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Form 6-K TURQUOISE HILL RESOURCES For: Apr 09

April 9, 2021 7:23 AM EDT

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

 

FORM 6-K

 

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

April 9, 2021

Commission File Number: 001-32403

 

 

TURQUOISE HILL RESOURCES LTD.

(Translation of Registrant’s Name into English)

 

 

Suite 354 – 200 GRANVILLE STREET, VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA V6C 1S4

(Address of Principal Executive Office)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F-  ☐                 Form 40-F-  ☒

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):  ☐

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):  ☐

 

 

 


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

TURQUOISE HILL RESOURCES LTD.

Date: April 9, 2021

 

By:

 

/s/ Dustin S. Isaacs

   

Dustin S. Isaacs

   

Corporate Secretary


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

99.1    Press Release
99.2    Heads of Agreement dated April 9, 2021

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

 

News Release

April 9, 2021

 

 

Turquoise Hill Resources and Rio Tinto Reach Binding Agreement on Funding Plan for Oyu Tolgoi

 

 

Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd. (“Turquoise Hill” or the “Company”) and Rio Tinto today announced that they have entered into a binding Heads of Agreement (HoA) to provide an updated funding plan (the “Funding Plan”) for the completion of the Oyu Tolgoi LLC (OT) underground project in Mongolia. The Funding Plan is designed to address the estimated remaining funding requirement of approximately US$2.3 billion1 and replaces the non-binding Memorandum of Understanding that Rio Tinto and Turquoise Hill previously entered into on September 9, 2020.

Under the HoA, subject to securing approval by OT LLC and any required support from the Government of Mongolia, Turquoise Hill and Rio Tinto will:

 

   

pursue re-profiling of existing project debt to better align with the revised mine plan, project timing and cash flows to reduce the currently projected funding requirements of OT by up to US$1.4 billion; and

 

   

seek to raise up to US$500 million in senior supplemental debt (SSD) under the existing project financing arrangements from selected international financial institutions.

In addition, Rio Tinto has committed to address any potential shortfalls from the re-profiling and additional SSD of up to US$750 million by providing a senior co-lending facility (the “Co-Lending Facility”) on the same terms as OT’s project financing, while Turquoise Hill has committed to complete an equity offering of common shares for up to US$500 million in the form of, and at Turquoise Hill’s discretion, either (i) a rights offering of common shares or (ii) a public offering or private placement of common shares, in either case sufficient to satisfy any remaining funding shortfall of up to US$500 million within six months of the Co-Lending Facility becoming available.

“We are pleased to have reached a constructive and equitable agreement with Rio Tinto to fund the Oyu Tolgoi underground development,” stated Steve Thibeault, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Turquoise Hill. “With a binding funding agreement now in place that sets out a process along a known timeline, we will be able to move ahead as expeditiously as possible with the development of the underground project at Oyu Tolgoi. We remain committed to continue delivering a benefit to all stakeholders, including Mongolia and its citizens, and to delivering significant long-term value for Turquoise Hill as this project progresses.”

 

 

1 

The estimated remaining funding requirement is based on the terms of the HoA and current anticipated copper prices, among other factors, and does not include funding, if any, which may become required for a power plant.

 

Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd.

  

Suite 3680 1 Place Ville-Marie

  

Telephone + 1 514 848 1567

   [email protected]   

turquoisehill.com

  

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

  

Toll Free + 1 877 589 4455

     
  

H3B 3P2

         1


LOGO

 

 

Rio Tinto Copper Chief Executive Bold Baatar said, “This agreement and alignment with Turquoise Hill represents a major milestone in the continued development of Oyu Tolgoi, which is expected to become one of the world’s largest copper mines and a significant contributor to the Mongolian economy for years to come. Commencing the re-profiling whilst concurrently listening, engaging and resolving the concerns of the Government of Mongolia are critical steps to maintaining momentum on the timely delivery of the Oyu Tolgoi Underground Project.”

Given the HoA sets out a collaborative and binding contractual framework designed to address the known funding requirement in order to complete the development of the OT underground project, Turquoise Hill has determined that entering into the HoA addresses the principal objectives that the arbitration instituted in November 2020 had been initially intended to achieve and, to that end, Turquoise Hill and Rio Tinto have jointly agreed to obtain an order dismissing the current arbitration on a without prejudice basis and without costs, including an order vacating the interim measures order.

The HoA will be available under Turquoise Hill’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and will also be posted on Turquoise Hill’s website at www.turquoisehill.com.

About Turquoise Hill Resources

Turquoise Hill is an international mining company focused on the operation and continued development of the Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold mine in Mongolia, which is the Company’s principal and only material mineral resource property. Turquoise Hill’s ownership of the Oyu Tolgoi mine is held through a 66% interest in Oyu Tolgoi LLC); Erdenes Oyu Tolgoi LLC, a Mongolian state-owned entity, holds the remaining 34% interest.

About Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK, combining Rio Tinto plc, a London and New York Stock Exchange listed company, and Rio Tinto Limited, which is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. Rio Tinto’s business is finding, mining, and processing mineral resources. Major products are iron ore, aluminium, copper, molybdenum, diamonds, gold, industrial minerals (borate, titanium dioxide and salt). Activities span the world and are strongly represented in Australia and North America with significant businesses in South America, Asia, Europe, and southern Africa.

 

 

Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd.

  

Suite 3680 1 Place Ville-Marie

  

Telephone + 1 514 848 1567

   [email protected]   

turquoisehill.com

  

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

  

Toll Free + 1 877 589 4455

     
  

H3B 3P2

         2


LOGO

 

 

 

Contact

Investors and Media

Roy McDowall

[email protected]

Follow us on Twitter @TurquoiseHillRe

 

 

Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information

Certain statements made herein, including statements relating to matters that are not historical facts and statements of the Company’s beliefs, intentions and expectations about developments, results and events which will or may occur in the future, constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements and information relate to future events or future performance, reflect current expectations or beliefs regarding future events and are typically identified by words such as “anticipate”, “could”, “should”, “expect”, “seek”, “may”, “intend”, “likely”, “plan”, “estimate”, “will”, “believe” and similar expressions suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook. These include, but are not limited to, statements and information regarding: discussions with, and the nature of the Company’s relationship and interaction with, the Government of Mongolia on the continued operation and development of Oyu Tolgoi, including with respect to the definitive estimate and the potential termination, amendment or replacement of the Oyu Tolgoi Mine Development and Financing Plan (“UDP”); the willingness and ability of the parties to the UDP to amend or replace the UDP; the implementation and successful execution of the funding plan that is the subject of the Heads of Agreement (“HoA”) described in this press release and the amount of any additional future funding gap to complete the Oyu Tolgoi Project as well as the amount and potential sources of additional funding required therefor, all as contemplated by the HoA; the expectations set out in the 2020 Oyu Tolgoi Technical Report (“OTTR20”); the timing and amount of future production and potential production delays; statements in respect of the impacts of any delays on the Company’s cash flows; expected copper and gold grades; the merits of the class action complaints filed against the Company in October 2020 and January 2021, respectively; the timing of studies, announcements and analyses; status of underground development; the mine design for Panel 0 of Hugo North Lift 1 and the related cost and production schedule implications; the re-design studies for Panels 1 and 2 of Hugo North Lift 1 and the possible outcomes, content and timing thereof; expectations regarding the possible recovery of ore in the two structural pillars, to the north and south of Panel 0; the possible progression of a state-owned power plant (“SOPP”) and related amendments to the Power Source Framework Agreement (“PSFA”) as well as power purchase agreements; the timing of construction and commissioning of the potential SOPP; sources of interim power; the potential impact of COVID-19, including any restrictions imposed by health or governmental authorities relating thereto on the Company’s business, operations and financial condition; capital and operating cost estimates; mill and concentrator throughput; the outcome of formal international arbitration proceedings; anticipated business activities, planned expenditures, corporate strategies, and other statements that are not historical facts.

Forward-looking statements and information are made based upon certain assumptions and other important factors that, if untrue, could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements or information. There can be no assurance that such statements or information will prove to be accurate. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, which contribute to the possibility that the predicted outcomes will not occur. Events or circumstances could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those estimated or projected and expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements are included in the “Risk Factors” section in the Company’s annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2020 (“AIF”), as supplemented by the “Risks and Uncertainties” section of the Company’s management’s discussion and analysis for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2020 (“MD&A”). Readers are further cautioned that the list of factors enumerated in the “Risk Factors” section of the AIF and in the “Risks and Uncertainties” section of the MD&A that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on the Company’s forward-looking statements and information to make decisions with respect to the Company, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Furthermore, the forward-looking statements and information contained herein are made as of the date of this document and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. The forward-looking statements and information contained herein are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

 

Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd.

  

Suite 3680 1 Place Ville-Marie

  

Telephone + 1 514 848 1567

   [email protected]   

turquoisehill.com

  

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

  

Toll Free + 1 877 589 4455

     
  

H3B 3P2

         3

Exhibit 99.2

HEADS OF AGREEMENT

THIS HEADS OF AGREEMENT (THIS “AGREEMENT”) IS MADE ON AND AS OF APRIL 9, 2021 BETWEEN TURQUOISE HILL RESOURCES LTD. (“TRQ”) AND RIO TINTO INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED (“RTIHL”).

Recitals

 

A.

As stated in TRQ’s annual management’s discussion and analysis for its financial year ended December 31, 2020, it was estimated that there is a base case incremental funding requirement of approximately US$2.3 billion in order to complete the development of the OT Project (the “Anticipated Funding Shortfall”).

 

B.

In order to ensure the continued funding and timely development of the OT Project, the parties have entered into this Agreement to, among other things, provide for their agreed funding plan that is intended to address the Anticipated Funding Shortfall, the principal components of which are:

 

  (i)

up to approximately US$1.4 billion from the re-profiling of the existing OT Project Financing;

 

  (ii)

up to US$500 million from additional A Loans at OT LLC;

 

  (iii)

up to US$750 million from a co-lending by a member of the Rio Tinto Group to OT LLC under the OT Project Financing to address any deficiencies in the aggregate of (i) or (ii) above; and

 

  (iv)

up to US$500 million from an equity offering by TRQ,

all on the terms set forth herein.

 

C.

The parties reaffirm their desire for cooperation and alignment to enable the successful delivery of the OT Project. This agreement further paves the way for collaborative and proactive engagement with the Government of Mongolia (“GOM”) and the Parliamentary Working Group to resolve the concerns of GOM with the OT Project.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, TRQ and RTIHL agree as follows:

Defined Terms

 

1.

In this Agreement, certain capitalized terms used herein (including in the recitals hereto) are defined in Schedule A.

 

2.

This Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with the rules set out in Schedule B.

OT Project Financing

 

3.

Re-profiling. The parties desire the Rio Tinto Manager to engage with the Senior Lenders to negotiate a re-profiling of the Senior Loans, by way of an amendment to the existing OT Project Financing Agreements, to reduce the Anticipated Funding Shortfall by up to approximately US$1.4 billion and to ensure better alignment of the existing OT Project Financing with the Updated OT Project Mine Plan (the “Re-profiling”), and RTIHL shall cause the Rio Tinto Manager to undertake such negotiations and discussions regarding the Re-profiling as contemplated by Sections 7 and 8.

 

4.

Additional A Loans. The parties desire the Rio Tinto Manager to engage with the IFI Lenders to negotiate up to US$500 million (in aggregate) of one or more additional A Loans under the OT Project Financing to be provided by one or more such IFI Lenders on the same terms and conditions


as the existing A Loans as such may be amended by the Re-profiling (the “Additional A Loans”), and RTIHL shall cause the Rio Tinto Manager to undertake such negotiations and discussions regarding the Additional A Loans as contemplated by Sections 7 and 8.

 

5.

Scope. The parties desire the Re-profiling and Additional A Loans to include the specific terms listed in the Disclosure Letter.

 

6.

Replacement B Loans and MIGA Loans. If necessary to replace any Senior Lender who does not want to participate in the Re-profiling, the parties agree that new B Loans and/or MIGA Loans may be obtained by OT LLC from existing or new Senior Lenders to replace existing B Loans and/or MIGA Loans, provided that the aggregate principal amount of B Loans and MIGA Loans is not increased above those principal amounts for B Loans and MIGA Loans set out in Schedule F. If necessary in accordance with the foregoing, RTIHL shall cause the Rio Tinto Manager to undertake such negotiations and discussions regarding the replacement B Loans and/or MIGA Loans as contemplated by Sections 7 and 8. For purposes of this Agreement, any reference to the Re-profiling includes any replacement B Loans and/or MIGA Loans pursuant to this Section 6.

 

7.

Negotiations. The parties agree that the Rio Tinto Manager, with the assistance of the treasury group of Rio Tinto, shall lead the process and negotiations for the Re-profiling and Additional A Loans with the Senior Lenders and IFI Lenders with support from and consultation with TRQ and OT. TRQ, as provider of the TRQ DSU, and Rio Tinto, as provider of the Rio Tinto CSU, may participate in such discussions with the Senior Lenders and IFI Lenders and RTIHL shall cause the Rio Tinto Manager to use its reasonable commercial efforts to enable TRQ to participate in such discussions.

 

8.

Timing. Each of the parties shall use its reasonable commercial efforts to cause the Re-Profiling and Additional A Loans to be negotiated and secured, and the conditions for the Re-profiling and Additional A Loans in Schedule C within its control to be satisfied, no later than the Outside Date, provided that (i) the parties shall first obtain the approval of the OT LLC board to commence negotiations for the Re-profiling, the Additional A Loans and the Co-Lending and (ii) the Rio Tinto Manager, in consultation with TRQ and Rio Tinto, shall be entitled to make all material determinations with respect to timing and strategy for such negotiations, having regard to the status of discussions with GOM and other factors. In addition to and on a parallel track with the foregoing, each of the parties shall use its reasonable commercial efforts to seek and obtain the approval of the OT LLC board to the final terms of the Re-profiling, the Additional A Loans and the Co-Lending, as may be required and as applicable. The Rio Tinto Manager shall prepare an information package on the Re-profiling and Additional A Loans for distribution to the Senior Lenders and IFI Lenders. If for any reason the Re-profiling and the Additional A Loans are not secured by the Outside Date, either party may withdraw from the process for the Re-profiling and Additional A Loans in which case both parties shall have no further obligations in respect of Sections 3 to 12. For greater certainty, a withdrawal by either party from the Re-profiling and Additional A Loan process in accordance with the foregoing shall not relieve (x) the Rio Tinto Lender of its Co-Lending commitment set forth in Sections 13 to 18 or otherwise affect such Co-Lending commitment or (y) TRQ of its Equity Offering commitment set forth in Sections 19 to 23 or otherwise affect such Equity Offering commitment.

 

9.

Approvals. The final terms of the Re-profiling and Additional A Loans, including full form binding documentation, must be acceptable to TRQ and Rio Tinto in their respective discretion and will be subject to the approval of each of OT LLC, TRQ and Rio Tinto.

 

10.

Conditions. The Re-profiling and the Additional A Loans shall be subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Schedule C in favour of the parties (and which must be satisfied or waived by both parties in their respective discretion) on the Effective Date.

 

11.

TRQ DSU. If necessary for the Re-profiling, any Additional A Loans and the Co-Lending, TRQ shall agree to amend the TRQ DSU to cover such Re-profiling, Additional A Loans and Co-Lending on terms that are acceptable to TRQ in its discretion.

 

12.

Rio Tinto CSU. If necessary for the Re-profiling and any Additional A Loans, RTIHL shall cause Rio Tinto to agree to amend the Rio Tinto CSU to cover such Re-profiling and Additional A Loans on

 

2


terms that are acceptable to Rio Tinto in its discretion. Rio Tinto shall be entitled to a Completion Support Agreement Fee in respect of such Re-profiling and Additional A Loans on the terms set out in Section 23 of the MOA mutatis mutandis.

Rio Tinto Co-Lending

 

13.

Commitment. Subject to Sections 14 to 18, RTIHL, on behalf of a member of the Rio Tinto Group to be designated by RTIHL (the “Rio Tinto Lender”), hereby provides a commitment to provide the lesser of (i) US$750 million, and (ii) the aggregate of the sums referred to in clauses 13a. and 13b., in the aggregate principal amount of senior loans to OT LLC (the “Co-Lending”) to cover in whole or in part:

 

  a.

the aggregate principal amount of any Senior Loan repayments required to be made from and including June 15, 2022 until and including June 15, 2024 after giving effect to the Re-profiling, if any; and

 

  b.

the shortfall, if any, between US$500 million and the aggregate principal amount of Additional A Loans secured by OT LLC,

all to be jointly determined by TRQ and RTIHL based on all relevant and up-to-date information to be provided to the parties by the Rio Tinto Manager.

 

14.

Key Terms. The Co-Lending shall take the form of pari passu Senior Loans under Clause 7.1(a) of the CTA and will share pro rata in the security package for the OT Project Financing on the same terms as the other Senior Loans. The Co-Lending shall constitute a separate Supplemental Senior Facility and shall have pricing (including all upfront and other fees) and maturity and other terms and conditions through the use of tranches that mirror the exact pricing (including all upfront and other fees), amortisation schedule, final maturity date and other terms and conditions of each tranche of the third party Senior Loans (excluding commercial bank tranches) that has been the subject of a full or partial Re-profiling or, if no Re-profiling has occurred, in accordance with Clause 7.2 (b) of the CTA. The Co-Lending shall be disbursed from time to time as OT LLC requires funding of OT Project costs upon satisfaction or waiver of the initial and subsequent conditions precedent with respect thereto as set forth in Schedules 2 and 3 of the CTA. To the extent the Re-profiling and/or the Additional A Loans is or are to occur in accordance with this Agreement, then the Effective Date of each element of Applicable Funding shall occur on the same date.

 

15.

Consent. TRQ consents, and RTIHL shall cause Rio Tinto to consent, to the Co-Lending in accordance with Clause 4.2(a) of the CTA, including the execution and delivery to the Intercreditor Agent of TRQ’s express consent to the Co-Lending becoming Guaranteed Senior Debt Obligations and Rio Tinto’s express consent to the Co-Lending becoming Covered Obligations.

 

16.

Approvals and Conditions. The execution and delivery by the Rio Tinto Lender of the Supplemental Senior Facility with respect to the Co-Lending shall be subject to (i) the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Schedule C in favour of the Rio Tinto Lender on the Effective Date, (ii) the TRQ DSU being amended to cover the Co-Lending on terms that are acceptable to Rio Tinto, acting reasonably and (iii) the terms of the OT Project Financing Agreements with respect to a Sponsor Senior Loan not being amended in any material respect from the terms of the OT Project Financing Agreements existing as at the date of this Agreement (and each such condition in (i), (ii) and (iii) must be satisfied, or waived by the Rio Tinto Lender in its discretion, acting reasonably). For purposes of this Section 16, “material” includes any amendment to the OT Project Financing Agreements where the Rio Tinto Lender is treated different than the other Senior Lenders and such amendment is adverse to the Rio Tinto Lender or any of other member of the Rio Tinto Group.

 

17.

Timing. Without qualifying the commitment of the Rio Tinto Lender to provide the Co-Lending pursuant to Section 13 (subject to the conditions in Section 16 in favour of the Rio Tinto Lender on the Effective Date), each of the parties shall use its reasonable commercial efforts to cause the conditions in Section 16 within its control to be satisfied by no later than the Outside Date, provided that the parties shall first obtain the approval of the OT LLC board to commence negotiations for the Re-profiling, the Additional A Loans and Co-Lending. Subject to the conditions to the Co-Lending set forth in Section 16 having been satisfied (or otherwise waived by the Rio Tinto Lender

 

3


in its discretion, acting reasonably), RTIHL shall cause the Rio Tinto Lender to execute all relevant Co-Lending transaction agreements and documents and make the Co-Lending available to OT LLC (i) if the Re-profiling and/or the Additional A Loans have been secured in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, on the Effective Date, (ii) if RTIHL withdraws from the process for the Re-profiling and Additional A Loans in accordance with Section 8, by no later than the earlier of the Outside Date and 15 days following the conditions to the Co-Lending set forth in Section 16 having been satisfied (or otherwise waived by the Rio Tinto Lender in its discretion, acting reasonably) and (iii) if TRQ withdraws from the process for the Re-profiling and Additional A Loans in accordance with Section 8, by no later than the Outside Date. If the conditions to the Co-Lending set forth in Section 16 are not satisfied (or otherwise waived by the Rio Tinto Lender in its discretion, acting reasonably) by the Outside Date, then RTIHL shall have no further obligations in respect of Sections 13 to 18.

 

18.

Rio Tinto CSU. RTIHL shall cause Rio Tinto to agree to amend the Rio Tinto CSU to cover the Co-Lending on the same terms as the existing Rio Tinto CSU or on such other terms that are acceptable to Rio Tinto in its discretion (acting reasonably), and Rio Tinto shall be entitled to a Completion Support Agreement Fee in respect of the Co-Lending on the terms set out in Section 23 of the MOA mutatis mutandis, commencing upon the first drawdown of the Co-Lending.

TRQ Equity Offering

 

19.

Key Terms and Objectives. Subject to Sections 20 to 23 and the Co-Lending having been made available, within six months following the Effective Date, TRQ covenants and agrees to conduct and complete an equity offering of its common shares (an “Equity Offering”) in the form of, at TRQ’s discretion, either (i) a rights offering of common shares (the “Rights Offering”) or (ii) a public offering or private placement of common shares (a “Placement”), in either case sufficient to generate an amount of gross proceeds (“Total Proceeds”) which will be not less than the lesser of (i) US$500 million and (ii) the Future Funding Shortfall. TRQ may in its discretion increase the Total Proceeds under the Equity Offering. TRQ shall provide RTIHL with notice of any such increase at least 20 days (or 30 days if any such increase is US$500 million or more) in the advance of the filing of any preliminary prospectus or offering memorandum or any other offering document or term sheet for the Equity Offering or such shorter period as RTIHL may indicate to TRQ is necessary to obtain any internal approvals. TRQ’s covenant and agreement to conduct and complete an Equity Offering hereunder shall be conditional upon, at such time, RTIHL being in compliance in all material respects with its obligations under this Agreement and each member of the Rio Tinto Group being in compliance in all material respects with its agreements, covenants and obligations under all other agreements with TRQ (or OT) (or the waiver of such condition by TRQ in its discretion, acting reasonably). Without limiting RTIHL’s rights under this Agreement, if, for any reason, TRQ does not complete the Equity Offering within six months following the Effective Date, any remaining availability under the Co-Lending may be terminated by the Rio Tinto Lender in its discretion. For greater certainty, any limitations or restrictions set forth in this Section 19 shall not apply, following the completion of the Equity Offering to be conducted by TRQ as required by this Agreement, to any placement or issuance of equity by TRQ made in accordance with TRQ’s rights under the existing agreements between TRQ and a member of the Rio Tinto Group.

 

20.

Rights Offering. Any Rights Offering will be conducted in a form and structure substantially similar to the rights offerings described in TRQ’s final short form prospectus and registration statements dated November 25, 2013 as modified by terms of this Agreement. TRQ agrees that the Rights Offering will not be subject to a minimum subscription condition or any other condition other than the mechanical conditions applicable to holders of rights respecting the exercise of their rights that are customary in rights offerings conducted by issuers having common shares listed on the TSX. All or part of the rights issued to any member of the Rio Tinto Group may be assigned by such members to one or more members of the Rio Tinto Group. The subscription price for each TRQ common share to be issued under the Rights Offering will be determined by TRQ prior to filing a final prospectus, subject to the price being a minimum 15% discount to the market price of TRQ’s common shares at the time of pricing of the Rights Offering (or such larger discount to the extent so required by the TSX).

 

4


21.

Placement. Each member of the Rio Tinto Group shall be entitled to maintain its pro rata ownership of TRQ as part of any Placement as provided for in the existing contractual agreements between the parties (more specifically, the PPA) (“Pro Rata Entitlement”). No Placement (or Rio Tinto’s Pro Rata Entitlement) shall require approval of the shareholders of TRQ unless the completion of the Placement and Rio Tinto’s Pro Rata Entitlement are conditional on the completion of the other with the objective of ensuring that a Placement may not be completed unless Rio Tinto is capable of availing itself of its Pro Rata Entitlement. All or part of the Pro Rata Entitlement may be assigned by the applicable member of the Rio Tinto Group to one or more other members of the Rio Tinto Group. For the avoidance of doubt, failure to obtain any required approval of the shareholders of TRQ does not in any way limit or defer TRQ’s obligation to conduct and complete an Equity Offering within six months following the Effective Date in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

22.

Offering Documents. TRQ agrees to provide RTIHL and its advisors a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on any prospectus, registration statement, offering memorandum or other offering document or term sheet for any Equity Offering and other material communications with the TSX, NYSE and other regulatory authorities regarding any Equity Offering.

 

23.

Underwriting Commitment. If RTIHL elects to do so by notice to TRQ at least 10 days in advance of the filing of any preliminary prospectus for the Rights Offering, RTIHL may provide a standby underwriting commitment in respect of the Total Proceeds of the Rights Offering (the “Underwriting Commitment”). In consideration for the Underwriting Commitment, TRQ agrees to pay to RTIHL on closing of the Rights Offering a fee equal to 3% of the Total Proceeds. Other than the Underwriting Commitment, there shall be no additional standby underwriting commitment provided by any other person in respect of the Rights Offering. All or part of the Underwriting Commitment may be assigned by RTIHL to one or more members of the Rio Tinto Group. For greater certainty, in the event RTIHL is not providing an Underwriting Commitment with respect to the Rights Offering, then TRQ shall have the right to make all determinations regarding the identity of any standby commitment provider and the terms and conditions of such other standby underwriting commitment.

Other Funding Sources

 

24.

Proposals. After the Future Date, any proposal by TRQ or any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective representatives for any additional Senior Loans, bonds, streams prepays or other similar instruments at TRQ or any of its subsidiaries (including OT LLC) or accommodation for same in the OT Project Financing Agreements shall first be presented to Rio Tinto to obtain its consent (where such consent is required pursuant to existing contractual rights) and alignment of the parties before any such proposal is discussed or shared with EOT or GOM or at any OT LLC board or shareholder meeting. For the avoidance of doubt, without limiting the rights of the parties under the PPA and all other agreements between TRQ and a member of the Rio Tinto Group, TRQ shall not directly or indirectly, prior to completion of the Equity Offering, engage with EOT, GOM or the OT LLC board without having first obtained Rio Tinto’s consent, or the approval of the Technical Committee, in relation to any funding considerations or proposals.

 

25.

Funding Review. During the three month period following the Future Date, TRQ and Rio Tinto will meet to review the funding options for the Future Funding Shortfall. As part of this review, the parties will in good faith (i) discuss potential sources of funding and a potential funding plan to satisfy the Future Funding Shortfall (after taking into account the net proceeds received by TRQ under the Equity Offering) and (ii) discuss a potential implementation process for those potential sources of funding to which Rio Tinto may be prepared to consent at the time. If the parties agree on such a funding plan and implementation process, then the parties will endeavour to follow such plan and process and consider the terms of any agreed potential sources of funding. However, TRQ acknowledges that Rio Tinto has certain consent rights under its agreements with TRQ, including the TRQ FSA, and that certain funding proposals that TRQ may present to Rio Tinto may be subject to such consent rights and in no event shall this Section 25 constitute a waiver of any such rights under the TRQ FSA or otherwise.

 

26.

Rio Tinto Guidance. Other than the Re-profiling, Additional A Loans and the Co-Lending, Rio Tinto has advised TRQ that it has considered, and does not currently support or expect to consent to (where its consent is required), any additional debt (including additional Senior Loans and bonds)

 

5


or other sources of funding (including streams and prepays) at TRQ or any of its subsidiaries (including OT LLC). TRQ acknowledges such guidance from Rio Tinto.

 

27.

TRQ Guidance. TRQ has advised Rio Tinto that, subject to the restrictions in this Agreement, (i) TRQ continues to prioritise OT LLC and/or TRQ raising funding by way of additional debt and / or hybrid funding and (ii) after the Future Date (subject to Section 32), TRQ may continue its evaluation of, and may present to Rio Tinto for its consideration and input, any such debt and hybrid funding options. Rio Tinto acknowledges such guidance from TRQ and confirms that, after the Future Date, it will consider all reasonable funding proposals presented to it by TRQ. TRQ acknowledges that Rio Tinto has certain consent rights under its agreements with TRQ, including the TRQ FSA, and that certain funding proposals that TRQ may present to Rio Tinto may be subject to such consent rights.

 

28.

Additional Rights Offerings. The parties acknowledge that any balance of the funding required for OT LLC to achieve completion of the underground mine may need to be met by way of one or more additional TRQ rights or other equity offerings if the Future Funding Shortfall is not fully addressed by the Re-profiling, Additional A Loans, Co-Lending, Equity Offering or other funding sources contemplated by Section 25. For the avoidance of doubt, other than Section 30, nothing in this Agreement shall in any way limit or waive Rio Tinto’s rights to require a TRQ rights offering under, and subject to, the TRQ FSA.

 

29.

Reservation of Rights. Except as expressly affected or modified by any provision of this Agreement, each of TRQ and RTIHL (on behalf of itself and Rio Tinto) reserves all of its rights in respect of its contractual rights in relation to funding and related consent matters.

 

30.

FSAs. Except as set out in Section 15, nothing in this Agreement shall constitute a consent, or in any way limit or waive Rio Tinto’s consent rights, under the TRQ FSA or the OT FSA or amount to a waiver or limitation of any existing contractual rights and obligations as between TRQ and any member of the Rio Tinto Group. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in determining whether TRQ or OT LLC has sufficient resources for purposes of Section 9 of the TRQ FSA or Section 9 of the OT FSA, such determination shall assume and take into account (A) prior to the earlier of (i) the Re-profiling and/or the Additional A Loans being secured and (ii) the Outside Date, TRQ having access to the entire proceeds from the Co-Lending (and, for the purposes of clause (A) of this Section 30, without consideration of whether or not the conditions to the availability of the Co-Lending set forth in Section 16 have been satisfied) and (B) after the Re-profiling and/or the Additional A Loans being secured, the actual amount of the Co-Lending then secured and available at any relevant point in time.

Power Funding

 

31.

If discussions with GOM result in a long-term domestic power supply arrangement that requires OT LLC to fund an additional power generation source and related infrastructure, the parties will consider a separate funding arrangement as may be agreed between TRQ and Rio Tinto in the form of additional Senior Loans or a stand-alone project financing or other financing instruments that may be appropriate.

 

6


Arbitration

 

32.

Subject to Section 29, the parties shall promptly seek from the Arbitrator, on a consent basis and without costs, a without prejudice dismissal of the Arbitration and an order vacating the Interim Measures Order. Except as permitted by this Agreement and subject to Section 24, TRQ shall not, directly or indirectly, seek or propose or engage in discussions regarding additional Senior Loans, bonds, streams, prepays or other similar instruments at TRQ or any of its subsidiaries (including OT LLC) or accommodation for same in the OT Project Financing Agreements. The restriction in the preceding sentence shall terminate upon the earlier of (i) the Effective Date and (ii) the Outside Date (the “Future Date”), unless the Future Funding Shortfall is US$500 million or less, in which case such restriction shall continue until the Support Termination Date and Section 25 shall not be applicable.

 

33.

Other than (i) any arbitration instituted or filed by any party pursuant to Section 52 which shall be permitted in relation to a breach by the other party of its obligations under this Agreement and (ii) any arbitration, litigation or other legal proceeding instituted or filed by either party to enforce its rights related to a breach of the other party’s obligations under any agreement between TRQ and RTIHL, each of TRQ and RTIHL agrees to not initiate or pursue, or make any public announcement threatening to initiate or pursue, any arbitration, litigation, injunction or other equitable relief or other legal proceeding regarding funding or related consent matters until after the completion of the Equity Offering.

GOM and EOT Support and Discussions

 

34.

The parties agree to use their respective reasonable commercial efforts to seek the support of the GOM and EOT to the Re-profiling, Additional A Loans and Co-Lending.

 

35.

TRQ acknowledges that the Rio Tinto Manager will lead discussions with GOM and EOT in consultation with TRQ.

Cash Management

 

36.

Except to the extent directly applied by OT LLC to the payment of OT Project costs within 30 days of receipt, all cash proceeds of the Additional A Loans and Co-Lending and the net proceeds provided by any member of the Rio Tinto Group under the Equity Offering (or Pro Rata Entitlement) shall be managed by a member of the Rio Tinto Group in accordance with an arrangement substantially similar to the arrangement set forth in the cash management services agreement dated December 15, 2015 between 9539549 Canada Inc., as service provider, TRQ and RTIHL.

Use of Proceeds

 

37.

Funding from the Additional A Loans, Co-Lending, Equity Offering and Pro Rata Entitlement shall be applied in the following order of priority: (i) to pay all required fees, costs and expenses of the Re-profiling, Additional A Loans, Co-Lending and Equity Offering; (ii) to fund OT Project costs relating to underground and power, if applicable, (including the servicing of Senior Loans and the payment of interest and fees in relation thereto); and (iii) to fund TRQ’s general and administrative costs.

Flow of Funds

 

38.

In connection with the completion of the Re-profiling, Additional A Loans, Co-Lending and Equity Offering, the parties shall enter into an agreed-upon flow of funds (i) in a form that is acceptable to the parties in their respective discretion and (ii) with indemnification obligations in the event of a failure to adhere to such flow of funds.

Representations and Warranties

 

39.

TRQ makes the representations and warranties set forth in Schedule D as at the date of this Agreement and the Effective Date and acknowledges that they may be relied upon by each of RTIHL and the Rio Tinto Lender.

 

7


40.

RTIHL makes the representations and warranties set forth in Schedule E as at the date of this Agreement and acknowledges that they may be relied upon by TRQ.

 

41.

The representations and warranties of the parties contained in this Agreement are only made as of the dates indicated in Sections 39 and 40 but survive for the purposes of allowing a party to sue for a breach of a representation and warranty that party is entitled to rely upon on the basis that the representation or warranty was not true as at the date such representation and warranty was made. No party shall be entitled to bring a claim on the basis of a breach of the representations and warranties that party is entitled to rely upon after the second anniversary of the date on which such representation and warranty was made.

Notifications

 

42.

Subject to any confidentiality obligations which may be imposed by any Governmental Authority, each party shall promptly notify the other of any material demand, request or inquiry (formal or informal) by any Governmental Authority, stock exchange, TRQ shareholder or other OT stakeholder that concerns any matter that may affect any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing does not require notification of any legal advice a party may receive.

 

43.

All notices and other communications given or made pursuant to this Agreement will be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given or made as of the date delivered or sent if delivered personally or sent by electronic mail, respectively or as of the following Business Day if sent by prepaid overnight courier, to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other addresses as will be specified by either party by notice to the other party in accordance with these provisions):

 

  a.

If to TRQ:

Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd.

1 Place Ville-Marie, Suite 3680

Montreal, Quebec H3B 3P2 Canada

Attention: Corporate Secretary

E-Mail: [email protected]

 

  b.

If to RTIHL:

Rio Tinto International Holdings Limited

6 St. James’s Square

London, England SW1Y 4AD United Kingdom

Attention: Group Company Secretary

E-Mail: [email protected]

General Provisions

 

44.

Each of the parties acknowledges that it is intended, as of the date of this Agreement, that the Co-Lending transaction be exempt from the formal valuation and minority approval requirements of Multilateral Instrument 61-101—Take-Over Bids and Special Transactions (“MI 61-101”), provided, however, that the parties acknowledge that a further determination will need to be made at the time the size and definitive terms of the Co-Lending are known and such transaction is to be entered into. Each of the parties further acknowledges that, as of the date of this Agreement, none of the Re-profiling, Additional A Loans or any Rights Offering would be subject to MI 61-101.

 

45.

No modification of this Agreement will be valid unless made in writing and duly executed by each of the parties.

 

46.

Each of the parties will take, from time to time and without additional consideration, such further actions and execute such additional instruments as may be reasonably necessary or convenient to implement and carry out the intent and purpose of this Agreement.

 

8


47.

Except as expressly permitted in this Agreement, no party may assign its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party.

 

48.

This Agreement will be binding upon and enure to the benefit of the respective successors and permitted assigns of the parties.

 

49.

Time is of the essence in this Agreement.

 

50.

The parties agree that this Agreement supersedes the MOU, which MOU is terminated as of the date of this Agreement.

 

51.

This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the Province of British Columbia and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein.

 

52.

The parties agree that any matter in dispute under this Agreement shall be resolved in accordance with Part 16 of the PPA.

 

53.

This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together will be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by any party by electronic transmission will be as effective as delivery of a manually executed copy of this Agreement by such party

[The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank.]

 

9


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

TURQUOISE HILL RESOURCES LTD.

By:

 

/s/ Steve Thibeault

 

Name: Steve Thibeault

 

Title: Interim Chief Executive Officer

RIO TINTO INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS
LIMITED

By:

 

/s/ STEVE ALLEN

 

Name: STEVE ALLEN

 

Title: GROUP COMPANY SECRETARY


SCHEDULE A

DEFINITIONS

Additional A Loans” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 4.

A Loans” means the loans under the OT Project Financing provided to OT LLC directly (i) by the IFC under the IFC A Loan Tranche, (ii) by the EBRD under the EBRD A Loan Tranche, and (iii) by other IFI Lenders on terms substantially similar to (i) and (ii).

Anticipated Funding Shortfall” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Recitals.

Applicable Funding” means the Re-profiling, Additional A Loans or the Co-Lending, as applicable.

Arbitration” means the arbitration proceeding initiated by TRQ against RTIHL and RTSEA pursuant to Section 16.2 of the PPA and the Arbitration Agreement.

Arbitration Agreement” means the arbitration agreement dated January 7, 2021 among TRQ, RTIHL and RTSEA.

Arbitrator” means Marshal Rothstein, the arbitrator appointed to resolve the Arbitration.

ARSHA” means the Amended and Restated Shareholders’ Agreement dated June 8, 2011 among EOT, OT LLC and TRQ.

B Loans” means the loans under the OT Project Financing provided to OT LLC directly by commercial banks under (i) the IFC B Loan Tranche and (ii) the EBRD B Loan Tranche.

Class Actions” means (i) Case No. 1:20-cv-08585-LJL in the United States District Court, Southern District of New York and (ii) Case No. 500-06-001113-204 in the Quebec Superior Court, District of Montreal.

Co-Lending” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 13.

Completion Support Agreement Fee” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the MOA.

Covered Obligations” has the meaning ascribed thereto under the Rio Tinto CSU.

CTA” means the common terms agreement dated December 15, 2015 between OT LLC, the Senior Lenders named therein, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation as intercreditor agent and the other parties named therein.

Disclosure Letter” means the confidential disclosure letter made by the parties the date hereof.

EBRD” means the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

EBRD A Loan Tranche” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the CTA.

EBRD B Loan Tranche” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the CTA.

Effective Date” means the date upon which the Re-profiling, Additional A Loans and/or Co-Lending become effective and/or available.

EOT” means Erdenes Oyu Tolgoi LLC.


Equity Offering” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 20.

Finance Documents” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the CTA.

Future Date” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 32.

Future Funding Shortfall” means the future funding requirement for OT LLC set out in the financial projections provided to the Senior Lenders for presentation to their respective credit committees for approval of the Re-profiling (after giving effect to any Re-profiling, Additional A Loans and Co-Lending secured) and as further adjusted for any remaining cash balance held by TRQ and its subsidiaries as at the date of such projections less any costs TRQ expects to incur between such date and the date OT LLC is projected not to require any further funding as set forth in such projections, all as jointly determined by TRQ and Rio Tinto based on all relevant and up-to-date information to be provided to the parties by the Rio Tinto Manager.

GOM” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Recitals.

Governmental Authority” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the PPA.

Guaranteed Senior Debt Obligations” has the meaning ascribed under the TRQ DSU.

IFC” means International Finance Corporation.

IFC A Loan Tranche” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the CTA.

IFC B Loan Tranche” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the CTA.

IFI Lenders” means the selected international financial institutions identified in the Disclosure Letter.

Interim Measures Order” means the order of the Arbitrator dated January 31, 2021, as amended.

Intercreditor Agreement” means the intercreditor agreement dated December 15, 2015 among certain financial institutions as lenders to OT LLC, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation as intercreditor agent, and the other parties named therein.

Investment Agreement” means the investment agreement dated October 6, 2009 among GOM, TRQ and RTIHL.

Material Adverse Change” means a change, development, event or occurrence with respect to the business, condition (financial or otherwise), properties, assets, liabilities, operations or results of operations of TRQ and its subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, that is, or would reasonably be expected to be, material and adverse to TRQ and its subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, other than a change, development, event or occurrence primarily resulting from or arising out of: (i) any change in the global, national or regional political conditions (including the outbreak of war or acts of terrorism) outside of Mongolia or China; (ii) any change in the general economic or market conditions or in national or global financial or capital markets; (iii) the state of securities markets; (iv) the mining industry in general; (v) any change in the market price or trading volume of TRQ’s shares; (vi) the announcement or pendency of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (vii) any action taken (or omitted to be taken) by TRQ at the written request of Rio Tinto or which is required of TRQ by this Agreement; (viii) any action taken (or omitted to be taken) by Rio Tinto in material breach of its contractual obligations to TRQ; (ix) a change in accounting rules; or (x) a change in exchange rates; provided that in the case of (i) through (iv) and (ix) through (x) above, such events do not have a materially disproportionate effect on TRQ and its subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis.

MIGA Loan Agreement” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the CTA.


MIGA Loans” means Senior Loans made under the MIGA Loan Agreement.

MI 61-101” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 44.

MOA” means the memorandum of agreement dated April 17, 2012 among TRQ, RTIHL and RTSEA.

MOU” means the Oyu Tolgoi Funding Memorandum of Understanding dated September 9, 2020 between TRQ and RTIHL.

NYSE” means the New York Stock Exchange.

OT FSA” means the financing support agreement dated December 15, 2015 among OT LLC, TRQ and Rio Tinto.

OT LLC” means Oyu Tolgoi LLC.

OT Project” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the PPA.

OT Project Financing” means the project financing incurred by OT LLC pursuant to the OT Project Financing Agreements.

OT Project Financing Agreements” means the CTA, Senior Loan Agreements, TRQ DSU, Rio Tinto CSU and the other Finance Documents.

Outside Date” means March 31, 2022.

Placement” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 19.

PPA” means the private placement agreement dated October 18, 2006 between RTIHL and TRQ.

Prohibited Payment” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the PPA.

Pro Rata Entitlement” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 21.

Re-profiling” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 3.

Rights Offering” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 20.

Rio Tinto CSU” means the completion support agreement dated March 24, 2016 among Rio Tinto, the Senior Lenders, Standard Chartered Bank in its capacity as offshore security agent, and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation in its capacity as intercreditor agent.

Rio Tinto” means Rio Tinto plc.

Rio Tinto Group” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the PPA.

Rio Tinto Lender” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 13.

Rio Tinto Manager” means Rio Tinto OT Management Limited.

RTSEA” means Rio Tinto South East Asia Limited.

Senior Lenders” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the CTA.

Senior Loan Agreements” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the CTA.


Senior Loans” means a loan made or to be made by a Senior Lender to OT LLC under the CTA.

Sponsor Senior Loan” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the CTA.

Supplemental Senior Debt” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the CTA.

Supplemental Senior Facility” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the CTA.

Support Termination Date” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the TRQ FSA.

Suspensive Event” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the CTA.

Technical Committee” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the PPA.

Total Proceeds” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 20.

TRQ DSU” means the sponsor debt service undertaking dated March 24, 2016 among TRQ, Rio Tinto, the Senior Lenders, Standard Chartered Bank in its capacity as offshore security agent and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation in its capacity as intercreditor agent.

TRQ FSA” means the financing support agreement dated December 15, 2015 between TRQ and Rio Tinto.

TSX” means the Toronto Stock Exchange.

UDP” means the Oyu Tolgoi Underground Mine Development and Financing Plan dated May 18, 2015 among GOM, EOT, OT LLC, TRQ and RTIHL including any replacement thereof.

Undercut Decision Date” means the date of the last to occur of the approval of board of directors of OT LLC and the Technical Committee to proceed with the undercut of the underground at the OT Project.

Underwriting Commitment” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 23.

Updated OT Project Mine Plan” means the mine plan in the Definitive Estimate announced by TRQ on December 18, 2020, as subsequently amended or varied.


SCHEDULE B

INTERPRETATION

The following rules shall be applied in interpreting this Agreement:

 

(a)

“this Agreement” means this Agreement, including the schedules and recitals hereto, as it may from time to time be supplemented, amended or modified and in effect; and the words “hereby”, “herein”, “hereto”, “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Section, subsection, clause, subclause, paragraph, subparagraph or other subdivision;

 

(b)

all references in this Agreement to designated “Sections” are to the designated Sections of this Agreement unless otherwise expressly provided;

 

(c)

the headings are for convenience only and do not form a part of this Agreement and are not intended to interpret, define or limit the scope, extent or intent of this Agreement or any provision hereof;

 

(d)

the word “including”, when following any general statement, term or matter, is not to be construed to limit such general statement, term or matter to the specific items or matters set forth immediately following such word or to similar items or matters whether or not non-limiting language (such as “without limitation” or “but not limited to” or words of similar import) is used with reference thereto, but rather such general statement, term or matter is to be construed to refer to all other items or matters that could reasonably fall within the broadest possible scope of such general statement, term or matter;

 

(e)

all references to currency are deemed to mean lawful money of the United States of America and all amounts to be calculated or paid pursuant to this Agreement are to be calculated in lawful money of the United States of America and paid in immediately available funds;

 

(f)

any reference to secured in relation to the Re-profiling, Additional A Loans and Co-Lending means the entering into of definitive documentation in relation thereto;

 

(g)

any reference to an agreement includes, unless otherwise expressly provided herein, a reference to all amendments and supplements thereto and in force from time to time;

 

(h)

any reference to persons include individuals, corporations, limited and unlimited liability companies, general and limited partnerships, associations, trusts, unincorporated organizations, joint ventures, Governmental Authorities and other entities; and

 

(i)

any reference to an entity includes and is also a reference to any entity that is a successor to such entity.


SCHEDULE C

CONDITIONS

 

1.

All third party approvals and consents which may be required for the Applicable Funding shall have been obtained.

 

2.

Applicable Funding shall be entitled to the benefit of the TRQ DSU and Rio Tinto CSU.

 

3.

Other than the Class Actions, no new material claims, arbitration, litigation, inquiries, investigations or other legal proceedings shall have been commenced after the date of the Agreement by or against TRQ or Rio Tinto or any of their respective subsidiaries and which have impacted adversely, or if decided adversely, would reasonably be expected to affect adversely, the implementation, performance or completion of any of the Re-profiling, Additional A Loans, Co-Lending and Equity Offering or which relates to any Prohibited Payment with respect to the conduct of business of TRQ or any of its subsidiaries or with respect to the OT Project.

 

4.

No Suspensive Event shall have occurred or be continuing.

 

5.

No event shall have occurred and be continuing that constitutes, or may with the passage of time or otherwise constitute, an Event of Default under the CTA which has not otherwise been waived by Senior Lenders

 

6.

Material operations and/or development at the OT Project shall not have been suspended (unless such suspension at the outset would not reasonably be expected to last more than 60 days and such operations and/or development at the OT Project are restored and operating substantially as at the time prior to such suspension on or before the end of such 60 day period), provided, however, this condition will be deemed to be satisfied for purposes of the relevant suspension once such operations and/or development at the OT Project are restored and operating substantially as at the time prior to such suspension

 

7.

Investment Agreement, ARSHA and UDP continue to be in full force and effect

 

8.

No Material Adverse Change shall have occurred and be continuing

 

9.

Board of directors of OT LLC and the Technical Committee shall have approved a decision to proceed with the undercut of the underground at the OT Project

 

10.

Satisfactory support for the Applicable Funding from the GOM and EOT shall have been obtained

 

11.

Satisfaction of all conditions for the Applicable Funding to constitute the incurrence of Supplemental Senior Debt under the CTA

 

12.

Satisfactory binding documentation for cash management and flow of funds in accordance with Sections 36 and 38

 

13.

Representations and warranties of TRQ in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects

 

14.

TRQ being in compliance in all material respects with its agreements, covenants and obligations under this Agreement and all other agreements between TRQ and a member of the Rio Tinto Group

 

15.

The Co-Lending is exempt from (or not subject to) the formal valuation and minority approval requirements of MI 61-101.


SCHEDULE D

TRQ REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

(a)

TRQ is a corporation duly incorporated, organized and validly existing under the laws of the Yukon and no proceedings have been taken or authorized by it or, to the best of its knowledge, by any other person, with respect to the bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of TRQ;

 

(b)

TRQ’s execution and delivery of this Agreement, including all matters contemplated hereby, has been authorized by all necessary corporate action and TRQ has the corporate power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement;

 

(c)

No approval of the shareholders of TRQ is required for this Agreement or, subject to Section 44 in respect of the Co-Lending, any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

 

(d)

None of the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the implementation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the fulfillment of, or compliance with, the terms and provisions hereof by TRQ do or will, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or otherwise:

 

  (i)

result in the breach of, or violate any term or provision of, TRQ’s constating documents; or

 

  (ii)

conflict with, result in the breach of, constitute a default under, or accelerate or permit the acceleration of the performance required by, any material agreement to which TRQ is a party or by which it is bound or to which any of its material assets are subject or any applicable law to which TRQ is subject;

 

(e)

This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by TRQ and is a valid and binding obligation of TRQ enforceable against it in accordance with its terms subject to bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and to general principles of equity; and

 

(f)

To the best of its knowledge and belief, neither TRQ nor any of its subsidiaries (including OT LLC) or any person acting on behalf of TRQ or any such subsidiary, has made any Prohibited Payment with respect to the conduct of business of TRQ or any such subsidiary or with respect to the OT Project, including in connection with obtaining licences, permits, concessions or other authorizations for the OT Project.


SCHEDULE E

RTIHL REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

(a)

RTIHL is a corporation duly incorporated, organized and validly existing under the laws of England and no proceedings have been taken or authorized by it or, to the best of its knowledge, by any other person, with respect to the bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of RTIHL;

 

(b)

RTIHL’s execution and delivery of this Agreement, including all matters contemplated hereby, has been authorized by all necessary corporate action and RTIHL has the corporate power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement;

 

(c)

None of the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the implementation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the fulfillment of, or compliance with, the terms and provisions hereof by RTIHL do or will, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or otherwise:

 

  (i)

result in the breach of, or violate any term or provision of, RTIHL’s constating documents; or

 

  (ii)

conflict with, result in the breach of, constitute a default under, or accelerate or permit the acceleration of the performance required by, any material agreement to which RTIHL is a party or by which it is bound or to which any of its material assets are subject or any applicable law to which RTIHL is subject; and

 

(d)

This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by RTIHL and is a valid and binding obligation of RTIHL enforceable against it in accordance with its terms subject to bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and to general principles of equity.

 

(e)

To the best of its knowledge and belief, neither RTIHL nor any of its subsidiaries (excluding TRQ or any of its subsidiaries) or any person acting on behalf of RTIHL or any such subsidiary, has made any Prohibited Payment with respect to the conduct of business of RTIHL or any such subsidiary or with respect to the OT Project, including in connection with obtaining licences, permits, concessions or other authorizations for the OT Project.


SCHEDULE F

OT PROJECT FINANCING

 

Tranche   Aggregate Principal
Amount (US$M)
    Outstanding
Amount[1]
 
IFC     425       423  
EBRD     425       423  
EDC     750       746  
US EXIM     309       306  
EFIC     150       149  
MIGA     699       695  
IFC & EBRD B-Loans     1,591       1,583  

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 
Total     4,349       4,326  

 

[1]

US$M debt outstanding as at the end of 2020



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