CONVERTIBLE NOTES PURCHASE AGREEMENT
Exhibit
10.1
Dated
as
of April 10, 2007
between
CHINA
GOLD, LLC
as
Purchaser
and
as
Issuer
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Page
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Section
1.
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Definitions
and Related Matters
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1
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1.1
|
Definitions
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1
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1.2
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Accounting
Principles
|
9
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1.3
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Other
Interpretive Matters
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9
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Section
2.
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Authorization,
Issuance and Closing
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10
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2.1
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Authorization
of the Notes
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10
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2.2
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Purchase
and Sale of the Initial Note at the Initial Closing
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10
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2.3
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Purchase
and Sales of the Additional Notes
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10
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2.4
|
The
Initial Closing
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11
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Section
3.
|
Conditions
of Purchaser’s Obligation at the Initial Closing
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11
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3.1
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Representations,
Warranties and Covenants; No Event of Default
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11
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3.2
|
Governing
Documents
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11
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3.3
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Guaranty
and Security Agreement
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11
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3.4
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Stock
Pledge Agreement
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11
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3.5
|
Securities
Law Compliance
|
12
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3.6
|
Closing
Fees and Expenses
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12
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3.7
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Opinion
of Issuer’ Counsel
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12
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3.8
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Closing
Documents
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12
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3.9
|
Other
Items
|
12
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3.10
|
Waiver
|
12
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3.11
|
Additional
Conditions of Purchase Obligations after the Initial
Closing
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13
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Section
4.
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Covenants
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13
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4.1
|
Financial
Statements and Other Information
|
13
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4.2
|
Attendance
at Board Meetings; Board Seat; Management Fees
|
15
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4.3
|
Affirmative
Covenants
|
15
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||
4.4
|
Negative
Covenants
|
17
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4.5
|
Compliance
with Securities Laws
|
20
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4.6
|
Public
Disclosures
|
20
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4.7
|
Further
Assurances
|
20
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Section
5.
|
Registration
Rights
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20
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Section
6.
|
Representations
and Warranties of the Issuer
|
21
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6.1
|
Organization,
Corporate Power and Licenses
|
21
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6.2
|
Capitalization
and Related Matters
|
21
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6.3
|
Authorization;
No Breach
|
21
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6.4
|
Absence
of Undisclosed Liabilities
|
22
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6.5
|
No
Material Adverse Change
|
22
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6.6
|
Assets
|
22
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6.7
|
Tax
Matters
|
23
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6.8
|
Contracts
and Commitments
|
23
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i
6.9
|
Intellectual
Property Rights
|
23
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6.10
|
Litigation,
etc
|
23
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6.11
|
Brokerage
|
24
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6.12
|
Governmental
Consent, etc.
|
24
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6.13
|
Insurance
|
24
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6.14
|
Employees
|
24
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6.15
|
ERISA
|
24
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6.16
|
Compliance
with Laws
|
25
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6.17
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Affiliated
Transactions
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25
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6.18
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Investment
Company
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25
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6.19
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Margin
Regulations
|
25
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6.20
|
Public
Utility Holding Company Act
|
25
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6.21
|
Disclosure
|
26
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6.22
|
On-Going
Negotiations
|
26
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6.23
|
Closing
Date
|
26
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Section
7.
|
Events
of Default
|
26
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7.1
|
Definition
|
26
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7.2
|
Consequences
of Events of Default
|
29
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Section
8.
|
Miscellaneous
|
30
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8.1
|
Expenses
|
30
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8.2
|
Remedies
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31
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8.3
|
Usury
|
31
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8.4
|
Purchaser’s
Investment Representations
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31
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8.5
|
Amendments
and Waivers
|
32
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8.6
|
Survival
of Agreement
|
32
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8.7
|
No
Setoffs, etc.
|
33
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8.8
|
Successors
and Assigns
|
33
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8.9
|
Aggregation
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33
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8.10
|
Severability
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33
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8.11
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Counterparts
|
33
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8.12
|
Descriptive
Headings
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33
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8.13
|
Governing
Law
|
33
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8.14
|
Notices
|
34
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8.15
|
Construction
|
35
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8.16
|
Complete
Agreement; No Modifications
|
35
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8.17
|
Indemnification
|
36
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8.18
|
Payment
Set Aside
|
36
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8.19
|
Jurisdiction
and Venue
|
37
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8.20
|
Waiver
of Right to Jury Trial
|
37
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8.21
|
Certain
Waivers
|
38
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8.22
|
Transfer
of Note; Several Liability of Purchaser
|
38
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8.23
|
Confidentiality
|
38
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8.24
|
Sole
and Absolute Discretion of Purchaser
|
39
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ii
Exhibit
10.1
THIS
CONVERTIBLE NOTES PURCHASE AGREEMENT
(“Agreement”)
is
made as of April 10, 2007, between WITS BASIN PRECIOUS MINERALS INC., a
Minnesota corporation, (the “Issuer”),
and
CHINA GOLD, LLC, a Kansas limited liability company, its successors and assigns
(together with its successors and assigns “Purchaser”).
Issuer and Purchaser hereby agree as follows:
Section
1. Definitions
and Related Matters
1.1 Definitions.
When
used in this Agreement the following terms shall have the following meanings
(terms defined in the singular to have the same meaning when used in the plural
and vice versa):
“Additional
Closing”
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 3.11 of this Agreement.
“Affiliate”
means,
with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly
controlling, controlled by, or under direct or indirect common control with
such
specified Person and, if such Person is an individual, any member of the
immediate family (including parents, spouse, children and siblings) of such
individual and any trust whose principal beneficiary is such individual or
one
or more members of such immediate family and any Person who is controlled by
any
such member or trust. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used
with respect to any specified Person, means the power to direct the management
and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the
ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms
“controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the
foregoing.
“Affiliated
Group”
means
any affiliated group as defined in Code §1504 that has filed a consolidated
return for federal income tax purposes (or any similar group under state, local
or foreign law, statute, rule or regulation) for a period during which Issuer
was a member.
“Business
Day”
means
any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday under the laws of the
State of Kansas or other day on which banking institutions are authorized or
obligated to close in Overland Park, Kansas.
“Capital
Expenditures”
means
all expenditures which, in accordance with GAAP would be required to be
capitalized and shown on the consolidated balance sheet of Issuer but excluding
expenditures made in connection with the replacement, substitution or
restoration of assets to the extent financed: (a) from insurance proceeds (or
similar recoveries) paid on account of the loss of or damage to the assets
being
replaced or restored; (b) with awards of compensation arising from the taking
by
eminent domain or condemnation of the assets being replaced; or (c)
substantially concurrently with the proceeds from the sale of similar
assets.
“Capitalized
Lease”
means
a
lease under which the obligations of the lessee should, in accordance with
GAAP,
be included in determining total liabilities as shown on the liability side
of a
balance sheet of the lessee.
“Change
in Control”
means:
(a) any sale, transfer or issuance or series of sales or issuances of Issuer’s
Equity Interests by Issuer or any holder or holders thereof, or any merger,
consolidation or other transaction involving Issuer, immediately after which
(i)
the holder or holders of Issuer’s Equity Interests immediately prior to such
transaction or transactions no longer possess the voting power to elect a
majority of Issuer’s board of directors (or similar governing body) or (ii) the
holder or holders of Issuer’s Equity Interests immediately prior to such
transaction or transactions no longer hold record and beneficial ownership
of at
least 50% of Issuer’s voting Equity Interests; (b) any sale of all or
substantially all of Issuer’s assets on a consolidated basis; or (c) after any
Closing, any Person or group of Persons (within the meaning of Section 13 or
14
of the Securities Exchange Act that did not hold any of Issuer’s Equity
Interests at Closing (other than the Purchaser and its Affiliates and
transferees) shall acquire beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule
13d-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act) of more than 50% of
Issuer’s Equity Interests (on a fully diluted basis and taking into account any
Equity Interests of Issuer having voting rights in the election of members
of
the board of directors (or similar governing body) under normal
circumstances.
“Closing,”
means
either an Initial Closing or an Additional Closing.
“Closing
Date”
means,
with respect to the purchase of the Initial Note, the Initial Closing Date
and,
with respect to the purchase of any Additional Notes, the date of the Additional
Closing for such purchase.
“Code”
means
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, modified, supplemented, or
replaced from time to time, and any reference to any particular Code section
shall be interpreted to include any revision of or successor to that section
regardless of how numbered or classified.
“Collateral”
means
all personal and real property, including a Property, with respect to which
a
Lien has been granted, or subsequently is granted, to or for the benefit of
Purchaser pursuant to any of the Security Documents or other Investment
Documents, or which otherwise secures the payment or performance of any of
the
Obligations, including pursuant to the Security Documents.
“Convertible
Securities”
of
a
Person means any securities (directly or indirectly) convertible into or
exchangeable for any Equity Interest of such Person, including all warrants,
options and other rights to acquire any Equity Interests of such
Person.
“Dividend”
means
any distribution by a Person with respect to its ownership interests whether
in
cash, securities (including common and preferred equity) or other property,
including distributions upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
such
Person.
“Environmental
and Safety Requirements”
means
all federal, state, local and foreign statutes, regulations, ordinances and
similar provisions having the force or effect of law, all judicial and
administrative orders and determinations, all contractual obligations and all
common law, in each case concerning public health and safety, worker health
and
safety and pollution or protection of the environment (including all those
relating to the presence, use, production, generation, handling, transportation,
treatment, storage, disposal, distribution, labeling, testing, processing,
discharge, Release, threatened Release, control or cleanup of any hazardous
or
otherwise regulated materials, substances or wastes, chemical substances or
mixtures, pesticides, pollutants, contaminants, toxic chemicals, petroleum
products or byproducts, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, noise or
radiation), each as amended, modified, supplemented, or replaced from time
to
time and as now or hereafter in effect.
2
“Equity
Interests”
means
all of the equity or other ownership interests in a Person (including
Convertible Securities and other rights containing phantom or other equity
participation features).
“ERISA”
means
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (or any successor
legislation thereto), as amended, modified, supplemented, or replaced from
time
to time, or any similar federal law then in force.
“ERISA
Affiliate”
means,
with respect to Issuer, any trade or business (whether or not incorporated)
under common control with such Person within the meaning of §414(b) or (c) of
the Code (or §414(m) or (o) of the Code for purposes of provisions relating to
§412 of the Code).
“ERISA
Event”
means,
as to Issuer or any ERISA Affiliate: (a) a Reportable Event as defined in §4043
of ERISA and the regulations issued thereunder (other than a Reportable Event
for which notice has been waived by regulation); (b) the withdrawal of Issuer,
any Subsidiary thereof or any ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan in which
it
was a “substantial employer” as defined in §4001(a)(2) of ERISA or was deemed a
“substantial employer” under §4062(e) of ERISA; (c) the termination of a Pension
Plan, the filing of notice of intent to terminate a Pension Plan or the
treatment of a Pension Plan amendment as a termination under §4041 of ERISA; (d)
the institution of proceedings to terminate a Pension Plan by the PBGC; (e)
the
partial or complete withdrawal of Issuer or any ERISA Affiliate from a
Multiemployer Plan, (f) the imposition of a lien on Issuer or any ERISA
Affiliate pursuant to §412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA; (g) any event or
condition which results in the reorganization or insolvency of a Multiemployer
Plan to which Issuer or any ERISA Affiliate has any liability under §4241 or
§4245 of ERISA, respectively; and (h) any event or condition which results in
the termination of a Multiemployer Plan, or the institution by the PBGC of
proceedings to terminate a Multiemployer Plan to which Issuer or any ERISA
Affiliate has any liability under §4041A of XXXXX xx §0000 of ERISA,
respectively.
“Federal
Bankruptcy Code”
means
Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended, modified, supplemented, or
replaced from time to time.
“GAAP”
means
generally accepted accounting principles as promulgated by the Financial
Accounting Standards Board or any other governing body or boards having
jurisdiction, authority or responsibility for promulgating accounting standards,
as in effect from time to time. Except as otherwise expressly stated herein,
all
references to GAAP shall be deemed to mean GAAP as consistently
applied.
“Governing
Documents”
of
a
Person means such Person’s (a) certificate or articles of incorporation,
formation or organization and operating agreements or bylaws, (b) any documents
comparable to those described in preceding clause (a) as may be applicable
pursuant to any Law, and (c) any amendment or modification to any of the
foregoing.
3
“Governmental
Body”
means
any federal, state, local, foreign or other government or quasi-governmental
authority or any department, agency, subdivision, court or other tribunal of
any
of the foregoing.
“Guaranty”
means
any guarantee, including the Guaranty Agreement, of the payment or performance
of any Indebtedness or other obligation and any other arrangement whereby credit
is extended (or continued) to one obligor on the basis of any promise of another
Person, whether that promise is expressed in terms of an obligation to: (a)
pay
the Indebtedness or other liabilities of such obligor; (b) purchase an
obligation owed by such obligor; (c) purchase goods and services from such
obligor pursuant to a take-or-pay contract; (d) maintain the capital, working
capital, solvency or general financial condition of such obligor; or (e)
otherwise assure any creditor of such obligor against loss (including by way
of
an agreement to repurchase or reimburse), whether or not any such arrangement
is
listed on the balance sheet of such other Person or referred to in a footnote
thereto, but shall not include endorsements of items for collection in the
ordinary course of business. The amount of any Guaranty shall be equal to the
amount of the obligation so guaranteed or otherwise supported, or, if not a
fixed or determined amount, the maximum amount guaranteed or
supported.
“Guaranty
Agreement”
has
the
meaning set forth in Section
3.3
of this
Agreement.
“Hazardous
Material”
means
any substance, product, waste, pollutant, material, chemical contaminant,
constituent, or other material which is or becomes listed, regulated, or
addressed under any Environmental and Safety Regulations. “Hazardous Materials”
shall not include commercially reasonable amounts of such materials used in
the
ordinary course of operation of an Issuer’s property that are used and stored in
accordance with all applicable Environmental and Safety
Requirements.
“Indebtedness”
means
at a particular time, without duplication: (a) any indebtedness for borrowed
money or issued in substitution for or exchange of indebtedness for borrowed
money; (b) any indebtedness evidenced by any note, bond, debenture or other
debt
instrument; (c) any indebtedness for the deferred purchase price of property
or
services with respect to which a Person is liable, contingently or otherwise,
as
obligor or otherwise (other than trade payables and other current liabilities
incurred in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice
unless the same are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings
and
with respect to which a Person has set aside adequate reserves therefore in
accordance with GAAP); (d) any commitment by which a Person assures a creditor
against loss (including contingent reimbursement obligations with respect to
letters of credit); (e) any obligations for which a Person is obligated pursuant
to a Guaranty; (f) any obligations under Capitalized Leases with respect to
which a Person is liable, contingently or otherwise, as obligor, guarantor
or
otherwise, or with respect to which obligations a Person assures a creditor
against loss; (g) any indebtedness secured by a Lien on a Person’s assets; (h)
any unsatisfied obligation for Withdrawal Liability to a Multiemployer Plan;
(i)
all indebtedness of any partnership of which such Person is a general partner
or
in which such Person may incur liability as if such Person was a general
partner; and (j) all indebtedness of a Person for which such Person may become
liable as a fiduciary or otherwise.
4
“Initial
Closing Date”
has
the
meaning set forth in Section
2.4
of this
Agreement.
“Initial
Note”
has
the
meaning set forth in Section
2.1
of this
Agreement.
“Intellectual
Property Rights”
means
all: (a) patents, patent applications, patent disclosures and inventions; (b)
trademarks, service marks, trade dress, trade names, internet domain names,
logos and corporate names and registrations and applications for registration
thereof, together with all of the goodwill associated therewith; (c) copyrights
(registered or unregistered) and copyrightable works and registrations and
applications for registration thereof; (d) mask works and registrations and
applications for registration thereof; (e) computer software, data, data bases
and documentation thereof; (f) trade secrets and other confidential information
(including ideas, formulas, compositions, inventions (whether patentable or
unpatentable and whether or not reduced to practice), know-how, manufacturing
and production processes and techniques, research and development information,
drawings, specifications, designs, plans, proposals, technical data,
copyrightable works, financial and marketing plans and customer and supplier
lists and information); (g) other intellectual property rights; and (h) copies
and tangible embodiments thereof (in whatever form or medium).
“Investment”
as
applied to any Person means: (a) any direct or indirect purchase or other
acquisition by such Person of any notes, obligations, instruments, Equity
Interests and other securities of any other Person; and (b) any capital
contribution by such Person to any other Person.
“Investment
Documents”
means
this Agreement, the agreements and instruments evidencing the Securities and
any
Equity Interests for which Securities are exchanged or converted, the Security
Documents, and each of the other agreements, documents and instruments expressly
contemplated by this Agreement or otherwise relating to the
Securities.
“IRS”
means
the United States Internal Revenue Service.
“Issuer”
has
the
meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.
“Knowledge”
or
“Aware”
means
and includes for Issuer (a) the actual knowledge or awareness of the Designated
Persons and (b) the knowledge or awareness of the Designated Persons that a
prudent business person would have obtained in the conduct of his business
after
making reasonable inquiry and reasonable diligence with respect to the
particular matter in question. For the purposes of this definition, the term
“Designated
Person”
means
and includes, for Issuer, the chief executive officer and the chief financial
officer of Issuer.
“Law”
means
any federal, state, local, foreign or other law, statute, ordinance, regulation,
rule, regulatory or administrative guidance, order, constitution, treaty,
principle of common law or other restriction of any Governmental
Body.
“Lien”
means
any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien, charge or other
restriction of any kind whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other
title retention agreement or lease in the nature thereof), any sale of
receivables with recourse against Issuer or Affiliate of Issuer, any filing
or
agreement to file a financing statement as debtor under the Uniform Commercial
Code or any similar statute other than to reflect ownership by a third party
of
property leased to Issuer under a lease which is not in the nature of a
conditional sale or title retention agreement.
5
“Material”
means
any matter that, in the aggregate with all other matters, has resulted or has
a
reasonable likelihood of resulting in costs, liabilities, expenses, damages
or
prospects of or to, or claims by or against Issuer involving $300,000.00 or
more.
“Material
Adverse Effect”
means
any matter or matters which would, alone or in the aggregate, have a materially
adverse effect on: (a) the assets, properties, liabilities, operations,
financial condition or business of Issuer taken as a whole; (b) the ability
of
the Issuer collectively to repay the Notes; or (c) the ability of Issuer taken
as a whole to perform any of its obligations under the Securities or any of
the
Investment Documents. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of this
Agreement, “Material Adverse Effect” shall not include any change or effect if
it is a result of transaction expenses actually incurred by Issuer in connection
with the transactions contemplated hereby.
“Multiemployer
Plan”
shall
mean a “multiemployer plan” as defined in §4001(a)(3) of ERISA, and to which
Issuer or any ERISA Affiliate makes, is making, or is obligated to make
contributions on behalf of participants who are or were employed by any of
them
or to which such person has any current or potential liability.
“Note
Proceeds”
has
the
meaning set for in Section 4.4(q) of this Agreement.
“Notes”
has
the
meaning set forth in Section
2.1
of this
Agreement.
“Obligations”
means
all advances, debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties owing,
arising, due or payable from Issuer, or any Project Subsidiary of Issuer, to
Purchaser of any kind or nature, existing or future, whether or not evidenced
by
any note, letter of credit, reimbursement agreement, or other instrument or
document, arising under this Agreement or any of the other Investment Documents
and whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assignment),
absolute or contingent, primary or secondary, due or to become due, existing
on
or after any Closing Date and however acquired, and all amendments, renewals,
restatements, replacements, consolidations or other modifications of the
foregoing from time to time. The term includes all principal, interest, fees,
expenses and any other sums chargeable to Issuer under any of the Investment
Documents.
“Officer’s
Certificate”
means
a
certificate signed by the chief executive officer of Issuer (or any of them)
on
behalf of Issuer, stating that: (a) the officer signing such certificate has
made or has caused to be made such investigations as are necessary in order
to
permit him to verify the accuracy of the information set forth in such
certificate; and (b) such certificate does not misstate any material fact and
does not omit to state any fact necessary to make the certificate not
misleading.
“PBGC”
shall
mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any successor
thereto.
6
“Pension
Plan”
means
a
“pension plan”, as such term is defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA, which is
subject to Title IV of ERISA (other than a multiemployer plan as defined in
§4001(a)(3) of ERISA), and to which Issuer or any ERISA Affiliate may have
liability, including any liability by reason of having been a substantial
employer within the meaning of §4063 of ERISA at any time during the preceding 5
years, or by reason of being deemed to be a contributing sponsor under §4069 of
ERISA.
“Permitted
Acquisitions”
means
any acquisition by Issuer or any Subsidiary of Issuer of any Person or the
assets of any Person if (1) the Person will convey a Property in the
transaction, (2) at least 10 days prior to the date of consummation of such
acquisition the Issuer provides the Purchaser with a Proceeds Notice, (3) in
the
event of a merger or consolidation the Issuer or a Subsidiary of the Issuer
is
the surviving entity, and (4) the acquisition would not otherwise result in
an
Event of Default under this Agreement.
“Permitted
Business Combination”
means
a
merger of Issuer into Easyknit Holdings Enterprises Holdings Limited, a Bermuda
incorporated company and listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited.
“Person”
means
an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an
association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated
organization, a Governmental Body.
“Pioneer”
means
Pioneer Holdings, LLC, a Kansas limited liability company.
“Plan”
shall
mean as required by the context at any time, an employee benefit plan, as
defined in §3(3) of ERISA, which Issuer or any ERISA Affiliate maintains,
contributes to or has an obligation to contribute to on behalf of participants
who are or were employed by any of them.
“Potential
Event of Default”
means
any event or occurrence that, with the passage of time or the giving of notice
or both, would constitute an Event of Default.
“Prime
Rate”
means
the “prime rate” published in the “Money Rates” section of The Wall Street
Journal, as such “prime rate” may change from time to time. If The Wall Street
Journal ceases to publish the “prime rate”, then Purchaser, in its sole
discretion, shall select an equivalent publication that publishes such “prime
rate”; and if such “prime rate” is no longer generally published, then Purchaser
shall select a comparable interest rate index. In either case, such selection
shall be made by Purchaser in its discretion.
“Proceeds
Notice”
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 4.4(q) of this Agreement.
“Project
Subsidiary”
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 4.4(q) of this Agreement.
“Prohibited
Transaction”
means
any transaction set forth in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the
Code.
“Property”
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 4.4(q) of this Agreement.
7
“Purchaser”
has
the
meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.
“Qualified
Plan”
means
an employee pension benefit plan, as defined in §3(2) of ERISA, which is
intended to be tax-qualified under §401(a) or §403(a) of the Code, and which an
Issuer or any ERISA Affiliate maintains, contributes to or has an obligation
to
contribute to on behalf of participants who are or were employed by any of
them.
“Release”
has
the
meaning set forth in CERCLA.
“Reportable
Event”
means
any of the events listed in §4043(c)(1), (2), (3), (5), (6), (8) or (9) of
ERISA.
“Restricted
Securities”
means
the Securities issued hereunder and any securities issued with respect to the
Securities by way of a Dividend or split or in connection with a combination
of
Equity Interests, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other
reorganization. As to any particular Restricted Securities, such securities
shall cease to be Restricted Securities when they have (a) been effectively
registered, under the Securities Act and disposed of in accordance with the
registration statement covering them, (b) become eligible for sale pursuant
to
Rule 144(k) (or any similar provision then in force) under the Securities Act,
(c) become eligible to be sold to the public through a broker, dealer or market
maker in any 90-day period pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities Act without
volume restrictions limiting the sale of such Securities (or any successor
provision then in effect) under the Securities Act, or (d) been otherwise
transferred and new certificates for them not bearing any legend regarding
the
Securities Act have been delivered pursuant to the Issuer’ Governing Documents.
Whenever any particular securities cease to be Restricted Securities, the holder
thereof (except for clause (c) above whereby the holder must be the transferee)
shall be entitled to receive from the Issuer, without expense, new securities
of
like tenor not bearing a Securities Act legend.
“Securities”
has
the
meaning set forth in Section
2.1
of this
Agreement.
“Securities
Act”
means
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, modified, supplemented, or replaced
from
time to time, or any similar federal law then in force.
“Securities
and Exchange Commission”
means
the Securities and Exchange Commission and any Governmental Body succeeding
to
the functions thereof.
“Securities
Exchange Act”
means
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, modified, supplemented, or
replaced from time to time, or any similar federal law then in
force.
“Security
Agreement”
means
the Security Agreement executed by Issuer or any Subsidiary of Issuer in favor
of Purchaser dated on or about the date of any Additional Closing, together
with
any amendments, restatements, replacements, consolidations or other
modifications thereof from time to time.
“Security
Documents”
means
the Security Agreement, the Guaranty Agreement, the Stock Pledge Agreement,
and
every other security agreement, document, financing statement and instrument
necessary to grant a valid and perfected security interest in the Collateral
from time to time.
8
“Stock
Pledge Agreement”
has
the
meaning set forth in Section
3.4
of this
Agreement.
“Subsidiary”
means,
with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company,
partnership, association or other business entity of which: (a) if a
corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled
(without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election
of
directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled,
directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries
of that Person or a combination thereof; or (b) if a limited liability company,
partnership, association or other business entity, a majority of the partnership
or other similar ownership interest thereof is at the time owned or controlled,
directly or indirectly, by any Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person
or a combination thereof. For purposes hereof, a Person or Persons shall be
deemed to have a majority ownership interest in a limited liability company,
partnership, association or other business entity if such Person or Persons
shall be allocated a majority of limited liability company, partnership,
association or other business entity gains or losses or shall be or control
(or
have the power to be or control) a managing director, manager or general partner
of such limited liability company, partnership, association or other business
entity.
“Tax”
means
any federal, state, county, local, foreign or other income, gross receipts,
ad
valorem, franchise, profits, sales or use, transfer, registration, excise,
utility, environmental, communications, real or personal property, capital
stock, license, payroll, wage or other withholding, employment, social security,
severance, stamp, occupation, alternative or add-on minimum, estimated and
other
taxes of any kind whatsoever (including deficiencies, penalties, additions
to
tax, and interest attributable thereto) whether disputed or not.
“Tax
Return”
means
any return, information report or filing with respect to Taxes, including any
schedules attached thereto and including any amendment thereof.
“Title
IV Plan”
means
a
Pension Plan that is covered by Title IV of ERISA.
“Uniform
Commercial Code”
means
the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of Kansas or such other
state as is applicable to the parties to this Agreement or the Collateral from
time to time, as the same may be amended, modified, supplemented, or replaced
from time to time.
“Withdrawal
Liability”
means,
at any time, the aggregate amount of the liabilities, if any, pursuant to §4201
of ERISA, and any increase in contributions pursuant to §4243 of ERISA with
respect to all Multiemployer Plans.
1.2 Accounting
Principles.
The
classification, character and amount of all assets, liabilities, capital
accounts and reserves and of all items of income and expense to be determined,
and any consolidation or other accounting computation to be made, and the
interpretation of any definition containing any financial term, pursuant to
this
Agreement shall be determined and made in accordance with GAAP.
1.3 Other
Interpretive Matters.
In each
of the Investment Documents, unless a clear contrary intention appears: (a)
the
singular number includes the plural number and vice versa; (b) reference to
any
Person includes such Person’s successors and assigns but, if applicable, only if
such successors and assigns are permitted by such Investment Document, and
reference to a Person in a particular capacity excludes such Person in any
other
capacity or individually; (c) reference to any gender includes each other
gender; (d) reference to any agreement (including this Agreement and the
Schedules and Exhibits and the Appendices hereto), document or instrument means
such agreement, document or instrument as amended, modified, supplemented,
or
replaced from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and, if
applicable, the terms hereof (and without giving effect to any amendment or
modification that would not be permitted in accordance with the terms hereof);
(e) reference to any applicable law, statute, rule or regulation means such
applicable law, statute, rule or regulation as amended, modified, codified
or
reenacted, in whole or in part, and in effect from time to time, including
rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder and reference to any particular provision
of any applicable law, statute, rule or regulation shall be interpreted to
include any revision of or successor to that provision regardless of how
numbered or classified; (f) reference to any Article, Section, Schedule, Exhibit
or Appendix means such Article or Section hereof or such Schedule, Exhibit
or
Appendix hereto; (g) “hereunder,” “hereof,” “hereto” and words of similar import
shall be deemed references to this Agreement as a whole and not to any
particular Section or other provision hereof; (h) the terms “include”,
“including” and similar terms shall be construed as if followed by the phrase
“without being limited to”; (i) the term “or” has, except where otherwise
indicated, the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase “and/or”; (j)
relative to the determining of any period of time, “from” means “from and
including” and “to” and “through” mean “to and including”; (k) “or”, “either”
and “any” are not exclusive; and (l) references to any Subsidiary of a Person
shall be given effect only at such times as such Person has one or more
Subsidiaries. An Event of Default shall “continue” or be “continuing” until such
Event of Default has been fully cured or waived in writing by the
Purchaser.
9
Section
2. Authorization,
Issuance and Closing.
2.1 Authorization
of the Notes.
Issuer
shall authorize the issuance and sale to the Purchaser of an initial 8.25%
Secured Convertible Note in the principal amount of $3,000,000.00 (the
“Initial
Note”)
and
within 12 months from the Initial Closing Date may authorize the issuance and
sale to the Purchaser of one or more additional 8.25% Secured Convertible Notes
in a minimum aggregate principal amount of $9,000,000 and a maximum aggregate
principal amount of $22,000,000.00, with each such 8.25% Secured Convertible
Note containing the terms and conditions and in the form set forth in
Exhibit
A
attached
hereto and with all such 8.25% Secured Convertible Notes, including the Initial
Note, not to exceed a total aggregate principal amount of $25,000,000.00 (each
a
“Note”
and
collectively, together with any notes issued by any Person with respect to
the
purchase of Securities, the “Notes”).
The
Notes authorized for sale to Purchaser other than the Initial Note are
collectively the “Additional
Notes”.
The
Notes are sometimes referred to herein as the “Securities.”
2.2 Purchase
and Sale of the Initial Note at the Initial Closing.
At the
Initial Closing specified in Section
2.4,
Issuer
shall issue and sell to Purchaser and, subject to the terms and conditions
set
forth in this Agreement, Purchaser shall purchase from the Issuer the Initial
Note at a price equal to $3,000,000.00.
2.3 Purchase
and Sales of the Additional Notes.
Within
12 months of the Initial Closing Date, Issuer shall direct, by written notice,
that Purchaser purchase one or more Additional Notes in an aggregate principal
amount not to exceed $9,000,000 authorized in accordance with Section 2.1.
Within 5 days of its receipt of such notice, and, subject to the terms and
conditions set forth in this Agreement, Purchaser shall purchase from the Issuer
one or more Additional Notes in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed
$9,000,000 at a purchase price equal to the principal amount of the Additional
Note or Additional Notes being purchased by wire transfer of immediately
available funds against delivery of the Additional Notes or Additional Notes.
From time to time but within 12 months of the Initial Closing, at Issuer’s
request by written notice to Purchaser that Purchaser purchase one or more
Additional Notes in an aggregate amount of up to an additional $13,000,000,
Purchaser may purchase, at its discretion, Additional Notes in an aggregate
amount of up to an additional $13,000,000.
10
2.4 The
Initial Closing.
The
closing of the purchase and sale of the Initial Note (the “Initial Closing”)
shall
take place at the offices of Polsinelli Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Suelthaus PC in
Overland Park, Kansas at 10:00 a.m. Central Standard Time on April 10, 2007
or
at such other place or on such other date as may be mutually agreeable to Issuer
and Purchaser (the “Initial Closing
Date”).
At
the Initial Closing, (a) Issuer shall deliver to Purchaser instruments
evidencing the Initial Note, issued in the name of Purchaser or its nominee,
and
(b) Purchaser will pay the purchase price thereof by wire transfer of
immediately available funds to an account specified by Issuer in the aggregate
amount of $3,000,000.00.
Section
3. Conditions
of Purchaser’s Obligation at the Initial Closing.
The
obligation of Purchaser to purchase and pay for the Initial Note at the Initial
Closing is subject to the fulfillment as of the Initial Closing Date of the
following conditions to Purchaser’s satisfaction in its sole
discretion:
3.1 Representations,
Warranties and Covenants; No Event of Default.
The
representations and warranties contained in Section
6
of this
Agreement shall be true, complete and correct at and as of the Initial Closing
Date (both immediately prior to and immediately after giving effect to the
transactions contemplated by the Investment Documents) as though then made
and
Issuer shall have performed all of the covenants required to be performed by
it
under the Investment Documents that are to be complied with or performed by
Issuer on or prior to the Initial Closing Date (unless that same shall have
been
waived by Purchaser), and there shall not exist any Event of Default or
Potential Event of Default.
3.2 Governing
Documents.
The
Governing Documents (and all amendments thereto) of Issuer shall be in form
and
substance satisfactory to Purchaser and shall be in full force and effect as
of
the Initial Closing Date, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged by Purchaser.
3.3 Guaranty
and Security Agreement.
Wits-China Acquisition Corp. (“Wits-China”)
has
duly authorized, executed and delivered a guaranty agreement in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit
B
(the
“Guaranty
Agreement”),
and
the Guaranty Agreement shall be in full force and effect as of the Initial
Closing Date.
3.4 Stock
Pledge Agreement.
Issuer
has duly authorized, executed and delivered the Stock Pledge Agreement, in
the
form attached hereto as Exhibit
C
(the
“Stock
Pledge Agreement”),
and
the Stock Pledge Agreement shall be in full force and effect as of the Initial
Closing Date
11
3.5 Securities
Law Compliance.
Issuer
shall have made all filings under all applicable federal and state securities
laws necessary to consummate the issuance of the Securities pursuant to this
Agreement in compliance with such laws.
3.6 Closing
Fees and Expenses.
Issuer
shall have: (a) paid to Pioneer a fee in the amount of $60,000; and (b)
reimbursed Purchaser for the fees and expenses as provided in Section
8.1
of this
Agreement.
3.7 Opinion
of Issuer’ Counsel.
Purchaser shall have received from Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx & Brand, LLP,
counsel for Issuer, an opinion with respect to the matters set forth in
Exhibit
D
attached
hereto, which shall be addressed to Purchaser, dated the date of the Initial
Closing Date.
3.8 Closing
Documents.
Issuer
shall have delivered to Purchaser all of the following documents:
(a) the
Initial Note in the principal amount of $3,000,000.00 duly authorized, executed
and delivered by the Issuer;
(b) an
Officer’s Certificate of Issuer in the form of Exhibit
E
attached
hereto dated as of the Initial Closing Date;
(c) certified
copies of the resolutions duly adopted by the board of directors of Issuer,
authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of each of the Investment
Documents to which it is a party, the issuance and sale of the Initial Note
and
the consummation of all other transactions contemplated by the Investment
Documents;
(d) certificates
of the secretaries of Issuer in the form of Exhibit
F
attached
hereto dated as of the Initial Closing Date;
(e) copies
of
all third party and governmental consents, approvals and filings required in
connection with the consummation of the transactions under the Investment
Documents (including all blue sky law filings and waivers of all preemptive
rights, rights of first refusal and all other similar rights); and
(f) a
solvency certificate executed by the chief executive officer and chief financial
officer of Issuer in the form of Exhibit
G
attached
hereto dated as of the Initial Closing Date.
3.9 Other
Items.
Such
other agreements, documents, certificates, verifications, and assurances as
Purchaser may request in connection with the transactions described in or
contemplated by the Investment Documents.
3.10 Waiver.
Any
condition specified in this Section may only be waived in writing by
Purchaser.
12
3.11 Additional
Conditions of Purchase Obligations after the Initial Closing.
Any
obligation of the Purchaser to purchase from the Issuer any Additional Notes
within 12 months after the Initial Closing Date pursuant to Section
2.3
of this
Agreement shall be further subject to the fulfillment as of the date of such
purchase (each an “Additional
Closing”)
of the
following conditions to the Purchaser’s satisfaction in its sole
discretion:
(a) The
representations and warranties of the Issuer contained in the Investment
Documents (including those contained in Section
6
of this
Agreement) shall be true and correct as though made on and as of the date of
such purchase;
(b) No
Event
of Default or Potential Event of Default exists, nor would any Event of Default
or Potential Event of Default result from such purchase;
(c) The
Issuer shall pay Pioneer a fee equal to 2% of the Additional Notes being
purchased, payable at the Additional Closing for such Additional
Notes;
(d) Purchaser
shall receive Security Documents, in a form and substance satisfactory to
Purchaser and Issuer, granting Purchaser in all of the assets acquired from
the
use of proceeds from the sale of the Additional Notes;
(e) A
certified copy of Issuer’s articles of incorporation, as in effect at the
Initial Closing and a certificate of good standing, dated not more than 15
days
prior to the date of the Initial Closing, of Issuer issued by its jurisdiction
of incorporation and from each jurisdiction in which it is qualified to conduct
business;
(f) Issuer
shall have reserved for issuance such number of authorized and unissued shares
of Issuer common stock to permit the conversion of the Additional Note or
Additional Notes being then purchased and the Initial Note; and
(g) The
foregoing notwithstanding, Purchaser shall have no obligation to Purchase any
Additional Note if such purchase, coupled with its purchase of the Initial
Note
and all other Additional Notes, would cause Purchaser to beneficially own,
or an
“as converted” basis, more than 9.99% of the total then outstanding shares of
common stock of Issuer.
Section
4. Covenants.
4.1 Financial
Statements and Other Information.
So long
as any of the Notes or any notes issued in exchange for any Securities remain
outstanding and prior to the indefeasible payment in full of all amounts due
and
owing thereunder, the Issuer shall deliver to Purchaser, subject to the
confidentiality provisions set forth in Section
8.23:
(a) Annual
Financial Statements.
Upon
request of Purchaser, for fiscal years ending December 31, 2007 and thereafter,
(i) a copy of the annual financial statements of Issuer for such fiscal year
containing, on a consolidated and consolidating basis, balance sheets and
statements of income, retained earnings, and cash flow at the end of such fiscal
year and for the 12-month period then ended, in each case setting forth in
comparative form the figures for the preceding fiscal year, all in reasonable
detail and audited by independent certified public accountants of recognized
standing acceptable to Purchaser, certified to the effect that such financial
information has been prepared in accordance with GAAP and containing no material
qualifications or limitations on scope; and (ii) a copy of the annual financial
statements of Issuer for such fiscal year containing, on a consolidated and
consolidating basis, balance sheets and statements of income, retained earnings,
and cash flow as at the end of such fiscal year and for the 12-month period
then
ended, in each case setting forth in comparative form the figures for the
preceding fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance
with
GAAP and certified by the chief executive officer, chief financial officer
or
president of Issuer to have been prepared in accordance with GAAP;
13
(b) Quarterly
Financial Statements.
Upon
request of Purchaser, for the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2007 and
thereafter, a copy of the quarterly financial statements of Issuer for such
fiscal quarter containing, on a consolidated and consolidating basis, balance
sheets and statements of income, retained earnings, and cash flow at the end
of
such fiscal quarter and for the 3-month period then ended;
(c) Notice
of Litigation.
Promptly after receipt of service of process and in any event within 10 Business
Days after receipt of service of process, notice of all actions, suits, and
proceedings before any governmental authority or arbitrator affecting Issuer
which, if determined adversely to Issuer, has had or could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(d) Notice
of Default.
As soon
as possible (but in any event within 10 Business Days) after (i) the discovery
or receipt of notice of any Event of Default or Potential Event of Default,
(ii)
any default under any Investment Document, (iii) notice of any material
investigation, notice, proceeding or adverse determination from any governmental
or regulatory authority or agency, or (iv) immediately (notwithstanding the
reference to 10 days stated above) after the receipt of notice (or written)
of
the acceleration of any Material Indebtedness, an Officer’s Certificate
specifying the nature and period of existence thereof and what actions Issuer
has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto;
(e) ERISA
Reports.
As soon
as possible and in any event within 5 days after Issuer knows or has reason
to
know that any ERISA Event or Prohibited Transaction has occurred with respect
to
any Pension Plan or that the PBGC or Issuer has instituted or will institute
proceedings under Title IV of ERISA to terminate any Pension Plan, a certificate
of the chief financial officer of Issuer setting forth the details as to such
ERISA Event or Prohibited Transaction or Pension Plan termination and the action
that Issuer proposes to take with respect thereto;
(f) Notice
of Material Adverse Change.
As soon
as possible and in any event within 10 Business Days after the occurrence
thereof, written notice of (i) any matter that has had a Material Adverse
Effect, or (ii) any condition or event that has resulted in any material
liability under any Environmental and Safety Requirements;
(g) General
Information.
Promptly, such other information concerning Issuer as Purchaser may from time
to
time reasonably request;
14
(h) Insurance
Reports.
As soon
as possible (but in any event within 10 days) after becoming Aware of any
cancellation or Material change in any insurance maintained by Issuer, written
notice thereof which describes the same and the intended course of action of
Issuer with respect thereto; and
(i) Acceleration
of Indebtedness.
Promptly upon notice (oral or written) of the acceleration of any Material
Indebtedness.
4.2 Attendance
at Board Meetings; Board Seat; Management Fees.
So long
as any of the Securities or notes issued in exchange for any Securities remain
outstanding and prior to the indefeasible payment in full of all amounts due
and
owing thereunder, Issuer shall give Purchaser written notice of each meeting,
whether in person, telephonic, or by video transmission, of its board of
directors and each committee thereof at the same time notice is delivered to
each such director or committee member in accordance with Issuer’s respective
Governing Documents, and Issuer shall permit at least one representative of
Purchaser to attend as observers all meetings of its board of directors and
all
committees thereof. In the case of telephonic meetings conducted in accordance
with Issuer’s Governing Documents Purchaser’s representatives shall be given the
opportunity to listen to such telephonic meetings. Purchaser shall be entitled
to receive all written materials and other information (including copies of
meeting minutes) given to directors in connection with such meetings at the
same
times such materials and information are given to the directors. If an Issuer
proposes to take any action by written consent in lieu of a meeting of its
board
of directors or of any committee thereof, Issuer shall give written notice
thereof to Purchaser as soon as reasonably possible describing in reasonable
detail the nature and substance of such action. Issuer shall pay the reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses of the representative of Purchaser incurred in connection
with attending all such meetings.
4.3 Affirmative
Covenants.
So long
as any of the Notes or any notes issued in exchange for any Securities remain
outstanding and prior to the indefeasible payment in full of all amounts due
and
owing thereunder, Issuer shall comply with each of the following
covenants:
(a) Maintenance
of Existence; Conduct of Business.
Issuer
shall preserve and maintain its existence and all of its leases, privileges,
licenses, permits, franchises, qualifications, and rights that are materially
necessary or desirable in the ordinary conduct of its business. Issuer will
conduct its business in an orderly and efficient manner in accordance with
good
business practices. Without limitation, Issuer shall not make any material
change in its credit collection policies if such change would materially impair
the collectibility of any material account owing to Issuer, nor will it rescind,
cancel or modify any material account owing to Issuer except in the ordinary
course of business;
(b) Maintenance
of Properties and Intellectual Property Rights.
Issuer
shall (i) maintain, keep, and preserve all of its properties (real, personal,
tangible and intangible) necessary or useful in the proper conduct of its
business in good working order and condition, and (ii) possess and maintain
all
Material Intellectual Property Rights necessary to the conduct of its businesses
and own all right, title and interest in and to, or have a valid license for,
all such Intellectual Property Rights;
15
(c) Taxes
and Claims.
Issuer
shall pay or discharge at or before maturity or before becoming delinquent
(i)
all taxes, levies, assessments, and governmental charges imposed on it or its
income or profits or any of its property, and (ii) all lawful claims for labor,
material, and supplies, which, if unpaid, might become a Lien upon any of its
property; provided,
however,
that
Issuer shall not be required to pay or discharge any tax, levy, assessment,
or
governmental charge which is being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings diligently pursued, and for which adequate reserves have been
established;
(d) Insurance.
Issuer
shall maintain insurance with financially sound and reputable insurance
companies in such amounts and covering such risks as is usually carried by
corporations engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties in
the
same general areas in which Issuer operates, provided
that in
any event Issuer shall maintain workmen’s compensation insurance, property
insurance, hazard insurance, and comprehensive general liability insurance,
satisfactory to Purchaser. Each insurance policy covering Collateral shall,
if
reasonably practicable, name Purchaser as loss payee and shall provide that
such
policy will not be cancelled or reduced without 30 days prior written notice
to
Purchaser. In the event of failure by Issuer to provide and maintain insurance
as herein provided, Purchaser may, at its option, provide such insurance and
charge the amount thereof to Issuer. Issuer shall furnish Purchaser with
certificates of insurance and policies evidencing compliance with the foregoing
insurance provision;
(e) Inspection
Rights.
At any
reasonable time and from time to time, Issuer shall permit representatives
of
Purchaser to examine the Collateral and conduct Collateral audits, to examine,
copy, and make extracts from its books and records, to visit and inspect its
properties, and to discuss its business, operations, and financial condition
with its officers, employees, and independent certified public
accountants;
(f) Keeping
Books and Records.
Issuer
shall maintain proper books of record and account in which full, true, and
correct entries in conformity with GAAP shall be made of all dealings and
transactions in relation to its business and activities;
(g) Compliance
with Laws.
Issuer
shall, and shall cause each Subsidiary thereof to, comply in all material
respects with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, orders, and decrees
of
any governmental authority or arbitrator, the failure to comply with which
could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(h) Compliance
with Agreements.
Issuer
shall (i) comply in all material respects with all agreements, contracts, and
instruments binding on it or affecting its properties or business where the
failure to comply could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect, and perform and (ii) observe all of its obligations: (A) to each holder
of the Notes and any other notes issued in exchange for any Securities and
all
of its obligations to each holder of any Equity Interest for which Securities
are converted or exchanged set forth in the Investment Documents and the
Governing Documents with respect to which any such Equity Interest was issued;
and (B) under each of the Investment Documents;
(i) Use
of
Proceeds.
Issuer
shall not use any proceeds from the sale of the Securities hereunder, directly
or indirectly, for the purposes of purchasing or carrying any “margin
securities” within the meaning of Regulation U promulgated by the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve Board or for the purpose of arranging for
the
extension of credit secured, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part by
collateral that includes any “margin securities.”
16
(j) Authorization
to File Financing Statements; Further Assurances; Additional
Subsidiaries.
(i) Issuer,
with respect to any Collateral in which it has an interest, hereby irrevocably
authorizes Purchaser at any time and from time to time to file in any
jurisdiction any initial financing statements and amendments thereto that (A)
indicate the Collateral as the collateral covered thereby, regardless of whether
any particular asset comprised in the Collateral falls within the scope of
Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code of the applicable jurisdiction, and
(B)
contain any other information required by Part 5 of Article 9 of the applicable
Uniform Commercial Code for the sufficiency or filing office acceptance of
any
financing statement or amendment, including (I) whether Issuer is an
organization, the type of organization and any organization identification
number issued to Issuer and, (II) in the case of a financing statement filed
as
a fixture filing, a sufficient description of real property to which the
Collateral relates. Issuer agrees to furnish any such information to Purchaser
promptly upon request. Issuer also ratifies its authorization for Purchaser
to
have filed in any jurisdiction any like initial financing statements or
amendments thereto if filed prior to the date of this Agreement to the extent
such financing statements are consistent with this Agreement; and
(ii) Issuer
shall execute and deliver such further agreements and instruments and take
such
further action as may be reasonably requested by Purchaser to carry out the
provisions and purposes of this Agreement and the other Investment Documents
and
to create, preserve, and perfect the Liens of Purchaser in the Collateral,
and
(ii) with respect to any new Project Subsidiary of Issuer established with
the
consent of Purchaser after the Closing Date, the Issuer shall promptly cause
such new Project Subsidiary: (A) to become a party to this Agreement; (B) to
deliver to the Purchaser the same documents required to be delivered by the
Issuer pursuant to Section
3
for such
new Project Subsidiary; and (C) to take such other actions and execute and
deliver such other agreements and instruments as the Purchaser may determine
are
reasonably necessary or appropriate;
(k) ERISA.
Issuer
shall comply with all minimum funding requirements, and all other material
requirements, of ERISA, if applicable, so as not to give rise to any liability
thereunder;
4.4 Negative
Covenants.
So long
as any of the Notes or any notes issued in exchange for any Securities remain
outstanding and prior to the indefeasible payment in full of all amounts due
and
owing thereunder, the Issuer shall not do any of the following, without the
prior written consent of Purchaser, except with respect to the Permitted
Business Combination:
(a) Additional
Indebtedness.
Create,
incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness or any Liens on any Property
that will have a priority or pari
passu
in right
of payment or security interest of Purchaser in such Property;
17
(b) Merger
or Consolidation.
Other
than in connection with a Permitted Business Combination or a Permitted
Acquisition, become a party to a merger or consolidation which would constitute
a Change of Control, or wind-up, dissolve, or liquidate;
(c) Dividends
or Distributions.
Declare
or pay any Dividends or make any other payment or distribution (in cash,
property, or obligations) on account of its Equity Interests, or redeem,
purchase, retire, or otherwise acquire any Equity Interests, or permit any
of
its Subsidiaries to purchase or otherwise acquire any Equity Interest of Issuer,
or set apart any money for a sinking or other analogous fund for any Dividend
or
other distribution on its Equity Interests or for any redemption, purchase,
retirement, or other acquisition of any of its Equity Interests without
Purchaser’s prior written consent;
(d) Affiliated
Transactions.
Except
as set forth on Schedule 4.4, enter into any transaction, including the
purchase, sale, or exchange of property or the rendering of any service, with
any Affiliate of Issuer, except in the ordinary course of and pursuant to the
reasonable requirements of Issuer’s business and upon fair and reasonable terms
no less favorable to Issuer than would be obtained in a comparable arm’s-length
transaction with a Person not an Affiliate of Issuer;
(e) Transfer
of Assets.
Neither
Issuer nor any Project Subsidiaries or Guarantors thereof shall sell, exchange
or permanently dispose of any of its Intellectual Property Rights or sell,
lease
or otherwise transfer all or any part of any Property other than (1) the sale
of
inventory in the ordinary course of such Person’s business, consistent with past
practice, (2) transfers of assets in the ordinary course of business, and (3)
the disposition of obsolete equipment or unprofitable assets;
(f) Capital
Expenditures.
Issuer
shall not make Capital Expenditures during any fiscal year in excess of
$1,000,000 in the aggregate.
(g) Prepayment
of Indebtedness.
Prepay,
redeem, purchase, defeat or otherwise satisfy in any manner any principal or
interest on any Indebtedness other than the Notes and any notes issued in
exchange for any Securities;
(h) Hazardous
Materials.
Use (or
permit any tenant to use) any of its properties or assets for the handling,
processing, storage, transportation, or disposal of any Hazardous Material,
generate any Hazardous Material, conduct any activity that is likely to cause
a
Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Material, or otherwise conduct
any activity or use any of their respective properties or assets in any manner
that is likely to violate any Environmental and Safety Requirements for which
Issuer or any Subsidiary thereof would be responsible;
(i) Accounting
Changes.
Make
any change (i) in accounting treatment or reporting practices, except in
accordance with GAAP and disclosed to Purchaser, or (ii) in tax reporting
treatment, except as required by law and disclosed to Purchaser;
18
(j) Certain
Security Matters.
Enter
into or permit to exist any arrangement or agreement, other than pursuant to
this Agreement or any Investment Document, which directly or indirectly
prohibits Issuer from creating or incurring a Lien on any of its assets other
than assets that are subject to a purchase money security interest or an
Operating Lease as contemplated by this Agreement;
(k) Phantom
Equity Plans.
Directly or indirectly redeem, purchase or make, or to redeem, purchase or
make
any payments with respect to any equity appreciation rights, phantom equity
plans, profits interest plans or similar rights or plans;
(l) Business
Organization.
Convert
to any other type of business entity;
(m) Additional
Agreements.
Enter
into, become subject to, amend, modify or waive any agreement or instrument
which by its terms would (under any circumstances) restrict (i) the right of
Issuer to make loans or advances or pay or make Dividends to, transfer property
to, or repay any Indebtedness owed to, Issuer or (ii) Issuer’s right to perform
any of the provisions of any of the Investment Documents and instruments entered
into in connection with the same or otherwise evidencing the Note or its
Governing Documents, except in any such case for amending, modifying or
supplementing such agreement in accordance with its terms;
(n) Compensation.
Increase any compensation (including salary, bonuses and other forms of current
and deferred compensation) payable, directly or indirectly, to any of its
Affiliates in excess of 5% per year;
(o) Additional
Project Subsidiaries.
Establish or acquire any Project Subsidiaries not owned as of the Closing Date
unless such Project Subsidiary executes and delivers a guaranty and a security
agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Purchaser and Issuer and
operates in the same line of business as one of the Issuer;
(p) Equity
Incentive Plans.
Amend
or modify any equity incentive plan or employee equity ownership plan as in
existence as of the Closing Date or adopt any new equity incentive plan or
employee equity ownership plan or issue any of its Equity Interests to its
employees or its Subsidiaries’ employees other than pursuant to the existing
equity incentive plans and employee equity ownership plans;
(q) Use
of
Proceeds.
Issuer
shall use the proceeds from the sale of the Notes (the “Note
Proceeds”)
for
the purpose of acquiring prospective and producing mineral properties (each
property thus acquired a “Property”);
provided that, Issuer may use the Note Proceeds from the sale of Initial Note
for general and administrative expenses. With the exception of Note Proceeds
from the Initial Note, Issuer will provide Purchaser written notice of its
use,
or intended use, of the Note Proceeds (“Proceeds
Notice”),
such
notice to include reasonable detail relating to the acquisition of the Property
for which the Note Proceeds are to be used and, if reasonably available,
information relating to the assets to be acquired by Issuer pursuant to the
acquisition of such Property. The Company further agrees that, to the extent
practicable, the acquisition and production of mineral properties is to be
completed through one or more newly created subsidiary entities of Wits-China
or
other subsidiary of Issuer created for the purpose of such acquisition (each,
a
“Project
Subsidiary”).
19
(r) Amendment
to Governing Documents.
Make
any amendment to its Governing Documents, directly or indirectly, whether by
merger, conversion, operation of law or otherwise, or file any resolution of
its
board of managers (or similar governing body) with its jurisdiction of
incorporation, formation or organization (as applicable);
(s) Separateness
from Affiliates.
Commingle the funds and other assets of Issuer with those of any Affiliate
or
any other Person, keep Issuer’ funds in bank accounts that are separate and
apart from those of any Affiliate or other Person and keep Issuer’s other assets
separately identifiable and distinguishable from assets of any Affiliates or
any
other Persons; and
(t) Take
or Pay Contracts.
Enter
into or be a party to any contract or agreement for the purchase of materials,
supplies or other property or services if such contract or agreement requires
that a payment be made by Issuer regardless of whether delivery is ever made
of
such materials, supplies or other property or services.
(u) Other
Business Ventures.
Cease
to own or manage assets or property or otherwise operate in the business of
mineral exploration and development.
4.5 Compliance
with Securities Laws.
Issuer
shall at all times comply with all applicable provisions of the Securities
Act,
the Securities Exchange Act, and all applicable rules and regulations of the
Securities Exchange Commission.
4.6
Public
Disclosures.
Issuer
shall not disclose Purchaser’s name or identity as an investor in Issuer in any
press release or other public announcement or in any document or material filed
with any governmental entity, without the prior written consent, of such
Purchaser unless such disclosure is required by law, statute, rule or regulation
or by order of a court of competent jurisdiction, in which case prior to making
such disclosure Issuer shall use its best efforts to give written notice to
such
Purchaser describing in reasonable detail the proposed content of such
disclosure and to permit Purchaser to review and comment upon the form and
substance of such disclosure.
4.7
Further
Assurances.
At any
time and from time to time, upon the request of Purchaser, Issuer shall, deliver
and acknowledge or cause to be executed, delivered and acknowledged, such
further documents and instruments and do such other acts and things as so
requested in order to fully effect the purposes of this Agreement, the other
Investment Documents and any other agreements, instruments and documents
delivered pursuant hereto or in connection with the Securities and any notes
issued in exchange for any Securities. In addition, if requested by the
Purchaser, Issuer shall obtain and promptly furnish to Purchaser evidence of
all
governmental approvals as may be required to enable Issuer comply with its
Obligations under the Investment Documents and to continue in business as
conducted on the date hereof without Material interruption or
interference.
Section
5. Registration
Rights.
The
Purchaser shall be entitled to the registration rights contained in Appendix
1
to this
Agreement, the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference.
20
Section
6. Representations
and Warranties of the Issuer.
As a
material inducement to Purchaser to enter into this Agreement and purchase
the
Securities hereunder, Issuer hereby represents and warrants to Purchaser as
follows:
6.1
Organization,
Corporate Power and Licenses.
Issuer is a corporation, duly incorporated, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the state of Minnesota, and is qualified to do
business in every jurisdiction in which its ownership of property or conduct
of
business requires it to qualify. Issuer possesses all requisite corporate power
and authority and all licenses, permits and authorizations necessary to own
and
operate its properties, to carry on its businesses as now conducted and
presently proposed to be conducted and to carry out the transactions
contemplated by the Investment Documents where the failure to possess such
licenses, permits, or authorizations could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect. The copies of Issuer’s Governing Documents which have
been furnished to Purchaser reflect all amendments made thereto at any time
prior to the date of this Agreement and are correct and complete. Issuer has
delivered to the Purchaser true and complete copies of its articles of
incorporation and bylaws, as the case may be and will promptly notify the
Purchaser of any amendment or changes thereto. The exact name of Issuer is
set
forth in the preamble of this Agreement. Issuer has not been known by any other
corporate, limited liability company or partnership name in the past five (5)
years except as set forth in the Issuer’s public filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the “Public Filings”),
nor
has Issuer been the surviving corporation of a merger or consolidation or
acquired all or substantially all of the assets of any Person during the
preceding five (5) years except as set forth in the Public Filings.
6.2
Capitalization
and Related Matters.
i)
The
attached Capitalization
Schedule
accurately sets forth the following information with respect to Issuer’s
capitalization as of the Closing Date (i) the authorized Equity Interests of
Issuer, (ii) the number of shares of each class of Equity Interests or Issuer
issued and outstanding, and (iii) the number of shares of each class of Equity
Interests of Issuer reserved for issuance upon exercise of any Convertible
Securities. As of the Closing Date, Issuer does not have outstanding any of
its
Equity Interests, except for the Securities and except as set forth on the
Capitalization
Schedule.
As of
the Closing Date, Issuer is not subject to any obligation (contingent or
otherwise) to repurchase or otherwise acquire or retire any of its Equity
Interests, except as set forth on the Capitalization
Schedule
and
except pursuant to the terms of the Securities. As of the Closing Date, all
of
the outstanding Equity Interests of Issuer shall be validly issued, fully paid
and nonassessable.
(b) There
are
no statutory or, to Issuer’s Knowledge, contractual equity holders’ preemptive
rights or rights of refusal with respect to the issuance of the Securities
hereunder. Issuer has not violated and will not violate any applicable federal
or state securities laws in connection with the offer, sale or issuance of
any
of its Equity Interests, and the offer, sale and issuance of the Securities
hereunder does not require registration under the Securities Act or any
applicable state securities laws. To Issuer’s Knowledge, there are no agreements
between the holders of Issuer’s Equity Interests with respect to the voting,
transfer or other control of Issuer’ Equity Interests.
6.3
Authorization;
No Breach.
The
execution, delivery and performance of each of the Investment Documents and
all
other agreements and instruments contemplated hereby and thereby to which Issuer
is a party have been duly authorized by Issuer. Each of the Investment
Documents, Issuer’s Governing Documents and all other agreements and instruments
contemplated hereby and thereby to which Issuer is a party constitutes a valid
and binding obligation of Issuer, enforceable in accordance with its terms,
except to the extent that enforceability may be limited by applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium and other
similar laws relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors
generally and by general principles of equity. Except as set forth on the
attached Restrictions
Schedule,
the
execution and delivery by Issuer of the Investment Documents and all other
agreements and instruments contemplated hereby and thereby to which it is a
party, the offering, sale and issuance of the Securities hereunder and the
fulfillment of and compliance with the respective terms hereof and thereof
by
Issuer, does not and shall not: (a) conflict with or result in a breach of
the
terms, conditions or provisions of; (b) constitute a default under; (c) result
in the creation of any Lien upon Issuer’s Equity Interests or assets pursuant
to; (d) give any third party the right to modify, terminate or accelerate any
obligation under; (e) result in a violation of; or (f) require any
authorization, consent, approval, exemption or other action by or notice or
declaration to, or filing with, any court or administrative or governmental
body
or agency pursuant to, the Governing Documents of Issuer, or any law, statute,
rule or regulation to which Issuer is subject (including any usury laws
applicable to the Notes), or any agreement, instrument, order, judgment or
decree to which Issuer is subject. Except as set forth on the Restrictions
Schedule,
Issuer
is not subject to any restrictions upon making loans or advances or paying
Dividends to, transferring property to, or repaying any Indebtedness owed to
Issuer.
21
6.4
Absence
of Undisclosed Liabilities.
Exhibit
H contains Issuer’s unaudited balance sheet dated as of December 31, 2006 (the
“Balance
Sheet”).
To
Issuer’s Knowledge, except as set forth in its Public Filings, it has no
obligation or liability (whether accrued, absolute, contingent, unliquidated
or
otherwise, whether or not known to Issuer, whether due or to become due and
regardless of when asserted) arising out of transactions entered into at or
prior to the Closing, or any action or inaction at or prior to the Closing,
or
any state of facts existing at or prior to the Closing other than: (a)
liabilities set forth on the Balance Sheet) (including any notes thereto);
and
(b) other liabilities and obligations expressly disclosed on the attached
Liabilities
Schedule.
6.5
No
Material Adverse Change.
Except
as set forth in its Public Filings as of the date hereof or set forth on the
Liabilities Schedule, since the date of the Balance Sheet, there has been no
change in the operating results, assets, liabilities, operations, prospects,
business, condition (financial or otherwise), employee relations, customer
relations or supplier relations of Issuer, taken as a whole, which has had
or
could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.
6.6
Assets.
Except
as set forth on the attached Assets
Schedule,
upon
Closing Issuer will have good and marketable title to, or a valid leasehold
interest in the material properties and assets shown on the Balance Sheet,
free
and clear of all Liens.
22
6.7
Tax
Matters.
Except
as set forth on the attached Taxes
Schedule:
(a) Issuer
has filed all federal and other Material Tax Returns which it is required to
file under applicable laws and regulations; all such Tax Returns are complete
and correct in all Material respects and to the Knowledge of Issuer have been
prepared in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations in all Material
respects.
(b) Issuer
has not made an election under §341(f) of the Code. Issuer is not liable for the
Taxes of another Person (i) other than as set forth on the Taxes
Schedule
under
Treas. Reg. § 1.1502-6 (or comparable provisions of state, local or foreign law,
statute, rule or regulation), (ii) as a transferee or successor or (iii) by
contract, indemnity or otherwise. Issuer is not a party to any tax sharing
agreement. Issuer and each Affiliated Group have disclosed on their federal
income Tax Returns any position taken for which substantial authority (within
the meaning of Code §6662(d)(2)(B)(i)) did not exist at the time the return was
filed. Issuer has not made any payments, is obligated to make payments or is
a
party to an agreement that could obligate it to make any payments that would
not
be deductible under Code §280G.
(c) Issuer
has not been a member of an Affiliated Group other than as set forth on the
Taxes
Schedule,
or
filed or been included in a combined, consolidated or unitary income Tax Return,
other than as set forth on the Taxes
Schedule.
6.8
Contracts
and Commitments.
(a) Except
as
set forth in its Public Filings or documents and agreements described on the
Contracts Schedule,
Issuer
is not: (a) a party to any contract or agreement, or subject to any corporate
or
other restriction, that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect, (b) a party to any material contract or agreement that restricts the
right or ability of Issuer to incur Indebtedness, other than this Agreement,
and
except for the Liens granted to the Lender, Issuer has not agreed or consented
to cause or permit in the future (upon the happening of a contingency or
otherwise) any Lien upon any Property, whether now owned or hereafter
acquired.
(b) Issuer
will not be in default under or in breach of nor in receipt of any claim of
default or breach under any contract, agreement or instrument to which Issuer
is
subject where such default or breach could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.
6.9
Intellectual
Property Rights.
The
attached Intellectual
Property Schedule
contains
a complete and accurate list of all material (i) patented or registered
Intellectual Property Rights owned or used by Issuer, (ii) pending patent
applications and applications for registrations of other Intellectual Property
Rights filed by Issuer, (iii) unregistered trade names and corporate names
used
by Issuer and (iv) unregistered trademarks, service marks, internet domain
names, copyrights, mask works and computer software owned or used by
Issuer.
6.10
Litigation,
etc.
Except
as set forth on the Litigation
Schedule,
there
are no actions, suits, proceedings, orders, investigations or claims pending
or,
to the Issuer’s Knowledge, threatened against or affecting Issuer (or to the
Issuer’s Knowledge, pending or threatened against or affecting any of the
officers, directors or employees of Issuer with respect to their businesses
or
proposed business activities), or pending or threatened by Issuer against any
third party, at law or in equity, or before or by any governmental department,
commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality (including any actions,
suit, proceedings or investigations with respect to the transactions
contemplated by the Investment Documents), which have had or could reasonably
be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
23
6.11
Brokerage.
Other
than as set forth in the Broker
Schedule,
there
are no claims for brokerage commissions, finders’ fees or similar compensation
in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Investment Documents
based on any arrangement or agreement binding upon Issuer. Issuer shall pay,
and
hold Purchaser harmless against, any liability, loss or expense (including
reasonable attorneys’ fees and out-of-pocket expenses) arising in connection
with any such claim.
6.12
Governmental
Consent, etc..
Except
for the filings and recordings in connection with the Investment Documents,
no
permit, consent, approval or authorization of, or declaration to or filing
with,
any governmental authority is required in connection with the execution,
delivery and performance by Issuer of the Investment Documents and the other
agreements contemplated hereby and thereby, except for state and federal
securities law filings that in any event need not be filed prior to
Closing.
6.13
Insurance.
Effective as of the Closing Date, Issuer has no insurance.
6.14
Employees.
Issuer
is not Aware that any executive or key employee of Issuer or any group of
employees of Issuer have any plans to terminate employment with Issuer. Issuer
has complied in all material respects with all laws, statutes, rules and
regulations relating to the employment of labor (including provisions thereof
relating to wages, hours, equal opportunity, collective bargaining and the
payment of social security and other taxes), and Issuer is not Aware that Issuer
has any material labor relations problems (including any union organization
activities, threatened or actual strikes or work stoppages or material
grievances). To Issuer’s Knowledge, neither Issuer nor any of its employees is
subject to any noncompete, nondisclosure, confidentiality, employment,
consulting or similar agreements relating to, affecting or in conflict with
the
present or proposed business activities of Issuer, except for agreements between
Issuer and their respective present and former employees.
6.15 ERISA.
(a) Issuer
does not have any obligation to contribute to (or any other liability, including
current or potential withdrawal liability with respect to) any “multiemployer
plan” (as defined in §3(37) of ERISA.
(b) Issuer
does not have any obligation to contribute to (or any other liability with
respect to) any plan or arrangement whether or not terminated, which provides
medical, health, life insurance or other welfare-type benefits for current
or
future retired or terminated employees (except for limited continued medical
benefit coverage required to be provided under Section 4980B of the Code or
as
required under applicable state law).
(c) Issuer
does not maintain, contribute to or have any liability under (or with respect
to), any employee plan which is a tax-qualified “defined benefit plan” (as
defined in §3(35) of ERISA), whether or not terminated.
24
(d) Issuer
does not maintain, contribute to or have any liability under (or with respect
to) any employee plan which is a tax-qualified “defined contribution plan” (as
defined in §3(34) of ERISA), whether or not terminated.
(e) Issuer
does not maintain, contribute to, or have any liability under (or with respect
to) any plan or arrangement providing benefits to current or former employees,
including any bonus plan, plan for deferred compensation, employee health or
other welfare benefit plan or other arrangement, whether or not
terminated.
(f) For
purposes of this Section, the term “Issuer” includes all organizations
constituting an ERISA Affiliate of Issuer.
6.16 Compliance
with Laws.
To the
Issuer’s Knowledge, Issuer has not violated any law, statute, rule or regulation
which violation has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect, and Issuer has not received written notice of any such
violation.
6.17 Affiliated
Transactions.
Except
as set forth in the Public Filings or on the attached Affiliated
Transactions Schedule,
no
officer, manager, director, employee, member, stockholder, partner, limited
partner, owner, principal or Affiliate of Issuer or any Person related, by
blood, marriage or adoption to any such Person in which any such Person owns
any
beneficial interest, is a party to any agreement, contract, commitment,
transaction or arrangement with Issuer or has any Material interest in any
Material property used by Issuer, except for employment arrangements and
compensation in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past
practice.
6.18 Investment
Company.
Issuer
is not an “investment company” or an “affiliated person” of, or “promoter” or
“principal underwriter” for, an “investment company,” as such terms are defined
in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, modified, supplemented,
or
replaced from time to time, or is Issuer, directly or indirectly, controlled
by
or acting on behalf of any Person which is an “investment company” within the
meaning of such act. The purchase of the Securities, the application of the
proceeds and repayment thereof by Issuer and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by the Investment Documents will not violate any
provision of such act or any rule, regulation or order issued by the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
6.19 Margin
Regulations.
Issuer
does not own any “margin stock,” as the term is defined in Regulation U of the
Federal Reserve Board, and the proceeds of the sale of the Securities will
be
used only for the purposes contemplated hereunder. None of the proceeds of
the
sale of the Securities will be used, directly or indirectly, for the purpose
of
purchasing or carrying any margin security, for the purpose of reducing or
retiring any Indebtedness which was originally incurred to purchase or carry
any
margin security or for any other purpose which might cause the loans hereunder
to be considered “purpose credit” within the meaning of Regulations U or X of
the Federal Reserve Board. The purchase of the Securities will not constitute
a
violation of such Regulations U or X.
6.20 Public
Utility Holding Company Act.
Issuer
is not a “holding company,” or a “subsidiary company” of a “holding company,” or
an “affiliate” of a “holding company,” or an “affiliate” of a “subsidiary
company” of a “holding company,” within the meaning of the Public Utility
Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended, modified, supplemented, or replaced
from time to time.
25
6.21 Disclosure.
Neither
this Agreement nor any of the schedules, attachments, written statements,
documents, certificates or other items prepared or supplied to Purchaser by
or
on behalf of Issuer with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby contain
any untrue statement of a Material fact or omit a Material fact necessary to
make each statement contained herein or therein not misleading. There is no
fact
that Issuer has disclosed to Purchaser in writing and of which it is Aware
(other than general economic conditions) which, taken as a whole, has had or
could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.22 On-Going
Negotiations.
Negotiations with respect to the Permitted Business Combination, as announced
in
the press release of Issuer dated February 10, 2007, are on-going, and to
Issuer’s Knowledge, no events have occurred that would indicate that such
Permitted Business Combination will not occur on terms substantially similar
to
those contemplated in the press release.
6.23 Closing
Date.
The
representations and warranties of Issuer contained in this Agreement and
elsewhere in the Investment Documents and all information contained in any
exhibit, schedule or attachment hereto or thereto or in any certificate or
other
writing delivered by, or on behalf of, Issuer to Purchaser is and shall be
complete and correct as of any Closing of the purchase of the Initial Note
or
Additional Notes as the case may be (both immediately prior to and immediately
after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by the Investment
Documents).
Section
7. Events
of Default.
7.1 Definition.
An
“Event
of Default”
shall
be deemed to have occurred if:
(a) Failure
to Make Payments.
Issuer
fails to pay when due and payable (whether at maturity or otherwise), after
giving effect to all applicable notice and grace periods and, if no such grace
periods are provided, a grace period of 5 Business Days (without notice), the
full amount of interest then accrued on any Notes or any notes issued in
exchange for any Securities, or the full amount of any principal payment
(together with any applicable premium) on any Notes or any notes issued in
exchange for any Securities or any other amounts payable under the Securities
or
the Investment Documents;
(b) Failure
to Observe Covenants.
Issuer:
(i) breaches,
fails to perform or observe any of the covenants contained in Section
4
(and
such failure continues uncured for 10 Business Days); or
(ii) breaches,
fails to perform or observe any other provision contained in the Investment
Documents and such failure has had a Material Adverse Effect and such failure
continues uncured for 15 Business Days;
26
(c) Representations.
Any
representation, warranty or information contained herein or required to be
furnished to any holder of the Securities pursuant to the Investment Documents,
or any writing furnished by Issuer to any holder of the Notes, is false or
misleading in any material respect on the date made, repeated or
furnished;
(d) Insolvency.
Issuer
makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors or admits in writing its
inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or an order, judgment,
decree or injunction is entered adjudicating Issuer bankrupt or insolvent or
requiring the dissolution or split up of Issuer or preventing Issuer from
conducting all or any part of its business; or any order for relief with respect
to Issuer is entered under the Federal Bankruptcy Code; or Issuer petitions
or
applies to any tribunal for the appointment of a custodian, trustee, receiver
or
liquidator of Issuer, or of any substantial part of the assets of Issuer, or
commences any proceeding (other than a proceeding for the voluntary liquidation
and dissolution of any of its Subsidiaries) relating to Issuer under any
bankruptcy reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, readjustment of debt,
dissolution or liquidation or similar laws of any jurisdiction now or hereafter
in effect; or any such petition or application is filed, or any such proceeding
is commenced, against Issuer and either (i) Issuer by any act indicates its
approval thereof, consent thereto or acquiescence therein or (ii) such petition,
application or proceeding is not dismissed within 60 days;
(e) Payments
on Indebtedness.
Issuer
shall fail to pay when due any principal of or interest on any Indebtedness
(other than the Indebtedness owing to Purchaser), which failure could reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or the maturity of any such
Indebtedness shall have been accelerated and could reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect, or any such Indebtedness shall have been
required to be prepaid prior to the stated maturity thereof and such prepayment
would have a Material Adverse Effect;
(f) Impairment
of Security.
Except
pursuant to the satisfaction of this Agreement or other Investment Documents,
as
applicable, this Agreement or any other Investment Documents shall cease to
be
in full force and effect or shall be declared null and void or the validity
or
enforceability thereof shall be contested or challenged by Issuer, or any
Subsidiary or any executive officer, director thereof, or Issuer shall deny
that
it has any further liability or obligation under any of the Investment
Documents, or any Lien created by the Investment Documents in favor of Purchaser
shall for any reason cease to be a valid, first or second priority (as
applicable based on the priority intended to be provided to Purchaser under
the
Investment Documents) perfected security interest in and Lien upon any of the
Collateral purported to be covered thereby;
(g) ERISA
Matters.
(i)
With respect to any Pension Plan, a prohibited transaction within the meaning
of
§4975 of the Code or §406 of ERISA occurs which in the determination of
Purchaser could result in liability to the Issuer, (ii) with respect to any
Title IV Plan, the filing of a notice to voluntarily terminate any such plan
in
a distress termination, (iii) with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the Issuer
or any ERISA Affiliate shall incur any Withdrawal Liability, (iv) with respect
to any Qualified Plan, Issuer or any ERISA Affiliate shall incur an accumulated
funding deficiency or request a funding waiver from the IRS, or (v) with respect
to any Title IV Plan or Multiemployer Plan which has an ERISA Event not
described in clauses (ii) through (iv) hereof, in the determination of Purchaser
there is a reasonable likelihood for termination of any such plan by the PBGC;
provided,
that
the events listed in clauses (i) through (v) hereof shall constitute Events
of
Default only if the liability, deficiency or waiver request of Issuer or any
ERISA Affiliate, whether or not assessed, could, in the opinion of Purchaser,
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
27
(h) Seizure
of Assets.
Issuer
or any of its properties, revenues, or assets in an aggregate amount in excess
of $500,000.00, shall become subject to an order of forfeiture, seizure, or
divestiture (whether under RICO or otherwise) and the same shall not have been
discharged within 30 days from the date of entry thereof;
(i) Attachment
of Assets.
Issuer
shall fail to discharge within a period of thirty 30 days after the commencement
thereof any attachment, sequestration, or similar proceeding or proceedings
involving an aggregate amount in excess of $500,000.00 against any of its assets
or properties;
(j) Change
in Management.
Xxxxxxx
Xxxx and Xxxxx Xxxxx are no longer engaged in the management of the Issuer
and a
suitable replacement for any such Person acceptable to Purchaser is not made
within 60 days.
(k) Entry
of Judgment.
A final
judgment or judgments for the payment of money in excess of $500,000.00 in
the
aggregate shall be rendered by a court or courts against Issuer and the same
shall not be discharged (or provision shall not be made for such discharge),
or
a stay of execution thereof shall not be procured, within 45 days from the
date
of entry thereof and Issuer shall not, within said period of 45 days, or such
longer period during which execution of the same shall have been stayed, appeal
therefrom and cause the execution thereof to be stayed during such
appeal.
(l) Termination
of Pension Plan.
The
institution of any steps by Issuer or any ERISA Affiliate or any other Person
to
terminate a Pension Plan if, as a result of such termination, Issuer or any
such
ERISA Affiliate could be required to make a contribution to such Pension Plan,
or could reasonably expect to incur a liability or obligation to such Pension
Plan, and such contribution, liability or obligation could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(m) Failure
to Observe Other Obligations.
Issuer
defaults (after giving effect to all applicable grace and cure periods) in
the
payment when due, or in performance or observance of, any Material obligation
of, or condition agreed to by, Issuer with respect to any Material purchase
or
lease of goods or services, which defaults are not cured within 5 days after
written notice from the Purchaser, where such default, singly or in the
aggregate with all other such defaults, could reasonably be expected to have
a
Material Adverse Effect;
(n) Receivership.
Issuer’s assets are attached, seized, subjected to a writ or distress warrant,
or are levied upon, or come within the possession of any receiver, trustee,
custodian or assignee for the benefit of creditors in connection with any
obligations or liabilities of Issuer and Issuer fails to discharge, release
or
terminate such attachment, seizure, warrant, levy or possession within 60 days
from the creation or commencement thereof and such attachment, seizure, warrant,
levy or possession could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect;
28
(o) Indictment.
Issuer
or executive officer of Issuer is indicted for a state or federal criminal
charge related to the business of such Issuer;
(p) Change
in Control.
A
Change in Control shall occur; or
(q) Equity
Agreements.
Issuer
breaches any Material provision under a shareholder or similar equity agreement
to which it is a party and fails to cure such breach within 10 days after
written notice thereof from Purchaser.
The
foregoing shall constitute “Events of Default” whatever the reason or cause for
any such Event of Default and whether it is voluntary or involuntary or is
effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of
any
court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental
body.
7.2 Consequences
of Events of Default.
(a) If
any
Event of Default has occurred, then the interest rate on the Notes and any
notes
issued in exchange for any Securities shall increase immediately by an increment
of 3 percentage points. Any increase of the interest rate resulting from the
operation of this Section
7.2(a)
shall
terminate as of the close of business on the date on which no Events of Default
exists (subject to subsequent increases pursuant to this Section
7.2(a)).
(b) If
an
Event of Default of the type described in Section
7.1(d)
has
occurred, then the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all of the Notes
and any notes issued in exchange for any Securities (together with all accrued
interest thereon and all other amounts due and payable with respect thereto)
shall become immediately due and payable without any action on the part of
the
holders thereof, and Issuer shall immediately pay to the holders of such notes
all amounts due and payable with respect thereto.
(c) If
an
Event of Default (other than under Section
7.1(d))
has
occurred and is continuing, then Purchaser or any other the holder or holders
of
Notes representing a majority of the aggregate principal amount of Notes and
any
notes issued in exchange for any Securities then outstanding may declare all
or
any portion of the outstanding principal amount of the Notes and any notes
issued in exchange for any Securities (together with all accrued interest
thereon and all other amounts due and payable with respect thereto) to be
immediately due and payable and may demand immediate payment of all or any
portion of the outstanding principal amount of the Notes and any notes issued
in
exchange for any Securities (together with all such other amounts then due
and
payable) owned by such holder or holders. Issuer shall give prompt written
notice of any such demand to the other holders of Notes and any notes issued
in
exchange for any Securities, each of which may demand immediate payment of
all
or any portion of such holder’s Note and any notes issued in exchange for any
Securities. If any holder or holders of the Notes and any notes issued in
exchange for any Securities demand immediate payment of all or any portion
of
the Notes and any notes issued in exchange for any Securities, Issuer shall
immediately pay to such holder or holders all amounts due and payable with
respect thereto.
29
(d) If
an
Event of Default of the type described in Section
7.1(a)
has
occurred, then Purchaser and any other holder or holders of Notes and any notes
issued in exchange for any Securities then outstanding may require Issuer to
defer all payments, other than salaries provided in the then current budget
approved by Purchaser, to any Person who owns, directly or indirectly, any
Equity Interest in Issuer.
(e) If
an
Event of Default has occurred, then Purchaser and any other holder or holders
of
Notes and any notes issued in exchange for any Securities then outstanding
may
enforce any and all other rights granted pursuant to the Investment Documents,
including any proxy, security agreement or pledge agreement.
Section
8. Miscellaneous.
8.1 Expenses.
For all
times prior to the issuance of the Notes and so long as the Notes and any notes
issued in exchange for Securities remain outstanding, Issuer shall pay, and
hold
Purchaser and all noteholders and holders of Securities and any other Equity
Interests for which Securities are exchanged or converted harmless against
liability for the payment of, and reimburse on demand as and when incurred
from
and against: (a) reasonable and accountable costs and expenses up to $40,000
incurred by each of them in connection with their due diligence review of
Issuer, the preparation, negotiation, execution and interpretation of the
Investment Documents and the Securities and the agreements contemplated hereby
and thereby, and the consummation of all of the transactions contemplated hereby
and thereby (including all reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel,
consultants and accountants), which costs and expenses shall be payable at
the
Closing; (b) all fees and expenses incurred with respect to any amendments
or
waivers (whether or not the same become effective) under or in respect of each
of the Investment Documents, the Governing Documents of Issuer and the other
agreements and instruments contemplated hereby and thereby; (c) all recording
and filing fees, stamp and other Taxes which may be payable in respect of the
execution and delivery of the Investment Documents or the issuance, delivery
or
acquisition of any Securities or any other Equity Interests for which Securities
are exchanged or converted; and (d) the reasonable fees and expenses incurred
with respect to the enforcement of the rights granted under the Investment
Documents, the Securities, any other Equity Interests for which Securities
are
exchanged or converted, the Governing Documents of Issuer and the agreements
or
instruments contemplated hereby and thereby (including costs of collection)
upon
an Event of Default and for so long as such Event of Default is continuing.
If
Issuer fails to pay when due any amounts due Purchaser or fail to comply with
any obligations pursuant to this Agreement or any other agreement, document
or
instrument executed or delivered in connection herewith, Issuer shall, upon
demand by Purchaser, pay to Purchaser such further amounts as shall be
sufficient to cover the cost and expense (including, but not limited to
reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by or on behalf of Purchaser in collecting
all such amounts due or in otherwise enforcing Purchaser’s rights and remedies
hereunder. Issuer also agrees to pay to Purchaser all costs and expenses
incurred, including reasonable compensation to its attorneys for all services
rendered, in connection with the investigation of any Event of Default and
enforcement of its rights hereunder or under the other Investment Documents
upon
an Event of Default and for so long as such Event of Default is
continuing.
30
8.2 Remedies.
Each
holder of Securities and any other Equity Interests for which Securities are
exchanged or converted shall have all rights and remedies set forth in the
Investment Documents and the Governing Documents of Issuer and all rights and
remedies which such holders have been granted at any time under any other
agreement or contract and all of the rights which such holders have under any
law, statute, rule or regulation. No remedy hereunder or thereunder conferred
is
intended to be exclusive of any other remedy, and each and every such remedy
shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to every other remedy given
hereunder or thereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or
by
statute or otherwise. Purchaser having any rights under any provision of the
Investment Documents shall be entitled to enforce such rights specifically
(without posting a bond or other security), to recover damages by reason of
any
breach of any provision of the Investment Documents and to exercise all other
rights granted by law, statute, rule or regulation.
8.3 Usury.
In no
contingency or event whatsoever will the aggregate of all amounts deemed
interest under this Agreement or the Notes and charged or collected pursuant
to
the terms of this Agreement or any other Investment Document exceed the highest
rate permissible under any law that a court of competent jurisdiction, in a
final determination, deems applicable. If such a court determines that Purchaser
has charged or received interest under this Agreement or any other Investment
Documents in excess of the highest applicable rate, then Purchaser shall apply
such excess to any other indebtedness or obligations then due and payable,
whether for principal, interest, fees or otherwise, and shall refund the
remainder of such excess interest, if any, to Issuer, and such rate shall
automatically be reduced to the maximum rate permitted by such law.
8.4 Purchaser’s
Investment Representations.
Purchaser hereby represents and warrants that:
(a) Authorization.
When
executed and delivered by Purchaser, and assuming execution and delivery by
Issuer, this Agreement and the Investment Documents constitute its valid and
legally binding obligations, enforceable in accordance with their
terms.
(b) Purchase
Entirely for Own Account.
This
Agreement is made with Purchaser in reliance upon Purchaser’s representation to
Issuer, which by Purchaser’s execution of this Agreement Purchaser hereby
confirms, that the Restricted Securities will be acquired for investment for
Purchaser’s own account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to the
public distribution of any part thereof, and that Purchaser has no present
intention of distributing the same. Purchaser represents that it has full power
and authority to enter into this Agreement and the Investment
Documents.
(c) Investment
Experience.
Purchaser is an “accredited investor” as that term is defined in Rule 501 of
Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act and has previously invested
in
securities of other small businesses and acknowledges that it is able to protect
its interests, and bear the economic risk of its investment and has such
knowledge and experience in financial or business matters that it is capable
of
evaluating the merits and risks of the investment in the Restricted Securities.
31
(d) High
Risk. The
Securities being purchased are highly speculative in nature and an investment
herein involves a high degree of risk, including but not limited to losing
the
entire investment in such Securities.
(e) No
Governmental Approval.
No
Federal or state agency, including the Commission or the securities commission
or authority of any state, has approved or disapproved the Securities, passed
upon or endorsed the merits of the issuance of Securities or the accuracy or
adequacy of any information provided by the Company, or made any finding or
determination as to the fairness or fitness of the Securities for
sale.
(f) No
Reliance.
Purchaser has been encouraged to rely upon the advice of its legal counsel,
accountants or other financial advisors with respect to tax and other
considerations relating to the purchase of the Securities pursuant hereto.
Purchaser is not relying upon Issuer with respect to economic considerations
involved in determining to make an investment in the Securities.
(g) Access
to Information.
Purchaser has been given access to full and complete information regarding
Issuer and has utilized such access to Purchaser’s satisfaction for the purpose
of obtaining information respecting Issuer. Particularly, Purchaser has been
given reasonable opportunity to meet with and/or contact Issuer representatives
for the purpose of asking questions of, and receiving answers from, such
representatives concerning the terms and conditions of the issuance of the
Securities and to obtain any additional information, to the extent reasonably
available, necessary to verify the accuracy of information about the company
already obtained.
8.5 Amendments
and Waivers.
Except
as otherwise expressly provided herein, the provisions of this Agreement and
the
provisions of the Notes may be amended and Issuer may take any action herein
prohibited, or omit to perform any act herein required to be performed by it,
only if Issuer has obtained the written consent of Purchaser; provided,
that if
the Notes are no longer outstanding, the provisions of this Agreement may be
amended or waived by Issuer and Issuer may take any action herein prohibited
only if Issuer has obtained the written consent of the holders of a majority
of
the remaining Securities. No other course of dealing between Issuer and the
holder of any Securities or any other Equity Interest for which Securities
are
exchanged or converted or any delay in exercising any rights hereunder or under
the Note or the Governing Documents of Issuer shall operate as waiver of any
rights of any such holders. For purposes of this Agreement, the Securities
or
any Equity Interests for which Securities are exchanged or converted which
are
held by Issuer shall not be deemed to be outstanding. If Issuer pays any
consideration to any holder of Securities or any other Equity Interest for
which
Securities are exchanged or converted for such holder’s consent to any
amendment, modification or waiver hereunder, such party shall also pay each
other holder granting its consent hereunder equivalent consideration computed
on
a pro rata basis.
8.6 Survival
of Agreement.
All
covenants, representations and warranties contained in the Investment Documents
or made in writing by Issuer in connection herewith or therewith shall survive
the execution and delivery of the Investment Documents and the consummation
of
the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, regardless of any
investigation made by Purchaser or on its behalf.
32
8.7 No
Setoffs, etc.
All
payments hereunder and under the Securities and any notes issued in exchange
for
any Securities shall be made by Issuer without setoff, offset, deduction or
counterclaim, free and clear of all taxes, levies, imports, duties, fees and
charges, and without any withholding, restriction or conditions imposed by
any
governmental authority, unless Issuer shall be required by any law, statute,
rule or regulation to deduct, setoff or withhold any amount from or in respect
of any payment to Purchaser hereunder or under the Securities or any notes
issued in exchange for any Securities.
8.8 Successors
and Assigns.
All
covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement by or on behalf of any
of
the parties hereto shall bind and inure to the benefit of the respective
successors and assigns of the parties hereto whether or not so expressed;
provided,
that
Issuer shall not be permitted to assign or delegate its rights or obligations
under this Agreement, the Securities or any notes issued in exchange for any
Securities, other than pursuant to the Permitted Business Combination. Except
as
otherwise expressly provided herein, nothing expressed in or implied from any
Investment Document is intended to give, or shall be construed to give, any
Person, other than the parties hereto and thereto and their permitted successors
and assigns, any benefit or legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under
or
by virtue of this Agreement or any such other document. Any agreement or
covenant in any Investment Document obligating Issuer of an Equity Interest
held
by a Purchaser or subsequent holder to take any action or to refrain from taking
any action, shall similarly obligate any other Person into or with which Issuer
is merged, consolidated, combined or reorganized.
8.9 Aggregation.
For
purposes of the Investment Documents, all holdings of Securities and any Equity
Interest for which Securities are exchanged or converted by Persons who are
Affiliates of each other shall be aggregated for purposes of meeting any
threshold tests under the Investment Documents.
8.10 Severability.
Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in
such
manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision
of this Agreement is held to be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law,
such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition
or
invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of this Agreement and shall
be
reformed and enforced to the maximum extent permitted under applicable
law.
8.11 Counterparts.
For the
purpose of facilitating the execution of this Agreement and for other purposes,
this Agreement may be executed simultaneously in any number of counterparts,
each of which counterparts shall be deemed to be an original, and such
counterparts shall constitute but one and the same instrument. A signature
of a
party by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be deemed to
constitute an original and fully effective signature of such party.
8.12 Descriptive
Headings.
The
descriptive headings of this Agreement and the Securities are inserted for
convenience only and do not constitute a substantive part of this
Agreement.
8.13 Governing
Law.
All
issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and
interpretation of this Agreement and the schedules hereto and (except as
otherwise expressly provided therein) the exhibits hereto shall be governed
by,
and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Kansas, without
giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions
(whether of the State of Kansas or any other jurisdiction) that would cause
the
application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Kansas.
In
furtherance of the foregoing, the internal law of the State of Kansas shall
control the interpretation and construction of this Agreement (and all schedules
and exhibits hereto), even though under that jurisdiction’s choice of law or
conflict of law analysis, the substantive law of some other jurisdiction would
ordinarily apply.
33
8.14 Notices.
All
notices, demands or other communications to be given or delivered under or
by
reason of the provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been given when delivered personally to the recipient, sent
to
the recipient by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid), mailed
to the recipient by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested
and
postage prepaid or sent via facsimile to the number set forth below with a
copy
mailed to the recipient as set forth above. Such notices, demands and other
communications shall be sent to Purchaser and to Issuer at the addresses
indicated below:
To
Issuer:
Wits
Basin Precious Minerals, Inc
00
Xxxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000-0000
Attn:
Xxxx Xxxxx, Chief Financial Officer
Facsimile:
(000) 000-0000
With
a
copy to:
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx & Brand, LLP
3300
Xxxxx Fargo Center
00
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Attn:
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, Esq.
Facsimile:
(000) 000-0000
To
the
Purchaser:
China
Gold, LLC
0000
Xxxxxxx Xxxx., Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxx
Xxxx, XX 00000
Attn:
C.
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Facsimile:
(000) 000-0000
34
with
a
copy to:
Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxx
Polsinelli
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Suelthaus PC
0000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxx
Xxxx, XX 00000
Facsimile:
000-000-0000
or
to
such other address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient
party has specified by prior written notice to the sending party.
8.15
Construction.
The
parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of
this
Agreement. If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises,
this
Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto, and
no
presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party
by
virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement. The parties
intend that each representation, warranty and covenant contained herein shall
have independent significance. If any party has breached any representation,
warranty or covenant contained herein in any respect or any Event of Default
shall occur, the fact that there exists another representation, warranty or
covenant or Event of Default relating to the same subject matter (regardless
of
the relative levels of specificity) which such party has not breached shall
not
detract from or mitigate the fact that such party is in breach of the first
representation, warranty or covenant or that the first Event of Default shall
have occurred.
8.16 Complete
Agreement; No Modifications.
(a) This
Agreement and the other Investment Documents collectively: (i) constitute the
final expression of the agreement between Issuer and Purchaser; (ii) contain
the
entire agreement between Issuer and Purchaser with respect to the matters set
forth herein and in such other Investment Documents; and (iii) may not be
contradicted by evidence of any prior or contemporaneous oral agreements or
understandings between Issuer and Purchaser. Neither this Agreement nor any
of
the terms hereof may be terminated, amended, supplemented, waived or modified
orally, except by an agreement or instrument in writing executed by the party
against which enforcement of the termination, amendment, supplement, waiver
or
modification is sought.
(b) If
there
is a conflict between or among the terms, covenants, conditions or provisions
of
this Agreement and the other Investment Documents, then any term, covenant,
condition or provision that Purchaser may elect to enforce from time to time
so
as to enlarge the interest of Purchaser in its security for the payment and
performance of the Obligations, afford Purchaser the maximum financial benefits
or security for the Obligations, or provide Purchaser the maximum assurance
of
payment and performance of the of the Obligations in full, shall control. ISSUER
ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT IT HAS BEEN PROVIDED WITH SUFFICIENT AND NECESSARY
TIME AND OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT AND EACH OF THE
INVESTMENT DOCUMENTS WITH ANY AND ALL COUNSEL IT DEEMS APPROPRIATE, AND THAT
NO
INFERENCE IN FAVOR OF, OR AGAINST, PURCHASER OR ISSUER SHALL BE DRAWN FROM
THE
FACT THAT EITHER SUCH PARTY HAS DRAFTED ANY PORTION OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY
OF
THE INVESTMENT DOCUMENTS.
35
8.17 Indemnification.
In
consideration of Purchaser’s execution and delivery of this Agreement and
purchase of the Securities hereunder and in addition to Issuer’s other
obligations under this Agreement and in addition to all other rights and
remedies available at law or in equity, Issuer shall defend, protect and
indemnify Purchaser and each other holder of Securities, any notes issued in
exchange for any Securities or any other Equity Interests for which Securities
are exchanged or converted and all of its officers, managers, directors,
stockholders, members, partners, limited partners, Affiliates, employees,
agents, representatives, successors and assigns (including those retained in
connection with the transactions contemplated by the Investment Documents)
(collectively, the “Indemnitees”),
and
save and hold each of them harmless from and against, and pay on behalf of
or
reimburse), on demand as and when incurred, any and all actions, causes of
action, suits, claims, losses (including diminutions in value and consequential
damages), costs, penalties, fees, liabilities and damages and expenses in
connection therewith (irrespective of whether any such Indemnitee is a party
to
the action for which indemnification hereunder is sought), including reasonable
attorneys’ fees and disbursements, interest and penalties and all amounts paid
in investigation, defense or settlement of any of the foregoing and claims
relating to any of the foregoing (the “Liabilities”),
incurred by the Indemnitees or any of them as a result of, or arising out of,
or
relating to: (a) any transaction financed or to be financed in whole or in
part,
directly or indirectly, with the proceeds of the issuance of the Securities;
(b)
the execution, delivery, performance or enforcement of the Investment Documents,
any Governing Documents of Issuer and any other instrument, document or
agreement executed pursuant hereto or thereto of Issuer by any of the
Indemnitees, except to the extent any such Liabilities are caused by the
particular Indemnitee’s gross negligence or willful misconduct; and (c) the
past, present or future environmental condition of any property owned, operated
or used by Issuer, its predecessors or successors or of any offsite treatment,
storage or disposal location associated therewith, including the presence on
or
under, or the escape, seepage, leakage, spillage, discharge, emission, Release
or threatened Release into, onto or from, any such property or location of
any
toxic, chemical or hazardous substance, material or waste (including any losses,
liabilities, damages, injuries, penalties, fees, costs, expenses or claims
asserted or arising under any Environmental and Safety Requirement) regardless
of whether caused by, or within the control of, Issuer. To the extent that
the
foregoing undertaking by Issuer may be unenforceable for any reason, Issuer
shall make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each
of
the Liabilities that is permissible under applicable law.
8.18
Payment
Set Aside.
To the
extent that any payment or payments are made to Purchaser hereunder or under
the
Securities, any notes issued in exchange for any Securities or any Equity
Interests for which Securities are exchanged or converted or such Purchaser
enforces its rights or exercises its right of setoff hereunder or thereunder,
and such payment or payments or the proceeds of such enforcement or setoff
or
any part thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or
preferential, set aside, recovered from, disgorged by or are required to be
refunded, repaid or otherwise restored to such payor, a trustee, receiver or
any
other Person under any law, statute, rule or regulation (including any
bankruptcy law, state or federal law, common law or equitable cause of action),
then to the extent of any such restoration the obligation or part thereof
originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full
force
and effect as if such payment had not been made or such enforcement or setoff
had not occurred.
36
8.19
Jurisdiction
and Venue.
Each of
the parties: (a) submits to the jurisdiction of any state or federal court
sitting in the District of Kansas in any legal suit, action or proceeding
arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the Securities, any notes issued
in exchange for any Securities or any Equity Interests for which Securities
are
exchanged or converted; (b) agrees that all claims in respect of the action
or
proceeding may be heard or determined in any such court; and (c) agrees not
to
bring any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement,
the
Securities, any notes issued in exchange for any Securities or any Equity
Interests for which Securities are exchanged or converted in any other court.
Each of the parties waives any defense of inconvenient forum to the maintenance
of any action or proceeding so brought and waives any bond, surety or other
security that might be required of any other party with respect thereto. Any
party may make service on any other party by sending or delivering a copy of
the
process to the party to be served at the address and in the manner provided
for
the giving of notices in Section
8.14.
Each
party agrees that a final judgment in any action or proceeding so brought shall
be conclusive and may be enforced by suit on the judgment or in any other manner
provided by law. Nothing herein shall affect the right to serve process in
any
other manner permitted by law, statute, rule or regulation or shall limit the
right of Purchaser or holders of Equity Interests for which Securities are
exchanged or converted to bring proceedings against Issuer in the courts of
any
other jurisdiction. To the extent provided by any law, statute, rule or
regulation, should Issuer, after being so served, fail to appear or answer
to
any summons, complaint, process or papers so served within the number of days
prescribed by law after the mailing thereof, Issuer shall be deemed in default
and an order or judgment may be entered by the court against Issuer as demanded
or prayed for in such summons, complaint, process or papers. The exclusive
choice of forum for Issuer set forth in this Section
8.19
shall
not be deemed to preclude the enforcement by Purchaser or any holder of
Securities or notes issued in exchange for any Securities or Equity Interests
for which Securities are exchanged or converted of any judgment obtained in
any
other forum or the taking by such Purchaser or any holder of Securities or
notes
issued in exchange for any Securities or Equity Interests for which Securities
are exchanged or converted of any action to enforce the same in any other
appropriate jurisdiction, and Issuer hereby waives the right to collaterally
attack any such judgment or action.
8.20
Waiver
of Right to Jury Trial.
ISSUER,
ON ITS OWN BEHALF, AND PURCHASER, ON ITS OWN AND ON BEHALF OF EACH HOLDER OF
SECURITIES AND NOTES ISSUED IN EXCHANGE FOR ANY SECURITIES AND EQUITY INTERESTS
FOR WHICH SECURITIES ARE EXCHANGED OR CONVERTED, HEREBY WAIVE (TO THE EXTENT
PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW) TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LITIGATION IN ANY COURT WITH
RESPECT TO, IN CONNECTION WITH, OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE
SECURITIES, ANY NOTES ISSUED IN EXCHANGE FOR ANY SECURITIES OR ANY EQUITY
INTERESTS FOR WHICH SECURITIES ARE EXCHANGED OR CONVERTED, ANY OF THE OTHER
INVESTMENT DOCUMENTS, OR THE VALIDITY, PROTECTION, INTERPRETATION, COLLECTION
OR
ENFORCEMENT THEREOF, OR THE COLLATERAL, THE OBLIGATIONS, OR PURCHASER’S CONDUCT
WITH RESPECT TO ANY OF THE FOREGOING. ISSUER, ON ITS OWN BEHALF, AGREES THAT
THIS SECTION IS A SPECIFIC AND MATERIAL ASPECT OF THIS AGREEMENT AND
ACKNOWLEDGES THAT PURCHASER WOULD NOT PURCHASE THE SECURITIES HEREUNDER IF
THIS
SECTION WERE NOT PART OF THIS AGREEMENT.
37
8.21
Certain
Waivers.
Issuer
hereby waives diligence, presentment, protest and demand and notice of protest
and demand, dishonor and nonpayment of the Note and any notes issued in exchange
for any Securities, and expressly agrees that the Note and any notes issued
in
exchange for any Securities, or any payment thereunder, may be extended from
time to time and that the holder thereof may accept security for the Note and
any notes issued in exchange for any Securities or release security for the
Note
and any notes issued in exchange for any Securities, all without in any way
affecting the liability of Issuer thereunder.
8.22
Transfer
of Note; Several Liability of Purchaser.
Issuer
hereby consents to Purchaser’s participation, sale, assignment, transfer or
other disposition, at any time or times on or after the Closing Date, at
Purchaser’s option, of all or any portion of its interest in this Agreement and
any of the other Investment Documents (including Purchaser’s rights, title,
interests, remedies, powers and duties hereunder or thereunder) to a purchaser,
participant, any syndicate, or any other Person (each, a “Note
Purchaser”).
In
connection with any such disposition (and thereafter), Purchaser may disclose
any financial information Purchaser may have concerning Issuer to any such
Note
Purchaser or potential Note Purchaser.
8.23
Confidentiality.
(a) Issuer
and Purchaser hereby acknowledge that each may have received, or may receive
in
the future, certain confidential or non-public information relating to the
other
(collectively, the “Confidential
Information”).
“Confidential Information” shall include, without limitation, all books, papers,
and records relating to the assets, stock, properties, operations, obligations
and liabilities of such party and its subsidiaries, including, without
limitation, all books of account, tax records, minute books of directors’ and
stockholders’ meetings, organizational documents, bylaws, contracts and
agreements, filings with any regulatory authority, accountants’ work papers,
litigation files (including, without limitation, legal research memoranda),
attorney’s audit response letters, documents relating to assets and title
thereto (including, without limitation, abstracts, title insurance policies,
surveys, environmental reports, opinions of title and other information relating
to the real and personal property), plans affecting employees, securities
transfer records and stockholder lists, and other non-public information of
such
party.
(b) The
receiving party and any representatives and agents of the receiving party shall
keep all Confidential Information confidential, and shall not disclose any
Confidential Information without the prior written consent of the disclosing
party; provided, however, that any of such information may be disclosed to
receiving party’s representatives or agents who need to know such information
for the purpose of performing such services required to be performed hereunder
(it being understood that such party shall inform such representatives and
agents of the confidential nature of the Confidential Information and shall
direct such representatives and agents to treat such information
confidentially). Receiving party shall be responsible for any breach of this
provision by its representatives or agents.
38
(c) For
the
purposes of this Agreement, the definition of “Confidential Information” shall
not include information which (A) had been made previously available to the
public by the disclosing party; (B) is or becomes generally available to the
public, unless the information being made available to the public results in
a
breach of this provision; (C) prior to disclosure to the receiving party or
its
representatives or agents, was already rightfully in any such person’s
possession outside of its negotiation and discussions with the disclosing party
or (D) is obtained by receiving party or its representatives or agents from
a
third party who is lawfully in possession of such information, and not in
violation of any contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation to the other party
hereto.
(d)
This
provision shall not prohibit the disclosure of information required to be made
under federal or state securities laws. If any disclosure is so required, the
party making such disclosure shall consult with the other party prior to making
such disclosure, and the parties shall use all reasonable efforts, acting in
good faith, to agree upon a text for such disclosure which is satisfactory
to
both parties.
(e)
Each
party acknowledges and agrees that the obligations under this Section 8.23
shall
survive indefinitely. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Issuer consents to
disclosure by Purchaser of any summary financial or other information of Issuer
and each of its Project Subsidiaries of the type which is customarily disclosed
by venture capital companies to the stockholders, partners, board members,
advisory board members or legal, accounting, insurance, or investment banking
advisers of Purchaser, and as and to the extent required by Law, to any
Governmental Body and may make a public announcement of its investment in
Issuer, provided that Purchaser will obtain from any such party adequate
safeguards regarding the continued confidentiality of such information of
Issuer, in a form satisfactory to Issuer.
8.24
Sole
and Absolute Discretion of Purchaser.
Whenever pursuant to this Agreement (a) Purchaser exercises any right given
to
it to consent, approve or disapprove, (b) any arrangement, document, item or
term is to be satisfactory to Purchaser, or (c) any other decision or
determination is to be made by Purchaser, the decision of Purchaser to consent,
approve or disapprove, all decisions that arrangements, documents, items, or
terms are satisfactory or not satisfactory and all other decisions and
determinations made by Purchaser, shall be in the sole and absolute discretion
of Purchaser and shall be final and conclusive, except as may be otherwise
expressly and specifically provided in this Agreement.
[Remainder
of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows.]
39
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF,
the
parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the date first written
above.
ISSUERS: | WITS
BASIN
PRECIOUS MINERALS INC.,
a
Minnesota corporation
|
|
|
|
|
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxx | ||
|
||
|
||
|
PURCHASER: | CHINA
GOLD, LLC,
a
Kansas limited liability company
|
|
|
By: Pioneer
Holdings, LLC
Its: Manager
|
|
By: /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxx | ||
Name:
Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxx
|
||
Title: Manager
|
[SIGNATURE
PAGE TO CONVERTIBLE NOTES PURCHASE AGREEMENT]
Exhibit
10.1
APPENDIX
1
REGISTRATION
RIGHTS
Section
1. REGISTRATION
1.1 Demand
Registration.
(a) Request
for Registration.
If
Issuer shall receive from Initiating Holders a written request that Issuer
effect a registration with respect to all or a part of the Registrable
Securities, Issuer shall (i) promptly give written notice of the proposed
registration (the “Registration Notice”) to all other Holders and (ii) as soon
as practicable thereafter, use its reasonable efforts to effect registration
of
the Registrable Securities specified in such request, together with any
Registrable Securities of any Holder specified in a written request given within
15 days after the Registration Notice is delivered. Issuer shall not be
obligated to take any action to effect any such registration pursuant to this
Section 1.1(a) after Issuer has effected one such registration pursuant to
this
Section 1.1(a) and such registration has been declared effective under the
Securities Act. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, Issuer shall be
obligated to effect up to three registrations if registration on Form S-3 or
any
similar short-form registration form is available for a registration by Issuer.
Issuer shall include in the Registration Statement such number, if any, of
the
Registrable Securities requested to be included as may, in the judgment of
the
underwriters, be included in the offering without adversely affecting the
offering; provided, however, that if for any reason the underwriters permit
less
than 60% of the Registrable Securities requested by all Holders to be included
in such Registration Statement, such registration shall not count as a demand
hereunder or cause a reduction in the number of registrations available pursuant
to this Section 1.1(a). If the total number of Registrable Securities to be
included in such Registration Statement is limited, the number of Registrable
Securities to be included will be allocated on a pro rata basis among the
Holders who have requested inclusion of their Registrable Securities in the
offering, based on the number of Registrable Securities each has requested
to
have included. Issuer will not include any other securities in such registration
without the written consent of all of the Holders requesting registration.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuer shall be further entitled to reduce
the number of Registrable Securities of the Holders on a pro rata basis as
and
when Issuer deems necessary or appropriate to respond to or comply with the
rules, regulations, guidance or comments of the Commission for the purposes
of
obtaining the effectiveness of such registration statement, however, that if
for
this reason the Issuer permits less than 60% of the Registrable Securities
requested by all Holders to be included in the Registration Statement, such
registration shall not count as a demand hereunder or cause a reduction in
the
number of registrations available pursuant to this Section 1.1(a).
(b) Right
of Deferral of or Suspension of Registration.
If
Issuer shall furnish to all such Holders who joined in the request a certificate
signed by the President of Issuer stating that, in the good faith judgment
of
the Board of Directors, the immediate filing of a Registration Statement (or
the
sale of securities under an already-filed Registration Statement) would
materially interfere with or materially and adversely affect the negotiation
or
completion of any transaction that is then being contemplated by Issuer (whether
or not a final decision has been made to undertake such transaction) or would
otherwise be detrimental to Issuer, then Issuer shall have the right to defer
the filing of a Registration Statement with respect to such offering (or suspend
the use of a Registration Statement) for a period not to exceed 120 days after
delivery of such certificate to such Holders. If, after a Registration Statement
becomes effective, Issuer advises the Holders of Registrable Securities that
Issuer considers it appropriate for the Registration Statement to be
supplemented or amended, the Holders of such Registrable Securities shall
suspend any further sales of their Registrable Securities until Issuer advises
them that the Registration Statement has been supplemented or amended; provided,
however, that Issuer shall use all reasonable efforts to effect such amendment
or supplementation as soon as practicable; and provided further that Issuer
may
postpone such amendment or supplementation for a period of time not to exceed
90
days if in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors, such amendment
or
supplementation, if effected immediately, would materially interfere with or
materially and adversely affect the negotiation or completion of any transaction
that is then being contemplated by Issuer (whether or not a final decision
has
been made to undertake such transaction) or would otherwise be detrimental
to
Issuer. Issuer may delay a demand registration under this Section 1.1 only
once
in any 12-month period.
(c) Underwriting
in Demand Registration.
(i) Notice
of Underwriting.
If the
Initiating Holders intend to distribute the Registrable Securities covered
by
their request by means of an underwriting, they shall so advise Issuer as a
part
of their request made pursuant to this Section 1.1.
(ii) Selection
of Underwriter and Underwriting Agreement.
If the
Initiating Holders intend to distribute the Registrable Securities covered
by
their request by means of an underwriting, the holders of a majority of the
Registrable Securities initially requesting registration will have the right
to
select the investment banker(s) for the offering, subject to Issuer’s approval.
In such event, Issuer (together with all Holders proposing to distribute their
Registrable Securities through such underwriting) shall enter into an
underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter.
(d) Right
of Withdrawal.
If any
Holder of Registrable Securities disapproves of the terms of the underwriting,
such Holder may elect to withdraw its Registrable Securities therefrom by
written notice to Issuer, the Underwriters’ Representative and the Initiating
Holders delivered at least seven Business Days prior to the effective date
of
the Registration Statement. The Registrable Securities so withdrawn shall also
be withdrawn from the Registration Statement. If one or more Holders decide
to
withdraw Registrable Securities after commencement by Issuer of preparation
of a
Registration Statement and, as a result, the aggregate offering price likely
will be less than $10,000,000, Issuer may withdraw the Registration Statement
and cancel the offering, in which event (a) the Holders who had requested that
their Registrable Securities be included in the registration shall be jointly
and severally liable to reimburse Issuer for the Registration Expenses incurred
in connection with such Registration Statement and (b) the total number of
demand registrations available pursuant to Section 1.1(a) shall be reduced
by
one, unless the reason for withdrawal was the inability of the underwriters
to
sell more than 80% of the Registrable Securities referenced on the cover page
of
the prospectus included in such withdrawn Registration Statement within the
price range set forth on the cover page of such Prospectus.
2
1.2 Piggyback
Registration.
(a) Notice
of Piggyback Registration and Inclusion of Common Stock Owned by
Holders.
Upon
the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, if Issuer
decides to register Equity Interests under the Securities Act in connection
with
a Public Offering of such shares solely for cash (either for its own account
or
for the account of a security holder or holders, other than any of the Holders
exercising demand registration rights under Section 1.1 hereof) (other than
on
Form S 8 or Form S 4 or any comparable or successor forms of the Commission),
Issuer shall: (i) promptly give each Holder of Registrable Securities written
notice thereof (which shall include a list of any jurisdictions in which Issuer
intends at such time to attempt to qualify such securities under the applicable
state securities laws) and (ii), subject to Section 1.2(b)(ii) hereof, include
in such registration (and any related qualification under applicable state
securities laws or other compliance) and in any underwriting involved therein,
all the Registrable Securities specified in a written request delivered to
Issuer by any Holder within 15 days after delivery of such written notice from
Issuer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuer shall be further entitled
to
reduce the number of Registrable Securities of the Holders on a pro rata basis
as and when Issuer deems necessary or appropriate to respond to or comply with
the rules, regulations, guidance or comments of the Commission for the purposes
of obtaining the effectiveness of such registration statement.
(b) Underwriting.
(i) Conditions
to Participation.
If the
registration of which Issuer gives notice is for a Public Offering involving
an
underwriting, Issuer shall so advise the Holders as a part of the written notice
given pursuant to Section 1.2(a). In such event, the right of any Holder to
participate in such registration shall be conditioned upon such Holder’s entry
into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriters’
Representative for such offering.
(ii) Marketing
Limitation in Piggyback Registration.
In the
event the Underwriters’ Representative advises the Holders seeking registration
of Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section 1.2 in writing that market
factors (including, without limitation, the aggregate number of outstanding
Registrable Securities requested to be registered, the general condition of
the
market, and the status of the Persons proposing to sell shares of Common Stock
pursuant to the registration) require a limitation of the number of shares
to be
underwritten, the Underwriter’s Representative may limit the number of
Registrable Securities to be included in the registration and underwriting,
or
may exclude Registrable Securities entirely from such registration and
underwriting. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the underwriter may not limit
the
amount of Registrable Securities included in such registration and underwriting
to less than an amount equal to 20% of the amount of all of Issuer’s securities
included in such registration and underwriting.
3
(iii) Allocation
of Shares in Piggyback Registration.
In the
event that the Underwriters’ Representative limits the number of Registrable
Securities to be included in a registration pursuant to Section 1.2(b)(ii),
the
number of Registrable Securities to be included in such registration shall
be
allocated (subject to Section 1.2(b)(ii) hereof), among all Holders requesting
to include Registrable Securities in such registration, in proportion, as nearly
as practicable, to the respective number of Registrable Securities each has
requested to have included in such registration. No Registrable Securities
excluded from the underwriting by reason of Section 1.2(b)(ii) or this Section
1.2(b)(iii) shall be included in such Registration Statement.
(iv) Withdrawal
in Piggyback Registration.
If any
Holder entitled (upon request) to have Registrable Securities included in such
registration, disapproves of the terms of any such underwriting, such Holder
may
elect to withdraw therefrom by written notice to Issuer and the Underwriter’s
Representative delivered at least seven Business Days prior to the effective
date of the Registration Statement. Any Registrable Securities excluded or
withdrawn from such underwriting shall be withdrawn from such
registration.
(c) Right
of Deferral of or Suspension of Piggyback Registration.
If
Issuer shall furnish to all Holders requesting to include Registrable Securities
in a registration under this Section 1.2 a certificate signed by the President
of Issuer stating that, in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors,
the immediate filing of a Registration Statement (or the sale of securities
under an already-filed Registration Statement) would materially interfere with
or materially and adversely affect the negotiation or completion of any
transaction that is then being contemplated by Issuer (whether or not a final
decision has been made to undertake such transaction) or would otherwise be
detrimental to Issuer, then Issuer shall have the right to defer the filing
of a
Registration Statement with respect to such offering (or suspend the use of
a
Registration Statement) for a period not to exceed 120 days after delivery
of
such certificate to such Holders. If, after a Registration Statement becomes
effective, Issuer advises the Holders that Issuer considers it appropriate
for
the Registration Statement to be supplemented or amended, the Holders shall
suspend any further sales of Registrable Securities until Issuer advises them
that the Registration Statement has been supplemented or amended; provided,
however, that Issuer shall use all reasonable efforts to effect such amendment
or supplementation as soon as practicable; and provided further that Issuer
may
postpone such amendment or supplementation for a period not to exceed 90 days
if
in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors, such amendment or
supplementation, if effected immediately, would materially interfere with or
materially and adversely affect the negotiation or completion of any transaction
that is then being contemplated by Issuer (whether or not a final decision
has
been made to undertake such transaction) or would otherwise be detrimental
to
Issuer.
4
1.3 Compliance
with Other Securities Laws.
In the
event of any registration of Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 1.1
or
this Section 1.2, Issuer shall use all reasonable efforts to comply with such
other securities laws of such jurisdictions as shall be reasonably appropriate
for the distribution of such securities to the extent that such laws are
applicable and not preempted by federal law; provided, however, that (a) Issuer
shall not be required to qualify to do business or to file a general consent
to
service of process in any such states or jurisdictions or to subject itself
to
any tax in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject, and (b)
notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if any jurisdiction
in which the securities shall be qualified imposes a non-waivable requirement
that expenses incurred in connection with the qualification of the securities
be
borne by selling security holders, such expenses shall be payable pro rata
by
the selling security holders.
1.4 Expenses
of Registration.
Except
as set forth in Section 1.1(d) and Section 1.3, all Registration Expenses
incurred in connection with all registrations pursuant to Sections 1.1 and
1.2
shall be borne by Issuer. Issuer shall not be required to pay the Selling
Expenses related to the Registrable Securities. Such expenses shall be paid
by
the selling security holders, pro rata on the basis of the number of shares
registered for each of them.
1.5 Registration
Procedures.
Issuer
shall keep each Holder whose Registrable Securities are included in any
registration pursuant to this Section 1 reasonably advised as to the initiation
and completion of such registration. Issuer shall: (a) prepare and file with
the
Commission a registration statement with respect to such Registrable Securities,
and use all reasonable efforts to cause the Registration Statement to become
effective and remain effective for a period of 180 days or until the Holder
or
Holders have completed the distribution described in the Registration Statement
relating thereto, whichever first occurs; provided, however, that to the extent
Issuer has exercised its rights pursuant to Section 1.1(b) or Section 1.2(c)
to
suspend the use of a Registration Statement, this period shall be extended
one
day for each day that the use of a Registration Statement is suspended; (b)
furnish such number of prospectuses (including preliminary prospectuses) and
other documents as a Holder from time to time may reasonably request; (c)
prepare and file with the Commission amendments and supplements to such
Registration Statement and the prospectus used in connection with such
Registration Statement as may be reasonably necessary to comply with the
provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all
Securities covered by such Registration Statement; (d) notify each holder of
Registrable Securities registered under such Registration Statement of the
effectiveness of such Registration Statement and any amendments thereto; (e)
enter into such customary agreements and take all such other action in
connection therewith as the Holders of more than 50% of the Registrable
Securities being registered reasonably request in order to expedite or
facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities; (f) furnish to each
prospective seller a signed counterpart, addressed to the prospective sellers,
of an opinion of counsel for Issuer, dated the effective date of the
registration statement, and a “comfort” letter signed by the independent public
accountants who have certified Issuer’s financial statements included in the
registration statement, covering substantially the same matters with respect
to
the registration statement (and the prospectus included therein) and (in the
case of the “comfort” letter) with respect to events subsequent to the date of
the financial statements, as are covered in connection with the opinion of
Issuer’s counsel and “comfort” letter delivered to the underwriters in
connection with the offering of securities; and (g) notify each Holder of
Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement at any time when,
to the knowledge of Issuer, a prospectus relating thereto is required to be
delivered under the Securities Act, of the happening of any event as a result
of
which the prospectus included in such Registration Statement, as then in effect,
includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading in the light of the circumstances then existing.
5
1.6 Information
Furnished by Holder.
It
shall be a condition precedent of Issuer’s obligations under this Section 1 that
each Holder of Registrable Securities included in any registration (a) agrees
to
sell such Holder’s Registrable Securities on the basis provided in any
underwriting agreement executed in connection with such arrangement, (b)
completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities,
underwriting agreements and other documents required under the terms of such
underwriting arrangements or reasonably requested by Issuer, (c) furnishes
to
Issuer such information regarding itself, the Registrable Securities held by
it,
and the intended method of disposition of such Registrable Securities as may
be
required to effect the registration of such Registrable Securities or as may
otherwise be reasonably requested by Issuer, and (d) otherwise participates
and
cooperates in the underwriting and the registration process as requested by
Issuer or the Underwriters’ Representative.
1.7 Indemnification.
(a) Company’s
Indemnification of Holders.
Issuer
shall indemnify each Holder, each of such Holder’s officers, directors and
general partners, and each Person controlling such Holder, with respect to
any
registration of Registrable Securities (and any related compliance with other
securities laws under Section 1.3) effected pursuant to this Agreement, against
all claims, losses, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect
thereof) incurred by an Indemnified Party (collectively “Losses”) arising out of
or based upon (i) any untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) of a
material fact contained in any prospectus or in any amendment or supplement
thereof or in any preliminary prospectus or other document (including any
related Registration Statement) incident to any such registration or compliance,
(ii) any omission (or alleged omission) to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, or (iii) any violation by Issuer of the Securities Act, the Exchange
Act, or any other securities law, or any rule or regulation promulgated under
the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any state securities law, applicable
to
Issuer and relating to action or inaction required of Issuer in connection
with
any such registration or compliance; and Issuer shall reimburse each such
Indemnified Party for any expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’
fees) reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or defending any
such
Losses; provided, however, that the indemnity contained in this Section 1.7(a)
shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Losses if settlement is
effected without the consent of Issuer (which consent shall not unreasonably
be
withheld); and provided, further, that Issuer shall not be liable in any such
case to the extent that any such Losses arise out of or are based upon any
untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) or omission (or alleged omission)
based upon information furnished to Issuer in writing by such Holder or any
of
its officers, directors, general partners, or controlling Persons for use in
connection with the offering of securities of Issuer; and provided, further,
that Issuer shall not be liable in any such case to the extent any such Losses
arise out of or are based upon the failure of such Holder to comply with the
prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act; and provided, further,
that Issuer shall not be liable for legal fees incurred by any Indemnified
Party
after Issuer assumes the defense of the action in accordance with Section
1.7(c), except to the extent that such Indemnified Party hires separate counsel
as a result of a conflict described in Section 1.7(c).
6
(b) Holder’s
Indemnification of Company.
To the
extent permitted by law, each Holder shall, if Registrable Securities owned
by
such Holder are registered pursuant to this Agreement, indemnify Issuer, each
of
its shareholders, directors and officers, each underwriter, if any, of such
securities, each Person who controls Issuer or such underwriter within the
meaning of the Securities Act, and each other such Holder, each of its officers,
directors and general partners and each Person controlling such other Holder,
against all Losses arising out of or based upon (i) any untrue statement (or
alleged untrue statement) of a material fact contained in any prospectus, any
amendment or supplement thereof, or any preliminary prospectus or other document
(including any related Registration Statement) incident to any such registration
or any related compliance with other securities laws under Section 1.3, (ii)
any
omission (or alleged omission) to state therein a material fact required to
be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,
or
(iii) any violation by such Holder of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act
or
any other securities law, or any rule or regulation promulgated under the
Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any other securities law, applicable to
such
Holder and relating to action or inaction required of such Holder in connection
with any such registration or compliance; and such Holder will reimburse each
such Indemnified Party for any expenses (including, without limitation,
attorneys’ fees) reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or
defending any such Losses; provided, however, that in the case of a misstatement
or omission, such obligation shall apply only to the extent that such untrue
statement (or alleged untrue statement) or omission (or alleged omission) is
made in such prospectus, amendment, supplement, preliminary prospectus or other
document in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to Issuer
in writing by such Holder or any of its officers, directors, general partners
or
controlling persons; and provided, further, that the indemnity contained in
this
Section 1.7(b) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such Losses
if settlement is effected without the consent of the Holder which consent shall
not unreasonably be withheld); provided, further, that the Holder shall not
be
liable for legal fees incurred by any Indemnified Party after the Holder assumes
the defense of the action in accordance with Section 1.7(c), except to the
extent that any Indemnified Party hires separate counsel as a result of a
conflict described in Section 1.7(c).
(c) Indemnification
Procedure.
Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Party under this Section 1.7 of notice
of the commencement of any action, such Indemnified Party shall, if a claim
in
respect thereof is to be made against an Indemnifying Party under this Section
1.7, notify the Indemnifying Party in writing of the commencement thereof and
generally summarize such action. The Indemnifying Party shall have the right
to
participate in and to assume the defense of such claim, jointly with any other
Indemnifying Party similarly noticed; provided, however, that the Indemnifying
Party shall be entitled to select counsel for the defense of such claim with
the
approval of any parties entitled to indemnification, which approval shall not
be
unreasonably withheld; and provided, further, that if in the opinion of counsel
to the Indemnified Party there is a legal conflict between the positions of
the
Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party in conducting the defense of such
action, suit or proceeding, then the Indemnified Party may retain separate
counsel to conduct the defense to the extent reasonably determined by such
counsel to be necessary to protect the interest of the Indemnified Party. The
failure to notify an Indemnifying Party promptly of the commencement of any
such
action, if prejudicial to the ability of the Indemnifying Party to defend such
action, shall relieve such Indemnifying Party, to the extent so prejudiced,
of
any liability to the Indemnified Party under this Section 1.7, but the omission
so to notify the Indemnifying Party will not relieve such party of any liability
that such party may have to any Indemnified Party otherwise than under this
Section 1.7. The reimbursement required by this Section 1.7 shall be made in
periodic payments during the course of the investigation or defense, as and
when
bills are received or expenses incurred.
7
(d) Meaning
of “Indemnified Party” and “Indemnifying Party.”
As
used in this Section 1.7, the term “Indemnified Party” refers to a Person
entitled to indemnity under Section 1.7(a) or 1.7(b) and the term “Indemnifying
Party” means a Person obligated to indemnify another Person pursuant to Section
1.7(a) or 1.7(b).
(e) Contribution
in Lieu of Indemnification.
If the
indemnification provided for in Section 1.7 hereof is unavailable to a party
that would have been an Indemnified Party under any such section in respect
of
any Losses, then each party that would have been an Indemnifying Party
thereunder shall, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party, contribute
to
the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such Losses
in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the
Indemnifying Party on the one hand and the Indemnified Party on the other in
connection with the statements or omissions that result in such Losses, as
well
as other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault shall be
determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to
state
a material fact relates to information supplied by the Indemnifying Party or
such Indemnified Party and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to
information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
Issuer agrees that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant
to this Section 1.7(e) were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other
method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations
referred to above in this Section 1.7(e). The amount paid or payable by an
Indemnified Party as a result of the Losses referred to above in this Section
1.7(e) shall include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such
indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action
or claim. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning
of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from
any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
1.8 Transfer
of Rights.
Subject
to compliance with the transfer restrictions on the Notes and the Registrable
Securities, the registration rights set forth in Sections 1.1 and 1.2 may be
assigned by any Holder to a transferee or assignee acquiring Registrable
Securities that have not been sold to the public; provided, however, that Issuer
must receive, at least five Business Days prior to said transfer, a written
notice stating the name and address of said transferee or assignee and
identifying the Registrable Securities with respect to which such registration
rights are being assigned and a written agreement by such transferee to be
bound
by the provisions hereof.
8
1.9 Market
Stand-off.
Each
Investor agrees, and shall cause each assignee of its rights under this Section
1 to agree, that if so requested by the Underwriters’ Representative (s) in
connection with any firm commitment underwritten Public Offering of securities
by Issuer, such Investor (or such assignee) shall not sell, or make any short
sale of, any shares of Common Stock or other securities of Issuer, without
the
prior written consent of the Underwriters’ Representative(s), for such period of
time not to exceed 7 days before the effective date of the Registration
Statement and 90 days after the effective date of the Registration Statement
as
may be requested by the Underwriters’ Representative; provided, however, that
all officers and directors of Issuer and substantially all holders of 5% or
more
of the outstanding shares of Common Stock are subject to a substantially similar
obligation.
1.10 Rule
144 Compliance.
Until
such time as Issuer files a notice on Form 15 (or a successor form) of the
Commission providing notice of its termination of registration under Section
12
of Exchange Act, Issuer will make every effort in good faith to make publicly
available and available to the Holders of Registrable Securities, pursuant
to
Rule 144, such information as shall be necessary to enable the Holders of
Registrable Securities to make sales of Registrable Securities pursuant to
that
rule. Issuer will furnish to any Holder of Registrable Securities, upon request
made by such Holder at any time after the undertaking of Issuer in the preceding
sentence shall have first become effective, a written statement signed by
Issuer, addressed to such Holder, describing briefly the action Issuer has
taken
or proposes to take to comply with the current public information requirements
of Rule 144. Issuer will, at the request of any Holder of Registrable
Securities, upon receipt from such Holder of a certificate certifying (i) that
such Holder has held such Registrable Securities for a period of not less than
two (2) consecutive years, (ii) that such Holder has not been an affiliate
(as
defined in Rule 144) of Issuer for more than the preceding three (3) months,
and
(iii) as to such other matters as may be appropriate in accordance with such
Rule, remove from the stock certificates representing such Registrable
Securities that portion of any restrictive legend which relates to the
registration provisions of the Securities Act.
Section
2. DEFINITIONS
As
used
herein, the following capitalized terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
“Board”
means
the Board of Directors of Issuer.
“Business
Day”
means
any day except Saturday, Sunday and any day which shall be a legal holiday
or a
day on which banking institutions in the State of Kansas generally are
authorized or required by law or other government action to remain
closed.
“Commission”
means
the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Common
Stock”
means
the $ .01 par value common stock of Issuer.
9
“Exchange
Act”
means
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor federal
statute, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, all as the same
shall be in effect from time to time.
“Holder”
means
any holder of outstanding Registrable Securities that have not been sold to
the
public, but only if such holder is an Investor or an assignee or transferee
of
registration rights as permitted by Section 1.8 hereof.
“Indemnified
Parties”
and
“Indemnifying
Parties”
have
the meanings ascribed to such terms in Section 1.7(d) hereof.
“Initiating
Holders”
shall
mean Holders of Registrable Securities that have not been sold to the public
who
in the aggregate hold at least 50% of the aggregate number of outstanding
Registrable Securities that have not been sold to the public.
“Investor”
means
China Gold, Inc. and each other holder of Registrable Securities who becomes
a
party to the Purchase Agreement.
“Losses”
has
the
meaning ascribed to such term in Section 1.7 hereof.
“Public
Offering”
means
an offering of Common Stock or other equity securities by Issuer, or by any
successor to Issuer, that is registered under the Securities Act.
“Purchase
Agreement”
means
that certain Convertible Notes Purchase Agreement by and between Issuer and
China Gold, LLC, of even date herewith.
“Qualified
Offering”
means
a
Public Offering in which Issuer or its successor, as applicable, is valued
on a
pre-offering basis at $25,000,000 or more and in which Issuer or its successor
receives net proceeds of at least $10,000,000.
“Registrable
Securities”
means
(i) any shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes, and (ii)
any additional shares of Common Stock issued pursuant stock splits, in-kind
dividends and similar distributions with respect to the stock described in
the
foregoing clause, but does not include any such shares, which, at the time
the
identity of the Registrable Securities is to be determined, previously have
been
sold pursuant to a registration or Rule 144, including Rule 144(k) or Rule
144A.
“Registration
Expenses”
means
all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (other than Selling Expenses) actually
incurred in complying with Section 1.1 or Section 1.2 hereof, including, without
limitation, all required federal and state registration, qualification and
filing fees, printing expenses, fees and disbursements of counsel for Issuer
and
reasonable fees and disbursements of one counsel for all of the selling security
holders.
“Registration
Statement”
means
a
registration statement prepared by Issuer in connection with any registration
contemplated by Section 1 hereof.
“Rule
144”
means
Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act or any successor or complementary
rule, all as the same shall be in effect from time to time.
“Securities
Act”
means
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor federal statute, and
the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, all as the same shall be
in
effect from time to time.
“Selling
Expenses”
means
all underwriting discounts and selling commissions and any transfer taxes
resulting from sales of Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 1
hereof.
“Underwriters’
Representative”
means
the representative or representatives of the underwriters selected by the
Initiating Holders for an underwriting under Section 1.1(c) or by Issuer for
an
underwriting under Section 1.2(b).
10