Exhibit 10.3


 


EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


 


This Employment Agreement
(the “Agreement”), is entered into as of the 15th day of October 2020, between Jason Reid (the “Executive”)
and Fortitude Gold Corporation (the “Company”).


 


In consideration of
the mutual covenants contained herein and other valid consideration, the sufficiency of which is acknowledged, the Company and
Executive agree as follows:


 


1.     Employment;
Devotion to Duties.


 


(a) General.
The Company will employ Executive as its Chief Executive Officer reporting to the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”),
and Executive accepts employment to serve in this capacity, all upon the terms and conditions in this Agreement. Executive will
have those duties and responsibilities that are consistent with Executive’s position as Chief Executive Officer, as determined
by the Board. The Company reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to change or modify Executive’s position, title and
duties during the term of this Agreement.


 


(b) Devotion
to Duties. During the Term, Executive (i) will devote all of his business time and efforts to the performance of his
duties on the Company’s behalf, and (ii) will not at any time or place or to any extent whatsoever, either directly
or indirectly, without the express written consent of the Company, engage in any outside employment, or in any activity competitive
with or adverse to the Company’s business, practice or affairs, whether alone or as partner, manager, officer, director,
employee, shareholder of any entity or as a trustee, fiduciary, consultant or other representative. This is not intended to prohibit
Executive from engaging in nonprofessional activities such as personal investments or conducting to a reasonable extent private
business affairs which may include other boards of directors’ activity, as long as they do not conflict with the Company
and, in the case of positions on boards of directors or similar bodies, receive the prior written approval of the Board. Participation
to a reasonable extent in civic, social or community activities is encouraged. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary,
any non-Company activities will be conducted in compliance with the Company’s corporate governance policies and other policies
and procedures as in effect from time to time.


 


2.     Term.


 


(a) Initial
Term. Executive will begin employment as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company under the terms of this Agreement
starting on the date the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 is declared effective by the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the “Commencement Date”). Executive will be employed under this Agreement until one
year after the Commencement Date (the “Initial Term”). The term is automatically extended
under Section 2(b) unless Executive’s employment is terminated earlier pursuant to
Section 7.


 


(b) Renewal
Term. The term of this Agreement and the Executive’s employment renew automatically for successive one-year periods
(each, a “Renewal Term”), unless at least 60 days before the end of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term,
either party gives notice to the other party that this Employment Agreement will terminate at the end of the Initial Term or any
Renewal Term (the Initial Term, together with any Renewal Terms, the “Term”). Notwithstanding the above, the
Executive’s employment is subject to earlier termination under Section 7. Except as otherwise agreed by
Executive, if the Company timely elects not to renew this Agreement at the end of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term, the Executive’s
termination of employment will be characterized as a termination without Cause under Section 7(b).


 






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3.     Location.
The location of Executive’s principal place of employment will be at the Company’s offices; but the Executive understands
that he may be required to travel and perform services outside of this area as reasonably required to properly perform his duties
under this Agreement.


 


4.     Base
Salary. The Company will pay Executive an annual base salary (“Base Salary”) in the amount of $500,000,
subject to future modification in accordance with the Company’s executive compensation review policies and practices. The
Base Salary will be paid in accordance with the Company’s payroll practices in effect from time to time.


 


5.     Incentive
Compensation.


 


(a) Short-term
Incentive Compensation. Executive will be entitled from time to time to annual short-term incentive compensation which
may consist of cash bonuses up to a maximum of 100% of the Executive’s base salary and/or short-term equity awards based
on incentive compensation plans or other criteria established by, and payable in the sole discretion of the Board or one of its
committees. Unless deferred pursuant to a plan that complies with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(“Code”), this bonus, if any, will be paid to the Executive no later than two and one-half months following
the end of the relevant fiscal year in which the services are performed.


 


(b) Long-term
Incentive Compensation. Executive will be entitled to receive equity grants pursuant to the Company’s Equity Incentive
Plan(s) based on incentive compensation plans or other criteria established by, and payable in the sole discretion of the Board
or one of its committees.


 


(c) Clawback.
The compensation and benefits provided pursuant to this Agreement may be subject to the Company’s compensation recoupment
policy or policies (and related Company practices) that may be adopted by the Company and in effect from time-to-time, including,
but not limited to, any policy or policies that may be adopted in response to applicable law (each, a “Clawback Policy”).
By signing this Agreement Executive agrees to fully cooperate with the Company in assuring compliance with such policies and the
provisions of applicable law, including, but not limited to, promptly returning any compensation subject to recovery by the Company
pursuant to such Clawback Policies and applicable law.


 


6.     Executive
Benefits.


 


(a) Fringe
Benefits; Paid Time Off. The Company will provide Executive with those fringe benefits and other executive benefits on
the same terms and conditions as generally available to senior management from time to time (e.g., health and other insurance
programs, etc.); provided, however, that the Company reserves the right to amend or terminate any employee or executive benefit
plan or program. Executive is entitled to paid time off (PTO) during each calendar year, with the amount and scheduling of the
vacation to be determined under the Company’s PTO policies as in effect from time to time.


 






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(b) Reimbursement
of Expenses. Executive is entitled to be reimbursed by the Company for reasonable business expenses incurred in performing
his duties under the Company’s expense reimbursement policies as in effect from time to time or as otherwise approved by
the CEO or the Board.


 


7.     Termination
of Employment During the Term of the Agreement. Upon, and as of, the date of the Executive’s termination of employment
with the Company for any reason, the Executive will be deemed to have resigned from all positions he then holds as an officer or
employee of the Company. The Executive’s employment may be terminated during the Term of this Agreement pursuant to the following
terms and conditions:


 


(a) Company
Terminates Executive’s Employment for Cause.


 


(i) Definition.
For purposes of this Agreement, Cause means (A) the Executive’s failure to substantially perform his reasonably assigned
duties (other than on account of Disability); (B) the Executive is convicted of criminal conduct having the effect of materially
adversely affecting the Company, after all rights of appeal have expired or such appeals have been exhausted; (C) the Executive
engages in the use of alcohol or narcotics to the extent that the performance of his duties is materially impaired; (D) the
Executive materially breaches the terms of this Agreement; (E) the Executive engages in willful misconduct that is materially
injurious to the Company, other than business decisions made in good faith; or (F) the Executive commits any act or omission
not described above that constitutes material and willful misfeasance, malfeasance, fraud or gross negligence in the performance
of his duties to the Company.


 


(ii) Effective
Date of Termination. Executive’s employment will terminate immediately upon written notice by the Company to Executive
stating that Executive’s employment is being terminated for Cause.


 


(iii) Compensation
and Benefits. If the Company terminates the Executive’s employment for Cause, the Company will pay Executive (A) any
earned but unpaid Base Salary through the effective date of termination, and (B) any other unpaid benefit to which he has
earned under the applicable terms of any applicable plan, program, agreement or arrangement of the Company or its affiliates (the
amounts in (A) and (B) above are referred to elsewhere in this Agreement as “Accrued Amounts”).


 


(b) Company
Terminates Executive’s Employment without Cause.


 


(i) Effective
Date of Termination. Executive’s employment will terminate (A) on the 30th day
after the Company gives written notice to Executive stating that Executive’s employment is being terminated without Cause
or (B) upon expiration of the Term of this Agreement as set forth in Section 2(b) above. The Company
may, at its discretion, place Executive on a paid administrative leave during all or any part of the notice period. During the
administrative leave, the Company may bar Executive’s access to its offices or facilities or may provide Executive with access
subject to such terms and conditions as the Company chooses to impose.


 






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(ii) Compensation
and Benefits. If the Company terminates the Executive’s employment without Cause, Executive shall be entitled to
compensation as set forth in Section 7(f).


 


(c) Executive
Voluntarily Resigns.


 


(i) Effective
Date of Termination. Executive’s employment will terminate on the 30th day
after Executive gives written notice to the Company stating that Executive is resigning his employment with the Company for any
reason, unless the Company waives in writing all or part of this notice period (in which case the termination of employment is
effective as of the date of the waiver).


 


(ii) Compensation
and Benefits. If the Executive voluntarily resigns, the Company will pay Executive the Accrued Amounts.


 


(d) Disability.


 


(i) Definition.
For purposes of this Agreement, Disability or Disabled means the Executive (A) is unable to engage in any substantial gainful
activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be
expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, or (B) is, by reason of any medically determinable
physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not
less than 12 months, is receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an accident
and health plan covering the Company’s employees.


 


(ii) Effective
Date of Termination. Executive’s employment will terminate on the first day the Company makes a determination that
the Executive is Disabled.


 


(iii) Compensation
and Benefits. Upon a determination that the Executive is Disabled, the Company will pay to Executive any Accrued Amounts
plus a lump sum equal to 6 months of Executive’s then Base Salary, reduced by any disability insurance maintained by
the Company to be received by Executive for 6 months following his termination of employment, payable within 30 days
following the date of Executive’s termination of employment.


 


(e) Death.


 


(i) Effective
Date of Termination. Executive’s employment will terminate immediately upon the Executive’s death.


 


(ii) Compensation
and Benefits. If the Executive dies during the Term, the Company will pay Executive’s designated beneficiary, or
his estate if there is no designated beneficiary, the Accrued Amounts. Any amounts payable under this Section 7(e)(ii) are
in addition to any payments which the Executive’s designated beneficiary or estate may be entitled to receive pursuant to
any pension plan, profit sharing plan, employee benefit plan, or life insurance policy maintained by the Company.


 






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(f) Other
Termination.


 


(i) Compensation
and Benefits. If the Executive resigns in connection with or within a period of 12 months following a Change in Control,
the Company terminates Executive’s employment pursuant to Section 7(b) of this Agreement, or the Executive terminates
his employment for Good Reason:


 


		·	The Company will pay to Executive 24 months of Executive’s then current Base Salary plus
an amount equal to all short-term incentive compensation received for each of the two calendar years prior to the Change in Control,
payable in a lump sum no later than the 60th day following the termination date (unless
otherwise delayed under Section 7(h) below).



 


		·	all stock options which Executive holds
at the time of such termination shall become fully vested;



 


		·	the Company will extend the expiration
date of the stock options held by the Executive to a date which is four years after the effective date of the Executive’s
termination or resignation, unless the expiration date is after such four-year period, in which case the original expiration date
will control;



 


		·	all shares of restricted stock then held by the Executive
shall immediately vest and all restrictions pertaining to any such shares of restricted stock will lapse and have no further force
or effect.



 


		·	to the extent permissible under the terms of the Company’s welfare benefit plans, the continuation
of all Company welfare benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life and disability benefits pursuant to plans maintained by
the Company under which the Executive and/or the Executive’s family were receiving benefits and/or coverage, or otherwise
reimburse Executive for the cost of continuation of state health coverage for the Executive and/or the Executive’s family,
for the 18-month period following the date of the Executive’s termination, and the Executive shall pay any portion of such
cost as was required to be borne by key executives of the Company generally on the date of termination; provided, however, that,
the coverage for any plan subject to COBRA or state continuation of coverage will discontinue if such coverage terminates under
Section 4980B of the Code.



 


For
purposes of this Agreement, the term Change in Control means (A) the sale of 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities
of the Company in a single transaction or a series of transaction occurring during a 12-month period; (B) A majority of the
members of the Board of Directors is replaced during any 12-month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed
by a majority of the Company’s Board of Directors prior to the date of the appointment or election; (C) the Company
is merged or consolidated with another corporation and as a result of such merger or consolidation less than 50% of the outstanding
securities of the surviving or resulting corporation is owned in the aggregate by the shareholders of the Company that existed
immediately prior the merger or consolidation; (D) the Company sells more than 40% of the fair market value of its assets
to another corporation that is not a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company during a 12-month period or (E) the acquisition
by any individual, entity or group having beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of 50% or more of the Company’s either (1) the then outstanding shares of common stock
of the Company or (2) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote in the
election of directors.


 






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For purposes of this
Agreement, “Good Reason” means assigning the Executive to any duties that are materially inconsistent with his
position as described in Section 1, a reduction of Executive’s Base Salary without the prior written consent
of the Executive, or a relocation of Executive’s primary job duties to a location more than 50 miles from the location
described in Section 3. The foregoing notwithstanding, a condition is not considered “Good Reason”
unless (A) Executive gives the Company written notice of such condition within 30 days after the condition comes into
existence; (B) the Company fails to cure the condition within 30 days after receiving Executive’s written notice;
and (C) Executive terminates his employment within 12 months following a Change in Control.


 


(ii) Release. The
Company will not make any payment to Executive or furnish any benefit under this Section 7(f) unless Executive
signs (and does not revoke) a legal release (“Release Agreement”), in the form and substance reasonably requested
by the Company. The Release Agreement will require Executive to release the Company, directors, officers, employees, agents and
other affiliates with the Company from any and all claims, including claims relating to Executive’s employment with the Company
and the termination of Executive’s employment. The Release Agreement must be executed and returned to the Company within
the 21 or 45 day (as applicable) period described in the Release Agreement and it must not be revoked by Executive within
the seven-day revocation period described in the Release Agreement. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary,
(A) the Company will provide the Release Agreement to the Executive in a timely manner to comply with the provisions under
Code Section 409A, and (B) if the Company concludes, in the exercise of its discretion, that the payments due pursuant
to this Agreement are subject to Section 409A of the Code, and if the consideration period, plus the revocation period described
in the Release Agreement, spans two calendar years, the payments will be made in the second calendar year.


 


(iii) Change
in Control Payment/Section 280G Limitation.


 


(1) General
Rules. Code Sections 280G and 4999 may place significant tax burdens on both Executive and the Company if the total
payments made to Executive due to certain change in control events described in Code Section 280G (the “Total Change
in Control Payments”) equal or exceed the 280G Cap (three times the Executive’s  “Base Amount”
as defined in Code Section 280G). If the Total Change in Control Payments equal or exceed the 280G Cap, Section 4999
of the Code imposes a 20% excise tax (the “Excise Tax”) on all amounts in excess of one times Executive’s
Base Period Income Amount. The Excise Tax is imposed on Executive, rather than the Company, and will be withheld by the Company
from any amounts payable to Executive pursuant to this Agreement. In determining whether the Total Change in Control Payments will
exceed the 280G Cap and result in an Excise Tax becoming due, and for purposes of calculating the 280G Cap itself, the provisions
of Code Sections 280G and 4999 and the applicable regulations will control over the general provisions of this Section 7(f)(iii).


 






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(2) Limitation
on Payments. Subject to the “best net” exception described in Section 7(f)(iii)(3) below,
in order to avoid the imposition of the Excise Tax, the total payments to which Executive is entitled under this Agreement or otherwise
will be reduced to the extent necessary to avoid exceeding the 280G Cap minus $1.00.


 


(3) “Best
Net” Exception. If Executive’s Total Change in Control Payments minus the Excise Tax payable on all such payments
exceeds the 280G Cap minus $1.00, then the total payments to which Executive is entitled under this Agreement or otherwise will
not be reduced pursuant to Section 7(f)(iii)(2). If the “best net” exception applies, Executive shall
be responsible for paying any Excise Tax (and income or other taxes) that may be imposed on Executive pursuant to Code Section 4999
or otherwise.


 


(4) Calculating
the 280G Cap. If the Company believes that the provisions of Section 7(f)(iii)(2) may apply to reduce
the total payments to which Executive is entitled under this Agreement or otherwise, it will notify Executive as soon as possible.
The Company then will engage a “Consultant” (a law firm, a certified public accounting firm, and/or a firm of
recognized executive compensation consultants) to make any necessary determinations and to perform any necessary calculations required
in order to implement the rules set forth in this Section 7(f)(iii). The Consultant shall provide detailed supporting
calculations to both the Company and Executive and all fees and expenses of the Consultant shall be borne by the Company.


 


If the Consultant determines
that the limitations of Section 7(f)(iii)(2) apply, then the total payments to which Executive is entitled
under this Agreement or otherwise will be reduced to the extent necessary to eliminate the amount in excess of the 280G Cap. Such
payments will be made at the times specified herein, in the maximum amount that may be paid without exceeding the 280G Cap. The
balance, if any, will then be paid, if due, after the opinions called for by this Section 7(f)(iii)(4) have
been received.


 


If the amount paid
to Executive by the Company is ultimately determined by the Internal Revenue Service to have exceeded the limitations of Section 7(f)(ii)(2),
Executive must repay the excess promptly on demand of the Company. If it is ultimately determined by the Consultant or the Internal
Revenue Service that a greater payment should have been made to Executive, the Company shall pay Executive the amount of the deficiency
within 30 days of such determination.


 


As a general rule,
the Consultant’s determination shall be binding on Executive and the Company. Section 280G and the Excise Tax rules
of Section 4999, however, are complex and uncertain and, as a result, the Internal Revenue Service may disagree with the Consultant’s
conclusions. If the Internal Revenue Service determines that the 280G Cap is actually lower than calculated by the Consultant,
the 280G Cap will be recalculated by the Consultant. Any payment in excess of the revised 280G Cap then will be repaid by Executive
to the Company. If the Internal Revenue Service determines that the actual 280G Cap exceeds the amount calculated by the Consultant,
the Company shall pay Executive any shortage.


 


The Company has the
right to challenge any determinations made by the Internal Revenue Service. If the Company agrees to indemnify Executive from any
taxes, interest and penalties that may be imposed on Executive in connection with such challenge, then Executive must cooperate
fully with the Company. the Company shall bear all costs associated with the challenge of any determination made by the Internal
Revenue Service and the Company shall control all such challenges.


 






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Executive must notify
the Company in writing of any claim or determination by the Internal Revenue Service that, if upheld, would result in the payment
of Excise Taxes. Such notice shall be given as soon as possible but in no event later than 15 days following Executive’s
receipt of the notice of the Internal Revenue Service’s position.


 


(5) Effect
of Repeal. If the provisions of Code Sections 280G and 4999 are repealed without succession, this Section 7(f)(ii) will
not apply. In addition, if this provision does not apply to Executive for whatever reason (e.g., because Executive is not
a “disqualified individual” for purposes of Code Section 280G), this Section will not apply.


 


(g) Leave
of Absence. At the Company’s sole discretion, Executive may be placed on a paid administrative leave of absence for
a reasonable period of time (not to exceed 60 days unless otherwise reasonably required to resolve matters under investigation)
should the Board believe it necessary for any reason, including, but not limited to confirm that reasonable grounds exist for a
termination for Cause, for example, pending the outcome of any internal or other investigation or any criminal charges. During
this leave, the Company may bar Executive’s access to the Company’s or any affiliate’s offices or facilities
or may provide Executive with access subject to terms and conditions as the Company chooses to impose.


 


(h) Compliance
with Code Section 409A. Any payment under this Section 7 is subject to the provisions of this Section 7(h) (except
for a payment pursuant to Disability or death under Section 7(d) or (e)). If Executive is a “Specified
Employee” of the Company for purposes of Code Section 409A at the time of a payment event in Section 7(b) and
if no exception from Code Section 409A applies in whole or in part, the severance or other payments will be made to Executive
by the Company on the first day of the seventh month following the date of the Executive’s Separation from Service (the “409A
Payment Date”). Should this Section 7(h) result in a delay of payments to Executive, the Company
will begin to make the payments as described in this Section 7, provided that any amounts that would have been
payable earlier but for the application of this Section 7(h), will be paid in lump-sum on the 409A Payment Date
along with accrued interest at the rate of interest announced by the Company’s primary bank from time to time as its prime
rate from the date that payments would otherwise have been made under this Agreement. The balance of the severance payments will
be payable in accordance with regular payroll timing and the COBRA premiums will be paid monthly. For purposes of the provision,
the term Specified Employee has the meaning in Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i), or any successor provision and the issued treasury
regulations and rulings. “Separation from Service” or “Termination of Employment” means,
with respect to any payment that is subject to Code Section 409A, either (a) termination of Executive’s employment
with Company and all affiliates, or (b) a permanent reduction in the level of bona fide services Executive provides to Company
and all affiliates to an amount that is 20% or less of the average level of bona fide services Executive provided to Company in
the immediately preceding 36 months, with the level of bona fide service calculated in accordance with Treasury Regulations
Section 1.409A-1(h)(1)(ii). Solely for purposes of determining whether Executive has a “Separation from Service,”
Executive’s employment relationship is treated as continuing while Executive is on military leave, sick leave, or other bona
fide leave of absence (if the period of such leave does not exceed six months, or if longer, so long as Executive’s right
to reemployment with Company or an affiliate is provided either by statute or contract). If Executive’s period of leave exceeds
six months and Executive’s right to reemployment is not provided either by statute or by contract, the employment relationship
is deemed to terminate on the first day immediately following the expiration of such six-month period. Whether a termination of
employment has occurred will be determined based on all of the facts and circumstances and in accordance with regulations issued
by the United States Treasury Department pursuant to Code Section 409A. If the payment is not subject to Code Section 409A,
the term termination of employment will be given its ordinary meaning.


 






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(i) Mitigation/Offset.
The Executive is under no obligation to seek other Employment or to otherwise mitigate the obligations of the Company under this
Agreement, and the Company may not offset against amounts or benefits due Executive under this Agreement or otherwise on account
of any claim (other than any preexisting debts then due in accordance with their terms) the Company or its affiliates may have
against him or any remuneration or other benefit earned or received by Executive after such termination.


 


8. Executive’s
Other Obligations.


 


(a) Ownership
of Work, Materials and Documents. The Executive will disclose promptly to the Company any and all inventions, discoveries,
and improvements (whether or not patentable or registrable under copyright or similar statutes), and all patentable or copyrightable
works, initiated, conceived, discovered, reduced to practice, or made by the Executive, either alone or in conjunction with others,
during the Executive’s employment with the Company and related to the business or activities of the Company and its affiliates
(the “Developments”). Except to the extent any rights in any Developments constitute a work made for hire under
the U.S. Copyright Act, which the parties acknowledge are owned by the Company and/or its applicable affiliate, the Executive assigns
all of his right, title and interest in all Developments (including all intellectual property rights) to the Company or its nominee
without further compensation, including all rights or benefits, including, without limitation, the right to sue and recover for
past and future infringement. Whenever requested by the Company, the Executive will execute any and all applications, assignments
or other instruments which the Company deems necessary to apply for and obtain trademarks, patents or copyrights of the United
States or any foreign country or otherwise protect its interests. These obligations continue beyond the end of the Executive’s
employment with the Company with respect to inventions, discoveries, improvements or copyrightable works initiated, conceived or
made by the Executive while employed by the Company, and are binding upon the Executive’s employers, assigns, executors,
administrators and other legal representatives. If the Company is unable for any reason, after reasonable effort, to obtain the
Executive’s signature on any document needed in connection with the actions described in this Section 8(a),
the Executive irrevocably designates and appoints the Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as the Executive’s
agent and attorney in fact to act for and in the Executive’s behalf to execute, verify and file any such documents and to
do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the purposes of this Section 8(a) with the same legal force
and effect as if executed by the Executive. Immediately upon the Company’s request at any time during or following the Term,
Executive is required to return to the Company any and all Confidential and Proprietary Information and any other property of the
Company then within Executive’s possession, custody and/or control. Failure to return this property, whether during the term
of this Agreement or after its termination, is a breach of this Agreement.


 






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(b) Interests
to be Protected. During the course of Executive’s employment, Executive will be exposed to a substantial amount of
confidential and proprietary information, including, but not limited to, financial information, annual reports, audited and unaudited
financial reports, operational budgets and strategies, methods of operation, customer lists, strategic plans, business plans, marketing
plans and strategies, new business strategies, merger and acquisition strategies, management systems programs, computer systems,
personnel and compensation information and payroll data, and other such reports, documents or information (collectively the “Confidential
and Proprietary Information”). Due to Executive’s senior position with the Company and its affiliates, Executive
acknowledges that he regularly receives Confidential and Proprietary Information with respect to the Company and/or its affiliates;
for the avoidance of doubt, all such information is expressly included in the defined term “Confidential and Proprietary
Information.” If Executive’s employment is terminated by either party for any reason, Executive promises that Executive
will not retain, take with Executive or make any copies of such Confidential and Proprietary Information in any form, format, or
manner whatsoever (including paper, digital or other storage in any form) nor will Executive disclose the same in whole or in part
to any person or entity, in any manner either directly or indirectly. Excluded from this Agreement is information that (i) is
or becomes publicly known through no violation of this Agreement; (ii) is lawfully received by the Executive from any third
party without restriction on disclosure or use; (iii) is required to be disclosed by law, or (iv) is expressly approved
in writing by the Company for release or other use by the Executive. Executive and the Company also acknowledge that because Executive
is a senior executive he will have access to information (some of which is Confidential Information and some of which is not),
employees and knowledge about the Company that is extremely valuable to the Company and which it needs to protect for a period
of time after Executive terminates employment. Additionally, they agree that the covenants in this Section 8 are
reasonable and necessary to protect the Company’s legitimate business interests. Executive and the Company agree that the
following restrictive covenants (which together are referred to as the “Executive’s Post-Termination Obligations”)
are fair and reasonable and are freely, voluntarily and knowingly entered into. Further, each party has been given the opportunity
to consult with legal counsel before entering into this Agreement.


 


(c) Judicial
Amendment. If the scope of any provision of Section 8 of this Agreement is found by a court to be
too broad to permit enforcement to its full extent, then that provision will be enforced to the maximum extent permitted by law.
The parties agree that, if legally permissible, the scope of any provision of this Agreement may be modified by a judge in any
proceeding to enforce Section 8 of this Agreement, so that the provision can be enforced to the maximum extent
permitted by law. If any provision of this Agreement is found to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, the parties agree
that it will not affect the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement.


 


(d) Injunctive
Relief, Damages and Forfeiture. Due to the nature of Executive’s position with the Company, and with full realization
that a violation of Section 8 may cause immediate and irreparable injury and damage, which is not readily measurable, and to protect
the parties’ interests, the parties understand and agree that in addition to instituting arbitration proceedings pursuant
to Section 10 to recover damages resulting from a breach of this Agreement, either party may also seek injunctive
relief to enforce this Agreement in a court of competent jurisdiction to cease or prevent any actual or threatened violation of
this Agreement. In any action brought pursuant to this Section 8(d), the prevailing party will be entitled to
an award of attorney’s fees and costs.


 






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(e) Survival.
The provisions of this Section 8 survive the termination of this Agreement.


 


(f) Cooperation;
No Disparagement. Following the Termination of this Agreement, for whatever reason, Executive agrees to provide reasonable
assistance to the Company (including assistance with litigation matters), upon the Company’s request, concerning the Executive’s
previous employment responsibilities and functions with the Company. In consideration for such cooperation, but only if the Executive
is not receiving severance pursuant to Section 7, Company will compensate Executive for the time Executive spends
on such cooperative efforts (at an hourly rate based on Executive’s Base Salary during the year preceding the date of termination)
and Company will reimburse Executive for his reasonable out-of-pocket expenses Executive incurs in connection with such cooperative
efforts. Additionally, at all times after the Executive’s employment with the Company has terminated, Company (defined for
this purpose only as any Company press release and the Board, the CEO and the CEO’s direct reports, and no other employees)
and Executive agree to refrain from making any disparaging or derogatory remarks, statements and/or publications regarding the
other, its employees or its services.


 


9. General
Provisions.


 


(a) Severability.
If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable under any applicable law, then, if legally
permissible, such provision will be deemed to be modified to the extent necessary to render it legal, valid and enforceable, and
if no modification will make the provision legal, valid and enforceable, then this Agreement will be construed as if not containing
the provision held to be invalid, and the rights and obligations of the parties will be construed and enforced accordingly.


 


(b) Assignment
by Company. Nothing in this Agreement precludes the Company from consolidating or merging into or with, or transferring
all or substantially all of its assets to, another corporation or entity that assumes this Agreement and all obligations and undertakings
hereunder. Upon any consolidation, merger or transfer of assets and assumption, the term “Company” means any other
corporation or entity, as appropriate, and this Agreement will continue in full force and effect.


 


(c) Entire
Agreement. This Agreement and any agreements concerning equity compensation or other benefits, embody the parties’
complete agreement with respect to the subject matter in this Agreement and supersede any prior written or contemporaneous oral,
understandings or agreements between the parties that may have related in any way to the subject matter in this Agreement, including
but not limited to any offer letter provided to or signed by Executive. This Agreement may be amended only in writing executed
by the Company and Executive.


 






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(d) Governing
Law. Because the Company is a Colorado corporation, and because it is mutually agreed that it is in the best interests
of the Company and all of its employees that a uniform body of law consistently interpreted be applied to the employment agreements
to which the Company is a party, this Agreement will be deemed entered into by the Company and Executive in Colorado. The law of
the State of Colorado will govern the interpretation and application of all of the provisions of this Agreement.


 


(e) Notice.
Any notice required or permitted under this Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed to have been given when delivered personally
or by overnight courier service or three days after being sent by mail, postage prepaid, at the address indicated below or to such
changed address as such person may subsequently give such notice of:


 


	if to the Company:	Fortitude Gold Corporation
	 	2886 Carriage Manor Point
	 	Colorado Springs, CO 80906
	 	
	 	 
	if
    to the Executive:	Attention: Chairman of the Board
	 	2886 Carriage Manor Point
	 	Colorado Springs, CO 80906


 


(f) Withholding;
Release. All of Executive’s compensation under this Agreement will be subject to deduction and withholding authorized
or required by applicable law. The Company’s obligation to make any post-termination payments hereunder (other than salary
payments and expense reimbursements through a date of termination), is subject to Company receiving from Executive a mutually agreeable
release, and compliance by Executive with the covenants set forth in Section 8 above.


 


(g) Non-Waiver;
Construction; Counterparts. The failure in any one or more instances of a party to insist upon performance of any of the
terms, covenants or conditions of this Agreement, to exercise any right or privilege conferred in this Agreement, or the waiver
by that party of any breach of any of the terms, covenants or conditions of this Agreement, will not be construed as a subsequent
waiver of any such terms, covenants, conditions, rights or privileges, but the waiver will continue and remain in full force and
effect as if no such forbearance or waiver had occurred. No waiver is effective unless it is in writing and signed by an authorized
representative of the waiving party. This Agreement will be construed fairly as to both parties and not in favor of, or against,
either party, regardless of which party prepared the Agreement. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of
which will be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts will constitute but one instrument.


 






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(h) Successors
and Assigns. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the parties and their respective successors, assigns, heirs and
legatees. Nothing in this Agreement will be construed to provide any right to any other entity or individual.


 


(i) Indemnification.
The Company agrees to indemnify the Executive to the fullest extent provided under the Company’s limited liability company
agreement and By-Laws, on the same terms and conditions as indemnification is generally provided to the Company’s officers
and directors, in the event that he was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed
action, suit or proceeding, by reason of the fact that the Executive is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company
or any of its affiliates; provided, however, that the Executive is not entitled to indemnification under this Section 8(i) relating
to any claims, actions, suits or proceedings arising from his breach of this Agreement.


 


10. Dispute
Resolution. Any dispute, controversy, or claim, whether contractual or non-contractual, including without limitation any
federal or state statutory claim, common law or tort claim, or claim for attorneys’ fees, between the parties arising directly
or indirectly out of or connected with this Agreement and/or the parties’ employment relationship, unless mutually settled
by the parties hereto, must be resolved by binding arbitration conducted pursuant to the Federal Arbitration Act and in accordance
with the Employment Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association (the “AAA”) in effect at the time.
The parties agree that before proceeding to arbitration, they will mediate their dispute(s) before a mutually selected mediator.
If the parties are unable to mutually select a mediator within thirty (30) days (or as otherwise agreed), then either party may
request the AAA’s assistance in appointing a mediator. Any arbitration will be conducted by an arbitrator mutually selected
by the parties. If the parties are unable to mutually select an arbitrator within thirty (30) days (or as otherwise agreed), then
either party may request the AAA’s assistance in selecting an arbitrator. All such disputes, controversies or claims will
be conducted by a single arbitrator, unless the parties mutually agree that the arbitration will be conducted by a panel of three
arbitrators. The arbitration shall be conducted pursuant to Employment Arbitration Rules of the AAA in effect at the time, or as
otherwise agreed. The arbitrator(s) may award any relief available in a court of competent jurisdiction. The resolution of the
dispute by the arbitrator(s) will be final, binding, nonappealable (except as provided by the Federal Arbitration Act) and fully
enforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction pursuant to the Federal Arbitration Act. The arbitration award will be in writing
and will include a statement of the reasons for the award. The arbitration will be held at the principal place of employment of
the Executive, or as otherwise agreed to by the parties. The Company will initially pay all AAA, mediation, and arbitrator’s
fees and costs. The arbitrator(s) may award reasonable attorneys’ fees and/or costs to the prevailing party. The Company
and the Executive agree that each may bring claims against the other in an individual capacity only, and not as a class representative
or class member in any purported collective, class or representative proceeding. Further, unless both the Company and the Executive
agree otherwise, the Arbitrator may not consolidate more than one party’s claims into a single arbitration proceeding and
may not otherwise preside over any form of a collective, class or representative proceeding. Notwithstanding anything herein to
the contrary, any arbitration proceeding will be held in Denver, Colorado.


 






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


 


		FORTITUDE GOLD CORPORATION,
	 	a Colorado corporation
	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	By:	/s/ Jason Reid
	 	 	 
	 	Name:	Jason Reid
	 	 	 
	 	Title:	Chief Executive Officer
	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	EXECUTIVE
	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	/s/ Jason Reid
	 	 	 
	 	Name: 	Jason Reid



 


 


Fortitude
Gold Employ. Agree Reid #2 9-23-20


 






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