AMENDED AND RESTATED ACQUISITION AGREEMENT - between - IAMGOLD CORPORATION - and - CAMBIOR INC. September 29, 2006
Β
AMENDED
AND RESTATED ACQUISITION
AGREEMENT
Β
Β
-
between -
Β
Β
IAMGOLD
CORPORATION
Β
Β
-
and -
Β
Β
CAMBIOR
INC.
Β
Β
Β
September
29, 2006
Β
Β
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE
1 INTERPRETATION
|
4
|
|
Β | Β | Β |
1.1
|
Definitions
|
4
|
1.2
|
Interpretation
Not Affected by Headings
|
12
|
1.3
|
Number
and Gender
|
12
|
1.4
|
Date
for Any Action
|
12
|
1.5
|
Currency
|
12
|
1.6
|
Accounting
|
12
|
1.7
|
Knowledge
|
12
|
1.8
|
Schedules
|
13
|
Β | Β | Β |
ARTICLE
2 THE ARRANGEMENT
|
13
|
|
Β | Β | Β |
2.1
|
Arrangement
|
13
|
2.2
|
Bauxite
Sale Process
|
16
|
2.3
|
General
|
17
|
2.4
|
Implementation
Steps by Target
|
17
|
2.5
|
Interim
Order
|
17
|
2.6
|
Circular
|
18
|
2.7
|
Preparation
of Filings
|
18
|
2.8
|
Shareholder
Communications
|
19
|
Β | Β | Β |
ARTICLE
3 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF TARGET
|
20
|
|
Β | Β | Β |
3.1
|
Representations
and Warranties
|
20
|
3.2
|
Effect
of Disclosures
|
29
|
3.3
|
No
Other Representations and Warranties
|
29
|
3.4
|
Survival
of Representations and Warranties
|
29
|
Β | Β | Β |
ARTICLE
4 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER
|
29
|
|
Β | Β | Β |
4.1
|
Representations
and Warranties
|
29
|
4.2
|
Effect
of Disclosures
|
38
|
4.3
|
No
Other Representations and Warranties
|
38
|
4.4
|
Survival
of Representations and Warranties
|
38
|
Β | Β | Β |
ARTICLE
5 COVENANTS OF TARGET AND PURCHASER
|
38
|
|
Β | Β | Β |
5.1
|
Covenants
of Target Regarding the Conduct of Business
|
38
|
5.2
|
Covenants
of Target Regarding the Arrangement
|
41
|
5.3
|
Pre-Acquisition
Reorganizations
|
43
|
5.4
|
Covenants
of Purchaser Regarding the Conduct of Business
|
43
|
5.5
|
Covenants
of Purchaser Regarding the Performance of Obligations
|
46
|
5.6
|
Mutual
Covenants
|
48
|
Β | Β | Β |
ARTICLE
6 CONDITIONS
|
48
|
|
Β | Β | Β |
6.1
|
Mutual
Condition Precedents
|
48
|
6.2
|
Additional
Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of Purchaser
|
49
|
6.3
|
Additional
Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of Target
|
50
|
Β | Β | Β |
ARTICLE
7 ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
|
50
|
|
Β | Β | Β |
7.1
|
Notice
and Cure Provisions
|
50
|
7.2
|
Non-Solicitation
|
51
|
7.3
|
Right
to Match
|
53
|
7.4
|
Agreement
as to Termination Fee
|
54
|
7.5
|
Fees
and Expenses
|
55
|
7.6
|
Access
to Information; Confidentiality
|
56
|
7.7
|
Insurance
and Indemnification
|
56
|
7.8
|
Exchange
De-Listing
|
56
|
7.9
|
Takeover
Statutes
|
57
|
7.1
|
Matters
|
57
|
7.11
|
Rights
Plan
|
57
|
7.12
|
Resignations
|
57
|
Β | Β | Β |
ARTICLE
8 TERM, TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
|
58
|
|
Β | Β | Β |
8.1
|
Term
|
58
|
8.2
|
Termination
|
58
|
8.3
|
Amendment
|
59
|
8.4
|
Waiver
|
60
|
Β | Β | Β |
ARTICLE
9 GENERAL PROVISIONS
|
60
|
|
Β | Β | Β |
9.1
|
Notices
|
60
|
9.2
|
Governing
Law; Waiver of Jury Trial
|
62
|
9.3
|
Injunctive
Relief
|
62
|
9.4
|
Time
of Essence
|
62
|
9.5
|
Entire
Agreement, Binding Effect and Assignment
|
62
|
9.6
|
Severability
|
62
|
9.7
|
No
Third Party Beneficiaries
|
63
|
9.8
|
Rules
of Construction
|
63
|
9.9
|
Counterparts,
Execution
|
63
|
9.1
|
Confidentiality
and Prohibited Trading
|
63
|
Β
Β
AMENDED
AND RESTATED ACQUISITION AGREEMENT
Β
THIS
AMENDED AND RESTATED ACQUISITION AGREEMENT dated
SeptemberΒ 29,Β 2006.
Β
BETWEEN:Β IAMGOLD
Corporation,
a
company incorporated under the federal laws of Canada (βPurchaserβ)
Β
AND:Β Cambior
Inc.,
a
company incorporated under the laws of QuΓ©bec (βTargetβ)
Β
WHEREAS
the Parties have entered into an acquisition agreement dated as of September
13,
2006 (the βOriginal
Acquisition Agreementβ);
Β
WHEREAS
the Parties wish to amend and restate the Original Acquisition Agreement by
this
Agreement to give effect, inter
alia,
to
certain changes to the Arrangement;
Β
Now
therefore, the Parties covenant and agree as follows:
Β
ARTICLE
1
Β
INTERPRETATION
Β
1.1
|
Definitions
|
Β
In
this
Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires:
Β
βAcquisition
Proposalβ
means,
any proposal or offer (written or oral) relating to any merger, consolidation,
amalgamation, take-over bid, tender offer, arrangement, recapitalization,
liquidation, dissolution, share exchange, sale of assets representing more
than
50% of the net income, revenues or assets of Target and its subsidiaries, taken
as a whole, any purchase or sale of shares or other securities of Target or
any
of its subsidiaries or rights or interests therein or thereto representing
more
than 50% of the voting power of the share capital of Target or any of its
subsidiaries representing more than 50% of the net income, revenues or assets
of
Target and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or similar transactions involving
Target and/or such subsidiaries, excluding the Arrangement and the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement;
Β
βaffiliateβ
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in the Securities Act;
Β
βAgreementβ
means
this Acquisition Agreement as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise
modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof;
Β
βAmalcoβ
means
the company created by the amalgamation of Target and Subco and existing under
the QCA, pursuant to the Arrangement;
Β
βAmalco
Sharesβ
means
the common shares in the share capital of Amalco having the rights, privileges,
conditions and restrictions respectively set out in Appendix A of the
Arrangement By-Law;
Β
βArrangementβ
means
an arrangement under Sections 49 and 123.107 and following of the QCA on the
terms and subject to the conditions set out in the Arrangement By-Law, subject
to any amendments or variations thereto made in accordance with the terms hereof
and/or the Arrangement By-Law or made at the direction of the Court in the
Final
Order;
Β
βArrangementΒ By-Lawβ
means
the
By-Law 2006-A relating to the Arrangement substantially in the form and content
of Schedule A annexed hereto, as such by-law may be amended pursuant to this
Agreement;
Β
βArrangement
Resolutionβ
means
the special resolution of the Target Shareholders approving the Arrangement
By-Law, as required by the Interim Order and applicable Laws;
Β
βArticles
of Arrangementβ
means
the articles of Target confirming the Arrangement which, pursuant to the QCA,
shall be filed with the Enterprise Registrar after the Final Order has been
issued;
Β
βBauxite
Sale Processβ
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in paragraph 2.2;
Β
βbusiness
dayβ
means
any day, other than a Saturday, a Sunday and a statutory holiday in MontrΓ©al,
QuΓ©bec, or Toronto, Ontario;
Β
βChange
in Target Recommendationβ has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in paragraph 5.2.1;
Β
βClosing
Dateβ
means
the second business day after the satisfaction or waiver (subject to applicable
Laws) of all of the conditions (excluding conditions that, by their terms,
cannot be satisfied until the Closing Date, but subject to the satisfaction
or,
where permitted, waiver of those conditions as of the Closing Date) set forth
in
Article
6,
and
unless another time or date is agreed to in writing by the Parties
hereto;
Β
βCompetition
Actβ
means
the Competition
Act (Canada),
as amended from time to time;
Β
βConfidentiality
Agreementβ
means
the letter agreement dated AprilΒ 25, 2006 between Purchaser and Target
pursuant to which Purchaser has been provided with access to confidential
information of Target and Target has been provided with access to confidential
information of Purchaser;
Β
βContractβ
means
any contract, agreement, license, franchise, lease, arrangement, commitment,
understanding or other right or obligation to which Target or any of its
subsidiaries is a Party or by which Target or any of its subsidiaries is bound
or affected or to which any of their respective properties or assets is
subject;
Β
βConvertible
Debentureβ
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in paragraph 3.1.5;
Β
βCourtβ
means
the Superior Court of QuΓ©bec;
Β
-5-
βData
Roomβ
means
(i) the documents made available to Purchaser as of SeptemberΒ 8, 2006 in
the Target electronic virtual data room, (ii) the documents set forth in
ScheduleΒ C annexed hereto, such documents having been made available to
Purchaser in the data room located at 0000Β Xxxxx-Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx,
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx, X0XΒ 0X0 and (iii) documents or written information
provided directly to Purchaser by Target or any of its advisors during site
visits or at any other time prior to the date hereof;
Β
βEffective
Timeβ
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in the Arrangement By-Law;
Β
βEnterprise
Registrarβ
means
the Enterprise Registrar appointed pursuant to the QCA;
Β
βEnvironmentβ
means
the natural environment, including, soil, land surface or subsurface strata,
surface waters, groundwater, air (including all layers of the atmosphere),
organic and inorganic matter and living organisms;
Β
βEnvironmental
Lawsβ
means
all applicable Laws relating to health and safety, the Environment or the
protection of the Environment or a Release;
Β
βEnvironmental
Permitsβ
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in paragraph 3.1.20.1;
Β
βExchangeβ
means
the Toronto Stock Exchange or the American Stock Exchange, and βExchangesβ means
both of them;
Β
βExchange
Actβ
means
the United
States Securities & Exchange Act of 1934,
as
amended;
Β
βExchange
Ratioβ
means
0.42 Purchaser Shares for each Target Share;
Β
βFairness
Opinionβ
means
a
written opinion of the Financial Advisor to the Board of Directors of Target
that, as of the date of such opinion, the consideration offered under the
Arrangement is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Target
Shareholders;
Β
βFinal
Orderβ
means
the final order of the Court approving the Arrangement, as such order may be
amended or varied at any time prior to the Effective Time or, if appealed,
then
unless such appeal is withdrawn or denied, as affirmed or as amended on
appeal;
Β
βFinancial
Advisorβ
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in paragraph 3.1.1;
Β
βGAAPβ
means
Canadian generally accepted accounting principles;
Β
βGovernmental
Entityβ
means
(a)Β any multinational, federal, provincial, state, regional, municipal,
local or other government, governmental or public department, ministry, central
bank, court, tribunal, arbitral body, commission, board, bureau or agency,
domestic or foreign, (b)Β any subdivision, agent or authority of any of
the
Β
-6-
foregoing
or (c)Β any quasi-governmental or private body, including any tribunal,
commission, regulatory agency or self-regulatory organization, exercising any
regulatory, expropriation or taxing authority under or for the account of any
of
the foregoing;
Β
βHazardous
Substancesβ
means
any waste or other substance that is prohibited, listed, defined, designated
or
classified as dangerous, hazardous, radioactive, explosive or toxic or a
pollutant or a contaminant under or pursuant to any applicable Environmental
Laws;
Β
βincludingβ
means
including without limitation, and βincludeβ
and
βincludesβ
have
a
corresponding meaning;
Β
βIndebtednessβ
means,
without duplication but excluding indebtedness between a person and its
wholly-owned subsidiaries, (a) indebtedness for borrowed money (excluding any
interest thereon), secured or unsecured, (b) obligations under conditional
sale
or other title retention Contracts relating to purchased property, (c)
capitalized lease obligations, (d) obligations under interest rate cap, swap,
collar or similar transactions or currency hedging transactions (valued at
the
termination value thereof) and (e) guarantees of any Indebtedness of any other
person;
Β
βInterim
Orderβ
means
the interim order of the Court concerning the Arrangement, under subsection
49(1) of the QCA, containing declarations and directions with respect to the
Arrangement and the holding of the Target Meeting, as such order may be amended
by the Court;
Β
βLawβ
or
βLawsβ
means
all laws (including common law), by-laws, statutes, rules, regulations,
principles of law and equity, orders, rulings, ordinances, judgments,
injunctions, determinations, awards, decrees or other requirements, whether
domestic or foreign, and the terms and conditions of any grant of approval,
permission, authority or license of any Governmental Entity or self-regulatory
authority (including either of the Exchanges), and the term βapplicableβ
with
respect to such Laws (including Environmental Laws, Securities Laws and the
QCA)
and in a context that refers to one or more Parties, means such Laws as are
applicable to such Party or its business, undertaking, property or securities
and emanate from a person having jurisdiction over the Party or Parties or
its
or their business, undertaking, property or securities;
Β
βLegal
Actionsβ
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in 3.1.13;
Β
βLiensβ
means
any hypothecs, mortgages, liens, charges, security interests, pledges, claims,
encumbrances and adverse rights or claims;
Β
βMaterial
Adverse Effectβ
means,
with respect to each Party, any fact, change, effect, event or occurrence that,
individually or in the aggregate with all other facts, changes, effects, events
or occurrences, (i)Β is material and adverse to the business, affairs,
results of operations or financial condition of such Party and its subsidiaries,
taken as a whole, or (ii)Β would reasonably be expected to materially impair
or delay
Β
-7-
the
ability of such Party to perform its obligations hereunder, in each case, other
than any fact, change, effect, event or occurrence resulting from (a)Β the
announcement of the execution of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
hereby or the performance of any obligation hereunder, (b)Β changes in the
global economic conditions or securities or currency markets in general or
in
the price of gold, (c)Β changes or circumstances generally affecting the
mining industry, (d)Β commencement, occurrence or continuation of any war,
armed hostilities or acts of terrorism, (e)Β any change in applicable Laws
or in GAAP, or (f)Β any natural disaster, except in the case of clauses (c),
(d), (e) and (f) to the extent any such change effect, event or occurrence
has
had a materially disproportionate effect on such Party and its subsidiaries
taken as a whole as compared to other persons in the mining industry, as the
case may be . The Parties acknowledge that (i) a failure to meet any earnings
estimates previously made public by either Party, (ii) any adverse decrease
in
the market price or any decline in the trading volume of Target Shares or
Purchaser Shares (as the case may be) on any stock exchange where these shares
are traded or (iii) with respect to Target, any labour strike at the Rosebel
mine, shall not, in and of itself, constitute a Material Adverse
Effect;
Β
βmaterial
factβ
has the
meaning ascribed thereto in the Securities
Act
(Ontario);
Β
βOutside
Dateβ
means
FebruaryΒ 28, 2007, subject to the right of either Party to postpone the
Outside Date for up to an additional 90 days (in 30-day increments) if the
Regulatory Approvals have not been obtained and have not been denied by a
non-appealable decision of a Governmental Entity, by giving written notice
to
the other Party to such effect no later than 5:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on the
date that is 15 days prior to the original Outside Date (and any subsequent
Outside Date), or such later date as may be agreed to in writing by the
Parties;
Β
βPartiesβ
means
Target and Purchaser, and βPartyβ
means
either of them;
Β
βPermitβ
means
any license, permit, certificate, consent, order, grant, approval,
classification, registration, flagging or other authorization of and from any
Governmental Entity;
Β
βpersonβ
includes an individual, limited or general partnership, limited liability
company, limited liability partnership, trust, joint venture, association,
body
corporate, trustee, executor, administrator, legal representative, government
(including any Governmental Entity) or any other entity, whether or not having
legal status;
Β
βPost-Signing
Returnsβ
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in paragraph 7.10.1;
Β
βPurchaser
Disclosure Scheduleβ has
the
meaning ascribed to in paragraph 4.1;
Β
βPurchaser
Financial Statementsβ
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in paragraph 4.1.9;
Β
βPurchaser
SharesβΒ means
the
commonΒ sharesΒ in
the
capital of Purchaser;
Β
-8-
βPurchaserβs
Intellectual Property Rightsβ
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in paragraph 4.1.18;
Β
βPurchaserβs
MD&Aβ
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in paragraph 4.1.9;
Β
βPurchaser
Plansβ
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in paragraph 4.1.23.1;
Β
βPurchaserβs
Public Disclosure Recordβ
means
all documents relating to Purchaser filed on the System for Electronic Document
Analysis Retrieval (SEDAR) or the Electronic Document Gathering, Analysis and
Retrieval System (XXXXX) before SeptemberΒ 1, 2006;
Β
βPurchaserβs
Technologyβ
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in paragraph 4.1.18;
Β
βPurchaser
Warrantβ
means
a
warrant to purchase Purchaser Shares to be issued on the Effective Date to
the
holder of a Target Warrant, under a warrant indenture between Purchaser and
Computershare Trust Company of Canada to be dated as of the Effective Date,
with
each such warrant entitling the holder thereof upon payment of an exercise
price
of $3.75 to purchase 0.42 of a Purchaser Share, provided that such warrants
may
only be exercised for whole Purchaser Shares. The term to expiry, conditions
to
and manner of exercising, and all other terms and conditions of such Purchaser
Warrant will be substantially the same as those set forth in the Target Warrant
Indenture;
Β
βQCAβ
means
the Companies
Act
(QuΓ©bec)
and the regulations made thereunder, as now in effect or amended from time
to
time;
Β
βRegulatory
Approvalsβ
means
those sanctions, rulings, consents, orders, exemptions, permits and other
approvals (including the lapse, without objection, of a prescribed time under
a
statute or regulation that states that a transaction may be implemented if
a
prescribed time lapses following the giving of notice without an objection
being
made) of Governmental Entities required to consummate the Arrangement set forth
in Schedule
B
hereto;
Β
βReleaseβ
has
the
meaning prescribed in any Environmental Law and includes any sudden,
intermittent or gradual release, spill, leak, pouring, emission, emptying,
discharge, injection, escape, leaching, disposal, dumping, deposit, spraying,
burial, abandonment or seepage of a Hazardous Substance, whether accidental
or
intentional, into the Environment;
Β
βReplacement
Optionβ
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in paragraph 2.1.2.5;
Β
βRequired
Voteβ
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in paragraph 2.5.2;
Β
βResponse
Periodβ
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in subparagraph 7.3.1.2;
Β
-9-
βReturnsβ
means
all reports, forms, elections, designations, schedules, statements, estimates,
declarations of estimated tax, information statements and returns relating
to,
or required to be filed in connection with any Taxes;
Β
βXxxxxxxx-Xxxxx
Actβ
means
the United States Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx
Act of 2002
and the
rules and regulations made thereunder, as now in effect or amended from time
to
time;
Β
βSecurities
Actβ
means
the Securities
Act
(QuΓ©bec)
and the rules, regulations and published policies made thereunder, as now in
effect or amended from time to time;
Β
βSecurities
Authoritiesβ
means
the applicable securities commissions and other securities regulatory
authorities in Canada and the United States;
Β
βSecurities
Lawsβ
means
the Securities
Act,
all
other applicable provincial and United States federal and state securities
laws,
rules and regulations and published policies thereunder, as now in effect or
amended from time to time;
Β
βSubcoβ
means
IAMGOLD-QUEBEC Co., a corporation existing under the QCA that is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Purchaser;
Β
βsubsidiaryβ
means,
with respect to a specified person, any person of which at least 50% of the
voting power ordinarily entitled to elect a majority of the board of directors
thereof (whether or not shares of any other class or classes shall or might
be
entitled to vote upon the happening of any event or contingency) are at the
time
owned directly or indirectly by such specified person and shall include any
person over which such specified person exercises direction or control or which
is in a like relation to a subsidiary;
Β
βSuperior
Proposalβ
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in paragraph 7.2.1;
Β
βTarget
Circularβ
means
the notice of the Target Meeting and accompanying Target management information
circular, including all appendices thereto, to be sent to Target Shareholders
in
connection with the Target Meeting, as amended, supplemented or otherwise
modified;
Β
βTarget
Disclosure Scheduleβ
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in paragraph 3.1;
Β
βTarget
DSUβ
means
a
deferred share unit granted under the Target DSU Plan;
Β
βTarget
DSU Planβ
means
the deferred share unit plan for directors of Target;
Β
βTarget
Financial Statementsβ
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in paragraphΒ 3.1.10;
Β
βTarget
Meetingβ
means
the special meeting of Target Shareholders, including any adjournment or
postponement thereof, to be called and held in accordance with the Interim
Order
to consider the Arrangement;
Β
-10-
βTarget
Optionβ
means
an option to purchase Target Shares granted by Cambior under the Target Stock
Option Plan or otherwise;
Β
βTarget
Plansβ
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in paragraph 3.1.23.1;
Β
βTarget
Shareholdersβ
means
the holders of Target Shares;
Β
βTarget
Shareholder Rights Planβ
means
the Shareholder Rights Plan Agreement dated as of NovemberΒ 4, 2005 between
Target and CIBC Mellon Trust Company, as amended from time to time;
Β
βTarget
Sharesβ
means
the common shares in the capital of Target;
Β
βTarget
Stock Option Planβ
means
the Stock Option Plan for Key Employees of Target and its
subsidiaries;
Β
βTarget
Warrantsβ
means
the Series C Common Share Purchase Warrants issued pursuant to the Target
Warrant Indenture;
Β
βTarget
Warrant Indentureβ
means
the Warrant Indenture dated as of August 5, 2003 between Target and CIBC Mellon
Trust Company;
Β
βTargetβs
Intellectual Property Rightsβ
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in paragraph 3.1.18;
Β
βTargetβsΒ MD&Aβ
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in paragraph 3.1.10;
Β
βTargetβs
Public Disclosure Recordβ
means
all documents relating to the Target filed on the System for Electronic Document
Analysis Retrieval (SEDAR) or the Electronic Document Gathering, Analysis and
Retrieval System (XXXXX) before SeptemberΒ 1, 2006;
Β
βTargetβs
Technologyβ
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in paragraph 3.1.18;
Β
βTax
Actβ
means
the Income
Tax Act (Canada),
as amended from time to time and the regulations thereunder;
Β
βTaxesβ
means
all federal, state, provincial, territorial, county, municipal, local or foreign
taxes, duties, imposts, levies, assessments, tariffs and other charges imposed,
assessed or collected by a Governmental Entity including, but not limited to,
(i) any gross income, net income, gross receipts, business, royalty, capital,
capital gains, goods and services, value added, severance, stamp, franchise,
occupation, premium, capital stock, sales and use, real property, land transfer,
personal property, ad valorem, transfer, license, profits, windfall profits,
environmental, payroll, employment, employer health, pension plan, anti-dumping,
countervail, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, or premium tax, (ii) all
withholdings on amounts paid to or by the relevant person, (iii) all employment
insurance premiums, Canada, QuΓ©bec and any other pension plan contributions or
premiums, (iv) any fine, penalty,
Β
-11-
interest,
or addition to tax, (v) any tax imposed, assessed, or collected or payable
pursuant to any tax-sharing agreement or any other contract relating to the
sharing or payment of any such tax, levy, assessment, tariff, duty, deficiency,
or fee, and (vi) any liability for any of the foregoing as a transferee,
successor, guarantor, or by contract or by operation of law;
Β
βTermination
Feeβ
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in Section 7.4;
Β
βUnexercised
Optionsβ
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in Section 2.1.2.5.
Β
1.2
|
Interpretation
Not Affected by
Headings
|
Β
The
division of this Agreement into Articles, Sections, subsections and paragraphs
and the insertion of headings are for convenience of reference only and shall
not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. Unless
the contrary intention appears, references in this Agreement to an Article,
Section, subsection, paragraph or Schedule by number or letter or both refer
to
the Article, Section, subsection, paragraph or Schedule, respectively, bearing
that designation in this Agreement.
Β
1.3
|
Number
and Gender
|
Β
In
this
Agreement, unless the contrary intention appears, words importing the singular
include the plural and vice versa, and words importing gender include all
genders.
Β
1.4
|
Date
for Any Action
|
Β
If
the
date on which any action is required to be taken hereunder by a Party is not
a
business day, such action shall be required to be taken on the next succeeding
day which is a business day.
Β
1.5
|
Currency
|
Β
Unless
otherwise stated, all references in this Agreement to sums of money are
expressed in lawful money of Canada and β$β
refers
to Canadian dollars.
Β
1.6
|
Accounting
|
Β
Unless
otherwise stated, all accounting terms used in this Agreement in respect of
Target shall have the meanings attributable thereto under GAAP and all
determinations of an accounting nature in respect of Target required to be
made
shall be made in a manner consistent with GAAP consistently
applied.
Β
1.7
|
Knowledge
|
Β
In
this
Agreement, references to βthe knowledge of a Partyβ means, with respect to
Target, the actual knowledge, in their capacity as officers of Target and not
in
their personal capacity, of XxxxxΒ X. Xxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxx and Xxxx
Xxxxxxxx, and the knowledge such individuals would have had if they had carried
out a reasonable inquiry, and with respect to
Β
-12-
Purchaser,
the actual knowledge, in their capacity as officers ofΒ Purchaser and not in
their personal capacity, of XxxxxxΒ X. Xxxxxx, XxxxxΒ X. Xxxx and
XxxxxΒ X. Xxxxxxxx, and the knowledge such individuals would have had if
they had carried out a reasonable inquiry.
Β
1.8
|
Schedules
|
Β
The
following Schedules are annexed to this Agreement and are incorporated by
reference into this Agreement and form a part hereof:
Β
Schedule
AΒ -Β Arrangement
By-Law
Β
Schedule
BΒ -Β Regulatory
Approvals
Β
Schedule
CΒ -Β Data
Room
Documents
Β
ARTICLE
2
THE
ARRANGEMENT
Β
2.1
|
Arrangement
|
Β
Subject
to the terms hereof, commencing at the Effective Time, and as more fully set
forth in the Arrangement By-Law:
Β
Β |
2.1.1
|
Target
and Subco shall be amalgamated and shall continue in existence as
one and
the same company, being Amalco, under the QCA on the following terms
and
conditions:
|
Β
Β |
2.1.1.1
|
the
name of Amalco shall be Cambior Inc. in the English and French language
forms;
|
Β
Β |
2.1.1.2
|
the
head office of Amalco shall be situated in the Province of QuΓ©bec and the
address of its head office shall be 0000 Xx-Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx,
Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx, X0X 0X0;
|
Β
Β |
2.1.1.3
|
Amalco
shall be authorized to issue an unlimited number of Amalco Shares,
without
par value and without any share capital limit, having the rights,
privileges, conditions and restrictions respectively set out in Appendix
A
of the Arrangement By-Law;
|
Β
Β |
2.1.1.4
|
there
shall be no restrictions on the activities that Amalco is authorized
to
carry on, nor any restrictions on the transfer of Amalco
Shares;
|
Β
Β |
2.1.1.5
|
the
board of directors of Amalco will consist of not less than one and
not
more than ten directors, the exact number of which shall be determined
by
the directors from time to time;
|
Β
-13-
Β |
2.1.1.6
|
the
first directors of Amalco who shall hold office until the next annual
meeting of shareholders of Amalco or until their successors are elected
or
appointed, shall be the persons whose names, addresses and occupation
appear below:
|
Β
Β
Name
|
Address
|
Occupation
|
Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxx
|
0000,
xxx Xxxxx-Xxxxxxx Ouest
Tour
Est, bureau 750
Xxxxxxxxx,
XX X0X 0X0
|
President
and Chief Executive Officer of Purchaser
|
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx
|
0000,
xxx Xxxxx-Xxxxxxx Ouest
Tour
Est, bureau 750
Xxxxxxxxx,
XX X0X 0X0
|
Vice
President, Corporate Affairs and Corporate Secretary of
Purchaser
|
Β | Β | Β |
Β
Β |
2.1.1.7
|
the
by-laws of Amalco shall be the by-laws of Target in effect prior
to the
Effective Time;
|
Β
Β |
2.1.1.8
|
all
of the rights and properties of Target and Subco immediately before
the
Effective Date become the rights and properties of Amalco by virtue
of the
Arrangement;
|
Β
Β |
2.1.1.9
|
all
of the liabilities of Target and Subco immediately before the Effective
Date become the liabilities of Amalco by virtue of the Arrangement;
and
|
Β
Β |
2.1.1.10
|
the
Articles of Arrangement shall be the articles of amalgamation of
Subco and
Target referred to in section 123.117 of the QCA and the certificate
attesting to the amendment to the Articles of Target giving effect
to the
Arrangement shall be the certificate of amalgamation referred to
in
section 123.119 of the QCA;
|
Β
Β |
2.1.2
|
on
the amalgamation referred to in 2.1.1
above:
|
Β
Β |
2.1.2.1
|
each
of the Target Shares outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
Time
(other than those held by Purchaser, if any) shall be cancelled and
each
holder thereof (other than Purchaser) shall receive such number of
duly
authorized, fully-paid and non-assessable Purchaser Shares equal
to the
product of the number of such Target Shares held by such holder multiplied
by the Exchange Ratio.
No fractional Purchaser Shares will be issued under
the
|
Β
-14-
Arrangement,
and any resulting fractional Purchaser Shares shall be rounded down or up,
as
appropriate, to the closest whole number, it being understood for greater
certainty that 0.5 Purchaser Shares shall be rounded down to the closest whole
number;
Β
Β |
2.1.2.2
|
each
Target Share outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time
held by
the Purchaser, if any, shall be converted into one Amalco
Share;
|
Β
Β |
2.1.2.3
|
each
of the common shares of Subco outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall be converted into one Amalco Share;
|
Β
Β |
2.1.2.4
|
all
of the Target Warrants outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
Time
shall be cancelled and, in consideration for such cancellation, each
holder thereof shall be issued by Purchaser one Purchaser Warrant
for each
Target Warrant cancelled. Warrant certificates previously evidencing
Target Warrants shall thereafter evidence and be deemed to evidence
Purchaser Warrants issued in replacement
thereof;
|
Β
Β |
2.1.2.5
|
each
outstanding Target Option that is not exercised prior to the Effective
Time (βUnexercised
Optionβ)
shall be cancelled and, in consideration for such cancellation, such
holder shall receive from Purchaser a fully vested option (a βReplacement
Optionβ)
to purchase Purchaser Shares entitling the holder thereof, upon delivery
to the executive offices of the Purchaser of a duly completed exercise
notice addressed to the Corporate Secretary of the Purchaser, to
purchase
a number of Purchaser Shares equal to the product of the number of
Target
Shares issuable upon exercise of such Unexercised Option multiplied
by the
Exchange Ratio. Such Replacement Option shall provide for an exercise
price per Purchaser Share equal to the exercise price per Target
Share of
such Unexercised Option immediately prior to the Effective Time divided
by
the Exchange Ratio; provided, however, that in no circumstance shall
the
exercise price per Purchaser Share be less than $.01 and if the
calculation results in an exercise price of less than $.01, the exercise
price shall be deemed to be $.01 per Purchaser Share. If the foregoing
calculation results in a Replacement Option (A) being exercisable
for a
fraction of a Purchaser Share, then the number of Purchaser Shares
subject
to such Replacement Option shall be rounded down to the next whole
number
of Purchaser Shares, or (B) having an exercise price per Purchaser
Share
that is a fraction of a cent, then the exercise price per Purchaser
Share
under such Replacement Option shall be rounded up to the next whole
cent.
In addition, if required, the exercise price of each Replacement
Option
will be increased such that the excess, if any, of the aggregate
fair
market value of the
|
Β
-15-
Purchaser
Shares subject to such Replacement Option immediately after the Effective Time
over the aggregate exercise price under the Replacement Option equals the
excess, if any, of the aggregate fair market value of the Target Shares subject
to the Target Stock Option Plan immediately before the Effective Time over
the
aggregate exercise price under such Target Stock Option Plan. Except as set
forth above, all other terms and conditions of such Replacement Option
(including the terms and conditions set forth in the Target Stock Option Plan
to
the extent such plan was previously applicable to such Unexercised Option)
will
be the same as the terms and conditions of such Unexercised Option. Any document
or agreement previously evidencing such Unexercised Option shall thereafter
evidence and be deemed to evidence such Replacement Options;
Β
Β |
2.1.3
|
the
Target Stock Option Plan shall be
cancelled;
|
Β
Β |
2.1.4
|
in
consideration for Purchaser issuing Purchaser Shares to holders
of Target
Shares pursuant to Section 2.1.2.1,
Amalco will issue to Purchaser a number of Amalco Shares equal
to the
aggregate number of Purchaser Shares issued to the holders of Target
Shares;
|
Β
Β |
2.1.5
|
in
consideration for the Purchaser issuing Purchaser Warrants to holders
of
Target Warrants pursuant to Section 2.1.2.4,
Amalco will issue to Purchaser a number of Amalco Shares equal
to the
aggregate number of Purchaser Shares to be issued to the holders
of Target
Warrants;
|
Β
Β |
2.1.6
|
in
consideration for the Purchaser issuing Replacement Options to
holders of
Unexercised Options pursuant to Section 2.1.2.5,
Amalco will issue to Purchaser a number of Amalco Shares equal
to the
aggregate number of Purchaser Shares to be issued to the holders
of
Unexercised Options; and
|
Β
Β |
2.1.7
|
the
Shareholder Rights Plan shall be
cancelled.
|
Β
2.2
|
Bauxite
Sale Process
|
Β
The
Parties acknowledge that Target is in the process of selling part or all of
its
equity interest in OMAI Bauxite Mining Inc. and OMAI Services Inc. (the
βBauxite
Sale Processβ)
and
agree that the Exchange Ratio shall in no event be adjusted due to the outcome
of the Bauxite Sale Process. Purchaser agrees to support the Bauxite Sale
Process, provided that Purchaser receives copies of all material documents
relating thereto and all such other documents as Purchaser reasonably requests
in connection therewith and that Purchaser consents to the terms thereof, acting
in a commercially reasonable manner. From and after the date hereof, Purchaser
shall be kept informed by Target in connection with the Bauxite Sale Process
and
Target shall provide Purchaser with copies of all material documents, forthwith
upon receipt thereof by Target, and with copies of all other documents
reasonably requested by Purchaser, forthwith upon request therefor.
Β
-16-
Β
2.3
|
General
|
Β
Subject
to the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement, each of the Parties
hereto agrees to use its reasonable commercial efforts prior to the Effective
Time to take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be done,
all things necessary or advisable to complete the transactions contemplated
by
this Agreement and the Arrangement.
Β
2.4
|
Implementation
Steps by Target
|
Β
Target
covenants in favour of Purchaser that Target shall:
Β
Β |
2.4.1
|
subject
to the terms of this Agreement, as soon as reasonably practicable,
apply,
in a manner reasonably acceptable to Purchaser, under Section 49
of the
QCA for the Interim Order;
|
Β
Β |
2.4.2
|
subject
to the terms of this Agreement and in accordance with the Interim
Order,
as soon as reasonably practicable, convene and hold the Target Meeting
for
the purpose of considering the Arrangement
Resolution;
|
Β
Β |
2.4.3
|
subject
to the terms of this Agreement, use commercially reasonable efforts
to
solicit from the Target Shareholders proxies in favour of the approval
of
the Arrangement Resolution;
|
Β
Β |
2.4.4
|
obtain
such approvals as are required by the Interim Order, proceed with
and
diligently pursue the application to the Court for the Final Order;
and
|
Β
Β |
2.4.5
|
subject
to obtaining the Final Order and in accordance with Section 123.109
of the
QCA, file with the Enterprise Registrar the Articles of Arrangement,
and
such other documentation as may be required in connection therewith,
and
obtain an endorsed certificate from the Enterprise Registrar in respect
thereof.
|
Β
2.5
|
Interim
Order
|
Β
The
notice of motion for the application referred to in Section 2.4.1
shall
request that the Interim Order provide:
Β
Β |
2.5.1
|
for
each class of persons to whom notice is to be provided in respect
of the
Arrangement and the Target Meeting and for the manner in which such
notice
is to be provided;
|
Β
Β |
2.5.2
|
that,
subject to the approval of the Court, the requisite approval for
the
Arrangement Resolution shall be 75 percent of the votes cast on the
Arrangement Resolution by holders of Target Shares, present in person
or
by proxy at the Target Meeting, each Target Share entitling the holder
thereof to one vote on the Arrangement Resolution (such approval
described
in this Section 2.5.2,
the βRequired
Voteβ);
|
Β
-17-
Β |
2.5.3
|
that
the terms, restrictions and conditions of the by-laws and articles
of
Target, including quorum requirements and all other matters, shall
apply
in respect of the Target Meeting;
and
|
Β
Β |
2.5.4
|
for
the notice requirements with respect to the presentation of the
application to the Court for a Final
Order.
|
Β
2.6
|
Circular
|
Β
Subject
to compliance with Section 2.7,
as
promptly as reasonably practicable after the execution and delivery of this
Agreement, Target shall prepare the Target Circular together with any other
documents required by the Securities Laws or other applicable Laws in connection
with the Target Meeting required to be prepared by Target, and as promptly
as is
reasonably practicable after the execution and delivery of this Agreement,
Target shall, unless otherwise agreed by the Parties, cause the Target Circular
and other documentation required in connection with the Target Meeting to be
sent to Target Shareholders and filed as required by the Interim Order and
applicable Laws. The Target Circular shall include the recommendation of
Targetβs Board of Directors that Target Shareholders vote in favour of the
Arrangement Resolution unless such recommendation has been withdrawn, modified
or amended in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
Β
2.7
|
Preparation
of Filings
|
Β
Β |
2.7.1
|
Purchaser
and Target shall co-operate with each other, and permit each other
to
provide comments to the extent reasonably practicable, in the preparation
of any application for the Regulatory Approvals and any other orders,
registrations, consents, filings, rulings, exemptions, no-action
letters
and approvals and the preparation of any documents reasonably deemed
by
either of the Parties to be necessary to discharge its respective
obligations or otherwise advisable under applicable Laws in connection
with the Arrangement and this Agreement as promptly as practicable
hereafter.
|
Β
Β |
2.7.2
|
Purchaser
and Target shall co-operate in the preparation, filing and mailing
of the
Target Circular. In particular, Purchaser shall provide Target with
such
disclosure concerning Purchaser, including pro-forma financial statements
required under Securities Laws for significant acquisitions, as may
be
required by applicable Laws. Target shall provide Purchaser with
a
reasonable opportunity to review and comment on the Target Circular,
and,
in particular, Purchaser shall be entitled to approve those portions
of
the Target Circular that include information about Purchaser, prior
to its
mailing to Target Shareholders and filing in accordance with the
Interim
Order and applicable Laws. Subject to SectionΒ 2.7.3,
Purchaser acknowledges that whether or not such comments are appropriate
or any revisions will be made as a result thereof to the Target Circular
will be determined solely by Target acting
reasonably.
|
Β
-18-
Β |
2.7.3
|
Target
shall ensure that the Target Circular complies with the Interim Order
and
all applicable Laws and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
that the Target Circular does not contain any untrue statement of
a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements contained therein not
misleading in light of the circumstances in which they are made (other
than with respect to any information relating to and provided by
Purchaser).
|
Β
Β |
2.7.4
|
Purchaser
shall ensure that the information to be supplied by it for inclusion
in
the Target Circular will, at the time of the mailing of the Target
Circular, not contain any material misstatement, untrue statement
of a
material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in
light of
the circumstances under which they are made, not
misleading.
|
Β
Β |
2.7.5
|
Each
of Target and Purchaser shall promptly notify the other if at any
time
before the Effective Time it becomes aware that the Target Circular,
an
application for a Regulatory Approval or any other order, registration,
consent, ruling, exemption, no-action letter or approval, any registration
statement or any circular or other filing under applicable Laws contains
an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material
fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
contained therein not misleading in light of the circumstances in
which
they are made, or that otherwise requires an amendment or supplement
to
the Target Circular, such application, registration statement, circular
or
filing, and the Parties shall co-operate in the preparation of such
amendment or supplement as
required.
|
Β
2.8
|
Shareholder
Communications
|
Β
Target
and Purchaser agree to co-operate in the preparation of presentations, if any,
to investors regarding the Arrangement, and no Party shall issue any press
release or otherwise make public statements with respect to the Arrangement
or
this Agreement, without the consent of the other Party (which consent shall
not
be unreasonably withheld or delayed) and Target shall not make any filing with
any Governmental Entity or with any Exchange with respect thereto without prior
consultation with Purchaser and Purchaser shall not make any filing with any
Governmental Entity or with any Exchange without prior consultation with Target;
provided,
however,
that
the foregoing shall be subject to each Partyβs overriding obligation to make any
disclosure or filing required under applicable Laws, and the Party making such
disclosure shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to give prior oral
or
written notice to the other Party and reasonable opportunity to review or
comment on the disclosure or filing (other than with respect to confidential
information contained in such disclosure or filing), and if such prior notice
is
not possible, to give such notice immediately following the making of such
disclosure or filing; and provided,
further,
that
Target shall have no obligation to consult with Purchaser prior to any
disclosure by Target with regard to an Acquisition Proposal.
Β
-19-
Article
3
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF TARGET
Β
3.1
|
Representations
and Warranties
|
Β
Target
hereby represents to and in favour of Purchaser, subject to such exceptions
as
are specifically disclosed in writing in the disclosure schedule (arranged
in
sections and subsections corresponding to the numbered and lettered sections
and
subsections contained in this Article
3
with the
disclosures in any section or subsection of such schedule qualifying the
corresponding section or subsection in this Article
3
supplied
by Target to Purchaser dated as of the date hereof (the βTarget
Disclosure Scheduleβ),
as
follows and acknowledges that Purchaser is relying upon such representations
and
warranties in connection with the entering into of this Agreement:
Β
Β |
3.1.1
|
Board
Approval.
As of the date hereof, the Board of Directors of Target, after
consultation with its financial and legal advisors, has determined
unanimously that the Arrangement is fair to the Target Shareholders
(other
than Purchaser) and is in the best interests of Target and has resolved
unanimously to recommend to the Target Shareholders that they vote
their
Target Shares in favour of the Arrangement. The Board of Directors
of
Target has unanimously approved the Arrangement and the execution
and
performance of this Agreement. The Board of Directors of Target has
received a Fairness Opinion from BMO Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Inc. (the βFinancial
Advisorβ),
and a true and complete copy thereof has been provided to
Purchaser.
|
Β
Β |
3.1.2
|
Organization
and Qualification.
Target and each of its subsidiaries is a corporation duly incorporated,
continued or amalgamated or an entity duly created and validly existing
under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, continuance,
amalgamation or creation and has the requisite corporate or other
power
and authority to own its assets as now owned and to carry on its
business
as it is now being conducted, except where the failure to do so would
not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Target.
Target
and each of its subsidiaries is duly registered or otherwise authorized
to
do business and each is in good standing in each jurisdiction in
which the
character of its properties, owned, leased, licensed or otherwise
held, or
the nature of its activities makes such registration necessary, except
where the failure to be so registered or in good standing would not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Target.
Correct, current and complete copies of the certificates of incorporation,
continuance or amalgamation and bylaws (or the equivalent organizational
documents), each as amended to date, of Target and each of its
subsidiaries listed in the Data Room have been made available to
Purchaser
and its advisors for their review either in the Data Room or at Targetβs
executive office.
|
Β
Β |
3.1.3
|
Authority
Relative to this Agreement.
Target has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into
this
Agreement and to carry out its obligations hereunder. The execution
and
delivery of this Agreement and,
|
Β
-20-
subject
to the Required Vote, the consummation by Target of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement have been duly authorized by the Board of
Directors of Target, and no other corporate proceedings on the part of Target
are necessary to authorize the execution and delivery by it of this Agreement
or
any agreement ancillary hereto and the consummation by it of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby. This Agreement has been duly executed and
delivered by Target and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of
Target enforceable against Target in accordance with its terms, subject to
the
qualification that such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or other laws of general application relating to or affecting
rights of creditors and that equitable remedies, including specific performance,
are discretionary and may not be ordered.
Β
Β |
3.1.4
|
No
Violations.
Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Target nor
the
consummation of the Arrangement by Target nor compliance by Target
with
any of the provisions hereof will: (1) violate, conflict with, or
result
in a breach of any provision of, require any consent, approval or
notice
under, or constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or
lapse of
time or both, would constitute a default), result in granting to
a third
party a right to reduce rentals, fees or other payments to Target
or one
of its subsidiaries, or result in granting to a third party a right
of
first refusal, first opportunity, or other right or option to acquire
properties or assets of Target or one of its subsidiaries, or grant
to a
third party a right to force Target or one of its subsidiaries to
purchase
one or more assets, or result in a right of termination or acceleration
under, or the creation of any Lien upon, any of the properties or
assets
of Target or any of its subsidiaries or cause any Indebtedness of
Target
or any of its subsidiaries to come due before its stated maturity
or cause
any credit commitment to cease to be available or cause any payment
or
other obligation to be imposed on Target or any of its subsidiaries
under
any of the terms, conditions or provisions of (A) their respective
charters or by-laws or other comparable organizational documents
or (B)
any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, loan agreement, deed of trust,
Lien,
or other Contract to which Target or any of its subsidiaries is a
party or
to which any of them, or any of their respective properties or assets,
may
be subject or by which Target or any of its subsidiaries is bound;
or (2)
subject to obtaining the Regulatory Approvals and the Required Vote
and
except for complying with applicable corporate, securities, competition
and antitrust Laws, (x) violate any Law applicable to Target or any
of its
subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets; or
(y) cause
the suspension or revocation of any Permit currently in effect (except,
in
the case of each of clauses (l)(B) and (2) above, for such violations,
conflicts, breaches, defaults, terminations, accelerations or creations
of
Liens which, or any consents, approvals or notices which if not given
or
received, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect on Target).
|
Β
Β |
3.1.5
|
Capitalization.
As
of the date hereof, the authorized share capital of Target consists
of an
unlimited number of Target Shares and an unlimited number
of
|
Β
-21-
Class
I
and Class II preferred shares. As at August 31, 2006, 276,366,730Β Target
Shares in the capital of Target are issued and outstanding and no Class I or
Class II preferred shares are issued and outstanding. As at AugustΒ 31,
2006, there are issued and outstanding (i) options to purchase an aggregate
of
5,895,845 Target Shares granted under the Target Stock Option Plan,
(ii)Β options to purchase an aggregate of 269,722Β Target Shares issued
in connection with the acquisition of Ariane Gold Corp.,
(iii)Β 20,000,000Β Target
Warrants and 14,667,000 Series D Common Share Purchase Warrants issued pursuant
to a Warrant Indenture dated as of OctoberΒ 6, 2004 between Target and CIBC
Mellon Trust Company to acquire in the aggregate 34,667,000Β Target
Shares at an exercise price of $3.75 and $4.35, respectively and
(iv)Β 37,500Β Target DSUsΒ granted
under the Target DSU Plan. The Series C Common Share Purchase Warrants and
the
Series D Common Share Purchase Warrants are listed and trade on the Exchanges.
As of the date hereof, Target also has outstanding a $1.5Β million principal
amount convertible debenture maturing on December 19, 2006 (the βConvertible
Debentureβ).Β Except
as
set forth above in this Section 3.1.5,
there
are no stock options, warrants or other rights (including convertible or
exchangeable securities), agreements or commitments of any character whatsoever
(contingent or otherwise) requiring the issuance, sale or transfer by Target
of
any shares in the capital of Target or any securities convertible into or
exchangeable or exercisable for or otherwise evidencing a right to acquire,
any
shares in the capital of Target, nor are there any outstanding stock
appreciation rights, phantom equity or similar rights, agreements, arrangement
or commitments based upon the book value, income or other attribute of
Target.
Β
Β |
3.1.6
|
Target
Shareholder Rights Plan.
The Data Room contains a correct and complete copy of the Target
Shareholder Rights Plan, including all exhibits thereto. Target has
taken
all necessary action so that neither the execution and delivery of
this
Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
will (i) cause the Rights (as defined in the Target Shareholder Rights
Plan) to become exercisable, (ii) cause any person to become an Acquiring
Person (as defined in the Target Shareholder Rights Plan) or (iii)
give
rise to a Separation Time or a Flip-in Event (each as defined in
the
Target Shareholder Rights Plan).
|
Β
Β |
3.1.7
|
Reporting
Status and Securities Laws Matters.
Target is (x) a βreporting issuerβ and not on the list of reporting
issuers in default under the applicable Canadian provincial and
territorial Securities Laws and (y) a βforeign private issuerβ as defined
in Rule 405 of the United
States Securities Act of 1933,
as amended and is in compliance in all material respects with all
Securities Laws. No delisting, suspension of trading in or cease
trading
order with respect to any securities of Target and, to the knowledge
of
Target, no inquiry or investigation (formal or informal) of any Securities
Authority, is in effect or ongoing or, to the knowledge of Target,
expected to be implemented or undertaken and which would reasonably
be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Target. Target is not
an
investment company registered or
|
Β
-22-
required
to be registered under the U.S. Investment
Company Act of 1940,
as
amended. No subsidiary of Target is subject to the continuous disclosure
requirements under any Securities Laws. True and complete copies of all material
correspondence between any Securities Authority and Target since
DecemberΒ 31, 2005 are in the Data Room.
Β
Β |
3.1.8
|
Ownership
of Subsidiaries.
All of the outstanding shares of capital stock and other ownership
interests in Targetβs subsidiaries are duly authorized, validly issued,
fully paid and non-assessable and all such shares and other ownership
interests held directly or indirectly by Target are, except pursuant
to
restrictions on transfer contained in constituting documents or pursuant
to existing financing arrangements involving Target or its subsidiaries,
owned free and clear of all Liens, and there are no outstanding options,
rights, entitlements, understandings or commitments (contingent or
otherwise) regarding the right to acquire any such shares of capital
stock
or other ownership interests in or real properties of any of Targetβs
subsidiaries. There are no outstanding contractual or other obligations
of
any subsidiaries of Target to (i) repurchase, redeem or otherwise
acquire
any of its securities or with respect to the voting or disposition
of any
outstanding securities of any subsidiaries of Target, (ii) make any
investment in or, except in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practice, provide any funds to (whether in the form of
a loan,
capital contribution or otherwise) any person, other than a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Target or (iii) provide any guarantee with respect
to any
subsidiary of Target or any other person in excess of $10,000,000
in the
aggregate, other than any replacement guarantee which does not increase
the amount of the guarantee being replaced.
|
Β
Β |
3.1.9
|
Reports.
The documents comprising Targetβs Public Disclosure Record (1) did not at
the time filed with Securities Authorities or, as applicable, the
time of
becoming effective, contain any untrue statement of a material fact
or
omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in
which
they were made, not misleading, and (2) included all documents required
to
be filed in accordance with Securities Laws with the Securities
Authorities and the Exchanges and complied in all material respects
with
Securities Laws. Target has timely filed with the Securities Authorities
all forms, reports, schedules, statements and other documents required
to
be filed by Target with the Securities Authorities since December
31,
2005Β where
the failure to timely file would reasonably be expected to have a
Material
Adverse Effect on Target.
|
Β
Β |
3.1.10
|
Target
Financial Statements.
Targetβs audited consolidated financial statements as at and for the
fiscal years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 (including the notes
thereto
and related managementβs discussion and analysis (βTargetβs
MD&Aβ))
and Targetβs unaudited financial statements as at and for the six months
ended JuneΒ 30,Β 2006 (including the notes thereto and related
Targetβs MD&A) (collectively, the βTarget
Financial Statementsβ)
and all financial statements of Target and its subsidiaries included
or
|
Β
-23-
incorporated
by reference in information circulars, forms, reports, statements, prospectuses
and other documents filed with Securities Authorities since DecemberΒ 31,
2004 were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied (except (A)
as
otherwise indicated in such financial statements and the notes thereto or,
in
the case of audited statements, in the related report of Targetβs independent
auditors, or (B) in the case of unaudited interim consolidated financial
statements, are subject to normal period-end adjustments and may omit notes
which are not required by applicable Laws in the unaudited statements) and
fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position,
results of operations and changes in financial position of Target and its
subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and for the periods indicated therein
(subject, in the case of any unaudited interim consolidated financial
statements, to normal period-end adjustments) and reflect reserves required
by
GAAP in respect of all material contingent liabilities, if any, of Target and
its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. There has been no material change
in
Targetβs accounting policies, except as described in the notes to the Target
Financial Statements, since DecemberΒ 31,Β 2005. None of Target or its
subsidiaries had any liabilities or obligations of any nature (whether accrued,
absolute, contingent or otherwise) required by GAAP to be set forth in a
consolidated balance sheet of Target or in the notes thereto, except for any
liabilities or obligations incurred since JuneΒ 30, 2006 in the ordinary
course of business.
Β
Β |
3.1.11
|
Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx
Act.
Target and, to Targetβs knowledge, each of its officers and directors are
in compliance in all material respects with and have complied in
all
material respects with the applicable provisions of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx
Act
and the Exchange Act.
|
Β
Β |
3.1.12
|
Absence
of Certain Changes.
Since JuneΒ 30, 2006, (i) Target and each of its subsidiaries have
conducted their business in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practice, except for the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement (including the Bauxite Sale Process) and the process undertaken
by Target relating to the solicitations of interest for an acquisition
of
Target or similar strategic transaction, (ii) there has not been
a
Material Adverse Effect on Target, and (iii) neither Target nor any
of its
subsidiaries has taken any action which, if taken after the date
of this
Agreement, would be prohibited by paragraphs 5.1.2
or
5.1.4
(other than subparagraphs (iv), (v), (vi) and (vii) of paragraph
5.1.4).
|
Β
Β |
3.1.13
|
Litigation.
There are no claims, actions, suits, demands, arbitrations, charges,
indictments, hearings or other civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative proceedings, or other investigations or examinations
known
to Target (collectively, βLegal
Actionsβ)
pending or, to the knowledge of Target, threatened, affecting Target
or
any of its subsidiaries or affecting any of their respective property
or
assets at law or in equity before or by any Governmental Entity or
against
any director, officer or employee of Target or any of its subsidiaries,
which Legal Actions would reasonably be expected
to
|
Β
-24-
have
a
Material Adverse Effect on Target. Neither Target nor any of its subsidiaries
nor their respective assets or properties is subject to any outstanding
judgment, order, writ, injunction or decree that has had or would reasonably
be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Target.
Β
Β |
3.1.14
|
Taxes.
Target and each of its subsidiaries has duly and timely filed all
material
Returns required to be filed by it prior to the date hereof, other
than
those which have been administratively waived, and all such Returns
are
complete and correct in all material respects. Each of them has paid,
or
withheld and remitted on a timely basis all Taxes which are due and
payable on or before the date hereof, other than those which, adequate
reserves in accordance with GAAP have been provided in the most recently
published Target consolidated financial statements. Except as provided
for
in the Target Financial Statements, there are no deficiencies, litigation,
proposed adjustments audits, assessment or reassessment asserted,
pending
or threatened by a Government Authority or any other Person with
respect
to Taxes of Target or any of its subsidiaries.
|
Β
Β |
3.1.15
|
Property
and Title.
Applying customary standards in the Canadian mining industry, each
of
Target, its subsidiaries and its material joint ventures has, to
the
extent necessary to permit the operation of their respective businesses
as
presently conducted; (a) sufficient title, clear of any title defect
or
Lien (other than as disclosed in Targetβs Public Disclosure Record) to its
operating properties and properties with estimated proven and probable
mineral reserves and/or estimated mineral resources (other than property
to which it is lessee, in which case it has a valid leasehold interest)
and (b) good and sufficient title to the real property interests
including, without limitation, fee simple estate of and in real property,
leases, easements, rights of way, permits, mining claims, concessions
or
licenses from landowners or authorities permitting the use of land
by
Target, its subsidiaries and its material joint ventures (other than
as
disclosed in Targetβs Public Disclosure Record). Target, its subsidiaries
and its material joint ventures hold all mineral rights required
to
continue their respective businesses and operations as currently
concluded
and as proposed to be conducted as disclosed in Targetβs Public Disclosure
Record, except to the extent that a failure to do so would not constitute
a Material Adverse Effect with respect to Target. Except for such
failures
of title or Liens and royalty burdens that would, individually or
in the
aggregate, not have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to Target,
(x)
all mineral rights held by Target, its subsidiaries and its material
joint
ventures are free and clear of all Liens and royalty burdens (other
than
as disclosed in Targetβs Public Disclosure Record) and (y) none of such
mineral rights are subject to reduction by reference to mine payout
or
otherwise except for those created in the ordinary course of business
and
which would not have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to
Target.
|
Β
Β |
3.1.16
|
Mineral
Reserves and Resources.
The estimated proven and probable mineral reserves and estimated,
measured, indicated and inferred mineral
resources
|
Β
-25-
disclosed
in Targetβs Public Disclosure Record as of year-end DecemberΒ 31,Β 2005
have been prepared and disclosed in all material respects in accordance with
National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.
There
has been no material reduction (other than as a result of operations in the
ordinary course of business) in the aggregate amount of estimated mineral
reserves, estimated mineral resources or mineralized material of Target and
its
subsidiaries and Targetβs material joint ventures, taken as a whole, from the
amounts disclosed in the Targetβs Public Disclosure Record.
Β
Β |
3.1.17
|
Compliance
with Laws.
Target and its subsidiaries have complied with and are not in violation
of
any applicable Laws, other than non-compliance or violations which
would
not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on
Target.
|
Β
Β |
3.1.18
|
Intellectual
Property.
(i) Target and its subsidiaries own all right, title and interest
in and
to, or are validly licensed (and are not in material breach of such
licenses) to use all patents, trade-marks, trade names, copyrights,
know-how, trade secrets, software, technology, and all other intellectual
property and proprietary rights that are material to the conduct
of the
business, as presently conducted, of Target and its subsidiaries
taken as
a whole (collectively, βTargetβsΒ Intellectual
Property Rightsβ);
(ii) all such Targetβs Intellectual Property Rights are sufficient for
conducting the business, as presently conducted, of Target and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole; (iii) to the knowledge of Target,
all such
Targetβs Intellectual Property Rights are valid and enforceable and do
not, nor do their exercise, infringe in any material way upon any
third
partiesβ intellectual property and proprietary rights; (iv) the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not render
invalid or unenforceable any such Targetβs Intellectual Property Rights;
(v) to the knowledge of Target, no third party is infringing upon
such
Targetβs Intellectual Property Rights in any material respect; (vi) all
hardware, software and firmware, processed data, technology infrastructure
and other computer systems used in connection with the conduct of
the
business, as presently conducted, of Target and its subsidiaries
taken as
a whole (collectively, the βTargetβs
Technologyβ),
are up-to-date and sufficient for conducting the business, as presently
conducted, of Target and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; (vii)
Target
and its subsidiaries have commercially reasonable virus protection
and
security measures in place in relation to such Targetβs Technology; and
(viii) Target and its subsidiaries have reasonable back-up systems
and a
disaster recovery plan adequate to ensure the continuing availability
of
the data stored through and the functionality provided by the Targetβs
Technology, and have ownership of or a valid license to the Intellectual
Property Rights necessary to allow them to continue to access the
data
stored through and provide the functionality provided by the Targetβs
Technology in the event of any malfunction of the Targetβs Technology or
other form of disaster affecting the Targetβs
Technology.
|
Β
-26-
Β |
3.1.19
|
Insurance.
Target and its subsidiaries maintain policies of insurance as are
listed
in the Data Room and Target is in compliance in all material respects
with
all requirements with respect
thereto.
|
Β
Β |
3.1.20
|
Environment.
Except as disclosed in Targetβs Public Disclosure Record or contained in
the Data Room:
|
Β
Β |
3.1.20.1
|
all
material permits, licences, approvals, consents, certificates and
other
authorizations of any kind or nature required for the ownership,
operation, development, maintenance or use of any of the assets under
Environmental Laws (βEnvironmental
Permitsβ)
have been obtained and maintained in
effect;
|
Β
Β |
3.1.20.2
|
Target
and its subsidiaries, their respective assets and ownership, operation,
development, maintenance and use thereof are in material compliance
with
all Environmental Laws and with all Environmental Permits;
and
|
Β
Β |
3.1.20.3
|
Target
is not aware of and neither it nor any of its subsidiaries has received
(i) any order or directive from a Governmental Entity under Environmental
Laws which requires any material work, repairs, construction, or
capital
expenditures; or (ii) any written demand or notice with respect to
the
material breach of any Environmental Law or any Environmental Permit
applicable to Target or any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective
business or assets.
|
Β
The
Parties agree that Sections 3.1.17
and
3.1.20
are the
sole representations and warranties of Target relating to compliance with
Environmental Laws and that Target provides each such representation and
warranty to its knowledge, without inquiry, with respect to those operations
and
assets which it does not operate.
Β
Β |
3.1.21
|
Brokers.
Except for the Financial Advisor, no broker, finder or investment
banker
is entitled to any brokerage, finderβs or other fee or commission from, or
to the reimbursement of any of its expenses by, Target in connection
with
this Agreement or the Arrangement. Target has provided to Purchaser
a
correct and complete copy of all agreements relating to the arrangements
between it and its Financial Advisor which is in effect at the date
hereof
(including with respect to the Bauxite Sale Process) and agrees not
to
amend the terms of any such agreement relating to the payment of
fees and
expenses without the prior written approval of Purchaser, which consent
may not be unreasonably withheld.Β
|
Β
Β |
3.1.22
|
Material
Contracts.
The Data Room contains true and complete copies of all material
Contracts.
|
Β
-27-
Β
Β |
3.1.23
|
Pension
and Employee Benefits
|
Β
Β |
3.1.23.1
|
Target
and each of its subsidiaries have complied in all material respects,
with
the terms of all agreements, health, welfare, supplemental unemployment
benefit, bonus, profit sharing, deferred compensation, stock
purchase,
stock compensation, disability, pension or retirement plans and
other
employee or director compensation or benefit plans, policies
or
arrangements which are maintained by or binding upon Target or
such
subsidiary or in respect of which Target or any of its subsidiaries
has
any actual or potential liability (including the Target DSU Plan
and the
Target Stock Option Plan) (collectively, the βTarget
Plansβ)
and with all applicable Laws relating
thereto.
|
Β
Β
Β |
3.1.23.2
|
All
of the Target Plans are and have been established, registered, qualified
and, in all material respects, administered in accordance with all
applicable Laws, and in accordance with their terms and the terms
of
agreements between Target and/or any of its subsidiaries, as the
case may
be, and their respective employees who are members of the Target
Plans.
|
Β
Β
Β |
3.1.23.3
|
All
current obligations of Target or any of its subsidiaries regarding
the
Target Plans have been satisfied except as would not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Target and no Taxes
are
owing or exigible under any of the Target Plans. All contributions
or
premiums required to be made by Target or any of its subsidiaries,
as the
case may be, under the Terms of each Target Plan or by applicable
Laws
have been made in a timely fashion in accordance with applicable
Laws and
the terms of the Target Plans except as would not reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect on
Target.
|
Β
Β |
3.1.23.4
|
Each
Target Plan is insured or funded as may be required by applicable
Law and
in good standing with such Governmental Entities as may be applicable
and,
as of the date hereof, no currently outstanding notice of under-funding,
non-compliance, failure to be in good standing or otherwise has been
received by Target or any of its subsidiaries from any such Governmental
Entities. No Target Plan provides any non-pension post-retirement
or
post-employment benefits. Target would not incur any material withdrawal
liability from withdrawing from any multiemployer plan (within the
meaning
of Section 3(37) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974,
as amended). Target has an effective reservation of rights for each
non-pension-post retirement or post-employment benefit plan which
allows
Target to amend or terminate such plan, subject to applicable
Law.
|
Β
Β |
3.1.23.5
|
To
the knowledge of Target, no Target Plan is subject to any pending
investigation, examination or other proceeding, action or claim initiated
by any Governmental Entity, or by any other
party
|
Β
-28-
(other
than routine claims for benefits), and there exists no state of facts which
after notice or lapse of time or both would reasonably be expected to give
rise
to any such investigation, examination or other proceeding, action or claim
or
to affect the registration or qualification of any Target Plan required to
be
registered or qualified.
Β
Β |
3.1.23.6
|
Neither
the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Target nor consummation
of
the Arrangement nor compliance by Target with any of the provisions
hereof, shall result in any payment (including severance, unemployment
compensation, bonuses or otherwise) becoming due to any director
or
employee of Target or any of its subsidiaries or result in any increase
or
acceleration of contributions, liabilities or benefits, or acceleration
of
vesting, under any Target Plan or restriction held in connection
with a
Target Plan.
|
Β
3.2
|
Effect
of Disclosures
|
Β
Each
of
the representations and warranties of Target set forth in Sections 3.1.2
to
3.1.23,
inclusive, is qualified by and is made subject to the disclosures made in the
Data Room, in Targetβs Public Disclosure Record and in the Target Disclosure
Schedule.
Β
3.3
|
No
Other Representations and
Warranties
|
Β
Except
for the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement, neither
Target nor its subsidiaries nor any other Person or its subsidiaries makes
any
representation or warranty, express or implied, on behalf of Target and its
subsidiaries with respect to the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
Β
3.4
|
Survival
of Representations and
Warranties
|
Β
TheΒ representations
and warranties of Target contained in this Agreement shall not survive the
completion of the Arrangement and shall expire and be terminated on the earlier
of the Effective Time and the date on which this Agreement is terminated in
accordance with its terms.
Β
ARTICLE
4
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER
Β
4.1
|
Representations
and Warranties
|
Β
Purchaser
hereby represents and warrants to and in favour of Target, subject to such
exceptions as are specifically disclosed in writing in the disclosure schedule
(arranged in sections and subsections corresponding to the numbered and lettered
sections and subsections contained in this Article
4
with the
disclosures in any section or subsection of such schedule qualifying the
corresponding section or subsection in this Article
4
supplied
by Purchaser to Target dated as of the date hereof (the βPurchaser
Disclosure Scheduleβ),
as
follows and acknowledges that
Β
-29-
Target
is
relying upon such representations and warranties in connection with the entering
into of this Agreement:
Β
Β |
4.1.1
|
Board
Approval.
The Board of Directors of Purchaser has unanimously approved the
execution
and performance of this Agreement.
|
Β
Β |
4.1.2
|
Organization
and Qualification.
Purchaser and each of its subsidiaries is a corporation duly incorporated,
continued or amalgamated or an entity duly created and validly existing
under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, continuance,
amalgamation or creation and has the requisite corporate or other
power
and authority to own its assets as now owned and to carry on its
business
as it is now being conducted, except where the failure to do so would
not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Purchaser.
Purchaser and each of its subsidiaries is duly registered or otherwise
authorized to do business and each is in good standing in each
jurisdiction in which the character of its properties, owned, leased,
licensed or otherwise held, or the nature of its activities makes
such
registration necessary, except where the failure to be so registered
or in
good standing would not reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse
Effect on Purchaser.
|
Β
Β |
4.1.3
|
Authority
Relative to this Agreement.
Purchaser has the requisite corporate authority to enter into this
Agreement and to carry out its obligations hereunder. The execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation by
Purchaser of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have
been
duly authorized by the Board of Directors of Purchaser, and no other
corporate proceedings on the part of Purchaser are necessary to authorize
the execution and delivery by it of this Agreement and the consummation
by
it of the transactions contemplated thereby. This Agreement has been
duly
executed and delivered by Purchaser and constitutes a legal, valid
and
binding obligation of Purchaser enforceable against it in accordance
with
its terms, subject to the qualification that such enforceability
may be
limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other laws of
general
application relating to or affecting rights of creditors and that
equitable remedies, including specific performance, are discretionary
and
may not be ordered.
|
Β
Β |
4.1.4
|
No
Violations.
Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Purchaser
nor the
consummation of the Arrangement by Purchaser nor compliance by Purchaser
with any of the provisions hereof will violate, conflict with, or
result
in a breach of any material provision of, require any consent, approval
or
notice under, or constitute a default (or an event which, with notice
or
lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) under (A) the
articles
of incorporation or Laws governing Purchaser or (B) any material
contract
or other instrument or obligation to which Purchaser or any of its
subsidiaries is a party or to which any of them, or any of their
respective properties or assets, may be subject or by which Purchaser
or
any of its subsidiaries is bound and, in each case, individually
or in the
aggregate would
|
Β
-30-
materially
adversely affect Purchaserβs ability to perform its obligations under this
Agreement or (C) subject to obtaining the Regulatory Approvals, violate any
Law
applicable to Purchaser or any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective
properties or assets (except, in the case of clause (C) above, for such
violations which would not reasonably be expected to have any Purchaser Material
Adverse Effect).
Β
Β |
4.1.5
|
Capitalization.
As of the date hereof, the authorized share capital of Purchaser
consists
of an unlimited number ofΒ Purchaser
Shares, an unlimited number of first preference shares and an unlimited
number of second preference shares. As of September 13, 2006, 175,874,184
Purchaser Shares and 3,540,342 options to acquire Purchaser Shares
are
issued and outstanding, and no first preference shares or second
preference shares in the capital of Purchaser are issued and outstanding.
Except as set forth above in this Section 4.1.5,
there are no stock options, warrants or other rights (including
convertible or exchangeable securities), agreements or commitments
of any
character whatsoever (contingent or otherwise) requiring the issuance,
sale or transfer by Purchaser of any shares in the capital of Purchaser
or
any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for
or
otherwise evidencing a right to acquire, any shares in the capital
of
Purchaser, nor are there any outstanding stock appreciation rights,
phantom equity or similar rights, agreements, arrangement or commitments
based upon the book value, income or other attribute of
Purchaser.
|
Β
Β |
4.1.6
|
Reporting
Status and Securities Laws Matters.
Purchaser is (x) a βreporting issuerβ and not on the list of reporting
issuers in default under the applicable Canadian provincial and
territorial Securities Laws and (y) a βforeign private issuerβ as defined
in Rule 405 of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended
and is
in compliance in all material respects with all Securities Laws.
No
delisting, suspension of trading in or cease trading order with respect
to
any securities of Purchaser and, to the knowledge of Purchaser, no
inquiry
or investigation (formal or informal) of any Securities Authority,
is in
effect or ongoing or, to the knowledge of Purchaser, expected to
be
implemented or undertaken and which would reasonably be expected
to have a
Material Adverse Effect on Purchaser. Purchaser is not an investment
company registered or required to be registered under the U.S. Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended. No subsidiary of Purchaser is subject
to
the continuous disclosure requirements under any Securities
Laws.Β No
approval from the shareholders of Purchaser is required in connection
with
the execution of this Agreement by Purchaser or the consummation
of the
Arrangement (including for greater certainty, as a result of the
issuance
of Purchaser Shares to holders of Target Shares) pursuant to Securities
Laws or rules of the Toronto Stock Exchange or the New York Stock
Exchange.
|
Β
Β |
4.1.7
|
Ownership
of Subsidiaries.
Except with respect to Liens granted in connection with the syndicated
loan facility dated December 2003, in respect of the Mupane Gold
Project,
all of the outstanding shares of capital stock and
other
|
Β
-31-
ownership
interests in Purchaserβs subsidiaries are duly authorized, validly issued, fully
paid and non-assessable and all such shares and other ownership interests held
directly or indirectly by Purchaser are, except pursuant to restrictions on
transfer contained in constituting documents or pursuant to existing financing
arrangements involving Purchaser or its subsidiaries, owned free and clear
of
all Liens, and there are no outstanding options, rights, entitlements,
understandings or commitments (contingent or otherwise) regarding the right
to
acquire any such shares of capital stock or other ownership interests in or
real
properties of any of Purchaserβs subsidiaries.
Β
Β |
4.1.8
|
Reports.
The documents comprising Purchaserβs Public Disclosure Record (1) did not
at the time filed with Securities Authorities or, as applicable,
the time
of becoming effective, contain any untrue statement of a material
factor
omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in
which
they were made, not misleading, and (2) included all documents required
to
be filed in accordance with Securities Laws with the Securities
Authorities and the Exchanges and complied in all material respects
with
Securities Laws. Purchaser has timely filed with the Securities
Authorities all forms, reports, schedules, statements and other documents
required to be filed by Purchaser with the Securities Authorities
since
December 31, 2005 where the failure to timely file would reasonably
be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on
Purchaser.
|
Β
Β |
4.1.9
|
Purchaser
Financial Statements.
Purchaserβs audited consolidated financial statements as at and for the
fiscal years ended DecemberΒ 31, 2005 and DecemberΒ 31, 2004
(including the notes thereto and related managementβs discussion and
analysis (βPurchaserβs
MD&Aβ))
and Purchaserβs unaudited financial statements as at June 30, 2006
(including the notes thereto and related Purchaserβs MD&A)
(collectively, the βPurchaser
Financial Statementsβ)
and all financial statements of Purchaser and its subsidiaries included
or
incorporated by reference in information circulars, forms, reports,
statements, prospectuses and other documents filed with Securities
Authorities since DecemberΒ 31,Β 2004Β were
prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied (except (A)
as
otherwise indicated in such financial statements and the notes thereto
or,
in the case of audited statements, in the related report of Purchaserβs
independent auditors, or (B) in the case of unaudited interim consolidated
financial statements, are subject to normal period-end adjustments
and may
omit notes which are not required by applicable Laws in the unaudited
statements) and fairly present in all material respects the consolidated
financial position, results of operations and changes in financial
position of Purchaser and its subsidiaries as of the dates thereof
and for
the periods indicated therein (subject, in the case of any unaudited
interim consolidated financial statements, to normal period-end
adjustments) and reflect reserves required by GAAP in respect of
all
material contingent liabilities, if any, of Purchaser and its subsidiaries
on a consolidated basis. There has been no material change in Purchaserβs
accounting policies, except as described in the notes to the Purchaser
Financial Statements, since
|
Β
-32-
DecemberΒ 31,
2005. None of Purchaser or its subsidiaries had any liabilities or obligations
of any nature (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise) required
by
GAAP to be set forth in a consolidated balance sheet of Purchaser or in the
notes thereto, except for any liabilities or obligations incurred since June
30,
2006 in the ordinary course of business.
Β
Β |
4.1.10
|
Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx
Act.
Purchaser and, to Purchaserβs knowledge, each of its officers and
directors are in compliance in all material respects with and have
complied in all material respects with the applicable provisions
of the
Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx
Act
and the Exchange
Act.
|
Β
Β |
4.1.11
|
Absence
of Certain Changes.
Since JuneΒ 30, 2006, (i) Purchaser and each of its subsidiaries have
conducted their business in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practice, (ii) there has not been a Material Adverse Effect
on
Purchaser, and (iii) neither Purchaser nor any of its subsidiaries
has
taken any action which, if taken after the date of this Agreement,
would
be prohibited by paragraphs 5.4.2
or
5.4.4
(other than subparagraphs (iv), (v), (vi) and (vii) of paragraph
5.4.4).
|
Β
Β |
4.1.12
|
Litigation.
There are no claims, actions, suits, demands, arbitrations, charges,
indictments, hearings or other civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative proceedings, or other investigations or examinations
known
to Purchaser pending or, to the knowledge of Purchaser, threatened,
affecting Purchaser or any of its subsidiaries or affecting any of
their
respective property or assets at law or in equity before or by any
Governmental Entity or against any director, officer or employee
of
Purchaser or any of its subsidiaries, which would reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect on Purchaser. Neither Purchaser
nor any
of its subsidiaries nor their respective assets or properties is
subject
to any outstanding judgment, order, writ, injunction or decree that
has
had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect
on
Purchaser.
|
Β
Β |
4.1.13
|
Taxes.
Purchaser and each of its subsidiaries has duly and timely filed
or
adequately provided for in the Purchaser Financial Statements, all
material Returns required to be filed by it prior to the date hereof,
other than those which have been administratively waived, and all
such
Returns are complete and correct in all material respects. Each of
them
has paid, or withheld and remitted on a timely basis all Taxes which
are
due and payable on or before the date hereof, other than those which,
adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP have been provided in the
most
recently published Purchaser consolidated financial statements. Except
as
provided for in the Purchaser Financial Statements, there are no
deficiencies, litigation, proposed adjustments audit, assessment
or
reassessment asserted, pending or threatened by a Governmental Authority
or any other Person with respect to Taxes of Purchaser or any of
its
subsidiaries.Β
|
Β
-33-
Β |
4.1.14
|
Tax
Status.
Purchaser is a βCanadian Corporationβ within the meaning of the
Income
Tax Act (Canada)
|
Β
Β |
4.1.15
|
Property
and Title.
Applying customary standards in the Canadian mining industry, each
of
Purchaser, its subsidiaries and its material joint ventures has,
to the
extent necessary to permit the operation of their respective businesses
as
presently conducted; (a) sufficient title, clear of any title defect
or
Lien (other than as disclosed in Purchaserβs Public Disclosure Record) to
its operating properties and properties with estimated proven and
probable
mineral reserves and/or estimated mineral resources (other than property
to which it is lessee, in which case it has a valid leasehold interest)
and (b) good and sufficient title to the real property interests
including, without limitation, fee simple estate of and in real property,
leases, easements, rights of way, permits, mining claims, concessions
or
licenses from landowners or authorities permitting the use of land
by
Purchaser, its subsidiaries and its material joint ventures (other
than as
disclosed in Purchaserβs Public Disclosure Record). Purchaser, its
subsidiaries and its material joint ventures hold all mineral rights
required to continue their respective businesses and operations as
currently concluded and as proposed to be conducted as disclosed
in
Purchaserβs Public Disclosure Record, except to the extent that a failure
to do so would not constitute a Material Adverse Effect with respect
to
Purchaser. Except for such failures of title or Liens and royalty
burdens
that would, individually or in the aggregate, not have a Material
Adverse
Effect with respect to Purchaser, (x) all mineral rights held by
Purchaser, its subsidiaries and its material joint ventures are free
and
clear of all Liens and royalty burdens (other than as disclosed in
Purchaserβs Public Disclosure Record) and (y) none of such mineral rights
are subject to reduction by reference to mine payout or otherwise
except
for those created in the ordinary course of business and which would
not
have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to
Purchaser.
|
Β
Β |
4.1.16
|
Mineral
Reserves and Resources.
The estimated proven and probable mineral reserves and estimated,
measured, indicated and inferred mineral resources disclosed in
Purchaserβs Public Disclosure Record have been prepared and disclosed in
all material respects in accordance with National Instrument 43-101
-
Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. There has been no material
reduction (other than as a result of operations in the ordinary course
of
business) in the aggregate amount of estimated mineral reserves,
estimated
mineral resources or mineralized material of PurchaserΒ and
its subsidiaries and Purchaserβs material joint ventures , taken as a
whole, from the amounts disclosed in the Purchaserβs Public Disclosure
Record.
|
Β
Β |
4.1.17
|
Compliance
with Laws.
Purchaser and its subsidiaries have complied with and are not in
violation
of any applicable Laws, other than non-compliance or violations which
would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect
on
Purchaser.
|
Β
-34-
Β |
4.1.18
|
Intellectual
Property.
(i) Purchaser and its subsidiaries own all right, title and interest
in
and to, or are validly licensed (and are not in material breach of
such
licenses) to use all patents, trade-marks, trade names, copyrights,
know-how trade secrets, software, technology, and all other intellectual
property and proprietary rights that are material to the conduct
of the
business, as presently conducted, of Purchaser and its subsidiaries
taken
as a whole (collectively, the βPurchaserβs
Intellectual Property Rightsβ);
(ii) all such Purchaserβs Intellectual Property Rights are sufficient for
conducting the business, as presently conducted, of Purchaser and
its
subsidiaries taken as a whole; (iii) to the knowledge of Purchaser,
all
such Purchaserβs Intellectual Property Rights are valid and enforceable
and do not, nor do their exercise, infringe in any material way upon
any
third partiesβ intellectual property and proprietary rights; (iv) the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not render
invalid or unenforceable any such Purchaserβs Intellectual Property
Rights; (v) to the knowledge of Purchaser, no third party is infringing
upon such Purchaserβs Intellectual Property Rights in any material
respect; (vi) all hardware, software and firmware, processed data,
technology infrastructure and other computer systems used in connection
with the conduct of the business, as presently conducted, of Purchaser
and
its subsidiaries taken as a whole (collectively, the βPurchaserβs
Technologyβ),
are up-to-date and sufficient for conducting the business, as presently
conducted, of Purchaser and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; (vii)
Purchaser and its subsidiaries have commercially reasonable virus
protection and security measures in place in relation to such Purchaserβs
Technology; and (viii) Purchaser and its subsidiaries have reasonable
back-up systems and a disaster recovery plan adequate to ensure the
continuing availability of the data stored through and the functionality
provided by the Purchaserβs Technology, and have ownership of or a valid
license to the Purchaserβs Intellectual Property Rights necessary to allow
them to continue to access the data stored through and provide the
functionality provided by the Purchaserβs Technology in the event of any
malfunction of the Purchaserβs Technology or other form of disaster
affecting the Purchaserβs
Technology.
|
Β
Β |
4.1.19
|
Insurance.
Purchaser and its subsidiaries maintain policies of insurance and
are in
compliance in all material respects with all requirements with respect
thereto.
|
Β
Β |
4.1.20
|
Environment.
Except as disclosed in Purchaserβs Public Disclosure
Record:
|
Β
Β |
4.1.20.1
|
all
Environmental Permits have been obtained and maintained in
effect;
|
Β
Β |
4.1.20.2
|
Purchaser
and its subsidiaries, their respective assets and ownership, operation,
development, maintenance and use thereof are in material compliance
with
all Environmental Laws and with all Environmental Permits;
and
|
Β
-35-
Β |
4.1.20.3
|
Purchaser
is not aware of and neither it nor any of its subsidiaries has received
(i) any order or directive from a Governmental Entity under Environmental
Laws which requires any material work, repairs, construction, or
capital
expenditures; or (ii) any written demand or notice with respect to
the
material breach of any Environmental Law or any Environmental Permit
applicable to Purchaser or any of its subsidiaries or any of their
respective business or assets.
|
Β
The
Parties agree that Sections 4.1.17
and
4.1.20
are the
sole representations and warranties of Purchaser relating to compliance with
Environmental Laws and that Purchaser provides each such representation and
warranty to its knowledge, without inquiry, with respect to those operations
and
assets which it does not operate.
Β
Β |
4.1.21
|
Brokers.
No broker, finder or investment banker is entitled to any brokerage,
finderβs or other fee or commission from, or to the reimbursement of any
of its expenses by, Purchaser in connection with this Agreement or
the
Arrangement.
|
Β
Β |
4.1.22
|
Purchaser
Shares.
The Purchaser Shares to be issued to Target Shareholders pursuant
to the
Arrangement will be duly and validly issued as fully paid, non-assessable
and freely tradable shares in the capital of
Purchaser.
|
Β
Β |
4.1.23
|
Pension
and Employee Benefits
|
Β
Β |
4.1.23.1
|
Purchaser
and each of its subsidiaries have complied in all material respects,
with
the terms of all agreements, health, welfare, supplemental unemployment
benefit, bonus, profit sharing, deferred compensation, stock purchase,
stock compensation, disability, pension or retirement plans and other
employee or director compensation or benefit plans, policies or
arrangements which are maintained by or binding upon Purchaser or
such
subsidiary or in respect of which Purchaser or any of its subsidiaries
has
any actual or potential liability (collectively, the βPurchaser
Plansβ)
and with all applicable Laws relating
thereto.
|
Β
Β |
4.1.23.2
|
All
of the Purchaser Plans are and have been established, registered,
qualified and, in all material respects, administered in accordance
with
all applicable Laws, and in accordance with their terms and the terms
of
agreements between Purchaser and/or any of its subsidiaries, as the
case
may be, and their respective employees who are members of the Purchaser
Plans.
|
Β
Β |
4.1.23.3
|
All
current obligations of Purchaser or any of its subsidiaries regarding
the
Purchaser Plans have been satisfied except as would not reasonably
be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect
on
|
Β
-36-
Purchaser
and no Taxes are owing or exigible under any of the Purchaser Plans. All
contributions or premiums required to be made by Purchaser or any of its
subsidiaries, as the case may be, under the Terms of each Purchaser Plan or
by
applicable Laws have been made in a timely fashion in accordance with applicable
Laws and the terms of the Purchaser Plans except as would not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Purchaser.
Β
Β |
4.1.23.4
|
Each
Purchaser Plan is insured or funded as may be required by applicable
Law
and in good standing with such Governmental Entities as may be applicable
and, as of the date hereof, no currently outstanding notice of
under-funding, non-compliance, failure to be in good standing or
otherwise
has been received by Purchaser or any of its subsidiaries from any
such
Governmental Entities. No Purchaser Plan provides any non-pension
post-retirement or post-employment benefits. Purchaser would not
incur any
material withdrawal liability form withdrawing form any multiemployer
plan
(within the meaning of Section 3(37) of the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, as amended). Purchaser has an effective reservation
of rights for each non-pension-post retirement or post-employment
benefit
plan which allows Purchaser to amend or terminate such plan, subject
to
applicable Law.
|
Β
Β |
4.1.23.5
|
To
the knowledge of Purchaser, no Purchaser Plan is subject to any pending
investigation, examination or other proceeding, action or claim initiated
by any Governmental Entity, or by any other party (other than routine
claims for benefits), and there exists no state of facts which after
notice or lapse of time or both would reasonably be expected to give
rise
to any such investigation, examination or other proceeding, action
or
claim or to affect the registration or qualification of any Purchaser
Plan
required to be registered or
qualified.
|
Β
Β |
4.1.23.6
|
Neither
the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Purchaser nor consummation
of the Arrangement nor compliance by Purchaser with any of the provisions
hereof, shall result in any payment (including severance, unemployment
compensation, bonuses or otherwise) becoming due to any director
or
employee of Purchaser or any of its subsidiaries or result in any
increase
or acceleration of contributions, liabilities or benefits, or acceleration
of vesting, under any Purchaser Plan or restriction held in connection
with a Purchaser Plan.
|
Β
-37-
Β
4.2
|
Effect
of Disclosures
|
Β
Each
of
the representations and warranties of Purchaser set forth in Sections
4.1.2
to
4.1.23,
inclusive, is qualified by and is made subject to the disclosures made in
Purchaserβs Public Disclosure Record and in the Purchaser Disclosure
Schedule.
Β
4.3
|
No
Other Representations and
Warranties
|
Β
Except
for the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement, neither
Purchaser nor its subsidiaries nor any other Person or its subsidiaries makes
any representation or warranty, express or implied, on behalf of Purchaser
and
its subsidiaries with respect to the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
Β
4.4
|
Survival
of Representations and
Warranties
|
Β
The
representations and warranties of Purchaser contained in this Agreement shall
not survive the completion of the Arrangement and shall expire and be terminated
on the earlier of the Effective Time and the date on which this Agreement is
terminated in accordance with its terms. This Section 4.4
shall
not limit any covenant or agreement of Purchaser which, by its terms,
contemplates performance after the Effective Time or date on which this
Agreement is terminated, as the case may be.
Β
ARTICLE
5
COVENANTS
OF TARGET AND PURCHASER
Β
5.1
|
Covenants
of Target Regarding the Conduct of
Business
|
Β
Target
covenants and agrees that, during the period from the date of this Agreement
until the earlier of the Effective Time and the time that this Agreement is
terminated in accordance with its terms, except as provided in Section
5.1
of
Target Disclosure Schedule, unless Purchaser shall otherwise agree in writing
(to the extent that such consent is permitted by applicable Law), such agreement
not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed, or as is otherwise expressly
permitted or specifically contemplated by this Agreement or as is otherwise
required by applicable Law:
Β
Β |
5.1.1
|
except
for the Bauxite Sale Process, the business of Target and its subsidiaries
shall be conducted only, and Target and its subsidiaries shall not
take
any action except, in the usual and ordinary course of business,
and
Target shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to maintain
and
preserve its and its subsidiariesβ business organization, assets,
properties employees, goodwill and business
relationships;
|
Β
Β |
5.1.2
|
Target
shall not, and shall not permit any of its subsidiaries to, directly
or
indirectly: (i) amend its articles, charter or by-laws or other comparable
organizational documents, (ii) declare, set aside or pay any dividend
or
other distribution or payment (whether in cash, shares or property)
in
respect of the Target Shares owned by any person or the securities
of any
subsidiary owned by a person other than Target other than, in the
case of
any subsidiary wholly
|
Β
-38-
owned
by
Target, any dividends payable to Target or any other wholly-owned subsidiary
of
Target, (iii) adjust, split, combine or reclassify its share capital, (iv)
issue, grant, sell or pledge or agree to issue, grant, sell or pledge any shares
of Target or its subsidiaries, or securities convertible into or exchangeable
or
exercisable for, or otherwise evidencing a right to acquire, shares of Target
or
its subsidiaries, other than (A)Β the issuance of Target Shares issuable
pursuant to the terms of the outstanding Target Options, Target Warrants
andΒ Convertible
Debenture, (B)Β the grant of Target DSUs pursuant to the Target DSU Plan in
accordance with the letter dated July
28,
2006,
(C)Β transactions between two or more Target wholly-owned subsidiaries or
between Target and a Target wholly-owned subsidiary, and (D)Β pursuant to
pledge commitments contained in written agreements set forth in the Data Room,
(v)Β redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire or subject to a Lien any of its
outstanding securities or securities convertible or exchangeable into or
exercisable for any such securities, unless otherwise required by the terms
of
such securities and other than in transactions between two or more Target
wholly-owned subsidiaries or between Target and a Target wholly-owned
subsidiary, (vi)Β amend or modify the terms of any of its securities, (vii)
adopt a plan of liquidation or resolution providing for the liquidation or
dissolution of Target or any of its subsidiaries, (viii) amend its accounting
policies or adopt new accounting policies, in each case except as required
in
accordance with GAAP, (ix) make any material Tax election or settle or
compromise any material Tax liability, or (x) enter into, modify or terminate
any Contract with respect to any of the foregoing;Β
Β
Β |
5.1.3
|
Target
shall promptly notify Purchaser in writing of any circumstance or
development that, to the knowledge of Target, is or would reasonably
be
expected to constitute a Material Adverse Effect on Target or Purchaser
or
any change in any material fact set forth in the Data Room Targetβs Public
Disclosure Record or in the Target Disclosure
Schedule;
|
Β
Β |
5.1.4
|
except
in connection with the Bauxite Sale Process, Target shall not, and
shall
not permit any of its subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly: (i)
sell,
pledge, lease, license, dispose of or encumber any assets (including
the
capital stock of any subsidiary) of Target or of any subsidiary,
except in
the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (ii)
except
for the transactions set out in the Data Room, acquire (by merger,
amalgamation, consolidation or acquisition of shares or assets or
otherwise) any corporation, partnership or other business organization
or
division thereof or any property or asset, or make any investment
either
by the purchase of securities, contributions of capital (other than
to
wholly-owned subsidiaries), property transfer, or purchase of any
property
or assets of any other person, if any of the foregoing would be material
to Target, (iii) incur any Indebtedness or issue any debt securities
or
assume, guarantee, endorse or otherwise as an accommodation become
responsible for the obligations of any other person, or make any
loans or
advances, except for refinancing of existing debt on substantially
market
terms, and except as set forth in the Data Room, (iv) pay, discharge
or
satisfy
|
Β
-39-
any
material claims, liabilities or obligations other than the payment, discharge
or
satisfaction of liabilities reflected or reserved against in the Target
Financial Statements, (v) except as disclosed in the Data Room, waive, release,
grant or transfer any rights of material value, (vi) enter into a new line
of
business, or (vii) authorize or propose any of the foregoing, or enter into
or
modify any Contract to do any of the foregoing;
Β
Β |
5.1.5
|
except
as disclosed in the Data Room, Target shall not, and shall not permit
any
of its subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, (i) enter into, or
amend
in any material respect, any Contract or series of Contracts resulting
in
a new Contract or series of related new Contracts or modifications
to an
existing Contract or series of related existing Contracts outside
of the
ordinary course of business, (ii) enter into any Contract that would
limit
or otherwise restrict Target or any of its subsidiaries or any of
their
successors, or that would, after the Effective Time, limit or otherwise
restrict Purchaser or any of its subsidiaries or any of their successors,
from engaging or competing in any line of business or in any geographic
area in any material respect, or (iii) terminate, cancel or amend
in any
material respect any material Contract other than in the usual and
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; provided
that
notwithstanding the foregoing, Target shall not enter into or amend
any
Contracts relating to matters disclosed in Section 5.1.4
of
the Target Disclosure Schedule without the prior approval of
Purchaser;
|
Β
Β |
5.1.6
|
other
than as is necessary to comply with applicable Laws or Contracts,
or in
accordance with any incentive or compensation arrangement in effect
on the
date hereof and contained in the Data Room, or as otherwise agreed
by
Purchaser, neither Target nor any of its subsidiaries (i) shall grant
to
any officer or director of Target or any of its subsidiaries an increase
in compensation in any form, (ii) grant any general salary increase,
(iii)
take any action with respect to the grant of any severance or termination
pay not in accordance with existing policies disclosed in the Data
Room,
(iv) enter into any employment agreement with any officer or director
of
Target or any of its subsidiaries, (v) increase any benefits payable
under
its current severance or termination pay policies, or (vi) adopt
or
materially amend or make any contribution to any Target plan or other
bonus, profit sharing, option, pension, retirement, deferred compensation,
insurance, incentive compensation, compensation or other similar
plan,
agreement, trust, fund or arrangement for the benefit of directors,
officers or employees or former directors, officers, employees of
Target
or any of its subsidiaries, except in clauses (i), (ii), (iv) and
(v) in
the usual and ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice;
|
Β
Β |
5.1.7
|
Target
shall not, and not permit any of subsidiaries to, make any loan,
advances
or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other person
other
than to wholly-owned subsidiaries or make any loans to any officer,
or
director of Target or any of its
subsidiaries;
|
Β
-40-
Β |
5.1.8
|
Target
shall not, and not permit any of subsidiaries to, waive, release,
assign,
settle or compromise (i) any material Legal Actions or any material
claim
or material Liability other than in the usual and ordinary course
of
business consistent with past practice, or (ii) any Legal Action
that is
brought by any current, former or purported holder of any securities
of
Target in its capacity as such and that (A) requires any payment
to such
security holders by Target or any subsidiary or (B) adversely affects
in
any material respect the ability of Target and the subsidiaries to
conduct
their business in a manner consistent with past practice;
and
|
Β
Β |
5.1.9
|
Target
shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the current
insurance (or re-insurance) policies maintained by Target or any
of its
subsidiaries, including directorsβ and officersβ insurance, not to be
cancelled or terminated or any of the coverage thereunder to lapse,
unless
simultaneously with such termination, cancellation or lapse, replacement
policies underwritten by insurance or re-insurance companies of nationally
recognized standing having comparable deductions and providing coverage
equal to or greater than the coverage under the cancelled, terminated
or
lapsed policies for substantially similar premiums are in full force
and
effect; provided that none of Target or any of its subsidiaries shall
obtain or renew any insurance (or re-insurance) policy for a term
exceeding 12 months.
|
Β
5.2
|
Covenants
of Target Regarding the
Arrangement
|
Β
Target
shall, and shall cause its subsidiaries to, perform all obligations required
or
desirable to be performed by Target or any of its subsidiaries under this
Agreement, cooperate with Purchaser in connection therewith, and do all such
other acts and things as maybe necessary or desirable in order to consummate
and
make effective, as soon as reasonably practicable, the transactions contemplated
in this Agreement and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Target
shall and, where appropriate, shall cause its subsidiaries to:
Β
Β |
5.2.1
|
subject
to the terms of this Agreement, (i) take all lawful action to solicit
proxies in favour of the Arrangement Resolution, (ii) recommend to
all
holders of Target Shares that they vote in favour of the Arrangement,
(iii)Β publicly reconfirm such recommendation upon the reasonable
request of Purchaser, and (iv)Β not
withdraw, modify, or qualify (or publicly propose to or publicly
state
that it intends to withdraw, modify or qualify) in any manner adverse
to
Purchaser such recommendation (any such action, a βChange
in Target Recommendationβ)
except as explicitly permitted in subparagraph 7.2.1
provided, however, that Target may (A) make such Change in Target
Recommendation if Targetβs board of directors, after consultation with
outside legal counsel, has determined that failure to take such action
would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable
Law and
(B) upon any such Change in Target Recommendation, may solicit votes
of
the Target shareholders consistent with such Change in Target
Recommendation;
|
Β
-41-
Β |
5.2.2
|
use
all commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all necessary waivers,
consents and approvals required to be obtained by Target or a subsidiary
in connection with the Arrangement from other parties to the Contracts.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, in connection
with obtaining any approval or consent from any person (other than
a
Governmental Entity) with respect to any transaction contemplated
by this
Agreement, (i) without the prior written consent of Purchaser which
shall
not be unreasonably withheld, none of Target or any of its subsidiaries
shall pay or commit to pay to such person whose approval or consent
is
being solicited any cash or other consideration, make any commitment
or
incur any liability or other obligation due to such person, and (ii)
none
of Purchaser or its respective affiliates shall be required to pay
or
commit to pay to such person whose approval or consent is being solicited
any cash or other consideration, make any commitment or to incur
any
liability or other obligation;
|
Β
Β |
5.2.3
|
use
its commercially reasonable efforts to effect all necessary registrations,
filings and submissions of information required by Governmental Entities
from Target or any of its subsidiaries relating to the
Arrangement;
|
Β
Β |
5.2.4
|
ensure
that the Target DSU Plan is terminated prior to the Effective Time,
in
accordance with the terms thereof, and that each Participant (as
defined
in the Target DSU Plan) receives the aggregate amount owing to such
Participant for all Target DSUs recorded in such Participantβs account at
such time, in accordance with sectionΒ 4.5 of the Target DSU
Plan;
|
Β
Β |
5.2.5
|
use
its commercially reasonable efforts to negotiate the prepayment or
amendment of the Convertible Debenture upon terms and conditions
satisfactory to Purchaser, failing which the Effective Time will
occur
after the maturity date of the Convertible
Debenture;
|
Β
Β |
5.2.6
|
take
all necessary steps reasonably required to ensure that, from and
after the
Effective Time, each Target Warrant outstanding immediately prior
to the
Effective Time shall be cancelled and, in consideration for such
cancellation, each holder thereof shall be issued by Purchaser one
Purchaser Warrant for each Target Warrant
cancelled;
|
Β
Β |
5.2.7
|
apply
for and use all commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all Regulatory
Approvals relating to Target or any of its subsidiaries which are
typically applied for by an acquirer and, in doing so, keep Purchaser
reasonably informed as to the status of the proceedings related to
obtaining the Regulatory Approvals, including providing Purchaser
with
copies of all related applications and notifications (other than
confidential information contained in such applications and
notifications), in draft form, in order for Purchaser to provide
its
comments thereon; and
|
Β
-42-
Β |
5.2.8
|
defend
all lawsuits or other legal, regulatory or other proceedings against
Target challenging or affecting this Agreement or the consummation
of the
transactions contemplated hereby.
|
Β
5.3
|
Pre-Acquisition
Reorganizations
|
Β
Target
agrees that, upon request by Purchaser, Target shall, and shall cause its
subsidiaries to, at the expense of Purchaser, use its commercially reasonable
efforts to (i)Β effect such reorganizations of its business, operations and
assets and the integration of other affiliated businesses as Purchaser may
request, acting reasonably (each a βPre-Acquisition Reorganizationβ) provided
that the Pre-Acquisition Reorganization is not prejudicial to Target, any of
its
subsidiaries or the holders of Target Shares and (ii) cooperate with Purchaser
and its advisors to determine the nature of the Pre-Acquisition Reorganizations
that might be undertaken and the manner in which they would most effectively
be
undertaken. Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that the Pre-Acquisition
Reorganizations shall (A) not delay or prevent consummation of the Arrangement
(including by giving rise to litigation by third parties) or (B) not be
considered in determining whether a representation or warranty of Target
hereunder has been breached, it being acknowledged by Purchaser that these
actions could require the consent of third parties under applicable Contracts.
Purchaser shall provide written notice to Target of any proposed Pre-Acquisition
Reorganization at least thirty days prior to the Effective Time. Upon receipt
of
such notice, Purchaser and Target shall, at the expense of Purchaser, work
cooperatively and use commercially reasonable efforts to prepare prior to the
Effective Time all documentation necessary and do such other acts and things
as
are necessary to give effect to such Pre-Acquisition Reorganizations. The
parties shall seek to have any such Pre-Acquisition Reorganization made
effective as of the last moment of the day ending immediately prior to the
Closing Date (but after Purchaser shall have waived or confirmed that all
conditions to Closing have been satisfied), in any event, shall not be a
condition to completion of the Arrangement. If the Arrangement is not
consummated, for any reason whatsoever, Purchaser will indemnify Target and
its
subsidiaries for any and all losses, costs and expenses (including legal fees
and disbursements) incurred in respect of any proposed Pre-Acquisition
Reorganization (including in respect of any reversal, modification or
termination of a Pre-Acquisition Reorganization).
Β
5.4
|
Covenants
of Purchaser Regarding the Conduct of
Business
|
Β
Purchaser
covenants and agrees that, during the period from the date of this Agreement
until the earlier of the Effective Time and the time that this Agreement is
terminated in accordance with its terms, except as provided in
SectionΒ 5.4
of the
Purchaser Disclosure Schedule, unless Target shall otherwise agree in writing
(to the extent that such consent is permitted by applicable Law), such agreement
not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed, or as is otherwise expressly
permitted or specifically contemplated by this Agreement or as is otherwise
required by applicable Law:
Β
Β |
5.4.1
|
the
business of Purchaser and its subsidiaries shall be conducted only,
and
Purchaser and its subsidiaries shall not take any action except,
in the
usual and ordinary course of business, and Purchaser shall use all
commercially
|
Β
-43-
reasonable
efforts to maintain and preserve its and its subsidiariesβ business
organization, assets, properties employees, goodwill and business
relationships;
Β
Β |
5.4.2
|
Purchaser
shall not, and shall not permit any of its subsidiaries to, directly
or
indirectly: (i) amend its articles, charter or by-laws or other comparable
organizational documents, (ii) declare, set aside or pay any dividend
or
other distribution or payment (whether in cash, shares or property)
in
respect of the Purchaser Shares owned by any person or the securities
of
any subsidiary owned by a person other than Purchaser other than,
in the
case of any subsidiary wholly-owned by Purchaser, any dividends payable
to
Purchaser or any other wholly-owned subsidiary of Purchaser, (iii)
adjust,
split, combine or reclassify its share capital, (iv) issue, grant,
sell or
pledge or agree to issue, grant, sell or pledge any shares of Purchaser
or
its subsidiaries, or securities convertible into or exchangeable
or
exercisable for, or otherwise evidencing a right to acquire, shares
of
Purchaser or its subsidiaries, other than (A) the issuance of Purchaser
Shares issuable pursuant to the terms of outstanding options, (B)
the
grant of Purchaser Options pursuant to the Purchaser Stock Option
Plan,
(C) transactions between two or more Purchaser wholly-owned subsidiaries
or between Purchaser and a Purchaser wholly-owned subsidiary, and
(D)
pursuant to pledge commitments contained in written agreements disclosed
in the Purchaserβs Disclosure Record, (v) redeem, purchase or otherwise
acquire or subject to a Lien any of its outstanding securities or
securities convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for any
such
securities, unless otherwise required by the terms of such securities
and
other than in transactions between two or more Purchaser wholly-owned
subsidiaries or between Purchaser and a Purchaser wholly-owned subsidiary,
(vi) amend or modify the terms of any of its securities, (vii) adopt
a
plan of liquidation or resolution providing for the liquidation or
dissolution of Purchaser or any of its subsidiaries, (viii) amend
its
accounting policies or adopt new accounting policies, in each case
except
as required in accordance with GAAP, (ix) make any material Tax election
or settle or compromise any material Tax liability, or (x) enter
into,
modify or terminate any Contract with respect to any of the foregoing;
and
provided in each of the foregoing cases, if such event would be reasonably
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the
Purchaser;
|
Β
Β |
5.4.3
|
Purchaser
shall promptly notify Target in writing of any circumstance or development
that, to the knowledge of Purchaser, is or would reasonably be expected
to
constitute a Material Adverse Effect on Purchaser or Target or any
change
in any material fact set forth in the Purchaserβs Public Disclosure Record
or in Purchaser Disclosure
Schedule;
|
Β
Β |
5.4.4
|
Purchaser
shall not, and shall not permit any of its subsidiaries to, directly
or
indirectly, except in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past
practice: (i) sell, pledge, lease, license, dispose of or encumber
any
assets (including the capital stock of any subsidiary) of Purchaser
or of
any
|
Β
-44-
subsidiary,
(ii) acquire (by merger, amalgamation, consolidation or acquisition of shares
or
assets or otherwise) any corporation, partnership or other business organization
or division thereof or any property or asset, or make any investment either
by
the purchase of securities, contributions of capital (other than to wholly-owned
subsidiaries), property transfer, or purchase of any property or assets of
any
other person, if any of the foregoing would be material to Purchaser and are
otherwise not in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice,
(iii) incur any Indebtedness or issue any debt securities or assume, guarantee,
endorse or otherwise as an accommodation become responsible for the obligations
of any other person, or make any loans or advances in excess of
$25Β million, except for refinancing of existing debt on substantially
market terms, and (iv) pay, discharge or satisfy any material claims,
liabilities or obligations other than the payment, discharge or satisfaction
of
liabilities reflected or reserved against in the Purchaser Financial Statements,
(v) waive, release, grant or transfer any rights of material value, (vi) enter
into a new line of business, or (vii) authorize or propose any of the foregoing,
or enter into or modify any Contract to do any of the foregoing; and provided
that in each of the foregoing cases, if such event would be reasonably expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Purchaser;
Β
Β |
5.4.5
|
Purchaser
shall not, and shall not permit any of its subsidiaries to, directly
or
indirectly, (i) enter into, or amend in any material respect, any
Contract
or series of Contracts resulting in a new Contract or series of related
new Contracts or modifications to an existing Contract or series
of
related existing Contracts outside of the ordinary course of business,
that would result in any Contract having a term in excess of 12 months
and
which is not terminable by Purchaser or its subsidiaries upon notice
of 90
days or less from the date of the relevant Contract or modification
of
Contract or impose payment or other obligations on Purchaser or any
of its
subsidiaries in excess of $50Β million, (ii) enter into any Contract
that would limit or otherwise restrict Purchaser or any of its
subsidiaries or any of their successors, or that would, after the
Effective Time, limit or otherwise restrict Purchaser or any of its
subsidiaries or any of their successors, from engaging or competing
in any
line of business or in any geographic area in any material respect,
or
(iii) terminate, cancel or amend in any material respect any material
Contract other than in the usual and ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice;
|
Β
Β |
5.4.6
|
other
than as is necessary to comply with applicable Laws or Contracts,
or in
accordance with any incentive or compensation arrangement in effect
on the
date hereof, neither Purchaser nor any of its subsidiaries (i) shall
grant
to any officer or director of Purchaser or any of its subsidiaries
an
increase in compensation in any form, (ii) grant any general salary
increase, (iii) take any action with respect to the grant of any
severance
or termination pay not in accordance with existing policies, (iv)
enter
into any employment agreement with any officer or director of Purchaser
or
any of its subsidiaries, (v) increase any benefits payable under
its
current severance or termination pay
policies,
|
Β
-45-
or
(vi)
adopt or materially amend or make any contribution to any Purchaser plan or
other bonus, profit sharing, option, pension, retirement, deferred compensation,
insurance, incentive compensation, compensation or other similar plan,
agreement, trust, fund or arrangement for the benefit of directors, officers
or
employees or former directors, officers, employees of Purchaser or any of its
subsidiaries, except in clauses (i), (ii), (iv) and (v) in the usual and
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;
Β
Β |
5.4.7
|
Purchaser
shall not, and not permit any of its subsidiaries to, make any loan,
advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other
person
other than to wholly-owned subsidiaries except in the ordinary course
of
business consistent with the past
practice;
|
Β
Β |
5.4.8
|
Purchaser
shall not, and not permit any of its subsidiaries to, waive, release,
assign, settle or compromise (i) any material Legal Actions or any
material claim or material Liability other than in the usual and
ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice, or (ii) any Legal
Action
that is brought by any current, former or purported holder of any
securities of Purchaser in its capacity as such and that (A) requires
any
payment to such security holders by Purchaser or any subsidiary or
(B)
adversely affects in any material respect the ability of Purchaser
and the
subsidiaries to conduct their business in a manner consistent with
past
practice; and
|
Β
Β |
5.4.9
|
Purchaser
shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the current
insurance (or re-insurance) policies maintained by Purchaser or any
of its
subsidiaries, including directorsβ and officersβ insurance, not to be
cancelled or terminated or any of the coverage thereunder to lapse,
unless
simultaneously with such termination, cancellation or lapse, replacement
policies underwritten by insurance or re-insurance companies of nationally
recognized standing having comparable deductions and providing coverage
equal to or greater than the coverage under the cancelled, terminated
or
lapsed policies for substantially similar premiums are in full force
and
effect; provided that none of Purchaser or any of its subsidiaries
shall
obtain or renew any insurance (or re-insurance) policy for a term
exceeding 12 months.
|
Β
5.5
|
Covenants
of Purchaser Regarding the Performance of
Obligations
|
Β
Purchaser
shall, and shall cause its subsidiaries to, perform all obligations required
or
desirable to be performed by Purchaser or any of Purchaserβs subsidiaries under
this Agreement, cooperate with Target in connection therewith, and do all such
other acts and things as may be necessary or desirable in order to consummate
and make effective, as soon as reasonably practicable, the transactions
contemplated in this Agreement and, without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, Purchaser shall and where appropriate shall cause its subsidiaries
to:
Β
Β |
5.5.1
|
apply
for and use all commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all Regulatory
Approvals relating to Purchaser or any of Purchaserβs subsidiaries and
relating
|
Β
-46-
to
Target
or any of Targetβs subsidiaries which are typically applied for by an acquirer
and, in doing so, keep Target reasonably informed as to the status of the
proceedings related to obtaining the Regulatory Approvals, including providing
Target with copies of all related applications and notifications in draft form
(other than confidential information contained in such applications and
notifications), in order for Target to provide its reasonable comments
thereon;
Β
Β |
5.5.2
|
take
all necessary steps reasonably required to ensure that, from and
after the
Effective Time, in consideration for the cancellation of each Target
Warrant outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, each
holder
thereof shall be issued by Purchaser one Purchaser Warrant for each
Target
Warrant cancelled;
|
Β
Β |
5.5.3
|
Purchaser
shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the approval of the
Toronto Stock Exchange for the listing of the Purchaser Warrants
to be
issued in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
such listing to be effective prior to or as of the time or issuance
of
such warrants pursuant to the
Agreement;
|
Β
Β |
5.5.4
|
Purchaser
shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the approval of the
relevant stock exchanges for the listing of the Purchaser Shares
to be
issued in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
such listings to be effective prior to or as of the time or issuance
of
such shares pursuant to the
Agreement;
|
Β
Β |
5.5.5
|
use
its commercially reasonable efforts to effect all necessary registrations,
filings and submissions of information required by Governmental Entities
from Target or any of its subsidiaries relating to the
Arrangement;
|
Β
Β |
5.5.6
|
defend
all lawsuits or other legal, regulatory or other proceedings against
Purchaser challenging or affecting this Agreement or the consummation
of
the transactions contemplated hereby;
|
Β
Β |
5.5.7
|
Purchaser
shall use all reasonable efforts to cause its Board of Directors
to pass
such resolutions and to take such other actions as may be required
in
order that, as of the Effective Time, two new directors, who will
be
directors of Target at such time as they are to be nominated or appointed,
will be nominated for election or appointed to the Board of Directors
of
Purchaser out of a total of twelve members, to the extent possible
without
calling a meeting of shareholders between the Effective Time and
Purchaserβs next annual meeting of shareholders, or otherwise through the
nomination for election of such persons at the next annual meeting
of
shareholders of Purchaser; and
|
Β
Β |
5.5.8
|
Purchaser
shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to retain the Target
employees upon completion of the Arrangement and to maintain a continued
presence in Longueuil and Val DβOr.
|
Β
-47-
Β
5.6
|
Mutual
Covenants
|
Β
Each
of
the Parties covenants and agrees that, except as contemplated in this Agreement,
during the period from the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the
Effective Time and the time that this Agreement is terminated in accordance
with
its terms:
Β
Β |
5.6.1
|
it
shall, and shall cause its subsidiaries to, use commercially reasonable
efforts to satisfy (or cause the satisfaction of) the conditions
precedent
to its obligations hereunder as set forth in Article
6
to
the extent the same is within its control and to take, or cause to
be
taken, all other action and to do, or cause to be done, all other
things
necessary, proper or advisable under all applicable Laws to consummate
the
Arrangement, including using its commercially reasonable efforts
to (i)
obtain all Regulatory Approvals required to be obtained by it, (ii)
effect
all necessary registrations, filings and submissions of information
requested by Governmental Entities required to be effected by it
in
connection with the Arrangement, (iii) oppose, lift or rescind any
injunction or restraining order against it or other order or action
against it seeking to stop, or otherwise adversely affecting its
ability
to make and complete, the Arrangement, and (iv) cooperate with the
other
Party in connection with the performance by it and its subsidiaries
of
their obligations hereunder. Subject to the terms and conditions
herein
provided, none of the Parties shall knowingly take or cause to be
taken
any action which would reasonably be expected to prevent or materially
delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby;
and
|
Β
Β |
5.6.2
|
it
shall not take any action, refrain from taking any commercially reasonable
action, or permit any action to be taken or not taken, which is
inconsistent with this Agreement or which would reasonably be expected
to
significantly impede the consummation of the Arrangement except as
permitted by this Agreement.
|
Β
ARTICLE
6
CONDITIONS
Β
6.1
|
Mutual
Condition Precedents
|
Β
The
obligations of the Parties to complete the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement are subject to the fulfillment, on or before the Effective Time,
of
each of the following conditions precedent, each of which may only be waived
by
the mutual consent of the Parties:
Β
Β |
6.1.1
|
the
Arrangement shall have been approved at the Target Meeting by not
less
than the Required Vote;
|
Β
Β |
6.1.2
|
the
Interim Order and the Final Order shall each have been obtained in
form
and on terms reasonably satisfactory to each of Target and Purchaser,
and
shall not have been set aside or modified in a manner unacceptable
to such
Parties, acting reasonably, on appeal or
otherwise;
|
Β
-48-
Β |
6.1.3
|
the
Articles of Arrangement have been filed with, and the appropriate
certificate has been issued by, the Enterprise
Registrar;
|
Β
Β |
6.1.4
|
all
Regulatory Approvals shall have been obtained or concluded or, in
the case
of waiting or suspensory periods, expired or been
terminated;
|
Β
Β |
6.1.5
|
the
Purchaser Shares issuable pursuant to the Arrangement shall have
been
conditionally approved for listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange
and the
New York Stock Exchange and Purchaser has not been advised that the
Purchaser Shares would not be approved for listing, subject to notice
of
issuance, by the New York Stock
Exchange;
|
Β
Β |
6.1.6
|
the
Purchaser Warrants issuable pursuant to the Arrangement shall have
been
conditionally approved for listing on the Toronto Stock
Exchange;
|
Β
Β |
6.1.7
|
no
Governmental Entity shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced
or
entered any Law (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) that
restrains, enjoins or otherwise prohibits consummation of the Arrangement
or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
and
|
Β
Β |
6.1.8
|
this
Agreement shall not have been terminated in accordance with its
terms.
|
Β
6.2
|
Additional
Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of
Purchaser
|
Β
The
obligations of Purchaser to complete the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement shall also be subject to the fulfillment of each of the following
conditions precedent (each of which is for Purchaserβs exclusive benefit and may
be waived by Purchaser, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time
prior to the Effective Time):
Β
Β |
6.2.1
|
all
covenants of Target under this Agreement to be performed on or before
the
Effective Time shall have been duly performed by Target in all material
respects, and Purchaser shall have received a certificate of Target
addressed to Purchaser and dated the Effective Time, signed on behalf
of
Target by two senior executive officers of Target (on Targetβs behalf and
without personal liability), confirming the same as at the Effective
Time;
|
Β
Β |
6.2.2
|
the
representations and warranties of Target set forth in this Agreement
shall
be true and correct in all respects, without regard to any materiality
or
Material Adverse Effect qualifications contained in them as of the
Effective Time, as though made on and as of the Effective Time (except
for
representations and warranties made as of a specified date, the accuracy
of which shall be determined as of that specified date), unless the
failure or failures of all such representations and warranties to
be so
true and correct in all respects would not reasonably be expected
to have
a Material Adverse Effect on Target. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the
representations and warranties set forth in paragraph 3.1.5
shall be true and correct in all material respects. Purchaser shall
have
received a certificate of Target addressed to Purchaser and dated
the
Effective Time, signed on behalf of Target by
two
|
Β
-49-
senior
executive officers of Target (on Targetβs behalf and without personal
liability), confirming the above as at the Effective Time; and
Β
Β |
6.2.3
|
between
the date hereof and the Effective Time there shall not have occurred
a
Material Adverse Effect with respect to
Target.
|
Β
6.3
|
Additional
Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of
Target
|
Β
The
obligations of Target to complete the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement shall also be subject to the following conditions precedent (each
of
which is for the exclusive benefit of Target and may be waived by Target, in
whole or in part, at any time and from time to time prior to the Effective
Time):
Β
Β |
6.3.1
|
all
covenants of Purchaser under this Agreement to be performed on or
before
the Effective Time shall have been duly performed by Purchaser in
all
material respects, and Target shall have received a certificate of
Purchaser addressed to Target and dated the Effective Time, signed
on
behalf of Purchaser by two senior executive officers of Purchaser
(on
Purchaserβs behalf and without personal liability), confirming the same as
of the Effective Time;
|
Β
Β |
6.3.2
|
the
representations and warranties of Purchaser set forth in this Agreement
shall be true and correct in all respects, without regard to any
materiality or Material Adverse Effect qualifications contained in
them,
as of the Effective Time, as though made on and as of the Effective
Time
(except for representations and warranties made as of a specified
date,
the accuracy of which shall be determined as of that specified date),
unless the failure or failures of all such representations and warranties
to be so true and correct in all respects would not reasonably be
expected
to have a Purchaser Material Adverse Effect. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the representations and warranties set forth in paragraph
4.1.5
shall be true and correct in all material respects. Target shall
have
received a certificate of Purchaser addressed to Target and dated
the
Effective Time, signed on behalf of Purchaser by two senior executive
officers of Purchaser (on Purchaserβs behalf and without personal
liability), confirming the above as of the Effective Time;
and
|
Β
Β |
6.3.3
|
between
the date hereof and the Effective Time there shall not have occurred
a
Material Adverse Effect with respect to
Purchaser.
|
Β
ARTICLE
7
ADDITIONAL
AGREEMENTS
Β
7.1
|
Notice
and Cure Provisions
|
Β
Β |
7.1.1
|
Each
Party will give prompt notice to the other of the occurrence, or
failure
to occur, at any time from the date hereof until the earlier to occur
of
the termination of this Agreement and the Effective Time of any event
or
state of facts which occurrence or failure would, or would be likely
to:
|
Β
-50-
Β
Β |
7.1.1.1
|
cause
any of the representations or warranties of either Party contained
herein
to be untrue or inaccurate in any material respect on the date
hereof or
at the Effective Time; or
|
Β
Β |
7.1.1.2
|
result
in the failure to comply with or satisfy any covenant, condition
or
agreement to be complied with or satisfied by either Party hereunder
prior
to the Effective Time.
|
Β
Β |
7.1.2
|
No
Party may elect not to complete the transactions contemplated hereby
pursuant to the conditions set forth herein or any termination right
arising therefrom and no payments are payable as a result of such
election
pursuant to Section 7.4
unless forthwith and in any event prior to the Effective Time, the
Party
intending to rely thereon has delivered a written notice to the other
Party specifying in reasonable detail all breaches of covenants,
representations and warranties or other matters which the Party delivering
such notice is asserting as the basis for the non-fulfillment or
the
applicable condition or termination right, as the case may be. If
any such
notice is delivered, provided that a Party is proceeding diligently
to
cure such matter and such matter is capable of being cured, no Party
may
terminate this Agreement until the expiration of a period of 15 business
days from such notice, and unless such matter has not been cured
by such
date. If such notice has been delivered prior to the date of the
Target
Meeting, such meeting shall, unless the Parties agree otherwise,
be
postponed or adjourned until the expiry of such period. If such notice
has
been delivered prior to the filing of the Articles of Arrangement
with the
Enterprise Registrar, such filing shall be postponed until two business
days after the expiry of such
period.
|
Β
Β |
7.1.3
|
Each
Party hereto shall promptly notify the other Party of (i) any
communication from any person alleging that the consent of such person
(or
another person) is or may be required in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement (and the response thereto from such
Party,
its subsidiaries or its representatives), (ii) any material communication
from any Governmental Entity in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement (and the response thereto from such
Party,
its subsidiaries or its representatives), and (iii) any material
Legal
Actions threatened or commenced against or otherwise affecting such
Party
or any of its subsidiaries that are related to the transactions
contemplated by the Agreement.
|
Β
7.2
|
Non-Solicitation
|
Β
Β |
7.2.1
|
Except
as otherwise provided in Article
7,
Target shall not, directly or indirectly, through any officer, director,
employee, representative or agent of Target or any of its subsidiaries,
(i) participate in any substantive discussions or negotiations with
any
person (other than Purchaser and its affiliates) regarding an Acquisition
Proposal, (ii) make a Change in Target Recommendation, (iii) approve,
endorse or recommend, or propose publicly to approve, endorse or
recommend, any Acquisition Proposal, or (iv) accept
or
|
Β
-51-
enter
into any agreement, understanding, arrangement or Contract in respect of an
Acquisition Proposal (other than a confidentiality agreement permitted by
paragraph 7.2.4);
provided, however, that prior to the date the Required Vote is obtained, nothing
contained in this Agreement shall prevent (subject to compliance with the other
provisions of this Article
7)
the
Board of Directors of Target from (i) engaging in discussions or negotiations
or
furnishing information (ii) making a Change in Target Recommendation (iii)
approving, endorsing or recommending or proposing publicly to approve, endorse
or recommend an Acquisition Proposal or (iv) entering into an agreement in
connection with an unsolicited, written Acquisition Proposal:
Β
Β |
7.2.1.1
|
that
did not result from a breach of this Section 7.2;
and
|
Β
Β |
7.2.1.2
|
in
respect of which the Board of Directors of Target determines in good
faith
after consultation with the Financial Advisor and Targetβs outside counsel
that the Acquisition Proposal would be reasonably likely to lead
to a
Superior Proposal;
|
Β
βSuperior
Proposalβ
shall
mean any unsolicited written Acquisition Proposal which the Board of Directors
of Target determines, in its good faith judgment, after receiving the advice
of
Financial Advisors and after taking into account all the terms and conditions
of
the Acquisition Proposal, is on terms and conditions more favourable to the
Target Shareholders than those contemplated by this Agreement (including any
alterations to this Agreement agreed to in writing by Purchaser in response
thereto in accordance with Section 7.3).
Β
Β |
7.2.2
|
Target
shall, and shall cause the officers, directors, employees, representatives
and agents of Target and its subsidiaries to, immediately terminate
any
existing solicitations, discussions or negotiations with any person
(other
than Purchaser) that has made, indicated any interest to make an
Acquisition Proposal. Target shall promptly request the return or
destruction of all information provided to any third party which,
at any
time since JanuaryΒ 1,Β 2005, has entered into a confidentiality
agreement with Target relating to a potential Acquisition Proposal
to the
extent that such information has not previously been returned or
destroyed, and shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to ensure
that such requests are honoured in accordance with the terms of such
agreement.
|
Β
Β |
7.2.3
|
Target
shall promptly notify Purchaser, at first orally and thereafter in
writing, of any Acquisition Proposal or inquiry received after the
date
hereof (whether or not relating to any Acquisition Proposal or inquiry
received prior to the date hereof) that could reasonably be expected
to
lead to an Acquisition Proposal, in each case received after the
date
hereof, of which any of its directors or, officers are or become
aware, or
any amendments to the foregoing, or any request for non-public information
relating to Target or any of its subsidiaries in connection with
an
Acquisition Proposal or for access to the properties, books or records
of
Target or any of its subsidiaries by any person that informs Target
or
such subsidiary that it is considering making,
or
|
Β
-52-
has
made,
an Acquisition Proposal and any amendment thereto and a description of the
material terms and conditions of any such Acquisition Proposal or inquiry.
Target shall keep Purchaser informed of any change to the material terms of
any
such Acquisition Proposal or inquiry.
Β
Β |
7.2.4
|
If
Target receives a request for material non-public information from
a
person who proposes an unsolicited Acquisition Proposal where Target
is
not in breach of paragraph 7.2.1
and the Board of Directors of Target determines in good faith after
consultation with Financial Advisors and its outside counsel that
such
proposal would be reasonably likely to lead to a Superior Proposal,
then,
and only in such case, the Board of Directors of Target may, subject
to
the execution by such person of a confidentiality agreement having
terms
not less favourable to Target than the Confidentiality Agreement,
provide
such person with access in accordance with paragraph 7.2.1
to
information regarding Target, provided that Purchaser is promptly
provided
with a list and copies of all information provided to such person
not
previously provided to Purchaser and is promptly provided with access
to
information similar to that which was provided to such
person.
|
Β
Β |
7.2.5
|
Nothing
contained in this Section 7.2
shall prohibit the Board of Directors of Target from making any disclosure
to Targetβs Shareholders prior to the Effective Time if, in the good faith
judgment of the Board of Directors of Target, after consultation
with
outside counsel, such disclosure is necessary for the Board of Directors
to act in a manner consistent with its fiduciary duties or is otherwise
required under applicable Law, including its obligations under Rule
14e-2
under the Exchange Act or from responding through a directorβs circular or
otherwise as required by applicable Securities Laws to an Acquisition
Proposal or from calling and holding a meeting of the Target Shareholders
requisitioned by such shareholders pursuant to the QCA or ordered
to be
held by a court under the QCA.
|
Β
7.3
|
Right
to Match
|
Β
Β |
7.3.1
|
Subject
to paragraph 7.3.2,
Target covenants that it will not accept, approve, recommend or enter
into
any agreement, understanding, arrangement or Contract in respect
of a
Superior Proposal (other than a confidentiality agreement permitted
by
paragraph 7.2.4)
unless:
|
Β
Β |
7.3.1.1
|
Target
has complied with its obligations under Section 7.2
and the other provisions of this Article
7
and has provided Purchaser with a copy of the Superior Proposal;
and
|
Β
Β |
7.3.1.2
|
a
period (the βResponse
Periodβ)
of three business days shall have elapsed from the date on which
Purchaser
received written notice from the Board of Directors of Target that
the
Board of Directors of Target determined, subject only to compliance
with
this Section 7.3,
to accept, approve, recommend or enter into a
binding
|
Β
-53-
agreement
to proceed with the Superior Proposal. In the event that Target provides
Purchaser with the notice contemplated in this Section on a date that is less
than three business days prior to the Target Meeting, Target shall be entitled
to adjourn the Target Meeting to a date that is not more than three business
days after the date of such notice.
Β
Β |
7.3.2
|
During
the Response Period, Purchaser will have the right, but not the
obligation, to offer to amend the terms of this Agreement. The Board
of
Directors of Target will review any such proposal by Purchaser to
amend
the terms of this Agreement, including an increase in, or modification
of,
the consideration to be received by the holders of Target Shares,
to
determine whether the Acquisition Proposal to which Purchaser is
responding would be a Superior Proposal when assessed against the
Arrangement as it is proposed by Purchaser to be amended. If the
Board of
Directors of Target determines that the Acquisition Proposal would
no
longer be a Superior Proposal if the Arrangement was so amended and
Purchaser enters into an amendment to this Agreement incorporating
the
terms of the amended offer, the Board of Directors of Target will
promptly
publicly reaffirm its recommendation of the Arrangement. If the Board
of
Directors of Target determines that the Acquisition Proposal remains
a
Superior Proposal, Target may approve, recommend, accept or enter
into an
agreement, understanding or arrangement to proceed with the Superior
Proposal.
|
Β
Β |
7.3.3
|
Each
successive amendment to any Acquisition Proposal that results in
an
increase in, or modification of, the consideration (or value of such
consideration) to be received by the holders of Target Shares shall
constitute a new Acquisition Proposal for the purposes of this Section
7.3
and Purchaser shall be afforded a new Response Period in respect
of each
such Acquisition Proposal.
|
Β
7.4
|
Agreement
as to Termination
Fee
|
Β
Β |
7.4.1
|
Notwithstanding
any other provision relating to the payment of fees or expenses,
including
the payment of brokerage fees, Target shall pay, or cause to be paid,
to
Purchaser by wire transfer of immediately available funds an amount
equal
to $45Β million (the βTermination
Feeβ)
less any amounts actually paid by Target to Purchaser pursuant to
Section
7.4.3,
if any of the following events
occurs:
|
Β
Β |
7.4.1.1
|
if
Purchaser shall have terminated this Agreement pursuant to subparagraph
8.2.2.1,
in which case payment shall be made within two business days of such
termination;
|
Β
Β |
7.4.1.2
|
if
Target shall have terminated this Agreement pursuant to subparagraph
8.2.3.1,
in which case payment shall be made
before
|
Β
-54-
or
concurrently with such termination and shall be a condition to the effectiveness
of such termination;
Β
Β |
7.4.1.3
|
if
(A) after the date hereof and before the Target Meeting, an Acquisition
Proposal shall have been made or proposed to Target or otherwise
publicly
announced, or a person has publicly announced an intention to do
so (which
has not been withdrawn) and (B) this Agreement is terminated by either
Purchaser or Target pursuant to subparagraph 8.2.1.1
or
subparagraph 8.2.1.2
or
by Purchaser pursuant to subparagraph 8.2.2.2
and (C) during the period commencing on the date hereof and ending
six
months following the termination of this Agreement (x) an Acquisition
Proposal is consummated, or (y) the Board of Directors approves or
recommends an Acquisition Proposal, or the Target enters into a definitive
agreement with respect to an Acquisition Proposal, and that Acquisition
Proposal is subsequently consummated at any time thereafter (whether
or
not during the aforementioned period ending six months following
the
termination of this Agreement), in which case payment shall be made
within
two business days of the date on which Target consummates such Acquisition
Proposal.
|
Β
Β |
7.4.2
|
In
no event shall Target be required to pay under paragraph 7.4,
in the aggregate, an amount in excess of the Termination
Fee.
|
Β
Β |
7.4.3
|
Subject
to subparagraph 7.4.2
and notwithstanding Section 7.5,
Target shall pay, or cause to be paid, to Purchaser by wire transfer
of
immediately available funds, the reasonable documented expenses of
Purchaser and its affiliates incurred in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby not to exceed $2Β million if Purchaser shall have
terminated this Agreement pursuant to subparagraph 8.2.2.2.
Such payment is made subject to any other Purchaserβs rights in case of a
wilful breach by Target of its covenants
hereunder.
|
Β
Β |
7.4.4
|
Notwithstanding
Section 7.5,
Purchaser shall pay, or cause to be paid, to Target by wire transfer
of
immediately available funds, the reasonable documented expenses of
Target
and its affiliates incurred in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby not to exceed $2Β million if Target shall have
terminated this Agreement pursuant to subparagraph 8.2.3.2.
Such payment is made subject to any other Targetβs rights in case of a
wilful breach by Purchaser of its covenants
hereunder.
|
Β
7.5
|
Fees
and Expenses
|
Β
Except
as
provided in Section 7.4,
each
Party shall pay all fees, costs and expenses incurred by such Party in
connection with this Agreement and the Arrangement.
Β
-55-
Β
7.6
|
Access
to Information;
Confidentiality
|
Β
From
the
date hereof until the earlier of the Effective Time and the termination of
this
Agreement, subject to compliance with applicable Law and the terms of any
existing Contracts, Target shall, and shall cause its subsidiaries and their
respective officers, directors, employees, independent auditors, accounting
advisers and agents to, afford to Purchaser and to the officers, employees,
agents and representatives of Purchaser such access as Purchaser may reasonably
require at all reasonable times, including for the purpose of facilitating
integration business planning, to their officers, employees, agents, properties,
books, records and Contracts, and shall furnish Purchaser with all data and
information as Purchaser may reasonably request. Purchaser and Target
acknowledge and agree that information furnished pursuant to this Section shall
be subject to the terms and conditions of the Confidentiality
Agreement.
Β
7.7
|
Insurance
and Indemnification
|
Β
Β |
7.7.1
|
Purchaser
will, or will cause Target and its subsidiaries to, maintain in effect
without any reduction in scope or coverage for six years from the
Effective Time customary policies of directorsβ and officersβ liability
insurance providing protection comparable to the protection provided
by
the policies maintained by Target and its subsidiaries which are
in effect
immediately prior to the Effective Time and providing protection
in
respect of claims arising from facts or events which occurred on
or prior
to the Effective Time; provided, however that prior to the Effective
Time
Target may, in the alternative, purchase run off directorsβ and officersβ
liability insurance for a period of up to six years from the Effective
Time.
|
Β
Β |
7.7.2
|
Purchaser
agrees that it shall directly honour all rights to indemnification
or
exculpation now existing in favour of present and former officers
and
directors of Target and its subsidiaries, which shall survive the
completion of the Arrangement and shall continue in full force and
effect
for a period of not less than six years from the Effective
Time.
|
Β
Β |
7.7.3
|
The
provisions of this Section 7.7
are intended for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, each
insured
or indemnified person, his or her heirs and his or her legal
representatives and, for such purpose, Target hereby confirms that
it is
acting as agent and trustee on their
behalf.
|
Β
Β |
7.7.4
|
Purchaser
will, or will cause Target and its subsidiaries to, release and discharge
all present directors of Target and its subsidiaries from any and
all
possible claims against them arising from any act, matter or thing
arising
at or prior to the Effective Date.
|
Β
7.8
|
Exchange
De-Listing
|
Β
Purchaser
and Target shall use their reasonable commercial efforts to cause the Target
Shares to be de-listed from the Exchanges and de-registered under the Exchange
Act promptly following the Effective Time.
Β
-56-
Β
7.9
|
Takeover
Statutes
|
Β
If
any
takeover statute is or becomes applicable to this Agreement, the Arrangement
or
the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, each of Purchaser and
Target and their respective boards of directors shall (i) take all necessary
action to ensure that such transactions may be consummated as promptly as
practicable upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this
Agreement and (ii) otherwise act to eliminate or minimize the effects of such
takeover statute.
Β
7.10
|
Matters
|
Β
During
the period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time, Target and
its
subsidiaries shall:
Β
Β |
7.10.1
|
prepare
and timely file all material Tax Returns required to be filed by
them on
or before the Effective Time (βPost-Signing
Returnsβ)
in a manner consistent, in all material respects, with past practice,
except as otherwise required by applicable
Laws;
|
Β
Β |
7.10.2
|
fully,
and in a timely manner, pay all Taxes due and payable in respect
of such
Post-Signing Returns that are so filed;
and
|
Β
Β |
7.10.3
|
properly
reserve (and reflect such reserve in their books and records and
financial
statements) for all Taxes payable by them for which no Post-Signing
Return
is due prior to the Effective Time in a manner consistent with past
practice.
|
Β
7.11
|
Rights
Plan
|
Β
Target
shall take all required steps to cause the Target Shareholder Rights Plan to
terminate upon the Effective Time, without payment of any amounts to any holders
thereunder. Prior to the earlier of (i) the Effective Time and (ii) the
termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 8.2,
Target
shall not terminate, waive any provision of, exempt any person from or amend
the
terms of the Target Shareholder Rights Plan (or redeem the Rights) except as
provided herein. In the event any person requests that the applicable Securities
Authorities invalidate the Target Shareholder Rights Plan, Target shall oppose
any such application.
Β
7.12
|
Resignations
|
Β
Subject
to confirmation that insurance coverage is maintained as contemplated by Section
7.7,
Target
shall obtain and deliver to Purchaser at the Effective Time evidence reasonably
satisfactory to Purchaser of the resignation effective as of the Effective
Time,
of those directors of Target designated by Purchaser to Target in writing at
least five calendar days prior to the Effective Time.
Β
-57-
Article
8
TERM,
TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
Β
8.1
|
Term
|
Β
This
Agreement shall be effective from the date hereof until the earlier of the
Effective Time and the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its
terms.
Β
8.2
|
Termination
|
Β
Β |
8.2.1
|
Termination
By Either Purchaser or Target.
This Agreement may be terminated by either Purchaser or Target at
any time
prior to the Effective Time:
|
Β
Β |
8.2.1.1
|
on
or after the Outside Date, if the Effective Time has not occurred
on or
prior to the Outside Date, except that the right to terminate this
Agreement under this subparagraph 8.2.1.1
shall not be available to any Party to this Agreement whose failure
to
fulfill any of its obligations has been a principal cause of, or
resulted
in, the failure of the Effective Time to occur by such
date;
|
Β
Β |
8.2.1.2
|
if
the Required Vote is not obtained at the Target Meeting (or any
adjournment or postponement thereof);
or
|
Β
Β |
8.2.1.3
|
if
any Law makes the consummation of the Arrangement or the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement illegal or otherwise prohibited, and
such
Law has become final and non
appealable.
|
Β
Β |
8.2.2
|
Termination
By Purchaser.
This Agreement may be terminated by Purchaser at any time prior to
the
Effective Time:
|
Β
Β |
8.2.2.1
|
if
(i) there is a Change in Target Recommendation, (ii) the Board of
Directors of Target shall have approved or recommended an Acquisition
Proposal, (iii) Target shall have entered into a binding written
agreement
in respect of an Acquisition Proposal (other than a confidentiality
agreement permitted by paragraph 7.2.4),
or (iv) except as contemplated by Section 7.3,
Target or the Board of Directors of Target publicly announces its
intention to do any of the foregoing;
or
|
Β
Β |
8.2.2.2
|
subject
to compliance with Section 7.1,
if Purchaser is not in material breach of its obligations under this
Agreement and Target breaches any of its representations, warranties,
covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement, which breach
would
give rise to the failure of a condition set forth in paragraph
6.2.1
or
paragraph 6.2.2.
|
Β
-58-
Β |
8.2.3
|
Termination
By Target.
This Agreement may be terminated by Target at any time prior to
the Effective Time:
|
Β
Β |
8.2.3.1
|
if
the Board of Directors of Target approves, and authorizes Target
to enter
into, an agreement providing for the implementation of a Superior
Proposal, but only so long as:
|
Β
Β |
(a)
|
the
Required Vote has not yet been
obtained;
|
Β
Β |
(b)
|
Target
has not breached any of its obligations under Section 7.2
or
Section 7.3
with respect to the Superior Proposal or any proposal by the person
making
such Superior Proposal;
|
Β
Β |
(c)
|
the
Board of Directors of Target has determined in good faith, after
consultation with the Financial Advisor, that such definitive agreement
constitutes a Superior Proposal;
|
Β
Β |
(d)
|
Target
pays to Purchaser the Termination Fee in accordance with Section
7.4
simultaneously with such termination (any purported termination pursuant
to this subparagraph 8.2.3.1
being void and of no force or effect unless Target shall have made
such
payment); or
|
Β
Β |
8.2.3.2
|
subject
to compliance with Section 7.1,
if Target is not in material breach of its obligations under this
Agreement and Purchaser breaches any of its representations, warranties,
covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement, which breach
would
give rise to the failure of a condition set forth in paragraph
6.3.1
or
paragraph 6.3.2.
|
Β
Β |
8.2.4
|
Effect
of Termination.
If this Agreement is terminated in accordance with the foregoing
provisions of this Section, this Agreement shall forthwith become
void and
of no further force or effect and no Party shall have any further
obligations hereunder except as provided in Sections 7.4,
7.5,
7.7
and this paragraph 8.2.4
and the Confidentiality Agreement and as otherwise expressly contemplated
hereby, and provided that neither the termination of this Agreement
nor
anything
contained in Section 7.4
or
this Section 8.2
shall relieve any Party from any liability for any wilful breach
by it of
this Agreement.
|
Β
8.3
|
Amendment
|
Β
This
Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement may, at any time and from time to time
before or after the holding of the Target Meeting but not later than the
Effective Time, be amended by mutual written agreement of the Parties, and
any
such amendment may, subject to the Interim Order and Final Order and applicable
Laws, without limitation:
Β
-59-
Β
Β |
8.3.1
|
change the time for performance of any of the obligations or acts of the Parties; |
Β
Β |
8.3.2
|
waive
any inaccuracies or modify any representation or warranty contained
herein
or in any document delivered pursuant
hereto;
|
Β
Β |
8.3.3
|
waive
compliance with or modify any of the covenants herein contained and
waive
or modify performance of any of the obligations of the Parties;
and/or
|
Β
Β |
8.3.4
|
waive
compliance with or modify any conditions precedent herein
contained;
|
Β
provided
that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the terms of this Agreement shall not,
after the Target meeting, be amended in a manner materially prejudicial to
the
Target Shareholders without the approval of the Target Shareholders given in
the
same manner as required by Law for the approval of the Arrangement or as may
be
ordered by the Court.
Β
8.4
|
Waiver
|
Β
Any
Party
may (i) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or acts
of
the other Party, (ii) waive compliance, except as provided herein, with any
of
the other Partyβs agreements or the fulfillment of any conditions to its own
obligations contained herein, or (iii) waive inaccuracies in any of the other
Partyβs representations or warranties contained herein or in any document
delivered by the other Party; provided, however that any such extension or
waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed
on
behalf of such Party and, unless otherwise provided in the written waiver,
will
be limited to the specific breach or condition waived.
Β
ARTICLE
9
GENERAL
PROVISIONS
Β
9.1
|
Notices
|
Β
All
notices and other communications given or made pursuant hereto shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made as of the date
delivered or sent if delivered personally or sent by facsimile ore-mail
transmission, or as of the following business day if sent by prepaid overnight
courier, to the Parties at the following addresses (or at such other addresses
as shall be specified by either Party by notice to the other given in accordance
with these provisions):
Β
-60-
if
to
Purchaser:
Β
IAMGOLD
Corporation
000
Xxx
Xxxxxx
0xx
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx
X0X
0X0
Β
Attention:Β President
and Chief Executive Officer
Facsimile:Β 416
360-4750
E-mail:Β xxxxxxx@xxxxxxx.xxx
Β
with
a
copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
Β
Stikeman
Elliott LLP
0000
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxx
000
Xxx
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx
X0X
0X0
Β
Attention:Β Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxx
Facsimile:Β 000
000-0000
Β
if
to
Target:
Β
Cambior
Inc.
0000,
xxx
Xxxxx-Xxxxxxx Ouest
Tour
Est,
bureau 750
Longueuil,
Xxxxx
J4K
5G4
Β
Attention:Β President
and Chief Executive Officer
Facsimile:Β 000
000-0000
E-mail:Β xxxxx_xxxxxx@xxxxxxx.xxx
Β
with
a
copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
Β
XxXxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx LLP
0000
Xx
Xx Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxx X0X 0X0
Β
Attention:
Xxxxxxxx X. Silver
Β
Telephone:Β 000
000-0000
Facsimile:Β 000
000-0000
E-Mail:Β xxxxxxx@xxxxxxxx.xx
Β
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Β
9.2
|
Governing
Law; Waiver of Jury
Trial
|
Β
This
Agreement shall be governed, including as to validity, interpretation and
effect, by the laws of the Province of QuΓ©bec and the laws of Canada applicable
therein. Each of the Parties hereby irrevocably attorns to the non-exclusive
jurisdiction of the Courts of the Province of QuΓ©bec in respect of all matters
arising under and in relation to this Agreement and the Arrangement.
Β
9.3
|
Injunctive
Relief
|
Β
The
Parties agree that irreparable harm would occur in the event that any of the
provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their
specific terms or were otherwise breached for which money damages would not
be
an adequate remedy at law. It is accordingly agreed that the Parties shall
be
entitled to an injunction or injunctions and other equitable relief to prevent
breaches of this Agreement, any requirement for the securing or posting of
any
bond in connection with the obtaining of any such injunctive or other equitable
relief hereby being waived.
Β
9.4
|
Time
of Essence
|
Β
Time
shall be of the essence in this Agreement.
Β
9.5
|
Entire
Agreement, Binding Effect and
Assignment
|
Β
Purchaser
may assign all or any part of its rights under this Agreement to, and its
obligations under this Agreement may be assumed by a subsidiary or affiliate
of
Purchaser, provided that if such assignment and/or assumption takes place,
Purchaser shall continue to be liable jointly and severally with such subsidiary
or affiliate, as the case may be, for all of its obligations hereunder. This
Agreement shall be binding on and shall enure to the benefit of the Parties
and
their respective successors and permitted assigns.
Β
This
Agreement (including the exhibits and schedules hereto), and the Confidentiality
Agreement constitute the entire agreement, and supersede all other prior
agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the Parties,
or
any of them, with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, including
the Original Acquisition Agreement. Except as expressly permitted by the terms
hereof, neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations
hereunder may be assigned by either of the Parties without the prior written
consent of the other Party.
Β
9.6
|
Severability
|
Β
If
any
term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable
of
being enforced by any rule or Law or public policy, all other conditions and
provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect
so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated
hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any Party. Upon
such
determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable
of being enforced, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this
Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Panics as closely as
possible in an acceptable manner to the end that the transactions contemplated
hereby are fulfilled to the fullest extent possible.
Β
-62-
Β
9.7
|
No
Third Party
Beneficiaries
|
Β
Except
as
provided in Section 7.7,
and
except for (i) the rights of the Target Shareholders and holders of Target
Options to receive the consideration for their Target Shares or Target Options
following the Effective Time pursuant to the Arrangement and (ii) the right
of
Target, on behalf of the Target Shareholders, to pursue damages following a
termination of this Agreement for Purchaserβs breach of any representation and
warranty, covenant or agreement set forth in this Agreement or fraud, which
rights are hereby acknowledged and agreed by Purchaser, this Agreement is not
intended to confer any rights or remedies upon any person other than the Parties
to this Agreement.
Β
9.8
|
Rules
of Construction
|
Β
The
Parties to this Agreement have been represented by counsel during the
negotiation and execution of this Agreement and waive the application of any
Laws or rule of construction providing that ambiguities in any agreement or
other document shall be construed against the Party drafting such agreement
or
other document.
Β
9.9
|
Counterparts,
Execution
|
Β
This
Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall
be
deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and
the
same instrument. The Parties shall be entitled to rely upon delivery of an
executed facsimile or similar executed electronic copy of this Agreement, and
such facsimile or similar executed electronic copy shall be legally effective
to
create a valid and binding agreement between the Parties.
Β
9.10
|
Confidentiality
and Prohibited Trading
|
Β
If
and to
the extent a Party provides information to the other Party in conjunction with
any communication required or contemplated hereunder including, without
limitation, for purposes of any notice, request for consent, obtaining
Regulatory Approvals co-operation generally or responding to rights of access,
and which has neither been previously disclosed in Targetβs Public Disclosure
Record or Purchaserβs Public Disclosure Record, as applicable, nor otherwise
comprises part of the pubic domain, such other Party shall receive, keep and
maintain such information in the strictest confidence and shall not disclose
the
same to any third party, except for legal and other advisors who similarly
agree
to comply with the terms of this covenant, except as otherwise required by
law.
The Parties will not trade in the securities of each other, or of any publicly
traded entity to which such confidential information relates, and will take
all
commercially reasonable steps to prevent any director, officer or employee
with
access to such confidential information from so trading, all of the foregoing
as
required by applicable Law.
Β
[Signature
Page Follows]
-63-
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF Purchaser and Target have caused this Agreement to be executed
as of the date first written above by their respective officers thereunto duly
authorized.
Β
IAMGOLD
CORPORATION
By:Β (s)Β Xxxxxx
X. XxxxxxΒ Β Β Β Β Β
Name:Β Xxxxxx
X.
Xxxxxx
Title:Β President
& CEO
By:Β (s)Β Xxxxx
X.
XxxxxxxxΒ Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β
Name:Β Xxxxx
X.
Xxxxxxxx
Title:Β VP,
Corporate Affairs &
Corporate
Secretary
CAMBIOR
INC.
By:Β (s)Β Xxx
XxxxxxxxΒ Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β
Name:Β Xxx
Xxxxxxxx
Title:Β Chairman
of the Board
By:Β (s)Β Xxxx
XxxxxxxxΒ Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β
Name:Β Xxxx
Xxxxxxxx
Title:Β VP,
Legal
Affairs
Β
Β
-64-