EXHIBIT 10.2
AGREEMENT FOR THE EXPLORATION AND EXPLOITATION OF THE MINING PROJECT, THE
SUBJECT HEREOF, THAT IS ENTERED INTO BY THE COMPANY NAMED MINERA APOLO, S.A. DE
C.V. (HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS "MINERA APOLO"), REPRESENTED BY ITS PRESIDENT
AND ATTORNEY-IN-FACT, XX. XXXXXX X. XXXXXXX; BY THE COMPANY NAMED SIERRA MADRE
RESOURCES, S.A. DE C.V. (HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS "SIERRA MADRE") REPRESENTED
BY ITS ATTORNEY, LICENCIADO XXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXXX; AND BY THE COMPANY NAMED
CAN-CAL RESOURCES LTD. (HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS "CAN-CAL"), REPRESENTED BY
ITS PRESIDENT AND ATTORNEY-IN-FACT, XX. XXXXXXX X. XXXXX, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
FOLLOWING STATEMENTS AND CLAUSES:
STATEMENTS
I. MINERA APOLO DECLARES, THROUGH ITS REPRESENTATIVE, THAT:
a) It is a mining company duly organized and existing pursuant to the laws
of the United Mexican States, in the terms of the Public Instrument
Number 4601, dated the day 15 of October of 1976, notarized and attested
to by Licenciado Xxxxxx X. Iturbino Xxxxxxx, Notary Public No. 139 for
Districto Federal, duly recorded with the Public Registry of Commerce
for Districto Federal, under the Commercial Folio No. 217, on the day 12
of November of 1976; and recorded under Number 118 at page 85 of Volume
XXI of the book of Mining Companies with the Public Registry of Mining
on the day 10 of December of 1976;
b) It has the economic and legal capacity to be bound by the terms of this
Agreement;
c) Its representative has the faculties necessary for the execution of this
Agreement, which have not been revoked or limited in any form
whatsoever;
d) It is the sole and legitimate holder of 100% (one hundred percent) of
the rights derived from the following mining concessions which are
located in the Municipality of Pinos, State of Zacatecas, Mexico,
hereinafter referred to collectively as the "Mining Concessions":
MINING TYPE OF
CONCESSION TITLE NO. HECTARES CONCESSION
EL PERRO I 204061 61.7254 EXPLOITATION
XXXXXX 185956 8.3487 EXPLOITATION
LA PAZ 183814 122.2521 EXPLOITATION
XX XXX XX 000000 30.7413 EXPLOITATION
XX XXX XXX 000000 51.4413 EXPLOITATION
XXXXXXX XXXXX I 180440 72.8234 EXPLOITATION
APOLO XXXX. XX 000000 10.4892 EXPLOITATION
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e) Within the Mining Concessions, it has designated an area, referred to as
the Catanava Block (the "Catanava Block"), comprising 131.566 (one
hundred thirty one and decimal point five hundred sixty six) hectares,
which is the subject of this Agreement. The dimensions and location of
the Catanava Block are attached hereto as Exhibit A;
f) The Mining Concessions are in force and current in compliance with all
obligations established by the Mining Law and its Regulations and the
Federal Fees Law, and as of the signature date of this Agreement, no
official communication whatsoever has been received or issued by the
General Bureau of Mines or other authority that could affect the rights
derived from the Mining Concessions in any form;
g) The Mining Concessions are free of all kinds of liens, impediments or
claims of third parties, royalties, including but not limited to
attachments, expropriation, temporary occupation, debt, contingencies,
obstacles or litigation that could affect the object of this Agreement
or reduce the value of the Mining Concessions;
h) No type of obligation has been acquired with respect to any third party
which prevents it from entering into this Agreement, nor are there
pending proceedings or possible proceedings that expose the Mining
Concessions, or the validity of this Agreement, to risk;
i) Any available information with regard to the Mining Concessions has been
delivered or disclosed to SIERRA MADRE; and
j) The conditions and operations related to the Mining Concessions are in
full compliance with the laws that govern environmental matters, and
there are no orders or requirements in force related to environmental
issues by which any remedy, work programs or expenses with respect to
the Mining Concessions are sought, nor has it received any communication
related to the foregoing, nor is it aware of there being any grounds on
which such orders or requirements could be issued.
II. SIERRA MADRE DECLARES, THROUGH ITS REPRESENTATIVE, THAT:
a) It is a mining company duly organized and existing in accordance with
the laws of the United Mexican States in the terms of Public Instrument
Number 49,282, dated the day 18 of September of 2003, notarized and
attested to by Licenciado Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Notary Public No.
140 for Mexico City, Federal District, duly recorded with the Public
Registry of Commerce of the Mexico City, Federal District, under
Commercial folio No. 312546, on the day 31 of December of 2003; recorded
under Number 97 at page 49 of Volume XXXVIII of the book of Mining
Companies with the Public Registry of Mining on the day 27 of February
of 2004;
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b) It has the economic and legal capacity to be bound by the terms of this
Agreement;
c) In terms of the public instrument referred to in paragraph (a), above,
its representative has the faculties necessary for the execution of this
Agreement, which have not been revoked or limited in any form
whatsoever; and
d) It agrees to join its efforts and resources with those of MINERA APOLO
for the Development of the Project, the subject of this Agreement, under
the terms and conditions stipulated herein.
III. CAN-CAL DECLARES, THROUGH ITS REPRESENTATIVE, THAT:
a) It is a mining company duly organized and existing in accordance with
the laws of the United States of America, in accordance with its
Articles of Incorporation, filed and recorded in the Office of the
Secretary of State of the State of Nevada on the day 22 of March of
1995;
b) It has the economic and legal capacity to be bound by the terms of this
Agreement; and
c) Its representative has the faculties necessary for the execution of this
Agreement, which have not been revoked or limited in any form
whatsoever.
Based on the foregoing Declarations, the Parties agree to this Agreement,
subject to the following:
CLAUSES
FIRST RIGHTS TO EXPLORE AND EXPLOIT THE PROJECT.
MINERA APOLO shall grant to SIERRA MADRE the exclusive rights to the exploration
and exploitation of the Project constituted within the Mining Concessions for
the existing term of the Mining Concessions, and any renewals thereof, and to
the exclusive utilization of any equipment, installations and improvements
thereon, in accordance with the terms and conditions stipulated in this
Agreement, which rights include, among other things, the right to conduct
geophysical, geological and drilling programs of any kind; and exploitation
programs, such as shaft sinking, blasting, tunneling, construction of facilities
and infrastructure improvements, milling and other processing activities; and
any other programs and activities that SIERRA MADRE shall deem necessary to
properly carry out the exploration and exploitation of the Project. It is agreed
that SIERRA MADRE shall be able to be associated with or to employ third parties
to collaborate in the execution of the operations, the subject of this clause.
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SECOND GRANTING OF AN INITIAL OPTION
Upon the execution of this Agreement, MINERA APOLO grants to SIERRA MADRE an
exclusive Initial Option (the "Option") to, among other things, satisfy itself
as to the legal status of the Mining Concessions, further review available
geological and technical data pertaining to the Mining Concessions, to conduct
any geological and technical programs it deems necessary and to decide if it
wishes to proceed with this Agreement and with the exploration and exploitation
of the Project.
The term of this Option shall commence on the date of this Agreement and shall
expire on the 90th (ninetieth) day following execution of this Agreement (the
"Due Diligence" period). MINERA APOLO shall xxxxx XXXXXX MADRE, free of charges
and expenses, access to the Project and to all data relating to the Project in
its possession to assist SIERRA MADRE with its Due Diligence. If requested by
SIERRA MADRE, MINERA APOLO shall make its personnel based in the City of San
Xxxx Potosi available, free of charge, to assist SIERRA MADRE with its Due
Diligence. SIERRA MADRE shall be responsible for any costs incurred, which are
directly related to its Due Diligence efforts.
At, or prior to, the conclusion of the Due Diligence period, SIERRA MADRE shall
notify MINERA APOLO, in writing, whether it wishes to proceed with the
Development of the Project
If SIERRA MADRE exercises the Option, SIERRA MADRE shall have the right to
assign (the "Assignment") its rights and interests in this Agreement to a wholly
owned Mexican legal corporation ("NEWCO"), to be organized and owned 100% (one
hundred percent) either by SIERRA MADRE or SIERRA MADRE'S United States parent
company, CAN-CAL, a Nevada-based public company listed on the United States
Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board ("OTC BB"), under the stock symbol: CCRE. In
this Agreement, NEWCO'S parent company, whether it should be SIERRA MADRE or
CAN-CAL, shall hereinafter be referred to as "the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER." It is
SIERRA MADRE'S and the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER'S intention that NEWCO shall be
responsible for the Development of the Project should SIERRA MADRE exercise the
Option.
THIRD INTERESTS OF THE PARTIES
If SIERRA MADRE exercises the Option and makes the Assignment in Clause Second,
above, the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER shall ensure that NEWCO issues sufficient shares
of its common stock to MINERA APOLO, such that MINERA APOLO shall own 49%
(forty-nine percent), and the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER 51% (fifty-one percent), of
the issued and outstanding common stock of NEWCO at the commencement of the
Development of the Project. MINERA APOLO shall receive its 49% (forty-nine
percent) equity interest in NEWCO in consideration of XXXXXX XXXXX granting
NEWCO the exclusive rights to explore and exploit the Project and access to, and
exclusive use of, any equipment, installations and improvements that exist on
the Project as of the signing of this Agreement. Under no circumstances shall
MINERA APOLO be
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permitted to either refuse receipt of the shares of NEWCO from the MAJORITY
SHAREHOLDER or not grant NEWCO the exclusive rights noted above.
FOURTH. DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROJECT
MINERA APOLO and SIERRA MADRE enter into this Agreement to establish and
regulate the terms of the participation of the Parties and other conditions
related to the Development of the Project, in which MINERA APOLO shall
participate with its resources and goods but not limited to the rights derived
from the Mining Concessions, whether for exploration or exploitation, in
addition to any improvements, equipment and installations existing on the
Project; and assuming SIERRA MADRE makes the Assignment in Clause Second, above,
the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER shall ensure that NEWCO shall participate with the
financing, mining experience and management of the mining project to comply with
the terms of this Agreement. The form in which the expression "the Parties" is
used in this Agreement includes MINERA APOLO, SIERRA MADRE and CAN-CAL and any
other party that, from hereafter, acquires a participation in the Project
according to this Agreement.
The expressions the "Development of the Project" or the "Project" used in this
Agreement mean the mining project referred to as "The Catanava Block"
constituted within the Mining Concessions and the rights derived from the
applications for said Mining Concessions, all of which are located in the
Municipality of Pinos, State of Zacatecas, Mexico, for which a location diagram
of the Mining Concessions is attached hereto as Exhibit B.
The Parties agree that the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER shall be the operator (the
"Operator") of the Development of the Project, responsible for the daily
management of the administrative, managerial, and technical operations of the
Project. If CAN-CAL is the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER of NEWCO, it shall have the
right to appoint SIERRA MADRE, or any other wholly owned subsidiary or legal
entity in which it has more than a 50% (fifty percent) equity interest, as
Operator.
FIFTH. OPERATING COMMITTEE.
If SIERRA MADRE exercises the Option and makes the Assignment in Clause Second,
above, XXXXXX XXXXX and the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER, as the shareholders of NEWCO
following the Assignment, agree to timely form an Operating Committee (the
"Committee") of the Board of Directors of NEWCO. The Committee shall have the
overall responsibility for the supervision of the Development of the Project.
The Committee will be comprised of 4 (four) members, 2 (two) of whom will be
appointed by MINERA APOLO and shall include the President of MINERA APOLO, and
the 2 (two) remaining members shall be appointed by the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER and
shall include the President of the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER. The members will
exercise their duties and responsibilities as Committee members without any
economic compensation.
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The Committee shall have among its obligations and attributes the following:
i) The Committee shall decide on the acquisition of any additional
concessions to be added to the Project. In no case will MINERA
APOLO, or any of its stockholders, employees, advisors or related
parties, be permitted to make a new application for any concession
which is located in an area of 5 (five) kilometers from the Project,
unless approved in advance and in writing by the Committee;
ii) If the Committee decides to acquire a new concession located within
an area of 5 (five) kilometers from the Project, the concession will
be applied for in the name of NEWCO, and any such concession shall
form part of the Project and will be subject to conditions of this
Agreement; and
iii) The Committee will decide on the appropriate exploration and
exploitation programs for the Development of the Project, based on
the recommendations and direction of the Operator.
The Committee shall meet and adopt decisions as follows:
i) The Committee shall meet at least once each quarter or more
frequently if the Operator so determines;
ii) The members of the Committee must be given notice at least 10 (ten)
calendar days in advance of the date on which the Committee meeting
will be held;
iii) The convocation must be notified to the Committee members by fax or
any other means that assures its receipt, in Spanish and in English;
iv) MINERA APOLO gives as its fax Number to which convocations
should be sent the following number in Mexico: (000) 000-0000;
v) The MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER gives as its fax numbers to which
convocations should be sent the following numbers in the USA: (609)
219-7493 and (000) 000-0000;
vi) If all of the members of the Committee meet without a prior
convocation, they may make decisions;
vii) The Committee may make decisions even when the members do not meet,
provided said decisions are ratified in writing by all members who
constitute the Committee;
viii) In order for a Committee meeting to be valid and for decisions to be
taken and binding on the Parties, the members who are the respective
Presidents of MINERA APOLO and the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER must be
present. Members of the Committee may not be represented by proxy in
meetings;
ix) The Committee may take decisions by a majority of votes present, and
in the case of deadlock on a decision by the members of MINERA APOLO
and the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER, the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER shall have
the deciding vote based on its 51% (fifty-one percent) equity
interest in NEWCO; and
x) The decisions that the Committee adopts are binding for the
signatories of this Agreement.
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In addition to other matters prescribed in this Agreement, MINERA APOLO and the
MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER agree and shall ensure that the Board of Directors of NEWCO
shall approve resolutions on the Project's profits and losses, on expenses and
investment budgets, and other matters of importance for the Development of the
Project, complying with the provisions contained in this Agreement regarding the
functions, liabilities, rights, and obligations of the Parties, according to the
following dispositions:
i) The MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER will determine the profits and losses of
each commercial year in agreement with the accounting principles
that govern in Mexico;
ii) The commercial years of the Project will be established on an annual
basis, and they shall begin on the day 1 of January and end on the
day 31 of December of each year, except for the first year that will
be irregular and shall run from the date this Agreement is signed to
the day 31 of December of 2005;
iii) The MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER will prepare and will deliver to the
Committee the balance sheet and the other financial statements of
the commercial year (" the Annual Balance") at the latest within 3
(three) months following the end of each commercial year. The
accounting records and all supporting documentation shall remain at
the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER'S tax address located at San Francisco Xx.
000-000, Xxx. Xxx Xxxxx, 00000, Xxxxxx, D.F. or at any future
address that may be properly notified by the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER;
iv) The resolutions approving the Annual Balance, any distribution of
profits or their reinvestment or their use in the amortization of
losses or in the creation or reconstitution of reserves and on other
matters of interest for the Project discussed in the Annual Meeting
of the Committee shall be approved by the majority of the
participation interests of the Parties.
v) The profits and the losses, when the Annual Meeting of the Committee
do not decide to apply them to other ends, shall be distributed in
accordance with the participation interests of the Parties;
vi) No distribution of profits will be decreed if they are not actually
made and shown as such in the Annual Balance;
vii) The MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER will prepare and deliver to MINERA APOLO a
monthly balance at the latest within the month following the end of
each calendar month. The accounting records and supporting
documentation shall remain at MINERA APOLO'S disposal as, where, and
for the use provided at the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER'S tax address as
indicated in section (iii), above, of this Clause;
viii) The profit distributions to MINERA APOLO shall be paid to it at the
MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER'S tax address indicated in section (iii),
above, of this Clause; and
ix) The operating and capital budget (hereinbefore and hereinafter
called "the Period's Budget") may be annual or for a shorter period,
as resolved by the Committee. The MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER shall deliver
or send to the Committee the Period's Budget at least 15 (fifteen)
calendar days ahead of the
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x) date on which it will be discussed and approved by the Committee.
Once approved, the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER shall notify the Committee,
in writing, at meetings of the Committee during the course of the
year, of any changes to the Period Budget, and any material
variances, defined as greater than 20% (twenty percent) of any
Period Budget line item or 5% (five percent) of the total Period
Budget, which must be approved by the Committee in advance. The
Period's Budget shall include only expenses that benefit the Project
directly, unless the Parties decide otherwise. The Project shall not
pay charges coming from the shareholders of the Parties, different
from the ones provided herein or different from the ones expressly
and previously authorized by both Parties.
All the provisions of this Clause Fifth, as well as Clause Sixth, below, shall
be set forth in the corporate records of NEWCO and ratified, as such, by NEWCO'S
Board of Directors. In addition, the Parties agree that NEWCO'S articles of
incorporation and by-laws, as applicable, shall contain the following
provisions:
i) Any increase in NEWCO'S share capital, whether of the fixed or
variable capital, must be approved, in advance, by a vote of at
least 65% (sixty-five percent) of NEWCO'S shares outstanding at the
time, and
ii) A unanimous vote of NEWCO'S Board of Directors is required for the
authorization of: a) Third party financing agreements, b) Purchase
of any third party securities or other non-mining-related
obligations, and c) Any changes to NEWCO'S articles of incorporation
and by-laws.
SIXTH. MANAGEMENT OF NEWCO AND PROJECT MANAGER.
The MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER shall have the sole right to appoint the President and
officers of NEWCO, subject to the approval of NEWCO'S Board of Directors.
The MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER shall have the right to appoint the Project Manager,
who will direct the daily operations of the Development of the Project. Said
appointment shall be subject to the approval of MINERA APOLO, which shall not be
unreasonably withheld. The Project Manager will report directly to the MAJORITY
SHAREHOLDER, on a daily basis, as well as to the Committee at least quarterly at
meetings of the Committee or when so determined by the Committee.
SEVENTH. CONSIDERATION FOR SIERRA MADRE'S OPTION AND THE MAJORITY
SHAREHOLDER'S RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE
PROJECT.
Upon this Agreement being duly recorded with the Public Registry of Mining,
SIERRA MADRE shall pay MINERA APOLO US$25,000 for the Option, payable wholly in
restricted publicly traded common stock of CAN-CAL, pursuant to the United
States Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 144 ("restricted shares"). The
number of restricted shares to be issued to MINERA APOLO shall be determined by
dividing US$25,000 by the average of CAN-CAL'S closing share prices on the OTC
BB during the 5 (five) trading days prior to the signing of this Agreement.
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If SIERRA MADRE elects to proceed with the Development of the Project at, or
prior to, the conclusion of the Due Diligence period and assigns its rights and
interests in this Agreement to NEWCO, the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER agrees and shall
ensure that NEWCO shall pay MINERA APOLO an additional US$50,000, as follows:
a.) US$25,000 in cash and b.) US$25,000 payable in CAN-CAL restricted shares.
The number of restricted shares to be issued to MINERA APOLO shall be determined
by dividing US$25,000 by the average of CAN-CAL'S closing share prices on the
OTC BB during the 5 (five) trading days prior to SIERRA MADRE'S election
notification to MINERA APOLO to proceed with the Development of the Project.
In all cases, the restricted shares of CAN-CAL shall be delivered to the
representative of MINERA APOLO, at the company's address indicated in Clause
Nineteenth, below, within 10 (ten) business days following the due dates noted
above. Under no circumstances shall MINERA APOLO be permitted to refuse receipt
of the restricted shares.
Unless this Agreement is terminated, as provided for herein, the MAJORITY
SHAREHOLDER agrees and shall ensure that NEWCO shall be responsible for making
the following additional payments to MINERA APOLO:
(a.) Advance Minimum Royalty Payments:
NEWCO shall pay MINERA APOLO, in cash, Advance Minimum Royalty Payments, payable
quarterly in arrears, as from the date SIERRA MADRE exercises its Option to
proceed with the Development of the Project, as follows:
- 3 (three) months after the Option is exercised US$5,000
- 6 (six) months after the Option is exercised US$10,000
- 9 (nine) months after the Option is exercised US$15,000
- 12 (twelve) months after the Option is exercised US$20,000
- 15 (fifteen) months after the Option is exercised
and quarterly thereafter US$25,000
NEWCO shall be entitled to deduct all Advance Minimum Royalty Payments against
any future Net Smelter Return ("NSR") royalty payments due MINERA APLOLO.
(b.) NSR Royalty Payments:
In addition to MINERA APOLO'S participation interest in the Project, NEWCO shall
pay MINERA APOLO, quarterly in arrears, a 1% (one percent) NSR Royalty, in
accordance with mining industry standards, on the sale of any mineral products
from the Project. No NSR Royalty payments shall be due MINERA APOLO until NEWCO
has recovered all prior Advance Minimum Royalty payments made to MINERA APOLO.
The NSR Royalty due MINERA APLOL shall be paid by not later than the 45th
(forty-fifth) day following the end of each quarter.
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EIGHT. OBLIGATIONS TO PROVIDE FINANCING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROJECT.
MINERA APOLO and the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER agree that NEWCO shall be solely
responsible for providing the financial resources for the Development of the
Project, in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement. The
financial resources required by NEWCO for the Development of the Project shall
be provided to NEWCO, when and as required, by the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER, which
obligation shall cease when MINERA APOLO is provided with notice that NEWCO has
commenced commercial production ("Commercial Production"), defined as the point
in time when NEWCO receives the first cash proceeds from any precious metals
sales following NEWCO'S notice to MINERA APOLO that it has commenced production
at the minimum monthly rate specified in Clause Thirteenth (iii), below. Once in
Commercial Production, MINERA APOLO and the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER shall be
responsible for funding any of NEWCO'S financial requirements in excess of the
Project's periodic cash flow (the "Incremental Funding Requirement"). MINERA
APOLO and the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER shall contribute to NEWCO'S Incremental
Funding Requirement in accordance with each Party's then equity interest in
NEWCO. If one of the Parties fails to provide any, or all, of its proportionate
share of NEWCO'S Incremental Funding Requirement, the other Party may contribute
to make up for any deficiency on the part of the non-funding Party, for which
the funding Party shall have the right to be repaid by NEWCO as a first,
priority call on any subsequent dividend distributions by NEWCO, until the
amount funded by the funding Party on behalf of the deficient funding Party,
plus interest calculated and accrued at the US Prime Rate of interest, is
completely repaid.
In consideration for providing the financial resources for the Development of
the Project, as well as for the overall management oversight of NEWCO, the
MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER shall be entitled to an administrative fee (the "Fee") that
shall be calculated at 15% (fifteen percent) of the Project's monthly
exploration and exploitation expenditures incurred prior to NEWCO achieving
Commercial Production. The Project's monthly exploration and exploitation
expenditures and monthly operating expenses during the Development of the
Project shall not include any non-cash charges, such as depreciation and
amortization, or the Fee. The Fee shall be accrued on a monthly basis and shall
be payable to the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER ratably over a period of 15 (fifteen)
months following NEWCO'S notice to MINERA APOLO that it has commenced Commercial
Production, as defined above. No interest charges shall be applicable to any
outstanding Fee accruals.
NINTH. TERMINATION.
a) MINERA APOLO shall be prohibited from terminating this Agreement, unless
SIERRA MADRE or the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER fails to fulfill any of its
obligations under this Agreement. For said purposes, MINERA APOLO shall
provide SIERRA MADRE or the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER, as applicable, with a
Notice, in writing, of the default, and if, after a period of sixty 60
(sixty)
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days from the date of delivery of the Notice, the default has not been
cured by SIERRA MADRE or the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER, as applicable, MINERA
APLOLO shall have the right, at its option, to demand fulfillment in a
court of law or to terminate this Agreement.
b) SIERRA MADRE or the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER shall be entitled to terminate
this Agreement at any time and for any reason, by providing a 30 (thirty)
days advance notification of termination, in writing, to MINERA APOLO. Once
the notice is effective, SIERRA MADRE or the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER, as
applicable, shall: i.) Forfeit all funding obligations paid to date, ii.)
Be relieved from making any additional funding obligations on behalf of the
Project and from making any further payments to MINERA APOLO, unless the
payments fall due within the notice period, and iii.) Deliver all technical
and accounting information and records on the Project to MINERA APOLO. In
addition, the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER shall relinquish its 51% (fifty-one
percent) equity interest in NEWCO to MINERA APOLO.
TENTH. CONFIDENTIALITY.
Each of the Parties to this Agreement undertakes and agrees:
a) Not to use in any way any Confidential Information of any other Party or
the Project without the prior approval of that other Party;
b) Not to disclose to any person or assist or make it possible for any person
to observe any Confidential Information of any other Party or the Project,
without the prior approval of that other Party or otherwise in accordance
with the provisions of this Clause; and
c) Not to allow or assist or make it possible for any person (other than any
of the Parties) to observe any Confidential Information of any other Party
or the Project, without the prior approval of each other Party.
Nothing in this Clause prohibits the disclosure of Confidential Information by
any Disclosing Party:
(i.) To any corporation or other entity affiliated with the Disclosing
Party;
(ii.) If and to the extent required pursuant to any applicable legislation
or other legal requirement or pursuant to the rules or regulations
of any recognized stock exchange which are applicable to the
Disclosing Party or any entity affiliated with the Disclosing Party,
PROVIDED HOWEVER that the Disclosing Party will use its best
endeavors to provide a copy of any such disclosure or announcement
to the other Party prior to making or releasing the same;
(iii.) If and to the extent that it may be necessary or desirable to
disclose the information to any government or governmental authority
or agency in connection with applications for any government
consents which are necessary to carry out this Agreement;
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(iv.) To a recognized financial institution (and its professional
advisers) or other fiduciary in connection with any loan or other
financial accommodation sought to be arranged by the Disclosing
Party for purposes of this Agreement; (v.) To professional advisers
(including legal advisers) and consultants of the Disclosing Party
whose duties in relation to the Disclosing Party or under this
Agreement necessarily require the disclosure; (vi.) To employees,
officers, representatives, and agents of the Disclosing Party whose
duties in relation to the Disclosing Party or under this Agreement
necessarily require the disclosure; or (vii.) Pursuant to a binding
order of any court of competent jurisdiction or other competent
authority;
The provisions of this Clause shall survive and continue to bind the Parties
following termination of this Agreement, except that if this Agreement is
terminated in accordance with Clause Ninth, above, MINERA APOLO shall be free to
disclose any Confidential Information related and limited directly to the
Project, but not related to the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER, to third parties for the
purpose of promoting and obtaining new investors in the Project.
The undertakings and agreements contained in this Agreement shall be in addition
to and shall in no way derogate from the obligations of the Parties in respect
of secret and confidential information at law, in equity or under any statute or
trade or profession custom or use
ELEVENTH. ASSIGNMENT OR SALE OF A PARTICIPATION IN THIS AGREEMENT.
a) Any of the Parties to this Agreement shall be entitled to assign its
participation interest in this Agreement to a wholly owned subsidiary or to
a legal entity in which it has more than a 50% (fifty percent) equity
interest, or which has more than a 50% (fifty percent) equity interest in
it. In such case, the assignee shall agree, in advance, to be legally bound
by the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
b) None of the Parties of this Agreement shall have the right to sell the
total or any portion of its participation interest in this Agreement to an
unaffiliated third party without the prior approval of the other Party,
which shall not be unreasonably withheld. The non-selling Party shall be
provided with a Right of First Refusal to match any offer for the purchase
of any portion of the other Party's participation interest in this
Agreement and shall have 60 (sixty) days from receiving notice from the
selling Party to exercise its right. If a Party's interest is sold to an
unaffiliated third party, said third party shall agree, in advance, to be
legally bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
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TWELFTH. OBLIGATIONS OF MINERA APOLO.
During the term of this Agreement, MINERA APOLO shall have the following
additional obligations:
i) Not to alienate or promise to alienate any right whatsoever to the
Mining Concessions or any equipment, improvements and installations
at the Project;
ii) Not to create any lien whatsoever on the Mining Concessions or any
improvements, equipment and installations at the Project;
iii) Not to grant third parties any right or interest with respect to the
Mining Concessions or any equipment, installations and improvements
at the Project that could adversely affect or prevent exercise of
the rights granted to SIERRA MADRE and the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER
hereunder or affect the value of the Mining Concessions;
iv) To grant the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER the right to extend any of the
then existing mining operations on the Project onto any of MINERA
APOLO'S other Pinos District concessions (the "Concessions") that
are contiguous with the Project, so long as MINERA APOLO retains the
exploration and exploitations rights to the Concessions at the time
this right is exercised pursuant to this clause. If MINERA APOLO
subsequently assigns, leases or sells any of the Concessions on
which the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER has extended its mining operations
pursuant to this clause, the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER'S right to
continue with said mining operations shall cease 1 (one) year after
the signing of any such assignment, lease or sale.
v) To grant the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER the right to utilize as much of
the 85 (eighty-five) hectares of surface rights outside of the
Project area that MINERA APOLO owns on the Concessions, except for
the tailings area and any areas that are subject to other third
party surface rights agreements in force as of the signing of this
Agreement, as reflected in the attached Exhibit C, for the purposes
of access and the installation of whatever processing facilities and
improvements the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER deems necessary or appropriate
in order to process the ore from the Project's mining operations;
vi) Pay its proportionate share of the mining fees with respect to the
Mining Concessions, whether for exploration or exploitation, as
specified in Clause Thirteenth (vii), below;
vii) Give immediate notice to SIERRA MADRE, the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER, and
NEWCO, as applicable, of any government official communication or
any claim, demand, or suit of which MINERA APOLO has knowledge and
that could limit or adversely affect the rights granted hereunder to
SIERRA MADRE, the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER and NEWCO, as applicable;
29
viii) Hold SIERRA MADRE, the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER, and NEWCO harmless from
any liability or loss of value in relation to the Mining Concessions
when the claim or demand, to which item (vii), above, refers to, is
the responsibility of MINERA APOLO;
ix) Indemnify SIERRA MADRE, the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER, and NEWCO for any
environmental contingency or similar claim in relation to the
activities or operations that have been performed on the Mining
Concessions prior to the signature date of this Agreement;
x) Sign the proof of works for exploration and, if applicable,
exploitation on time, as applicable, and any other documents
necessary to keep the Mining Concessions in force; and
xi) Collaborate with SIERRA MADRE, whenever necessary, to carry out the
formalization of the Spanish version of this Agreement before a
Notary Public and proceed to its registration with the Public
Registry of Mining; otherwise, SIERRA MADRE may accelerate
termination of this Agreement, and shall be released from its
obligation to provide Funds to the Project and to make any future
payments to MINERA APOLO as provided in Clause Seventh, above.
THIRTEENTH. OBLIGATIONS OF THE MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER.
During the term of this Agreement, the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER shall ensure that
NEWCO:
i) Carries out the Development of the Project in accordance with
appropriate and recognized mining industry standards and practices,
complying with any related obligations established by the Mining and
Environmental Laws and their Regulations, and with the provisions
that apply to mine safety;
ii) Prepares and files, on time, the reports on proof of works for
exploration and, if applicable, exploitation, performed on the
Mining Concessions comprising the Project;
iii) Commences production at the Project, at a minimum rate of 3,250
(three thousand two hundred fifty) tonnes per month, within 15
(fifteen) months from exercising its Option to proceed with the
Development of the Project, in accordance with Clause Second, above.
If NEWCO fails to timely meet the above production requirement, the
Advance Minimum Royalty payments due XXXXXX XXXXX in Clause Seventh,
above, shall be increased to US$50,000 (fifty thousand US dollars)
per quarter until NEWCO either meets the above production
requirement or terminates this Agreement;
iv) Pays to MINERA APOLO the consideration to which Clause Seventh,
above, refers; v) Permits MINERA APOLO to inspect the Project and
the exploration and exploitation activities that will be carried out
by NEWCO, so long as MINERA APOLO provides NEWCO with advance notice
of its visits and does not interfere with NEWCO'S exploration and
exploitation activities;
30
vi) Adopts necessary measures to keep the Mining Concessions and any
rights related thereto in force, and perform the acts required to
assure that the Mining Concessions remain without any encumbrance or
lien, whatsoever, by reason of the exploration and exploitation work
undertaken by NEWCO;
vii) Pays its proportionate share of the mining fees with respect to the
Mining Concessions, whether for exploration or exploitation. NEWCO'S
proportionate share shall be based on a percentage calculated by
dividing the total hectares comprising the Project by the total
hectares comprising the Mining Concessions. The remainder of the
fees applicable to the Mining Concessions shall be paid by MINERA
APOLO; and
viii) Complies at all times with the federal, state and municipal legal
provisions that are applicable to the exploration and exploitation
operations on the Mining Concessions.
If, pursuant to a separate agreement, MINERA APOLO grants either SIERRA MADRE or
the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER a majority interest (the "Interest") in the exploration
and exploitation rights, as applicable, to the Concessions, and if SIERRA MADRE
or the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER maintains its Interest at the time NEWCO, pursuant
to Clause Twelfth (iv), above, wishes to elect its right (the "Right") to extend
any of its existing mining operations on the Project onto any of the Concessions
that are contiguous with the Project, SIERRA MADRE or the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER
shall honor NEWCO'S Right, if exercised. If SIERRA MADRE or the MAJORITY
SHAREHOLDER subsequently assigns, leases or sells its Interest to any of the
Concessions on which NEWCO has extended its mining operations pursuant to this
clause, NEWCO'S right to continue with said mining operations shall cease 1
(one) year after the signing of any such assignment, lease or sale.
FOURTEENTH. PRE-PRODUCTION OPERATIONS.
Prior to production commencing at the minimum monthly production rate in Clause
Thirteenth (iii.), above, the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER shall have the right to
direct the Operator to initiate a pilot plant operation at the Project to
process ore from any of the Project's exploration / exploitation underground
mining activities. The scale of the pilot plant operation shall be at a minimum
average rate of 50 (fifty) tonnes per day. The MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER must notify
MINERA APOLO, in writing, within 6 (six) months from the signing of this
Agreement of its intention to proceed with the installation of the pilot plant.
If the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER fails to provide the notice to MINERA APOLO in a
timely manner, MINERA APOLO shall be entitled to initiate a small-scale mining
and processing operation at the Project until NEWCO commences production at the
minimum monthly rate in Clause Thirteenth (iii), above. MINERA APOLO must obtain
the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER'S agreement in advance and in writing, which shall not
be unreasonably withheld, for such matters relating to its operation as:
permitting; and mining and processing methods, plans, scale and installations.
MINERA APOLO'S proposed operation shall comply with any obligations and
regulations established by the Mining and Environmental Laws, and related
Regulations thereof, and with the Mining Law's provisions that apply to mine
safety and
31
shall not exceed an average rate of production of 100 (one hundred) tonnes per
day during the term of MINERA APOLO'S operations. When advised in writing by the
MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER that production has commenced at the minimum monthly
production rate in Clause Thirteenth (iii.), above, MINERA APOLO shall
immediately cease its mining operations and shall cease its processing
operations within 10 (ten) calendar days from the date of the MAJORITY
SHAREHOLDER'S notice or at later date, which the MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER may agree
to in writing, at its sole discretion. MINERA APOLO shall be entitled to retain
legal title to any equipment it has acquired in support of its operation, as
well as any operating supplies and precious metals inventory, but any of its
mining and processing-related improvements and installations shall be
relinquished and shall become assets for the benefit of the Project.
FIFTEENTH. NONREDUCTION OF SURFACE AND WAIVER.
During the term of this Agreement, MINERA APOLO is obligated not to carry out,
act or to sign any document that would result in any:
i) Reduction of the surface of the Mining Concessions; and
ii) Waiver of the Mining Concessions.
SIXTEENTH. INDEMNIFICATION.
a) MINERA APOLO agrees to indemnify and hold SIERRA MADRE, CAN-CAL and NEWCO
harmless from and against any liabilities, claims, losses, damages, costs
and expenses of any kind (including, without limitation, the reasonable
fees and disbursements of SIERRA MADRE'S, CAN-CAL'S or NEWCO'S, as
applicable, counsel) that may be incurred by SIERRA MADRE, CAN-CAL or
NEWCO, as applicable, relating to or arising out of any breach of the
representations and warranties made by MINERA APOLO in Clauses First and
Twelfth, hereof, which cannot be cured or, if curable, has not been cured
within 60 (sixty) calendar days following the delivery of SIERRA MADRE'S,
CAN-CAL'S or NEWCO'S, as applicable, written notification of such default
to MINERA APOLO.
b) SIERRA MADRE, CAN-CAL and NEWCO agree to indemnify and hold MINERA APLOLO
harmless from and against any liabilities, claims, losses, damages, costs
and expenses of any kind (including, without limitation, the reasonable
fees and disbursements of MINERA APOLO'S counsel) that may be incurred by
MINERA APOLO relating to or arising out of any breach of the
representations and warranties made by SIERRA MADRE, CAN-CAL or NEWCO, as
applicable, in Clauses Second, Third and Thirteenth, hereof, which cannot
be cured or, if curable, has not been cured within 60 (sixty) calendar days
following the delivery of MINERA APOLO'S written notification of such
default to SIERRA MADRE, CAN-CAL or NEWCO, as applicable.
32
SEVENTEENTH. FORCE MAJEURE
a) The obligations of the Parties may be suspended for the time when they are
unable to perform same due to force majeure or due to any event outside of
their control, including but not limited to (hereafter, the "Event"):
i) Fire, explosion, earthquake, hurricane, storm, flood, drought, or
other event of adverse environmental conditions;
ii) War, rebellion, act of terrorism, guerrilla acts, social disruption,
insurrection or invasion;
iii) Strike, work stoppage or other analogous labor dispute, taking of
control of installations, obstruction, agrarian intrusion, and acts
or omissions of indigenous groups, non-governmental organizations,
or environmental groups, or groups with similar interests;
iv) Acts of authorities, suit or other type of judicial determination,
disqualification from of obtaining permits, consents, licenses,
concessions, authorizations, and opinions;
v) Work accidents, failures or defects in equipment, machinery or
installations; and
vi) In general, any other analogous events totally out of the will and
control of the Parties, which prevent them from fulfilling, all or
any, of their obligations.
b) The Party in the cases described in the foregoing section shall notify
("Notice") the Event to the other Party as soon as possible, explaining the
origin and the nature of the Event and the time estimated for its duration.
The affected Party shall resume performance of its obligations as soon as
possible.
c) The parties shall contribute proportionally to eliminating or reducing the
cause or event that prevents or delays Development of the Project, or that
in any way endangers the assets used in the Development of the Project or
the possibility of performance of the operation.
d) If after six months from the date of Notice, the Event still prevails and
insufficient efforts have been made to remedy the Event, the other Party
shall have the right to terminate this Agreement.
EIGHTEENTH. TOTAL AGREEMENT OF THE PARTIES.
This Agreement reflects the total agreement between the Parties with regard to
its purpose, and therefore, it cancels and voids any other agreement or letter
of intent entered into among the Parties for the same purpose. The Parties agree
to have the signed and binding English version of the Agreement timely
translated into the Spanish version, which shall be signed by the Parties,
ratified before a Notary Public and registered at the Public Registry of Mining,
in accordance with Clause Twelfth (xi), above.
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NINETEENTH. NOTICES AND NOTIFICATIONS.
All notices and communications that the Parties must give in relation to this
Agreement shall be done in writing. Such notices and communications shall bind
the Parties when personally delivered or sent by means that assure actual
receipt of notice with proof of same, and are duly addressed to the Party that
corresponds at its last address stated for purposes hereof, which until there is
a communication to the contrary should be understood as being the following:
"MINERA APOLO"
MINERA APOLO, S.A. de C.V.
Xxxxxx Xxxxx 000-0
Xxx Xxxx Xxxxxx, XXX
00000 Xxxxxx
(Tel/Fax) (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xx. Xxxxxx X. XxXxxxx
"SIERRA MADRE"
SIERRA MADRE RESOURCES, S.A. de C.V.
San Francisco Xx. 000-000
Xxx. Xxx Xxxxx, X.X. 00000
Xxxxxx, D.F.
(Tel) (000) 000-0000 / 3014 (Fax) (000) 000-0000
Attention: Licenciado Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
"CAN-CAL"
CAN-CAL RESOURCES LTD.
0000 Xxxxx Xxx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxxx, XX 00000 U.S.A.
Attention: Xx. Xxxxxxx Xxxxx.
(Tel) 000-000-0000 (Fax) 000-000-0000
34
Any notices or communications from MINERA APOLO to SIERRA MADRE shall also be
copied to CAN-CAL.
Any change in the above mentioned addresses shall be notified by one Party to
the others, when it occurs.
TWENTIETH. APPLICABLE LAWS AND COURTS.
For every thing not expressly stipulated in this Agreement, the Parties submit
themselves to the applicable laws in the City of San Xxxx Potosi, State of San
Xxxx Potosi, Mexico especially those relating to the Mining Law and its
Regulations, the Federal Duties Law, the Commerce Code and the Federal Civil
Code, and the Parties also agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the competent
courts in the City of San Xxxx Potosi, State of San Xxxx Potosi, Mexico waiving
to the jurisdiction of any other courts to which they may be entitled by reason
of their present or future domiciles
TWENTY-FIRST. LANGUAGE
This Agreement will be signed in Spanish and English language, but in case of
controversy or interpretation, the Spanish version will prevail over the English
version.
TWENTY-SECOND. VICES OF THE CONSENT
This Agreement has neither been negotiated nor signed under the influence or
determination of fraud, bad faith, violence, illicit actions, error, without
capacity or any another vice of the consent.
AGREEING WITH ITS CONTENT, THE PARTIES SIGN THIS AGREEMENT IN TRIPLICATE, MINERA
APOLO IN THE CITY OF SAN XXXX POTOSI, STATE OF SAN XXXX POTOSI, THE DAY___ OF
MARCH OF 2005, SIERRA MADRE IN MEXICO CITY, FEDERAL DISTRICT THE DAY ___ OF
MARCH OF 2005 AND CAN-CAL IN LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, USA, THE DAY __ OF MARCH OF
2005, WITH A SIGNED COPY PROVIDED TO EACH OF THE PARTIES.
"MINERA APOLO": "SIERRA MADRE":
MINERA APOLO S.A. de C. V. SIERRA MADRE RESOURCES, S. A. de C. V.
/s/
/s/ Xxxxxx X. XxXxxxx /s/ Licenciado Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
----------------------------- ---------------------------------------
Xx. Xxxxxx X. XxXxxxx Licenciado Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
President
35
"CAN-CAL":
CAN-CAL RESOURCES LTD.
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
-----------------------------
Xx. Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
President & CEO
36
