Exhibit 10.1
THIS
AGREEMENT dated for reference the 5th day of December 2008.
BETWEEN:
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GOLD
RESOURCE CORPORATION, a company organized under the laws of the State of
Colorado, with registered office located at 000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxx, XX
00000 (“GRC” or “the Company”) |
AND:
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HOCHSCHILD
MINING HOLDINGS LIMITED, a private limited company organized under the laws
of England and Wales, with registered office located at 00 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx X0X 0XX (“HOC”) |
A.
The Company is a mineral exploration and development company engaged in the
acquisition and exploration, as well as development of mineral properties (the
“Properties”) in Mexico through its Mexican subsidiaries with
prospects for hosting gold, silver and base metal deposits, and through such
subsidiaries holds interests in several mineral resource properties, including
but not limited to (i) El Xxxxxx, (ii) Las Margaritas, (iii) Solaga, and (iv) El
Rey located in Oaxaca, Mexico (the “Existing Properties”);
B.
HOC is an Affiliate of Hochschild Mining plc., a leading underground precious
metals producer operating in the Americas with a primary focus on silver and
gold;
C.
The Company and HOC believe that their respective corporate strategies are
compatible and, as such, wish to establish a strategic alliance on the terms and
conditions set forth herein;
D.
The Company and HOC are entering into this Agreement as a condition to and in
furtherance of the investment in Shares (as defined below) contemplated in the
Subscription Agreement dated December 5, 2008 (the “Subscription
Agreement”) between the Company and HOC without the Company having
executed and delivered this Agreement; and
E.
The Board of Directors has authorized the Company to enter into this Agreement.
NOW
THEREFORE THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSES that in consideration of the mutual premises, covenants
and agreements contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt
and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by both parties, the parties hereby
covenant and agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
INTERPRETATION
1.1 Definitions.
In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires:
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(a) |
“Acceptance Notice” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section
4.1(e); |
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(b) |
“Additional Securities” has the meaning ascribed to it in
Section 4.1(a); |
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(c) |
“Additional Shares” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section
2.1; |
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(d) |
“Affiliate” shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the
Securities Act; |
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(e) |
“Agreement” means this strategic alliance agreement and any
instrument amending this Agreement and “hereof”,
“hereto”, “hereunder” and similar expressions
mean and refer to this Agreement and not to a particular Article, Section,
Subsection or Paragraph; |
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(f) |
“Alternative Proposal” has the meaning ascribed to it in
Section 9.1; |
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(g) |
“Authority” and “Authorities” means any (i)
multinational, federal, provincial, state, regional, municipal, local or other
government, governmental or public department, securities commission (including
the Securities Commissions), central bank, court, tribunal, arbitral body,
commission, board, bureau or agency, domestic or foreign, (ii) any subdivision,
agent, commission, board, or authority of any of the foregoing, or (iii) any
quasi-governmental or private body exercising any regulatory, expropriation or
taxing authority under or for the account of any of the foregoing, and includes
a stock exchange and any other self-regulatory authority; |
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(h) |
“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the
Company; |
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(i) |
“Business Day” means any day which is not a Saturday, a Sunday
or a day on which banks are generally closed for business in Denver, Colorado or
London, England; |
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(j) |
“Claims” means all losses, damages, expenses, Liabilities,
claims and demands of whatever nature or kind, including all reasonable legal
fees and disbursements; |
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(k) |
“Closing Date” has the meaning given to it in the Subscription
Agreement; |
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(l) |
“Commencement of Production” has the meaning given to it in
Section 2.3; |
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(m) |
“Common Stock” has the meaning given to it in Section 4.1(a); |
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(n) |
“Company” has the meaning given to it in the preamble hereto; |
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(o) |
“Company Indemnitees” has the meaning given to it in Section
11.2; |
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(p) |
“Convertible Securities” means all warrants, rights,
agreements, options, or Debt Instruments present or future, contingent or
absolute, or any right or privilege capable of becoming a right, agreement or
option, for the purchase, subscription or issuance of any Shares in the Company
or any other security or Debt Instruments convertible or exchangeable for
Shares, including options granted to officers, directors or employees, and
whether issued pursuant to the Stock Option Plan; |
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(q) |
“Debt Instrument” means any loan, bond, debenture, promissory
note or other instrument evidencing material indebtedness of the Company for
borrowed money or other material liability; |
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(r) |
“Equity Securities” means Shares, Convertible Securities and
any other equity or voting securities of the Company; |
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(s) |
“Existing Properties” has the meaning given to it in the
preamble hereto; |
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(t) |
“Financing Election” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section
2.3; |
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(u) |
“HOC Director” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 5.1; |
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(v) |
“HOC Entities” means HOC and its Affiliates, and any person
acting jointly or in concert with any of them, excluding, for greater certainty,
the Company and any of its Subsidiaries to the extent they may be or become
Affiliates at any relevant point in time; |
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(w) |
“HOC Indemnitees” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section
11.1; |
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(x) |
“HOC JV Acceptance Notice” has the meaning ascribed to it in
Section 6.2(b); |
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(y) |
“HOC Option” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.1; |
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(z) |
“Joint Venture Proposal Notice” has the meaning ascribed to it
in Section 6.2(a); |
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(aa) |
“JV Negotiation Period” has the meaning ascribed to it in
Section 6.2(b); |
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(bb) |
“Laws” means any and all applicable (i) laws,
constitutions, treaties, statutes, codes, ordinances, orders, decrees, rules,
regulations and municipal by-laws, (ii) judicial, arbitral, administrative,
ministerial, departmental or regulatory judgments or orders of any Authorities,
and (iii) policies, guidelines and protocols; |
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(cc) |
“Liabilities” means, with respect to any Person, any liability
or obligation of such Person of any kind, character or description, whether
known or unknown, absolute or contingent, accrued or unaccrued, disputed or
undisputed, liquidated or unliquidated, secured or unsecured, joint or several,
due or to become due; |
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(dd) |
“Lien” means any mortgage, easement, encroachment,
adverse claim, and assignment by way of security, security interest, servitude,
pledge, charge, lien, assignment, hypothecation, conditional sale agreement,
title retention, preferential right, trust arrangement, right of set-off,
counterclaim or banker’s lien, financing statement, privilege or priority,
or other encumbrance of any kind having the effect of security, any designation
of loss payees or beneficiaries or any similar arrangement under or with respect
to any insurance policy or any preference of one creditor over another arising
by operation of law; |
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(ee) |
“Market Purchases” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section
3.1; |
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(ff) |
“Option Exercise Notice” has the meaning ascribed to it in
Section 2.1; |
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(gg) |
“Option Expiration Date” has the meaning ascribed to it in
Section 2.1; |
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(hh) |
“Options” means outstanding options to acquire Shares under the
Stock Option Plan; |
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(ii) |
“Other Purchasers” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section
4.1(a); |
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(jj) |
“Parties” means the Company and HOC and their successors and
permitted assigns; and “Party” means any one of them; |
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(kk) |
“Person” means an individual, partnership, unincorporated
association, organization, syndicate, corporation or trust or a trustee,
executor, administrator or other legal or personal representative; |
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(ll) |
“Private Agreement Purchases” means purchases of Equity
Securities other than on any stock exchange on which the Shares are then listed
or quoted provided such purchases are made in accordance with applicable Laws,
including applicable Securities Laws; |
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(mm) |
“Pro Rata Interest” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section
4.1(a); |
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(nn) |
“Proposed Joint Venture” has the meaning ascribed to it in
Section 6.1(a); |
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(oo) |
“Properties” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Preamble
hereto; |
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(pp) |
“Purchased Shares” shall mean the shares of Common Stock to be
acquired by HOC pursuant to the terms of the Subscription Agreement. |
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(qq) |
“Rights Notice” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section
4.1(c); |
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(rr) |
“Securities Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of
1934; |
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(ss) |
“Securities Commissions” means the securities regulator in each
jurisdiction whose Securities Laws are applicable to the Company; |
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(tt) |
“Securities Laws” means the Laws relating to securities of the
Company, and the regulations and rules made and forms prescribed thereunder
together with all applicable published policy statements, blanket orders,
rulings and notices adopted by the Securities Commissions of each such
jurisdiction or applicable in such jurisdictions; |
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(uu) |
“Shareholders” means the holders of Shares; |
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(vv) |
“Shares” means common shares or any other securities into which
the common shares in the capital of the Company are reorganized, exchanged or
converted; |
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(ww) |
“Stock Option Plan” means any stock option plan, agreement or
arrangement adopted by the Company from time to time which provides for the
issuance of options to acquire Shares; |
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(xx)
“Subscription Agreement” has the meaning ascribed to it in the
Preamble hereto;
(yy)
“Subsequent Closing Date” has the meaning ascribed to it in
Section 2.1;
(zz)
“Transactions” means the transactions contemplated in this
Agreement.
1.2 Gender
and Certain References. Whenever the context requires, the gender of all words used
shall include the masculine, feminine and neuter, and the number of all words shall
include the singular and plural. The terms “hereof”, “herein” or
“hereunder”shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular
Article or Section hereof. All titles and headings to Articles and Sections in this
Agreement are included for convenience and ease of reference. Titles and headings shall
not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of Articles or Sections of this
Agreement. Any references to specific Articles or Sections shall mean the Articles and
Sections in this Agreement.
ARTICLE 2
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS
BY HOC
2.1 HOC
Option to Purchase Additional Shares. From and after the Closing Date and until 5:00
pm Denver time on the date which is eighty (80) days from the Closing Date (the “Option
Expiration Date”), HOC shall have the option (the “Option”), at
its sole discretion, to subscribe for all, but not less than all, of an additional
4,330,000 Shares from the Company (the “Additional Shares”) at a price
of US$3.00 per share, or a total of US$12,990,000. If HOC wishes to exercise the Option,
it shall give written notice to the Company (the “Option Exercise Notice”)
prior to the Option Expiration Date in the manner set forth in Section 12.1 of this
Agreement. If HOC fails to deliver the Option Exercise Notice on or before the Option
Expiration Date, HOC shall be deemed to have waived its rights under this Section 2.1.
In the event HOC exercises the Option, one or more of the HOC Entities shall subscribe
and pay for and the Company shall issue to the relevant HOC Entities, free and clear of
any liens or encumbrances, the Additional Shares and the Parties shall exchange
representations and warranties substantially similar to those contained in the
Subscription Agreement and execute such documents as may be necessary to complete the
subscription and sale of the Additional Shares. Closing of the purchase and sale of the
Additional Shares shall take place within ten (10) business days of the delivery of the
Option Exercise Notice, such date being referred to as the “Subsequent Closing
Date”.
2.2 Use
of Proceeds. In the event HOC exercises the Option, the Company agrees to use not
less than five million U.S. Dollars (US$5,000,000) of the proceeds from the subscription
of the Purchased Shares and the Additional Shares to fund exploration activities
(including but not limited to drilling, assaying and staking new claims) on the El
Xxxxxx project. The Company further agrees that the balance of the proceeds from the
subscription of the Purchased Shares and the Additional Shares shall be used as follows:
(i) ten million U.S. Dollars (US$10,000,000) to fund the development and construction of
the mine and plant for the El Xxxxxx project; and (ii) three million U.S. Dollars
(US$3,000,000) for working capital of the Company and other investments in the El
Xxxxxx project.
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2.3.
Additional Financing. Subject to the provisions of Section 8.2, if the
Company determines to solicit additional equity financing subsequent to exercise
of the Option but prior to Commencement of Production (hereinafter defined) at
the El Xxxxxx project, it shall provide written notice to that effect to
HOC and HOC shall be entitled to exclusively provide such financing upon the
terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. For purposes of the preceding
sentence, “Commencement of Production” shall be defined as the
production and delivery to the point of sale (refiner) by the Company (either
directly or through a subsidiary) of not less than 4,000 ounces of gold within a
45 day period. HOC shall have ten (10) Business Days from delivery of such
notice in which to notify the Company that it desires to provide all of such
financing (the “Financing Election”). If HOC delivers the
Financing Election, the purchase price for each share shall be equal to eighty
percent (80%) of the average closing price of the Shares during the thirty (30)
calendar days preceding the date HOC delivers the Financing Election. Closing of
the subscription, purchase and sale shall be at such place and time as the
Parties agree but not more than ten (10) days from delivery of the Financing
Election. If HOC delivers the Financing Election, one or more of the HOC
Entities shall pay the purchase price for, and the Company shall issue,
additional Shares, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances. The Parties
shall exchange representations and warranties, in form and in substance
substantially similar to those provided in the Subscription Agreement and
execute such documents as may be necessary to complete the subscription and sale
of the Shares. In the event HOC fails to provide the Financing Election as set
forth above, the Company shall be free to obtain such financing from one or more
additional parties, free of any obligation to HOC.
ARTICLE 3
MARKET PURCHASES AND
PRIVATE PURCHASES
3.1 Market
Purchases.Subject to compliance with applicable laws, the HOC Entities shall at any
time and from time to time, in their sole discretion, be entitled to make purchases of
the Company’s common stock in the over-the-counter market or on any stock exchange
on which its common stock is then quoted or listed (the “Market Purchases”);
provided, however, that for a period of two (2) years following the Closing Date, unless
the Parties otherwise agree, the HOC Entities do not beneficially own, directly or
indirectly, more than forty percent (40%) of the Company’s outstanding common stock
on an undiluted basis, following any Market Purchase and any Private Agreement Purchase.
For purposes of this Agreement, beneficial ownership shall be determined in accordance
with the provisions of Rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act.
3.2 Private
Xxxxxxxx.Xx addition to Market Purchases, as described in Section 3.1 above, HOC
shall be entitled to make Private Agreement Purchases, provided that such purchases are
made in accordance with all applicable laws; and provided further, that for a period of
two (2) years following the Closing Date, unless the Parties otherwise agree, the HOC
Entities will not beneficially own more than forty percent (40%) of the Company’s
outstanding common stock on an undiluted basis following any Market Purchase and/or
Private Agreement Purchase. At the request of HOC, the Company shall introduce HOC to
persons whom the Company believes may be interested in selling its common stock.
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ARTICLE 4
PRE-EMPTIVE RIGHT
4.1 HOC’s
Pre-emptive Right.
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(a)
Subject to the provisions of subsection (g) of this Section 4.1 and Section 8.2
hereof, if at any time after the Closing Date, the Company proposes to issue or
sell Equity Securities (“Additional Securities”) other than (i)
under any Stock Option Plan, (ii) pursuant to the exercise of options under any
Stock Option Plan, (iii) upon the exercise, exchange or conversion of any
Convertible Securities, or (iv) for property other than money, the HOC Entities
shall have the right to subscribe for and purchase Additional Securities, at the
price at which such Additional Securities are offered for sale to other
purchasers (the “Other Purchasers”), up to its Pro Rata
Interest (as defined below) prior to giving effect to the issuance or sale of
such Additional Securities. “Pro Rata Interest” means, at any
relevant time, the ownership interest of HOC, expressed as a percentage, equal
to: (i) the number of outstanding shares of common stock of the Company
(“Common Stock”) beneficially owned by the HOC Entities,
including all shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion, exercise or
exchange of all Convertible Securities beneficially owned by the HOC Entities
divided by (ii) the aggregate number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, plus
the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion, exercise or
exchange of all outstanding Convertible Securities; |
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(b)
If the Company issues Equity Securities in circumstances that would not give
rise to the rights of the HOC Entities pursuant to Section 4.1(a) (the
“Non-Participating Transaction”), then in any
concurrent or subsequent transaction which does give rise to the rights of the
HOC Entities pursuant to Section 4.1(a) (the “Participating
Transaction”), the Company shall allow the HOC Entities to subscribe
for and purchase Additional Securities in an amount greater than HOC’s Pro
Rata Interest; provided that in the Participating Transaction, HOC shall not be
entitled to purchase any more than its Pro Rata Interest of the securities sold
collectively in the Non-Participating Transaction and the Participating
Transaction. |
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(c)
If the Company intends to authorize and/or issue equity securities that give
rise to the rights of HOC pursuant to Section 4.1(a), the Company shall
provide notice to HOC (the “Rights Notice”) no less than ten
(10) business days before the date on which the Company intends to issue equity
securities giving rise to the rights of HOC in Section 4.1(a). |
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(d)
The Rights Notice shall specify sufficient information regarding the particulars
of the issuance or sale of the Additional Securities to allow HOC to make a
reasoned decision in respect of making the investment, including to the extent
any such terms are determinable at such time: (i) the total number of equity
securities outstanding as of the date thereof; (ii) the total number of
Additional Securities which are being offered; (iii) the rights, privileges,
restrictions, terms and conditions of such Additional Securities; (iv) the
amount payable by HOC for the Additional Securities to which it is entitled
pursuant to Section 4.1(a); and (v) the proposed closing date, and
thereafter, to the extent it is not included in the Rights Notice, the Company
shall immediately provide notice to HOC of such information as it is determined. |
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(e)
HOC shall give notice (an “Acceptance Notice”) to the Company
not later than 5:00 p.m. (Denver time) on the tenth business day following the
deemed receipt of any Rights Notice given under paragraph 4.1(c) setting
out the number of Additional Securities, if any, which any of HOC Entities
intends to subscribe for and purchase and, if applicable, the name and address
of HOC Entity whose name in which such securities should be registered, provided
that if HOC, acting reasonably, determines that it has insufficient information
to make such investment decision, HOC shall notify the Company of the
information required to make such investment decision and thereafter shall have
the longer of (i) the remainder of the ten (10) Business Days set out in the
first sentence of this paragraph; or (ii) two (2) Business Days from the receipt
of such additional information to make the investment decision and deliver or
refrain from delivering the Acceptance Notice. Notwithstanding the preceding
sentence, the Rights Notice shall be deemed to include sufficient information to
make such investment decision if it includes the information specified in items
(i) to (iv) of Section 4.1(d). If no Acceptance Notice has been provided to
the Company within the required time, HOC will be deemed to have elected not to
subscribe for or purchase any such Additional Securities. |
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(f)
Following delivery of the Acceptance Notice, if any, the HOC Entities shall pay
for, and the Company shall issue to the relevant HOC Entities, free and clear of
any liens, the number of Additional Securities specified in the Acceptance
Notice and, except as otherwise agreed, the Company shall provide HOC with
substantially the same closing documents, including opinions, if applicable, as
are delivered to the other persons subscribing for Additional Securities on the
closing date for such issuance. |
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(g)
The rights granted to HOC under this Article 4 shall terminate and be of no
further force or effect if HOC does not exercise Option and complete the
purchase of the Additional Shares. |
ARTICLE 5
BOARD REPRESENTATION
5.1 Appointment
of HOC Nominee. If, but only if HOC exercises the Option and completes the
acquisition of the Additional Shares, HOC shall be entitled to nominate one (1)
individual to the Board of Directors (the “HOC Director”). Upon receipt
of such nomination and its satisfaction that the individual nominated by HOC meets the
qualification requirements for directors under applicable laws, the Board of Directors
further agrees to expand its membership to four (4) positions and appoint the individual
nominated by HOC to the newly-created vacancy. The Board of Directors further agrees that
if HOC maintains a Pro Rata Interest of at least 14.5%, it shall nominate such individual
to the slate of directors at each subsequent annual meeting so long as the provisions of
Section 8.2 are not invoked.
5.2 Increase
in Membership of the Board of Directors. If HOC acquires the Additional Shares and
subsequently acquires additional Shares such that it holds a Pro Rata Interest of 40% or
more, HOC shall be entitled to appoint one (1) additional individual to the Board of
Directors. For greater clarity, if HOC exercises the Option and holds a Pro Rata Interest
of at least 40%, HOC shall be entitled to appoint a total of two (2) individuals to the
Board of Directors. Upon receipt of a nomination from HOC for the second director and its
satisfaction that the individual meets the qualification requirements for directors under
applicable law, the Board of Directors agrees to expand its membership to five positions
and appoint the individual nominated by HOC to the newly created vacancy. The Board of
Directors further agrees that so long as HOC maintains a Pro Rata Interest of at least
35%, it shall nominate such individual to the slate of directors at each subsequent
annual meeting so long as the provisions of Section 8.2 are not invoked. The Company
further agrees that if HOC exercises the Option and so long as the provisions of Section
8.2 are not invoked, it will not take any action to authorize and will cause the Board of
Directors not to authorize any proposal to expand the Board beyond five (5) members
without the advance written approval of HOC.
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5.3 Board
Meetings. At all times when the provisions of Section 5.1 are satisfied, the Company
shall provide HOC Director(s) not less than 7 (seven) Business Days advance written
notice of the date on which any meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held. In
providing such notice, the Company shall take into consideration the matters to be
discussed at the meeting, the proximity to the place of the meeting and the time zone in
which the HOC Director is resident.
5.4 Resignation
of HOC Director(s). If (x) one or both HOC Directors do not meet the individual
qualifications for a director prescribed by applicable laws, (y) the Pro Rata Interest of
HOC falls below 14.5%, or (z) the provisions of Section 8.2 hereof become applicable
and the Company delivers notice to HOC to that effect, all of the HOC Directors shall
forthwith resign; provided, however, that in the event of (x), HOC shall then be entitled
to appoint an individual to replace the resigning director(s) and such resigning
director(s) shall be afforded the benefits of any indemnity and insurance as may exist
for all matters occurring prior to such resignation.
5.5 Indemnification
and Director’s and Officer’s Insurance. So long as HOC is entitled to
nominate and maintain a director pursuant to this Article 5, the Company shall indemnify
each current and former HOC Director and shall maintain director’s and officer’s
liability insurance for the benefit of each such director, with the same rights and
benefits as are accorded the directors of the Company generally.
ARTICLE 6
RIGHT OF FIRST OFFER
The provisions of this Article 6
shall apply if, but only if, HOC exercises the Option and acquires the Additional Shares
and so long as the provisions of Section 8.2 do not apply:
6.1 Joint
Venture
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(a)
If the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries decides to seek a joint venture
partner to develop, acquire or otherwise earn an interest in any
Properties including the Existing Properties, in circumstances where
the Company’s participation in such joint venture is not
dependent on the participation of a particular third party as joint
venture partner (such as in the case of an earn-in) (each a “Proposed
Joint Venture”), the Company shall immediately provide
notice to HOC (the “Joint Venture Proposal Notice”)
specifying sufficient information regarding the particulars of the
Proposed Joint Venture to allow HOC to make a reasoned decision in respect
of participating in the Proposed Joint Venture, including to the
extent any such terms are determinable at such time: (A) a
description of the Property in respect of which the Proposed Joint
Venture relates, and (B) the terms, including the purchase price, for
the Proposed Joint Venture, and if applicable, a true copy of any
related term sheet setting forth such terms. |
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, nothing in this Section 6.1 shall prevent the Company from
concurrently negotiating with third parties with respect to those matters set out in this
Section 6.1.
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(b)
If HOC,
acting reasonably, determines that the Joint Venture Proposal Notice
contains insufficient information to make a reasoned decision in
respect of participating in the Proposed Joint Venture, it shall
notify the Company of the information required to make such decision
and thereafter shall have the greater of (i) five (5) Business Days
from the receipt of such information from the Company, and (ii) the
days remaining in the period specified in Section 6.2 to make
such decision and deliver or refrain from delivering the HOC JV
Acceptance Notice in accordance with such Section 6.2.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a copy of the term sheet for the
Proposed Joint Venture shall be deemed to be sufficient information
to make such reasoned decision, if it includes the information
specified in Section 6.1(a). |
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6.2 Joint
Venture Proposal
|
(a)
Receipt
of the Joint Venture Proposal Notice by HOC shall be deemed to
constitute an invitation to HOC Entities to participate in the
Proposed Joint Venture. |
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(b)
If any
of HOC Entities provides the Company an acceptance (the “HOC JV
Acceptance Notice”) in writing in respect of the
Joint Venture Proposal Notice, within fifteen (15) Business Days of
receipt thereof or such shorter period as may be specified in the
Joint Venture Proposal Notice of a determination in respect of the
Proposed Joint Venture, the Company shall negotiate exclusively in
good faith with HOC to finalize terms of the Proposed Joint Venture
acceptable to each of the Parties, acting reasonably, within a period
of sixty days or such additional period as the Parties may from time to
time agree in writing (the “JV Negotiation Period”),
failing which the Company shall be entitled to pursue other partners
for the Proposed Joint Venture. If HOC does not provide HOC JV
Acceptance Notice to the Company within fifteen (15) Business Days or
such shorter period as may be specified in the Joint Venture Proposal
Notice, of receiving of the Joint Venture Proposal Notice, the
Company may enter into negotiations with any other person regarding
the Proposed Joint Venture. If the Company truncates the period
during which the HOC JV Acceptance Notice is required to be returned
by HOC, it shall include in the Joint Venture Proposal Notice a
statement certified by an officer of the Company that the Company has
determined that it is necessary to truncate such period to avoid
losing the opportunity to make such acquisition or other related
transaction and that it has used commercially reasonable efforts to
avoid truncating such period. |
ARTICLE 7
STANDSTILL
The provisions of this Article 7
shall apply if HOC acquires the Additional Shares and for a period of two (2) years after
the Subsequent Closing Date:
7.1 Standstill
|
(a) |
HOC covenants and agrees that, except as otherwise contemplated in this
Agreement, HOC will not, and will not allow any HOC Entities to, in either case,
without the prior written consent of the Company, directly or indirectly: |
|
(i) |
acquire
or enter into any agreement to acquire or make any proposal or offer to acquire
in any manner any equity securities of the Company (whether issued or unissued)
that would result in a Pro Rata Interest greater than 40% other than (A) as a
result of a stock dividend or distribution made by or a recapitalization of the
Company, (B) in accordance with the terms of any dividend reinvestment or share
purchase plan made available from time to time by the Company to holders of
equity securities; (C) pursuant to the exercise of rights issued pursuant to a
rights offering made by the Company to the holders of its equity securities; or
(D) pursuant to the exercise of rights issued pursuant to any shareholder
rights plan of the Company and attached to equity securities; |
10
|
(ii) |
assist,
encourage or advise any other person to acquire or agree to acquire in any
manner any equity securities; |
|
(iii) |
propose
or support or engage in any discussions or negotiations with respect to, or
enter into any agreement, commitment or understanding with any third party to
effect, any tender offer, merger, business combination, asset or share
transaction, financing transaction or corporate restructuring involving the
Company; |
|
(iv) |
make
or participate directly or indirectly in any solicitation of proxies from
shareholders of the Company; |
|
(v) |
form,
join or in any way participate in any group acting jointly or in concert with
any of the foregoing; or |
|
(vi) |
make
any public disclosure of any intention in connection with the foregoing; |
|
(each
an "Acquisition Proposal"). |
(b) |
Notwithstanding
Section 6.1, none of the HOC Entities shall be prohibited from making an
Acquisition Proposal: |
|
(i) |
in
the event the Company materially breaches its obligations under Section 2.3
(Additional Financing), Article 4 (Pre-Emptive Right), Article 5 (Board
Representation) or Article 6 (Right of First Offer), provided that HOC has
notified the Company of any alleged breach and the Company has failed to cure
such alleged breach, if curable, within thirty days of such notice; |
|
(ii) |
from
the date any public announcement of or public disclosure of an intention to
commence or enter into any agreement with respect to any of the following is
made by any person (other than any HOC Entity) to the date of the withdrawal or
cancellation of the Tender Offer Transaction or Business Combination
Transaction (each as defined below): |
|
A) |
a
tender offer or an intention to undertake a tender offer for equity securities
of the Company by any person or group of persons (other than any HOC
Entities) which if completed would result in such tender offer person or
group of persons holding 20% or more on a non-diluted basis of any class
of then outstanding equity securities of the Company (a “Tender
Offer Transaction”); or |
11
|
B) |
any
acquisition (excluding a Tender Offer Transaction), merger, asset purchase
and sale, business combination transaction or other extraordinary
transaction involving or relating to the Company or any of its
subsidiaries, or an intention to make an offer to the Company and/or its
subsidiaries to undertake such a transaction, by any person or group of
persons (other than any HOC Entities) which would, if completed, result in
(I) any class of outstanding equity securities being converted into cash
or securities of another person resulting in shareholders holding less
than 50% of the equity and/or voting securities of the resulting entity;
or (II) all or substantially all of the Company’s assets being sold
to any person or group of persons (other than any HOC Entities) (a “Business
Combination Transaction”), provided that in the case of
this Section 6.1(b)(ii)(B) HOC must make such Acquisition Proposal
confidentially to the Board of Directors and not by way of public offer to
the shareholders. |
|
For
greater certainty, if HOC has commenced an Acquisition Proposal in reliance on this
Section 6.1(b)(ii) or in respect of Section 6.1(b)(ii)(B), has agreed with the Company to
an Acquisition Proposal, prior to the withdrawal or cancellation of such Tender Offer
Transaction or Business Combination Transaction, HOC shall not be precluded from
continuing with such Acquisition Proposal by reason only of the withdrawal or
cancellation of any relevant Tender Offer Transaction or Business Combination
Transaction; or |
|
(iii) |
if
a person or group of persons other than any of the HOC Entities, the Company or
its subsidiaries obtains proxies carrying a majority of the votes attached to
all outstanding voting securities of the Company and exercises such votes to
replace the Board of Directors. |
7.2 Most
Favored Nation. The Company shall immediately inform HOC and provide HOC with a copy
of any other standstill provisions in any agreement pertaining to the matters set forth
in this Article 6, entered into by the Company with another person subsequent to the date
hereof, and notwithstanding delivery of such notice and a copy of any such provisions,
HOC shall have the full benefit of any materially more favourable terms, in the opinion
of HOC, contained in such standstill and Section 6.1 shall be deemed to be amended
accordingly.
ARTICLE 8
COVENANTS
8.1 Designation
of Consulting Geologists. During the time up to the Option Expiration Date, and
thereafter if HOC exercises the Option and acquires the Additional Shares and the
provisions of Section 8.2 do not apply, HOC shall have the right to designate one full or
part time geologist to act as a consultant to the Company at any of its Existing
Properties for the purpose of advising the Company with regard to ongoing exploration and
development. The Company shall provide such geologist with room and board while such
geologist is on-site at any of the Existing Properties. HOC, however, shall be
responsible for payment of any compensation for such geologist. Other consulting services
which may be required by the Company, including metallurgical, underground mining
engineering or concentrate contract negotiations, may be requested from HOC, and provided
that HOC agrees to deliver those services, any charges for such services shall be billed
by HOC to the Company at no more than HOC’s actual cost plus 1%.
12
8.2 Termination
of Certain HOC Rights. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in
the event (i) HOC shall hold a Pro Rata Interest less than 14.5% or (ii) HOC shall have
achieved a Pro Rata Interest greater than 14.5% but subsequently sells or otherwise
disposes of 20% or more of its Pro Rata Interest in any one or more transactions, the
benefits provided to HOC pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.3 (Additional
Financing), Article 4 (Pre-Emptive Rights), Article 5 (Board Representation), Article 6
(First Offer) and Section 8.1 (Designation of Geologist) above shall immediately
terminate and be of no further force or effect. Furthermore, any HOC Director nominated
and appointed pursuant to the provisions of Section 5.1 or 5.2 shall immediately
resign in the event that the provisions of subsection (i) or (ii) above shall be
applicable.
ARTICLE 9
ADDITIONAL COVENANTS
9.1 Covenants
of the Company.
|
(a) |
Prior to the Option Expiration Date, the Company shall not and shall not permit
its Affiliates, agents or other representatives (including any director,
officer, investment banker, legal advisor or accountant retained by the Company
or any of its Susidiaries) to: |
|
(i) |
initiate,
solicit, promote or encourage, directly or indirectly, inquiries or the
submission of proposals or offers from any Person with respect to any
proposal or offer or action that would reasonably be expected to delay,
prevent or frustrate the Transactions or any part thereof (an “Alternative
Proposal”); |
|
(ii) |
encourage,
or participate or engage in negotiations concerning, or furnish to any
Person other than to HOC Entities, any non-public information with respect
to, or otherwise co-operate in any way with, or participate in, or
facilitate or encourage any Person to make an Alternative Proposal; or |
|
(iii) |
endorse,
accept, approve or recommend a proposal of, or enter into any Contract or
understanding with , any Person relating to an Alternative Proposal, or
otherwise facilitate any effort or attempt to make or implement an
Alternative Proposal. |
|
(b) |
Notwithstanding anything else in this Section 9.1, if the Company or any of its
subsidiaries receives an unsolicited Alternative Proposal prior to the Option
Exercise Date, the Board of Directors may participate in discussions with,
furnish information to, or enter into an agreement with the Person that
initiated the Alternative Proposal only if: (x) the Board of Directors
determines in good faith, after consultation with outside counsel, that such
action is necessary in order for them to act in a manner consistent with their
fiduciary duty under applicable Laws; (y) the Company shall have provided to HOC
notice at least five (5) Business Days prior to the date on which the agreement
to effect such Alternative Proposal is to be entered into specifying the terms
of the Alternative Proposal; and (z) after taking into account modifications to
this Agreement proposed by HOC during such five Business Day period, such
proposal would constitute a superior proposal (“Superior
Proposal”). If HOC makes a proposal to amend this Agreement to increase
the purchase price payable for the Additional Shares, such that the proposal of
such other Person shall no longer be a Superior Proposal, and shall complete the
purchase of the Additional Shares upon such terms, then neither the Company nor
its subsidiaries shall enter into such Alternative Proposal. |
13
|
(c) |
The Company shall comply with all securities regulatory filing requirements on a
timely basis in connection with the issuance of any Equity Securities of the
Company to any HOC Entity, including filing within the periods stipulated under
Securities Laws, at the Company’s expense, all private placement forms
required to be filed by the Company and paying all filing fees required to be
paid in connection therewith so that such issuance may lawfully occur without
the necessity of filing a prospectus, registration statement or any similar
document under the Securities Laws. |
|
(d) |
The Company shall, to the extent and for so long as HOC Entities hold at least
14.5% of the Shares on a non-diluted basis, upon HOC’s request, permit
representatives of the HOC Entities to have access to the site and any of the
premises where the business and operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries
are conducted and access and duplicating rights (and use commercially reasonable
efforts to cause persons or firms possessing such documentation or information
to give similar access and duplicating rights) to the Company and its
Subsidiaries’ books of account and records and such other documents,
communications, items and matters, within the knowledge, possession or control
of the Company, which HOC may reasonably request, at HOC’s own cost (other
than those it is permitted to examine and make copies of free of charge pursuant
to applicable Laws) provided that, except to the extent the information can be
provided in the necessary course of business of the Company, acting reasonably
including to provide HOC Entities with information to assist the HOC Entities
and their advisors with the preparation of the financial statements for such HOC
Entities, nothing herein shall require the Company to provide HOC Entities with
any information which would constitute a material fact with respect to the
Company which has not been generally disclosed. |
|
(e) |
In the event the Company shall breach any representation or warranty, covenant
or any other right of HOC under this Agreement in any material respect,
including but not limited to, the rights afforded to HOC under Articles 2, 4, 5,
6 and 8 hereof, then at the request of HOC, the Company shall promptly prepare
and file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-l or S-3 (or, if Form
S-l or S-3 is not then available, on such form of registration statement as is
then available to effect a registration for resale of the Purchase Shares and
the Additional Shares (“Registration Statement”)), covering the resale
of all of the Shares owned by HOC; provided, however, that if prior to the
filing of the Registration Statement, the provisions of Rule 144 of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) allow the sale of
all of the Shares in compliance with that Rule, the Company shall not be
obligated to file such Registration Statement so long as the Company at its own
expense, does the following: (i) complies with any necessary filing or reporting
requirements (under the 1933 Act or otherwise) to permit such sale, (ii)
cooperates with HOC in removing any legend on the certificates representing the
Shares, including but not limited to instructing its transfer agent to remove
such restrictive legend and (iii) provides HOC with an opinion of counsel
confirming that such sale is permitted under Rule 144. Such Registration
Statement also shall cover, to the extent allowable under the 1933 Act and the
rules promulgated thereunder (including Rule 416), such indeterminate number of
additional shares of Common Stock resulting from stock splits, stock dividends
or similar transactions with respect to the Shares. The Company shall pay all
expenses associated with the registration, including filing and printing fees,
counsel and accounting fees and expenses, and State “Blue Sky” fees
and expenses. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to have
the Registration Statement declared effective by the SEC as soon as practicable.
The Company shall notify HOC by facsimile or e-mail as promptly as practicable,
and in any event, within three (3) business days, after the Registration
Statement is declared effective and shall simultaneously provide HOC with copies
of any related prospectus to be used in connection with the sale or other
disposition of the securities covered thereby. |
14
|
(f) |
In connection with the foregoing, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless
HOC against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which it may become
subject under the 1933 Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages
or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon
(i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact
contained in the Registration Statement or any other public filing by the
Company, so long as such statement has not been provided to the Company by HOC
for inclusion in such registration statement; (ii) the omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, so long as such
omission or alleged omission does not relate to HOC or the manner of sale for
the Shares as provided to the Company by HOC; or (iii) any violation of the 1933
Act, any rule or regulation thereunder or any other securities law, rule or
regulation applicable to the Company and relating to the action or inaction
required of the Company in connection therewith. The foregoing indemnification
obligation shall extend to the fees and expenses of any counsel retained by HOC
in connection with any such loss, claim, damage or liability. |
ARTICLE 10
REPRESENTATIONS &
WARRANTIES
10.1 Representations
and Warranties of the Company. The Company represents, warrants and agrees with HOC as
of the date of this Agreement, that:
|
(a)
The
Company is a corporation duly incorporated under the laws of the State of
Colorado, and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the State of Colorado and no proceedings have been instituted or
are pending for the dissolution or liquidation of the Company; |
|
(b)
The
Company has all requisite legal and corporate power and authority to
execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement; |
|
(c)
This
Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on
the part of the Company and has been duly executed and delivered by
the Company and constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of
the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its
terms; and |
15
|
(d)
The
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the performance by the Company
of its obligations hereunder and the consummation of the
Transactions, do not and will not conflict with, or result in a
breach or violation of, any of the terms or provisions of, or
constitute a default under (whether after notice or lapse of time or
both): (i) the constating documents of the Company; (ii) the
resolutions of the shareholders or directors (or any committee
thereof) of the Company which are in effect at the date hereof; (iii) any
mortgage, note, indenture, contract, agreement, instrument, lease or
other document to which the Company is a party or by which it is
bound; or (iv) any judgement, writ, injunction, decree or order,
of any court or of any Authority that is binding the Company or the
property or assets of the Company. |
10.2 Representations
and Warranties of HOC. HOC represents, warrants and agrees with the Company as of the
date of this Agreement, that:
|
(a) |
HOC is a limited company incorporated under the Companies Xxx 0000
(England) as a limited company, registered in England and Wales, and is
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of England and no
proceedings have been instituted or are pending for the dissolution or
liquidation of HOC; |
|
(b) |
HOC has all requisite legal and corporate power and authority to execute,
deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement; |
|
(c) |
this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the
part of HOC and has been duly executed and delivered by HOC and constitutes a
valid and legally binding obligation of HOC enforceable against HOC in
accordance with its terms; and |
|
(d) |
the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the performance by HOC of its
obligations hereunder and the consummation of the Transactions, do not and will
not conflict with, or result in a breach or violation of, any of the terms or
provisions of, or constitute a default under (whether after notice or lapse of
time or both): (i) the constating documents of HOC; (ii) the
resolutions of the shareholders or directors (or any committee thereof) of HOC
which are in effect at the date hereof; (iii) any mortgage, note,
indenture, contract, agreement, instrument, lease or other document to which HOC
is a party or by which it is bound; or (iv) any judgement, writ,
injunction, decree or order, of any court or of any Authority that is binding on
HOC or the property or assets of HOC. |
ARTICLE 11
INDEMNIFICATION
11.1 Indemnification
by the Company.
|
The
Company will indemnify and save harmless the HOC Entities and the directors, officers,
employees and agents of the HOC Entities (collectively, the “HOC Indemnitees”)
from and against all Claims incurred by any one or more of the HOC Indemnitees directly or
indirectly resulting from any breach of any covenant, representation or warranty of the
Company contained in this Agreement. |
16
11.2 Indemnification
by HOC.
|
HOC
will indemnify and save harmless the Company and the directors, officers, employees and
agents of the Company (collectively, the “Company Indemnitees”) from and
against all Claims incurred by any one or more of the Company Indemnitees directly or
indirectly resulting from any breach of any covenant, representation or warranty of HOC
contained in this Agreement. |
11.3 Injunctive
Relief.
|
Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Agreement, nothing herein is intended to or shall restrict a
Party from seeking and receiving injunctive relief (whether as a temporary restraining
order, preliminary injunction or otherwise) or specific performance. |
ARTICLE 12
MISCELLANEOUS
PROVISIONS
12.1 Notices.
All notices or other communications required or permitted to be given by one party to
another by the terms hereof shall be given in writing by personal delivery or facsimile
delivered to such other party as follows:
|
Gold
Resource Corporation 000 Xxxxxxxxx Xx., Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxx, XX 00000 Attention:
Xxxxxxx Xxxx, President Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000 |
|
Hochschild
Mining Holdings Limited Xxxxx Xx Xxxxxxx 000
Xxxxx, Xxxx 00, Xxxx Attention: VP
& General Counsel Facsimile No.: x000-000-0000 |
or at such other address or facsimile
number as may be given by either of them to the other in writing from time to time and
such other notices or communications shall be deemed to have been received when delivered
or, if by facsimile, on the next business day after such notice or other communication has
been transmitted by facsimile (with receipt confirmed).
17
12.2 Further
Assurances. Each of the parties hereto upon the request of each of the other parties
hereto, whether before or after the date of this Agreement, shall do, execute,
acknowledge and deliver or cause to be done, executed, acknowledged and delivered all
such further acts, deeds, documents, assignments, transfers, conveyances, powers of
attorney and assurances as may reasonably be necessary or desirable to complete the
transactions contemplated herein.
12.3 Costs
and Expenses. All costs and expenses (including, without limitation, the fees and
disbursements of legal counsel) incurred in connection with this Agreement and the
transactions herein contemplated shall be paid and borne by the party incurring such
costs and expenses.
12.4 Applicable
Law. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the
rights of the parties shall be governed by, the laws of the State of New York and the
laws of the United States applicable therein. Any and all disputes arising under this
Agreement, whether as to interpretation, performance or otherwise, shall be subject to
the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Colorado and each of the parties hereto
hereby irrevocably attorns to the jurisdiction of the courts of such province.
12.5 Entire
Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with
respect to the transactions contemplated herein and cancels and supersedes any prior
understandings, agreements, negotiations and discussions between the parties. There are
no representations, warranties, terms, conditions, undertakings or collateral agreements
or understandings, express or implied, between the parties hereto other than those
expressly set forth in this Agreement or in any such agreement, certificate, affidavit,
statutory declaration or other document as aforesaid.
12.6 Amendment
and Waivers. No amendment of this Agreement will be effective unless made in writing
and signed by the Parties. A waiver of any default, breach or non-compliance under this
Agreement is not effective unless in writing and signed by the Party to be bound by the
waiver. No waiver shall be inferred from or implied by any failure to act or delay in
acting by a Party in respect of any default, breach or non-observance or by anything done
or omitted to be done by the other Party in respect of any default, beach or
non-observance or by anything done or omitted to be done by the other Party. The waiver
by any Party of any default, breach or non-compliance under this Agreement shall not
operate as a waiver of that Party’s rights under this Agreement in respect of any
continuing or subsequent default, breach or non-observance (whether of the same or any
other nature).
12.7 Severability. If
any one or more provisions in this Agreement, for any reason, shall be determined to be
invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and
enforceability of any such provision in any other respect and the remaining provisions of
this Agreement shall not be in anyway impaired.
12.8 Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed to be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same
Agreement. Counterparts may be delivered either in original or faxed form and the parties
adopt any signature received by a receiving fax machine as original signatures of the
parties.
12.9 Assignment.
This Agreement may not be assigned by either party except with the prior written
consent of the other parties hereto.
18
12.10 Enurement.
This Agreement shall enure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto
and their respective heirs, executors, successors (including any successor by reason of
the amalgamation or merger of any party), administrators and permitted assigns.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto
have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
GOLD RESOURCE CORPORATIOn
By: ___________________________________________
Authorized Signing
Officer
HOCHSCHILD MINING HOLDINGS LIMITED
By: ___________________________________________
Authorized Signing
Officer
19