the budget and financial plans for the Group in respect of
such financial period including the projected income, costs, capital
expenditure and cash flows of the Group for each month of the relevant
financial period and shall specify the key assumptions used and/or adopted
in respect of such projections (the "Annual Budget") and
thereafter the Directors and the Qualifying Shareholders shall meet to
discuss the draft Annual Budget in good faith with a view to the Company
adopting the Annual Budget for the relevant financial period prior to the
start of that period, provided that the Board shall not adopt any Annual
Budget which has not been approved in writing by each of the Qualifying
Shareholders. If and for so long as no Annual Budget has been
approved and adopted in respect of any financial period, then for the
duration of such period, the last Annual Budget adopted in accordance with
this Agreement, or the Business Plan in respect of any year prior to the
adoption of the first Annual Budget, shall apply in respect of that
financial period.
|
29
5.3
|
If
the Company shall be in breach of any of its obligations under clauses 5.1
or 5.2 then (without prejudice to any other rights which each Qualifying
Shareholder may have in respect of such breach) any of the Qualifying
Shareholders shall be entitled (at the cost of the Company) to appoint a
firm of accountants to obtain, prepare and deliver to it any documents or
information that the Company has failed to obtain, prepare or
deliver. For this purpose, the Company shall (and shall procure
that each Subsidiary Company shall) promptly make available all its books
and records to the relevant Qualifying Shareholder and/or such firm of
accountants, each of whom shall be entitled without further authority to
enter into and remain on any Group Company's premises for the purpose of,
or in connection with, preparing such
items.
|
6.
|
CONDUCT
OF BUSINESS
|
Management
of the Group
6.1
|
Subject
to this clause 6, the day to day management of the Group will be vested in
the Operator pursuant to the Operator Agreement. Wits Basin
undertakes and covenants to the Company and the other Shareholders, in
accordance with the terms of the Monitoring Agreement, to monitor and
review the Operator's performance under the Operator Agreement on behalf
of the Company and to notify the Company, London Mining and the other
Shareholders if Wits Basin becomes aware that the Operator has committed,
or has taken steps which are reasonably likely to give rise to a breach
(excluding any non-material breach) of the Operator
Agreement.
|
6.2
|
Subject
to clauses 6.5 and 7.5.4, the Company undertakes to and covenants with
each of the Shareholders that it shall not, and each Shareholder
undertakes to and covenants with the other Shareholders that it shall
exercise and procure that its Nominated Directors (if any) shall exercise
their voting rights in the Company to procure (so far as they are able)
that the Company shall not, and no Subsidiary Company shall, without the
prior written consent of each of the Qualifying Shareholders expressly
given for the purpose of this clause 6.2, carry out or agree (whether or
not subject to the fulfilment of any conditions) to carry out any of the
Reserved Matters.
|
30
6.3
|
The
Company agrees with the Shareholders to procure that each Subsidiary
Company will comply with the obligations and restrictions contained in
clause 6.2 and Schedule 1.
|
6.4
|
For
the purposes of clause 6.2, a Qualifying Shareholder's consent may be
validly given by a Nominated Director appointed by such Qualifying
Shareholder if the Nominated
Director:
|
|
6.4.1
|
gives
his consent in writing to the Board or board of the relevant Subsidiary
Company; or
|
|
6.4.2
|
signs
a written resolution of the Board or board of the relevant Subsidiary
Company or signs the minutes of the meeting of the Board or board of the
relevant Subsidiary Company approving the relevant transaction or
matter.
|
6.5
|
Subject
to clause 6.6, if in the reasonable opinion of the Company or London
Mining, the Group is not at any time achieving the Business Plan or any
member of the Group is breaching or is likely to breach the terms of any
Third Party Funding (as defined in clause 7.5.2), the Company shall
procure that the Operator shall take all necessary steps promptly to
remedy such matter (if capable of remedy by the Operator) and if not
remedied within 30 Business Days (the "Operator Remedy
Period") of notice from the Company to the reasonable satisfaction
of London Mining then, Wits Basin shall use its best endeavours to remedy
such matter (if capable of remedy) within a further 30 Business Day period
(the "Wits Basin Remedy
Period"). If Wits Basin shall fail to remedy the matter
to the reasonable satisfaction of London Mining, London Mining shall be
entitled, at its sole discretion, to take such reasonable action to remedy
the matter and Wits Basin shall, for the purpose of giving effect to this
sentence, be deemed irrevocably to have given all consents necessary in
accordance with clauses 4.19 and 6.2 to any matters proposed by London
Mining to the extent necessary to remedy the matter. Further, if Wits
Basin shall fail to remedy the matter to the reasonable satisfaction of
London Mining, London Mining shall be entitled to appoint a majority of
the Directors to the Board and to the board of each Subsidiary Company
from the time it provides written notice of its intent to remedy the
matter until the matter is resolved to the reasonable satisfaction of
London Mining. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if London Mining
is reasonably required to take action to remedy a matter three or more
times (whether arising from the same or different circumstances, provided
that multiple actions to remedy a single matter shall constitute one
remedy), it shall be entitled, in its sole discretion to appoint a
majority of the Directors to the Board and to the board of each Subsidiary
Company until such time as London Mining ceases to be a 20% Shareholder.
While London Mining has appointed a majority of the Directors to the Board
under the provisions of this clause 6.5, clauses 4.2.3 and 4.19 shall not
apply. If London Mining ceases to be a 20% Shareholder, the
other provisions of this Agreement suspended by this clause 6.5 will
continue to apply in accordance with their
terms.
|
31
6.6
|
If
in the reasonable opinion of London Mining, the length of the Operator
Remedy Period and Wits Basin Remedy Period is likely to cause irreparable
harm to the Business, London Mining shall reduce the Operator Remedy
Period and Wits Basin Remedy Period to a length it considers, acting
reasonably, to be appropriate.
|
6.7
|
In
the event Wits Basin or London Mining is required to take action pursuant
to clause 6.5, the expenses incurred on behalf of the Company or any other
member of the Group in connection with their duties shall be paid by the
Company (or in the event Wits Basin or London Mining incurs such expenses,
it shall be reimbursed by the Company) as soon as practicable after
presentation of such valid invoices and other documentation as are
reasonably required by the Company; provided
that:
|
|
6.7.1
|
to
the extent reasonably permitted, Wits Basin or London Mining (as
applicable) shall promptly notify the Company and the other shareholders
of any material expenses anticipated in connection with the performance of
such actions; and
|
|
6.7.2
|
any
expenses of in aggregate US$100,000 or more must have the prior written
approval of the Company before being incurred by London Mining or Wits
Basin on behalf of a member of the Company's
Group.
|
6.8
|
For
the avoidance of doubt, any costs associated with time spent by management
of either Wits Basin or London Mining in connection with any action taken
pursuant to clause 6.5 shall not constitute an expense that is covered by
the reimbursement mechanism in clause
6.7.
|
6.9
|
Wits
Basin shall meet all its obligations under the Consulting Agreement,
including in respect of the provisions dealing with the issue of shares in
Wits Basin to Lu Benzhao.
|
6.10
|
The
Company shall, and the Shareholders shall procure, so far as they are
able, that the Company shall:
|
|
6.10.1
|
meet
its obligations under the Promissory
Note;
|
|
6.10.2
|
make
the Retained Consulting Payment (or such part as is payable) to Lu Benzhao
to the extent payable under the Consulting Agreement,
and
|
32
|
6.10.3
|
not
use the US$2 million subscribed by London Mining for the purpose of paying
the Retained Consulting Payment for any reason other than paying the
Retained Consulting Payment provided that if the Retained Consulting
Payment (or any part of it) is not payable to Lu Benzhao under the terms
of the Consulting Agreement ("Retained Sum"), the
Retained Sum shall be applied to the operations of the Business as working
capital or as otherwise agreed in writing by the
parties,
|
provided
that nothing in this provision creates any obligation on any Shareholder to
provide further finance to the Group unless otherwise agreed in accordance with
this Agreement.
LM
Management Fee
6.11
|
Until
such time (the "LM Fee
Termination Date") as the holders of A Shares have received in
aggregate, a net amount after withholding and business tax of US$44.5
million by distributions from the Company (whether by dividends,
distributions, return of capital or other means (and including any amounts
received by dividend, distribution, return of capital or other means by
holders of A Shares in respect of any B Shares acquired from time to
time)), but excluding by way of any LM Management Fee and any
reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses) (such aggregated amount received
being referred to as the ("Repayment Amount"), the
Company shall procure the payment by MXM (or such other member of the
Group as the Qualifying Shareholders shall agree) of a fee (the "LM Management Fee") to
London Mining (or such other member of its Shareholder's Group as London
Mining shall nominate) in accordance with clauses 6.12 to 6.22 in
consideration for the provision of consulting and management services
("Services") by
London Mining (or such other member of its Shareholder's Group as London
Mining may determine) to the Target Entities and such other members of the
Group as the Qualifying Shareholders shall
agree.
|
6.12
|
Subject
to clause 6.13, until the LM Fee Termination Date, the LM Management Fee
shall be due and payable, in cash and in arrears, in the following
amounts:
|
|
6.12.1
|
a
net amount after withholding tax or business tax of US$5,500,000 on the
date that is twelve months following the date of this Agreement;
and
|
|
6.12.2
|
a
net amount after withholding tax or business tax of US$4,500,000 on each
subsequent anniversary of the date of this
Agreement.
|
33
6.13
|
The
LM Management Fee shall be paid in US Dollars, however if regulatory
requirements require that the LM Management Fee is paid in RMB, the LM
Management Fee shall be paid in RMB, using an exchange rate of US Dollars
to RMB at the middle rate issued by the People's Bank of China on the
Business Day before the relevant payment date (as set out in clause
6.12).
|
6.14
|
The
LM Management Fee shall accrue on a daily basis from the date of this
Agreement, shall be paid to London Mining every 6 months, commencing on
the date that is 6 calendar months after the date of this Agreement (each
such date being a "Payment Date"). On the
date London Mining receives the Repayment Amount (if such date is not a
Payment Date), the LM Management Fee for the relevant 6 month period shall
be pro-rated up to and including the date of payment and paid to London
Mining within 5 days of receiving the Repayment Amount. For the
avoidance of doubt if London Mining receives the Repayment Amount on a
Payment Date, it shall receive the LM Management Fee payable on that
Payment Date.
|
6.15
|
If:
|
|
6.15.1
|
London
Mining receives the Repayment Amount within 3 years of the date of the
Shareholders' Agreement ("Fee Adjustment Date");
and
|
|
6.15.2
|
at
the Fee Adjustment Date there is a material change in the relative net
present value of the A Shares owned by London Mining (by reference to the
number of A Shares held by London Mining at the date of London Mining's
Subscription) ("LM
NPV") when compared to the net present value of the B Shares owned
by Wits Basin (by reference to the number of B Shares held by
Wits Basin at the date of London Mining's Subscription) ("WB NPV"), in each case
calculated on the basis set out in clause 6.16 (such new NPVs being "Adjusted NPVs"), such
that the LM NPV has increased so that it is greater than the WB NPV as set
out in the approved Business Model as at the date of this Agreement (such
excess being the "LM
Excess"),
|
the
parties agree that London Mining shall repay to Wits Basin the Fee Repayment
Amount.
6.16
|
For
the purposes of clause 6.15:
|
|
6.16.1
|
the
Adjusted NPVs shall be calculated using the following
formula:
|
where:
34
Ct = net cash
flows for the Group each year, for a 12 year period ("Cash Flow Period"), relating
to MXM, NSM and MZM (and for the avoidance of doubt excluding any cash flows
relating to any mines, mining operations or other companies acquired or operated
by any member of the Group after the date of this Agreement)
C0 = the
amount of the "Initial Cost Investment" as that is set out in the approved
Business Plan as at the date of this Agreement
R =
Discount rate of 20%
T = cash
flow period
and on
the following basis:
|
(a)
|
the
number of shares held by each of London Mining and Wits Basin shall
reflect the shareholdings as at the date of London Mining's Subscription;
and
|
|
(b)
|
the
Adjusted NPVs shall be calculated at t0
(that is the date of this Agreement) and shall include (based on
the audited accounts of the Group) the actual net cash flows received in
the period up to the Fee Adjustment Date and the forecast net cash flows
for the remainder of the Cash Flow Period after the Fee Adjustment
Date;
|
|
6.16.2
|
the
Fee Repayment Amount shall be an amount
equal to 50 per cent of the LM Excess and shall be capped at an amount
equal to the aggregate LM Management tax which London Mining receives in
the financial year in which the Fee Repayment Amount is
due.
|
6.17
|
London
Mining and Wits Basin shall use reasonable endeavours to agree the WB NPV
Shortfall and the Fee Repayment Amount within 15 Business Days of the Fee
Adjustment Date; or, in default of agreement within 20 Business Days of
the Fee Adjustment Date London Mining or Wits Basin may refer the matters
set out in clauses 6.15 and 6.16 to an Independent Valuer for a
resolution. The decision of the Independent Valuer shall, save
in the case of manifest error, be final and binding on the parties. The
Independent Valuer shall be instructed to determine the WB NPV Shortfall
and the Fee Repayment Amount on the basis set out in clauses 6.15 and
6.16.
|
6.18
|
The
parties agree to work together to establish a tax efficient means of
paying the LM Management Fee and giving effect to clauses 6.11 to
6.22.
|
35
6.19
|
The
parties shall use best endeavours to enter into, and to procure that MXM
(and/or such other member of the Group as the parties shall agree) enters
into, a services agreement setting out the terms of the LM Management Fee
and the Services in a form reasonably acceptable to London Mining (each
being a "LM Services
Agreement") within 40 Business Days of the date of this Agreement
and to procure that all regulatory approvals for such agreement are
obtained. For the avoidance of doubt failure to agree the terms of any LM
Services Agreement in accordance with this clause 6.19 shall not affect
any of the other obligations in clauses 6.11 to
6.22.
|
6.20
|
All
amounts paid under the LM Management Fee are inclusive of any applicable
sales or value added tax levied on or payable in connection with the
services to be provided by London Mining under the LM Services
Agreement.
|
6.21
|
The
Company shall procure that all payments by MXM (or such other member of
the Group as the parties shall agree) under the LM Management Fee shall be
made without set off or counterclaim, free and clear of any deduction or
withholding of any kind.
|
6.22
|
If
MXM (or such other member of the Group as the parties shall agree) is
required by law to make any deduction or withholding from any payment
under the LM Management Fee, whether on account of tax or otherwise, the
Company shall procure that the sum due from it in respect of such payment
shall be increased to the extent necessary to ensure that, after the
making of such deduction or withholding, London Mining receives and
retains (free from any liability in respect of any such deduction or
withholding) a net sum equal to the sum which it would have received had
no deduction or withholding been made or been required to be made. The
Company shall procure that MXM (or such other member of the Group as the
parties shall agree) shall promptly supply London Mining with evidence
satisfactory to London Mining that it has accounted to the relevant
authority for any sum deducted or
withheld.
|
Acquisition
Structure
6.23
|
Wits
Basin shall use best endeavours to procure an amendment to the NSM Equity
Transfer Agreement together with any applicable regulatory and
governmental approval (including from MOFCOM) or implementation of such
other structure as agreed in writing by London Mining and as shall be
permitted by law, such that HKCo's obligation to pay any consideration to
Lu Benzhao outstanding as at the date of this Agreement under the NSM
Equity Transfer Agreement ("Outstanding Sudan
Consideration") is deferred such that it is not payable until the
earlier to occur of the expiry
of:
|
36
|
6.23.1
|
in
the case of the first deferred payment of US$6 million, a 12 month period
after the date of this Agreement or in the case of the second deferred
payment of US$11 million, a 24 month period after the date of this
Agreement; and
|
|
6.23.2
|
the
date on which the Company or HKCo receives Third Party Funding in
accordance with clause 7.3 to fund the Outstanding Sudan
Consideration.
|
6.24
|
Wits
Basin shall use best endeavours to procure an amendment to the MZM Equity
Transfer Agreement together with any applicable regulatory and
governmental approving (including from MOFCOM) such that the consideration
payable to Lu Benzhao under the MZM Equity Transfer Agreement ("MZM Consideration") is
deferred so that it is not payable until the earlier to occur of the
expiry of:
|
|
6.24.1
|
in
the case of approximately US$5.83 million, a 4 year period after the date
of this Agreement; and in the case of approximately US$5.83 million, a 5
year period after the date of this Agreement;
and
|
|
6.24.2
|
the
date on which the Company or HKCo receives Third Party Funding in
accordance with clause 7.3 to fund the MZM
Consideration.
|
6.25
|
Each
of the Company and the Shareholders shall use best endeavours to take all
such action, and to procure that HKCo shall take all such action, as may
be reasonably required to satisfy the conditions precedent under the MZM
Equity Transfer Agreement.
|
6.26
|
Wits
Basin shall be deemed irrevocably to have given all consents and approvals
necessary in accordance with this Agreement to complete the MZM Equity
Transfer Agreement and for the Company or any member of its Group to carry
out any steps required to develop MZM and its operations such that MZM has
an ongoing production rate as set out in the Business Plan approved as at
the date of this Agreement.
|
7.
|
FINANCE
|
7.1
|
No
Shareholder shall be under any obligation or liability to provide or
procure any further finance to any Group Company or provide or procure any
guarantee or indemnity in respect of such finance and shall not have any
liability for any other Shareholder's
obligations.
|
7.2
|
The
Company shall use its best endeavours to procure Third Party Funding as
soon as possible after the date of this Agreement to meet capital
expenditure requirements as set out in the Business Plan for the purpose
of maximising cash flow available for the payment of dividends to
Shareholders, to be paid in accordance with clause 15 of the
Agreement.
|
37
7.3
|
Wits
Basin shall use its best endeavours to procure Third Party Funding as soon
as possible after the date of this Agreement to meet any Outstanding Sudan
Consideration payments, any payments of MZM Consideration and any Matang
Development Costs. Such Third Party Funding shall be on terms reasonably
satisfactory to London Mining. London Mining agrees that it will not
unreasonably withhold its consent to the Third Party Funding provided that
the relevant terms are arms length and reasonable terms available to the
market.
|
7.4
|
The
Shareholders shall be under no obligation to give guarantees or
indemnities of any nature to or in favour of any Group Company or to or in
favour of any other person in respect of any obligations or liabilities of
any Group Company.
|
7.5
|
The
Shareholders agree that the Board shall ensure that the Company shall use
its reasonable commercial endeavours to procure that the future financial
requirements of the Group, as set out in the last Annual Budget approved
by the Qualifying Shareholders as contemplated by clause 5.2.5, are
provided for and are met from:-
|
|
7.5.1
|
first,
the Group's own resources;
|
|
7.5.2
|
subject
to clause 7.6, thereafter from banks and other third party sources ("Third Party Funding")
provided that no Third Party Funding shall permit any prospective lender a
right to participate in the equity share capital of the Company (save with
the prior written consent of the Qualifying Shareholders) and that any
security required in respect of such finance shall, if possible, only be
provided by the Company and any member of the Group which shall, if
necessary and if so agreed by the Board and the Qualifying Shareholders,
be empowered to mortgage, charge, pledge or otherwise encumber their
assets as security for such
finance;
|
|
7.5.3
|
thereafter,
from the Shareholders subscribing for further B Shares on a pro rata basis
at a price to be agreed by the Qualifying Shareholders;
and
|
|
7.5.4
|
finally,
if any Shareholder is unwilling or unable to subscribe for B Shares in
accordance with clause 7.5.3 (the "Non-Contributing
Shareholder"), from the remaining Shareholders subscribing for B
Shares at a price to be agreed by the Qualifying Shareholders, or if no
agreement on price is reached, at a price to be determined by an
Independent Valuer. The decision of the Independent Valuer
shall, save in the case of manifest error, be final and binding on the
parties. The Non-Contributing Shareholder shall, for the
purpose of giving effect to this clause 7.5.4, be deemed irrevocably to
have given all consents necessary in accordance with clause 6.2 and shall
instruct any Nominated Directors appointed by it to approve all
resolutions to give effect to clause 7.5.4 and shall attend and vote in
favour of all resolutions proposed at any general meeting and required to
give effect to clause 7.5.4.
|
38
7.6
|
Each
of the 20% Shareholders shall have the right to provide debt finance on
the same terms as the Third Party Funding as an alternative to such
funding. The Company shall provide the 20% Shareholders with
details of the material terms applicable to the proposed Third Party
Funding and afford the 20% Shareholders a reasonable period of time (being
not less than 15 Business Days) within which to commit in writing to match
such financing terms in all material respects. If more than one
of the 20% Shareholders decide to provide funding, and the total amount of
funding exceeds the Company's requirements, such offers of funding shall
be treated as offered by such 20% Shareholders in proportion (as nearly as
may be) to their existing holdings of Shares. The Company shall
not permit the provision of Third Party Funding on terms more favourable
than those notified to the 20% Shareholders in accordance with this clause
and to the extent that financing is to be provided by a 20% Shareholder,
enter into financing documents on terms and conditions no more onerous
than those which would have been required under the Third Party
Funding.
|
8.
|
VOTING
RIGHTS
|
8.1
|
The
voting rights attached to the Shares shall be as
follows:-
|
|
8.1.1
|
on
a resolution to be passed at a general meeting of the Company on a show of
hands, every member present in person or by proxy or (being a corporation)
is present by a duly authorised representative shall have one
vote; and
|
|
8.1.2
|
on
a resolution to be passed at a general meeting of the Company on a poll,
every member present in person or by proxy or (being a corporation) is
present by a duly authorised representative, shall have one vote per
Share.
|
8.2
|
No
business shall be transacted at any general meeting or at any adjourned
meeting unless a quorum of Shareholders is present at the time when the
meeting proceeds to business and for its duration. The quorum
for a general meeting will be two members either attending in person or by
proxy or (being a corporation) is present by a duly authorised
representative, provided that each Qualifying Shareholder is
represented.
|
39
8.3
|
If
within half an hour from time appointed for the meeting a quorum is not
present, or if during a meeting a quorum ceases to be present, the general
meeting shall stand adjourned to the same day in the next week, at the
same time and place, or to such other time and place as the Shareholders
present may decide. The quorum for any adjourned general meeting will be
any two members either attending in person or by proxy or (being a
corporation) present by a duly authorised
representative.
|
8.4
|
The
Deferred Shares shall carry no right to receive written notice of general
meetings of the Company or the right to attend or vote on
them.
|
9.
|
TRANSFERS
AND ALLOTMENTS OF SHARES
|
Transfers
9.1
|
Subject
to clause 9.5, each Shareholder agrees that it will not, during the Term,
without the consent of the Qualifying Shareholders effect a transfer of
any of its Shares or Deferred Shares other than a transfer of Shares held
by Wits Basin in accordance with clause 13 or the terms of the Second
Amended and Restated Share Pledge
Agreement.
|
9.2
|
Each
Shareholder agrees that it will not, without the consent of the Qualifying
Shareholders create or allow to be created any claim, charge, lien,
encumbrance or equity on or over or affecting any of its Shares or
Deferred Shares, other than an equitable charge over the Shares held by
Wits Basin in favour of China Gold in accordance with the Second Amended
and Restated Share Pledge
Agreement.
|
Deeds
of Adherence
9.3
|
Subject
to clause 9.4, no transfer or allotment of any Shares shall be made unless
the transferee or allottee shall have first executed a Deed of Adherence
in the form set out in Schedule 2 and the parties agree that, having
executed such Deed of Adherence, the transferee or allottee (as the case
may be) shall be bound by, and shall be entitled to the benefit of, the
provisions of this Agreement, subject to and in accordance with the terms
of the relevant Deed of Adherence, as if they had been named as a party to
this Agreement in such capacity as shall be referred to in the Deed of
Adherence.
|
9.4
|
No
Deed of Adherence need be executed
where:
|
40
|
9.4.1
|
the
transferee is already a party to this Agreement (in the same capacity as
that in which the transferor is a party in respect of the Shares in
question); or
|
|
9.4.2
|
the
allottee is already a party to this Agreement (in the same capacity as
that in which the allottee is to be allotted the Shares in
question).
|
Intra
Group Transfers
9.5
|
At
any time after the date of this Agreement, each Shareholder may transfer
to one or more wholly-owned members of its Group (the "Intra Group
Transferee") all of its Shares and the relevant Shareholder shall
provide notice to the other Shareholders immediately upon any such
transfer, provided that if following the transfer the Intra Group
Transferee ceases to be a wholly-owned member of the relevant
Shareholder's Group, the relevant Shareholder shall give notice to the
Qualifying Shareholders any of whom shall have the right to require the
Shares to be transferred back to the Shareholder or a wholly-owned member
of its Group within 30 Business Days of the relevant Qualifying
Shareholder's notice.
|
Pre-emption
on transfers following the Term
9.6
|
The
Shareholders agree that following the end of the Term, each Shareholder is
entitled to sell all its Shares in accordance with clauses 9 to 12 (but
not part of its shareholding except with the written consent of the
Qualifying Shareholders or pursuant to the pre-emption provisions
contained in clauses 9.7 to 9.15 (inclusive) or under clauses 10 or
12).
|
9.7
|
Except
in relation to any transfer pursuant to clause 9.5 or by the Other
Shareholders (as defined in clause 9.9) pursuant to the tag along
provisions in clauses 9.16 to 9.19, or as part of a Quotation in
accordance with clause 10, or by Accepting Shareholders (as defined in
clause 11.1) pursuant to clause 11, or pursuant to clause 12, following
the end of the Term every holder of Shares who wishes to transfer any
Shares (the "Seller") to a third
party shall give notice in writing of such wish to the Company (the "Transfer
Notice"). Each Transfer Notice
shall:
|
|
9.7.1
|
specify
the number of Shares which the Seller wishes to transfer (the "Sale Shares") provided
that if such number is less than the number of Shares held by the Seller
and members of the Seller's Group, to be effective, such Transfer Notice
will require the written consent of the Qualifying
Shareholders;
|
41
|
9.7.2
|
specify
the identity of the person to whom the Seller wishes to transfer the Sale
Shares (the "Proposed
Transferee");
|
|
9.7.3
|
specify
the price per Share (the "Sale Price") at which
the Seller wishes to transfer the Sale Shares and other terms and
conditions of sale (including details of any warranties, representations,
indemnities, covenants and other assurances to be given to the Proposed
Transferee and any guarantees to be given) provided that to the extent
that any such disclosure of information would result in any breach of any
confidentiality undertaking given by the Seller, the Seller may require
the other Shareholders to undertake to maintain the confidentiality of
such information and any information so supplied shall be deemed to be
Confidential Information;
|
|
9.7.4
|
be
deemed to constitute the Company as the Seller's agent for the sale of the
Sale Shares at the Sale Price in the manner prescribed by clauses 9.8 to
9.15; and
|
|
9.7.5
|
not
be varied or cancelled.
|
9.8
|
Subject
to clause 9.7.1, the Seller may provide in the Transfer Notice that,
unless buyers are found for all or not less than a specified number of the
Sale Shares, he shall not be bound to transfer any of such Shares ("Minimum Transfer
Condition") and any such provision shall be binding on the
Company. Notwithstanding the other provisions of clauses 9.9 to
9.15, if the Transfer Notice contains a Minimum Transfer Condition the
Company may not make any allocation of Sale Shares unless and until it has
found buyers for the minimum number specified in the Minimum Transfer
Condition.
|
9.9
|
The
Company shall, within 10 Business Days of receipt of the Transfer Notice,
give notice in writing to the other Shareholders (the "Other Shareholders")
offering for sale the Sale Shares at the Sale Price. The notice
shall specify that the Other Shareholders shall have a period of 30
Business Days from the date of such notice to apply for some or all of the
Sale Shares.
|
9.10
|
It
shall be a further term of the offer under clause 9.9 that, if there is
competition among the Other Shareholders for the Sale Shares, such Sale
Shares shall be treated as offered among such Shareholders in proportion
(as nearly as may be) to their existing holdings of Shares (the "Proportionate
Allocation"). However, a Shareholder in his application
for Sale Shares may, if he so desires, indicate that he would be willing
to purchase a particular number of Shares in excess of his Proportionate
Allocation ("Extra
Shares").
|
42
9.11
|
If
the total number of Sale Shares applied for under clauses 9.9 and 9.10 is
less than the available number of Sale Shares, the Company shall give
notice in writing to the Other Shareholders offering any unsold Shares at
the Sale Price. The notice shall specify that the Other
Shareholders shall have a further period of 15 Business Days from the date
of such notice to apply for some or all of the unsold Shares ("Top Up
Shares").
|
9.12
|
The
Company shall allocate the Sale Shares as
follows:
|
|
9.12.1
|
if
the total number of Sale Shares applied for under clauses 9.9 and 9.10
and, if applicable, clause 9.11 is equal to or less than the available
number of Sale Shares, subject to satisfaction of any Minimum Transfer
Condition, each Other Shareholder shall be allocated the number applied
for in accordance with his application(s);
or
|
|
9.12.2
|
if
the total number of Sale Shares applied for under clauses 9.9 and 9.10 is
greater than the available number of Sale Shares, each Other Shareholder
shall be allocated his Proportionate Allocation or such lesser number of
Sale Shares for which he has applied and applications for Extra Shares
shall be allocated among those Other Shareholders applying for Extra
Shares in such proportions as equal (as nearly as may be) the proportions
of all the Shares held by such Other Shareholders or such lesser number of
Extra Shares for which he has applied;
and
|
|
9.12.3
|
if
having allocated the Sale Shares in accordance with clauses 9.12.1 or
9.12.2, there remain unallocated Sale Shares, applications for Top Up
Shares shall be allocated among those Other Shareholders applying for Top
Up Shares in such proportions as equal (as nearly as may be) the
proportion of all the Shares held by such Other Shareholders, provided
that no person shall be obliged to take more than the maximum number of
Shares that he has indicated to the Company he is willing to
purchase.
|
9.13
|
Allocations
of Sale Shares made by the Company pursuant to clause 9.12 shall
constitute the acceptance by the persons to whom they are allocated of the
offer to purchase those Sale Shares on the terms offered to
them.
|
43
9.14
|
The
Company shall immediately on allocating any Sale Shares in accordance with
clause 9.12 give notice in writing (a "Sale Notice") to the
Seller and to each person to whom Sale Shares have been so allocated of
the number of Sale Shares so allocated ("Allocated Shares") and
the aggregate price payable on such Allocated
Shares. Completion of the sale and purchase of the Allocated
Shares in accordance with the Sale Notice shall take place within 15
Business Days of the date of the Sale Notice, whereupon the Seller shall,
on payment of the price due in respect of the Allocated Shares, transfer
the Allocated Shares with full title guarantee free from all liens,
charges and encumbrances to the applicable transferee and deliver the
relevant share certificates. If within 15 Business Days of the
date of the Sale Notice, the Transferee has not made payment of the price
due in respect of his Allocated Shares, such allocation shall be withdrawn
and the entitlement of such person under clauses 9.8 to 9.14 shall be
lost. If the Seller stipulated in the Transfer Notice a Minimum
Transfer Condition which, as a consequence of the withdrawal, has not been
satisfied, the Sale Notices shall be revoked and the Company may not make
any allocation of Sale Shares.
|
9.15
|
If
the Seller defaults in transferring any Sale Shares pursuant to clause
9.14, the Company may receive the purchase money and may nominate some
person to execute an instrument of transfer of such Sale Shares in the
name and on behalf of the Seller and thereafter, when such instrument has
been duly stamped (if required), the Company shall cause the name of the
relevant Other Shareholder to be entered in the register of members as the
holder of such Sale Shares and shall hold the purchase money on trust
(without interest) for the Seller. The receipt of the Company
for the purchase money shall be a good discharge to the relevant Other
Shareholder (who shall not be bound to see to the application thereof)
and, after his name has been so entered in the register of members, the
validity of the proceedings shall not be questioned by any
person.
|
Tag
Along
9.16
|
If
all the Sale Shares are not sold under the pre-emption provisions
contained in clauses 9.7 to 9.15 (inclusive) the Company shall
(immediately on the exhaustion of such provisions) so notify the Seller
and the Other Shareholders (the "Tag Along
Notice"). The Tag Along Notice shall include the terms
and conditions of the Transfer Notice given in accordance with clause 9.7
and the Seller may at any time, within four calendar months after
receiving such notification, transfer to the Proposed Transferee the
unsold Sale Shares on the terms and conditions set out in the Transfer
Notice and at a price not less than the Sale Price, provided
that:
|
|
9.16.1
|
the
Board may refuse registration of any Proposed Transferee if the Board
reasonably believes the Proposed Transferee to be a Competitor of the
Group or a person connected with such a Competitor (or a nominee of
either);
|
44
|
9.16.2
|
the
Board may refuse registration of any Proposed Transferee if the Board
reasonably believes that the transfer to the Proposed Transferee will
materially prejudice the Licences;
|
|
9.16.3
|
any
such sale shall be a sale in good faith and the Board may require to be
satisfied (in such manner as it may reasonably think fit) that the Sale
Shares are being sold for not less than the Sale Price without any
deduction, rebate or allowance whatsoever and if not so satisfied may
require the Company to refuse to register the
transfer;
|
|
9.16.4
|
the
Proposed Transferee has executed a Deed of Adherence in accordance with
clause 9.3 of this Agreement; and
|
|
9.16.5
|
the
provisions of clause 9.17 to 9.19 have been complied
with.
|
9.17
|
The
Tag Along Notice shall specify that each of the Other Shareholders shall
have a period of 30 Business Days from the date of such Tag Along Notice
to give written notice (the Acceptance Notice") to
the Company that it wishes to sell its Shares at the Sale Price to the
Proposed Transferee on the same terms and conditions as set out in the Tag
Along Notice which shall, for the avoidance of doubt, include such Other
Shareholders giving no more warranties, representations, indemnities,
covenants and other assurances than those given by the Seller provided
that:
|
|
9.17.1
|
each
Other Shareholder shall only be required to give warranties,
representations, indemnities, covenants and other assurances which relate
to or are in respect of the Company and any member of the Group, the
Shares owned by it and its capacity to enter into the relevant agreement
for the Sale of its Shares;
|
|
9.17.2
|
the
aggregate liability of each Other Shareholder under such warranties,
representations, indemnities, covenants and other assurances shall be
limited to the consideration payable to each Other Shareholder for its
Shares by the Proposed Transferee;
|
|
9.17.3
|
any
warranties and representations relating to title to the Shares to be given
by each Other Shareholder shall only relate to the title to the Shares to
be sold by it and any warranties and representations relating to the
capacity of such Other Shareholder to enter into the sale and purchase
agreement to be given by such Other Shareholder shall only relate to the
capacity of such Other Shareholder;
|
45
|
9.17.4
|
no
Other Shareholder shall be required to given any restrictive covenants
which in any way restrict such Other Shareholder from carrying on any
business in any manner or to any
degree.
|
9.18
|
The
proposed sale to the Proposed Transferee in accordance with the Transfer
Notice may not be completed unless the Proposed Transferee has
unconditionally offered to buy all or any Shares the subject of an
Acceptance Notice in accordance with clause 9.17 and the relevant
Shareholder shall provide details in writing of any unconditional offers
to the Other Shareholders as soon as possible following receipt of an
unconditional offer. The relevant offer shall not be made
conditional on all of the Other Shareholders accepting it and shall be on
terms that it may be accepted by such Shareholder in respect of the whole
(but not part only) of its holding of Shares. Such
offer shall remain open for acceptance for 30 Business
Days.
|
9.19
|
The
sale and purchase of all the Shares agreed to be sold pursuant to a
relevant offer shall be completed within 15 Business Days after acceptance
of the relevant offer or, if later, at the same time as the Sale of the
Shares by the Seller to the Proposed Transferee and the relevant
Shareholder shall provide details in writing of such sale to the Other
Shareholders as soon as possible following the
sale.
|
9.20
|
The
provisions of clause 9.16 and 9.17 shall not apply to any sale of Shares
which is to take place pursuant to an Offer under clause
11.
|
10.
|
QUOTATION
|
10.1
|
If,
at any time on or after the second anniversary of the date of this
Agreement (or such earlier time as the Qualifying Shareholders may agree
in writing), a Qualifying Shareholder serves a written notice on the
Company pursuant to this clause 10.1 (an "IPO Notice"), the
Company shall promptly appoint a recognised investment bank (an "Investment Bank") to
provide to the Company and to each Qualifying Shareholder a written
opinion (the "Opinion") as to whether
a Quotation valuing the equity share capital of the Company at an
aggregate amount equal to not less than US$400 million (the "Target Value") is
reasonably likely and the most appropriate securities exchange (as
referred to in the definition of Quotation) on which the Quotation could
take place. No IPO Notice may be served pursuant to this clause
10.1 within 12 months of the date of service of an earlier IPO Notice on
the Company by the same Qualifying
Shareholder.
|
10.2
|
The
Investment Bank shall be instructed to deliver its Opinion to the Company
and each Qualifying Shareholder as soon as reasonably practicable and in
any event within 20 Business Days of being engaged by the
Company. The Company shall be responsible for the fees and
expenses of the Investment Bank and shall provide such information to the
Investment Bank in its possession or control as the Investment Bank
reasonably requests.
|
46
10.3
|
If
the Opinion advises that a Quotation which would value the equity share
capital at an aggregate amount equal to not less than the Target Value is
reasonably likely, any Qualifying Shareholder shall be entitled, in its
sole discretion, by giving notice in writing to the other Shareholders and
the Company within 30 Business Days following delivery of the Opinion to
it, to elect to pursue the Quotation and each Shareholder and the Company
shall forthwith undertake such acts, matters or things and execute all
such documents as are reasonably necessary and within its power to
facilitate the Quotation as expeditiously as practicable on the basis set
out in the Opinion provided that, save with the written approval of the
Qualifying Shareholders, the Quotation shall only take place if the sale
or issue price of Shares at Quotation values the equity share capital of
the Company at an aggregate amount equal to not less than the Target
Value. Without prejudice to the generality of the previous
sentence, each Shareholder agrees
that:
|
|
10.3.1
|
any
Nominated Director appointed by it shall (subject to his fiduciary duties)
join with the other members of the Board in undertaking such acts, matters
or things as are (in the reasonable opinion of the Investment Bank)
reasonably necessary or desirable for the purpose of facilitating the
Quotation;
|
|
10.3.2
|
it
shall vote in favour of such changes to the Memorandum and Articles as may
reasonably be recommended by the Investment Bank for the purpose of
facilitating the Quotation;
|
|
10.3.3
|
conditional
upon the Quotation occurring, it shall vote in favour of any resolutions
required to convert the A Shares and B Shares into one class of shares and
to consolidate or sub-divide such shares into such number as is (in the
reasonable opinion of the Investment Bank) reasonably necessary or
desirable for the purpose of facilitating the
Quotation;
|
|
10.3.4
|
it
shall do such things as may reasonably be required to establish a new
holding company for the Company if such course of action is (in the
reasonable opinion of the Investment Bank) required for the purpose of
facilitating the Quotation provided that the provisions of this Agreement,
the Memorandum and Articles and any other shareholder arrangements
relating to the Company which may be entered into from time to time are
emulated in relation to such holding company to the reasonable
satisfaction of each Shareholder prior to the Quotation occurring and
provided further that the establishment of such holding company does not
have any adverse tax or other consequences for any such Shareholder;
and
|
47
|
10.3.5
|
it
shall enter into such agreements as the Board (taking account of advice
from the Investment Bank) may reasonably require for the purpose of
facilitating a Quotation on terms mutually acceptable to the Investment
Bank and such Shareholder (and each Shareholder undertakes that it will
act reasonably in seeking to reach agreement on such terms and will not
unreasonably object to any terms reasonably proposed by the Board
including in relation to any customary lock up which applies equally to
each Shareholder in relation to the sale of the Shares following the
Quotation),
|
PROVIDED
that this clause 10.3 shall not require any Shareholder to enter into or give
any warranties, representations or indemnities (other than in respect of the
ownership of its own Shares) or any non-competition or similar undertakings or
to give any additional obligations beyond those which any other Shareholder is
required to give unless such Shareholder in its absolute discretion agrees to
provide the same.
10.4
|
The
parties hereby agree that each Qualifying Shareholder shall be entitled at
its option to sell all or some of its Shares as part of the Quotation save
that if and to the extent that one or more of them do exercise such option
and the resulting aggregate number of Shares to be sold by them as part of
the Quotation (the "Aggregate Number")
exceeds such number as in the reasonable opinion of the Investment Bank is
the maximum number of Shares that can be so sold as part of the Quotation,
taking into account any new shares which in the reasonable opinion of the
Investment Bank need to be issued in connection with the Quotation (the
"Maximum Number"),
the parties agree that such number of Shares to be sold by each of them
shall be such number of Shares as they wished to sell, multiplied by the
fraction arrived at by dividing the Maximum Number by the Aggregate Number
rounded down to the nearest whole
number.
|
10.5
|
The
parties agree that in the event of a Quotation occurring, this Agreement
shall terminate and, without prejudice to the accrued rights of any party,
the provisions hereof shall cease to
apply.
|
11.
|
COME
ALONG
|
11.1
|
Without
prejudice to the provisions of clauses 9.7 to 9.15 (inclusive) if a
Shareholder or Shareholders holding in aggregate not less than 75% in
nominal value of the equity share capital then in issue wishes to accept a
bona fide offer
from an independent third party (the "Offeror") for the
entire equity share capital of the Company or if London Mining wishes to
accept a bona
fide offer from an Offeror which values the entire equity share
capital of the Company at an amount equal to not less than US$400 million
(the "Offer"),
such Shareholder or Shareholders (the "Accepting
Shareholders") shall give written notice to the other Shareholders
(the "Other
Shareholders") of their wish to accept the Offer and the price to
be paid by the Offeror (the "Come Along
Notice").
|
48
11.2
|
The
Accepting Shareholders shall supply to the Other Shareholders such
information as they may reasonably request in connection with the Offer
(including details of any warranties, representations and indemnities, to
be given in connection with the sale to the Offeror) provided that to the
extent that any such disclosure of information would result in any breach
of any confidentiality undertaking given by the Accepting Shareholders,
the Accepting Shareholder may require the Other Shareholders to undertake
to maintain the confidentiality of such information. Any
information so supplied shall be deemed to be Confidential
Information.
|
11.3
|
Any
Offer shall be to the following
specification:
|
|
11.3.1
|
an
Offer may be by way of an offer for Shares made by a third party purchaser
or a sale by private treaty;
|
|
11.3.2
|
subject
to clause 15.10, the consideration for the Offer Shares to be sold by the
Shareholders pursuant to the Offer shall be apportioned between the
Shareholders pro
rata to the Shares to be sold by
them;
|
|
11.3.3
|
subject
to clause 15.10, the Other Shareholders shall be entitled to receive in
full their respective consideration for the Shares to be sold by them at
the same time as the Accepting
Shareholder;
|
|
11.3.4
|
each
Other Shareholder shall be required to give no more warranties,
representations and indemnities in connection with the sale to the Offeror
than those given by the Accepting Shareholders and shall only be required
to give warranties, representations and indemnities which relate to or are
in respect of the Company and its subsidiary undertakings, the Shares and
its capacity to enter into the relevant agreement for the sale of its
Shares;
|
|
11.3.5
|
the
aggregate liability of each Other Shareholder under such warranties,
representations and indemnities shall be limited to the consideration
received by such Other Shareholder pursuant to the sale to the
Offeror;
|
49
|
11.3.6
|
no
Other Shareholder shall be required to give any restrictive covenants
which in any way restrict such Other Shareholder from carrying on any
business in any manner or to any
degree;
|
11.4
|
Conditional
on the Other Shareholders each receiving not less than 10 Business Days'
prior notice from the Accepting Shareholder of the proposed execution date
together with a final version of the documentation for the Offer which the
Other Shareholders are required to execute, each of the Other Shareholders
undertakes to and covenants with the Accepting Shareholder that it
will:
|
|
11.4.1
|
execute
and deliver such documentation, always provided that such documentation is
on terms which comply with clause
11.3;
|
|
11.4.2
|
on
completion of the sale to the Offeror, deliver to the third party
purchaser the certificates evidencing all Shares in the Company owned by
him;
|
|
11.4.3
|
with
effect from completion of the sale to the Offeror, execute and deliver a
stock transfer form transferring all shares in the Company owned by him to
the third party purchaser and, unless the third party purchaser otherwise
consents in writing, procure the removal of any persons appointed by him
as a Nominated Director.
|
11.5
|
If
any Other Shareholder has any shareholder loans granted to the Company or
any Subsidiary Company, it shall at the same time as completing the sale
of its shares as contemplated by clause 11.4, also assign such shareholder
loans to the Offeror for a consideration equal to the face value of such
loan plus any accrued but unpaid
interest.
|
11.6
|
In
order to secure the obligations of the Shareholders under clauses 11.4 to
11.5, each Shareholder hereby appoints the Company (the "Attorney") to act as
his attorney with authority in its name and on its behalf to execute and
sign any and all agreements, instruments, deeds or other papers and
documents and to do all things in its name to execute and deliver
transfers in respect of the Shares (and any shareholder loan) held by him
and deliver the certificate(s) in respect of the same (or a suitable
indemnity in lieu of such certificate) and, against receipt by the Company
(on trust for the Shareholder) of the consideration payable for the
relevant Shares (and any shareholder loan), deliver such transfer(s) and
certificate(s) or indemnities to the Offeror (or his nominee) and register
such Offeror (or his nominee) as the holder thereof and, after such
registration, the validity of such proceedings shall not be questioned by
any person.
|
50
12.
|
BREACH
OF THIS AGREEMENT/INSOLVENCY
|
12.1
|
If:
|
|
12.1.1
|
a
Shareholder (the "defaulting party")
commits a material breach of this Agreement to which the relevant
Shareholder is party which is not remedied (if capable of remedy) within
20 Business Days of notice from the Company or other Shareholders (as
applicable); or
|
|
12.1.2
|
a
Shareholder (the "defaulting party")
makes an arrangement with its creditors or has an administration order
made in relation to it or has a receiver or manager or administrative
receiver appointed of the whole or a substantial part of its property,
undertaking or assets or is voluntarily or compulsorily wound up (other
than a voluntary winding up for the purposes of reconstruction, full
particulars of which have, prior to the commencement of such winding up
been given to the other Shareholders and during the course of which
winding up such defaulting party or its parent undertaking does not become
insolvent) or enters into any equivalent insolvency proceedings in any
jurisdiction other than that of
England,
|
then the
defaulting party shall be deemed (in the case of clause 12.1.1, upon commission
of the breach or expiry of the notice, as the case may be, or in the case of
clause 12.1.2, or immediately prior to the happening of the event), to have
offered all Shares owned by it in the Company for sale to the other Shareholders
(the "non-defaulting
parties") at a discount of 20% to fair market value of such Shares (the
"Discounted Sale
Shares") determined in accordance with the provisions of clauses 12.2 and
12.3 (the "Discounted Sale
Price") and to have constituted the Company as its agent for the sale of
such Shares at the Discounted Sale Price in the manner prescribed by clauses
12.2 to 12.10.
12.2
|
The
market value of such Discounted Sale Shares shall be as agreed between the
non-defaulting parties and the defaulting party (or its receiver,
administrator or liquidator as the case may be) or, in default of
agreement within 10 Business Days of the non-defaulting parties becoming
aware of the happening of the relevant event, determined by an Independent
Valuer. The decision of the Independent Valuer shall, save in
the case of manifest error, be final and binding on the
parties.
|
12.3
|
The
Independent Valuer shall be instructed to determine the fair market value
as quickly as possible on the basis of a sale between willing buyer and
willing seller as a going concern, if such be the case, and having regard
to such criteria as they shall consider appropriate for the purpose
including any rights, restrictions or obligations attaching to the
Discounted Sale Shares to be transferred imposed by this Agreement and the
Memorandum and Articles save that they shall be instructed to take no
account of:
|
51
|
12.3.1
|
the
size of the holding to be transferred;
or
|
|
12.3.2
|
the
number of Shares already held by the non-defaulting
parties.
|
12.4
|
The
Company shall, within 10 Business Days of receipt of the Discounted Sale
Price, give notice in writing to the non-defaulting parties offering for
sale the Discounted Sale Shares at the Discounted Sale
Price. The notice shall specify that the non-defaulting parties
shall have a period of 30 Business Days from the date of such notice
within which to apply for some or all of the Discounted Sale Shares and
that there will be no minimum transfer
conditions.
|
12.5
|
It
shall be a further term of the offer that, if there is competition among
the non-defaulting parties for the Discounted Sale Shares, such Discounted
Sale Shares shall be treated as offered among such non-defaulting parties
in proportion (as nearly as may be) to their existing holdings of Shares
(the "Proportionate
Allocation"). However, the non-defaulting party in his
application for Discounted Sale Shares may, if he so desires, indicate
that he would be willing to purchase a particular number of Discounted
Sale Shares in excess of his Proportionate Allocation ("Extra
Shares").
|
12.6
|
If
the total number of Discounted Sale Shares applied for is less than the
available number of Discounted Sale Shares, the Company shall give notice
in writing to the non-defaulting parties offering any unsold Discounted
Sale Shares at the Discounted Sale Price. The notice shall
specify that the non-defaulting parties shall have a further period of 15
Business Days from the date of such notice to apply for some or all of the
unsold Discounted Sale Shares ("Top Up
Shares").
|
12.7
|
The
Company shall allocate the Discounted Sale Shares as
follows:
|
|
12.7.1
|
if
the total number of Discounted Sale Shares applied for under clauses 12.4
and 12.5 and, if applicable, clause 12.6 is equal to or less than the
available number of Discounted Sale Shares, each non-defaulting party
shall be allocated the number applied for in accordance with his
application(s);
|
|
12.7.2
|
if
the total number of Discounted Sale Shares applied for under clauses 12.4
and 12.5 is greater than the available number of Discounted Sale Shares,
each non-defaulting party shall be allocated his Proportionate Allocation
or such lesser number of Discounted Sale Shares for which he has applied
and applications for Extra Shares shall be allocated in accordance with
such applications or, in the event of competition, among those
non-defaulting parties applying for Extra Shares in such proportions as
equal (as nearly as may be) the proportions of all the Shares held by such
non-defaulting parties; or
|
52
|
12.7.3
|
if
having allocated the Discounted Sale Shares in accordance clauses 12.7.1
and 12.7.2, there remain unallocated Discounted Sale Shares, applications
for Top Up Shares shall be allocated among those non-defaulting parties
applying for Top Up Shares in such proportions as equal (as nearly as may
be) the proportion of all the Shares held by such non-defaulting parties,
provided that no person shall be obliged to take more than the maximum
number of Discounted Sale Shares that he has indicated to the Company he
is willing to purchase
|
12.8
|
Allocations
of Discounted Sale Shares made by the Company pursuant to clause 12.7
shall constitute the acceptance by the persons to whom they are allocated
of the offer to purchase those Discounted Sale Shares on the terms offered
to them.
|
12.9
|
The
Company shall immediately on allocating any Discounted Sale Shares in
accordance with clause 12.7 give notice in writing (a "Sale Notice") to the
defaulting party (or its receiver, administrator or liquidator as the case
may be) and to each person to whom Discounted Sale Shares have been so
allocated of the number of Discounted Sale Shares so allocated and the
aggregate price payable on such allocated Discounted Sale
Shares. Completion of the sale and purchase of those Discounted
Sale Shares in accordance with the Sale Notice shall take place within
five Business Days of the date of the Sale Notice, whereupon the
defaulting party (or its receiver, administrator or liquidator as the case
may be) shall, on payment of the price due in respect of such allocated
Discounted Sale Shares, transfer those Discounted Sale Shares specified in
the Sale Notice with full title guarantee free from all liens, charges and
encumbrances to the persons to whom they have been allocated and deliver
the relevant share certificates.
|
12.10
|
In
order to secure the obligations of the defaulting party under clause 12.9,
each Shareholder irrevocably appoints the Company (the "Attorney") to act as
his attorney with authority in such Shareholder's name and on his behalf
to execute and sign any and all agreements, instruments, deeds or other
papers and documents and to do all things in such Shareholder's name (or
its receiver, administrator or liquidator as the case may be) to transfer
any Discounted Sale Shares pursuant to clause 12.9 and the Attorney may
receive such purchase money and may nominate some person to execute an
instrument of transfer of such Discounted Sale Shares in the name and on
behalf of the defaulting party (or its receiver, administrator or
liquidator as the case may be) and thereafter, when such instrument has
been duly stamped (if required), the Company shall cause the name of the
proposed transferee to be entered in the register of members as the holder
of such Discounted Sale Shares and shall hold the purchase money on trust
(without interest) for the defaulting party (or its receiver,
administrator or liquidator as the case may be). The receipt of
the Company for the purchase money shall be a good discharge to the
proposed transferee (who shall not be bound to see to the application
thereof) and, after his name has been so entered in the register of
members, the validity of the proceedings shall not be questioned by any
person.
|
53
12.11
|
The
defaulting party shall be entitled to keep any Discounted Sale Shares not
sold pursuant to clause 12.
|
12.12
|
Each
of the Shareholders undertakes to inform the other forthwith upon the
happening in relation to it of any of the events referred to in clauses
12.1.1 and 12.1.2.
|
12.13
|
Any
exercise by a Shareholder of its rights under clauses 12.1 to 12.12 shall
not limit access to any other rights and remedies, including the right to
damages, available to it under this Agreement or
otherwise.
|
13.
|
WITS
BASIN INDEMNITY
|
13.1
|
Without
prejudice to the requirements of clause 15.8, in the event
that:
|
|
13.1.1
|
during
the period from the date of this Agreement until the date that is 3 years
after the date of this Agreement ("Relevant Period"), there
is a Trigger Event (as defined below) and the holders of A Shares have
received in aggregate, a net amount after withholding tax of US$44.5
million by distributions from the Company (whether by dividends,
distributions, return of capital or other means (and including any amounts
received by dividend, distribution, return of capital or other means by
holders of A Shares in respect of any B Shares acquired from time to
time), by the last day of the Relevant Period ("Dividend Date");
or
|
|
13.1.2
|
during
any 12 month period following the date that is 3 years after the date of
this Agreement (each, a "Subsequent Period"),
commencing with the 12 month period ending on the date that is 4 years
after the date of this Agreement, there is a Trigger Event (as defined
below) and as the holders of A Shares have received in aggregate, a net
amount after withholding tax of US$44.5 million by distributions from the
Company (whether by dividends, distributions, return of capital or other
means (and including any amounts received by dividend, distribution,
return of capital or other means by holders of A Shares in respect of any
B Shares acquired from time to time), in the period from the date of this
Agreement to the end of the relevant 12 month period ("Subsequent Dividend
Date");
|
54
Wits
Basin shall transfer or procure the transfer to London Mining with full title
guarantee free from all liens, charges and encumbrances for an aggregate nominal
amount of US$1, such number of B Shares as is determined in accordance with
clauses 13.4 to 13.9 (the "Transfer Shares"). The
Transfer Shares shall be transferred within 5 Business days of the determination
of the fair market value of the B Shares and the Diminution Value (in respect of
the Trigger Events under clause 13.2.5 and 13.2.6) pursuant to clauses 13.4 to
13.9 (such date of transfer being the "Transfer Date"). For the
avoidance of doubt, the total number of B Shares to be transferred at each
Transfer Date shall be the aggregate number of Transfer Shares calculated in
respect of all Trigger Events which arose in the Relevant Period or the relevant
Subsequent Period (as applicable).
13.2
|
A
Trigger Event for the purposes of clause 13.1 shall
constitute;
|
|
13.2.1
|
any
payment to Lu Benzhao or his connected persons under the Consulting
Agreement (including H.K. Blossom Mining Resourse Group
Ltd);
|
|
13.2.2
|
any
payment to Lu Benzhao or his connected persons under the Consulting
Agreement (including H.K. Blossom Mining Resourse Group Ltd) in respect of
the Outstanding Sudan Consideration or in respect of the MZM
Consideration;
|
|
13.2.3
|
any
payment made for a Matang Development
Cost;
|
|
13.2.4
|
any
financing costs or expenses (including payments of interest) that are
incurred by any member of the Group in connection with any of the payments
referred to in clauses 13.2.1 to
13.2.3;
|
|
13.2.5
|
the
failure of the MZM Equity Transfer Agreement to complete within the time
period contemplated in the Business Plan;
or
|
|
13.2.6
|
the
input cost assumptions to the Business Plan approved as at the date of
this Agreement ("Assumptions") regarding
fixed costs and operating costs (including strip ratio) being materially
different (other than as a result of changes in the market or force
majeure) such that the net present value of the A Shares owned by London
Mining as set out the Business Plan approved as at the date of this
Agreement has decreased by US$1
million.
|
55
13.3
|
It
shall not be a Trigger Event under clause
13.1:
|
|
13.3.1
|
if
the payment, cost or circumstance giving rise to the Trigger Event has the
prior written approval of the parties, including without limitation any
payment contemplated under the Business Plan as at date of this Agreement
(provided that all other material aspects of the Business Plan as at date
of this Agreement have been met);
|
|
13.3.2
|
in
respect of clause 13.2.5, if the MZM Equity Transfer Agreement does not
complete as a result of London Mining not agreeing to proceed with the
acquisition of MZM and the Company has conducted and completed a
Feasibility Study (which shall include, among other parameters, drilling
to confirm ore reserves to standards as set out in the JORC Code, analysis
of mine plan, construction costs, permitting) which demonstrates that the
project is economically and technically viable, financing for the project
is available, the costs of developing the project are materially in line
with the Business Plan as at the date of this Agreement and where
production of iron ore is sufficient to meet target production as set out
in the Business Plan as at the date of this Agreement (at the required
grade of iron ore);
|
|
13.3.3
|
if
any payment under clauses 13.2.1, 13.2.2 and 13.2.3 above is made out of
funds received by the Target Entities or MZM as a result of the Company or
another member of the Group obtaining Third Party Funding on terms as
agreed by the parties to this Agreement;
or
|
|
13.3.4
|
if
any payment was made to Lu Benzhao or his connected persons under the
Consulting Agreement (including H.K. Blossom Mining Resourse Group Ltd)
prior to the date of this Agreement and as agreed by London
Mining.
|
13.4
|
The
number of shares to be transferred to London Mining in respect of a
Trigger Event set out in the clause 13.2.1, 13.2.2, 13.2.3 and 13.2.4
shall be calculated based on the
following:
|
A = B ÷
C
Where:
A = the
number of B Shares to be transferred.
56
B = the
amount in USD equal to the aggregate amount of all payments made under a Trigger
Event set out in clauses 13.2.1 to 13.2.4 paid in either the Relevant Period or
any Subsequent Period (as applicable).
C = the
fair market value of each B Share as at the Dividend Date or any Subsequent
Dividend Date (as applicable) as determined in accordance with clause 13.6 and
13.7.
13.5
|
The
number of shares to be transferred to London Mining in respect of a
Trigger Event set out in the clause 13.2.5 and 13.2.6 shall be calculated
based on the following:
|
A =
(D + E) ÷ C
Where:
A = the
number of B Shares to be transferred.
D = an
amount equal to the Diminution Value of the A Shares and B Shares (if any)
(including those acquired under this clause 13) held (or deemed to be held under
clause 13.7.3(b)) by London Mining arising as a result of the Trigger Event set
out in clause 13.2.5 as determined in accordance with clauses 13.6, 13.7, 13.8
and 13.9.
E = an
amount equal to the Diminution Value of the A Shares and B Shares (if any)
(including those acquired under this clause 13) held (or deemed to be held under
clause 13.7.3(b))by London Mining arising as a result of the Trigger Event set
out in clause 13.2.6 as determined in accordance with clauses 13.6, 13.7, 13.8
and 13.9.
C = the
fair market value of each B Share as at the Dividend Date or any Subsequent
Dividend Date (as applicable) as determined in accordance with clause 13.6 and
13.7.
13.6
|
London
Mining and Wits Basin shall use reasonable endeavours to agree (as
applicable):
|
|
13.6.1
|
the
amount of any payment, cost or expense referred to in clauses 13.2.1 to
13.2.4;
|
|
13.6.2
|
the
fair market value of the B Shares for the purposes of clauses 13.4 and
13.5; and
|
57
|
13.6.3
|
the
Diminution Value,
|
within 10
Business Days of the Dividend Date or any Subsequent Dividend Date (as
applicable); or, in default of agreement within 20 Business Days of the Dividend
Date or any Subsequent Dividend Date (as applicable) London Mining or Wits Basin
may refer the matters set out in paragraphs 13.6.1 to 13.6.3 to an Independent
Valuer for a resolution. The decision of the Independent Valuer
shall, save in the case of manifest error, be final and binding on the
parties.
13.7
|
The
Independent Valuer shall be instructed to
determine:
|
|
13.7.1
|
the
amount of any payment, cost or expense referred to in clauses 13.2.1 to
13.2.4 as quickly as possible and having regard to such criteria as they
shall consider appropriate for the
purpose;
|
|
13.7.2
|
the
fair market value of the B Shares as quickly as possible on the basis of a
sale between willing buyer and willing seller as a going concern, if such
be the case, and having regard to such criteria as they shall consider
appropriate for the purpose including any rights, restrictions or
obligations attaching to the B Shares to be transferred imposed by this
Agreement and the Memorandum and Articles save that they shall be
instructed to take no account of:
|
|
(a)
|
the
size of the holding to be transferred;
or
|
|
(b)
|
the
number of Shares already held by London
Mining,
|
|
13.7.3
|
the
Diminution Value as quickly as possible having regard to such criteria as
they shall consider appropriate for the purpose, and on the
basis:
|
|
(a)
|
of
a sale of the Company between willing buyer and willing seller as a going
concern, if such be the case;
|
|
(b)
|
that
any transfer of B Shares under clause 13.1 resulting from a Trigger Event
arising under clauses 13.2.1 to 13.2.4 and 13.2.5 (in the case of E in
clause 13.5 above) has taken place (and the parties agree that any such B
Shares shall be deemed to be held by London Mining for the purposes of
clauses 13.5, 13.8 and 13.9),
|
and
otherwise in accordance with clause 13.8 and 13.9.
13.8
|
In
order to calculate the Diminution Value the Independent Valuer shall
determine:
|
58
|
13.8.1
|
subject
to clause 13.8.2, the fair market value of each A Share and B Share (if
any) (including those acquired under this clause 13) held (or deemed to be
held under clause 13.7.3(b)) by London Mining as at the Dividend Date or
Subsequent Dividend Date (as applicable) calculated on the basis of the
value of the Group determined as if the Business Plan as approved at the
date of this Agreement had been met and that the relevant Trigger Event
had not occurred ("Projected FMV");
and
|
|
13.8.2
|
if
there is a Trigger Event under both clause 13.2.5 and 13.2.6, in
calculating the Diminution Value for the purpose of a Trigger Event under
clause 13.2.6, the Projected FMV will be calculated on the basis of the
Business Plan as approved at the date of this Agreement but adjusted to
exclude any assumed acquisition of MZM;
and
|
|
13.8.3
|
the
actual fair market value of each A Share or B Share (if any) (including
those acquired under this clause 13(b)) held (or deemed to be held under
clause 13.7.3(b)) by London Mining as at the Dividend Date or Subsequent
Dividend Date (as applicable) ("Actual FMV");
and
|
13.9
|
The
Diminution Value shall be the calculated in accordance with the following
formula:
|
X =
((YA
x SA)
+(YB
x SB)) –
((ZA
x SA)
+(ZB
x SB)),
where:
X is the
Diminution Value
YA is the
Projected FMV of each A Share
YB is the
Projected FMV of each B Share
ZA is the
Actual FMV of each A Share
ZB is the
Actual FMV of each B Share
SA is the
number of A Shares held by London Mining as at the Dividend Date or
Subsequent Dividend Date (as applicable).
SB is the
number of B Shares held (or deemed to be held under clause 13.7.3(b)) by London
Mining (including those acquired under clause 13.1) as at the Dividend Date or
Subsequent Dividend Date (as applicable).
13.10
|
If
there is a transfer of B Shares pursuant to clause
13.1:
|
|
13.10.1
|
Wits
Basin shall deliver or procure the delivery of a transfer form to London
Mining duly executed by the owner of the Transfer Shares and the relevant
share certificates for the Transfer Shares to the Company for
cancellation;
|
59
|
13.10.2
|
the
Company shall enter London Mining in the register of members of the
Company as the holder of such Transfer Shares transferred under clause
13.1;
|
|
13.10.3
|
the
Company shall amend the register of members to reflect the change in
holding of B Shares; and
|
|
13.10.4
|
the
Company shall issue and deliver share certificates to London Mining to
reflect its revised holdings of Shares, revised as a result of clause
13.1.
|
13.11
|
Wits
Basin shall not and shall procure that none of its Group members shall
increase, or agree to increase the total amount of its principal (or the
rate of interest payable on the principal) owed to China Gold above the
amount which it has outstanding to China Gold as at the date of this
Agreement under the Wits Basin Promissory Note (being US$10,421,000), nor
shall it extend, or agree to extend the maturity date of the Wits Basin
Promissory Note beyond the date that is 3 years after the date of this
Agreement ("Maturity Date
Extension") without the prior written consent of London Mining,
where such an increase is secured by, or such Maturity Date Extension
contains, an equity charge over the B Shares held by Wits Basin or any
member of its Group or where such an increase or Maturity Date Extension
would otherwise have a materially detrimental effect on London Mining's
rights under this Agreement. London Mining shall not withhold
its consent to a Maturity Date Extension if such new maturity date is on
or before the maturity date of the Promissory Note and if China Gold has
provided a written irrevocable and unconditional confirmation to the
Company and each Qualifying Shareholder that any equity charge in favour
of China Gold over any B Shares which are determined to be Transfer Shares
under this Clause 13, shall automatically and unconditionally release on
the Transfer Date.
|
13.12
|
If
so requested in writing by London Mining, Wits Basin must repay the Wits
Basin Promissory Note ahead of its maturity date in order to effect a full
release of any Transfer Shares from the Second Amended and Restated Pledge
Agreement ("Security
Release").
|
13.13
|
In
the event that London Mining requests the early repayment pursuant to
clause 13.12, it may offer to make a loan to Wits Basin for an amount
equal to the total outstanding principal and interest under the Wits Basin
Promissory Note in order to effect the Security Release. Any such loan
shall be made on equivalent terms to the Wits Basin Promissory Note
(including as to security other than in respect of the Transfer
Shares). If London Mining shall make such an offer, Wits Basin
must agree to enter into such loan
arrangements.
|
60
13.14
|
If
at any time Wits Basin transfers any of its B Shares after the date of
this Agreement to any person (other than London Mining) including to China
Gold under the Second Amended and Restated Share Pledge Agreement) and
prior to the provisions of this clause 13 expiring, it shall procure that
any transferee shall enter into a similar commitment in respect of such B
Shares as that given by Wits Basin under this clause 13 (and which shall
include the appointment of the Company as an attorney on terms of the
clause 13.14) in a form reasonably acceptable to London Mining
and the Company shall not approve any such transfer unless such a
commitment is so given.
|
13.15
|
Subject
to clause 13.16, in order to secure the obligations of Wits Basin under
clause 13.1, Wits Basin irrevocably (and shall procure that such other
member of its Group who validly holds the relevant Transfer Shares)
appoints the London Mining (the "Attorney") to act as
its attorney with authority in its name and on its behalf to execute and
sign any and all agreements, instruments, deeds or other papers and
documents and to do all things in Wits Basin's name (or its receiver,
administrator or liquidator as the case may be) to transfer any Transfer
Shares pursuant to clause 13.1. The Attorney may receive such purchase
money and may nominate some person to execute an instrument of transfer of
such Transfer Shares in the name and on behalf of Wits Basin (or its
receiver, administrator or liquidator as the case may be) and thereafter,
when such instrument has been duly stamped (if required), the Company
shall cause the name of London Mining (or such other person as it directs)
to be entered in the register of members as the holder of such Transfer
Shares and shall hold the purchase money on trust (without interest) for
Wits Basin (or its receiver, administrator or liquidator as the case may
be). The receipt of London Mining for the purchase money shall
be a good discharge to London Mining (who shall not be bound to see the
application thereof) and, after London Mining's name has been so entered
in the register of members, the validity of the proceedings shall not be
questioned by any person.
|
13.16
|
London
Mining shall only exercise its rights in relation to the Transfer of any B
Shares held by Wits Basin under the power of attorney granted under clause
13.15 in the event that the B Shares have been determined to be Transfer
Shares in accordance with clauses 13.1 to 13.9 and London Mining and Wits
Basin have determined that there has been a Trigger Event, or in default
of agreement by London Mining and Wits Basin, it is finally determined
that there has been a Trigger Event by an Independent Valuer (such
Independent Valuer may be appointed for this purpose in default of
agreement by London Mining and Wits Basin within 30 days of the Dividend
Date or any Subsequent Dividend Date) or it is otherwise finally
determined by a court of competent jurisdiction or arbitration tribunal.
The decision of the Independent Valuer shall, save in the case of manifest
error, be final and binding on the
parties.
|
61
13.17
|
Without
prejudice to clause 13.15, if, following the Transfer Date the B Shares
which have been determined to be Transfer Shares under this clause 13
(provided that London Mining and Wits Basin have determined that there has
been a Trigger Event or in default of agreement by London Mining and Wits
Basin, it is finally determined that there has been a Trigger Event by an
Independent Valuer (such Independent Valuer may be appointed for this
purpose in default of agreement by London Mining and Wits Basin within 30
days of the Dividend Date or any Subsequent Dividend Date. The decision of
the Independent Valuer shall, save in the case of manifest error, be final
and binding on the parties.) are not transferred by the transferee to
London Mining in accordance with this clause 13, London Mining shall be
entitled, at its sole discretion by serving a written notice on with the
Company (with a copy to the other Shareholders), to require the conversion
of the B Shares into Deferred Shares at the rate set out in clause 15.12
("Conversion
Notice"), without prejudice to any other rights of London
Mining.
|
14. DEADLOCK
14.1
|
If
there is a dispute or disagreement between the Qualifying Shareholders as
to any question which either of them (in its sole judgement) shall
consider is of fundamental importance to the future of the Company or the
Business, either Qualifying Shareholder may give notice in writing to the
other Qualifying Shareholder referring to the dispute or disagreement and
the Qualifying Shareholders shall immediately refer the matter giving rise
to the deadlock to the chief executives of their respective Groups and to
use all reasonable endeavours to resolve such dispute or
disagreement.
|
14.2
|
The
Qualifying Shareholders agree that until such time as the deadlock is
resolved, the Reserved Matter or other matter giving rise to the deadlock
shall not be undertaken or affected by the Company or Subsidiary
Company.
|
15. SHARE
RIGHTS
Return
of Capital Rights
15.1
|
The
rights as regards return of capital attaching to each class of Shares
shall be as follows:
|
62
|
15.1.1
|
on
a return of capital on liquidation or otherwise (except on a purchase by
the Company of any Shares), the surplus assets of the Company remaining
after the payment of its liabilities (including, for the avoidance of
doubt, any debts) shall be applied in the following order of
priority:
|
|
(a)
|
first,
in paying to the holders of A Shares, (paid pro rata to the number of A
shares held), a net amount after withholding tax equal to US$44.5 million
(which shall exclude any payment by way of any LM Management Fee and any
reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses) less any amounts received by
holders of A Shares pursuant to clauses 15.2 to
15.5;
|
|
(b)
|
second,
the balance of such assets (if any) shall be distributed amongst the
holders of the A Shares and B Shares (pari passu as if the same
constituted one class of Shares) according to the amount paid up or
credited as paid up on each such Share, up to a maximum of $10
million on each A Share and each B
Share;
|
|
(c)
|
third,
in paying to each holder of Deferred Shares in respect of each Deferred
Share of which it is a holder, a sum equal to the par value of such
shares; and
|
|
(d)
|
fourth,
the balance of such assets (if any) shall be distributed amongst the
holders of the A Shares and B Shares (pari passu as if the same
constituted one class of Shares) according to the amount paid up or
credited as paid up on each such
Share.
|
Distributions
15.2
|
Subject
to capital expenditure and working capital requirements of the Group as
agreed in the Business Plan (including without limitation the obligations
under the Promissory Note) and to applicable law, and subject to the
provisions of clauses 15.4, 15.5, 15.7 and 15.8, the Company shall in each
calendar year distribute the remaining Available Profits by way of
dividend or any other means to the holders of the A Shares and the B
Shares (pari passu as if the same constituted one class of Share)
according to the number of Shares held by the relevant Shareholder at the
relevant time and the parties shall procure that such distributions are
made.
|
15.3
|
The
Company shall procure (so far as it is able) that each Subsidiary Company
which has Available Profits shall from time to time declare and pay to the
Company (or, as the case may be, the relevant Subsidiary Company that is
its immediate holding company or parent undertaking) such dividends as are
necessary to enable the Company to make distributions in accordance with
clause 15.2 in the maximum sums it is able following payment of such
dividends by such Subsidiary
Companies.
|
63
15.4
|
Until
the holders of A Shares have received in aggregate distributions by the
Company, (whether by dividend, distribution, return of capital or other
means (and including any amounts received by dividend, distribution,
return of capital or other means by holders of A Shares in respect of any
B Shares acquired pursuant to clause 13, but excluding by way of any LM
Management Fee and any reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses)) a net
amount after withholding tax equal to US$44.5 million ("Repayment Date"), the
Available Profits of the Company shall be distributed in the following
order of priority: 99% of the Available Profits shall be payable to the
holders of the A Shares and 1% of the Available Profits shall be payable
to the holders of the B Shares (in each case on a pro rata basis to the
number of A Shares and B Shares held (as
applicable)).
|
15.5
|
Following
the Repayment Date, the Available Profits of the Company shall be
distributed in the following order of
priority:
|
|
15.5.1
|
60%
of the Available Profits accrued between the Repayment Date and Dividend
Review Date shall be payable to the holders of the A Shares and 40% of
such Available Profits shall be payable to the holders of the B Shares (in
each case on a pro rata basis to the number of A Shares and B Shares held
(as applicable)); and
|
|
15.5.2
|
50%
of the Available Profits accrued after the Dividend Review Date shall be
payable to the holders of the A Shares and 50% of the Available Profits
accrued after the Dividend Review Date shall be payable to the holders of
the B Shares (in each case on a pro rata basis to the number of A Shares
and B Shares held (as applicable)).
|
15.6
|
In
clause 15.5.2:
|
|
15.6.1
|
"Dividend Review Date"
means January 1 in the first full calendar year after the Repayment Date
in which the Target Entities reach the Production Level;
and
|
|
15.6.2
|
"Production Level" means
a level of production whereby the XNS and MZM mines operated by the Target
Entities have produced during a calendar year an aggregate of 850 tonnes
of iron ore concentrate at a grade of not less than
62%.
|
15.7
|
The
Company shall use its best endeavours to ensure that payments (whether by
dividend, distribution, return of capital or other means (but excluding by
way of any LM Management Fee and any reimbursement of out-of-pocket
expenses)) of not less than in aggregate, a net amount after withholding
tax equal to US$44.5 million, are paid to the A Shareholders prior to the
date that is 3 years after the date of this
Agreement.
|
64
15.8
|
Despite
any other provision of this Agreement, the parties agree that the Company
shall make no payment to Lu Benzhao under the Consulting Agreement until
the A Shareholders have, in aggregate, received a net amount after
withholding tax equal to US$44.5 million, whether by dividend,
distribution, return of capital or other means (including any amounts
received by dividend, distribution, return of capital or other means by
holders of A Shares in respect of any B Shares acquired pursuant to clause
13) but excluding by way of any LM Management Fee and any reimbursement of
out-of-pocket expenses), unless any such payment to Lu Benzhao is required
by law or by contract or with the prior written consent of
London Mining and Wits Basin.
|
15.9
|
The
holders of Deferred Shares shall have no rights to any dividends or other
distributions other than on a return of capital as set out in clause
15.1.
|
Rights
on Exit
15.10
|
In
the event of an Exit (other than a Sale under clauses 9.16 to 9.19 or a
Quotation) which shall include any sale in accordance with clauses 11.2 to
11.6 (inclusive), notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the terms
and conditions governing such Exit, the Shareholders immediately prior to
such Exit shall procure that the consideration (whenever received) shall
be placed in a designated trustee account and shall be distributed amongst
such selling Shareholders in such amounts and in such order of priority as
would be applicable on a return of capital (pursuant to clause
15.1).
|
15.11
|
In
the event of a sale by Wits Basin of any of its shares to a third party,
any principal outstanding under the WB Loan and any accrued but unpaid
interest on that amount shall be repaid to London Mining (or such other
holders of the WB Loan at such time) as a condition of transfer of the
Shares held by Wits Basin pursuant to the WB Loan
Agreement.
|
Conversion
of B Shares
15.12
|
On
receipt of a valid Conversion Notice from London Mining, such number of B
Shares shall automatically convert into Deferred Shares so that, on the
conversion London Mining owns such percentage of the issued ordinary share
capital of the Company as it would have done if the Transfer Shares had
been transferred to it under clause
13.
|
65
15.13
|
Any
conversion of B Shares pursuant to clause 15.12 shall be made on the
following terms:
|
|
15.13.1
|
the
conversion shall take effect immediately on the date on which
the Conversion Notice is received by the Company at no cost to the A
Shareholders;
|
|
15.13.2
|
the relevant
holder of the B Shares shall deliver the certificates for the relevant B
Shares to the Company for cancellation;
and
|
|
15.13.3
|
the
Company shall issue to the relevant Shareholders new share certificates
for the new holdings of B Shares and Deferred Shares resulting from the
conversion.
|
15.14
|
Following
any conversion of B Shares into Deferred Shares pursuant to clause 15.12,
any such Deferred Shares may either be transferred to a person nominated
by the Board or (subject to the law) purchased by the Company in each case
for an aggregate amount of $1 for all Deferred Shares then in
issue.
|
15.15
|
Following
the conversion of the B Shares into Deferred Shares pursuant to clause
15.12, the Company shall procure that the Company Secretary and, if
required, the Board shall take all necessary steps to ensure that such
conversion is documented accurately and all filings and any other relevant
formalities are complied with.
|
16. RESTRICTIVE
COVENANTS
16.1
|
Each
Shareholder undertakes to the Company (for itself and as trustee for each
other Subsidiary Company) and (as a separate undertaking) to the other
Shareholders that:
|
|
16.1.1
|
he
will not, directly or indirectly, at any time prior to, nor during the
period of 12 calendar months from, the Relevant
Date:
|
|
(a)
|
solicit
or entice away, or endeavour to solicit or entice away, from the Company
or any other Subsidiary Company; or
|
|
(b)
|
employ
or engage, or endeavour to employ or
engage,
|
any
person who was at the Relevant Date, or who at any time during the period of 12
calendar months prior to the Relevant Date had been, an employee of the Company
or any other Subsidiary Company (and with whom the Shareholder had dealings
(other than in a de minimis way) during such 12 calendar-month period) whether
or not such person would commit a breach of his employment contract by reason of
leaving service, save that this clause shall not apply to any employee employed
by the Company or any other Subsidiary Company in a non-managerial or purely
administrative role. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the solicitation,
enticement, employment or engagement by Wits Basin or any member of Wits Basin's
Group of Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxx Xxxxx or Xxxxxxx Xxxx shall not constitute a breach
of this clause 16;
66
|
16.1.2
|
he
will not, directly or indirectly, within 100kms of any of the land owned
by any member of the Group at the date of this Agreement at any time
during the period of 12 calendar months from the Relevant
Date:
|
|
(a)
|
engage
in; or
|
|
(b)
|
be
concerned or interested in,
|
any
business carried on in competition with any of the businesses of the Company or
any Subsidiary Company with which he was associated at any time during the
period of 12 calendar months prior to the Relevant Date.
16.2
|
Each
Shareholder undertakes to the Company (for itself and as trustee for each
other Company Group member) that, in the period from the date of this
Agreement until the date that is 12 months after the Relevant Date, it
shall introduce and first offer to the Company (for itself and on behalf
of each other Company Group member), any opportunities relating, directly
or indirectly, to iron ore mining or iron ore product processing in the
People's Republic of China of which it or any member of the respective
Shareholder's Group becomes aware ("Mining
Opportunity").
|
16.3
|
Each
Shareholder shall notify in writing the Company and the other Shareholders
promptly on it, or any member of its respective Shareholder's Group
("Notifying
Party"), becoming aware of a Mining Opportunity. The Notifying
Party shall promptly on written request, provide to the Company and the
other Shareholders all such information within its control and as
reasonably requested by the Company or the other Shareholders, in order to
enable the Company and its Group to properly assess the Mining
Opportunity. Any information provided to any of the Company or the other
Shareholders (each an "Interested Party") under
this clause 16.3 should be provided at the same time to the other
Interested Parties.
|
67
16.4
|
If
the Company does not provide written notice to the Notifying Party, with a
copy to the other Interested Parties, within 45 days of receiving notice
of the Mining Opportunity, that it wishes to pursue the Mining
Opportunity, the right of first offer granted in clauses 16.2 will
lapse.
|
16.5
|
The
parties agree that in the period from the date of this Agreement until the
date that is 12 months after the Relevant Date, each Shareholder and each
member of its respective Shareholder's Group and its respective Personnel
("Relevant
Shareholder") shall be prohibited from pursuing any Mining
Opportunity in the event that the Company or any member of its
Group:
|
|
16.5.1
|
pursues
(or takes action to pursue) the relevant Mining Opportunity;
or
|
|
16.5.2
|
declines
to pursue the relevant Mining Opportunity as a result of the Relevant
Shareholder (or its Nominated Directors) voting against or otherwise
vetoing the pursuit of the relevant Mining Opportunity whether directly or
indirectly (including by refusing to provide or approve additional
funding) at the Company level and where the other Shareholder(s) (or its
Nominated Directors) was in favour of pursuing the relevant Mining
Opportunity.
|
16.6
|
For
the purpose of clause 16.3:
|
|
16.6.1
|
the
awareness of Wits Basin includes the awareness of Xxxxxxx Xxxx any
employee of, or consultant to, Wits Basin or any member of its
Shareholder's Group that performs the role of "Supervisor" for any of the
Target Entities or any other Subsidiary Company incorporated in the PRC
from time to time and any other persons who perform similar functions at
Wits Basin with respect to the Company's Group from time to time;
and
|
|
16.6.2
|
the
awareness of London Mining includes the awareness of Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx and Xxxxxxx Xxxxx and any other persons who perform similar
functions at London Mining with respect to the Company's Group from time
to time,
|
in each
case in their capacity as an employee or consultant of Wits Basin or London
Mining (as applicable).
16.7
|
For
the purposes of clauses 16.1, 16.2 and
16.5:
|
|
16.7.1
|
the
"Relevant Date"
shall mean the date on which the Shareholder cease to hold any Shares (or
any shares in any Subsidiary
Company);
|
68
|
16.7.2
|
"directly or indirectly"
shall mean a Shareholder acting either alone or jointly with or on behalf
of any other person, firm or company whether as principal, partner,
Operator, employee, contractor, director, consultant, investor or
otherwise; and
|
|
16.7.3
|
"Personnel" shall mean
directors, officers, employees, agents, contractors, sub-contractors or
professional advisers of a party or any other member or its
Group
|
16.8
|
Nothing
contained in clause 16.1 shall prevent a Shareholder from being the holder
or beneficial owner, by way of bona fide investment, of any class of
securities in any company if such class of securities is listed, or dealt
in, on a recognised investment exchange (within the meaning of section
285(1) of the English Financial Services and Markets Act 2000) provided
that it (together, in the case of an individual, with his spouse and minor
children and, in the case of a body corporate, with all other members of
its Group) neither holds nor is beneficially interested in more than a
total of 1% of any single class of the securities in that
company.
|
16.9
|
Each
of the undertakings contained in clauses 16.1, 16.2 and 16.5 is a separate
undertaking by each Shareholder in relation to itself and its interests
and shall be enforceable by the Company and the other Shareholders
separately and independently of its rights to enforce any one or more of
the other covenants contained in clause
16.
|
16.10
|
Each
Shareholder agrees (having taken independent legal advice) that the
undertakings contained in clauses 16.1, 16.2 and 16.5 are reasonable and
necessary for the protection of the legitimate interests of the Company
and members of its Group and that these restrictions do not work harshly
on it. Each Shareholder nevertheless agreed that, if any such
undertaking shall be found to be void but would be valid if some part were
deleted, then such undertaking shall apply with such deletions as may be
necessary to make it valid and
enforceable.
|
16.11
|
Each
Shareholder shall procure that each member of its respective Shareholder's
Group and each employee and consultant, agent and officer of each member
of its respective Shareholder's Group is aware of and complies with the
undertakings contained in clauses 16.1, 16.2 and
16.5.
|
17. CONFIDENTIALITY
17.1
|
Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Agreement, the Shareholders shall be entitled
at all times:
|
69
|
17.1.1
|
to
consult freely about the Group and its affairs with, and to disclose
Conditional Information to, their auditors, lenders and proposed lenders
and with any other member of their respective Groups or investors (or with
or to any of its or their respective professional advisers);
and
|
|
17.1.2
|
for
the purposes of facilitating an Exit or sale of some or all of their
Shares, to disclose any Confidential Information to any proposed
purchaser, underwriter, sponsor or
broker,
|
provided
that the Shareholder disclosing such information shall use reasonable endeavours
to procure that any such recipient is made aware that it is Confidential
Information and agrees to treat it accordingly and, with respect to clause
17.1.2, shall keep the Board informed of the identity of any persons to whom
disclosures are made pursuant to this clause. The Company agrees with the
Shareholders who, for these purposes, shall also act as trustee for the persons
to whom Confidential Information may be disclosed under this clause 17.1, to
waive any claim for breach of confidence in respect of any disclosure of
Confidential Information made by the Shareholders in compliance with this clause
17.1.
17.2
|
Subject
to clause 17.1, each party shall in all respects keep confidential and not
at any time disclose or make known in any other way to anyone whomsoever
or use for his own or any other person's benefit or to the detriment of
any Group Company any Confidential Information, provided
that:
|
|
17.2.1
|
such
obligation shall not apply to information which becomes generally known
(other than through a breach by any party of this
clause);
|
|
17.2.2
|
any
party shall be entitled at all times to disclose such information as may
be required by law or by any competent judicial or regulatory authority to
enable it to comply with the requirements of Oslo Axess or any other any
securities exchange on which it or any member of a Shareholder's Group is
listed or for tax or accounting purposes (provided that, so far as
practicable, the disclosing party shall consult with the other parties
prior to making such disclosure);
and
|
|
17.2.3
|
nothing
contained in this clause shall prevent any employee of any Group Company
from disclosing information in the proper performance of his duties as an
employee.
|
70
18. ANNOUNCEMENTS
No
Shareholder shall (without the consent of the other Shareholder, such consent
not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) issue any press release or make any
public statement or publish any document or make any public statement or
otherwise make any disclosure to any person who is not a party to this
Agreement, other than the Announcements, before or after the date of this
Agreement, relating to any of the matters provided for or referred to in this
Agreement or any ancillary matter. This clause shall not apply to any
announcement or disclosure required by law, by any competent judicial or
regulatory authority, Oslo Axess, the Securities and Exchange Commission or by
any securities exchange (in which case the parties shall co-operate, in good
faith, in order to agree the content of any such announcement, so far as
practicable, prior to its being made).
19. TERMINATION
Save as
expressly provided in this Agreement to the contrary and unless otherwise agreed
by the Shareholders, this Agreement other than clauses 1 (Definitions and
Interpretation), 16 (Restrictive Covenants), 17 (Confidentiality), 18
(Announcements), 22 (Applicable Law and Jurisdiction), 23 (General) and 24
(Notices), shall terminate upon the happening of the earliest of the
following:-
19.1
|
the
acquisition by one Shareholder or its nominee of all of the Shares in the
Company held by the other
Shareholders;
|
19.2
|
the
sale of all of the Shares to a third party;
and
|
19.3
|
completion
of the liquidation of the Company.
|
20. MEMORANDUM
AND ARTICLES
If the
provisions of the memorandum and articles of association for the time being of
any Group Company conflict with the provisions of this Agreement then, during
such period, the parties agree that the provisions of this Agreement shall
prevail and the parties agree to amend the provisions of the relevant memorandum
and articles of association to remove the conflict.
21. COSTS
Each of
the parties shall pay all costs and expenses incurred by it in its own right in
connection with the negotiation and conclusion of this Agreement.
22. APPLICABLE
LAW AND JURISDICTION
22.1
|
This
Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties shall be governed
by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and
Wales.
|
71
22.2
|
The
parties irrevocably submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts
of England and Wales in respect of any claim, dispute or difference
arising out of or in connection with this
Agreement.
|
23. GENERAL
Entire
agreement
23.1
|
This
Agreement (together with any documents referred to herein or entered into
pursuant to this Agreement) contains the entire agreement and
understanding of the parties and supersedes all prior agreements,
understandings or arrangements (both oral and written) relating to the
subject matter of this Agreement and any such
document.
|
23.2
|
This
Agreement shall not be construed as creating any partnership or agency
relationship between any of the
parties.
|
Variations
and waivers
23.3
|
No
variation of
this Agreement shall be effective unless made in writing and signed by or
on behalf of all the parties and expressed to be such a
variation.
|
23.4
|
No
failure or delay any party or time or indulgence given in exercising any
remedy or right under or in relation to this Agreement shall operate as a
waiver of the same nor shall any single or partial exercise of any remedy
or right preclude any further exercise of the same or the exercise of any
other remedy or right.
|
23.5
|
No
waiver by any party of any requirement of this Agreement, or of any remedy
or right under this Agreement, shall have effect unless given in writing
and signed by such party. No waiver of any particular breach of
the provisions of this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of any
repetition of such breach.
|
23.6
|
Any
waiver, release or compromise or any other arrangement of any kind
whatsoever which a party gives or enters into with any other party in
connection with this Agreement shall not affect any right or remedy of
that party as regards any other parties or the liabilities of any other
such parties under or in relation to this
Agreement.
|
Assignment
23.7
|
Subject
to clauses 9.1, 9.2, 9.3 and 9.5, no Shareholder shall be entitled to
assign the benefit or burden of any provision of this Agreement (or any of
the documents referred to herein) without the consent of the other
Shareholders.
|
72
Counterparts
23.8
|
This
Agreement may be executed as two or more counterparts and execution by
each of the parties of any one of such counterparts will constitute due
execution of this Agreement.
|
Further
assurance
23.9
|
Each
party shall, and shall use all reasonable endeavours to procure that any
necessary third party shall, do and execute and perform all such further
deeds, documents, assurances, acts and things as may reasonably be
required to give effect to this
Agreement.
|
Injunctive
relief
23.10
|
It
is acknowledged and agreed that any breach of the terms of this Agreement
could cause the Shareholders irreparable injury for which damages may not
be an adequate remedy. In the event of a breach or threatened
breach by any Shareholder of the terms of this Agreement, but without
limitation to any other remedies available to it, the other Shareholders
shall be entitled to seek injunctive relief in any Court of competent
jurisdiction restraining the party in breach from breaching the terms of
this Agreement.
|
Other
remedies
23.11
|
Any
remedy or right conferred upon a Shareholder for breach of this Agreement
shall be in addition, and without prejudice, to all other rights and
remedies available to it.
|
Third
party rights
23.12
|
No
provision of this Agreement is intended to benefit or be enforceable by
any third party pursuant to the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Xxx
0000, but this shall not affect any right or remedy of a third party which
exists or is available apart from that
Act.
|
24. NOTICES
Form
of Notice
24.1
|
Any
notice, consent, request, demand, approval or other communication to be
given or made under or in connection with this Agreement (each a "Notice"
for the purposes of this clause) shall be in writing and signed by or on
behalf of the person giving it.
|
73
Method
of service
24.2
|
Service
of a Notice must be effected by one of the following
methods:
|
|
24.2.1
|
by
hand to the relevant address set out in clause 24.4 and shall be deemed
served upon delivery if delivered during a Business Day, or at the start
of the next Business Day if delivered at any other time;
or
|
|
24.2.2
|
by
prepaid first-class post to the relevant address set out in clause 24.4
and shall be deemed served at the start of the second Business Day after
the date of posting; or
|
|
24.2.3
|
by
prepaid international airmail to the relevant address set out in clause
24.4 and shall be deemed served at the start of the fourth Business Day
after the date of posting; or
|
|
24.2.4
|
by
facsimile transmission to the relevant facsimile number set out in clause
24.4 and shall be deemed served on despatch if despatched during a
Business Day, or at the start of the next Business Day if despatched at
any other time, provided that in each case a receipt indicating complete
transmission of the Notice is obtained by the sender and that a copy of
the Notice is also despatched to the recipient using a method described in
clause 24.2.1 to clause 24.2.3 (inclusive) no later than the end of the
next Business Day.
|
24.3
|
In
clause 24.2 "during a
Business Day" means any time between 9.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. on a
Business Day based on the local time where the recipient of the Notice is
located. References to "the start of [a] Business
Day" and "the end
of [a] Business Day" shall be construed
accordingly.
|
Address
for service
24.4
|
Notices
shall be addressed as follows:
|
|
24.4.1
|
Notices
for London Mining shall be marked for the attention
of:
|
Name:
|
Rohit
Bhootralingam
|
Address:
|
London
Mining Plc
|
00 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
XX0X 0XX
Fax
number:
|
00
00 (0)00 0000 0000
|
74
|
24.4.2
|
Notices
for Wits Basin shall be marked for the attention
of:
|
00 Xxxxx
0xx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx
00000-0000
Fax
number:
|
(US)
0 (000) 000-0000
|
|
24.4.3
|
Notices
for the Company shall be marked for the attention
of:
|
Name:
|
Xxxxxxx
Xxxx
|
Address:
|
China
Global Mining Resources (BVI)
Ltd.
|
00 Xxxxx
0xx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Fax
number:
|
(US)
0 (000)
000-0000
|
Copies
of Notices
24.5
|
Copies
of all Notices sent to the Company shall also be sent or given to Rohit
Bhootralingam of London Mining of 00 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx, XX0X 0XX,
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx. Such copies shall be sent or given in
accordance with one of the methods described in clause
24.2. Failure to communicate such copies shall not invalidate
such Notice.
|
Change
of details
24.6
|
A
party may change its address for service provided that it gives the other
party not less than 28 days' prior notice in accordance with this clause
24. Until the end of such notice period, service on either
address shall remain effective.
|
75
THIS AGREEMENT has been duly
executed and delivered as a deed by the parties on the date stated
above.
76
SCHEDULE
1
RESERVED
MATTERS
(i)
|
Any
material change in the nature or scope of the Business of the Company or
any of its Subsidiary Companies.
|
(ii)
|
The
disposal of the whole or a substantial part of the undertaking, assets or
mining rights of the Company or any of its Subsidiary Companies or any
interest therein (other than to any member of the
Group).
|
(iii)
|
The
acquisition of any company or of the whole or part of the assets or
undertaking of any company or other person by the Company or any
Subsidiary Company including the acquisition of MZM under the MZM Equity
Transfer Agreement.
|
(iv)
|
The
passing of a resolution to wind-up or dissolve the Company or any
Subsidiary Company or to apply to the court for an administration order or
the appointment of a receiver, administrative receiver, liquidator,
trustee or similar officer of the Company or any Subsidiary Company or of
any or all of the assets of the Company or any Subsidiary
Company.
|
(v)
|
The
commencement by the Company or any Subsidiary Company of negotiations with
creditors as a whole or any class thereof with a view to the readjustment
or rescheduling of its indebtedness or the making of a general assignment
for the benefit of creditors as a
whole.
|
(vi)
|
The
making of loans or advances by the Company or any Subsidiary Company to
any Shareholder or connected person or the giving of guarantees by the
Company or any Subsidiary Company in respect of obligations of any
Shareholder or connected person or the amendment of any terms, or
settlement, of any outstanding loan given by or to the Company or any
member of the Group.
|
(vii)
|
The
purchase, cancellation or redemption of any Shares of the Company or any
Subsidiary Company.
|
(viii)
|
The
initiation (by commencement of proceedings) or the settlement of any
litigation or arbitration by the Company or any Subsidiary Company save
for debt collection in the ordinary course of
business.
|
77
(ix)
|
The
entry into of any joint venture or profit sharing agreement or partnership
by the Company or any Subsidiary Company with any third
party.
|
(x)
|
The
approval, replacement, revision, modification or variation of the Business
Plan.
|
(xi)
|
The
approval of the Annual Budget referred to in clause
5.2.5.
|
(xii)
|
The
incurring of expenditure by the Company or any Subsidiary Company during a
financial period of the Company which is in excess of 5% of the
expenditure provided for in respect of that financial period in the
relevant Annual Budget.
|
(xiii)
|
The
giving of any guarantee, indemnity or security by the Company or any
Subsidiary Company in respect of the obligations of any person (other than
the Company or any Subsidiary Company) and any subsequent variation to any
such guarantee, indemnity or security once
given.
|
(xiv)
|
The
creation or issue of any mortgage, debenture, fixed or floating charge,
lien (other than a lien arising by operation of law) or other encumbrance
over the whole or any part of the undertaking, property or assets of the
Group other than for permitted borrowings in accordance with clause
7.5.
|
(xv)
|
The
entry into or variation to a material extent, or termination (other than
in accordance with its terms) of any arrangement or agreement between the
Company or any Subsidiary Company and any shareholder or connected
person.
|
(xvi)
|
The
appointment of any committee of the Board of Directors of the Company or
any Subsidiary Company or the delegation of any of the powers of the board
to such committee (unless a representative of each Shareholder has been
appointed to the committee).
|
(xvii)
|
The
appointment of any senior manager or employee (with a total remuneration
package of over US$100,000) ("Senior Employee") to
work for any member of the Group or the material amendment to the terms
(including as to remuneration) or scope of engagement of any Senior
Employee employed by any member of the Group from time to
time.
|
(xviii)
|
The
payment of any bonus or other material benefit to any Senior
Employee.
|
78
(xix)
|
Any
payment to Lu Benzhao under the Consulting Agreement, the MZM Equity
Transfer Agreement, the NSM Equity Transfer Agreement or any amendment of
any payment to Lu Benzhao set out under clause
4.2.5.
|
(xx)
|
The
setting of any performance hurdles or performance incentives imposed under
the Operator Agreement or in respect of any employee or consultant plus
determination of the bonus
arrangements.
|
(xxi)
|
The
incurring of any Marketing Costs (as that term is defined under the
Operator Agreement) in excess of an aggregate of
US$100,000.
|
(xxii)
|
The
termination or amendment of the Operator Agreement, including without
limitation any variation to the Operator Fee paid under the Operator
Agreement.
|
(xxiii)
|
The
approval of the reimbursement of Expenses by the Company or any of member
of its Group under the Operator Agreement which are not approved under
paragraphs 3.3.1 to 3.3.4 of Schedule 2 to the Operator
Agreement.
|
(xxiv)
|
The
entry into of any contract or transaction by the Company or any Subsidiary
Company except in the ordinary course of trading and on arm's length
terms.
|
(xxv)
|
The
factoring or assignment of any of the book debts of the Company or any
Subsidiary Company.
|
(xxvi)
|
An
alteration of the financial year end or accounting policies of the Company
or any Subsidiary Company.
|
(xxvii)
|
The
making of any claim, disclaimer, surrender, election or consent which
would have a material adverse taxation effect on the Company or any
Subsidiary Company or the Shareholders (in respect of their Shares in the
Company) or any member of the Shareholder's
Group.
|
(xxviii)
|
Any
change to the name of the Company or any Subsidiary
Company.
|
(xxix)
|
Any
change of the auditors of the Company or any Subsidiary
Company.
|
(xxx)
|
The
consolidation, sub-division or conversion of any equity capital of the
Company or any Subsidiary Company or other reorganisation of the equity
securities of in the Company or any Subsidiary
Company.
|
79
(xxxi)
|
The
issue of any securities in the Company or any Subsidiary Company or rights
to subscribe for or options over such
securities.
|
(xxxii)
|
The
entry by the Company or any member of the Group into any long term pricing
contracts or purchase contracts with other
operators.
|
(xxxiii)
|
The
initiation of discussions by the Company or any member of the Group or any
of their employees, officers, agents or advisors in relation to, or the
implementation of any integration plan proposed by a governmental
authority which involves the Company or any Subsidiary Company including
any discussions with the operators, managers or owners of the Sanbanquiao
Mine or Guqiao Mine and their successors in
interest.
|
(xxxiv)
|
The
incurring of any indebtedness for borrowed money by the Company or any
Subsidiary Company which is material in the context of the Business except
as permitted by the terms of this Agreement and except in the ordinary
course of business.
|
(xxxv)
|
Any
amendment, substitution or replacement to the memorandum or articles of
association of the Company or any Subsidiary Company save as contemplated
by clause 4.
|
(xxxvi)
|
Any
amendment, substitution or replacement to the Consulting Agreement, the
MZM Equity Transfer Agreement or the NSM Equity Transfer
Agreement.
|
(xxxvii)
|
The
engagement of any person by the Company or any member of its Group to
conduct a feasibility report in respect of any acquisition, joint venture
or other project proposed to be undertaken by the Company or any member of
its Group, to provide a technical report on the operations or reserves and
resources of the Business, to provide a competent persons report or a
mining expert's report or to otherwise comment on or verify the reserves
and resources of the Target Entities and any other members of the Group
(from time to time).
|
(xxxvii)
|
The
entry into of any agreement to effect any of the matters referred to
above.
|
80
EXECUTED and DELIVERED as a DEED
|
)
|
|
by
LONDON MINING
PLC
|
)
|
|
acting
by:
|
)
|
|
Director: /s/
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
|
|
Director/Secretary:
|
81
EXECUTED and DELIVERED as a DEED
|
)
|
|
by
WITS BASIN
PRECIOUS
|
)
|
|
MINERALS
INC.
|
)
|
|
acting
by:
|
)
|
|
Director: /s/
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx
|
|
Director/Secretary:
|
EXECUTED and DELIVERED as a DEED
|
)
|
|
by
CHINA GLOBAL
MINING
|
)
|
|
RESOURCES
(BVI) LIMITED
|
)
|
|
acting
by:
|
)
|
|
Director: /s/
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx
|
|
Director/Secretary:
|
82