OPTION AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.23
THIS AGREEMENT made as of the 14th day of October, 2004
BETWEEN:
BALD MOUNTAIN MINING CO., a corporation incorporated
under the laws of the State of South Dakota and having an office for business
located at 000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000 |
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(the “Optionor”) |
OF THE FIRST PART
AND:
QUINCY GOLD CORP., a corporation incorporated
under the laws of the State of Nevada and having an office for business
located at 000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx |
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(the "Optionee") |
OF THE SECOND PART
WHEREAS:
A. | Pursuant to the terms of a Mining Lease dated June
1, 2003 the Optionor enjoys a perpetual lease of thirty unpatented mining
claims, and has acquired by staking certain additional unpatented mining
claims, collectively known as the Rattlesnake Hills Property located in
Natrona County, Wyoming totaling approximately 1,040 acres as more particularly
described in Schedule “A” attached hereto; |
B. | The Optionor has acquired by staking certain additional
unpatented mining claims known as the Lewiston Property located in Fremont
County, Wyoming totaling approximately 1,720 acres as more particularly
described in Schedule “B” attached hereto; |
C. | The Optionor has determined to grant the Optionee
exclusive options to earn up to a 100% interest in each of the Rattlesnake
Hills Property and the Lewiston Property, subject to the Royalty (as defined
herein), on and subject to the terms of this agreement. |
NOW THEREFORE THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSES that in consideration of the sum of $1.00 now paid by the Optionee to the Optionor (the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged), the parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
INTERPRETATION
Definitions
1.1 | For the purposes of this Agreement the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings, namely: |
(a) | “Area of Mutual Interest” means two miles
from the outer boundary of either of the Properties; |
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(b) | "Exchange" means the TSX Venture Exchange;
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(c) |
“Exploration and Development"
means, inter alia, all direct and indirect property preparation, analysis
(and activities incident thereto), administration and filing work and
expenditures conducted and incurred by the Optionee, at its instruction,
or on its behalf, or by assignment to another party, for the purpose of
determining the existence of mineral deposits of a commercial nature on
the Properties; |
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(d) | "Exploration Expenditures" means all cash, expenses,
obligations and liabilities of whatever kind or nature spent or incurred
directly or indirectly by the Optionee in connection with the Exploration
and Development of the Rattlesnake Hills Property or the Lewiston Property,
as the case may be, including without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
monies expended in maintaining the Properties in good standing by doing
and filing assessment work, in doing geophysical, geochemical and geological
surveys, drilling, assaying and metallurgical testing, in acquiring facilities,
in paying the fees, wages, salaries, travel expenses and fringe benefits
(whether or not required by law) of all persons engaged in work with respect
to and for the benefit of the Properties, in paying for the food, lodging
and other reasonable needs of such men, and in supervision of management
of all work done with respect to and for the benefit of the Properties;
provided, however, that the Optionee shall be entitled to credit towards
Exploration Expenditures of its administrative or overhead expenses which
shall not exceed 10% of the Exploration and Development expenses incurred
directly on the Properties; |
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(e) | "Joint Venture Agreement" means the form of joint
venture agreement attached hereto as Schedule D; |
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(f) | "Lewiston Option" means the option to acquire a
100% undivided interest in the claims comprising the Lewiston Property,
as provided in this Agreement; |
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(g) | "Lewiston Property" means the mineral concessions
described in Schedule “B” attached hereto and any replacement
or successor concessions, and all mining claims, leases and other mining
interests derived from any such concessions, and includes any properties
within the Area of Interest around the mineral concessions described in
Schedule “A” attached hereto becoming subject to this Agreement
by operation of Article 13 hereof; |
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(h) | ”Operator" means that person or company acting
as such pursuant to this Agreement; |
(i) | "Option Period" for each of the Options means the
period from the date of this Agreement to and including the date of exercise,
partial exercise or termination of either of the Options; |
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(j) | “Options” means, collectively, the Rattlesnake
Hills Option and the Lewiston Option; |
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(k) | “Owners” means the registered and beneficial
owners of the Rattlesnake Hills Property as defined in the Rattlesnake
Hills Mining Lease; |
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(l) | "Programs" means the plans, including budgets, for
every kind of work done on or in respect of the Properties by or under
the direction of or on behalf of or for the benefit of a party, and, without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes assessment work, geophysical,
geochemical and geological surveying, studies and mapping, investigating,
drilling, designing, examining, equipping, improving, surveying, shaft
sinking, raising, cross-cutting and drifting, searching for, digging,
trucking, sampling, working and procuring minerals, ores, metals and concentrates,
surveying and bringing any mineral claims to lease or patent, reporting,
and all other work usually considered to be prospecting, exploration,
development and mining work; |
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(m) | “Properties” means, collectively, the
Rattlesnake Hills Property and the Lewiston Property; |
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(n) | “Rattlesnake Hills Mining Lease” means
the Mining Lease dated June 1, 2003 between the Optionor and Xxxxx Xxxxxx
on behalf of the Owners; |
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(o) | "Rattlesnake Hills Option" means the option to acquire
a 100% undivided interest in the interest of the Optionor in the Mining
Lease, as provided in this Agreement; |
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(p) | "Rattlesnake Hills Property" means the mineral concessions
described in Schedule “A” attached hereto and any replacement
or successor concessions, and all mining claims, leases and other mining
interests derived from any such concessions or the Rattlesnake Hills Mining
Lease, and includes any properties within the Area of Interest around
the mineral concessions described in Schedule “A” attached
hereto becoming subject to this Agreement by operation of Article 13 hereof
; |
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(q) | “Rattlesnake Royalty” means the 3% net
smelter returns royalty payable to Xxxxx Ranch LLC in respect of the Rattlesnake
Hills Property (excluding those parts of the Rattlesnake Hills Property
derived from the Rattlesnake Hills Mining Lease; |
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(r) | “Royalty” means the net smelter returns
royalty in the Lewiston Property to be retained by the Optionor equal
to 3% of net smelter returns on gold, base metals, precious metals and
any other minerals normally subject to net smelter returns all upon and
subject to the terms and conditions set out in Schedule “C”
attached hereto; and |
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(s) | "Shares" means the shares of the Optionee’s common stock. |
Any other terms defined within the text of this Agreement will have the meanings so ascribed to them.
Captions and Section Numbers
1.2 | The headings and section references in this Agreement
are for convenience of reference only and do not form a part of this Agreement
and are not intended to interpret, define or limit the scope, extent or
intent of this Agreement or any provision thereof. |
Section References and Schedules
1.3 | Any reference to a particular “Article”, “section”, “paragraph”, “clause” or other subdivision is to the particular Article, section, clause or other subdivision of this Agreement and any reference to a Schedule by letter will mean the appropriate Schedule attached to this Agreement and by such reference the appropriate Schedule is incorporated into and made part of this Agreement. The Schedules to this Agreement are as follows: |
Schedule “A” | Rattlesnake Hills Property | |
Schedule “B” | Lewiston Property | |
Schedule “C” | Net Smelter Returns Royalty | |
Schedule “D” | Joint Venture Agreement |
Severability of Clauses
1.4 | If any part of this Agreement is declared or held
to be invalid for any reason, such invalidity will not affect the validity
of the remainder which will continue in full force and effect and be construed
as if this Agreement had been executed without the invalid portion, and
it is hereby declared the intention of the parties that this Agreement
would have been executed without reference to any portion which may, for
any reason, be hereafter declared or held to be invalid. |
Currency
1.5 | All references herein to currency are references to United States dollars. |
ARTICLE 2
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND
COVENANTS OF THE OPTIONOR
Representations
2.1 | The Optionor represents and warrants to and covenants with the Optionee, with the knowledge that the Optionee relies upon same in entering into this Agreement, that: |
(a) | it has been duly incorporated, amalgamated or continued
and validly exists as a corporation in good standing with respect to the
filing of annual reports under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation,
amalgamation or continuation; |
(b) | it has full corporate power and capacity to enter
into this Agreement and it has duly obtained all corporate authorizations
for the execution of this Agreement and for the performance of this Agreement
by it, and the consummation of the transactions herein contemplated will
not conflict with or result in any breach of any covenants or agreements
contained in, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation
of any encumbrance under the provisions of the Articles or the constating
documents of the Optionor or any shareholders' or directors' resolution,
indenture, agreement or other instrument whatsoever to which the Optionor
is a party or by which it is bound or to which it may be subject; |
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(c) | the entering into and the performance of this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated herein will not result in the violation
of any judgment, decree, order, rule or regulation of any court or administrative
body by which the Optionor is bound, or any statute or regulation applicable
to the Optionor; |
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(d) | no proceedings are pending for, and the Optionor
is unaware of any basis for the institution of any proceedings leading
to, the dissolution or winding up of the Optionor or the placing of the
Optionor in bankruptcy or subject to any other laws governing the affairs
of insolvent corporations; |
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(e) | the mining claims included in the Properties were
located on behalf of the Optionor or its predecessor in interest according
to industry standards in Wyoming on lands open to location and have been
recorded, filed, and maintained through the assessment year ending September
1, 2005 as required by the laws of the State of Wyoming and the United
States, and such state mining claims are not in conflict with any claims
owned by other persons or entities and that all rental payments due have
been made; |
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(f) | to the best of the knowledge of the Optionor, after
due inquiry, the claims comprising the Properties are free and clear of
all liens, charges and encumbrances; |
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(g) | the Optionor is the lawful owner of, has good legal
and beneficial title to, and has the right to dispose of its interests
in and to the Rattlesnake Hills Mining Lease and the claims comprising
the Rattlesnake Hills Property and the Lewiston Property, and to give
good marketable title thereto to the Optionee, free and clear of all liens,
charges, encumbrances, obligations and any other restrictions save and
except those specifically enumerated in the Rattlesnake Hills Mining Lease
and the Rattlesnake Royalty (subject to the paramount title of the United
States and the State of Wyoming); |
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(h) | the Rattlesnake Hills Mining Lease is a valid and
subsisting agreement; |
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(i) | there have been no defaults or acts by the Optionor
under the Rattlesnake Hills Mining Lease which have or would permit the
Owners to terminate the Rattlesnake Hills Mining Lease; and |
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(j) | there is no litigation, proceeding or investigation
pending or threatened against the Optionor or, to the best of the knowledge
of the Optionor after due inquiry, any of the Owners, the Rattlesnake
Hills Mining Lease or the Properties, nor does the Optionor know, or have
any grounds to know after due inquiry, of any |
basis for any litigation, proceeding or investigation which would affect any of forgoing. |
Survival
2.2 | The representations and warranties contained in this
section are provided for the exclusive benefit of the Optionee, and a
breach of any one or more thereof may be waived by the Optionee in whole
or in part at any time without prejudice to its rights in respect of any
other breach of the same or any other representation or warranty, and
the representations and warranties contained in this section shall survive
the execution of this Agreement and of any transfers, assignments, deeds
or further documents respecting the Properties. |
ARTICLE 3
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND
COVENANTS OF THE OPTIONEE
Representations
3.1 | The Optionee represents and warrants to and covenants with the Optionor, with the knowledge that the Optionor relies upon same in entering into this Agreement, that: |
(a) | it has been duly incorporated, amalgamated or continued
and validly exists as a corporation in good standing with respect to the
filing of annual reports under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation,
amalgamation or continuation; |
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(b) | it has duly obtained all corporate authorizations
for the execution of this Agreement and for the performance of this Agreement
by it, and the consummation of the transactions herein contemplated will
not conflict with or result in any breach of any covenants or agreements
contained in, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation
of any encumbrance under the provisions of the Articles or the constating
documents of the Optionee or any shareholders' or directors' resolution,
indenture, agreement or other instrument whatsoever to which the Optionee
is a party or by which it is bound or to which it may be subject; |
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(c) | the entering into and the performance of this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated herein will not result in the violation
of any judgment, decree, order, rule or regulation of any court or administrative
body by which the Optionor is bound, or any statute or regulation applicable
to the Optionor; and |
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(d) | no proceedings are pending for, and the Optionee
is unaware of any basis for the institution of any proceedings leading
to, the dissolution or winding up of the Optionee or the placing of the
Optionee in bankruptcy or subject to any other laws governing the affairs
of insolvent corporations. |
Survival
3.2 | The representations and warranties contained in
this section are provided for the exclusive benefit of the Optionor and
a breach of any one or more thereof may be waived by the Optionor in whole
or in part at any time without prejudice to its rights in respect of any
other breach of the same or any other representation or warranty, and
the representations and |
warranties contained in this section shall survive the execution hereof.
ARTICLE 4
GRANT OF OPTIONS
Grant of Options to Acquire Rattlesnake Hills and Lewiston Properties
4.1 | The Optionor hereby grants to the Optionee the following options: |
(a) | the sole and exclusive right to acquire up to a
100% undivided interest in the interest of the Optionor in and to the
Rattlesnake Hills Property and under the Rattlesnake Hills Mining Lease,
free and clear of all charges, encumbrances and claims save and except
those specifically enumerated in the Rattlesnake Hills Mining Lease and
the Rattlesnake Royalty (the “Rattlesnake Hills Option”);
and |
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(b) | the sole and exclusive right to acquire up to a
100% undivided interest in the interest of the Optionor in and to the
Lewiston Property, free and clear of all charges, encumbrances and claims
save and except for the Royalty (the “Lewiston Option”); and
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Consideration
4.2 | As consideration for the grant of the Rattlesnake
Hills Option and the Lewiston Option (collectively, the “Options”)
the Optionee agrees to pay to the Optionor the sum of $50,000 and
issue to the Optionor an aggregate of 100,000 non-assessable and fully
paid Shares as follows: |
(a) | the sum of $35,000 and 50,000 non-assessable
and fully paid Shares concurrent with the execution of this Agreement;
and |
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(b) | an additional sum of $15,000 and an additional
50,000 non-assessable and fully paid Shares on the date which is six months
from the date of this Agreement. |
ARTICLE 5
EXERCISE OF OPTIONS
Exercise of Rattlesnake Hills Option
5.1 | The Rattlesnake Hills Option shall be deemed to be
exercised upon the Optionee incurring or causing to be incurred a total
of $5,000,000 of cumulative Exploration Expenditures on the Rattlesnake
Hills Property during the five year period following the date of this
Agreement as follows: |
(a) | a total of $150,000 of cumulative Exploration
Expenditures on the Rattlesnake Hills Property on or before the first
anniversary of this Agreement; |
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(b) | a total of $500,000 of cumulative Exploration
Expenditures on the Rattlesnake Hills Property on or before the second
anniversary of this Agreement; |
(c) | a total of $1,000,000 of cumulative Exploration
Expenditures on the Rattlesnake Hills Property on or before the third
anniversary of this Agreement; |
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(d) | a total of $2,000,000 of cumulative Exploration
Expenditures on the Rattlesnake Hills Property on or before the fourth
anniversary of this Agreement; and |
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(e) | a total of $5,000,000 of cumulative Exploration
Expenditures on the Rattlesnake Hills Property on or before the fifth
anniversary of this Agreement; |
Rattlesnake Hills Partial Option
5.2 | In the event that the Optionee incurs some, but not
all, of the cumulative Exploration Expenditures on the Rattlesnake Hills
Property pursuant to section 5.1 hereof, the Optionee shall be deemed
to have earned an undivided 10% interest in and to the interest of the
Optionor in and to the Rattlesnake Hills Property and under the Rattlesnake
Hills Mining Lease for each $500,000 of cumulative Exploration Expenditures
incurred by the Optionee or caused to be incurred by the Optionee on the
Rattlesnake Hills Property (the “Rattlesnake Hills Partial Option”).
The exercise of the Rattlesnake Hills Partial Option hereunder shall be
governed by Article 8 hereof. |
Exercise of Lewiston Option
5.3 | The Lewiston Option shall be deemed to be exercised
upon the Optionee incurring or causing to be incurred a total of $1,000,000
of cumulative Exploration Expenditures on the Lewiston Property during
the four year period following the date of this Agreement as follows:
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(f) | a total of $100,000 of cumulative Exploration Expenditures on the Lewiston Property on or before the first anniversary of this Agreement; | |
(g) | a total of $250,000 of cumulative Exploration Expenditures on the Lewiston Property on or before the second anniversary of this Agreement; | |
(h) | a total of $500,000 of cumulative Exploration Expenditures on the Lewiston Property on or before the third anniversary of this Agreement; and | |
(i) | a total of $1,000,000 of cumulative Exploration Expenditures on the Lewiston Property on or before the fourth anniversary of this Agreement. |
Partial Exercise of Lewiston Option
5.4 | In the event that the Optionee incurs some, but not
all, of the cumulative Exploration Expenditures on the Lewiston Property
pursuant to section 5.3 hereof, the Optionee shall be deemed to have earned
an undivided 10% interest in and to the interest of the Optionor in and
to the Lewiston Property for each $100,000 of cumulative Exploration
Expenditures incurred by the Optionee or caused to be incurred by the
Optionee on the Lewiston Property (the “Lewiston Partial Option”).
The exercise of the Lewiston Partial Option hereunder shall be governed
by Article 8 hereof. |
Effect of Exercise
5.5 | If and when either of the Options has been exercised in full, the 100% undivided right, |
title and interest of the Optionor in and to the
Rattlesnake Hills Property and under the Rattlesnake Hills Mining Lease
or in and to the Lewiston Property, as the case may be, shall vest in
the Optionee, free and clear of all charges, encumbrances and claims,
except for the Royalty. |
Operator
5.6 | During the currency of the Rattlesnake Hills or Lewiston
Options, the Operator in respect of each of the Rattlesnake Hills or Lewiston
Properties, respectively, shall be the Optionee. The Optionee shall in
its capacity as Operator determine in its sole discretion, but after consultation
with the Optionor, Programs for the Exploration and Development of the
Properties. The Programs shall take into consideration the cumulative
Exploration Expenditures to be incurred by the Optionee pursuant to Article
5 of this Agreement. The Optionee may retain the services of the Optionor
to manage the Programs, provided that the terms provided by the Optionor
to the Optionee to manage the Programs are commercially reasonable. |
No Partnership
5.7 | The parties have not created a partnership and nothing
contained in this Agreement shall in any manner whatsoever constitute
any party the partner, agent or legal representative of any other party,
nor create any fiduciary relationship between them for any purpose whatsoever.
No party shall have any authority to act for, or to assume any obligations
or responsibility on behalf of, any other party except as may be, from
time to time, agreed upon in writing between the parties or as otherwise
expressly provided. |
ARTICLE 6
ADDITIONAL SHARE ISSUANCES
In addition to the option consideration described in Section 4.2 above, the Optionee agrees to issue to the Optionor an additional 50,000 non-assessable and fully paid Shares for each $500,000 of Exploration Expenditures on the Properties, to a maximum of 1,000,000 Shares.
ARTICLE 7
RESTRICTIONS ON SHARE ISSUANCES
Exchange Approval
7.1 | Any and all issuances of Shares pursuant to this
Agreement shall be subject to acceptance for filing by the Exchange and
the order or ruling of all applicable securities regulatory authorities
having jurisdiction over the issuance of such Shares, if any. Accordingly,
the Optionor agrees to execute any undertakings in respect of the Shares
as are reasonably required by the Exchange. |
Legends
7.2 | The Optionor acknowledges that the certificates representing any Shares to be issued pursuant to this Agreement shall bear the following legends: |
UNLESS PERMITTED UNDER SECURITIES LEGISLATION, THE HOLDER OF THE SECURITIES SHALL NOT TRADE THE SECURITIES BEFORE [DATE WHICH IS FOUR MONTHS FROM DATE OF ISSUANCE].”
WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN APPROVAL OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE AND COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE SECURITIES LEGISLATION, THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED, HYPOTHECATED OR OTHERWISE TRADED ON OR THROUGH THE FACILITIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE OR OTHERWISE IN CANADA OR TO OR FOR THE BENEFIT OF A CANADIAN RESIDENT UNTIL THE DAY THAT IS FOUR MONTHS AFTER THE SECURITIES WERE ISSUED FROM TREASURY.
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “U.S. SECURITIES ACT”) OR OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS. THESE SECURITIES HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO DISTRIBUTION OR RESALE AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT (1) IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF REGULATIONS S, RULE 901 THROUGH RULE 905, AND PRELIMINARY NOTES UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OR (2) PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OR (3) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT. HEDGING TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE CONDUCTED UNLESS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT.
ARTICLE 8
TERMINATION OF OPTIONS
Termination
8.1 | Each of the Rattlesnake Hills or Lewiston Options shall terminate, respectively: |
(a) | subject to Article 18 hereof, upon the Optionee
failing to incur or make any Exploration Expenditure which must be incurred
or made or issued in exercise of such Option; or |
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(b) | at any other time, by the Optionee giving notice
of such termination to the Optionor. |
Effect of Partial Exercise
8.2 | In the event that either of the Rattlesnake Hills or Lewiston Options are terminated pursuant to section 8.1 hereof, the Optionee shall be deemed to have exercised either the |
Rattlesnake Hills Partial Option or the Lewiston Partial Option (as the case may be), and the Optionor and the Optionee shall be deemed to have associated themselves into a joint venture with respect to such Property on the terms and conditions contained in the Joint Venture Agreement. At such time, the Optionee shall complete the date on page 1 of the Joint Venture Agreement (which shall be the date on which it exercised the Partial Option), complete the sections detailing the respective interests of the Optionee and the Optionor in the subject Property (based upon the partial interest earned by the Optionee), and complete Schedule A thereto with a description of either the Rattlesnake Hills Property or the Lewiston Property and each of the parties shall then execute and deliver to the others a copy of the Joint Venture Agreement.
Duties of Optionee upon Termination
8.2 | If either of the Rattlesnake Hills or Lewiston Options are terminated otherwise than upon the full or partial exercise thereof, the Optionee shall: |
(a) | leave in good standing for a period of at least
12 months from the termination of the Option Period those licenses and
concessions comprising the Properties; |
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(b) | make available to the Optionor within 90 days of
such termination, all drill core, copies of all reports, maps, assay results
and other relevant technical data compiled by, prepared at the direction
of, or in the possession of the Optionee with respect to the Properties
and not theretofore furnished to the Optionor; and |
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(c) | within the time periods prescribed by law, complete
all reclamation work required on the Properties required by the activities
of the Optionee during the Option Period. |
Residual Right of Entry
8.3 | In the event of termination of either of the Rattlesnake
Hills or Lewiston Options pursuant to Section 8.2 hereof, the Optionee
shall have the right, within a period of 180 days following such termination,
to remove from the Properties all buildings, plant, equipment, machinery,
tools, appliances and supplies which have been brought upon the Properties
by or on behalf of the Optionee. |
ARTICLE 9
RIGHT OF ENTRY
During the Option Period the Optionee and its servants, agents and independent contractors, shall have the sole and exclusive right in respect of the Properties to:
(a) | enter thereon; |
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(b) | have exclusive and quiet possession thereof; |
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(c) | do such prospecting, exploration, development and/or
other mining work thereon and thereunder as the Optionee in its sole discretion
may determine advisable; |
(d) | bring upon and erect upon the Properties buildings,
plant, machinery and equipment as the Optionee may deem advisable; and
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(e) | remove therefrom and dispose of reasonable quantities
or ores, minerals and metals for the purpose of obtaining assays or making
other tests. |
ARTICLE 10
REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER OF PROPERTY INTERESTS
10.1 | Upon the request of the Optionee the Optionor shall
assist, when required, the Optionee to record this Agreement with the
appropriate mining recorder and, upon earning any interest in the Properties,
shall provide the Optionee with such recordable transfers as the Optionee
and its counsel shall require to record its due interest. |
10.2 | In requested by the Optionee, following the execution
of this Agreement the Optionor shall execute such transfer documents (hereinafter
call the “Property Transfer Documents”) as the Optionee and
its counsel may reasonably deem necessary to assign, transfer and assure
to the Optionee good, safe, holding and marketable title to a 100% undivided
interest in and to each of the Properties, and shall deposit the same
with a mutually agreeable escrow agent (hereinafter call the “Escrow
Holder”), together with a copy of this Agreement, there to be held
in escrow upon the following terms: |
(a) | the Optionor and the Optionee
do hereby instruct the Escrow Holder to deliver to the Optionee the Property
Transfer Documents held by the Escrow Holder in respect of either of the
Properties upon receipt of either: |
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(i) |
notification in writing from the Optionor that such
documents should be delivered to the Optionee; or |
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(ii) |
a statutory declaration sworn by an officer of the
Optionee certifying that the Optionee is entitled to delivery of a 100%
undivided interest in and to either of the Properties, together with proof
that 30 days’ written notice was given to the Optionor of the Optionee’s
intention to request delivery thereof, and provided that no objection
in writing to the intended delivery is first provided by the Optionor
to the Escrow Holder; or |
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(b) | the Optionor and the Optionee
do hereby instruct the Escrow Holder to deliver to the Optionor the Property
Transfer Documents held by the Escrow Holder in respect of either of the
Properties upon receipt of either: |
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(i) | notification in writing from the Optionee that such
transfer or related documents should be delivered to the Optionor; or
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(ii) | a statutory declaration sworn by an officer of the
Optionor certifying that either the Rattlesnake Hills or Lewiston Options
have terminated pursuant to the provisions hereof, together with proof
that 30 days’ written notice was given to the Optionee of the Optionor’s
intention to request delivery thereof, and provided that no objection
in writing to the intended delivery is first provided by the Optionee
to the Escrow Holder; and |
(c) | the Optionor and the Optionee jointly and severally
agree to indemnify and save harmless the Escrow Holder from all claims,
actions and damages arising out of its acting pursuant to the instructions
herein contained; and |
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(d) | the Optionee shall pay to the Escrow Holder all
costs and expenses of the Escrow Holder for acting pursuant to the within
instructions, and the parties agree that the Escrow Holder shall not be
considered as a party hereto where that expression is used herein. |
ARTICLE 11
OBLIGATIONS OF THE OPTIONEE DURING OPTION PERIOD
During the Option Period the Optionee shall: | ||
(a) | maintain in good standing those licenses and concessions
comprising or relating to the Properties by the payment of all amounts
required to be paid under the Rattlesnake Hills Mining Lease, by the doing
and filing of assessment work for the Properties or the making of payments
in lieu thereof, by the payment of taxes and rentals in respect of the
Properties, and the performance of all other actions which may be necessary
in that regard and in order to keep such licenses concessions free and
clear of all liens and other charges arising from the Optionee's activities
thereon except those at the time contested in good faith by the Optionee;
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(b) | not do anything which will constitute a breach of
the Rattlesnake Hills Mining Lease; |
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(c) | permit the Optionor, or its representative duly
authorized in writing, to visit and inspect the Properties at all reasonable
times and intervals, and data obtained by the Optionee as a result of
its operations thereon, provided always that the Optionor or its representative
shall abide by the rules and regulations laid down by the Optionee relating
to matters of safety and efficiency in its operations; |
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(d) | do all work on the Properties in a good and workmanlike
fashion and in accordance with all applicable laws, regulations, orders
and ordinances of any governmental authority; |
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(e) | indemnify and save the Optionor harmless in respect
of any and all costs, claims, liabilities and expenses arising out of
the Optionee's activities on the Property, but the Optionee shall incur
no obligation hereunder in respect of claims arising or damages suffered
after termination of the Options if upon termination of the Options any
workings on or improvements to the Properties made by the Optionor are
left in a safe condition; |
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(f) | permit the Optionor reasonable access to the results
of the work done on the Property during the last completed calendar year; |
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(g) | deliver to the Optionor on or before March 31 in
each year a report (including up-to-date maps if there are any) describing
the results of work done in the last completed calendar year, together
with reasonable details of expenditures made; |
(h) | deliver to the Optionor forthwith after receipt
by the Optionees results of testing for samples taken from the Properties,
together with reports showing the location from which the samples were
taken and the type of samples; and |
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(i) | deliver to the Optionor, forthwith upon receipt
thereof, copies of all reports, maps, assay results and other technical
data compiled by or prepared at the direction of the Optionee with respect
to the Properties. |
ARTICLE 12
FORCE MAJEURE
Effect of Force Majeure
12.1 | If the Optionee is at any time either during the
Option Period or thereafter prevented or delayed in complying with any
provisions of this Agreement by reason of strikes, walk-outs, labour shortages,
power shortages, fires, wars, terrorist acts, acts of God, governmental
regulations restricting normal operations, shipping delays or any other
reason or reasons beyond the control of the Optionee, excepting the want
of funds, then the time limited for the performance by the Optionee of
its obligations hereunder shall be extended by a period of time equal
in length to the period of each such prevention or delay. |
Notice
12.2 | The Optionee shall give notice to the Optionor of
each event of force majeure under Section 12.1 hereof within 30 days thereof,
and upon cessation of such event shall furnish the Optionor with notice
of that event together with particulars of the number of days by which
the obligations of the Optionee hereunder have been extended by virtue
of such event of force majeure and all preceding events of force majeure.
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ARTICLE 13
AREA OF MUTUAL INTEREST
In the event that any party to this Agreement, either directly or indirectly during the currency of this Agreement, stakes or acquires, including by way of an option, any mineral claims or other mining property, or any interest therein within the Area of Mutual Interest, it shall forthwith thereafter notify the other party in writing as to the details of such staking or acquisition, and such mineral claims or mining property so staked will be deemed to be part of either of the Rattlesnake Hills or Lewiston Properties (as the case may be) for all purposes of this Agreement and the terms “Rattlesnake Hills Property” or “Lewiston Property” shall mean and include any such mineral claims or mining property and the cost of such staking shall be paid by the staking or acquiring party. In the event the other party does not consent to such mineral claims or mining property becoming part of either of the Properties, then the staking or acquiring party shall be entitled to hold such mineral claims or mining property free of the terms of this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything herein contained, no mineral claims or other mining property or any interest lying outside the Area of Mutual Interest shall become or be subject to this Agreement.
ARTICLE 14
SUB-OPTION, SUB-LEASE AND ASSIGNMENT OF
OPTION AGREEMENT
In the event that, during the Option Period, the Optionee enters into an agreement with any arm’s length third party (a “Third Party”) pursuant to which that Third Party acquires an sub-option or sub-lease of the interest of the Optionee in the Rattlesnake Hills Property, any initial cash payment to be made by that Third Party to the Optionee upon execution of such Agreement shall be payable to the Optionor. Notwithstanding the preceding, in the event that the Optionee assigns all of its interest in the Rattlesnake Hills Property to a Third Party, all consideration to be paid to the Optionee by that Third Party shall be retained in full by the Optionee, the Optionee’s participation will end and the Option Agreement, insofar as it imposes obligations upon the Optionee, will terminate..
ARTICLE 15
TRANSFERS
Transfer by Optionee
15.1 | The Optionee may at any time either during the Option
Period or thereafter, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or any
portion of its interest in and to either of the Properties, the Rattlesnake
Hills Mining Lease and/or this Agreement provided that any purchaser,
grantee or transferee of any such interest shall have first delivered
to the Optionor its agreement relating to this Agreement, the Rattlesnake
Hills Mining Lease and to the Property, containing: |
(a) | a covenant to perform all the obligations of the
Optionee to be performed under this Agreement in respect of the interest
to be acquired by it from the Optionee to the same extent as if this Agreement
had been originally executed by such purchaser, grantee or transferee;
and |
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(b) | a provision subjecting any further sale, transfer
or other disposition of such interest in either of the Properties, the
Rattlesnake Hills Mining Lease and/or this Agreement or any portion thereof
to the restrictions contained in this paragraph (a). |
Upon the transfer by the Optionee of the entire interest at the time held by it in this Agreement, whether to one or more transferees and whether in one or in a number of successive transfers, the Optionee shall be deemed to be discharged from all obligations hereunder save and except for the fulfillment of contractual commitments accrued due prior to the date on which the Optionee shall have no further interest in this Agreement.
Transfer by Optionor
15.2 | The Optionor may not sell, assign, pledge, or otherwise
encumber any of its respective rights hereunder to a third party without
the prior written consent of the Optionee, provided that the Optionor
may at any time transfer its rights and interest under this Agreement
or any part thereof to any parent or subsidiary or associated corporation,
provided that such assignee agrees to be subject to and bound by the terms
and conditions of this Agreement. |
ARTICLE 16
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
No information furnished by the Optionee to the Optionor hereunder in respect of the activities carried out on the Properties by the Optionee shall be published or disclosed by the Optionor without the prior written consent of the Optionee, but such consent in respect of the reporting of factual data shall not be unreasonably withheld, and shall not be withheld in respect of information required to be publicly disclosed pursuant to applicable securities or corporation laws, regulations or policies.
ARTICLE 17
ARBITRATION
Submission of Matters to Arbitration
17.1 | The parties agrees that all questions or matters in dispute with respect to this Agreement shall be submitted to arbitration pursuant to the terms hereof. |
Notice
17.2 | It shall be a condition precedent to the right of
any party to submit any matter to arbitration pursuant to the provisions
hereof, that any party intending to refer any matter to arbitration shall
have given not less than 10 days' prior written notice of its intention
to do so to the other party together with particulars of the matter in
dispute. On the expiration of such 10 days, the party who gave such notice
may proceed to refer the dispute to arbitration as provided in section
17.3 herein. |
Conduct of Arbitration
17.3 | The party desiring arbitration shall appoint one
arbitrator, and shall notify the other party of such appointment, and
the other party shall, within 15 days after receiving such notice, appoint
an arbitrator, and the two arbitrators so named, before proceeding to
act, shall, within 30 days of the appointment of the last appointed arbitrator,
unanimously agree on the appointment of a third arbitrator, to act with
them and be chairman of the arbitration provided for herein, provided
that the parties may agree to appoint a single arbitrator in respect of
such arbitration. If the other party shall fail to appoint an arbitrator
within 15 days after receiving notice of the appointment of the first
arbitrator, or if the two arbitrators appointed by the parties shall be
unable to agree on the appointment of the chairman, the chairman shall
be appointed under the provisions of any act governing commercial arbitration
in the State of Wyoming. Except as specifically otherwise provided in
this Article, the arbitration herein provided for shall be conducted in
accordance with such Act. The chairman, or in the case where only one
arbitrator is appointed, the single arbitrator, shall fix a time and place
in Cheyenne, Wyoming for the purpose of hearing the evidence and representations
of the parties, and he shall preside over the arbitration and determine
all questions of procedure not provided for under such Act or this Article.
After hearing any evidence and representations that the parties may submit,
the single arbitrator, or the arbitrators, as the case may be, shall make
an award and reduce the same to writing, and deliver one copy thereof
to each of the parties. The expense of the arbitration shall be paid as
specified in the award. |
Award Binding
17.4 | The parties agree that the award of a majority of the arbitrators, or in the case of a single arbitrator, of such arbitrator, shall be final and binding upon each of them. |
ARTICLE 18
DEFAULT
Notice of Default
18.1 | The parties hereto agree that if the Optionee is
in default with respect to any of the provisions of this Agreement, the
Optionor shall give notice to the Optionee, designating such default,
and within 60 days after its receipt of such notice, the Optionee shall
either: |
(a) | cure such default, or commence proceedings to cure such default and prosecute the same to completion without undue delay; or | |
(b) | give the Optionor notice that it denies that such default has occurred and that it is submitting the question to arbitration as herein provided. |
Submission of Matter to Arbitration
18.2 | If arbitration is sought, a party shall not be deemed
in default until the matter shall have been determined finally by appropriate
arbitration under the provisions of Article 18 hereof. |
Termination
18.3 | If: |
(a) | the default is not so cured or a commencement made
on proceeding to cure it; |
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(b) | arbitration is not so sought; or |
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(c) | the Optionee is found in arbitration proceedings
to be in default, and fails to cure it or commence proceedings to cure
it within 30 days after the rendering of the arbitration award |
then the Optionor may, by written notice given to the Optionee at any time while the default continues, terminate either the Rattlesnake Hills Option or the Lewiston Option, as the case may be.
ARTICLE 19
NOTICES
Each notice, demand or other communication required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered or faxed to such party at the address for such party specified above. The date of receipt of such notice, demand or other communication shall be the date of delivery thereof if delivered or, if given by fax, shall be deemed conclusively to be the next business day. Either party may at any time and from time to
time notify the other party in writing of a change of address and the new address to which notice shall be given to it thereafter until further change.
ARTICLE 20
GENERAL
Governing Law
20.1 | This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Wyoming |
Novation
20.2 | This Agreement shall supersede and replace any other
agreement or arrangement, whether oral or written, heretofore existing
between the parties in respect of the subject matter of this Agreement.
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No Waiver
20.3 | No consent or waiver expressed or implied by either
party in respect of any breach or default by the other in the performance
by such other of its obligations hereunder shall be deemed or construed
to be a consent to or a waiver of any other breach or default. |
Further Assurances
20.4 | The parties shall promptly execute or cause to be
executed all documents, deeds, conveyances and other instruments of further
assurance and do such further and other acts which may be reasonably necessary
or advisable to carry out fully the intent of this Agreement or to record
wherever appropriate the respective interest from time to time of the
parties in the Property. |
Assignment
20.5 | This Agreement shall enure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. |
Time of Essence
20.6 | Time shall be of the essence of this Agreement. |
Independent Legal Advice
20.7 | The Optionee has obtained legal advice concerning
this Agreement and has requested that the Optionor obtain independent
legal advice with respect to same before executing it. In executing this
Agreement, the Optionor represents and warrants to the Optionee that it
has been advised to obtain independent legal advice, and that prior to
the execution of this Agreement it has obtained independent legal advice
or has, in its discretion, knowingly and willingly elected not to do so.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
Per: | /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx |
Authorized Signatory |
BALD MOUNTAIN MINING CO.
Per: | Xxxx Xxxxxx |
Authorized Signatory |