Exhibit 10.4

 

EXECUTION COPY

 

PLEDGE AGREEMENT

 

THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT, dated as of August 1, 2012 (this “Agreement”), is made by
Prospect Global Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Pledgor”), in favor of
The Karlsson Group, Inc., an Arizona corporation (“Secured Party”). Pledgor and
Secured Party are sometimes referred to in this Agreement, collectively, as the
“Parties,” and individually, as a “Party.”

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, Pledgor and Secured Party entered into that certain Membership Interest
Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 30, 2012 (the “Purchase Agreement”), whereby
Pledgor agreed to purchase, and Secured Party agreed to sell, all of Secured
Party’s limited liability company membership interests, representing fifty
percent (50%) of the total limited liability company membership interests, in
American West Potash LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”);

 

WHEREAS, part of the purchase price payable by Pledgor pursuant to the Purchase
Agreement was in the form of a promissory note in the original principal amount
of One Hundred Twenty-Five Million Dollars ($125,000,000), a copy of which is
attached as Exhibit A to this Agreement (the “Note”); and

 

WHEREAS, Pledgor and Secured Party agreed that Pledgor’s obligations under the
Note shall be secured by one hundred percent (100%) of the limited liability
company membership interests (the “Pledged Equity Interest”) in the Company,
among other things, on the terms described herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and for other good
and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

AGREEMENT

 

SECTION 1.                         Definitions and Interpretation.  When used in
this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following respective
meanings:

 

“Collateral” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2 below.

 

“Event of Default” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the Note.

 

“Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, deed of trust, hypothecation, assignment,
deposit, arrangement, encumbrance, lien, or preference, priority or other
security agreement of any kind or nature whatsoever.

 

“Permitted Liens” means: (i) Liens existing as of the date of the Purchase
Agreement, including, without limitation, if any, purported to be created by the
Potash Sharing Agreement (defined below); (ii) Liens imposed by law for taxes
that are not yet due; (iii) carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’,
materialmen’s, repairmen’s and other like Liens imposed by law,

 

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arising in the ordinary course of business; (iv) easements, zoning restrictions,
rights-of-way and similar encumbrances on real property imposed by law or
arising in the ordinary course of business; (v) Liens in favor of vendors of
goods arising as a matter of law securing the payment of the purchase price
therefor so long as there is no default in payment; (vi) equipment financing
Liens of an operating and not a capital nature; and (vii) UCC-1 information
filings for purported Liens created by operating leases.

 

“Person” means any individual, corporation, general or limited partnership,
limited liability company, joint venture, estate, trust, association,
organization, labor union, or other entity.

 

“Potash Sharing Agreement” means that certain Potash Sharing Agreement dated as
of July 27, 2011, among the Company, American General Life Insurance Company, a
Texas corporation, Pap and Pop Family Ltd., a Texas limited partnership, 3MKJ
LP, a Texas limited partnership, and the other parties thereto.

 

“Proceeds” means “proceeds,” as such term is defined in Section 9-102(a)(64) of
the UCC (or any other then applicable provision of the UCC).

 

“Secured Obligations” means the Obligations as such capitalized term is defined
in the Note.

 

“UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as the same may, from time to time, be
in effect in the State of Arizona; provided, however, in the event that, by
reason of mandatory provisions of law, any or all of the creation or attachment,
perfection or priority of Secured Party’s security interest in any collateral is
governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in a jurisdiction other
than the State of Arizona, the term “UCC” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code
as in effect in such other jurisdiction for purposes of the provisions hereof
relating to such creation or attachment, perfection of priority and for purposes
of definitions related to such provisions.

 

SECTION 2.                         Grant of Security Interest.  As security for
the prompt and complete payment in full when due (whether at stated maturity,
acceleration or otherwise) of all the Secured Obligations, Pledgor hereby
pledges, assigns, delivers, and transfers to Secured Party, and hereby grants to
Secured Party, a first priority perfected security interest in all of Pledgor’s
right, title and interest in and to the following property of Pledgor (all of
which being hereinafter collectively called the “Collateral”):

 

(a)                                 The Pledged Equity Interest;

 

(b)                                 all distributions and rights with respect to
the Pledged Equity Interest (whether by dividend, repayment, distribution or
exchange); and

 

(c)                                  all Proceeds of any and all of the
foregoing Collateral.

 

SECTION 3.                         Delivery of Collateral.  The Pledgor warrants
that the Pledged Equity Interest is not certificated.  If the Pledged Equity
Interest ever becomes certificated, then all certificates or instruments, if
any, representing or evidencing the Pledged Equity Interest shall be

 

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promptly delivered to and held by or on behalf of Secured Party pursuant hereto,
shall be in suitable form for transfer by delivery, and shall be accompanied by
all necessary instruments of transfer or assignment, duly executed in blank.
Pledgor shall file a UCC-1 describing the Pledged Equity Interest immediately
upon request therefore by Secured Party.

 

SECTION 4.                         Distributions on Pledged Equity Interest.  If
any distribution is paid on the Pledged Equity Interest at a time when no Event
of Default has occurred or would not be caused by such payment, then such
distribution may be paid directly to Pledgor.  If any distribution is paid on
the Pledged Equity Interest at a time when an Event of Default has occurred and
is continuing, then such distribution shall be paid directly to Secured Party
and shall be applied towards repayment of the Secured Obligations; provided,
however, that to the extent that such distributions exceed the amount owed under
the Secured Obligations, such excess will be distributed directly to Pledgor.

 

SECTION 5.                         Representations and Warranties.  Pledgor
hereby represents and warrants to Secured Party that:

 

(a)                                 Pledgor is the legal and beneficial owner
of, and has good and marketable title to (and has full right and authority to
pledge and assign) the Pledged Equity Interest and the other items of the
Collateral, free and clear of any and all Liens, except for Permitted Liens.

 

(b)                                 The security interest in the Collateral
granted to Secured Party hereunder constitutes a valid and enforceable security
interest in the Collateral to the extent that a security interest can be created
under Article 9 of the UCC, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting the enforcement of
rights of creditors generally and except to the extent that enforcement of
rights and remedies set forth therein may be limited by equitable principles
(regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a court of law or a
proceeding in equity).

 

SECTION 6.                         Covenants.  Pledgor covenants and agrees with
Secured Party that from and after the date of this Agreement and until the
Secured Obligations have been completely and finally paid in full:

 

6.1                               Further Assurances.  At any time and from time
to time, upon the reasonable written request of Secured Party, Pledgor will
promptly and duly execute and deliver any and all such further instruments,
endorsements, powers of attorney and other documents, make such filings, give
such notices and take such further action as Secured Party may reasonably deem
necessary to obtain the full benefits of this Agreement and of the rights,
remedies and powers granted herein.

 

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6.2                               Powers, Control, etc.

 

(a)                                 To the extent the Pledged Equity Interest
ever becomes a certificated security, Pledgor agrees to deliver to Secured Party
all certificates evidencing the Pledged Equity Interest, which will be
accompanied by duly executed undated blank powers, or other equivalent
instruments of transfer.

 

(b)                                 Pledgor shall (i) confirm for Secured Party
that Pledgor has marked the company register for the Pledged Equity Interest or
other applicable records to reflect the security interest of Secured Party,
(ii) notify Secured Party that Pledgor if it has received notice of any Lien
upon the Pledged Equity Interest, (iii) not agree to accept instructions from
any Person in respect of the Pledged Equity Interest and will not accept or
execute any instructions to transfer ownership of the Pledged Equity Interest
except from Secured Party, and (iv) upon the occurrence and continuation of an
Event of Default, Pledgor will comply with instructions with respect to the
Pledged Equity Interest originated by Secured Party.

 

6.3                               Continuous Pledge.  Pledgor will, at all
times, keep pledged to Secured Party pursuant hereto all Collateral, all
distributions with respect thereto, and other securities, instruments, proceeds,
and rights from time to time received by or distributable to Pledgor in respect
of the Pledged Equity Interest.

 

6.4                               Voting Rights; Distributions, etc.  Pledgor
agrees that if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, then:

 

(a)                                 Pledgor shall, promptly upon receipt thereof
by Pledgor, deliver (properly indorsed where required hereby or requested by
Secured Party) to Secured Party all distributions, other cash payments, and
proceeds of the Pledged Equity Interest, for application against the Secured
Obligations; and

 

(b)                                 at the times as Secured Party has notified
Pledgor in writing of Secured Party’s intention to exercise its voting power
under this clause:

 

(i)                                    Secured Party may exercise (to the
exclusion of Pledgor) the voting power and all other incidental rights of
ownership with respect to the Pledged Equity Interest and Pledgor hereby grants
Secured Party an irrevocable proxy, exercisable under the circumstances, to vote
the Pledged Equity Interest; and

 

(ii)                                Pledgor shall promptly deliver to Secured
Party the additional proxies and other documents as may be necessary to allow
Secured Party to exercise the voting power.

 

Secured Party agrees that until the time as an Event of Default has occurred and
is continuing and Secured Party shall have given the notice referred to in
Section 6.4(b) above, Pledgor shall have the exclusive voting power with respect
to the Pledged Equity Interest; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast,
or consent, waiver, or ratification given, or action taken or any action not
taken by Pledgor that would be inconsistent with or violate any provision of
this Agreement.

 

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SECTION 7.                         Power of Attorney. Pledgor hereby irrevocably
constitutes and appoints Secured Party, with full power of substitution, as its
true and lawful attorney in fact with full irrevocable power and authority in
the place and stead of Pledgor and in the name of Pledgor or in its own name,
from time to time in Secured Party’s reasonable discretion, during the
continuance of an Event of Default which has not been waived in writing by
Secured Party, for the purpose of carrying out the terms of this Agreement, to
take any and all reasonable appropriate action and to execute any and all
documents and instruments which are necessary to accomplish the purposes of this
Agreement.

 

SECTION 8.                         Rights and Remedies Upon Default.

 

(a)                                 If an Event of Default shall have occurred
and be continuing, then Secured Party shall have all the rights of a secured
party under the UCC (including, without limitation, the right to dispose of the
Collateral in any manner permitted under the UCC), shall have all rights now or
hereafter existing under all other applicable laws or in equity, and, subject to
any requirements of applicable law then in effect, shall have all the rights set
forth in this Agreement.  With respect to the enforced collection of the Secured
Obligations or the foreclosure of any security interest in the Collateral then
securing the Secured Obligations, Secured Party agrees to give Pledgor notice,
if any, as required under the UCC.

 

(b)                                 The obligations of Pledgor under this
Agreement shall be absolute and unconditional and shall remain in full force and
effect without regard to, and shall not be released, suspended, discharged,
terminated or otherwise affected by, any circumstances or occurrence except as
specifically provided in this Agreement.  The rights, powers and remedies of
Secured Party under this Agreement shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any
other right, power or remedy which Secured Party may have against Pledgor.

 

SECTION 9.                         Miscellaneous.

 

9.1                               Expenses. Except as otherwise expressly
provided herein, all costs and expenses, including, without limitation, fees and
disbursements of counsel, financial advisors and accountants, incurred in
connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be
paid by the Party incurring such costs and expenses.

 

9.2                               Notices. All notices, requests, consents,
claims, demands, waivers and other communications hereunder shall be in writing
and shall be deemed to have been given (i) when delivered by hand (with written
confirmation of receipt); (ii) when received by the addressee if sent by a
nationally recognized overnight courier (receipt requested); (iii) on the date
sent by facsimile or e-mail of a PDF document (with confirmation of
transmission) if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, and on the
next business day if sent after normal business hours of the recipient; or
(iv) on the third day after the date mailed, by certified or registered mail,
return receipt requested, postage prepaid. Such communications must be sent to
the respective Parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for
a Party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance with this
Section 9.2):

 

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If to Secured Party:

 

The Karlsson Group, Inc.

18 Ozone Avenue
Venice, CA 90291
Facsimile: 310-993-0262

E-mail: sevenciel@ca.rr.com

Attention: Michael Stone

 

 

 

with a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to:

 

Law Offices of Richard C. Weisberg

33 Derwen Road

Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004

Facsimile 215-689-1504

Email: weisberg@weisberg-law.com

Attention: Mr. Richard Weisberg

 

 

 

If to Pledgor:

 

Prospect Global Resources, Inc.

1621 18th Street, Suite 260

Denver, CO 80202

Facsimile: 720-294-0402

E-Mail: PAvery@prospectGRI.com

Attention: Mr. Pat Avery

 

 

 

with a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to:

 

Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP

410 Seventeenth Street, Suite 2200

Denver, CO 80202

Facsimile: 303-223-1111

E-Mail: jknetsch@bhfs.com

Attention: Jeffrey M. Knetsch

 

9.3                               Construction; Representation by Counsel. The
Parties acknowledge and agree that they have been represented and advised by
counsel in connection with the negotiation and preparation of this Agreement,
and this Agreement shall be deemed to have been drafted jointly by the Parties,
notwithstanding that one Party or the other may have performed the actual
drafting hereof.  This Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in
accordance with the plain meaning of its language, and not for or against any
Party, and as a whole, giving effect to all the terms, conditions and provisions
hereof.  Whenever the context may require, any provisions used in this Agreement
shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine, or neuter forms.

 

9.4                               Headings. The headings in this Agreement are
for reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.

 

9.5                               Severability.  If any provision of this
Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, such decision shall not affect the
validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, all of
which other provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

 

9.6                               Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the
entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the transactions
contemplated hereby, and supersedes all negotiations, agreements,
representations, warranties, commitments, whether in writing or oral, prior to
the effective date of this Agreement.

 

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9.7                               Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall
be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Parties and their
respective successors and permitted assigns. Neither Party may assign its rights
or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the other Party,
which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

 

9.8                               No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement
is for the sole benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and
permitted assigns and nothing herein, express or implied, is intended to or
shall confer upon any other Person or entity any legal or equitable right,
benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

9.9                               Amendment and Modification; Waiver. This
Agreement may only be amended, modified or supplemented by an agreement in
writing signed by each Party hereto. No waiver by any Party of any of the
provisions hereof shall be effective unless explicitly set forth in writing and
signed by the Party so waiving. No waiver by any Party shall operate or be
construed as a waiver in respect of any failure, breach or default not expressly
identified by such written waiver, whether of a similar or different character,
and whether occurring before or after that waiver. No failure to exercise, or
delay in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege arising from this
Agreement shall operate or be construed as a waiver thereof; nor shall any
single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder
preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other
right, remedy, power or privilege.

 

9.10                        Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Fees.

 

(a)                                 This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Arizona without
giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the
State of Arizona or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of
laws of any jurisdiction other than those of the State of Arizona.

 

(b)                                 The Parties consent to the sole and
exclusive jurisdiction and venue in the Federal or State courts in the County of
Maricopa, Arizona, and agree that all disputes based on or arising out of this
Agreement shall only be submitted to and determined by said courts, which shall
have sole and exclusive jurisdiction.

 

(c)                                  If any action is brought to enforce or
interpret any provision of this Agreement, or the rights or obligations of any
Party hereunder, the prevailing or successful Party shall be entitled to recover
all reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs incurred or sustained by such Party in
connection with such action.

 

9.11                        Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall be deemed to be one and the same agreement. A signed copy of this
Agreement delivered by facsimile, e-mail or other means of electronic
transmission shall be deemed to have the same legal effect as delivery of an
original signed copy of this Agreement.

 

9.12                        Termination; Release.  This Agreement shall
automatically terminate upon the full, complete and final payment of the Secured
Obligations and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to Pledgor.  Upon
termination of this Agreement, Secured Party, at the request of Pledgor, will
promptly execute and deliver to Pledgor all certificates and instruments

 

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representing or evidencing the Collateral pledged by Pledgor and then held by
Secured Party, and shall authenticate and file (or permit Pledgor to file) a
UCC-3 termination statement with respect to the Pledged Equity Interest.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Pledgor and Secured Party have caused this Agreement to be
executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

PLEDGOR:

 

 

 

PROSPECT GLOBAL RESOURCES, INC.

 

a Delaware corporation

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Wayne Rich

 

Name: Wayne Rich

 

Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

SECURED PARTY:

 

 

 

THE KARLSSON GROUP, INC.,

 

an Arizona corporation

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Anders Karlsson

 

Name: Anders Karlsson

 

Title: President

 

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