exh10_1.htm


 











EXHIBIT 10.1







AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT AND JOINDER AGREEMENT


 


THIS AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT AND JOINDER AGREEMENT (this “Amendment”), dated as of January 13, 2012, is entered into by and among STILLWATER MINING COMPANY, a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the lenders identified on the signature pages hereof (such Lenders, together with their respective successors and permitted assigns, are referred to hereinafter each individually as a “Lender” and, collectively, as the “Lenders”), WELLS FARGO CAPITAL FINANCE, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as the administrative agent (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, “Agent”), as lead arranger, and as book runner, and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association, as syndication agent (in such capacity, “Syndication Agent”), and in light of the following:


 


W I T N E S S E T H


 


WHEREAS, Borrower, Lenders, and Agent are parties to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of December 23, 2011 (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”);


 


WHEREAS, Borrower has requested that the Commitments and the Maximum Revolver Amount be increased in accordance with Section 2.14 of the Credit Agreement in the amount of $25,000,000 (the “Increase”);


 


WHEREAS, Borrower has requested that Agent and Lenders make certain amendments to the Credit Agreement;


 


WHEREAS, upon the terms and conditions set forth herein, Agent and Lenders are willing to accommodate Borrower’s requests to (a) increase the Commitments and the Maximum Revolver Amount and (b) make certain other amendments to the Credit Agreement.


 


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


 


1. Defined Terms.  All initially capitalized terms used herein (including the preamble and recitals hereof) without definition shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Credit Agreement (including Schedule 1.1 thereto), as amended hereby.


 


2. Amendments to Credit Agreement.







(a) Schedule 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by amending the definition of “Eligible Accounts” appearing therein by (i) replacing “Borrower’s” appearing in the first sentence thereof with “such Loan Party’s”, (ii) replacing each occurrence of “Borrower” in clauses (c) and (h) thereof with “any Loan Party”, (iii) replacing “Borrower” in clauses (g) and (o) thereof with “the applicable Loan Party”, (iv) replacing “Borrower” in clause (i) thereof with “the Loan Parties”, and (v) replacing “Borrower” in clause (j) thereof with “a Loan Party”.







(b) Schedule 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by amending the definition of “Eligible Inventory” appearing therein by (i) replacing “Borrower” in clause (a) thereof and the first occurrence of “Borrower” in clause (b) thereof with “the applicable Loan Party”, (ii) replacing the second occurrence of “Borrower” in clause (b) thereof with “a Loan Party”, (iii) replacing each occurrence of “Borrower” in clauses (d) and (e) thereof with “any Loan Party”, (iv) deleting “or” appearing at the end of clause (j) thereof, (v) replacing the period appearing at the end of clause (k) thereof with “, or”, and (vi) inserting the following clause (l) in it entirety after clause (k) thereof:


 


 




  





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“(l)  it is consigned by a Loan Party to any Person, including if it is (i) delivered by such Loan Party to a third Person for the purpose of sale by such third Person, or (ii) sold by such Loan Party on bill and hold, sale or return, sale on approval, or any other conditional terms of sale.”







(c) Schedule 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by amending the definition of “Payment Conditions” appearing therein by inserting “$” before “40,000,000” appearing in clause (c) therein.







(d) Schedule 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the definition of “Supermajority Lenders” appearing therein.







(e) Section 14.1(c) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by replacing the reference to “the Supermajority Lenders” appearing therein with “all Lenders”.







(f) Schedule C-1 to the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by amending and restating such schedule in its entirety as set forth on Exhibit C attached hereto.







(g) Schedule 5.2 to the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by (i) deleting the “and” appearing at the end of clause (bb) thereof, (ii) replacing the period appearing at the end of clause (cc) thereof with “, and”, and (iii) inserting the following clause (dd) in it entirety after clause (cc) thereof







“(dd)  a report regarding any Inventory or other goods that have been consigned by any Loan Party to any Person, including Inventory or other goods (i) delivered to a third Person for the purpose of sale by such third Person, or (ii) sold by such Loan Party on bill and hold, sale or return, sale on approval, or any other conditional terms of sale.”







3. Accordion; Joinder. Pursuant to Section 2.14 of the Credit Agreement, Borrower hereby requests that U.S. Bank National Association (“New Lender”) provide the Increase to Borrower on the Amendment Effective Date and, upon the satisfaction of (a) each of the conditions precedent set forth in Sections 2.14(b) and 3.2 of the Credit Agreement, and (b) each of the conditions precedent specified in Section 5 of this Amendment:







(a) New Lender agrees to be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement as a “Lender”, and agrees that it shall become a “Lender” for all purposes of the Credit Agreement to the same extent as if originally a party thereto and shall have the rights and obligations of a Lender thereunder and under the other Loan Documents.  New Lender (a) confirms that it has received copies of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with copies of the financial statements referred to therein and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Amendment; (b) agrees that it will, independently and without reliance upon Agent or any other Lender, and based upon such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking any action under the Loan Documents; (c) appoints and authorizes the Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under the Loan Documents as are delegated to Agent by the terms thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto; and (d) agrees that it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender. New Lender’s address for notices for the purposes of the Credit Agreement and payment instructions are as set forth on Exhibit B.


 


 




  





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(b) The Maximum Revolver Amount will be increased to $125,000,000 in accordance with Section 2.14 of the Credit Agreement and the definition of “Maximum Revolver Amount” and New Lender will have a Revolver Commitment as set forth on Exhibit B attached hereto (the “New Lender Revolver Commitments”).







(c) Borrower, each Lender, and Agent hereby agree (i) the Increase provided by New Lender pursuant to this Section 3 shall constitute an Increase to the Revolver Commitments and Maximum Revolver Amount pursuant to Section 2.14 of the Credit Agreement and (ii) this Amendment constitutes the Increase Joinder required pursuant to Section 2.14(b)(i) of the Credit Agreement.  Any Revolving Loans made pursuant to the New Lender Revolver Commitments shall constitute “Revolving Loans” under the Credit Agreement, and such Revolving Loans constitute “Obligations” and shall be entitled to all the benefits afforded by the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any Revolving Loans made pursuant to the New Lender Revolver Commitments shall bear interest as provided in Section 2.6 of the Credit Agreement.  Any Revolving Loans made pursuant to the New Lender Revolver Commitments shall benefit equally and ratably from the guarantees and security interests created by the Loan Documents.







4. Acknowledgement of Syndication Agent.  Borrower, Agent and each Lender hereby acknowledge and agree that for the purposes of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, U.S. Bank National Association shall have the title of Syndication Agent.  U.S. Bank National Association, in its capacity as “syndication agent”, shall not have any right, power, obligation, liability, responsibility or duty under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document other than those applicable to it in its capacity as a Lender.  Without limiting the foregoing, U.S. Bank National Association, in its capacity as “syndication agent”, shall not have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with any Loan Party or with any Lender.  Each Lender acknowledges that it has not relied upon, and will not rely upon, Agent or Syndication Agent in deciding to enter into this Amendment or in taking or not taking action hereunder.







5. Conditions Precedent to Amendment. The satisfaction of each of the following shall constitute conditions precedent to the effectiveness of the Amendment (such date being the “Amendment Effective Date”):







(a) Agent shall have received this Amendment, duly executed by the parties hereto, and the same shall be in full force and effect.







 


(b) Agent shall have received the reaffirmation and consent of each Guarantor attached hereto as Exhibit A, duly executed and delivered by an authorized official of each Guarantor;


 


(c) Agent shall have received an Assignment and Acceptance from Union Bank, N.A, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, duly executed by the parties thereto, and the same shall be in full force and effect;







(d) Agent shall have received an Assignment and Acceptance from First Interstate Bank, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, duly executed by the parties thereto, and the same shall be in full force and effect;









  





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(e) Agent shall have received in immediately available funds the fees payable to Agent under the Fee Letter in connection with the Increase;







(f) After giving effect to this Amendment, the representations and warranties herein and in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be true, correct and complete in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof) on and as of the date hereof, as though made on such date (except to the extent that such representations and warranties relate solely to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true, correct and complete in all material respects as of such earlier date).







(g) No injunction, writ, restraining order, or other order of any nature prohibiting, directly or indirectly, the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein shall have been issued and remain in force by any Governmental Authority against Borrower, any Guarantor, Agent, or any Lender.







(h) After giving effect to this Amendment, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or shall result from the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein.







(i) All other documents and legal matters in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Amendment shall have been delivered, executed, or recorded and shall be in form and substance satisfactory to Agent.







6. Representations and Warranties. Borrower hereby represents and warrants to Agent and the Lenders as follows:







(a) Each Loan Party (i) is duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, (ii) is qualified to do business in any state where the failure to be so qualified could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, and (iii) has all requisite power and authority to own and operate its properties, to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted, to enter into this Amendment and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party and to carry out the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.







(b) As to each Loan Party, the execution, delivery, and performance by such Loan Party of this Amendment and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party (i) have been duly authorized by all necessary action of such Loan Party, and (ii) do not and will not (A) violate any material provision of federal, state, or local law or regulation applicable to such Loan Party or its Subsidiaries, the Governing Documents of such Loan Party or its Subsidiaries, or any order, judgment, or decree of any court or other Governmental Authority binding on such Loan Party or its Subsidiaries, (B) conflict with, result in a breach of, or constitute (with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any Material Contract of such Loan Party (except those as to which waivers or consents have been obtained) where any such conflict, breach or default could individually or in the aggregate reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (C) result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien of any nature whatsoever upon any assets of such Loan Party, other than Permitted Liens, or (D) require any approval of any holder of Equity Interest of such Loan Party or any approval or consent of any Person under any Material Contract of such Loan Party, other than consents or approvals that have been obtained and that are still in force and effect and except, in the case of Material Contracts, for consents or approvals, the failure to obtain could not individually or in the aggregate reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Effect.


 


 




  





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(c) This Amendment has been duly executed and delivered by such Loan Party.  This Amendment and each Loan Document to which such Loan Party is a party is the legally valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with its respective terms, except as enforcement may be limited by equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law) or by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws relating to or limiting creditors’ rights generally.







(d) No injunction, writ, restraining order, or other order of any nature prohibiting, directly or indirectly, the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein has been issued and remains in force by any Governmental Authority against Borrower, any Guarantor, Agent or any Lender.







(e) No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing as of the Amendment Effective Date, and no condition exists which constitutes a Default or an Event of Default.







(f) The representations and warranties in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true, correct and complete in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof) on and as of the date hereof, as though made on such date (except to the extent that such representations and warranties relate solely to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true, correct and complete in all material respects as of such earlier date).







(g) This Amendment has been entered into without force or duress, of the free will of such Loan Party, and the decision of such Loan Party to enter into this Amendment is a fully informed decision and such Person is aware of all legal and other ramifications of each such decision.







(h) It has read and understands this Amendment, has consulted with and been represented by independent legal counsel of its own choosing in negotiations for and the preparation of this Amendment, has read this Amendment in full and final form, and has been advised by its counsel of its rights and obligations hereunder.







7. Payment of Costs and Fees.  Borrower agrees to pay all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses of Agent (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of outside counsel to Agent) in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution and delivery of this Amendment and any documents and instruments relating hereto.







8. Choice of Law and Venue; Jury Trial Waiver; Judicial Reference.







(a) THE VALIDITY OF THIS AMENDMENT, THE CONSTRUCTION, INTERPRETATION, AND ENFORCEMENT HEREOF, THE RIGHTS OF THE PARTIES HERETO WITH RESPECT TO ALL MATTERS ARISING HEREUNDER OR RELATED HERETO, AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSIES OR DISPUTES ARISING HEREUNDER OR RELATED HERETO SHALL BE DETERMINED UNDER, GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.


 


(b) THE PARTIES AGREE THAT ALL ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS ARISING IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE TRIED AND LITIGATED ONLY IN THE STATE AND, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK, STATE OF NEW YORK; PROVIDED, THAT ANY SUIT SEEKING ENFORCEMENT AGAINST ANY COLLATERAL OR OTHER PROPERTY MAY BE BROUGHT, AT AGENT’S OPTION, IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION WHERE AGENT ELECTS TO BRING SUCH ACTION OR WHERE SUCH COLLATERAL OR OTHER PROPERTY MAY BE FOUND.  THE PARTIES HERETO WAIVE, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT EACH MAY HAVE TO ASSERT THE DOCTRINE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS OR TO OBJECT TO VENUE TO THE EXTENT ANY PROCEEDING IS BROUGHT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION 8(b).


 


 




  





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(c) TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVE ITS RESPECTIVE RIGHTS, IF ANY, TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSE OF ACTION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AMENDMENT OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREIN, INCLUDING CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS, AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW OR STATUTORY CLAIMS (EACH A "CLAIM").  THE PARTIES HERETO REPRESENT THAT EACH HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER AND EACH KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL.  IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, A COPY OF THIS AMENDMENT MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE COURT.


 


(d) THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMIT TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK AND THE STATE OF NEW YORK, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AMENDMENT, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT.  EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW.  NOTHING IN THIS AMENDMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT AGENT MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AMENDMENT AGAINST ANY LOAN PARTY OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.


 


(e) EACH PARTY HERETO AGREES THAT SUCH PARTY WILL NOT MAKE ANY CLAIM BY SUCH PARTY TO THIS AMENDMENT AGAINST ANY OTHER PARTY, OR ANY AFFILIATE, DIRECTOR, OFFICER, EMPLOYEE, COUNSEL, REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT, OR ATTORNEY-IN-FACT OF ANY OF THEM FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES IN RESPECT OF ANY CLAIM FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT OR ANY OTHER THEORY OF LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AMENDMENT, OR ANY ACT, OMISSION, OR EVENT OCCURRING IN CONNECTION HEREWITH, AND EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, RELEASES, AND AGREES NOT TO SUE UPON ANY CLAIM FOR SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER OR NOT ACCRUED AND WHETHER OR NOT KNOWN OR SUSPECTED TO EXIST IN ITS FAVOR.


 


(f) IN THE EVENT ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING IS FILED IN A STATE COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA (THE "COURT") BY OR AGAINST ANY PARTY HERETO IN CONNECTION WITH ANY CLAIM AND THE WAIVER SET FORTH IN CLAUSE (C) ABOVE IS NOT ENFORCEABLE IN SUCH PROCEEDING, THE PARTIES HERETO AGREE AS FOLLOWS:


 


(i) WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE MATTERS SPECIFIED IN SUBCLAUSE (ii) BELOW, ANY CLAIM SHALL BE DETERMINED BY A GENERAL REFERENCE PROCEEDING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF CALIFORNIA CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE SECTIONS 638 THROUGH 645.1.  THE PARTIES INTEND THIS GENERAL REFERENCE AGREEMENT TO BE SPECIFICALLY ENFORCEABLE.  VENUE FOR THE REFERENCE PROCEEDING SHALL BE IN THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.


 


 




  





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(ii) THE FOLLOWING MATTERS SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO A GENERAL REFERENCE PROCEEDING: (A) NON-JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE OF ANY SECURITY INTERESTS IN REAL OR PERSONAL PROPERTY, (B) EXERCISE OF SELF-HELP REMEDIES (INCLUDING SET-OFF OR RECOUPMENT), (C) APPOINTMENT OF A RECEIVER, AND (D) TEMPORARY, PROVISIONAL, OR ANCILLARY REMEDIES (INCLUDING WRITS OF ATTACHMENT, WRITS OF POSSESSION, TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDERS, OR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTIONS).  THIS CLAUSE (f) DOES NOT LIMIT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY TO EXERCISE OR OPPOSE ANY OF THE RIGHTS AND REMEDIES DESCRIBED IN CLAUSES (A) - (D) AND ANY SUCH EXERCISE OR OPPOSITION DOES NOT WAIVE THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY TO PARTICIPATE IN A REFERENCE PROCEEDING PURSUANT TO THIS CLAUSE (f) WITH RESPECT TO ANY OTHER MATTER.


 


(iii) UPON THE WRITTEN REQUEST OF ANY PARTY, THE PARTIES SHALL SELECT A SINGLE REFEREE, WHO SHALL BE A RETIRED JUDGE OR JUSTICE.  IF THE PARTIES DO NOT AGREE UPON A REFEREE WITHIN 10 DAYS OF SUCH WRITTEN REQUEST, THEN, ANY PARTY SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO REQUEST THE COURT TO APPOINT A REFEREE PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE SECTION 640(B).  THE REFEREE SHALL BE APPOINTED TO SIT WITH ALL OF THE POWERS PROVIDED BY LAW.  PENDING APPOINTMENT OF THE REFEREE, THE COURT SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO ISSUE TEMPORARY OR PROVISIONAL REMEDIES.


 


(iv) EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AMENDMENT, THE REFEREE SHALL DETERMINE THE MANNER IN WHICH THE REFERENCE PROCEEDING IS CONDUCTED INCLUDING THE TIME AND PLACE OF HEARINGS, THE ORDER OF PRESENTATION OF EVIDENCE, AND ALL OTHER QUESTIONS THAT ARISE WITH RESPECT TO THE COURSE OF THE REFERENCE PROCEEDING.  ALL PROCEEDINGS AND HEARINGS CONDUCTED BEFORE THE REFEREE, EXCEPT FOR TRIAL, SHALL BE CONDUCTED WITHOUT A COURT REPORTER, EXCEPT WHEN ANY PARTY SO REQUESTS A COURT REPORTER AND A TRANSCRIPT IS ORDERED, A COURT REPORTER SHALL BE USED AND THE REFEREE SHALL BE PROVIDED A COURTESY COPY OF THE TRANSCRIPT.  THE PARTY MAKING SUCH REQUEST SHALL HAVE THE OBLIGATION TO ARRANGE FOR AND PAY THE COSTS OF THE COURT REPORTER. HOWEVER, SUCH COSTS SHALL BE REIMBURSED BY THE OTHER PARTY (OR PARTIES) IF THE PARTY INCURRING SUCH COSTS ULTIMATELY PREVAILS IN THE REFERENCE PROCEEDING, AS DETERMINED BY THE REFEREE. THE REFEREE’S FEES SHALL LIKEWISE BE BORNE BY THE PARTY (OR PARTIES) WHICH DOES NOT PREVAIL, AS DETERMINED BY THE REFEREE.


 


(v) THE REFEREE MAY REQUIRE ONE OR MORE PREHEARING CONFERENCES.  THE PARTIES HERETO SHALL BE ENTITLED TO DISCOVERY, AND THE REFEREE SHALL OVERSEE DISCOVERY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES OF DISCOVERY, AND SHALL ENFORCE ALL DISCOVERY ORDERS IN THE SAME MANNER AS ANY TRIAL COURT JUDGE IN PROCEEDINGS AT LAW IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.


 




  





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(vi) THE REFEREE SHALL APPLY THE RULES OF EVIDENCE APPLICABLE TO PROCEEDINGS AT LAW IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND SHALL DETERMINE ALL ISSUES IN ACCORDANCE WITH CALIFORNIA SUBSTANTIVE AND PROCEDURAL LAW.  THE REFEREE SHALL BE EMPOWERED TO ENTER EQUITABLE AS WELL AS LEGAL RELIEF AND RULE ON ANY MOTION WHICH WOULD BE AUTHORIZED IN A TRIAL, INCLUDING DISPOSITIVE MOTIONS SUCH AS MOTIONS FOR DEFAULT JUDGMENT OR SUMMARY JUDGMENT.  THE REFEREE SHALL REPORT HIS OR HER DECISIONS (INCLUDING ANY DECISIONS RELATED TO SPECIFIC ISSUES AND THE REFEREE’S ULTIMATE DECISION AS TO THE ENTIRE CASE), WHICH REPORT SHALL ALSO INCLUDE FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW.  THE REFEREE SHALL ISSUE AN ULTIMATE DECISION AND PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE, SECTION 644, THE REFEREE’S ULTIMATE DECISION MUST STAND AS THE DECISION OF THE COURT, AND UPON FILING OF THE STATEMENT OF DECISION WITH THE CLERK OF THE COURT, JUDGMENT MAY BE ENTERED THEREON IN THE SAME MANNER AS IF THE ACTION HAD BEEN TRIED BY THE COURT.  THE FINAL JUDGMENT OR ORDER FROM ANY APPEALABLE DECISION OR ORDER ENTERED BY THE REFEREE SHALL BE FULLY APPEALABLE AS IF IT HAS BEEN ENTERED BY THE COURT.


 


(vii) THE PARTIES RECOGNIZE AND AGREE THAT ALL CLAIMS RESOLVED IN A GENERAL REFERENCE PROCEEDING PURSUANT HERETO WILL BE DECIDED BY A REFEREE AND NOT BY A JURY.  AFTER CONSULTING (OR HAVING HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONSULT) WITH COUNSEL OF THEIR OWN CHOICE, EACH PARTY HERETO KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY AND FOR THEIR MUTUAL BENEFIT AGREES THAT THIS REFERENCE PROVISION SHALL APPLY CONSISTENT WITH THE FOREGOING PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION 8, TO ANY DISPUTE BETWEEN THEM THAT ARISES OUT OF OR IS RELATED TO THIS AMENDMENT.


 


9. Counterpart Execution.  This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties on separate counterparts, each of which, when executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute but one and the same Amendment.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Amendment by telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission shall be equally as effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Amendment.  Any party delivering an executed counterpart of this Amendment by telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission also shall deliver an original executed counterpart of this Amendment but the failure to deliver an original executed counterpart shall not affect the validity, enforceability, and binding effect of this Amendment.







10. Further Assurances.  Borrower shall execute and deliver all agreements, documents and instruments, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, and take all actions as Agent may reasonably request from time to time to perfect and maintain the perfection and priority of the security interests of Agent in the Collateral and to consummate fully the transactions contemplated under this Amendment and the other Loan Documents.







11. Effect on Loan Documents.







(a) The Credit Agreement, as amended hereby, and each of the other Loan Documents, as amended as of the date hereof, shall be and remain in full force and effect in accordance with their respective terms and hereby are ratified and confirmed in all respects.  The execution, delivery, and performance of this Amendment shall not operate, except as expressly set forth herein, as a waiver of, consent to, or a modification or amendment of, any right, power, or remedy of Agent or any Lender under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document. Except for the amendments to the Credit Agreement and Guaranty and Security Agreement expressly set forth herein, the Credit Agreement, the Guaranty and Security Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect.  The amendments, consents, waivers and modifications set forth herein are limited to the specified hereof, shall not apply with respect to any facts or occurrences other than those on which the same are based, shall neither excuse future non-compliance with the Loan Documents nor operate as a waiver of any Default or Event of Default (other than the Designated Events of Default), shall not operate as a consent to any further or other matter under the Loan Documents and shall not be construed as an indication that any future waiver of covenants or any other provision of the Credit Agreement will be agreed to, it being understood that the granting or denying of any waiver which may hereafter be requested by Borrower remains in the sole and absolute discretion of the Agent and the Lenders.









  





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(b) Upon and after the effectiveness of this Amendment, each reference in the Credit Agreement to “this Agreement”, “hereunder”, “herein”, “hereof” or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement, and each reference in the other Loan Documents to “the Credit Agreement”, “thereunder”, “therein”, “thereof” or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement, shall mean and be a reference to the Credit Agreement as modified and amended hereby.







(c) To the extent that any of the terms and conditions in any of the Loan Documents shall contradict or be in conflict with any of the terms or conditions of the Credit Agreement after giving effect to this Amendment, such terms and conditions are hereby deemed modified or amended accordingly to reflect the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement as modified or amended hereby.







(d) This Amendment is a Loan Document.







(e) Unless the context of this Amendment clearly requires otherwise, references to the plural include the singular, references to the singular include the plural, the terms “includes” and  “including” are not limiting, and the term “or” has, except where otherwise indicated, the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase “and/or”.  The words “hereof”, “herein”, “hereby”, “hereunder”, and similar terms in this Amendment refer to this Amendment, as the case may be, as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Amendment, as the case may be.  Section, subsection, clause, schedule, and exhibit references herein are to this Amendment unless otherwise specified.  Any reference in this Amendment to any agreement, instrument, or document shall include all alterations, amendments, changes, extensions, modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions, joinders, and supplements, thereto and thereof, as applicable (subject to any restrictions on such alterations, amendments, changes, extensions, modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions, joinders, and supplements set forth herein).  The words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties.  Any reference herein to the satisfaction, repayment, or payment in full of the Obligations shall mean (a) the payment or repayment in full in immediately available funds of (i) the principal amount of, and interest accrued and unpaid with respect to, all outstanding Loans, together with the payment of any premium applicable to the repayment of the Loans, (ii) all Lender Group Expenses that have accrued and are unpaid regardless of whether demand has been made therefor, (iii) all fees or charges that have accrued hereunder (including the Letter of Credit Fee and the Unused Line Fee) and are unpaid, (b) in the case of contingent reimbursement obligations with respect to Letters of Credit, providing Letter of Credit Collateralization, (c) in the case of obligations with respect to Bank Products (other than Hedge Obligations), providing Bank Product Collateralization, (d) the receipt by Agent of cash collateral in order to secure any other contingent Obligations for which a claim or demand for payment has been made on or prior to such time or in respect of matters or circumstances known to Agent or a Lender at such time that are reasonably expected to result in any loss, cost, damage, or expense (including attorneys fees and legal expenses), such cash collateral to be in such amount as Agent reasonably determines is appropriate to secure such contingent Obligations, (e) the payment or repayment in full in immediately available funds of all other outstanding Obligations (including the payment of any termination amount then applicable (or which would or could become applicable as a result of the repayment of the other Obligations) under Hedge Agreements provided by Hedge Providers) other than (i) Contingent Obligations, (ii) any Bank Product Obligations (other than Hedge Obligations) that, at such time, are allowed by the applicable Bank Product Provider to remain outstanding without being required to be repaid or cash collateralized, and (iii) any Hedge Obligations that, at such time, are allowed by the applicable Hedge Provider to remain outstanding without being required to be repaid, and (f) the termination of all of the Commitments of the Lenders.  Any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns.  Any requirement of a writing contained herein shall be satisfied by the transmission of a Record.


 




  





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12. Entire Agreement.  This Amendment, and the terms and provisions hereof, the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents constitute the entire understanding and agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all prior or contemporaneous amendments or understandings with respect to the subject matter hereof, whether express or implied, oral or written.







13. Reaffirmation of Obligations.  Borrower hereby reaffirms its obligations under each Loan Document to which it is a party.  Borrower hereby further ratifies and reaffirms the validity and enforceability of all of the liens and security interests heretofore granted, pursuant to and in connection with the Guaranty and Security Agreement or any other Loan Document, to Agent, as collateral security for the obligations under the Loan Documents in accordance with their respective terms, and acknowledges that all of such Liens and security interests, and all Collateral heretofore pledged as security for such obligations, continue to be and remain collateral for such obligations from and after the date hereof.







14. Ratification.  Borrower hereby restates, ratifies and reaffirms each and every term and condition set forth in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents effective as of the date hereof and as amended hereby.







15. Severability.  In case any provision in this Amendment shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, such provision shall be severable from the remainder of this Amendment and the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.







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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be executed and delivered as of the date first above written.







 


 


 


 



	 	 STILLWATER MINING COMPANY,
	 	 a Delaware corporation, as Borrower
	 	 
	 	 
	 	 By: /s/ Gregory A. Wing                             
	 	 Name:  Gregory A. Wing
	 	 Title:    Vice President and Chief Financial Officer





 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 



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	 	 WELLS FARGO CAPITAL FINANCE, LLC,
	 	 a Delaware limited liability company,
	 	 as Agent, as Lead Arranger, as Book Runner, and as a Lender
	 	 
	 	 
	 	 By: /s/ Daniel Whitwer                                  
	 	 Name:   Daniel Whitwer
	 	 Title:     SVP





 


  




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


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	 	 U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
	 	 a national banking association,
	 	 as ­­­­­­­­­Syndication Agent, and as a Lender
	 	 
	 	 
	 	 By: /s/ Christopher Fudge                         
	 	 Name:   Christopher Fudge
	 	 Title:     Vice President





 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


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	 	 UNION BANK, N.A.,
	 	 a national banking association, as a Lender
	 	 
	 	 
	 	 By: /s/ Peter Ehlinger                                
	 	 Name:   Peter Ehlinger
	 	 Title:     Vice President






  







 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


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	 	 FIRST INTERSTATE BANK,
	 	 a national banking association, as a Lender
	 	 
	 	 
	 	 By: /s/ Susan M. Riplett                             
	 	 Name:   Susan M. Riplett
	 	 Title:     Vice President





 











 







 


 




 


[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT AND JOINDER AGREEMENT]