EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) between GEOVIC MINING CORP.
(“Company”) and MICHAEL G. WALTHALL (“Executive”) is effective on 01 January
2008 and remains in effect through the Term of this Agreement (as hereinafter
defined). The Company and the Executive are in some places herein referred to
individually as a Party and collectively as the Parties.

WHEREAS:

        A.     

The Company is a publicly-listed mining company incorporated in Delaware and
headquartered in Colorado, whose shares are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock
Exchange (TSX);

          B.     

The Company, through various subsidiary entities, is involved in all aspects of
the international mining industry and, in particular, is assisting its
wholly-owned subsidiary, Geovic, Ltd., a private corporation incorporated in the
Cayman Islands and its majority-owned subsidiary, Geovic Cameroon, PLC
(“GeoCam”), a private corporation incorporated in Cameroon in developing a
cobalt-nickel- manganese mining project (“Project”) in the Republic of Cameroon;

          C.     

The Company has no full-time employees, as all its officers are employees of
Geovic Ltd. which also is the employer of all other persons involved in the
Company’s business;

          D.     

The Executive is experienced, qualified and specializes in accounting and tax
matters, control and associated administration of corporate businesses while
adding substantial value during all phases of project and corporate development;

          E.     

The Company desires to employ the Executive as an executive officer of the
Company and of Geovic Ltd., and as a full-time employee of Geovic Ltd. and
Executive desires to work in such capacities, all pursuant to the terms and
conditions set forth in this Agreement.

 

NOW THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED as follows:

1.     

Appointment, Duties and Term of Employment.

    1.1     

Job Description. Executive is expected to perform his duties and provide the
services (“Services”) to the Company and Geovic Ltd. as more specifically
outlined in Schedule I. The Executive also agrees to serve as an officer of the
Company’s other wholly-owned subsidiaries, Geovic Energy Corp. and Pawnee
Drilling, LLC, as requested.

 

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1.2     

Appointment as Corporate Controller. At or prior to approval of this Agreement
by the Board of Directors of the Company (“Board”), the Executive shall be
appointed as Corporate Controller and if so designated by the Board, the
Principal Accounting Officer of the Company and shall be appointed a full-time
employee and the Corporate Controller of Geovic Ltd., and shall perform all such
other duties for the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates as may from
time to time be authorized or directed by the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief
Financial Officer or the Board.

  1.3     

Term. The Executive shall be employed by the Company in all such capacities for
an employment term (“Term”) beginning the date of this Agreement and ending on
31 December 2009 subject to all the covenants and conditions hereinafter set
forth, except that, commencing 01 January 2008, the Term of this Agreement shall
be deemed automatically renewed for rolling one-year periods, whereby the Term
is twelve (12) months on a continuing basis.

  1.4     

The Executive shall report to the Chief Financial Officer (“CFO” or “Contact
Person”) on most matters and to the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and to the
Board on certain special matters if so requested. The Executive shall keep the
CFO and CEO well informed regarding the Company matters for which the Executive
may be responsible and shall promptly respond to any reasonable requests by the
CFO, CEO and Board in this regard. Executive shall also provide Services and
assist the Company and Geovic Ltd. in reaching well-reasoned decisions and
implementing those decisions regarding GeoCam and the Project, particularly
those dealing with accounting and operating matters, as shall be assigned by the
CFO.

  1.5     

The Executive shall not be engaged directly or indirectly in any other business
activity or previously have contracted to perform such activity at a future date
which would prevent the performance of the obligations hereunder, except as may
be specifically referred to on Schedule I.

  1.6     

The Executive shall not conduct any unethical or illegal activities relating to
the Company or its business or subsidiaries and agrees to comply with the
Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.

  1.7     

The Executive shall be an officer of the Company and a full-time employee of
Geovic Ltd. with the authority, autonomy and responsibility customary for a
Corporate Controller. During the Term of this Agreement, the Executive shall
provide his Services exclusively to the Company and its subsidiaries and
Executive agrees to serve, if elected, as a director of the Company or Geovic
Ltd. or as an officer or director of any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company.

 

 

 

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  1.8     

Executive may be required to prepare and to maintain accurate time billing
records reflecting time spent and Services provided on a daily basis, similar to
such practices by other Company employees.

  2.     

Consideration and expenses.

    2.1     

During the Term of this Agreement, in consideration of the Executive’s Services
hereunder, including, without limitation, service as an officer or director of
the Company or of any subsidiary or affiliate thereof and as a full-time
employee of Geovic Ltd., the Company shall pay the Executive according to the
attached Schedule II payable monthly in arrears on the last working day of each
month or more frequently in accordance with the Company’s compensation
practices, or as otherwise stipulated in Schedule II. All payments of
consideration and expenses shall be made by direct deposit to an account in the
name of Executive at a financial institution selected by Executive and located
in the United States. All currency herein is expressed in US dollars.

    2.2     

The Company or Geovic Ltd. shall pay or reimburse to the Executive:

      2.2.1     

All costs reasonably and properly expended by him on behalf of the Company for
performance of Services, if proper documentation of such expenses is received by
the Company in accordance with the Company’s normal expense reimbursement
procedures;

      2.2.2     

During the Term of this Agreement, the Executive shall be entitled to
participate in employee benefit plans or programs, if any, to the extent that
Executive is eligible to participate in such plans or programs;

      2.2.3     

During the Term of this Agreement, Executive shall be entitled to participate in
the Company’s Employee Stock Option Plan and the Company’s annual bonus program
for Executives, subject to recommendations of the Compensation Committee and
approval by the Company’s Board;

      2.2.4     

The Executive may elect to participate under the Company’s Medical Plan with
Rocky Mountain Health Plans or such coverage as is available to Company
employees under such plan or, at Executive’s election, the Company shall
reimburse the Executive’s other medical insurance in an amount not to exceed
$500/month;

      2.2.5     

Actual business expenses for Executive’s personal vehicle use shall be at a rate
which is the greater of $0.465 per mile or the prevailing IRS mileage rate for
actual miles, but shall exclude the mileage associated with daily commuting or
personal convenience; and

 

 

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      2.2.6     

As soon as appropriate and as mutually agreed by the Parties, the Executive will
re-locate from Fort Collins to Grand Junction, Colorado. Company shall reimburse
the Executive an amount, not to exceed, $25,000 to cover the costs of the move,
including the costs to pack, move and store household effects, house hunting
trips, temporary lodging and related expenses, costs to sell the Executive’s
house, closing costs on a new home purchase and incidental expenses, subject to
proper documentation.

       

Such payments or reimbursements shall be made within seven (7) business days of
a request for reimbursement by the Executive together with provision by the
Executive of such additional evidence and information as the Company or Geovic
Ltd. may reasonably require.

    2.3     

The Executive shall be entitled to take four (4) calendar weeks of paid vacation
annually (with respect to calendar year 2007, a pro rata portion thereof) during
the Term of this Agreement, subject to the dates being previously agreed by the
CFO. Executive shall not be entitled to additional compensation if he fails to
use this vacation, provided that up to two (2) weeks of annual vacation may be
carried over to a succeeding calendar year. Vacation time shall be deemed to
accrue one-fourth at the end of each three months of employment. The Executive
shall also be entitled to take paid holidays in accordance with standard Company
policy.

    2.4     

Executive shall accrue one (1) day of sick leave time per monthly pay period, up
to a maximum of 20 days, to be used only in connection with illness or medical
conditions which interfere with providing Services.

  3.     

Termination.

    3.1     

Without Cause. Either Party may terminate this Agreement and Executive’s
employment with the Company by providing written notice to the other Party at
least forty-five (45) days prior to the termination date.

    3.2     

Termination by Company for Cause. The Company may terminate this Agreement and
Executive’s employment with Geovic Ltd. without obligation to Executive by
providing written notice to Executive at any time upon the occurrence of any one
or more of the following events:

      3.2.1     

Executive’s breach of any material obligation owed the Company in this
Agreement;

 

 

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  3.2.2     

Executive’s neglect of duties to be performed under this Agreement;

    3.2.3     

Executive’s failure or refusal to follow lawful directions given by CFO, CEO or
the Board;

    3.2.4     

Executive’s dishonest conduct or conduct that has damaged or will likely damage
the reputation of the Company, or conduct which is clearly contrary to the
Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics;

    3.2.5     

Executive being convicted of a felony;

    3.2.6     

Executive engaging in any act of moral turpitude in the reasonable determination
of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors;

    3.2.7     

Death of Executive; or

    3.2.8     

Executive becoming permanently disabled for a period of six (6) consecutive
months that would prevent Executive from performing the duties of his
employment.

  3.3     

Notice Before Termination by Company for Cause. Anything contained in Section
3.2 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall not terminate this
Agreement and Executive’s employment with the Company pursuant to Section 3.2.1,
3.2.2 or 3.2.3 unless the Company shall have first given the Executive at least
twenty-one (21) days prior written notice of such termination, which sets forth
the grounds of such termination, and the Executive shall have failed to cure
such grounds for termination within the twenty-one (21) day period.

  3.4     

Termination by Executive for Cause. Executive may terminate this Agreement and
Executive’s employment by the Company by providing written notice to the Company
at any time upon the occurrence of any one or more of the following events:

    3.4.1     

The Company’s breach of any material obligation owed the Executive in this
Agreement;

    3.4.2     

The Company requiring Executive to perform illegal activities;

    3.4.3     

Bankruptcy of the Company;

    3.4.4     

Inability of Executive to substantially perform his essential duties under this
Agreement because of a disability; or

 

 

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      3.4.5     

In the event of merger, consolidation, divestiture, takeover,significant sale,
change in control or any similar business circumstance with Company or its
subsidiaries which result within 12 months of the change in control in either
(i) a termination or threatened termination of Executive’s employment or a
reduction in compensation to be paid to Executive, or (ii) a significant change
in the duties of Executive reasonably deemed unacceptable by Executive.

          

 

     

The term “change in control” shall mean either: (1) any one Person (or group of
affiliated persons) holds a sufficient number of Voting Shares of the Company or
Resulting Issuer to affect materially the control of the Company or Resulting
Issuer, or (2) any combination of Persons, acting in concert by virtue of an
agreement, arrangement, commitment or understanding, hold in total a sufficient
number of the Voting Shares of the Company or Resulting Issuer to affect
materially the control of the Company or Resulting Issuer, where such Person or
combination of Persons did not previously hold a sufficient number of Voting
Shares to affect materially the control of the Company or Resulting Issuer. In
the absence of evidence to the contrary, any Person or combination of Persons
acting in concert by virtue of an agreement, arrangement, commitment or
understanding, holding more than 20% of the Voting Shares of the Company is
deemed to materially affect the control of the Company or Resulting Issuer.
Capitalized terms in this change in control paragraph have the same meaning as
used in the TSX Corporate Finance Manual.

    3.5     

Notice Before Termination by Executive for Cause. Anything contained in Section
3.4 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Executive shall not terminate this
Agreement and Executive’s employment with the Company pursuant to Section 3.4.1
or 3.4.2 unless the Executive shall have first given the Company at least
twenty-one (21) days prior written notice of such termination, which sets forth
the grounds of such termination, and the Company shall have failed to cure such
grounds for termination within the twenty-one (21) day period.

  4.     

Severance.

    4.1     

Within ninety (90) days of this Agreement and Executive’s employment with the
Company being terminated by the Company pursuant to Section 3.1 or Section 3.2.8
or by the Executive pursuant to Section 3.4.1, 3.4.2, 3.4.4, or 3.4.5 , the
Company shall pay Executive a lump sum severance of one (1) year of the then
prevailing base salary pursuant to Schedule II, section 1 (when applicable, two
(2) years salary after Executive has been employed for at least one full year),
commencing on the effective date of the termination plus any annual bonus to
which Executive would have been entitled had the Agreement not been terminated,
and the Executive shall immediately become one hundred percent (100%) vested
with respect to any options to purchase the Company's capital stock that he then
holds and/or any restrictions with respect to restricted shares of the Company's
capital stock that he then holds shall immediately lapse, subject to any
applicable rules or restrictions imposed by any stock exchange or securities
regulatory authority.

 

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    4.2     

Within ninety (90) days of this Agreement and Executive’s employment with the
Company being terminated by the Company pursuant to Section 3.2.7, the Company
shall pay the trustee named in Executive’s last will and testament, if any, and
if none, then Executive’s estate, a lump sum severance of one (1) year of the
then prevailing base salary pursuant to Schedule II, section 1 (when applicable,
two (2) years salary after Executive has been employed for at least one full
year) commencing on the date of death, plus any annual bonus to which Executive
would have been entitled had the Agreement not been terminated, and Executive’s
trustee named in Executive’s last will and testament, if any, and if none, then
Executive’s estate, shall immediately become one hundred percent (100%) vested
with respect to any options to purchase the Company’s capital stock that the
Executive held at the time of his death and/or any restrictions with respect to
restricted shares of the Company’s capital stock that the Executive held at the
time of his death shall immediately lapse, subject to any applicable rules or
restrictions imposed by any stock exchange or securities regulatory authority or
pooling restrictions entered into by the Company.

     

These Sections 4.1 and 4.2 and other Sections of this Agreement shall comply
with all applicable laws, rules and regulations of securities commissions and
stock exchanges to which the Company may be subject, or with which it must
comply. Otherwise the Executive and the Company agree to reasonably modify this
Agreement in a manner that meets such requirements.

  5.     

Confidentiality.

    5.1     

In this Agreement, all information and data (“Information”) includes oral or
written, computer file or other permanent form relating to the Company, Geovic
Ltd., GeoCam and any other subsidiaries and affiliates of the Company (together
the “Group”) and their businesses and assets or any part thereof disclosed or
provided to the Executive and all documents, computer files or other records
prepared by the Executive which contain or are based on any such information or
data, together with all confidential information and data concerning the
business of the Group, and information to the Group that is furnished by a third
party and deemed confidential and that was furnished by the third party after
assurance of confidential treatment.

 

 

 

 

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    5.2     

The Executive shall keep all Information strictly confidential and shall not
disclose the Information, in whole or in part, to any person other than
directors or employees of the Group and outside personnel that need to know such
Information for their performance of services on behalf of the Company.

    5.3     

The Executive shall not use the Information for any purpose whatsoever other
than for the purpose of providing the Services herein, and as may be required or
beneficial in the performance of the Services herein.

    5.4     

The provisions of Sections 5.2 and 5.3 shall not apply to Information:

      5.4.1     

which at the time of disclosure to Executive is available to the public
generally;

      5.4.2     

which after disclosure to Executive becomes available to the public generally,
other than by reason of a breach by the Executive of his obligations under this
Agreement; or

      5.4.3     

subject to any disclosure if such disclosure is the requirement of a court of
competent jurisdiction, but only if Executive notifies the Company of the
intended disclosure at least five (5) days before he is to be required to
disclose.

    5.5     

The obligations in Sections 5.2 and 5.3 shall remain in effect for three (3)
years after termination of this Agreement, and for such longer term as may
reasonably be required to maintain the confidentiality of Information material
to the Group’s business.

  6.     

Company property.

    6.1     

The products and results of the Services shall be the exclusive property of the
Company.

    6.2     

On the expiration or termination of the Term of this Agreement (for whatever
reason and howsoever caused) the Executive shall promptly deliver to the Company
all copies of all Information in the possession or under the control of
Executive and all other property belonging to the Company which may be in
possession or under his control.

    6.3     

Executive agrees that he will not, and will not advise others to, solicit any
employee of the Company or a subsidiary or affiliate thereof to leave employment
by the Company or a subsidiary or affiliate thereof.

 

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7.     

Taxes.

   

Federal and state taxes will be withheld by the company from Executive’s salary,
cash bonuses, if any, and Company stock transactions, where applicable, and
Executive shall be eligible for workers compensation and unemployment insurance
benefits to the extent provided by law. For all purposes under this Agreement,
Executive is a resident of the State of Colorado.

  8.     

Evacuation.

   

The Company shall make all reasonable efforts to ensure the release, evacuation
and/or medical care of the Executive and/or members of his family if the
Executive and/or members of his family are kidnapped, held hostage, require
medical evacuation or are caught up in any kind of civil unrest or violence
during Executive’s performance of Services to the Company.

  9.     

Notices.

   

9.1 Any notice to be given under this Agreement must be in writing and must be
delivered to the addressee in person or sent to the addressee by certified mail,
return receipt requested, or sent by facsimile to the facsimile number of the
addressee which in each case is specified in this Section, and marked for the
attention of the person so specified, or to such other address or facsimile
number and/or marked for the attention of such other person as the relevant
Party may from time to time specify by notice given in accordance with this
Section.

         The details of each Party at the date of this Agreement are:

         To the Company:

Geovic Mining Corp.
743 Horizon Court, Suite 300A
Grand Junction, CO 81506 USA
Facsimile: 970 256 9241
Attention: The Secretary

 

         To the Executive:

MICHAEL G. WALTHALL
743 Horizon Court, Suite 300A
Grand Junction, CO 81506 USA
Facsimile: 970 256 9241;
or such other residence address in
Grand Junction, Colorado as
Executive shall specifically identify
to Company for this purpose

 

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 9.2      A notice shall take effect from the time it is deemed to be received
as follows:

 9.2.1      in case of a notice delivered to the addressee in person, upon
delivery;

 9.2.2       in the case of a notice sent to the addressee by certified mail,
return receipt requested, upon delivery and signature of return receipt by
addressee;

 9.2.3      in the case of facsimile, on production of a transmission report
from the machine from which the facsimile was sent which confirms that the
facsimile was received by the recipient.

10.     

Governing law and venue.

   

This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws
of Colorado, United States and venue for any action relating to or arising out
of this Agreement shall only be proper in Mesa County, Colorado, USA.

  11.     

No waiver.

   

The failure of any party to insist upon the strict performance of any of the
terms, conditions or provisions of this Agreement shall not be construed as a
waiver of relinquishment of future compliance therewith, and said terms,
conditions and provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

  12.     

Rights, obligations and assignment.

   

The rights and obligations of the Company and Geovic Ltd. under this Agreement
shall inure to the benefit of, and shall be binding upon, their respective
successors and assigns.

  13.     

Severability.

   

If any of the provisions of this Agreement shall for any reason be adjudged by
any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, such
judgment shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remainder of this Agreement,
but shall be confined to such invalid or unenforceable provision.

  14.     

Captions.

   

The captions inserted in this Agreement are for convenience only and in no way
define, limit or describe the scope or intent of this Agreement, or any
provision hereof, nor in any way affect the interpretation of this Agreement.

 

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15.       Entire Agreement.

This Agreement and the schedules hereto embody the entire understanding between
the parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereto and supersedes all
prior agreements and understandings of the parties in connection therewith.

IN WITNESS whereof the Parties hereto have executed the Agreement this ______
day of May 2008, effective as of 01 January 2008.

Signed /s/ John E. Sherborne                                                 
             John E. Sherborne, for and on behalf of
             GEOVIC MINING CORP.

Signed /s/ John E. Sherborne                                               
             John E. Sherborne, for and on behalf of 
             GEOVIC LTD.

Signed /s/ Michael G. Walthall                                             
             MICHAEL G. WALTHALL, Executive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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SCHEDULE I
THE SERVICES

Services to be provided by the Executive include:

1.     

In accordance with the directives of the CFO, Chief Operating Officer (“COO”),
CEO or the Board, Executive shall have such duties, responsibilities and
authority as are customarily required of and given to the Corporate Controller
to develop and guide the accounting and operational objectives of the Company
and Geovic Ltd., and the Company’s other subsidiaries and affiliates, and
overseeing and assuring that the performance of all such activities are
conducted under applicable corporate governance standards and all laws of
applicable jurisdictions.

  2.     

Actively participate in the timely preparation, review and audit by independent
auditors of documents and reports required to be filed by the Company with any
governmental entity, securities exchange or securities regulatory authority,
including the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

  3.     

Actively participate in the timely preparation, review and audit, if applicable,
of tax returns and reports required to be filed by the Company with any
governmental entity.

  4.     

Oversee the evaluation, selection and implementation of a new accounting
software system to account for the current and anticipated financial and
operational reporting of transactions and activities of the Company and its
subsidiaries.

  5.     

Oversee the development or evaluation, selection and implementation of a new
budgeting system to provide budget and variance analysis of transactions and
activities of the Company and its subsidiaries.

  6.     

Oversee the development and implementation of additional internal controls and
systems and procedures of the Company and its subsidiaries.

  7.     

Oversee the recruitment, training, development and retention of additional
accounting employees or contract accounting resources of the Company and its
subsidiaries.

  8.     

Assist with the development and implementation of additional employee benefit
programs of the Company and its subsidiaries.

  9.     

Oversee special accounting projects of the Company and its subsidiaries.

  10.     

Participate in and make presentations at Board meetings or Board Committee
meetings and provide any other executive, management, administrative, financial
and business services which are believed by the CFO, COO, CEO or the Board to be
in the best interest of the Company, its subsidiaries, business interests and
shareholders.

 

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SCHEDULE II
COMPENSATION

1.     

In accordance with Section 2.1 of this Agreement, the Executive shall be paid a
base salary of US$144,000 per year, or pro rata portion thereof, effective the
date of commencement of employment. The Executive's base salary, performance and
compensation package shall be reviewed annually (but not reduced without the
consent of the Executive for purposes of Section 4) by the CFO and CEO and the
Compensation Committee of the Board.

  2.     

Executive has received, upon approval by the Compensation Committee of the Board
and the Board, an initial grant of options to purchase up to 40,000 Option
Shares in accordance with the Company’s Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan
and shall receive subsequent annual grants of Options in accordance with option
compensation arrangements established by the Compensation Committee and the
Board of the Company during the Term of this Agreement to be completed in
compliance with regulations of the appropriate regulatory authorities. The
Options shall have such terms as are determined by the Board in accordance with
the Company’s Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan. In the event that options
held by Executive become vested in full for any of the reasons described in
Section 4.1, all options then held by Executive shall be deemed automatically at
that time to be non-qualified options and not Incentive Stock Options under the
Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan and may be exercised at any time during
the original term of the option.

  3.     

Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual cash incentive bonus in an
amount up to twenty five percent (25%) of Executive’s annual salary, subject to
meeting agreed upon annual goals and pursuant to an appraisal of Executive’s
performance as outstanding by the CEO and the Compensation Committee of the
Board. If the Board puts into place a restricted stock or deferred share plan,
the Executive shall have the option to receive any such bonus awarded as
deferred compensation.

 

 

 

 

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