BRAZALTA RESOURCES CORP. (“BrazAlta”) - and - BCH LTD. (the “Corporation”) - and - ALLIS-CHALMERS ENERGY INC. (“Allis-Chalmers”) OPTION TO PURCHASE AND GOVERNANCE AGREEMENT January 31, 2008
Exhibit 10.2
Execution Copy
BRAZALTA RESOURCES CORP.
(“BrazAlta”)
(“BrazAlta”)
- and -
BCH LTD.
(the “Corporation”)
(the “Corporation”)
- and -
XXXXX-XXXXXXXX ENERGY INC.
(“Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx”)
(“Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx”)
January 31, 2008
This document and the rights and obligations evidenced hereby are subordinate in the
manner and to the extent set forth in that certain Subordination Agreement (the
“Subordination Agreement”) dated as of January 31, 2008 among XXXXX-XXXXXXXX ENERGY INC.
(the “Subordinated Creditor”), STANDARD BANK PLC, as the Senior Agent for the Senior
Creditors identified therein (the “Senior Agent”) and acknowledged by BCH LTD, a corporation
organized and existing under the laws of the Province of Alberta, Canada (“BCH”) and BCH
ENERGY DO BRASIL SERVIÇOS DE PETRÓLEO LTDA., a company organized and existing under the laws
of Brazil (“BCH Brazil”, and together with BCH, collectively, the “Obligors”), and BRAZALTA
RESOURCES CORP., to all amounts (including principal, interest and fees) owed by the
Obligors pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of June 26, 2007, among the
Obligors, the Senior Agent and the Senior Creditors, as such Credit Agreement (subject to
the terms of the Subordination Agreement) has been and hereafter may be amended,
supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time; and each holder of this
document, by its acceptance hereof, irrevocably agrees to be bound by the provisions of the
Subordination Agreement. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the lien and
security interest, if any, granted pursuant to this document and the exercise of any right
or remedy by the grantee hereunder are subject to the provisions of the Subordination
Agreement. In the event of any conflict between the terms of the Subordination Agreement
and this document, the terms of the Subordination Agreement shall govern and control.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||
Article I — Interpretation |
4 | |||
1.1 Definitions |
4 | |||
1.2 General Interpretation Provisions |
9 | |||
1.3 Headings |
10 | |||
1.4 Schedules |
10 | |||
Article II — Option to Purchase |
10 | |||
2.1 Option to Purchase |
10 | |||
2.2 Purchase of ESOP Options and ESOP Shares |
11 | |||
2.3 Purchase of Standard Bank Warrant and Standard Bank Shares |
11 | |||
Article III — Due Diligence |
12 | |||
3.1 Due Diligence Right |
12 | |||
3.2 Conduct of Due Diligence |
12 | |||
3.3 Disclosure |
12 | |||
Article IV — Closing |
12 | |||
4.1 Closing Date |
12 | |||
4.2 Closing Documents |
12 | |||
4.3 Closing Conditions |
13 | |||
Article V — Board of Directors |
14 | |||
5.1 Board of Directors |
14 | |||
5.2 Directors’ Meetings |
15 | |||
Article VI — Fundamental Changes |
15 | |||
6.1 No Action |
15 | |||
Article VII — Restrictions On Transfer |
16 | |||
7.1 Restrictions on Transfer by BrazAlta |
16 | |||
7.2 Restrictions on Transfer by the holders of ESOP Options and ESOP Shares |
16 | |||
Article VIII — Third Party Offers |
16 | |||
8.1 Third Party Offer |
16 | |||
8.2 Issuance of Purchase Notice Upon Receipt of Third Party Offer Notice |
17 | |||
8.3 Tag Along |
17 | |||
8.4 Timing |
17 | |||
8.5 No Sale by Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx |
17 | |||
Article IX — Distributions |
18 | |||
9.1 Cash Distributions |
18 | |||
9.2 Statements |
18 | |||
9.3 Form of Distributions |
18 | |||
9.4 Limitations on Distributions |
18 | |||
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Page | ||||
Article X — Additional Equity |
19 | |||
10.1 Additional Equity Issuances |
19 | |||
10.2 Third-Party Equity Financings |
19 | |||
Article XI — Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation |
19 | |||
11.1 Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation |
19 | |||
11.2 Territorial Limits |
20 | |||
11.3 Injunction |
20 | |||
11.4 Co-Operation and Exceptions |
20 | |||
Article XII — Confidentiality |
21 | |||
12.1 Confidentiality |
21 | |||
12.2 Survival |
22 | |||
12.3 Injunctive Relief |
22 | |||
Article XIII — Areas Of Interest Of The Parties |
23 | |||
13.1 Corporation’s Area of Interest |
23 | |||
13.2 Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx Area of Interest |
23 | |||
Article XIV — Representations, Warranties and Covenants |
23 | |||
14.1 Representations and Warranties |
23 | |||
14.2 Indemnity |
24 | |||
Article XV — covenants of brazalta |
25 | |||
15.1 BrazAlta Covenants |
25 | |||
Article XVI — INDEMNITY FROM brazalta |
25 | |||
16.1 BrazAlta Indemnity |
25 | |||
Article XVII — Notices |
25 | |||
17.1 Requirements for Notices |
25 | |||
17.2 Addresses |
26 | |||
17.3 Notice Takes Effect |
26 | |||
17.4 Change of Address |
27 | |||
Article XVIII — Term |
27 | |||
18.1 Termination |
27 | |||
18.2 Sections to Continue in Force |
27 | |||
Article XIX — General |
27 | |||
19.1 Exercise of Rights |
27 | |||
19.2 Non-Waiver |
27 | |||
19.3 Extent of Waiver |
28 | |||
19.4 Rights to be Cumulative |
28 | |||
19.5 No Merger |
28 | |||
19.6 Enurement |
28 |
iii
Page | ||||
19.7 Time is of the Essence |
28 | |||
19.8 Further Assurances |
28 | |||
19.9 Supervening Legislation |
28 | |||
19.10 Entire Agreement |
28 | |||
19.11 No Other Representations or Warranties |
28 | |||
19.12 Counterparts |
29 | |||
19.13 Governing Law |
29 | |||
19.14 Submission to Jurisdiction |
29 | |||
19.15 Service of Process |
29 | |||
19.16 Fees and Commissions |
29 | |||
19.17 Amendments |
29 | |||
19.18 Assignment |
30 | |||
19.19 Continuing Nature of Obligations |
30 | |||
SCHEDULES |
Schedule “A” — Valuation Procedure
Schedule
“B” — By-laws of the Corporation
This Option to Purchase and Governance Agreement is dated as of the 31st day of January, 2008
and is made among BrazAlta Resources Corp., an Alberta corporation having an office at Xxxxx 000,
000 — 0xx Xxxxxx XX, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, X0X 0X0 (“BrazAlta”), and BCH Ltd., an Alberta corporation
having an office at Xxxxx 000, 000 — 0xx Xxxxxx XX, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, X0X 0X0 (the “Corporation”),
and Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx Energy Inc., a Delaware corporation having an office at 0000 Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx
000, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx, 00000 (“Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx”).
WHEREAS BrazAlta is the sole shareholder of the Corporation;
AND WHEREAS BrazAlta has agreed to grant to Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx the Option to Purchase (as defined
below) with respect to the Purchased Shares (as defined below) at and for the Purchased Share Price
(as defined below) and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement;
AND WHEREAS the Corporation has agreed to cause the holders of the ESOP Options (as defined
below) and the ESOP Shares (as defined below) to sell the ESOP Options and the ESOP Shares to the
Corporation for the ESOP Option Price (as defined below) and the ESOP Share Price (as defined
below) in the event of certain events;
AND WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx has agreed to
advance the Loan (as defined below) to the Corporation in accordance with the Credit Agreement (as
defined below);
AND WHEREAS the Parties wish to enter into this Agreement to: (a) provide for the Option to
Purchase; (b) provide for the conversion of the Debenture (as defined below) and the sale of the
other securities in the capital of the Corporation if the Option to Purchase is exercised; (c)
provide for the conduct of the business and affairs of the Corporation; (d) provide for
restrictions on transfer and ownership of the securities in the capital of the Corporation; (e)
govern the relationship among the Parties; (f) provide for a non-competition covenant given by
BrazAlta and its Affiliates; and (g) provide for areas of interest for the Corporation and
Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the above matters, the mutual covenants and agreements
contained herein, and for other valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are
hereby irrevocably acknowledged, the Parties hereby agree to the following:
ARTICLE I — INTERPRETATION
1.1 Definitions
In this Agreement, including the recitals and Schedules hereto unless something in the subject
matter or context is inconsistent therewith, the following words and phrases shall have the
meanings set forth below:
“Accrued Interest Payable” has the meaning given to such term in Section 9.1.
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“Additional Equity Issuance” has the meaning given to such term in Section 10.1.
“Affiliate” means, as applied to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly
Controlling, Controlled by, or under common Control with, that Person.
“Agreement” means this option to purchase and governance agreement including all Schedules
attached to and forming part of this Agreement.
“Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx Shares” has the meaning given to such term in Schedule “A”.
“Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx Share Price” has the meaning given to such term in Schedule “A”.
“Applicable Laws” means all federal, provincial, local and municipal statutes, laws,
by-laws, rules, orders (including court orders), regulations, guidelines or directions in
effect from time to time and made or issued by any governmental authority.
“Arm’s Length” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Income Tax Act (Canada).
“Business Day” means a day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or any other day on which
chartered banks are not open for business in Calgary, Alberta.
“By-Laws” has the meaning given to such term in Section 5.2.
“Closing” has the meaning given to such term in Section 4.1.
“Closing Date” has the meaning given to such term in Section 4.1.
“Competitive Business” has the meaning given to such term in Section 11.1(a)(i).
“Confidential Information” has the meaning given to such term in Section 12.1(a).
“Control” means, when applied to the relationship between a Person or group of Persons and a
corporation or other entity, the beneficial ownership by such Person(s), at the relevant
time, of shares of such corporation or equity interests of such other entity carrying more
than the greater of (a) 50% of the voting rights ordinarily exercisable at meetings of
shareholders of such corporation or equity holders of such other entity; and (b) the
percentage of voting rights ordinarily exercisable at meetings of shareholders of such
corporation or equity holders of such other entity that are sufficient to elect a majority
of the directors of such corporation or managers of such other entity, and the words
“Controlled by”, “Controlling” and similar words have corresponding meanings; provided that
a Person or group of Persons who Control a corporation or other entity shall be deemed to
Control a corporation or other entity which is Controlled by such corporation or such other
entity and so on;
“Credit Agreement” means the credit agreement dated as of January 31, 2008 made among
Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx, the Corporation, and BCH Energy do Brasil Servicos de Petroleo Ltda.,
whereby, among other things, Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx agreed to advance to the Corporation a loan in
the amount of $40,000,000.
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“Damages” means costs, claims, damages, losses, actions, demands, liabilities, fines,
penalties, property damage, personal injuries (including death), expenses (including legal
fees on a solicitor and own client basis) of any kind or nature and amounts paid in
settlement of any of the foregoing, but do not include loss of profit or consequential
damages or amounts paid in relation thereto.
“Debenture” means the convertible subordinated secured debenture in the amount of
$40,000,000 issued by the Corporation to Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx in accordance with the Credit
Agreement.
“Directors” mean the individuals who are elected or appointed as directors of the
Corporation in accordance with this Agreement.
“EBITDA” means, for the applicable period, the sum of net income and interest expense of the
Corporation, net of interest income, depreciation and amortization and all other
non-charges, all in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles, it
being acknowledged that net income shall exclude any gain or loss attributable to non-cash
write-ups or write-downs of assets and the gain or loss, net of taxes, on the sale,
disposition, or retirement of assets.
“ESOP” means the employee share option plan of the Corporation dated January 1, 2008,
pursuant to which up to 10% of the issued and outstanding common shares in the capital of
the Corporation, on a non-diluted basis, may be reserved for acquisition by the directors,
officers, employees, consultants and other personnel of the Corporation or a Subsidiary of
the Corporation upon the exercise of options granted by the Corporation to such Persons and
pursuant to which 800,000 common shares have been reserved as at the date hereof.
“ESOP Options” means the options to purchase common shares in the capital of the Corporation
outstanding, on a fully vested basis, under the ESOP from time to time.
“ESOP Option Price” has the meaning given to such term in Schedule “A”.
“ESOP Share Price” has the meaning given to such term in Schedule “A”.
“ESOP Shares” means the common shares in the capital of the Corporation issued under the
terms of the ESOP from time to time.
“Financial Closing” has the meaning given to such term in the Credit Agreement.
“Fiscal Quarter” means a fiscal quarter of the Corporation ending on June 30, September 30,
December 31 or March 31 in any calendar year.
“Free Cash Flow” means EBITDA less (a) interest expense paid to the Senior Lenders with
respect to the Senior Indebtedness, (b) required principal payments paid to the Senior
Lenders with respect to the Senior Indebtedness, and (c) capital expenditures made and
approved by the Directors, all for the applicable period.
- 7 -
“Loan” has the meaning given to such term in the Credit Agreement.
“Maturity Date” has the meaning given to such term in the Credit Agreement.
“Non-Compete Period” has the meaning given to such term in Section 11.1(a).
“Offer Period” has the meaning given to such term in Section 8.2.
“Option Expiry Date” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.1(a).
“Option Notice” has the meaning given to that term in Section 2.1(d).
“Option to Purchase” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.1(a).
“Other Party” has the meaning given to such term in Section 8.1.
“Outstanding Securities” has the meaning given to such term in Section 8.1.
“Parent Indebtedness” has the meaning given to such term in the Credit Agreement.
“Parties” means each of BrazAlta, the Corporation and Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx and their successors
and permitted assigns and any other Person that becomes a party to this Agreement but, for
clarity, in Article VIII, “Party” means BrazAlta or Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx.
“Person” means and includes any natural person, corporation, limited partnership, general
partnership, joint stock company, association, company, limited liability company, trust,
bank, trust company, land trust, business trust or other organization, whether or not a
legal entity, any governmental authority and the heirs, executors, administrators or other
legal representatives of a natural person, as the case may be.
“Purchase Notice” has the meaning given to such term in Section 8.2.
“Purchase Price” has the meaning given to such term in Schedule “A”.
“Purchased Share Price” has the meaning given to such term in Schedule “A”.
“Purchased Shares” means any and all common shares in the capital of the Corporation owned
by BrazAlta from time to time.
“Receiving Party” has the meaning given to such term in Section 8.1.
“Senior Indebtedness” has the meaning given to such term in the Credit Agreement.
“Senior Lenders” has the meaning given to such term in the Credit Agreement.
“Standard Bank Excess” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.3(b).
“Standard Bank Holdback” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.3(a).
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“Standard Bank Share Price” has the meaning given to such term in Schedule “A”.
“Standard Bank Shares” means any common shares or other securities in the capital of the
Corporation that are issued pursuant to the Standard Bank Warrant.
“Standard Bank Warrant” means collectively (a) the warrant initially issued in the name of
Standard Bank Plc dated July 31, 2007 to acquire 250,000 common shares in the capital of the
Corporation at an exercise price of $10.00 per common share, and (b) any replacement warrant
issued by the Corporation, whether a replacement in whole or in part.
“Standard Bank Warrant Price” has the meaning given to such term in Schedule “A”.
“Statement” has the meaning given to such term in Schedule “A”.
“Subsidiary” means any corporation or entity that is Controlled by the Corporation, it being
acknowledged that, as at the date of this Agreement, BCH Energy do Brasil Servicos de
Petroleo Ltda is the only Subsidiary of the Corporation.
“Tag Along Notice” shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 8.3.
“Third Party” has the meaning given to such term in Section 8.1.
“Third Party Offer” has the meaning given to such term in Section 8.1.
“Third Party Offer Notice” has the meaning given to such term in Section 8.1.
“Third Party Shares” has the meaning given to such term in Schedule “A”.
“Third Party Share Price” has the meaning given to such term in Schedule “A”.
“Transfer” means (a) any transfer, sale, assignment, exchange, gift, donation or other
disposition of securities where possession, legal title, beneficial ownership or the
economic risk or return associated with such securities passes directly or indirectly from
one Person to another Person or to the same Person in a different legal capacity, whether or
not for value, whether or not voluntary and however occurring, or (b) any agreement,
undertaking or commitment to effect any of the foregoing.
“Valuation” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.1(b).
“Valuator” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.1(b).
“Warranties” means the representations and warranties made and given in Section 14.1.
“Warrantor” has the meaning given to such term in Section 14.1.
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1.2 General Interpretation Provisions
In this Agreement:
(a) | the words “herein”, “hereunder” and “hereof” refer to the provisions of this Agreement and a
reference to a recital, Article, Section, paragraph or attachment is a reference to a recital,
Article, Section, paragraph of or attachment to this Agreement unless otherwise stated and
references to this Agreement include any recital, schedule, annex or other attachment; |
|
(b) | a reference to a paragraph also refers to the subsection in which it is contained and a
reference to subsection refers to the Section in which it is contained; |
|
(c) | a reference to this Agreement, any other agreement or an instrument or any provision of any
of them includes any amendment, variation, restatement or replacement of this Agreement or
that agreement, instrument or provision, as the case may be; |
|
(d) | a reference to a statute or other law or a provision of any of them includes regulations and
other instruments under any of them as in effect from time to time and consolidations,
amendments, re-enactments, extensions or replacements of that statute, law or provision; |
|
(e) | the singular includes the plural and vice versa; |
|
(f) | a reference to a Person includes a reference to the Person’s executors and administrators (in
the case of a natural person) and successors, substitutes (including Persons taking by
novation) and permitted assigns; |
|
(g) | words of any gender shall include the corresponding words of the other genders; |
|
(h) | “including” means “including, but not limited to” and other forms of the verb “to include”
are to be interpreted similarly; |
|
(i) | where a period of time is specified to run from or after a given day or the day of an act or
event, it is to be calculated exclusive of that day; and where a period of time is specified
as commencing on a given day or the day of an act or event, it is to be calculated inclusive
of that day; |
|
(j) | a reference to a day is a reference to a period of time commencing at midnight and ending the
following midnight; |
|
(k) | if the time for performing an obligation under this Agreement expires on a day that is not a
Business Day, the time shall be extended until that time on the next Business Day; |
|
(l) | a reference to a month is a reference to a calendar month; |
|
(m) | where a word or phrase is specifically defined, other grammatical forms of that word or
phrase have corresponding meanings; |
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(n) | if a payment prescribed under this Agreement to be made by a Party to this Agreement on or
by a given Business Day is made after 12:00 noon (Calgary time) on that Business Day, it is
taken to be made on the next Business Day; and |
|
(o) | unless otherwise stated, any reference to dollars means United States of America dollars. |
1.3 Headings
Headings are inserted for convenience and do not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.
The table of contents included with this Agreement does not form part of this Agreement.
1.4 Schedules
The following schedules (the “Schedules”) are attached hereto and forms a part of this
Agreement:
Schedule “A”- Valuation Procedure
Schedule “B”- By-laws of the Corporation
If any term or condition, express or implied, of any Schedule conflicts or is at variance with any
term or condition in the body of this Agreement, the term or condition in the body of this
Agreement shall prevail. Except as otherwise provided in any Schedule, the Parties may substitute
revised Schedules to this Agreement at any time by agreeing to, signing and attaching a dated copy
of the revised Schedule to this Agreement, which revised Schedule shall from that date be the
applicable Schedule.
ARTICLE II — OPTION TO PURCHASE
2.1 Option to Purchase
(a) | BrazAlta hereby grants to Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx an irrevocable option to purchase (the “Option to
Purchase”) the Purchased Shares for the Purchased Share Price. The Option to Purchase may be
exercised by Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx on and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement up to
and including the Conversion Deadline (as defined in the Credit Agreement) (the “Option Expiry
Date”). |
(b) | On or about September 30, 2009, the Corporation shall retain, at the cost of the Corporation,
RBC Capital Markets, or with the written consent of Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx, an alternate investment
bank, (the “Valuator”) to prepare a valuation of the Corporation in accordance with the
valuation procedure attached as Schedule “A” (the “Valuation”) and the Statement. |
(c) | Upon receipt of the Valuation and the Statement, Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx shall have until the Option
Expiry Date to determine whether it will exercise the Option to Purchase. |
(d) | The Option to Purchase may be exercised by Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx giving notice (the “Option Notice”)
in writing to BrazAlta of the exercise of the Option to Purchase. |
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(e) | Upon Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx exercising the Option to Purchase in accordance with this Agreement, the
Parties shall be deemed to have entered into a binding agreement of purchase and sale with
respect to the Purchased Shares at and for the Purchased Share Price on and subject to the
terms and conditions set forth herein including, without limitation, Section 2.3. |
(f) | The decision regarding whether to exercise the Option to Purchase shall be solely within the
discretion of Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx and no penalty, cost or expense of any kind shall be incurred by
Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx to the Corporation or BrazAlta as a result of it deciding not to exercise the
Option to Purchase (or being deemed not to have issued, the Option Notice). |
2.2 Purchase of ESOP Options and ESOP Shares
Upon the delivery of the Option Notice, the Corporation shall notify the holders of each of
the ESOP Options and the ESOP Shares of the Option Notice and their requirement to sell to the
Corporation, as of the Closing Date, the ESOP Options and the ESOP Shares for, respectively, the
ESOP Option Price and the ESOP Share Price.
2.3 Purchase of Standard Bank Warrant and Standard Bank Shares
(a) | Upon delivery of the Option Notice, Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx may offer to purchase from the holder or
holders thereof the Standard Bank Warrant and the Standard Bank Shares, respectively, for the
Standard Bank Warrant Price and the Standard Bank Share Price and upon such additional terms
as Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx in its sole discretion, shall determine. Until a definitive purchase
agreement is executed and both the Standard Bank Warrant and the Standard Bank Shares are
delivered to Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx pursuant to the closing of such transaction or transactions,
Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx shall be entitled to withhold from the Purchased Share Price an amount equal to
10% of the aggregate amount assigned by the Valuator to the Standard Bank Warrant Price and
the Standard Bank Share Price (such 10% amount being the “Standard Bank Holdback”). |
(b) | Upon the closing of the purchase transaction referred in Section 2.3(a), Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx shall
pay to BrazAlta the amount, equal to the Standard Bank Holdback less the “Standard Bank
Excess”, where the Standard Bank Excess is calculated as the aggregate amount paid to the
holder or holders of the Standard Bank Warrant and the Standard Bank Shares less the aggregate
of the Standard Bank Warrant Price and the Standard Bank Share Price. Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx will
have no recourse to BrazAlta in respect of any deficiency in the event the aggregate of the
Standard Bank Holdback, the Standard Bank Warrant Price and the Standard Bank Share Price is
less than the amount paid to the holder or holders of the Standard Bank Warrant and the
Standard Bank Shares. |
(c) | The Corporation shall use its commercially reasonable best efforts to provide any requested
assistance to Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx in the negotiation of the purchase of the Standard Bank Warrant
and the Standard Bank Shares by Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx. |
(d) | In the event that Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx does not offer to purchase the Standard Bank Warrant and the
Standard Bank Shares, the Standard Bank Holdback shall be nil. In the event that
Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx offers to purchase the Standard Bank Warrant and the Standard Bank
Shares, the Standard Bank Holdback shall be dealt with in
accordance Section 2.3(b) whether or not such offer is accepted. |
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ARTICLE III — DUE DILIGENCE
3.1 Due Diligence Right
At any time prior to the Option Expiry Date, Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx shall have the right to conduct
due diligence in respect of the Corporation for a single period not exceeding 45 consecutive days
in order to assist Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx in making the decision as to whether or not to exercise the
Option to Purchase.
3.2 Conduct of Due Diligence
With respect to the due diligence described in Section 3.1, Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx shall be entitled
(a) to conduct an in-depth review and analysis of the Corporation, (b) to be satisfied with all of
the aspects of the Corporation and its business, including agreements, economic, commercial, legal,
information systems, human resources, insurance, bonding and regulatory aspects (including the
availability and terms of all required permits and licenses) associated with the business of the
Corporation, and (c) to have reasonable access to the Corporation’s sites and to inspect the sites
and facilities.
3.3 Disclosure
Subject to any applicable confidentiality restrictions, BrazAlta agrees to provide to
Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx all requested information pertaining to the Corporation. Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx
acknowledges and agrees that all confidential information provided to it in the course of its due
diligence review shall be subject to Article XII .
ARTICLE IV — CLOSING
4.1 Closing Date
After the issuance of the Option Notice, the closing (the “Closing”) of the purchase and sale
of the Purchased Shares shall take place on January 31, 2010 or on such other date as the Parties
may agree upon (the “Closing Date”), at the offices of the solicitors for BrazAlta or at such other
location and time as may be agreed upon by the Parties.
4.2 Closing Documents
(a) | At the Closing, Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx shall pay by way of cash payment to BrazAlta the Purchased
Share Price less the Standard Bank Holdback. |
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(b) | At the Closing, each of BrazAlta and the Corporation shall deliver to Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx such
closing documents as are customary including, but not limited to the following: |
(i) | all certificates representing the Purchased Shares, all duly endorsed in favor
of Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx or together with stock transfer powers of attorney completed in
blank, as directed by and to the satisfaction of Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx; |
||
(ii) | confirmation from the Corporation evidencing the cancellation or purchase of
the ESOP Options and the ESOP Shares by the Corporation; |
||
(iii) | confirmation from the Corporation evidencing the termination of the ESOP; |
||
(iv) | confirmation from Standard Bank Plc (as agent for the Senior Lenders)
evidencing that it no longer has any interest in or charge over the Purchased Shares; |
||
(v) | copies of all required consents, waivers and releases by any Person in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, but not
limited to, consents from the TSX Venture Exchange and the shareholders of BrazAlta, as
may be required; |
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(vi) | resignations of each of the Directors nominated by BrazAlta and each of the
directors of the Subsidiaries of the Corporation, together with a mutual release and
discharge executed by each of them in favour of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries;
and |
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(vii) | all original minute books, corporate records, corporate seals and all other
books and records of, or documents relating to the Corporation and its Subsidiaries
including, without limitation, all accounting and tax records, forms and elections and
relevant working papers and files and data in the possession of BrazAlta and which were
not previously delivered to Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx. |
4.3 Closing Conditions
(a) | The obligation of Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx to complete the Closing is subject to the satisfaction at or
prior to the Closing Date of all of the following conditions precedent, any one or more of
which may be waived, in whole or in part, by Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx: |
(i) | the representations and warranties of BrazAlta and the Corporation contained in
this Agreement shall be true in all material respects at and as of the Closing Date and
BrazAlta and the Corporation shall have performed and satisfied all covenants and
agreements required by this Agreement to be performed and satisfied by BrazAlta and the
Corporation on or prior to the Closing Date; |
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(ii) | Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx shall have completed all due diligence investigations as it may
deem necessary and the results thereof shall be satisfactory to Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx as it in
its sole discretion may determine; |
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(iii) | Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx shall have received copies of all required consents, waivers
and releases by any Person in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement including, but not limited to, consents from the TSX Venture Exchange and
the shareholders of BrazAlta, as may be required; |
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(iv) | the Corporation shall have caused the holders of each of the ESOP Options and
the ESOP Shares to sell the ESOP Options and the ESOP Shares to the Corporation for,
respectively, the ESOP Option Price and the ESOP Share Price, as at the Closing Date;
and |
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(v) | Standard Bank Plc (as agent for the Senior Lenders) shall have released its
security in and charge over the Purchased Shares. |
(b) | The obligation of BrazAlta to complete the Closing is subject to the satisfaction at or prior
to the Closing Date of the following conditions precedent, any one or more of which may be
waived, in whole or in part, by BrazAlta: |
(i) | the representations and warranties of Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx contained in this
Agreement shall be true in all material respects at and as of the Closing Date and
Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx shall have performed and satisfied all covenants and agreements required
by this Agreement to be performed and satisfied by Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx on or prior to the
Closing Date; |
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(ii) | Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx shall have converted, or given notice to the Corporation that
Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx has decided to convert, the Debenture in accordance with its terms; |
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(iii) | the security granted by BrazAlta for the benefit of the Corporation in
connection with the Senior Indebtedness shall have been released and terminated; and |
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(iv) | any declared and unpaid dividends outstanding as at the Closing shall be paid
by the Corporation to BrazAlta in accordance with Section 9.1. |
ARTICLE V — BOARD OF DIRECTORS
5.1 Board of Directors
(a) | Subject to this Article V, the Corporation shall have six Directors. |
|
(b) | The Directors shall consist of (i) three nominees of BrazAlta, and (ii) three nominees of
Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx. The chair of the board of Directors shall be a nominee of BrazAlta. The
chair of the board of Directors shall be entitled to a second or casting vote. |
|
(c) | If a nominee Director of either BrazAlta or Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx resigns or is removed, for any
reason, then the vacancy created thereby will be filled by the election or appointment of a
Director nominated by BrazAlta or Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx, as applicable. The Directors will not
transact any business or exercise any of their powers or functions until such vacancy has been
filled, except to elect or appoint the new Director and preserve the business and assets of
the Corporation. If a replacement Director is not elected or appointed within 10 days for any
reason including the fact that BrazAlta or Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx, as applicable, has failed to
nominate a replacement Director, then the Directors shall be entitled to transact
business and exercise all of the powers and
functions of the Directors provided that the
transaction of such business and the
exercise of such powers and functions has
been approved by not less than a majority of
the Directors then in office. |
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5.2 Directors’ Meetings
(a) | Directors’ meetings will be held in accordance with the provisions of the By-laws of the
Corporation, attached hereto as Schedule “B” (the “By-Laws”). |
(b) | Notice of any Directors’ meeting shall be given in accordance with the By-laws. A Director
is not considered present at a meeting where that Director attends the meeting for the express
purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the grounds that the meeting is not
lawfully called. Any notice of a Directors’ meeting must specify in reasonable detail the
purpose of, or the business to be transacted at, the meeting. No business may be put to the
Directors at a meeting unless such business is specified in the notice or all of the Directors
are present at such meeting and do not object to the business being put to the meeting. |
(c) | The quorum for a meeting of the Directors shall be as set forth in the By-laws. Despite the
prior sentence, if proper notice of a Directors’ meeting is given, specifying the purpose of
or the business to be transacted at the meeting and a quorum of Directors is not present, then
a second Directors’ meeting may be held on not less than 48 hours’ written notice to transact
the business specified in the original notice. Subject to the Business Corporations Act
(Alberta), any Directors present at the second meeting constitute a quorum and the business
specified in the original notice may be transacted by those Directors in attendance at the
second meeting. |
ARTICLE VI — FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES
6.1 No Action
Notwithstanding any approval of the Directors, no decisions shall be made and no action shall
be taken by or on behalf of the Corporation with respect to any of the following matters without
the prior written consent of Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx and BrazAlta:
(a) | any amendments to the Corporation’s articles or the By-laws; |
|
(b) | any change in the number of Directors; |
|
(c) | any sale, lease, transfer or other disposal of all or substantially all of the assets or the
business of the Corporation, including by way of a sale of a Subsidiary; |
|
(d) | other than in accordance with Article X, any issuance of common shares in the capital of the
Corporation or any obligations, charges, debts or other instruments convertible into common
shares in the capital of the Corporation or involving rights to vote; |
|
(e) | any amalgamation, reorganization, merger, continuation, winding up, dissolution or
termination of the Corporation; |
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(f) | any material change in the business of the Corporation, any transaction out of the ordinary
course of business of the Corporation, any transaction to acquire or establish any additional
business or any material change in, or termination or suspension of any material part of, the
core business of the Corporation (being the onshore provision of both drilling and service
rigs or oil field services in Brazil); |
(g) | other than the purchase of the ESOP Options and the ESOP Shares in accordance with Section
4.2(b)(ii) and other than the distribution of Free Cash Flow in accordance with Article IX,
any declaration or payment of any dividends on any shares in the capital of the Corporation,
any redemption or repurchase of any outstanding shares or securities in the capital of the
Corporation or any distribution (including bonuses) to any shareholders of the Corporation or
Directors which, for certainty, does not include payment of employment income; |
(h) | adopting, approving, amending, altering, varying or rescinding the terms of the ESOP or any
option agreements issued thereunder; |
(i) | adopting, approving, amending, altering, varying or rescinding the terms of the Standard Bank
Warrant; |
(j) | creating any new Subsidiary or permitting any Subsidiary of the Corporation to do any of the
matters contemplated in this Section 6.1; or |
(k) | causing the appointment of any committee of the Directors or the delegation of any authority
of the Directors to any such committee or to any Person. |
ARTICLE VII — RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER
7.1 Restrictions on Transfer by BrazAlta
BrazAlta covenants and agrees that it shall not Transfer any of the Purchased Shares except as
expressly permitted by this Agreement.
7.2 Restrictions on Transfer by the holders of ESOP Options and ESOP Shares
The Corporation covenants and agrees that it shall take all actions necessary to ensure that
no holder of the ESOP Options or the ESOP Shares shall Transfer any of the ESOP Options or the ESOP
Shares without the prior written consent of Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx.
ARTICLE VIII — THIRD PARTY OFFERS
8.1 Third Party Offer
If, at any time, a Party (the “Receiving Party”) receives an unsolicited bona fide offer (a
“Third Party Offer”) from a Person who is at Arm’s Length to each of the Parties (a “Third Party”)
to purchase all of the outstanding shares and/or securities in the capital of the Corporation (the
“Outstanding Securities”) and if the Receiving Party wishes to accept the Third Party Offer, then
the Receiving Party shall give written notice thereof (the “Third Party
Offer Notice”) to the other Party (the “Other Party”). For greater certainty, the Third Party
Offer shall include, if outstanding, each of the ESOP Options, the ESOP Shares, the Standard Bank
Warrant, the Standard Bank Shares, the Purchased Shares, the Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx Shares and the Third
Party Shares (if any) on a fully-diluted basis (as if all options and warrants have been exercised
and all convertible securities have been converted) and the Third Party Offer Notice shall include
a copy of the Third Party Offer.
- 17 -
8.2 Issuance of Purchase Notice Upon Receipt of Third Party Offer Notice
Upon delivery of the Third Party Offer Notice to the Other Party, the Other Party shall have
the right, exercisable by written notice (the “Purchase Notice”) to the Receiving Party, within 30
days after receipt of Third Party Offer Notice (the “Offer Period”), to agree to purchase all of
the Outstanding Securities at the same price per security as set out in the Third Party Offer. If
the Purchase Notice is given, then the closing of the Outstanding Securities shall occur in
accordance with Article IV (after making any necessary changes to the closing procedure) within 30
days following delivery of the Purchase Notice.
8.3 Tag Along
Upon delivery of the Third Party Offer Notice to the Other Party, the Other Party shall have
the right, exercisable by written notice (the “Tag Along Notice”) to the Receiving Party, to
require the Third Party to purchase from the Other Party that portion of the Outstanding
Securities that it holds for equivalent consideration and in proportional amounts between the
Parties using the ratio of the number of Common Shares that each Party may have on a fully diluted
basis. If the Tag Along Notice is given, then the closing of the sale and purchase of the
Outstanding Securities shall occur in accordance with the Third Party Offer (after making any
necessary changes to the closing procedure) but subject to Section 8.4.
8.4 Timing
The closing of any Third Party Offer shall occur within 90 days following delivery of the
Third Party Offer Notice. In the event that the Third Party Offer does not close within 90 days
following delivery of the Third Party Offer Notice, a new Third Party Notice shall be provided to
the other Party and the procedure described in Article VIII shall be followed with respect to such
new Third Party Notice.
8.5 No Sale by Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx
If Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx chooses not to sell the Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx Shares to the Third Party pursuant to
Section 8.3, then concurrently with the closing of the sale of the applicable portion of the
Outstanding Securities to the Third Party, Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx and the Third Party shall enter into a
new governance agreement in a form satisfactory to Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx and the Third Party (acting
reasonably) and, for clarity, the Outstanding Securities purchased by the Third Party shall not be
subject to the Option to Purchase.
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ARTICLE IX — DISTRIBUTIONS
9.1 Cash Distributions
From time to time, the Directors may determine the availability of any Free Cash Flow for
distribution to BrazAlta and Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx and if such Free Cash Flow is available, then the
Corporation may distribute such Free Cash Flow as follows: (a) firstly, to Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx in an
amount equal to the aggregate of (i) any interest on the Loan due and owing at such time, and (ii)
any interest accrued on the Loan (whether or not such accrued interest is due and owing at such
time) (“Accrued Interest Payable”); and (b) secondly, to BrazAlta in an amount up to but not
exceeding the amount paid cumulatively to Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx pursuant to Section 9.1(a) (after
deducting any amount previously paid to BrazAlta under this Section 9.1(b)) and in any event only
if at the time of payment, all of the Accrued Interest Payable has been paid to Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx; and
(c) thirdly, to each of Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx and BrazAlta equally, in the event that the amount to be
distributed is in excess of cumulative amounts owed or paid in Section 9.1(a) and Section 9.1(b)
but, in the case of Section 9.1(b) and Section 9.1(c), subject to the consent of the Senior
Lenders. If any portion of the Free Cash Flow is distributed to Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx in accordance with
Section 9.1(a), then the Directors shall declare a dividend on the Purchased Shares in the amount
required under Section 9.1(b) and, to the extent that the Senior Lenders do not consent to the
payment of all or any portion of such dividend to BrazAlta, then the amount of such declared and
unpaid dividend shall be construed as indebtedness which is a liability owed to BrazAlta by the
Corporation and which is payable by the Corporation to BrazAlta at the Closing described in Section
4.3(b). This Section 9.1 shall be interpreted with consideration of the principle that, until the
Maturity Date, Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx and BrazAlta shall be entitled to receive equal amounts of the Free
Cash Flow in the manner described in this Section 9.1.
9.2 Statements
The Corporation shall prepare and distribute to each of BrazAlta and Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx, within 45
days after the end of each Fiscal Quarter, a statement setting forth the calculations (in
reasonable detail) used by the Corporation for purposes of distributions of any Free Cash Flow
pursuant to Section 9.1 with respect to such Fiscal Quarter.
9.3 Form of Distributions
Unless otherwise determined by the Directors, any Free Cash Flow distributed to BrazAlta or
Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx shall be paid in cash or in any other form which may be agreed upon in writing by
the Parties.
9.4 Limitations on Distributions
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this Agreement, (a) the Corporation
and the Directors, on behalf of the Corporation, shall not make a distribution of any Free Cash
Flow if such distribution would violate the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) or any provision of
any other Applicable Law, and (b) subject to the consent of the Senior Lenders, (i) upon the
occurrence and during the subsistence of an Event of Default (as defined in the Credit Agreement)
or (ii) from and after the Maturity Date until the Loan (including all outstanding principal,
interest and other indebtedness) has been paid in full to Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx, as the case
may be, that portion of the Free Cash Flow described in Sections 9.1(b) and 9.1(c) shall be paid to
Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx only and, for clarity, none of such portion of the Free Cash Flow shall be declared
as a dividend on the Purchased Shares or otherwise paid to BrazAlta.
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ARTICLE X — ADDITIONAL EQUITY
10.1 Additional Equity Issuances
If the Directors determine that it is appropriate to raise additional capital for the
Corporation by way of the issuance of common shares in the capital of the Corporation (an
“Additional Equity Issuance”), then such common shares shall be offered, in the first instance, to
each of BrazAlta and Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx to the extent of a proportion of 51% to BrazAlta and 49% to
Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx and at a price per common share which is not less than $4.163 unless otherwise
agreed by both BrazAlta and Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx (which agreement may not be unreasonably withheld).
10.2 Third-Party Equity Financings
If either or both of BrazAlta and Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx do not fully participate in any given
Additional Equity Issuance, then the Corporation may offer the unpurchased balance of such common
shares to one or more third party purchasers, provided that:
(a) | the price per common share offered to such third party purchasers shall not be less than
$4.163 unless otherwise agreed by both BrazAlta and Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx; and |
(b) | concurrently with entering into a binding obligation to issue any of such common shares to
such third party purchasers, such third party purchasers may also enter into a new governance
agreement in a form satisfactory to BrazAlta, Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx, the Corporation and such third
party purchasers (acting reasonably) and, for clarity, any common shares purchased by such
third party purchasers shall not be subject to the Option to Purchase. |
ARTICLE XI — NON-COMPETITION AND NON-SOLICITATION
11.1 Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation
(a) | BrazAlta covenants and agrees that, for the time period beginning on the Closing Date or on
the closing of the transaction contemplated under Section 8.2 or Section 8.4 and ending two
years thereafter (the “Non-Compete Period”), BrazAlta will not, directly or indirectly, as
owner, partner, joint venturer, stockholder, broker, agent, principal, trustee, licensor,
consultant, or in any capacity whatsoever: |
(i) | subject to Section 11.4, carry on, engage in order to compete in, become
financially interested in, render any consultation or business advice with respect to,
or have any connection with, or permit its name or any part thereof to be used by any
business in any area within Brazil that is the same as or substantially similar to or
directly competing with or would directly compete with the business conducted by the
Corporation as at the Closing Date or such closing (a “Competitive Business”), other than as agreed upon in writing by Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx; |
- 20 -
(ii) | solicit any present or former customer, client or supplier of the business of
the Corporation to remove its business from, or reduce its business with, the
Corporation or otherwise solicit or gain the business of any such customer or supplier
for the benefit of a Competitive Business; |
||
(iii) | take any action that will impair relations between the Corporation and the
customers, clients or suppliers of the business of the Corporation or exploit for its
own benefit or the benefit of others, its knowledge, influence or relationships with
any such customers or suppliers; and |
||
(iv) | solicit any present or former employee or consultant of the Corporation or any
of its Subsidiaries, to terminate his/her/its employment or consulting arrangement with
the Corporation or its Subsidiaries. |
11.2 Territorial Limits
BrazAlta acknowledges that the business scope and the territorial and time limitations set
forth in this Agreement are reasonable and properly required for the adequate protection of the
business of the Corporation. In the event any such territorial limitation or time is deemed to be
unreasonable by a court of competent jurisdiction, BrazAlta agrees to the reduction of the
territorial or time limitation to the area or time period which such court shall deem reasonable.
11.3 Injunction
BrazAlta understands, acknowledges and agrees that Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx and the Corporation may
suffer irreparable harm in the event that BrazAlta breaches any of BrazAlta’s obligations and
covenants under Section 11.1 and that monetary damages shall be inadequate to compensate
Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx and the Corporation for such breach. Accordingly, BrazAlta agrees that, in the
event of a breach or threatened breach by BrazAlta of any of the provisions of Section 11.1,
Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx and the Corporation, in addition to and not in limitation of any other rights,
remedies or damages available to Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx and the Corporation at law or in equity, shall be
entitled to an interim injunction, interlocutory injunction and permanent injunction in order to
prevent or to restrain any such breach by BrazAlta, or by any or all of BrazAlta’s partners,
co-venturers, employees, servants, agents, representatives and any and all persons directly or
indirectly acting for, on behalf of or with BrazAlta.
11.4 Co-Operation and Exceptions
(a) | During the Non-Compete Period, the Corporation shall use its reasonable commercial efforts to
provide drilling and service rigs to BrazAlta in Brazil on market terms and rates then
applicable in Brazil. In the event that the Corporation cannot provide rigs with the
appropriate specifications, on a timely basis and on reasonable commercial terms with
reference to other rig providers in Brazil, then BrazAlta and its Affiliates shall be entitled
to own and operate their own drilling or service rigs in Brazil for their use and on any lands
in which they have an interest provided that the right for BrazAlta and its Affiliates
to own and operate their own drilling and service rigs shall be limited to those contracts
for which the Corporation was not able to provide rigs with the appropriate specifications,
on a timely basis and on reasonable commercial terms with reference to other rig providers
in Brazil. |
(b) | For clarity, nothing in this Article XI shall be construed as a restriction on BrazAlta to
conduct exploration and production activities in Brazil. |
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ARTICLE XII — CONFIDENTIALITY
12.1 Confidentiality
(a) | Any and all information and knowledge relating to the terms of this Agreement and the
business affairs of a Party that may be acquired under the terms of this Agreement, or by
virtue of the relationship between the Parties created by this Agreement (collectively,
“Confidential Information”), shall be considered confidential and, except as permitted
elsewhere in this Section 12.1, shall not be disclosed to others Persons, or published in any
manner whatsoever, without first obtaining the written consent of the other Parties. |
|
(b) | The confidentiality obligations in Section 12.1(a) shall not apply: |
(i) | to Confidential Information that is (A) already known to the receiving Party
prior to the time of disclosure by the disclosing Party, (B) already in the public
domain or becomes, after having been disclosed to the receiving Party, generally
available to the public through publication or otherwise (unless the publication or
other disclosure was made directly or indirectly by the disclosing Party or its
Affiliate or by its officer, director, employee, agent or other representative of the
disclosing Party or its Affiliate in breach of this Agreement), or (C) independently
developed by the receiving Party without any breach of this Agreement; |
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(ii) | subject to Applicable Laws, to prevent a Party from disclosing Confidential
Information in confidence to its Affiliates and to its and their officers, directors,
employees, agents or other representatives to the extent reasonably necessary to allow
that Party and its Affiliates to perform its obligations under this Agreement, provided
that the disclosing Party shall be responsible for compliance with this Article XII by
each Person to whom it has made disclosure under this Section 12.1(b)(ii); |
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(iii) | to prevent a Party from disclosing Confidential Information in confidence to
potential third parties purchasers in order to facilitate an Additional Equity Issuance
to such potential third party purchasers provided that such disclosure is made on a
“need to know basis” provided that such potential third party purchasers are subject to
a confidentiality obligation in favour of the other Parties; |
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(iv) | to prevent a Party from disclosing Confidential Information in confidence to
another Party; |
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(v) | to prevent a Party from disclosing Confidential Information as required by
Applicable Laws or stock exchange requirements; |
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(vi) | to prevent a Party from disclosing Confidential Information as necessary in
connection with any litigation commenced in respect of this Agreement; and |
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(vii) | to prevent a Party from disclosing in confidence, to the extent necessary,
Confidential Information to any financial institution, underwriter or institutional
investor which will or may provide financing to, or make an investment in, that Party
or its Affiliates provided that the financial institution, underwriter or institutional
investor is subject to a confidentiality obligation in favour of the other Parties. |
(c) | If any Party is required to disclose Confidential Information pursuant to Section 12.1(b)(v)
or (vi), then that Party shall advise the other Parties in advance of any disclosure (where
reasonable and where permitted by Applicable Law) so that the other Parties may take any
action one or both of them consider necessary to maintain the confidentiality of that
Confidential Information, and the disclosing Party shall take reasonable steps to limit the
extent of the disclosure and to make the disclosure confidential under the Applicable Laws or
stock exchange rules, as the case may be. |
(d) | None of the Parties shall make any press releases or other public announcements in respect of
this Agreement or any related transaction except for announcements that are: |
(i) | jointly authorized and approved by each of BrazAlta and Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx; |
||
(ii) | required by Applicable Laws or stock exchange requirements (provided that the
Party required to make the press release or public announcement shall, to the extent
reasonably possible, give the other Parties a reasonable opportunity to review and
comment on the press release or public announcement prior to its release); or |
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(iii) | required by a situation of emergency requiring immediate action by a Party. |
12.2 Survival
The obligations of confidentiality in Section 12.1 shall survive the termination of this
Agreement for a period of two years following such termination and any Party who ceases to be a
Party shall continue to be bound by such obligations for a period of two years following such
cessation.
12.3 Injunctive Relief
Each Party acknowledges that all Confidential Information is proprietary and that any breach
of this Article XII by a Party is material and may result in irreparable injury to the other
Parties. Accordingly, in the event of any breach of this Article XII, the non-defaulting Parties
shall be entitled to seek and obtain an order of specific performance, restraining order or
injunctive relief, in addition to any other legal or equitable remedies provided herein or
available or otherwise to one or both of them, and the defaulting Party hereby waives any and all
defences to those remedies and consents to the issuance of such order and such relief.
- 23 -
ARTICLE XIII — AREAS OF INTEREST OF THE PARTIES
13.1 Corporation’s Area of Interest
(a) | In recognition of the granting of the Debenture to Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx by the Corporation, for a
three year period commencing upon the execution of this Agreement Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx, and its
Affiliates, will not discuss, solicit, pursue, negotiate for or commit to any opportunity
relating to the performance of any services that are the same as those provided by the
Corporation, as at the date of this Agreement, within the jurisdiction of Brazil (“Brazil
Opportunity”) unless the Brazil Opportunity has first been offered to the Corporation and the
Corporation has rejected, or is deemed to have rejected, the Brazil Opportunity. |
(b) | The Corporation shall have a 30 day period to determine whether it wishes to participate in
the Brazil Opportunity after which date the Corporation shall be deemed to have rejected the
Brazil Opportunity and Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx will be entitled to pursue the Brazil Opportunity with
no further participation by the Corporation. |
13.2 Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx Area of Interest
(a) | In recognition of the advance of the Loan to the Corporation by Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx, for a three
year period commencing upon the execution of this Agreement the Corporation, BrazAlta and its
Affiliates, will not discuss, solicit, pursue, negotiate for or commit to any opportunity
relating to the performance of any services that are the same as those provided by
Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx or its Affiliates as at the date of this Agreement within the jurisdictions of
Argentina or Bolivia (“Argentina and Bolivia Opportunity”) unless the Argentina and Bolivia
Opportunity has first been offered to Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx has rejected, or is
deemed to have rejected, the Argentina and Bolivia Opportunity. |
(b) | Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx shall have a 30 day period to determine whether it wishes to participate in
the Argentina or Bolivia Opportunity after which date Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx shall be deemed to have
rejected the Brazil Opportunity and the Corporation, BrazAlta or its Affiliates will be
entitled to pursue the Argentina or Bolivia Opportunity with no further participation by
Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx. |
ARTICLE XIV — REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS
14.1 Representations and Warranties
Each Party (the “Warrantor”) represents and warrants to each other Parties that, as of the
date of this Agreement, each of the following statements are accurate:
(a) | the Warrantor is duly incorporated and validly subsisting under the laws of its incorporating
jurisdiction; |
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(b) | the Warrantor has full corporate power and authority to enter into, perform and observe its
obligations and duties under this Agreement; |
(c) | the Warrantor’s execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement has been duly and
validly authorized by all necessary corporate action; |
(d) | this Agreement is a valid and binding agreement of the Warrantor and is enforceable against
it, subject to the exercise of judicial discretions inherent in the courts in Alberta and
subject to general principles of equity and laws concerning insolvency, in accordance with its
terms; |
(e) | subject to the consent of the Senior Lenders, the entering into of this Agreement by the
Warrantor does not, and the transactions contemplated hereby will not: |
(i) | result in a breach of any law or any provision of the constating documents of
the Warrantor or any agreement to which it is a party; or |
(ii) | contravene any provision of, or be an event that is (or with the passage of
time will result in) a contravention of, or result in the acceleration of or entitle
any party to accelerate (whether after the giving of notice or lapse of time or both)
any obligation of the Warrantor under any security interest, agreement, instrument,
order, arbitration award, judgment, injunction or decree to which the Warrantor is a
party or by which it is bound, or conflict with any statute, rule or regulation
applicable to the Warrantor; |
(f) | the Warrantor is not in violation of any Applicable Laws, which violations, individually or
in the aggregate, would have a material adverse effect upon the Warrantor’s ability to perform
of its obligations hereunder; and |
(g) | the Warrantor is not a party to any legal, administrative, arbitral, investigatorial or other
proceeding or controversy pending, or, to the best of the Warrantor’s knowledge, threatened,
that would have a material adverse effect upon the Warrantor’s ability to perform its
obligations under this Agreement. |
14.2 Indemnity
Each Warrantor is liable to and hereby indemnifies and holds each of the other Parties
harmless from and against all Damages directly or indirectly incurred or suffered by the other
Parties as a result of the breach of any of the Warranties given by the Warrantor and from all
actions, proceedings, claims and demands made against that any of the other Parties as a result of
that breach.
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ARTICLE XV — COVENANTS OF BRAZALTA
15.1 BrazAlta Covenants
BrazAlta hereby covenants and agrees with Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx that BrazAlta will:
(a) | use its reasonable commercial efforts to obtain from the TSX Venture Exchange Inc., within 15
Business Days following the date of the Financial Closing (as defined in the Credit
Agreement), the final approval contemplated by the conditional approval letter of the TSX
Venture Exchange Inc.; |
(b) | make all necessary filings and applications under all applicable Canadian Securities Laws (as
defined in the Credit Agreement) required to be made on the part of BrazAlta in connection
with the transactions contemplated hereby; and |
(c) | if applicable, use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain and, if required, cause the
Corporation to assist in obtaining any additional approval from the TSX Venture Exchange Inc.,
necessary for the conversion of the Debenture into common shares in accordance with the
Debenture and the exercise of the option to purchase the Purchased Shares in accordance with
this Agreement and, if such approval is subject to any conditions which are unacceptable to
Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx acting reasonably, BrazAlta agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts
to negotiate with the TSX Venture Exchange Inc., to remove or minimize those conditions
required to be satisfied prior to receipt of the final approval from the TSX Venture Exchange
Inc., and will, if requested by Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx, allow Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx or its counsel to
participate in the negotiation process. |
ARTICLE XVI — INDEMNITY FROM BRAZALTA
16.1 BrazAlta Indemnity
BrazAlta agrees to indemnify and save harmless Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx from and against all Damages,
which may result from any material breach or material inaccuracy of a representation or warranty
given by the Corporation or its Subsidiary as provided in Article IV of the Credit Agreement.
Nothing in this Article XVI shall be construed as a guarantee or commitment by BrazAlta to be
obligated for the repayment of the Loan.
ARTICLE XVII — NOTICES
17.1 Requirements for Notices
All notices given pursuant to this Agreement shall be:
(a) | in writing; |
|
(b) | marked for the attention of the relevant Person named below; and |
|
(c) | delivered to the address of the addressee or sent by fax or e-mail to the fax number or
e-mail address of the addressee which is specified in Section 17.2. |
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17.2 Addresses
Subject to Section 17.4, the address and facsimile number of each Party is:
(a) | BrazAlta Resources Corp. or BCH Ltd. | |||
Xxxxx 000, 000 - 0xx Xxxxxx XX | ||||
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx X0X 0X0 | ||||
Attention: | Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | |||
Fax No: | (000) 000-0000 | |||
E-mail: | xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxx.xxx | |||
with a copy to: | ||||
Xxxxx LLP | ||||
Xxxxxxxxxxx Place | ||||
0000, 000 - 0xx Xxxxxx X.X. | ||||
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx X0X 0X0 | ||||
Attention: | Xxxxxx Xxxx-Chor | |||
Fax No: | (000) 000-0000 | |||
E-mail: | xxxxx-xxxx@xxxxx.xx | |||
(b) | Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx Energy Inc. | |||
0000 Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 000 | ||||
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000 | ||||
Attention: | Xxxxxxxx X. Pound III | |||
Fax: | (000) 000-0000 | |||
E-mail: | xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx | |||
with a copy to: | ||||
Fraser Xxxxxx Casgrain LLP | ||||
0000, 00000-000 Xxxxxx | ||||
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx X0X 0X0 | ||||
Attention: | Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||
Fax No: | (000) 000-0000 | |||
E-mail: | xxxx.xxxxxx@xxx-xxx.xxx |
17.3 Notice Takes Effect
A notice takes effect from the later of:
(a) | the time it is actually received by the addressee (the burden of proof of receipt being on
the sender and being satisfied by courier or postal delivery records in the case of physical
delivery, a fax confirmation in the case of fax delivery or the recipient’s e-mail records in
the case of e-mail delivery); and |
|
(b) | any later time specified in the notice. |
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17.4 Change of Address
A Party may at any time, by notice given to the other Parties, designate a different Person,
address, facsimile number or e-mail address for the purpose of this Section 17.4.
ARTICLE XVIII — TERM
18.1 Termination
This Agreement shall come into force and effect as of the date hereof and, except as provided
below, shall continue in force until the earlier of:
(a) | the date on which this Agreement is terminated by written agreement of the Parties; |
|
(b) | the Closing Date; |
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(c) | the date that the Loan is repaid in full; |
|
(d) | that time that any assignee of Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx interest in this Agreement ceases to be an
Affiliate of Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx; or |
|
(e) | the closing of one of the purchase transactions referred to in Article VIII (other than a
purchase transaction where Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx does not sell the Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx Shares to the Third
Party). |
18.2 Sections to Continue in Force
Notwithstanding Section 18.1, after the termination of this Agreement, Article XI, Article XII
and Article XIII shall continue in force in accordance with their respective terms.
ARTICLE XIX — GENERAL
19.1 Exercise of Rights
Subject to the express provisions of this Agreement, a Party may exercise a right, power or
remedy at its discretion, and separately or concurrently with another right, power or remedy. A
single or partial exercise of a right, power or remedy by a Party does not prevent a further
exercise of that or of any other right, power or remedy. Failure by a Party to exercise or delay
in exercising a right, power or remedy does not prevent its exercise.
19.2 Non-Waiver
No waiver by any Party of any breach of the covenants, provisos, conditions, restrictions or
stipulations contained in this Agreement shall take effect or be binding upon that Party unless the
same be expressed in writing.
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19.3 Extent of Waiver
Any waiver given shall extend only to the particular breach specifically waived and shall not
limit or affect any rights with respect to any other or future breach.
19.4 Rights to be Cumulative
The rights, powers and remedies provided in this Agreement are cumulative with and not
exclusive of the rights, powers or remedies provided by law independently of this Agreement.
19.5 No Merger
The warranties, undertakings and indemnities in this Agreement do not merge on the execution
of this Agreement.
19.6 Enurement
This Agreement and everything herein contained shall enure to the benefit of and be binding
upon the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
19.7 Time is of the Essence
Time shall be of the essence of this Agreement.
19.8 Further Assurances
Each of the Parties shall, from time to time, execute and deliver all further documents and
instruments and do all things and acts as the other Parties may reasonably require to effectively
carry out or better evidence or perfect the full intent and meaning of this Agreement.
19.9 Supervening Legislation
To the extent permitted by law, any present or future legislation which operates to vary an
obligation or right, power or remedy of a Party in connection with this Agreement is excluded.
19.10 Entire Agreement
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the Parties in connection with the matters
herein and any previous agreements, understandings and negotiations on those subject matters have
no further effect after the date of execution of this Agreement.
19.11 No Other Representations or Warranties
Each Party acknowledges that, in entering into this Agreement, it has not relied on any
representations or warranties about its subject matter except as provided in this Agreement.
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19.12 Counterparts
This Agreement may be executed in counterparts and the counterparts taken together shall
constitute one agreement.
19.13 Governing Law
This Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are governed by the laws in
force in Alberta, including the federal laws of Canada applicable therein.
19.14 Submission to Jurisdiction
(a) | Each Party irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the
courts of Alberta for determining any dispute concerning this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. |
(b) | Except to the extent inconsistent with an express provision of this Agreement to submit
matters to an alternative forum for dispute resolution or mediation, each Party waives any
right it has to object to an action being brought in those courts including claiming that the
action has been brought in an inconvenient forum or that those courts do not have
jurisdiction. |
19.15 Service of Process
Without preventing any other mode of service, any document in an action (including any writ of
summons or other originating process or any third or other party notice) may be served on any Party
by being delivered to or left for that Party at its address for service of notices under Section
17.2.
19.16 Fees and Commissions
Each of the Parties shall pay its own legal and accounting costs and expenses incurred in
connection with the preparation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and all documents and
instruments executed pursuant hereto and any other costs and expenses whatsoever and howsoever
incurred and shall indemnify and save harmless the other Parties from and against any claim for any
broker’s, finder’s or placement fee or commission alleged to have been incurred as a result of any
action by it in connection with the transactions hereunder. It is acknowledged that the
Corporation will pay a fee in the amount of $2,800,000 to RBC Capital Markets in connection with
the Loan.
19.17 Amendments
Except as provided herein, no amendment or variation of the provisions of this Agreement shall
be binding upon the Parties unless evidenced in writing and executed by all of the Parties.
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19.18 Assignment
Neither party may assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement
without the prior written consent of the other Parties. BrazAlta and the Corporation hereby
consent to the assignment of the rights of this Agreement to an Affiliate of Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx.
19.19 Continuing Nature of Obligations
The expiry or termination of this Agreement shall not relieve any Party of any liabilities or
obligations that by their nature survive expiry or termination including, without limitation,
warranties, remedies and obligations of confidentiality, or that arose prior to the expiry or
termination of this Agreement.
[remainder of page intentionally left blank]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Parties have executed this Agreement.
BRAZALTA RESOURCES CORP. | ||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxx | |||
Name: | Xxxxx Xxxxxxx | |||
Title: | Chief Financial Officer | |||
BCH LTD. | ||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxx | |||
Name: | Xxxxx Xxxxxxx | |||
Title: | Chief Financial Officer | |||
XXXXX-XXXXXXXX ENERGY INC. | ||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxxx X. Pound III | |||
Name: | Xxxxxxxx X. Pound III | |||
Title: | General Counsel & Secretary | |||
SCHEDULE “A”
VALUATION PROCEDURE
For the purposes of Article II of this Agreement, the Purchase Price, the Purchased Share
Price, the ESOP Option Price, the ESOP Share Price, the Standard Bank Warrant Price, the Standard
Bank Share Price, the Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx Share Price and the Third Party Share Price (if applicable)
shall be the determined as follows:
1) | The Valuation of the Corporation shall be determined as of December 31, 2009
based on such appropriate valuation methods as may be chosen and applied by the
Valuator. For further clarity, the value of the Corporation as a whole as determined
by the Valuator shall be the “Purchase Price”. |
||
2) | The Valuator shall use the Valuation referred to above to prepare a statement
(the “Statement”) containing the following information: |
a) | the value of the Corporation as a whole; |
||
b) | the value of each of the Standard Bank Warrant and the Standard
Bank Shares (the respective values referred to herein as the “Standard Bank
Warrant Price” and the “Standard Bank Share Price”); |
||
c) | the value of the Purchased Shares (the “Purchased Share
Price”); |
||
d) | the value of each of the ESOP Options and the ESOP Shares (the
respective values referred to herein as the “ESOP Option Price” and the “ESOP
Share Price”); |
||
e) | the value of the common shares (if any) held by Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx
and the common shares issuable upon the conversion of the Debenture (such
common shares are collectively called the “Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx Shares”) and such
value is called the “Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx Share Price”; and |
||
f) | the value of the common shares (if any) held by any other
Person (such common shares are collectively called the “Third Party Shares” and
such value is called the “Third Party Share Price”. |
For further clarity, such values shall be determined as a percentage calculation of
the total amount of the Purchase Price based upon the percentage that the applicable
securities represent in the Corporation on a fully-diluted basis but, for greater
certainty, the dilution resulting from the ESOP Options, the ESOP Shares, the
Standard Bank Warrant and the Standard Bank Shares shall be applied to 100% of the
Corporation. In other words, the aggregate of the Purchased Share Price, the ESOP
Option Price, the ESOP Share Price, the Standard Bank Warrant Price, the Standard
Bank Share Price, the Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx Share Price and the Third Party Share Price
shall be equal to 100% of the Purchase Price.
3) | The Valuator shall deliver the Valuation and the Statement to Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx
and BrazAlta concurrently together with the full valuation report. |
SCHEDULE “B”
BY-LAWS OF THE CORPORATION
BY-LAW NO. 2
A by-law relating generally to
the transaction of the business
and affairs of
the transaction of the business
and affairs of
BCH LTD.
(hereinafter referred to as the “Corporation”)
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
1. | Calling of and Notice of Meetings - Meetings of the board shall be held at such place and
time and on such day as the Chairman of the board, president, chief executive officer or a
vice-president, if any, or any two directors may determine. Notice of meetings of the board
shall be given to each director not less than 48 hours before the time when the meeting is to
be held. Each newly elected board may without notice hold its first meeting for the purposes
of organization and the appointment of officers immediately following the meeting of
shareholders at which such board was elected. |
|
Any notice of a directors’ meeting must specify in reasonable detail the purpose of, or the
business to be transacted at, the meeting. No business may be put to the directors at a
meeting unless such business is specified in the notice or all of the directors are present
at such meeting and do not object to the business being put to the meeting. |
||
2. | Quorum - Subject to the residency requirements contained in the Business Corporations Act,
the quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the board shall consist of the
Chairman of the board plus a minimum of four (4) directors then elected or appointed, or such
greater or lesser number of directors as the board may from time to time determine. |
|
A director is not considered present at a meeting where that director attends the meeting
for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the grounds that
the meeting is not lawfully called. If proper notice of a directors’ meeting is given,
specifying the purpose of or the business to be transacted at the meeting and a quorum of
directors is not present, then a second directors’ meeting may be held on 48 hours’ written
notice to transact the business specified in the original notice. |
||
Subject to the Business Corporations Act, the directors present at the second directors’
meeting constitute a quorum and the business specified in the original notice may be
transacted by those directors in attendance at the second directors’ meeting. |
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3. | Place of Meeting - Meetings of the board may be held in or outside Canada. |
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4. | Votes to Govern - At all meetings of the board every question shall be decided by a majority
of the votes cast on the question; and in case of an equality of votes the Chairman of the
board shall be entitled to a second or casting vote. |
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5. | Audit Committee - When required by the Business Corporations Act the board shall, and at any
other time the board may, appoint annually from among its number an Audit Committee to be
composed of not fewer than three (3) directors of whom a majority shall not be officers or
employees of the Corporation or its affiliates. The Audit Committee shall have the powers and
duties provided in the Business Corporations Act and any other powers delegated by the board. |
|
6. | Interest of Directors and Officers Generally in Contracts - No director or officer shall be
disqualified by his office from contracting with the Corporation nor shall any contract or
arrangement entered into by or on behalf of the Corporation with any director or officer or in
which any director or officer is in any way interested be liable to be voided nor shall any
director or officer so contracting or being so interested be liable to account to the
Corporation for any profit realized by any such contract or arrangement by reason of such
director or officer holding that office or of the fiduciary relationship thereby established;
provided that the director or officer shall have complied with the provisions of the Business
Corporations Act. |
|
7. | Appointment of Officers - Subject to the articles, the board may from time to time appoint a
president, chief executive officer, chief financial officer, one or more vice-presidents (to
which title may be added words indicating seniority or function), a secretary, a treasurer and
such other officers as the board may determine, including one or more assistants to any of the
officers so appointed. The board may specify the duties of and, in accordance with this
by-law and subject to the provisions of the Business Corporations Act, delegate to such
officers powers to manage the business and affairs of the Corporation. Subject to the
provisions of this by-law, an officer may but need not be a director and one person may hold
more than one office. |
|
8. | Chairman of the Board - The board may from time to time may also appoint a Chairman of the
board who shall be a director. If appointed, the board may assign to him any of the powers
and duties that are by any provisions of this by-law assigned to the managing director or to
the president; and he shall, subject to the provisions of the Business Corporations Act, have
such other powers and duties as the board may specify. During the absence or disability of
the Chairman of the board, his duties shall be performed and his powers exercised by the
managing director, if any, or by the president. |
|
9. | President - If appointed, the president shall be the chief operating officer and, subject to
the authority of the board, shall have general supervision of the business of the Corporation;
and he shall have such other powers and duties as the board may specify. During the absence
or disability of the president, or if no president has been appointed, the managing director
shall also have the powers and duties of that office. |
|
10. | Vice-President - A vice-president shall have such powers and duties as the board or the chief
executive officer may specify. |
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11. | Secretary - The secretary shall attend and be the secretary of all meetings of the board,
shareholders and committees of the board and shall enter or cause to be entered in records
kept for that purpose minutes of all proceedings thereat; he shall give or cause to be
given, as and when instructed, all notices to shareholders, directors, officers, auditors
and members of committees of the board; he shall be the custodian of the stamp or mechanical
device generally used for affixing the corporate seal of the Corporation and of all books,
papers, records, documents and instruments belonging to the Corporation, except when some
other officer or agent has been appointed for that purpose; and he shall have such other
powers and duties as the board or the chief executive officer may specify. |
|
12. | Chief Financial Officer - The chief financial officer shall keep proper accounting records in
compliance with the Business Corporations Act and shall be responsible for the deposit of
money, the safekeeping of securities and the disbursement of the funds of the Corporation; he
shall render to the board whenever required an account of all his transactions as chief
financial officer and of the financial position of the Corporation; and he shall have such
other powers and duties as the board or the chief executive officer may specify. |
|
13. | Agents and Attorneys - The board shall have the power from time to time to appoint agents and
attorneys for the Corporation in or outside Canada with such powers as the board sees fit. |
SHAREHOLDERS’ MEETINGS
14. | Quorum - Subject to the requirements of the Business Corporations Act, a quorum for the
transaction of business at any meeting of shareholders, irrespective of the number of persons
actually present at the meeting, shall be one person present in person being a shareholder
entitled to vote thereat or a duly appointed representative or proxyholder for an absent
shareholder so entitled, and holding or representing in the aggregate not less than a majority
of the outstanding shares of the Corporation entitled to vote at the meeting. |
|
15. | Votes to Govern - At any meeting of shareholders every question shall, unless otherwise
required by the Business Corporations Act, be determined by the majority of votes cast on the
question. In case of an equality of votes either upon a show of hands or upon a poll, the
chairman of the meeting shall not be entitled a second or casting vote. |
|
16. | Show of Hands - Subject to the provisions of the Business Corporations Act, any question at a
meeting of shareholders shall be decided by a show of hands unless a ballot thereon is
required or demanded as hereinafter provided. Upon a show of hands every person who is
present and entitled to vote shall have one vote per share. Whenever a vote by show of hands
shall have been taken upon a question, unless a ballot thereon is so required or demanded, a
declaration by the chairman of the meeting that the vote upon the question has been carried or
carried by a particular majority or not carried and an entry to that effect in the minutes of
the meeting shall be prima facie evidence of the fact without proof of the number or
proportion of the votes recorded in favour of or against any resolution or other proceeding in
respect of the said question, and the result of the vote so taken shall be the decision of the
shareholders upon the said question. |
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17. | Ballots - On any question proposed for consideration at a meeting of shareholders, and
whether or not a show of hands has been taken thereon, any shareholder or proxyholder entitled
to vote at the meeting may require or demand a ballot. A ballot so required or demanded shall
be taken in such manner as the chairman shall direct. A requirement or demand for a ballot
may be withdrawn at any time prior to the taking of the ballot. If a ballot is taken each
person present shall be entitled, in respect of the shares which he is entitled to vote at the
meeting upon the question, to that number of votes provided by the Business Corporations Act
or the articles, and the result of the ballot so taken shall be the decision of the
shareholders upon the said question. |
MEETING BY TELEPHONE
18. | Directors - A director may participate in a meeting of the board or of a committee of the
board by means of telephone or other communication facilities that permit all persons
participating in any such meeting to hear each other. |
INDEMNIFICATION
19. | Indemnification of Directors and Officers - The Corporation shall indemnify a director or
officer of the Corporation, a former director or officer of the Corporation or a person who
acts or acted at the Corporation’s request as a director or officer of a body corporate of
which the Corporation is or was a shareholder or creditor, and his heirs and legal
representatives to the extent permitted by the Business Corporations Act. |
20. | Indemnity of Others - Except as otherwise required by the Business Corporations Act and
subject to paragraph 20, the Corporation may from time to time indemnify and save harmless any
person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
contemplated action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Corporation) by reason of the
fact that he is or was an employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the
request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee, agent of or participant in
another body corporate, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against
expenses (including legal fees), judgments, fines and any amount actually and reasonably
incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted honestly and in
good faith with a view to the best interests of the Corporation and, with respect to any
criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, had
reasonable grounds for believing that his conduct was lawful. The termination of any action,
suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement or conviction shall not, of itself, create a
presumption that the person did not act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best
interests of the Corporation and, with respect to any criminal or administrative action or
proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, had no reasonable grounds for believing
that his conduct was lawful. |
21. | Right of Indemnity Not Exclusive - The provisions for indemnification contained in the
by-laws of the Corporation shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any
person seeking indemnification may be entitled under any agreement, vote of shareholders or
directors or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to
action in another capacity, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a
director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs and legal
representatives of such a person. |
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22. | No Liability of Directors or Officers for Certain Matters - To the extent permitted by law,
no director or officer of the Corporation shall be liable for the acts, receipts, neglects or
defaults of any other director or officer or employee or for joining in any receipt or act for
conformity or for any loss, damage or expense happening to the Corporation through the
insufficiency or deficiency of title to any property acquired by the Corporation or for or on
behalf of the Corporation or for the insufficiency or deficiency of any security in or upon
which any of the moneys of or belonging to the Corporation shall be placed out or invested or
for any loss or damage arising from the bankruptcy, insolvency or tortious act of any person,
firm or body corporate with whom or which any moneys, securities or other assets belonging to
the Corporation shall be lodged or deposited or for any loss, conversion, misapplication or
misappropriation of or any damage resulting from any dealings with any moneys, securities or
other assets belonging to the Corporation or for any other loss, damage or misfortune whatever
which may happen in the execution of the duties of his respective office or trust or in
relation thereto unless the same shall happen by or through his failure to act honestly and in
good faith with a view to the best interests of the Corporation and in connection therewith to
exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in
comparable circumstances. If any director or officer of the Corporation shall be employed by
or shall perform services for the Corporation otherwise than as a director or officer or shall
be a member of a firm or a shareholder, director or officer of a body corporate which is
employed by or performs services for the Corporation, the fact of his being a director or
officer of the Corporation shall not disentitle such director or officer or such firm or body
corporate, as the case may be, from receiving proper remuneration for such services. |
DIVIDENDS
23. | Dividends - Subject to the provisions of the Business Corporations Act, the board may from
time to time declare dividends payable to the shareholders according to their respective
rights and interests in the Corporation. Dividends may be paid in money or property or by
issuing fully paid shares of the Corporation. |
24. | Dividend Cheques - A dividend payable in cash shall be paid by cheque drawn on the
Corporation’s bankers or one of them to the order of each registered holder of shares of the
class or series in respect of which it has been declared and mailed by prepaid ordinary mail
to such registered holder at his recorded address, unless such holder otherwise directs. In
the case of joint holders the cheque shall, unless such joint holders otherwise direct, be
made payable to the order of all such joint holders and mailed to them at their recorded
address. The mailing of such cheque as aforesaid, unless the same is not paid on due
presentation, shall satisfy and discharge the liability for the dividend to the extent of the
sum represented thereby plus the amount of any tax which the Corporation is required to and
does withhold. |
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25. | Non-Receipt of Cheques - In the event of non-receipt of any dividend cheque by the person to
whom it is sent as aforesaid, the Corporation shall issue to such person a replacement cheque
for a like amount on such terms as to indemnify, reimbursement of expenses and evidence of
non-receipt and of title as the board may from time to time prescribe, whether generally or in
any particular case. |
26. | Unclaimed Dividends - Any dividend unclaimed after a period of 6 years from the date on which
the same has been declared to be payable shall be forfeited and shall revert to the
Corporation. |
BANKING ARRANGEMENTS, CONTRACTS, DIVISIONS ETC.
27. | Banking Arrangements - The banking business of the Corporation, or any part thereof, shall be
transacted with such banks, trust companies or other financial institutions as the board may
designate, appoint or authorize from time to time by resolution and all such banking business,
or any part thereof, shall be transacted on the Corporation’s behalf by such one or more
officers and/or other persons as the board may designate, direct or authorize from time to
time by resolution and to the extent therein provided. |
28. | Execution of Instruments - Contracts, documents or instruments in writing requiring execution
by the Corporation may be signed by any one officer and all contracts, documents or
instruments in writing so signed shall be binding upon the Corporation without any further
authorization or formality. The board is authorized from time to time by resolution to appoint
any officer or officers or any other person or persons on behalf of the Corporation to sign
and deliver either contracts, documents or instruments in writing generally or to sign either
manually or by facsimile signature and/or counterpart signature and deliver specific
contracts, documents or instruments in writing. The term “contracts, documents or instruments
in writing” as used in this by-law shall include deeds, mortgages, charges, conveyances,
powers of attorney, transfers and assignments of property of all kinds (including
specifically, but without limitation, transfers and assignments of shares, warrants, bonds,
debentures or other securities), share certificates, warrants, bonds, debentures and other
securities or security instruments of the Corporation and all paper writings. |
29. | Voting Rights in Other
Bodies Corporate - The signing officers of the Corporation may execute
and deliver proxies and arrange for the issuance of voting certificates or other evidence of
the right to exercise the voting rights attaching to any securities held by the Corporation.
Such instruments shall be in favour of such persons as may be determined by the officers
executing or arranging for the same. In addition, the board may from time to time direct the
manner in which and the persons by whom any particular voting rights or class of voting rights
may or shall be exercised. |
30. | Creation and Consolidation of Divisions - The board may cause the business and operations of
the Corporation or any part thereof to be divided or to be segregated into one or more
divisions upon such basis, including without limitation, character or type of operation,
geographical territory, product manufactured or service rendered, as the board may consider
appropriate in each case. The board may also cause the business and
operations of any such division to be further divided into sub-units and the business and
operations of any such divisions or sub-units to be consolidated upon such basis as the
board may consider appropriate in each case. |
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31. | Name of Division - Any division or its sub-units may be designated by such name as the board
may from time to time determine and may transact business, enter into contracts, sign cheques
and other documents of any kind and do all acts and things under such name. Any such
contracts, cheque or document shall be binding upon the Corporation as if it had been entered
into or signed in the name of the Corporation. |
32. | Officers of Divisions - From time to time the board or a person designated by the board, may
appoint one or more officers for any division, prescribe their powers and duties and settle
their terms of employment and remuneration. The board or a person designated by the board,
may remove at its or his pleasure any officer so appointed, without prejudice to such officers
rights under any employment contract. Officers of divisions or their sub-units shall not, as
such be officers of the Corporation. |
MISCELLANEOUS
33. | Invalidity of Any Provisions of This By-law - The invalidity or unenforceability of any
provision of this by-law shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining
provisions of this by-law. |
34. | Omissions and Errors - The accidental omission to give any notice to any shareholder,
director, officer or auditor or the non-receipt of any notice by any shareholder, director,
officer or auditor or any error in any notice not affecting the substance thereof shall not
invalidate any action taken at any meeting held pursuant to such notice or otherwise founded
thereon. |
INTERPRETATION
35. | Interpretation - In this by-law and all other by-laws of the Corporation words importing the
singular number only shall include the plural and vice versa; words importing the masculine
gender shall include the feminine and neuter genders; words importing persons shall include an
individual, partnership, association, body corporate, executor, administrator or legal
representative and any number or aggregate of persons; “articles” include the original or
restated articles of incorporation, articles of amendment, articles of amalgamation, articles
of continuance, articles of reorganization, articles of arrangement and articles of revival;
“board” shall mean the board of directors of the Corporation; “Business Corporations Act”
shall mean the Business Corporations Act (Alberta), R.S.A. 2000, c. B-9, as amended from time
to time, or any Act that may hereafter be substituted therefor; “meeting of shareholders”
shall mean and include an annual meeting of shareholders and a special meeting of shareholders
of the Corporation; and “signing officers” means any person authorized to sign on behalf of
the Corporation pursuant to paragraph 29. |
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36. | Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set out herein, this by-law shall be subject to the
option to purchase and governance agreement dated as of January 31, 2008 made
among BrazAlta Resources Corp., the Corporation and Xxxxx-Xxxxxxxx Energy Inc. (such
agreement, as amended, is called the “Governance Agreement”). In the event of any
inconsistency or conflict between this by-law and the Governance Agreement, the terms of the
Governance Agreement shall govern. |
CONSENTED to by the directors of the Corporation.
DATED
this • day of January, 2008.