ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED

OCTOBER 31, 2009







Suite 1920  1188 West Georgia Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6E 4A2

January 20, 2010



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PRELIMINARY NOTES

Documents Incorporated by Reference



Date of Information



Currency and Exchange Rates



Metric Equivalents



Forward-Looking Statements



Caution Regarding Adjacent or Similar Mineral Properties



Caution Regarding Reference to Resources and Reserves



Caution Regarding Historical Results



Glossary of Terms



ITEM 3:

CORPORATE STRUCTURE



Name, Address and Incorporation



Intercorporate Relationships



ITEM 4:

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE BUSINESS



Three Year History



Significant Acquisitions



ITEM 5:

NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS



General



Risk Factors



Material Mineral Projects



ITEM 6:

DIVIDENDS



ITEM 7:

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE



General Description of Capital Structure



ITEM 8:

MARKET FOR SECURITIES



Trading Price and Volume



ITEM 9:

ESCROWED SECURITIES



ITEM 10:

DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS



Name, Occupation and Security Holding



Cease Trade Orders, Bankruptcies, Penalties or Sanctions



Conflicts of Interest



ITEM 11:

PROMOTERS



ITEM 12:

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND REGULATORY ACTIONS



Legal Proceedings



Regulatory Actions



Interest of Management and Others in Material Transactions



ITEM 13:

TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR



ITEM 14:

MATERIAL CONTRACTS



ITEM 15:

NAMES AND INTERESTS OF EXPERTS



Names and Interests of Experts



ITEM 16:

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION



Audit Committee Information



Additional Information





SCHEDULE A  AUDIT COMMITTEE INFORMATION



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PRELIMINARY NOTES

Documents Incorporated by Reference

Incorporated by reference into this Annual Information Form (AIF) are the following documents:

(a)

Consolidated Audited Financial Statements of the Company for the year ended October 31, 2009;

(b)

Management Discussion and Analysis of the Company for the year ended October 31, 2009 dated January 20, 2010 (MD&A);

(c)

Management Information Circular dated February 18, 2009 in respect of the 2009 Annual General Meeting (Information Circular); and

(d)

Technical report dated September 10, 2009 entitled Pampa El Toro Mineral Resource Technical Report prepared by SRK Consulting (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd. (the Iron Sands Report),

copies of which may be obtained online from SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

All financial information in this AIF is prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in Canada.

Date of Information

All information in this AIF is as of October 31, 2009 unless otherwise indicated.

Currency and Exchange Rates

All dollar amounts in this AIF are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated.  The Companys accounts are maintained in Canadian dollars and the Companys financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in Canada.  All references to U.S. dollars, USD or to US$ are to U.S. dollars, to MXP are to Mexican pesos, to ARS are to Argentinean pesos and to PEN are to Peruvian nuevo soles.

The following table sets forth the rate of exchange for the Canadian dollar, expressed in United States dollars in effect at the end of the periods indicated, the average of exchange rates in effect on the last day of each month during such periods, and the high and low exchange rates during such periods based on the noon rate of exchange as reported by the Bank of Canada for conversion of Canadian dollars into United States dollars.

|                                 | Year Ended October 31
|-------------------------------- | ---------------------
|Canadian Dollars to U.S. Dollars | 2009                 
|Rate at end of period            | USD 0.9282           
|Average rate for period          | USD 0.8552           
|High for period                  | USD 0.9716           
|Low for period                   | USD 0.7692           

Metric Equivalents

For ease of reference, the following factors for converting Imperial measurements into metric equivalents are provided:

|                                                                                           | To convert from Imperial                                                                                        | To metric   | Multiply by
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------- | -----------
|                                                                                           | Acres                                                                                                           | Hectares    | 0.404686   
|                                                                                           | Feet                                                                                                            | Metres      | 0.30480    
|                                                                                           | Miles                                                                                                           | Kilometres  | 1.609344   
|                                                                                           | Tons                                                                                                            | Tonnes      | 0.907185   
|                                                                                           | Ounces (troy)/ton                                                                                               | Grams/Tonne | 34.2857    
|1 mile = 1.609 kilometres
1 acre = 0.405 hectares
2,204.62 pounds = 1 metric ton = 1 tonne | 2000 pounds (1 short ton) = 0.907 tonnes
1 ounce (troy) = 31.103 grams
1 ounce (troy)/ton = 34.2857 grams/tonne

Terms used and not defined in this AIF that are defined in National Instrument 51-102 Continuous Disclosure Obligations shall bear that definition.  Other definitions are set out in National Instrument 14-101 Definitions.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain of the statements made and information contained or incorporated by reference in this AIF and in the documents incorporated by reference herein may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, statements concerning the existence and size of potential deposits on mineral properties, the potential acquisition of properties, plans regarding share ownership in other companies, the Companys plans for evaluation, exploration and work programs at its various mineral properties, the anticipated content, commencement and cost of exploration programs, anticipated exploration and metallurgical testing program results, the discovery and delineation of mineral deposits/resources/reserves, the anticipated preparation and timing of resource estimates, the potential for expansion of currently identified estimated resources or the upgrading of such resources from inferred to indicated or measured status, and business and financing plans.  Information concerning mineral resource estimates also may be deemed to be forward-looking statements in that it reflects a prediction of the mineralization that would be encountered if a mineral deposit were developed and mined.  Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, assume, intend, plan, project, estimate, postulate, strategy, goals, objective, potential, may, could, would, might, will and similar expressions, or which by their nature refer to future events.  Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including without limitation, risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of any mineral deposits that may be located, the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Companys expectations, variations in mining dilution and metal recoveries, accidents, equipment breakdowns, title matters, labour disputes or other unanticipated difficulties with or interruptions in production, the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of a feasibility study, political risks involving operations in Mexico, Argentina and Peru and other countries and the policies of other nations towards companies doing business in these jurisdictions, the inherent uncertainty of exploration program, production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses, commodity price fluctuations, currency fluctuations, failure to obtain required financing on a timely basis and other risks and uncertainties, including those described under Risk Factors in this AIF as well as in the MD&A.  Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements.  Although the Company believes that such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.  The Company does not expect to update forward-looking statements continually as conditions change and the reader is referred to the full discussion of the Companys business contained in the Companys disclosure filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities.  Readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Caution Regarding Adjacent or Similar Mineral Properties

This AIF contains information with respect to adjacent or similar mineral properties in respect of which the Company has no interest or rights to explore or mine.  The Company advises US investors that the mining guidelines of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) set forth in the SECs Industry Guide 7 strictly prohibit information of this type in documents filed with the SEC.  The Company is exempt from the requirements of Industry Guide 7 pursuant to the Canada-U.S. Multi-Jurisdictional Disclosure System.  Readers are cautioned that the Company has no interest in or right to acquire any interest in any such properties, and that mineral deposits on adjacent or similar properties are not indicative of mineral deposits on the Companys properties.

Caution Regarding Reference to Resources and Reserves

National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure of Mineral Projects (NI 43-101) is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators which establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects.  Unless otherwise indicated, all reserve and resource estimates contained in or incorporated by reference in this AIF have been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and the guidelines set out in the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (the CIM) Standards on Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the CIM Council on November 14, 2004 (the CIM Standards) as they may be amended from time to time by the CIM.

United States shareholders are cautioned that the requirements and terminology of NI 43-101 and the CIM Standards differ significantly from the requirements and terminology of the SEC set forth Industry Guide 7.  Accordingly, the Companys disclosures regarding mineralization may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by companies subject to the SECs Industry Guide 7.  Without limiting the foregoing, while the terms mineral resources, inferred mineral resources, indicated mineral resources and measured mineral resources are recognized and required by NI 43-101 and the CIM Standards, they are not recognized by the SEC and are not permitted to be used in documents filed with the SEC by companies subject to Industry Guide 7.  Mineral resources which are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability, and United States shareholders are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of a mineral resource will ever be converted into reserves.  Further, inferred resources have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and as to whether they can be mined legally or economically.  It cannot be assumed that all or any part of the inferred resources will ever be upgraded to a higher resource category.  In addition, the NI 43-101 and CIM Standards definition of a reserve differs from the definition adopted by the SEC in Industry Guide 7.  In the United States, a mineral reserve is defined as a part of a mineral deposit which could be economically and legally extracted or produced at the time the mineral reserve determination is made.  See Glossary of Terms.

Caution Regarding Historical Results

Historical results of operations and trends that may be inferred from the discussion and analysis in this AIF may not necessarily indicate future results from operations.  In particular, the current state of the global securities markets may cause significant reductions in the price of the Companys securities and render it difficult or impossible for the Company to raise the funds necessary to continue operations.  See Risk Factors  Insufficient Financial Resources/Share Price Volatility.

Glossary of Terms

The following is a glossary of certain mining terms used in this Annual Information Form.

|aeolian                | Caused or carried by the wind                                                                                                                                                                               
|------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|Ag                     | Silver                                                                                                                                                                                                      
|alteration             | Changes in the chemical or mineralogical composition of a rock, generally produced by weathering or hydrothermal solutions                                                                                  
|anomalous              | Departing from the expected or normal                                                                                                                                                                       
|anomaly                | A geological feature, especially in the subsurface, distinguished by geological, geophysical or geochemical means, which is different from the general surroundings and is often of potential economic value
|As                     | Arsenic                                                                                                                                                                                                     
|Au                     | Gold                                                                                                                                                                                                        
|breccia                | Angular broken rock fragments held together by a mineral cement or a fine-grained matrix                                                                                                                    
|Cardero Argentina      | Cardero Argentina, S.A., a wholly owned Argentinean subsidiary of the Company                                                                                                                               
|Cardero Chile          | Compania Minera Cardero Chile Limitada, a wholly owned Chilean subsidiary of Cardero                                                                                                                        
|Cardero Hierro BVI     | Cardero Hierro Peru (BVI) Ltd., a wholly owned British Virgin Islands subsidiary of Cardero Iron BVI                                                                                                        
|Cardero Hierro Peru    | Cardero Hierro del Peru, S.A.C., a wholly owned Peruvian subsidiary of Cardero Hierro BVI                                                                                                                   
|Cardero Iron BVI       | Cardero Iron Ore Company (BVI) Ltd., a wholly owned British Virgin Islands subsidiary of Cardero Iron                                                                                                       
|Cardero Iron USA       | Cardero Iron Ore (USA) Inc., a wholly owned Delaware subsidiary of Cardero Iron                                                                                                                             
|Cardero Management USA | Cardero Iron Ore Management (USA) Inc., a wholly owned Delaware subsidiary of Cardero Iron                                                                                                                  
|Cardero Peru           | Cardero Peru, S.A.C., a wholly owned Peruvian subsidiary of Cardero                                                                                                                                         
|                         | cateo                                                                                                                                                                                                     
|                         | CCDL                                                                                                                                                                                                      
|                         | clastic                                                                                                                                                                                                   
|                         | cm                                                                                                                                                                                                        
|                         | Co                                                                                                                                                                                                        
|                         | Common Shares                                                                                                                                                                                             
|                         | conglomerate                                                                                                                                                                                              
|                         | Cu                                                                                                                                                                                                        
|                         | deposit                                                                                                                                                                                                   
|                         | diamond drill                                                                                                                                                                                             
|                         | dike                                                                                                                                                                                                      
|                         | dip                                                                                                                                                                                                       
|                         | direct reduction                                                                                                                                                                                          
|                         | Director                                                                                                                                                                                                  
|                         | disseminated                                                                                                                                                                                              
|                         | distal                                                                                                                                                                                                    
|                         | DRI                                                                                                                                                                                                       
|                         | dune                                                                                                                                                                                                      
|                         | epithermal                                                                                                                                                                                                
|                         | executive officer                                                                                                                                                                                         
|                         | exsolved                                                                                                                                                                                                  
|                         | Fe                                                                                                                                                                                                        
|                         | felsic                                                                                                                                                                                                    
|                         | footwall                                                                                                                                                                                                  
|                         | gangue                                                                                                                                                                                                    
|                         | gneiss                                                                                                                                                                                                    
|                         | g/t                                                                                                                                                                                                       
|                         | grab sample                                                                                                                                                                                               
|                         | grade                                                                                                                                                                                                     
|                         | hematite                                                                                                                                                                                                  
|                         | hydrothermal                                                                                                                                                                                              
|                         | hypabyssal                                                                                                                                                                                                
|                         | ilmenite                                                                                                                                                                                                  
|                         | intrusion                                                                                                                                                                                                 
|                         | intrusive                                                                                                                                                                                                 
|                         | IOCG                                                                                                                                                                                                      
|                         | km                                                                                                                                                                                                        
|                         | lens                                                                                                                                                                                                      
|                         | m                                                                                                                                                                                                         
|                         | mm                                                                                                                                                                                                        
|                         | mafic                                                                                                                                                                                                     
|                         | magmatic                                                                                                                                                                                                  
|                         | magnetic separation                                                                                                                                                                                       
|                         | magnetite                                                                                                                                                                                                 
|                         | massive                                                                                                                                                                                                   
|                         | metallogeny                                                                                                                                                                                               
|                         | metasomatism                                                                                                                                                                                              
|                         | migmatites                                                                                                                                                                                                
|                         | mina                                                                                                                                                                                                      
|                         | mineral reserve                                                                                                                                                                                           
|                         | mineral resource                                                                                                                                                                                          
|                         | mineralization                                                                                                                                                                                            
|                         | MMC                                                                                                                                                                                                       
|                         | National Instrument 43-101/ NI 43-101                                                                                                                                                                   
|                         | NSR                                                                                                                                                                                                       
|                         | NYSE-A                                                                                                                                                                                                    
|                         | open pit                                                                                                                                                                                                  
|                         | pelite                                                                                                                                                                                                    
|                         | pelitic                                                                                                                                                                                                   
|                         | pig iron                                                                                                                                                                                                  
|                         | porphyry                                                                                                                                                                                                  
|                         | PPB or ppb                                                                                                                                                                                              
|                         | PPM or ppm                                                                                                                                                                                               
|                         | pseudomorph                                                                                                                                                                                               
|                         | SHV                                                                                                                                                                                                       
|                         | sill                                                                                                                                                                                                      
|                         | slag                                                                                                                                                                                                      
|                         | strike                                                                                                                                                                                                    
|                         | sulfide                                                                                                                                                                                                   
|                         | TiO2                                                                                                                                                                                                      
|                         | tailings                                                                                                                                                                                                  
|                         | TSE                                                                                                                                                                                                       
|                         | V2O5                                                                                                                                                                                                      



ITEM 3:CORPORATE STRUCTURE

Name, Address and Incorporation

Cardero Resource Corp. (Cardero) was incorporated under the Company Act (British Columbia) on December 31, 1985 under the name Halley Resources Ltd..  The name was subsequently changed to Rugby Resources Limited on September 6, 1991, to Euro-Ad Systems Inc. on April 30, 1993, to Sun Devil Gold Corp. on July 3, 1997, and to Cardero Resource Corp. on May 18, 1999.  Cardero was transitioned under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (BCBCA) on January 13, 2005, and is now governed by that statute.  On April 22, 2005, the Company filed a new Notice of Articles, reflecting the adoption by the shareholders, on April 15, 2005, of a new form of Articles to govern the affairs of the Company in substitution for the original articles adopted under the old Company Act (B.C.) and reflecting the increased flexibility available to companies under the BCBCA.  A copy of the new Articles is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

The head office and principal business address of Cardero is located at Suite 1920  1188 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, CANADA  V6E 4A2, and its registered and records office is located at 550 Burrard Street, Suite 2300, P.O. Box 30, Bentall 5, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 2B5.

Intercorporate Relationships

The following corporate chart sets forth all of Carderos subsidiaries and their respective jurisdictions of incorporation.  Each of these subsidiaries is wholly owned, directly or indirectly, by Cardero:

Throughout this document references made to the Company refer to Cardero and its consolidated subsidiaries, Cardero Argentina, Cardero Peru, Cardero Iron, Cardero Chile, CCDL, MMC, Cardero Iron USA, Cardero Management USA, Cardero Iron BVI, Cardero Hierro BVI and Cardero Hierro Peru.

ITEM 4:GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE BUSINESS

Three Year History

The Company is a mineral exploration company engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties.  The Company currently holds or has the right to acquire interests in a number of mineral properties in Argentina, Mexico, Peru and the United States of America.  The Company is in the exploration stage as its properties have not yet reached commercial production and none of its properties is beyond the preliminary exploration stage.  All work presently planned by the Company is directed at defining mineralization and increasing understanding of the characteristics of, and economics of, that mineralization. There are currently no identified mineral reserves and, other than on the Pampa el Toro property, there are currently no identified mineral resources, on any of the Companys mineral properties.

Over the past three financial years, the Company has focussed on the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties primarily in Argentina, Mexico and Peru and, more recently, the United States.  During the 2007, 2008 and 2009 financial years, the Company has entered into a number of option agreements to acquire properties in these countries that it believes have the potential to host large gold, silver, copper-gold and/or iron ore/titanium/vanadium deposits.  Some of these, such as the Huachi, Cerro Juncal, Cerro Atajo, La Poma and Mina Azules properties in Argentina, the La Zorra and Ludivina properties in Mexico, the Amable Maria and Bocana properties in Peru, the Pedernales property in Chile and the properties acquired as part of its SHV Project in Argentina, have since been returned to the respective vendors or abandoned, and the associated costs written off, in light of disappointing exploration results.  In this regard, during the 2009 fiscal year, the Company wrote off $1,917,437 in costs associated with the Huachi property, $473,795 in costs associated with the Amable Maria property, and $679,055 in costs associated with the Chingolo Silver project.  Others, such as the Los Manantiales (Mina Angela) property in Argentina and the Corongo property in Peru are currently being reviewed, and it is likely that a joint venture partner will be sought to continue further work.  The Pampa el Toro Iron Sand property in Peru, the Organullo property in Argentina, the Baja IOCG properties in Mexico and the Titac and Longnose properties in Minnesota are currently, or will in early to mid 2010 be, the subject of ongoing work programs by the Company.

During this period, the Company has focused to a large extent on identifying and acquiring potential IOCG deposits (referred to as Olympic Dam type deposits) and entered into option agreements to acquire a number of properties in Mexico and Peru that it believes are prospective for IOCG deposits.  The Baja IOCG project in Mexico is an example of this.  In May, 2006, Anglo American Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (Anglo), which was earning a 51% interest in the Baja IOCG project, determined to terminate its option, and the Company now controls 100% of this project.  The Company also successfully settled the lawsuit brought against it and others by Western Telluric Resources Inc. (WTR) and Minera Olympic, S. de R.L. (the Plaintiffs) in May, 2004.  Pursuant to an agreement dated October 17, 2007 (Settlement Agreement) among the Plaintiffs, the Company and all other parties to the various actions, all related actions were settled.  As its part of the settlement, the Company has agreed to issue an aggregate of 500,000 common shares to WTR and to grant to WTR a 1.5% net smelter return royalty over its existing and future acquired Baja California properties, of which the Company can acquire one-half (0.75%) for the price of $2,000,000.  The settlement transaction closed on May 23, 2008.  As a consequence of the settlement of the lawsuit, the Minera Olympic properties and the properties acquired by Anglo during the option period have been transferred to MMC.  In early 2008 the Company carried out additional detailed geological studies and subsequent geophysical work at the San Jose prospect of the Baja IOCG project, which was successful in identifying additional IOCG targets in the prospect area.  The Company is currently carrying out a drilling program on these properties.  If such program is unsuccessful in identifying significant new deposits with economic potential, it is likely that these properties will be abandoned and returned to the Mexican government following completion of any required reclamation.

In 2005/06, the Company formulated a strategy to explore for, identify and acquire mineral properties based upon a specific geological model, being that for SHV deposits.  Company personnel determined that the Puna region of Argentina displayed all of the characteristics making it prospective for the formation of such deposits and, based on this determination, undertook a year long multidisciplinary regional exploration program targeting a SHV model in the 61,000 square kilometre Ordovician Santa Victoria Basin in north-western Argentina.  In September 2007, the Company entered into an agreement with Newmont Ventures Limited (Newmont) providing for the formation of a regional exploration alliance (Alliance) to jointly conduct exploration for a variety of gold deposit types in north-west Argentina, including SHV deposits.  Detailed geophysical surveys on pre-existing targets began in October 2007 with subsequent targets identified by BLEG sampling being screened later in the 2007/08 field season.  However, no significant results were derived as a consequence of such programs, and the Company and Newmont therefore mutually agreed to terminate the Alliance in early January, 2009.  The Company consequently wrote off $267,157 in associated costs.

As a consequence of the disappointing exploration results on its owned or optioned Argentinean SHV projects, the Company has also determined to terminate all option agreements with respect to its gold projects in this region, and abandon all owned cateos, other than the Pirquitas property, which is the subject of a joint venture with a private Australian company.  The properties terminated or abandoned include the Incahuasi, Salar de Oro, Il Torno, Rinconada, Rinconada North, Oros Mayo, 5C1 South, Rosario Sur, Rosario Norte, Zenteno and Fava Erupto Norte and Sur properties.  As a consequence, the Company wrote off a total of $4,049,646 in associated costs in fiscal 2008.

During the financial year ended October 31, 2008, the Company determined to consider other significantly unexplored regions which held the potential for significant to world class base and precious metal porphyry and epithermal deposits.  It identified the Caucasian Region (consisting of Republics of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, the north-east region of Turkey and certain divisions, republics and territories in Russia) as such a region, particularly the Republic of Georgia where the Georgian Government is seeking to put in place a new mining law and promote the exploitation of the countrys mineral resources.  Accordingly, pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding dated August 8, 2008 (but effective as and from April 25, 2008) between the Company and International Minerals and Mines Ltd., a private Gibraltar company (IMM), the Company has the right to acquire up to a 30% interest in IMM Gold Limited (IMMG), a subsidiary of IMM which is presently engaged in reconnaissance exploration programs in the Caucasian Region.  The Company is the manager of the exploration programs on behalf of IMMG.  Although work has been ongoing since April, 2008, and a number of prospective areas have been identified, no properties have yet been acquired by IMMG.  A director of Cardero is a director and significant shareholder of a private company which is the major shareholder (67%) of IMM.  The Company acquired an initial 15% interest in IMMG by issuing to IMM an initial 500,000 Common Shares (issued on November 24, 2008, at which time the Company received 123,530 ordinary shares of IMMG, representing a 15% interest).  The Company has calculated that it has an obligation to issue an additional 214,813 additional Common Shares in respect of the acquisition of the initial 15% interest, and is currently in discussions with IMM to reduce or eliminate such obligation.  The Company determined not to acquire an additional 15% interest in IMMG and did not therefore issue the additional 1,000,000 common shares on or before December 31, 2009 as required in order to acquire such additional 15% interest.  In light of the lack of progress in acquiring any mineral properties and after consideration of current market conditions and IMMGs operating loss, the Company has recorded an impairment charge of $795,000 to reduce the carrying value of the investment to $Nil and wrote off $468,099 in amounts owed to the Company by IMMG in respect of work carried out by the Company on behalf of IMMG.  However, the Company continues to work with IMMG in reviewing potential acquisitions.

On December 3, 2008, Hochschilds Mining Holding Limited, the optionee of the Companys Los Manantiales (formerly Mina Angela) property, terminated the March 12, 2007 option agreement and returned the control of the property to the Company.  The Company is presently seeking a new joint venture partner in connection with this property.

In 2004 the Company identified iron ore as a commodity for which there was a significant demand, and, since then, has, on an ongoing basis, evaluated a number of prospective iron ore properties, some of which have been acquired.  The Pampa de Pongo Iron property (recently sold) and the Iron Sands project, both in Peru, are examples of this.  The Company continues to evaluate a number of potential iron deposits, not only in Peru and Argentina, but also in other countries, as well as the iron ore potential of its IOCG properties such as the Ursula property in Mexico.  The Company has also focused on iron ore properties that contain significant titanium and vanadium, both of which are important industrial metals, and is pursuing ongoing metallurgical testwork to determine the optimum way to separate out the titanium and/or vanadium from the slag produced by treating the iron ore in a melter to produce pig iron and titanium/vanadium rich slag.  Work in this regard is ongoing, primarily with respect to the Pampa el Toro Iron sands project in Peru.  In addition, in 2008 the Company entered into option agreements to acquire leasehold interests in two iron/titanium/vanadium properties located on the western margin of the Duluth Complex near the Mesabi Iron Range in north-eastern Minnesota (the TiTac (100% interest) and Longnose (85% interest) properties), and is currently implementing initial work programs on both such properties (including drilling), which programs are scheduled to be complete by the end of the first quarter of 2010.  It is anticipated that the results from such programs will enable the Company to calculate initial resource estimates for each of these deposits.  Following the completion of the drilling programs, it is anticipated that metallurgical testwork on the resulting core will then commence.

The primary focus of the Companys activities in 2008 was the completion of a preliminary economic assessment at the Pampa de Pongo Iron project in Peru, as well as ongoing metallurgical work relevant to the production of iron ore and pig iron from Pampa de Pongo material.  Due to the significant costs associated with moving the project forward to commercial production, management determined that the sale of the Pampa de Pongo project was appropriate and, to this end, on October 24, 2008, the Company entered into an agreement with Nanjinzhao Group Co., Ltd., (Nanjinzhao), a private Chinese enterprise located in Zibo City, Shandong Province, Peoples Republic of China, for the sale of the property.  The sale was ultimately completed in January, 2010 and the total sale price of USD 100 million has been received.  The Company will pay a finders fee to an arms length private company in consideration of the finder introducing Cardero to Nanjinzhao and providing ongoing advice in the negotiations.

During the 2008 and 2009, the Company also carried out a pilot plant separation test at the Pampa el Toro Iron Sands project, with a view to producing an iron concentrate and carrying out metallurgical testing of such concentrate, allowing for the Company to optimizing the separation parameters and determine potential production parameters.  The Company successfully produced a 40 tonne magnetic concentrate, significantly increased the pilot plant through-put (from 2.8 to 18 tonnes/hour) and increased the anticipated magnetic concentrate grade (to 55.5% iron).  The concentrate has been shipped to the United States, where extensive commercial scale melting tests, targeting the production of a premium-quality pig iron, are presently underway.  In addition, bench scale testing of the concentrate indicates that a simple screening process resulted in an upgrade to 62.8% iron, and additional work is underway, targeting an increase to 64% iron through additional screening and other mineral separation techniques.  The Company commissioned SRK Consulting (Johannesburg) to prepare a resource estimate for Pampa el Toro utilizing the information from the 120 existing resource definition drillholes, and the resource estimate was delivered on, and is effective as at, July 21, 2009 (see Narrative Description of the Business - Material Mineral Projects  Pampa el Toro Iron Sands Project, Peru).



The Companys focus through the financial year ending October 31, 2010 will be to realise the considerable value it believes is locked in the Companys remaining significant iron ore assets in the Marcona District of southern Peru and in Minnesota, USA, and exploration programs (TiTac, Longnose) and metallurgical testing (Pampa el Toro) is presently underway in this regard.  The Company has optioned out its Corrales and Santa Teresa properties in Mexico and its Pirquitas property in Argentina, and will continue to seek joint venture partners for its Mina Angela property in Argentina and its Corongo property in Peru.  A decision with respect to the Baja IOCG properties will be made following the completion of the current drilling program.  With the successful completion of the sale of the Pampa de Pongo project, the Company now possesses considerable financial resources.  Management is actively reviewing and assessing advanced mineral projects that may be suitable for acquisition, development and/or sale together with various investment opportunities and intends to aggressively seek out and potentially acquire new advanced stage projects.

Significant Acquisitions

Since November 1, 2008, being the commencement of the Companys last completed fiscal year, the Company has not entered into any significant acquisitions for which disclosure is required under Part 8 of National Instrument 51-102.

ITEM 5:NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS

General

Summary

The Company currently holds, or has rights to acquire, interests (ranging from 50% to 100%) in several mineral properties (subject, in certain cases, to net smelter return royalties payable to the original property vendors) in Argentina, Mexico, Peru and the United States.  The Company is in the process of evaluating such properties through exploration programs or, in some cases, mineralogical and metallurgical studies and materials processing tests.  In all cases, the objective is to evaluate the potential of the subject property and to determine if spending additional funds is warranted (in which case, an appropriate program to advance the property to the next decision point will be formulated and, depending upon available funds, implemented) or not (in which case the property may be offered for option/joint venture or returned to the vendor or abandoned, as applicable).  At the present time, the Company is primarily interest in properties that are prospective for precious metals, copper, iron ore, titanium and vanadium.

With the completion of the sale of the Pampa de Pongo Iron Project in January 2010, the Company considers that the Pampa el Toro Iron Sands Project in Peru is its only material mineral property at the present time.  However, ongoing work on other properties may produce results that would cause the Company to consider them as material mineral properties in the future.  The progress on, and results of, work programs on the Companys material mineral property is set out in the Mineral Projects section of this AIF.

The Company is in the exploration stage and does not mine, produce or sell any mineral products at this time, nor do any of its current properties have any known or identified mineral resources (with the exception of the Pampa el Toro property in Peru) or mineral reserves.  The Company does not propose any method of production at this time, although it has conducted and is conducting extensive work on the Pampa el Toro project in order to ascertain the appropriate production methods to employ should the property go into commercial production.

Cardero has also determined to consider investments in other companies which it believes have the potential to generate significant returns as a consequence of the significant potential of their mineral properties.  An example of this is International Tower Hill Mines Ltd., in which Cardero completed an equity investment in mid-2006, and which has shown a significant return on its investment since that time.  Cardero has also recently completed direct investments in Wealth Minerals Ltd., Trevali Resources Corp. and Dorato Resources Inc. and holds securities of Ethos Capital Corp. received in connection with the option involving the Corales and Santa Teresa properties in Mexico.  Although the Companys primary focus remains the acquisition, exploration and development or sale of mineral properties, Cardero will continue to consider and evaluate potential direct investments in other natural resource companies in appropriate circumstances (principally early-stage investments).  All such investments will be for investment purposes only, and Cardero does not presently plan to exercise any control over, or seek to affect or influence, the management or policies of any such companies.

All aspects of the Companys business require specialized skills and knowledge.  Such skills and knowledge include the areas of geology, drilling, logistical planning, geophysics, metallurgy and mineral processing, implementation of exploration programs and accounting.  While recent increased activity in the resource mining industry has made it more difficult to locate competent employees and consultants in such fields, the Company has found that it can locate and retain such employees and consultants and believes it will continue to be able to do so.

All of the raw materials the Company requires to carry on its business are readily available through normal supply or business contracting channels in Canada, Argentina, Mexico, Peru and the United States.  The Company has secured, or reasonably believes that it will be able to secure, personnel to conduct its contemplated programs.

The mining business is subject to mineral price cycles.  The marketability of minerals and mineral concentrates is also affected by worldwide economic cycles.  In recent years, the significant demand for minerals in some countries (notably China and India) has driven increased commodity prices to historic highs.  While the recent downturn in the world economy significantly moderated the record high prices, and temporarily reduced the upward price pressures, for many commodities (including several that the Company is in the business of exploring for), the upward price movements have recently become re-established, primarily as a result of Chinese demand for commodities such as copper and iron ore.  It is difficult to assess if the apparent upward momentum in several commodity prices are long-term trends, and there is great uncertainty as to the recovery, or otherwise, of the world, and particularly, the Chinese, economy.  If the economic recovery stalls and commodity prices decline as a consequence, a continuing period of lower prices could significantly affect the economic potential of many of the Companys current properties and result in the Company determining to cease work on, or drop its interest in, some or all of such properties.  The one exception to this is gold.  Fear of potential inflation as a consequence of the stimulus packages implemented by many countries (notably the United States) and the potential negative influence on the US dollar (among other currencies), have lead to significant increases in the price of gold to record highs.

The Companys business is not substantially dependent on any contract such as a contract to sell the major part of its products or services or to purchase the major part of its requirements for goods, services or raw materials, or on any franchise or licence or other agreement to use a patent, formula, trade secret, process or trade name upon which its business depends.

It is not expected that the Companys business will be affected in the current financial year by the renegotiation or termination of contracts or sub-contracts.

As of October 31, 2009, Cardero had three full-time employees and seven part-time employees and Cardero Management USA had two full-time employees.  The Company relies to a large degree upon consultants and contractors to carry on many of its activities and, in particular, to supervise and carry out the work programs on its mineral properties.  However, should the Company expand its activities, it is likely that it will choose to hire additional employees.

Bankruptcy and Similar Procedures

There are no bankruptcy, receivership or similar proceedings against Cardero, nor is Cardero aware of any such pending or threatened proceedings.  There have not been any voluntary bankruptcy, receivership or similar proceedings by Cardero within the three most recently completed financial years or completed or currently proposed for the current financial year.

Reorganizations

There have been no reorganizations of or involving Cardero within the three most recently completed financial years or completed or currently proposed for the current financial year.

Social or Environmental Policies

Cardero has created a Sustainable Development Committee (SDC), which has adopted a formal charter.  The overall purpose of the SDC is to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to the Boards and the Companys continuing commitment to improving the environment and ensuring that the Companys activities are carried out, and that its facilities are operated and maintained, in a safe, sustainable and environmentally sound manner.  The primary function of the Committee is to monitor, review and provide oversight with respect to the Companys policies, standards, accountabilities and programs relative to health, safety, community relations and environmental-related matters.  Further, the SDC is to advise the Board and make recommendations for the Boards consideration regarding health, safety, community relations and environmental-related issues.  In particular, the SDC is to consider and advise the Board with respect to current standards of sustainable development for projects and activities such as those of the Company, particularly with a view to ensuring that the Companys business is run in a manner, and its projects are operated and developed, so as to achieve the ideals and reflect the following principles of sustainable development:

(a)

living within environmental limits,

(b)

ensuring a strong, healthy and just society,

(c)

achieving a sustainable economy,

(d)

using sound science responsibly, and

(e)

promoting good governance.

The SDC is also responsible for

monitoring the activities of the Company in connection with the initial and ongoing interaction between the Companys activities, operations and personnel and the communities in which the Companys projects and related activities are located, with a view to ensuring that management develops and follows appropriate policies and activities to enhance the relationship between the Company and its personnel and the communities in which it operates and reflect the principles of sustainable development in that regard.

Although not set out in a specific policy, the Company strives to be a positive influence in the local communities where its mineral projects are located, not only by contributing to the welfare of such communities through donations of money and supplies, as appropriate, but also through hiring, when appropriate, local workers to assist in ongoing exploration programs.  The Company considers that building and maintaining strong relationships with such communities is fundamental to its ability to continue to operate in such regions and to assist in the eventual development (if any) of mining operations in such regions, and it attaches considerable importance to commencing and fostering them from the beginning of its involvement in any particular area.

Cardero has also adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which provides, among other things, that the Company is committed to complying with all laws and governmental regulations applicable to its activities and, specifically, to maintaining a safe and healthy work environment and conducting its activities in full compliance with all applicable environmental laws.

Risk Factors

In addition to those risk factors discussed elsewhere in this AIF, the Company is subject to the following risk factors:

Resource Exploration and Development is Generally a Speculative Business:  Resource exploration and development is a speculative business and involves a high degree of risk, including, among other things, unprofitable efforts resulting both from the failure to discover mineral deposits and from finding mineral deposits which, though present, are insufficient in size and grade at the then prevailing market conditions to return a profit from production.  The marketability of natural resources which may be acquired or discovered by the Company will be affected by numerous factors beyond the control of the Company.  These factors include market fluctuations, the proximity and capacity of natural resource markets, government regulations, including regulations relating to prices, taxes, royalties, land use, importing and exporting of minerals and environmental protection.  The exact effect of these factors cannot be accurately predicted, but the combination of these factors may result in the Company not receiving an adequate return on invested capital.

There are no known reserves and. other than the Pampa el Toro Iron Sands project in Peru, there are no known resources, on any of the Companys properties.  The majority of exploration projects do not result in the discovery of commercially mineable deposits of ore.  Substantial expenditures are required to establish ore reserves through drilling and metallurgical and other testing techniques, determine metal content and metallurgical recovery processes to extract metal from the ore, and construct, renovate or expand mining and processing facilities.  No assurance can be given that any level of recovery of ore reserves will be realized or that any identified mineral deposit, even it is established to contain an estimated resource, will ever qualify as a commercial mineable ore body which can be legally and economically exploited.  Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and there is no assurance that any mineral resources will ultimately be reclassified as proven or probable reserves.  Mineral resources which are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.

Fluctuation of Metal Prices:  Even if commercial quantities of mineral deposits are discovered by the Company, there is no guarantee that a profitable market will exist for the sale of the metals produced.  The Companys long-term viability and profitability depend, in large part, upon the market price of metals which have experienced significant movement over short periods of time, and are affected by numerous factors beyond the control of the Company, including international economic and political trends, expectations of inflation, currency exchange fluctuations, interest rates and global or regional consumption patterns, speculative activities and increased production due to improved mining and production methods.  The recent dramatic downturn in the price of all commodities (other than gold) for which the Company is presently exploring is an example of a situation over which the Company has no control and may materially adversely affect the Company in a manner that it may not be able to compensate for.  The supply of and demand for metals are affected by various factors, including political events, economic conditions and production costs in major producing regions.  There can be no assurance that the price of any minerals produced from the Companys properties will be such that any such deposits can be mined at a profit.

Difficulties in Raising Development Capital:Recent market events and conditions, including disruptions in the Canadian, United States and international credit markets and other financial systems and the deterioration of the Canadian, United States and global economic conditions, could, among other things, impede access to capital or increase the cost of capital, which would have an adverse effect on the Companys ability to fund its capital requirements to pursue the acquisition of any significant mineral projects or to secure its share of development financing following a decision to place any of its current or future mineral properties into production (whether on its own or on a joint venture basis).  In 2007 and into 2008, the U.S. credit markets began to experience serious disruption due to a deterioration in residential property values, defaults and delinquencies in the residential mortgage market (particularly, subprime and non-prime mortgages) and a decline in the credit quality of mortgage backed securities.  These problems led to a slow-down in residential housing market transactions, declining housing prices, delinquencies in non-mortgage consumer credit and a general decline in consumer confidence.  These conditions continued and worsened in 2008, causing a loss of confidence in the broader U.S. and global credit and financial markets and resulting in the collapse of, and government intervention in, major banks, financial institutions and insurers and creating a climate of greater volatility, less liquidity, widening of credit spreads, a lack of price transparency, increased credit losses and tighter credit conditions.  Notwithstanding various actions by the U.S. and foreign governments, concerns about the general condition of the capital markets, financial instruments, banks, investment banks, insurers and other financial institutions caused the broader credit markets to further deteriorate and stock markets to decline substantially.  In addition, general economic indicators have deteriorated, including declining consumer sentiment, increased unemployment and declining economic growth and uncertainty about corporate earnings.  These unprecedented disruptions in the current credit and financial markets have had a significant material adverse impact on a number of financial institutions and have limited access to capital and credit for many companies, particularly junior resource exploration companies such as the Company.  Despite the apparent beginning of a general economic recovery in 2009, the strength of such recovery is uncertain, and any reversal of or disruption in such a recovery could, among other things, make it more difficult for the Company to obtain, or increase its cost of obtaining, capital and financing for its operations.  The Companys access to additional capital may not be available on terms acceptable to the Company or at all.

General Economic Conditions:The recent unprecedented events in global financial markets have had a profound impact on the global economy.  Many industries, including the gold and base metal mining industry, are impacted by these market conditions.  Some of the key impacts of the current financial market turmoil include contraction in credit markets resulting in a widening of credit risk, devaluations and high volatility in global equity, commodity, foreign exchange and precious metal markets, and a lack of market liquidity.  A continued or worsened slowdown in the financial markets or other economic conditions, including but not limited to, consumer spending, employment rates, business conditions, inflation, fuel and energy costs, consumer debt levels, lack of available credit, the state of the financial markets, interest rates, and tax rates may adversely affect the Companys growth and profitability.  Specifically:

- The global credit/liquidity crisis could impact the cost and availability of financing and the Companys overall liquidity
- the volatility of gold and other base metal prices may impact the Companys future revenues, profits and cash flow
- volatile energy prices, commodity and consumables prices and currency exchange rates impact potential production costs
- the devaluation and volatility of global stock markets impacts the valuation of the Common Shares, which may impact the Companys ability to raise funds through the issuance of Common Shares

These factors could have a material adverse effect on the Companys financial condition and results of operations.

Share Price Volatility:  In 2008 and 2009, worldwide securities markets, particularly those in the United States and Canada, have experienced a high level of price and volume volatility, and the market price of securities of many companies, particularly those considered exploration or development stage companies, have experienced unprecedented fluctuations in price which have not necessarily been related to the operating performance, underlying asset values or prospects of such companies.  Most significantly, the share prices of junior natural resource companies have experienced an unprecedented decline in value and there has been a significant decline in the number of buyers willing to purchase such securities.  In addition, significantly higher redemptions by holders of mutual funds has forced many of such funds (including those holding the Companys securities) to sell such securities at any price.  As a consequence, despite the Companys past success in securing significant equity financing, market forces may render it difficult or impossible for the Company to secure placees to purchase new share issues at a price which will not lead to severe dilution to existing shareholders, or at all.  Therefore, there can be no assurance that significant fluctuations in the trading price of the Companys common shares will not occur, or that such fluctuations will not materially adversely impact on the Companys ability to raise equity funding without significant dilution to its existing shareholders, or at all.

Permits and Licenses:  The operations of the Company will require licenses and permits from various governmental authorities.  There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain all necessary licenses and permits that may be required to carry out exploration, development and mining operations at its projects, on reasonable terms or at all.  Delays or a failure to obtain such licenses and permits, or a failure to comply with the terms of any such licenses and permits that the Company does obtain, could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Acquisition of Mineral Concessions under Agreements:  The agreements pursuant to which the Company has the right to acquire a number of its properties provide that the Company must make a series of cash payments and/or share issuances over certain time periods, expend certain minimum amounts on the exploration of the properties or contribute its share of ongoing expenditures.  Failure by the Company to make such payments, issue such shares or make such expenditures in a timely fashion may result in the Company losing its interest in such properties.  There can be no assurance that the Company will have, or be able to obtain, the necessary financial resources to be able to maintain all of its property agreements in good standing, or to be able to comply with all of its obligations thereunder, with the result that the Company could forfeit its interest in one or more of its mineral properties.

Title Matters:  The acquisition of title to mineral concessions in Mexico, Peru and Argentina is a very detailed and time-consuming process.  Title to, and the area of, mineral concessions may be disputed.  While the Company has diligently investigated title to all mineral properties in which it has an interest and, to the best of its knowledge, title to all such properties is in good standing or, where not yet granted, the application process appears to be proceeding normally in all the circumstances, this should not be construed as a guarantee of title or that any such applications for concessions will be granted.  Title to mineral properties may be affected by undetected defects such as aboriginal or indigenous peoples land claims, or unregistered agreements or transfers.  The Company has not obtained title opinions for the majority of its mineral properties.  Not all the mineral properties in which the Company has an interest have been surveyed, and their actual extent and location may be in doubt.

Surface Rights and Access:  Although the Company acquires the rights to some or all of the minerals in the ground subject to the mineral tenures that it acquires, or has a right to acquire, in most cases it does not thereby acquire any rights to, or ownership of, the surface to the areas covered by its mineral tenures.  In such cases, applicable mining laws usually provide for rights of access to the surface for the purpose of carrying on mining activities, however, the enforcement of such rights through the courts can be costly and time consuming.  It is necessary to negotiate surface access or to purchase the surface rights if long-term access is required.  There can be no guarantee that, despite having the right at law to access the surface and carry on mining activities, the Company will be able to negotiate satisfactory agreements with any such existing landowners/occupiers for such access or purchase of such surface rights, and therefore it may be unable to carry out planned mining activities.  In addition, in circumstances where such access is denied, or no agreement can be reached, the Company may need to rely on the assistance of local officials or the courts in the applicable jurisdiction, the outcomes of which cannot be predicted with any certainty.  The inability of the Company to secure surface access or purchase required surface rights could materially and adversely affect the timing, cost or overall ability of the Company to develop any mineral deposits it may locate.  This is a particular problem in many areas of Mexico, Argentina and Peru, where blockades of access to the Companys properties, hostile actions by local communities and the potential unwillingness of local police or governmental officials to assist a foreign company against its own citizens can result in the Company being unable to carry out any exploration activities despite being legally authorized to do so and having complied with all applicable local laws and requirements.

No Assurance of Profitability:  The Company has no history of production or earnings and due to the nature of its business there can be no assurance that the Company will be profitable.  The Company has not paid dividends on its shares since incorporation and does not anticipate doing so in the foreseeable future.  All of the Companys properties are in the exploration stage and the Company has not defined or delineated any proven or probable reserves on any of its properties.  None of the Companys properties are currently under development.  Continued exploration of its existing properties and the future development of any properties found to be economically feasible, will require significant funds.  The only present source of funds available to the Company is through the sale of its equity securities or the sale or optioning of a portion of its interest in its mineral properties.  Even if the results of exploration are encouraging, the Company may not have sufficient funds to conduct the further exploration that may be necessary to determine whether or not a commercially mineable deposit exists.  While the Company may generate additional working capital through further equity offerings or through the sale or possible syndication of its properties, there is no assurance that any such funds will be available on favourable terms, or at all.  At present, it is impossible to determine what amounts of additional funds, if any, may be required.  Failure to raise such additional capital could put the continued viability of the Company at risk.

Uninsured or Uninsurable Risks:  Exploration, development and mining operations involve various hazards, including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, metallurgical and other processing problems, unusual or unexpected rock formations, structural cave-ins or slides, flooding, fires, metal losses and periodic interruptions due to inclement or hazardous weather conditions.  These risks could result in damage to or destruction of mineral properties, facilities or other property, personal injury, environmental damage, delays in operations, increased cost of operations, monetary losses and possible legal liability.  The Company may not be able to obtain insurance to cover these risks at economically feasible premiums or at all.  The Company may elect not to insure where premium costs are disproportionate to the Companys perception of the relevant risks.  The payment of such insurance premiums and of such liabilities would reduce the funds available for exploration and production activities.

Government Regulation:  Any exploration, development or mining operations carried on by the Company will be subject to government legislation, policies and controls relating to prospecting, development, production, environmental protection, mining taxes and labour standards.  The Company cannot predict whether or not such legislation, policies or controls, as presently in effect, will remain so, and any changes therein (for example, significant new royalties or taxes), which are completely outside the control of the Company, may materially adversely affect to ability of the Company to continue its planned business within any such jurisdictions.

Foreign Countries and Political Risk:  The Companys material property is located in Peru, and it has additional mineral properties located in Peru, Argentina, Mexico and the United States.  In such countries, mineral exploration and mining activities may be affected in varying degrees by political or economic instability, expropriation of property and changes in government regulations such as tax laws, business laws, environmental laws and mining laws.  Any changes in regulations or shifts in political conditions are beyond the control of the Company and may materially adversely affect it business, or if significant enough, may make it impossible to continue to operate in certain countries.  Operations may be affected in varying degrees by government regulations with respect to restrictions on production, price controls, foreign exchange restrictions, export controls, income taxes, expropriation of property, environmental legislation and mine safety.

Dependence Upon Others and Key Personnel:  The success of the Companys operations will depend upon numerous factors, many of which are beyond the Companys control, including (i) the ability of the Company to enter into strategic alliances through a combination of one or more joint ventures, mergers or acquisition transactions; and (ii) the ability to attract and retain additional key personnel in exploration, mine development, sales, marketing, technical support and finance.  These and other factors will require the use of outside suppliers as well as the talents and efforts of the Company.  There can be no assurance of success with any or all of these factors on which the Companys operations will depend.  The Company has relied and may continue to rely, upon consultants and others for operating expertise.

Exploration and Mining Risks:  Fires, power outages, labour disruptions, flooding, explosions, cave-ins, landslides and the inability to obtain suitable or adequate machinery, equipment or labour are other risks involved in the operation of mines and the conduct of exploration programs.  Substantial expenditures are required to establish reserves through drilling, to develop metallurgical processes, to develop the mining and processing facilities and infrastructure at any site chosen for mining.  Although substantial benefits may be derived from the discovery of a major mineralized deposit, no assurance can be given that minerals will be discovered in sufficient quantities to justify commercial operations or that funds required for development can be obtained on a timely basis.  The economics of developing mineral properties is affected by many factors including the cost of operations, variations of the grade of ore mined, fluctuations in the price of gold or other minerals produced, costs of processing equipment and such other factors as government regulations, including regulations relating to royalties, allowable production, importing and exporting of minerals and environmental protection.  In addition, the grade of mineralization ultimately mined may differ from that indicated by drilling results and such differences could be material. Short term factors, such as the need for orderly development of ore bodies or the processing of new or different grades, may have an adverse effect on mining operations and on the results of operations.  There can be no assurance that minerals recovered in small scale laboratory tests will be duplicated in large scale tests under on-site conditions or in production scale operations.  Material changes in geological resources, grades, stripping ratios or recovery rates may affect the economic viability of projects.

Currency Fluctuations:  The Company presently maintains its accounts in Canadian dollars.  Due to the nature of its operations in such countries, the Company also maintains accounts in U.S. dollars, Mexican and Argentine pesos and Peruvian nuevo soles.  The Companys operations in the United States, Mexico, Argentina and Peru and its proposed payment commitments and exploration expenditures under many of the agreements pursuant to which it holds, or has a right to acquire, an interest in its mineral properties are denominated in U.S. dollars, making it subject to foreign currency fluctuations.  Such fluctuations are out of its control and may materially adversely affect the Companys financial position and results.  The Company does not engage in any hedging programs with respect to currencies.

Environmental Restrictions:  The activities of the Company are subject to environmental regulations promulgated by government agencies in different countries from time to time.  Environmental legislation generally provides for restrictions and prohibitions on spills, releases or emissions into the air, discharges into water, management of waste, management of hazardous substances, protection of natural resources, antiquities and endangered species and reclamation of lands disturbed by mining operations.  Certain types of operations require the submission and approval of environmental impact assessments.  Environmental legislation is evolving in a manner which means stricter standards, and enforcement, fines and penalties for non-compliance are more stringent.  Environmental assessments of proposed projects carry a heightened degree of responsibility for companies and directors, officers and employees.  The cost of compliance with changes in governmental regulations has a potential to reduce the profitability of operations.

Regulatory Requirements:  The activities of the Company are subject to extensive regulations governing various matters, including environmental protection, management and use of toxic substances and explosives, management of natural resources, exploration, development of mines, production and post-closure reclamation, exports, price controls, taxation, regulations concerning business dealings with indigenous peoples, labour standards on occupational health and safety, including mine safety, and historic and cultural preservation.  Failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations may result in civil or criminal fines or penalties, enforcement actions thereunder, including orders issued by regulatory or judicial authorities causing operations to cease or be curtailed, and may include corrective measures requiring capital expenditures, installation of additional equipment, or remedial actions, any of which could result in the Company incurring significant expenditures.  The Company may also be required to compensate those suffering loss or damage by reason of a breach of such laws, regulations or permitting requirements.  It is also possible that future laws and regulations, or more stringent enforcement of current laws and regulations by governmental authorities, could cause additional expense, capital expenditures, restrictions on or suspension of the Companys operations and delays in the exploration and development of the Companys properties.

Limited Experience with Development-Stage Mining Operations:  The Company has limited experience in placing resource properties into production, and its ability to do so will be dependent upon using the services of appropriately experienced personnel or entering into agreements with other major resource companies that can provide such expertise.  There can be no assurance that the Company will have available to it the necessary expertise when and if it places its resource properties into production.

Estimates of Mineral Reserves and Resources and Production Risks:  The mineral resource estimates presented in the Companys filings with securities regulatory authorities, press releases and other public statements that may be made from time to time are based upon estimates made by Company personnel and independent geologists, and no assurance can be given that any particular level of recovery of minerals will in fact be realized or that an identified reserve or resource will ever qualify as a commercially mineable (or viable) deposit which can be legally and economically exploited.  The estimating of mineral resources and mineral reserves is a subjective process and the accuracy of mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates is a function of the quantity and quality of available data, the accuracy of statistical computations, and the assumptions used and judgments made in interpreting available engineering and geological information.  There is significant uncertainty in any mineral resource or mineral reserve estimate and the actual deposits encountered and the economic viability of a deposit may differ materially from the Companys estimates.  Accordingly, there can be no assurance that:

- these estimates will be accurate;
- reserves, resource or other mineralization figures will be accurate; or
- this mineralization could be mined or processed profitably.

Because the Company has not commenced production at any of its properties, and has not defined or delineated any proven or probable reserves on any of its properties, mineralization estimates for the Companys properties may require adjustments or downward revisions based upon further exploration or development work or actual production experience.  In addition, the grade of mineralization ultimately mined may differ from that indicated by drilling results and such differences could be material.  There can be no assurance that minerals recovered in small-scale tests will be duplicated in large-scale tests under on-site conditions or in production scale.  Production can be affected by such factors as permitting regulations and requirements, weather, environmental factors, unforeseen technical difficulties, unusual or unexpected geological formations and work interruptions.  Short term factors, such as the need for orderly development of deposits or the processing of new or different grades, may have a material adverse effect on mining operations and on the results of operations.  There can be no assurance that minerals recovered in small scale laboratory tests will be duplicated in large scale tests under on-site conditions or in production scale operations.  Material changes in reserves or resources, grades, stripping ratios or recovery rates may affect the economic viability of projects.  The estimated resources described the Companys filings with securities regulatory authorities, press releases and other public statements that may be made from time to time should not be interpreted as assurances of mine life or of the profitability of future operations.  Estimated mineral resources and mineral reserves may have to be re-estimated based on changes in applicable commodity prices, further exploration or development activity or actual production experience.  This could materially and adversely affect estimates of the volume or grade of mineralization, estimated recovery rates or other important factors that influence mineral resource or mineral reserve estimates.  Market price fluctuations for gold, silver or base metals, increased production costs or reduced recovery rates or other factors may render any particular reserves uneconomical or unprofitable to develop at a particular site or sites.  A reduction in estimated reserves could require material write downs in investment in the affected mining property and increased amortization, reclamation and closure charges.



Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and there is no assurance that any mineral resources will ultimately be reclassified as proven or probable reserves.  Mineral resources which are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.  The failure to establish proven and probable reserves could restrict the Companys ability to successfully implement its strategies for long-term growth.

Enforcement of Civil Liabilities:  As substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries are located outside of Canada and the United States, and certain of the directors and officers of the Company are resident outside of Canada and/or the United States, it may be difficult or impossible to enforce judgements granted by a court in Canada or the United States against the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries or the directors and officers of the Company residing outside of such country.

Mining Industry is Intensely Competitive:  The Companys business of the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties is intensely competitive.  The Company may be at a competitive disadvantage in acquiring additional mining properties because it must compete with other individuals and companies, many of which have greater financial resources, operational experience and technical capabilities than the Company.  The Company may also encounter increasing competition from other mining companies in efforts to hire experienced mining professionals.  Competition for exploration resources at all levels is currently very intense, particularly affecting the availability of manpower, drill rigs and helicopters.  Increased competition could adversely affect the Companys ability to attract necessary capital funding or acquire suitable producing properties or prospects for mineral exploration in the future.

The Company believes that it has been a passive foreign investment company under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code in one or more prior tax years, and may be a passive foreign investment company in current and future tax years, which may result in material adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to investors in Common Shares that are U.S. taxpayers:  Investors in Common Shares that are U.S. taxpayers should be aware that the Company believes that it has been in one or more prior tax years, and may be in current and future tax years, a passive foreign investment company under Section 1297(a) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code (a PFIC).  However, no determination has been made regarding the Companys PFIC status for any particular tax year.  If the Company is or becomes a PFIC, generally any gain recognized on the sale of the Common Shares and any excess distributions (as specifically defined) paid on the Common Shares must be rateably allocated to each day in a U.S. taxpayers holding period for the Common Shares. The amount of any such gain or excess distribution allocated to prior years of such U.S. taxpayers holding period for the Common Shares generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the highest tax applicable to ordinary income in each such prior year, and the U.S. taxpayer will be required to pay interest on the resulting tax liability for each such prior year, calculated as if such tax liability had been due in each such prior year.

Alternatively, a U.S. taxpayer that makes a qualified electing fund (a QEF) election with respect to the Company generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such U.S. taxpayers pro rata share of the Companys net capital gain and ordinary earnings (as specifically defined and calculated under U.S. federal income tax rules), regardless of whether such amounts are actually distributed by the Company.  U.S. taxpayers should be aware, however, that there can be no assurance that the Company will satisfy record keeping requirements under the QEF rules or that the Company will supply U.S. taxpayers with required information under the QEF rules, in event that the Company is a PFIC and a U.S. taxpayer wishes to make a QEF election.  As a second alternative, a U.S. taxpayer may make a mark-to-market election if the Company is a PFIC and the Common Shares are marketable stock (as specifically defined).  A U.S. taxpayer that makes a mark-to-market election generally will include in gross income, for each taxable year in which the Company is a PFIC, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) the fair market value of the Common Shares as of the close of such taxable year over (b) such U.S. taxpayers adjusted tax basis in the Common Shares.

The above paragraphs contain only a brief summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations.  Investors should consult their own tax advisor regarding the PFIC rules and other U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of Common Shares.

Material Mineral Projects

Pampa el Toro Iron Sands Project, Peru

Information in this AIF regarding the Iron Sands Project is based on information provided by the Iron Sands Report.  The following summary is from the Iron Sands Report and the detailed disclosure in the Iron Sands Report is incorporated into this AIF by reference.  Readers are encouraged to review the entire Iron Sands Report, which is filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Summary

The Pampa el Toro Project is an Iron Sands project situated in the desert coastal region of Southern Peru.  During late 2005 the Company initiated a feasibility study on this project by starting a sand sampling program headed by Cooke Geochemical Consulting, and a trenching and percussion drilling programme managed by their own geologists.  This has been followed up by various outsourced metallurgical test programs, initially done by Midrex (2005) and most recently by Bateman Engineering (2007).

Location

The property is located near the city of Nazca in the desert coastal region of southern Peru approximately 45 km northeast of the port of San Juan, close to the large Marcona iron mine (approximate resource of 1.4Bt @ 54% iron), the Mina Justa copper deposit (inferred resource of 218Mt @ 0.8% copper), and the Pampa de Pongo iron deposit (Figure 1).

Ownership

There are 14 mining concessions within the Pampa El Toro Project area totalling 10,300 hectares (Figure 2).  The Company has direct ownership of 9 of the concessions and has signed an option agreement with Minas Ataspacas S.A. to acquire an initial 70% interest in the other 5 concessions.

Geology and Mineralization

The Lower Paleozoic iron rich Marcona Formation is unconformably overlain by Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous volcanic and sedimentary sequences which, in turn, were intruded by stocks and dykes belonging to the Peruvian Coastal Batholith complex.  These strata were, in turn, deformed, uplifted and eroded, and formed a base on which Quaternary sediments were deposited.

It is speculated that the iron-bearing minerals contained in the iron sands either partially or wholly originated from the volcanic units overlying the Marcona formation, however additional as yet unidentified sources are possible.  However, it is possible that erosion of these Quaternary sediments contributed significant quantities of magnetite material contained in the dune fields.

Mineralogically, the principal iron-bearing minerals in the dunes consist of magnetite, titanomagnetite and ilmenite, with minor to trace amounts of hematite, rutile, titanite, ulvospinel and goethite.  Silicate minerals, which make up the bulk of the sands, are primarily quartz, plagioclase, amphibole, chlorite, mica and pyroxene.  The majority of the ilmenite (80-85% by volume) is associated with magnetite, titanomagnetite and hematite, with the remaining 15-20% by volume present as free ilmenite grains.

The dune sands are considered to be the product of aeolian re-distribution of contemporary and ancient beach sands and Quaternary basin sediments derived from erosion of the bedrock, winnowed, and re-distributed, by prevailing winds to produce potentially economic concentrations of magnetite in extensive, and partially active, dune fields.

Exploration Concept

The primary focus of the exploration work has been on the sampling, trenching and percussion drilling of the deposit, combined with significant amounts of metallurgical testwork.  This has lead to the development of a robust geological and structural model on which the mineral resource estimation and calculation is based.  Exploration is thus at an advanced stage.  Detailed metallurgical testwork has also been completed.

The Company has conducted the exploration program with a set of standard procedures which aim to monitor the quality of the sampling and assay results.  The standard procedures include submitting both Certified Reference Materials to monitor the accuracy of the analyses, as well as the analysis of field and laboratory pulp duplicate samples to benchmark the sampling and sample splitting errors as well as the precision and repeatability of the analyses.  The quality control samples are checked before accepting the batch analytical results from the laboratory in order to control the quality of the data accepted in the exploration database.  The quality control samples indicate that there was no bias introduced in the samples splitting process, as field duplicates and pulp duplicates from the laboratory show very similar characteristics.  Analysis of the quality control sample results indicates that the analyses have been conducted to a high level of accuracy and precision, and are acceptable for use in Mineral Resource Estimation.

Status of Exploration

A pilot mineral processing plant has been erected on site in early 2008 and approximately 56.8 tons of magnetic concentrate was produced.  In terms of metallurgical testwork, the Phase I briquetting work and the Phase II bench-scale pig iron production program has been completed.  The Phase III pilot-scale pig iron production program has been completed and the analytical results are currently being determined.

Mineral Resource Estimation

SRK have generated a Mineral Resource estimate based on the data supplied by the Company from their exploration programs.  The assay results of a selected set of elements from the 5m composite samples were analysed and found to represent a relatively well represented single population of all elements.  There are strong correlations between the major economic elements (Fe2O3, TiO2, and V) that indicate a common genetic and depositional history.  This indicates that these elements are most likely contained within the same, or strongly associated minerals.

SRK generated and modeled experimental semi-variograms that indicate long range continuity in the major elements, but that also indicate a long range trend element within the deposit in a north-south direction.  Cross validation tests conducted by SRK on the semi-variograms indicate that the modelled semi-variograms and the selected search neighbourhood parameters should provide robust estimates.

The surface topography contours were used to generate a wireframe representation of the topography.  This surface was copied vertically downwards by 30m, and used to constrain the depth extent of the Mineral Resource estimate.  Drillhole collars were also projected vertically onto the surface as the various generations of GPS surveys of the collars did not accurately match the surveyed contours.

SRK created a block model with a block size equivalent to the nominal drillhole spacing of 250m X and Y directions, and 5m vertically.  The block model was rotated to approximately match the dip of the topographic surface, which coincided with the plane of best continuity.  In order to better model the volume, and the topographic variations, the parent blocks were sub-divided into smaller blocks, with a minimum size in the XY plane of 6.25m by 6.25m.  The blocks were created to exactly match the intersection of the wireframe with the block center.  Only parent blocks were estimated (i.e. each 250m by 250m by 5m collection of sub-blocks will have the same grade estimate)

The vertical continuity of mineralization is significantly shorter than the lateral continuity, as would be expected from a deposit emplaced and reworked in thin sheets over time.  The search ellipsoid employed by SRK takes this into account using anisotropic search scaling, with the result that samples from adjacent boreholes are given a higher weighting than samples from the same borehole that occur above or below the block being estimated.  A minimum of four samples was required to estimate a block, and a maximum of 12 was used, to preserve some local variability in the grades.  The maximum number of samples used in the estimation was selected after an optimisation exercise indicated that this was the best balance between generating high quality estimates, and over-smoothing of the estimation.

The Mineral Resources were classified on the basis of the confidence in the geological variation, the quality of the sampling and analytical results, drillhole spacing, and indicators of the quality of the estimation.  The central portion of the deposit, which is drilled on approximately 250m centers, which has high quality estimates was classified as in Indicated Mineral Resource.  The portion of the deposit surrounding this, drilled on approximately 500m centers, and extending approximately 500m beyond the area drilled on 500 centers is classified as an Inferred Mineral Resource.  Portions of the deposit that were estimated further than 500m from the 500m spaced drilling were also excluded from the mineral Resources until further confirmatory work is completed to confirm the grades of the material. The Mineral Resources are reported in Table 1.

Table 1:  Pampa el Toro Mineral Resources as at 21 July 2009.1

|Category  | Volume (m3 '000) | Tons (kT) | Grade (Fe2O3 %) | Grade (TiO2 %) | Grade
(V ppm)
|--------- | ---------------- | --------- | --------------- | -------------- | -------------
|Indicated | 133,608          | 241,831   | 6.67            | 0.72           | 172          
|Inferred  | 348,190          | 630,224   | 6.47            | 0.70           | 166          

1 No grade cut-off has been applied to the material in the Mineral Resource, as the grades are relatively homogenous, would likely be able to be blended, and are projected to be economically viable, based on the assumptions made by the Company.  A Mineral Resource is not a Mineral Reserve and does not have demonstrated economical viability.

Qualified Persons Conclusions and Recommendations

In the exploration conducted to date at the Iron Sands Project, the surface sampling and subsequent percussion drillhole testing indicates that the overall magnetite content is relatively homogeneous, particularly in the uppermost 30 metres.  Sample density achieved in the investigations is considered to be more than adequate to support these assertions.

The underestimation of magnetic mineral content and Fe grades caused by milling and grinding of sand is not expected to affect the in-situ Fe grade on which the current Mineral Resource estimate is based.

As an additional upgrading step to dry magnetic separation, screening of the concentrate is both simple and economic.  Further testing in this regard is strongly recommended.

A robust Mineral Resource estimate has been generated based on a sound geological model and exploration database.  The Mineral Resource is classified in terms of the CIM definitions on Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves  Definitions and Guidelines.  An Indicated Mineral Resource of 133,608 kT with a Fe2O3 grade of 6.67% has been defined, along with an Inferred Resource of 348,190 kT with a Fe2O3 grade of 6.47%.

SRK recommend that the metallurgical test work continue to improve the confidence in the ability to upgrade the raw sand material into a saleable product, and that the Company proceed with the preliminary economic assessment of the project

[exhibit1002.jpg]

Figure 1:  Pampa el Toro Iron Sands Project Location and Infrastructure

[exhibit1004.jpg]

Figure 2:  Pampa el Toro Iron Sands Project Tenure and Dune Field Location Map

Planned Activities

The Company intends to complete the metallurgical test program presently underway for the recovery of vanadium and titanium from the smelter slag, and believes that as the results of this testing will add significant value in terms of potential high-quality pig-iron and titanium-vanadium co-products.  However, the ability of the Company to proceed with further work beyond the metallurgical testing program at the Pampa el Toro Iron Sands Project is dependent upon the Company being able to either raise the significant additional financing required to do so or to secure a partner to move the project forward.  The Company is also assessing the desirability of undertaking pre-feasibility studies to address the mining of the Pampa el Toro resource as well as a pre-feasibility study for the value-added smelting operation.  At the present time, the Company is looking to secure a partner who can help move the project to a commercial stage, however, there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so.

ITEM 6:DIVIDENDS

There are no restrictions which prevent the Company from paying dividends.  The Company has not paid any dividends in the last three financial years.  The Company has no present intention of paying any dividends, as it anticipates that all available funds will be invested to finance the growth of its business.  The directors of the Company will determine if and when dividends should be declared and paid in the future, based on the Companys financial position at the relevant time.

ITEM 7:DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE

General Description of Capital Structure

The authorized capital of Cardero is an unlimited number of Common Shares, of which 58,618,477 were issued at January 20, 2010.  The holders of Common Shares are entitled to receive notice of and attend all meetings of shareholders, with each Common Share held entitling the holder to one vote on any resolution to be passed at such shareholder meetings.  The holders of Common Shares are entitled to dividends if, as and when declared by the board of directors of Cardero.  The Common Shares are entitled, upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Cardero, to receive the remaining assets of Cardero available for distribution to shareholders.

ITEM 8:MARKET FOR SECURITIES

The Common Shares are listed and posted for trading on the TSE (symbol CDU), on the NYSE-A (symbol CDY), and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (symbol CR5).

Trading Price and Volume

The following table provides information as to the high, low and closing prices of the Common Shares on the TSE during the 12 months of the most recently completed financial year and the 3 months since the most recent financial year end, as well as the volume of shares traded for each month:

Toronto Stock Exchange

|Month                 | High
($) | Low
($) | Volume   
|--------------------- | -------- | ------- | ---------
|January 1 to 20, 2010 | 1.64     | 1.45    | 1,356,655
|December, 2009        | 1.66     | 1.30    | 2,663,596
|November, 2009        | 1.36     | 1.22    | 860,740  
|October, 2009         | 1.35     | 1.11    | 951,778  
|September, 2009       | 1.34     | 1.09    | 1,261,010
|August, 2009          | 1.18     | 1.03    | 814,755  
|July, 2009            | 1.14     | 1.02    | 520,045  
|June, 2009            | 1.23     | 1.03    | 2,836,766
|May, 2009             | 1.55     | 0.88    | 9,336,840
|April, 2009           | 1.54     | 1.32    | 2,242,644
|March, 2009           | 1.97     | 1.42    | 3,873,798
|February, 2009        | 2.15     | 1.24    | 2,112,082
|January, 2009         | 1.60     | 1.26    | 1.061,411
|December, 2008        | 1.40     | 0.94    | 765,988  
|November, 2008        | 1.80     | 1.00    | 1,448,150

ITEM 9:ESCROWED SECURITIES

There are no securities of the Company subject to escrow.

ITEM 10:DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Name, Occupation and Security Holding

The names, positions or offices held with Cardero, province/state and country of residence, and principal occupation over the last five years of the Directors and executive officers of Cardero are as follows:

|Name, Position and
Province/State and Country of Residence(1)                               | Principal Occupation
During the Past 5 Years(1)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     | Period of Service as an Officer or Director(2)                                                         
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|Hendrik Van AlphenPresident, Chief Executive Officer and Director
British Columbia, Canada  | Businessman; President of Cardero, 2000 to present.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 | Director since April 19, 1999
President since April 10, 2000
Chief Executive Officer since May 14, 2001
|Leonard Harris(3)(4)(5)(6)Director
Colorado, USA                                            | Independent consultant to the mining industry, 1992 to present.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     | Since February 25, 2000                                                                                
|Lawrence W. TalbotDirector, Vice-President and General Counsel
British Columbia, Canada     | Barrister and Solicitor; Owner, Lawrence W. Talbot Law Corporation (law firm) since May, 2006; previously Partner, Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP (law firm) since April 2000.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       | Director since April 17, 2003
Vice-President & General Counsel since July 1, 2006                      
|Murray W. Hitzman, Ph.D.(3)(5)
Director
Colorado, United States                             | Geologist; Professor of Economic Geology at the Colorado School of Mines since June 1996 and Head of the Department of Geology and Geological Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines, August 2000 to August 2007.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              | Since January 4, 2006                                                                                  
|Stephan A. Fitch(3)(4)(6)
Director
London, England                                          | Businessman; Managing Director, IAG Holdings Limited (private investment company) 2003 to present; previously Partner, International Asset Group Ltd. (private merchant and investment banking firm) 1995 to 2003.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | Since May 31, 2006                                                                                     
|Michael W. Kinley, C.A.
Chief Financial Officer
British Columbia, Canada                    | Chartered Accountant; President, Winslow Associates Management & Communications Inc. 1973 to present (private consulting firm); CFO, Wealth Minerals Ltd., International Tower Hill Mines Ltd., Dorato Resources Inc., and Trevali Resources Corp.; Director and CFO, Indico Resources Ltd.; Director, StonePoint Global Brands Inc.; President, WorldStar Energy Corp.; Director, Strike Resources Ltd.; President, CFO and Director, GFK Resources Ltd., CEO and Director, Can-Asia Minerals Inc. | Since January 4, 2006                                                                                  
|Mark D. Cruise, Ph.D., EurGeol.Vice-President-Business Development
British Columbia, Canada | Geologist, President of Trevali Resources Corp., May 18, 2008 to present; Vice-President, Business Development of Cardero, April 2007 to present, Vice-President, Exploration of Cardero November 2004 to March 2007; Senior Geologist Copper/Zinc, Anglo American plc, 1996 to November 2004.                                                                                                                                                                                                      | Since November 16, 2004                                                                                
|Keith Henderson, EurGeolVice-President, Exploration
British Columbia, Canada                | Geologist; Vice President, Exploration of Cardero Resource Corp., April 1, 2007 to present; President, Dorato Resources Inc., December 1, 2008 to present; Senior Project Geologist, Anglo American (Exploration) Canada Ltd., 2002 to March 31, 2007                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | Since April 1, 2007                                                                                    
|Marla K. RitchieCorporate Secretary
British Columbia, Canada                                | Corporate Administrator; Corporate Secretary, Cardero, May 2001 to present; from February 1992 to November 2003, Secretary/Administrator to several public natural resource companies, including Ascot Resources Ltd., Brett Resources Ltd., Golden Band Resources Inc., Hyder Gold Inc., Leicester Diamond Mines Ltd. and Solomon Resources Limited                                                                                                                                                | Since May 14, 2001                                                                                     



Notes:



1.

The information as to place of residence and principal occupation, not being within the knowledge of Cardero, has been furnished by the respective directors individually.

2.

All directorships expire at the next Annual General Meeting of the shareholders of Cardero (which is required to be held on or before June 26, 2010).  All officers hold office at the pleasure of the Board.

3.

Denotes member of the Audit Committee.

4.

Denotes member of the Compensation Committee.

5.

Denotes member of the Sustainable Development Committee.

6.

Denotes member of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee

Cardero does not currently have any board committees other than the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Sustainable Development Committee.

As at January 20, 2010, Carderos Directors and executive officers, as a group, beneficially hold a total of 1,526,502 Common Shares, directly or indirectly, representing 2.60% of the 58,618,477 issued Common Shares.  Carderos Directors and executive officers, as a group, also hold the following incentive stock options to purchase up to the following numbers of Common Shares until the dates shown:

(a)

750,000 Common Shares exercisable at $2.04 per Common Share until July 21, 2010;

(b)

875,000 Common Shares exercisable at $2.18 per Common Share until August 8, 2010;

(c)

350,000 Common Shares exercisable at $1.16 per Common Share until December 9, 2010;

(d)

600,000 Common Shares exercisable at $1.30 per Common Share until September 11, 2011; and

(e)

185,000 Common Shares exercisable at $1.31 per Common Share until December 1, 2011.

Cease Trade Orders, Bankruptcies, Penalties or Sanctions

1.

No Director or executive officer of Cardero is, as at the date of this AIF, or was within ten years before the date of this AIF, a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer of any company (including Cardero) that:



(a)

was subject to an order that was issued while the Director or executive officer was acting in the capacity as director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer, except as follows:



(i)

Michael W. Kinley, the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, was the President and Director of Abstract Enterprises Corp. (he resigned in 2005), which was the subject of a British Columbia Securities Commission (BCSC) cease trade order on July 10, 2002 for failure to file financial statements (a similar order was issued by the Alberta Securities Commission (ASC)) and was delisted on June 20, 2003, and



(ii)

Michael W. Kinley, the Chief Financial Officer of the Company is the President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of GFK Resources Inc. (formerly Noise Media Inc.), which was the subject of a BCSC cease trade order on January 28, 2003 for failure to file financial statements (a similar ASC order was also issued).  The Company was subsequently transferred to the NEX Board.  The cease trade order was revoked on December 8, 2006, the company having filed a reactivation application in accordance with applicable policies; or



(b)

was subject to an order that was issued after the Director or executive officer ceased to be a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer and which resulted from an event that occurred while that person was acting in the capacity as director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer.



For the purposes hereof, the term order means:



(a)

a cease trade order;



(b)

an order similar to a cease trade order; or



(c)

an order that denied the relevant company access to any exemption under securities legislation,



that was in effect for a period of more than 30 consecutive days.



2.

No Director or executive officer of Cardero, or a shareholder holding a sufficient number of securities of Cardero to affect materially the control of Cardero:



(a)

is, as at the date of this AIF, or has been within the ten years before the date of this AIF, a director or executive officer of any company (including Cardero) that, while such person was acting in such capacity, or within a year of that person ceasing to act in that capacity, became bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency or was subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors or had a receiver, receiver-manager or trustee appointed to hold its assets; or



(b)

has, within ten years before the date of this AIF, become bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, or become subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors, or has a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold the assets of the Director, executive officer or shareholder.



3.

No Director or executive officer of Cardero, or a shareholder holding a sufficient number of securities of Cardero to affect materially the control of Cardero, has been subject to:



(a)

any penalties or sanctions imposed by a court relating to securities legislation or by a securities regulatory authority or has entered into a settlement agreement with a securities regulatory authority; or



(b)

any other penalties or sanctions imposed by a court or regulatory body that would likely be considered important to a reasonable investor making an investment decision.

Conflicts of Interest

Certain Directors and executive officers of Cardero are directors, officers and/or shareholders of other private and publicly listed companies, including companies that engage in mineral exploration and development (including Wealth Minerals Ltd., International Tower Hill Mines Ltd., Dorato Resources Inc., Trevali Resources Corp., Indico Resources Ltd., GFK Resources Ltd., and Remstar Resources Ltd.).  To the extent that such other companies may participate in or be affected by ventures involving Cardero, these Directors and executive officers of Cardero may have conflicting interests in negotiating, settling and approving the terms of such ventures.  Conflicts of interest affecting the Directors and executive officers of Cardero will be governed by Carderos Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, the Articles of Cardero and the provisions of the BCBCA and other applicable laws.  In the event that such a conflict of interest arises at a meeting of the Directors, a Director affected by the conflict must disclose the nature and extent of his interest and abstain from voting for or against matters concerning the matter in respect of which the conflict arises.  Directors and executive officers are required to disclose any conflicts or potential conflicts to the board of Directors as soon as they become aware of them.  In accordance with the requirements of the NYSE-A Company Manual, transactions involving a conflict of interest or related party transactions are required to be approved by the Companys Audit Committee.

ITEM 11:PROMOTERS

Cardero does not presently have, and has not within the last two completed financial years had, any promoters.

ITEM 12:LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND REGULATORY ACTIONS

Legal Proceedings

The Company is not currently, and has not since November 1, 2008 (being the commencement of the Companys last competed financial year) been, a party to any legal proceedings, nor is any of the Companys properties presently, or has, since November 1, 2008 (being the commencement of the Companys last competed financial year), any of the Companys properties been, subject to any legal proceedings.

Regulatory Actions

There have not been any:

1.

penalties or sanctions imposed against Cardero by a court relating to securities legislation or by a securities regulatory authority during the financial year ended October 31, 2009;



2.

other penalties or sanctions imposed against Cardero by a court relating to securities legislation or by a securities regulatory authority that would likely be considered important to a reasonable investor making an investment decision; or



3.

settlement agreements entered into by Cardero before a court relating to securities legislation or with a securities regulatory authority during the financial year ended October 31, 2009.

Interest of Management and Others in Material Transactions

No:

1.

Director or executive officer of the Company;



2.

any person or company that is the direct or indirect beneficial owner of, or who exercises control or direction over, more than 10% of the Common Shares; or



3.

any associate or affiliate of any of the persons or companies referred to in paragraphs 1 or 2,

has, during any of the financial years ended October 31, 2007, 2008 or 2009, or during the current financial year, had any material interest, direct or indirect, in any transaction that has materially affected, or will materially affect, the Company, other than:

(a)

Stephan Fitch, a director of Cardero, is a director and significant shareholder of a private company which is the major shareholder (67%) of IMM.  The Company acquired a 15% interest in IMMG from IMM (See General Development of the Business  Three Year History for details on this transaction).  This transaction was approved by the Companys audit committee and board of directors (other than Stephan Fitch, who abstained from voting in each case).

(b)

On February 29, 2008, the Company closed a brokered private placement of 5,150,000 units.  The units were sold at $1.10 per unit, and each unit consisted of one common share and one-half of a warrant, and with one whole warrant being exercisable to purchase an additional common share at a price of $1.50 until March 1, 2010.  Hendrik Van Alphen, the President, CEO and a Director purchased an aggregate of 100,000 units.  Such purchase was upon the identical terms and conditions as the other subscribers in the placement.

ITEM 13:TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR

The Companys transfer agent and registrar is Computershare Investor Services Inc.  Transfers may be effected at, and registration facilities are maintained at:

1.

in British Columbia, 3rd Floor, 510 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 3B9; and



2.

in Ontario, 100 University Avenue, 11th Floor, Toronto, Ontario M5J 2Y12.

ITEM 14:MATERIAL CONTRACTS

Other than in the ordinary course of the Companys business of mineral property evaluation, acquisition and divestiture and exploration, including raising the funding therefor, there are no material contracts that have been entered into by the Company since November 1, 2008 (being the commencement of the Companys most recently completed financial year) that are still in effect and that require filing under Section 12.2 of National Instrument 51-102.

ITEM 15:NAMES AND INTERESTS OF EXPERTS

Names and Interests of Experts

The following are the persons or companies:

1.

who were named as having prepared or certified a statement, report or valuation described or included in a filing, or referred to in a filing, made under National Instrument 51-102 by Cardero during, or relating to, the fiscal year ending October 31, 2009, being Carderos most recently completed financial year; and



2.

whose profession or business gives authority to the statement, report or valuation made by the person or company:



(a)

Smythe Ratcliffe LLP, Chartered Accountants:



(i)

provided an auditors report dated January 27, 2009 in respect of the Companys consolidated financial statements for the years ended October 31, 2008 and 2007 and incorporated by reference into Carderos AIF dated January 28, 2009, and



(ii)

provided an auditors report dated January 22, 2010 in respect of the Companys consolidated financial statements for the years ended October 31, 2009 and 2008 and incorporated by reference into this AIF.



Smythe Ratcliffe LLP is independent in accordance with the auditors rules of professional conduct in British Columbia;



(b)

Mark D. Cruise, EurGeol, a qualified person for the purposes of NI 43-101, is one of the authors responsible for the preparation of the technical report dated January 20, 2009 entitled Technical Report on the Iron Sands Project:  The Pampa El Toro, Carbonera and Tanaca Dune Fields, near Nazca, Peru.  Mr. Cruise is the Vice-President, Business Development of Cardero.  He holds less than 1% of the outstanding Common Shares and incentive stock options to acquire up to an additional 292,500 Common Shares;



(c)

Glenn Hoffman is one of the authors responsible for the preparation of the technical report dated January 20, 2009 entitled Technical Report on the Iron Sands Project: The Pampa El Toro, Carbonera and Tanaca Dune Fields, near Nazca, Peru.  Mr. Hoffman is the President of Cardero Iron USA and Cardero Management USA.  He holds less than 1% of the outstanding Common Shares and incentive stock options to acquire up to an additional 300,000 Common Shares;



(d)

Each of Gordon Doerksen, P.Eng., Marek Nowak, P.Eng. and George Wahl, P.Eng. of SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. and Leonard Holland, Chartered Engineer, of Holland & Holland Consultants (UK) are responsible for the preparation of one or more sections of the technical report dated September 30, 2008 entitled Pampa de Pongo Iron Project  Preliminary Economic Assessment Technical Report, Caraveli Province, Peru.  Each of them is independent of the Company and none of Messrs. Doerksen, Nowak, Wahl or Holland holds more than 1% of the Common Shares; and



(e)

Each of Mark Wanless of SRK Consulting (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd., Professional Earth Scientist, and Leonard Holland, Chartered Engineer, of Holland & Holland Consultants (UK) are responsible for the preparation of one or more sections of the technical report dated September 30, 2009 entitled Pampa el Toro Mineral Resource Technical Report incorporated by reference in this AIF.  Each of them is independent of the Company and neither of Messrs. Wanless or Holland holds more than 1% of the Common Shares.



ITEM 16:ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Audit Committee Information

Under National Instrument 52-110  Audit Committees (NI 52-110), companies that are required to file an Annual Information Form are required to provide certain disclosure with respect to their audit committee, including the text of the audit committees charter, the composition of the audit committee and the fees paid to the external auditor.  This information with respect to Cardero is provided in Schedule A.

Additional Information

Additional information relating to Cardero may be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Additional information, including directors and officers remuneration and indebtedness, principal holders of Carderos securities and securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans, if applicable, is contained in the Information Circular.  Additional financial information is available in the Financial Statements and MD&A.

A copy of this AIF, the Information Circular, the Financial Statements and the MD&A, together with any interim financial statements from the past financial year, may be found on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com or be obtained upon request from the Secretary of Cardero.  A reasonable fee for copying may be charged if the request is made by a person who is not a registered security holder of Cardero.

Schedule A

Audit Committee Information

The Audit Committees Charter

The following is the text of the current Charter for Carderos Audit Committee:

CARDERO RESOURCE CORP.

AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER

(Adopted by the Board of Directors on December 16, 2004)

ARTICLE 1  - PURPOSE

The overall purpose of the Audit Committee (the Committee) is to:

(a)

ensure that the management of Cardero Resource Corp. (the Company) has designed and implemented an effective system of internal financial controls for reviewing and reporting on the Companys financial statements;

(b)

oversee, review and report on the integrity of the Companys financial disclosure and reporting;

(c)

review the Company's compliance with regulatory and statutory requirements as they relate to financial statements, taxation matters and disclosure of material facts; and

(d)

be directly responsible for:

(i)

the selection of a firm of external auditors to be proposed for election as the external auditors of the Company,

(ii)

the oversight of the work of the Companys external auditors, and

(iii)

subject to the grant by the shareholders of the authority to do so, if required, fixing the compensation of the external auditors of the Company.

ARTICLE 2  - COMPOSITION, PROCEDURES AND ORGANIZATION

2.1

The Committee will consist of at least three members of the Board of Directors (the Board), all of whom will be independent1 and unrelated directors
2 of the Company within the meaning of all applicable legal and regulatory requirements (except in the circumstances, and only to the extent, permitted by all applicable legal and regulatory requirements).

2.2

All of the members of the Committee will be financially literate3, at least one member of the Committee will have accounting or related financial expertise (i.e. able to analyze and interpret a full set of financial statements, including the notes thereto, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles) and at least one member of the Committee will be a financial expert within the meaning of the rules and forms adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (except in the circumstances, and only to the extent, permitted by all applicable legal and regulatory requirements).

2.3

The Board, at its organizational meeting held in conjunction with each annual general meeting of the shareholders, will appoint the members of the Committee for the ensuing year.  The Board may at any time remove or replace any member of the Committee and may fill any vacancy in the Committee.

2.4

Unless the Board has appointed a chair of the Committee, the members of the Committee will elect a chair from among their number.

2.5

The Committee will select an individual to act as secretary for the Committee, who will be either:

(a)

a member of the Committee other than the chair, or

(b)

another individual who is not a member of the management of the Company.

2.6

The quorum for meetings will be a majority of the members of the Committee, present in person or by telephone or other telecommunication device that permits all persons participating in the meeting to speak and to hear each other.  Decisions by the Committee will be by the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Committee, or by consent resolutions in writing signed by each member of the Committee.

2.7

The Committee will have access to such officers and employees of the Company and to the Company's external auditors, and to such information respecting the Company, as it considers to be necessary or advisable in order to perform its duties and responsibilities.

2.8

Meetings of the Committee will be conducted as follows:

(a)

the Committee will meet:

(i)

at least four times annually, and

(ii)

may meet as many additional times:

A.

as deemed necessary or appropriate by the Committee,

B.

upon request by any member of the Committee, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer or the external auditors,

in each case at such times and at such locations as may be determined by the Committee or the chair of the Committee.  Except in respect of a regularly scheduled meeting of the Committee, notice of such meeting, together with a proposed agenda, will be delivered to each member of the Committee not less that forty-eight (48) hours prior to the proposed meeting time (which notice may be waived by all of the members of the Committee); and

(b)

the external auditors and management representatives will be invited to attend as necessary in the discretion of the Committee.

2.9

The internal accounting staff, any external accounting consultant(s) and the external auditors will have a direct line of communication to the Committee through its chair and may bypass management if deemed necessary.  The Committee, through its chair, may contact directly any employee in, or consultant of, the Company as it deems necessary, and any employee of, or consultant to, the Company may bring before the Committee any matter involving questionable, illegal or improper financial practices or transactions.

2.10

The Committee may, in its sole discretion, retain, at the expense of the Company, such legal, financial or other advisors or consultants as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to properly and fully perform its duties and responsibilities hereunder.

---

1Whether a director is independent will be determined in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations, including the applicable securities laws of Canada and the United States and the regulations and policies of any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Companys securities are listed or quoted.



2 unrelated director means a director who is: (a) not a member of management and is free from any interest and any business, family or other relationship which could reasonably be perceived to materially interfere with the directors ability to act with a view to the best interests of the issuer, other than interests and relationships arising solely from holdings in the issuer, (b) not currently, or has not been within the last three years, an officer, employee of or material service provider to the issuer or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates; and (c) not a director (or similarly situated individual) officer, employee or significant shareholder of an entity that has a material business relationship with the issuer.  A chair or vice chair of the board of directors who is not a member of management is not, for that reason alone, a related director.

3 An individual is financially literate if he or she has the ability to read and understand a set of financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally compatible to the breadth and complexity of the issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the Companys financial statements.

---

ARTICLE 3  - DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

3.1

The overall duties and responsibilities of the Committee will be as follows:

(a)

be directly responsible for:

(i)

the selection of a firm of external auditors to be proposed for election as the external auditors of the Company,

(ii)

the oversight of the work of the Companys external auditors, and

(iii)

subject to the grant by the shareholders of the authority to do so, if required, fixing the compensation of the external auditors of the Company;

(b)

to review with the management of the Company (and, in the case of the annual audited statements, with the external auditors) the annual audited consolidated and unaudited consolidated quarterly financial statements, including the notes thereto, to ensure that such statements present fairly the financial position of the Company and the results of its operations and, if appropriate, to recommend to the Board as to the approval of any such financial statements;

(c)

to assist the Board in the discharge of its responsibilities relating to the Companys accounting principles, reporting practices and internal controls and its approval of the Company's annual and quarterly consolidated financial statements;

(d)

to establish and maintain a direct line of communication with the Company's internal accounting staff and any external accounting consultant(s) and assess their performance;

(e)

to ensure that the management of the Company has designed, implemented and is maintaining an effective and appropriate system of internal financial controls; and

(f)

to report regularly to the Board on the fulfilment of its duties and responsibilities.

3.2

The duties and responsibilities of the Committee as they relate to the external auditors will be as follows:

(a)

to select a firm of external auditors to be proposed by management of the Company to the shareholders for election by the shareholders as the external auditors for the Company, and to verify the independence of such proposed external auditors;

(b)

to review and approve the fee, scope and timing of the annual and any other audit performed by the external auditors;

(c)

to review and evaluate the qualifications, performance and independence of the lead partner of the external auditors of the Company;

(d)

to discuss with management of the Company the timing and process for implementing the rotation of the lead audit partner and the reviewing partners of the external auditors of the Company;

(e)

to obtain confirmation from the external auditors of the Company that they will report directly to the Committee;

(f)

to obtain confirmation from the external auditors of the company that they will report in a timely matter to the Committee all critical accounting policies and practices to be used, all alternative accounting policies and practices, the ramifications of each of such accounting policies and practices and the accounting policy and practice preferred by the external auditors of the Company, for the financial information of the Company within applicable generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) which have been discussed with management of the Company and will provide a copy of all material written communications between the external auditors of the Company and management of the Company including, without limitation, any management letter or schedule of unadjusted differences;

(g)

obtain confirmation from the external auditors of the Company that they will ensure that all reports filed under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which contain financial statements required to be prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP and/or are reconciled to, United States GAAP, reflect all material correcting adjustments identified by the external auditors of the Company;

(h)

to review and approve the Companys hiring policies regarding partners, employees and former partners and employees of the present and any former external auditors of the Company;

(i)

to review and pre-approve all non-audit services to be provided to the Company (or any of its subsidiaries) by the external auditors, provided that such pre-approval authority may be delegated by the Committee to any member of the Committee who is independent and unrelated on the condition that any such pre-approval must be presented to the Committee at its first schedule meeting following any such approval;

(j)

review the audit plan of the external auditors prior to the commencement of the audit;

(k)

to review with the external auditors, upon completion of their annual audit:

(i)

the contents of their report,

(ii)

the scope and quality of the audit work performed,

(iii)

the adequacy of the Company's financial and accounting personnel,

(iv)

the co-operation received from the Company's personnel and any external consultants during the audit,

(v)

the scope and nature of the internal resources used,

(vi)

any significant transactions outside of the normal business of the Company,

(vii)

any significant proposed adjustments and recommendations for improving internal accounting controls, accounting principles or management systems, and

(viii)

the non-audit services provided by the external auditors during the year under audit;

(l)

to discuss with the external auditors not just the acceptability, but also the quality, of the Companys accounting principles; and

(m)

to implement structures and procedures to ensure that the Committee meets the external auditors on a regular basis in the absence of management.

3.3

The duties and responsibilities of the Committee as they relate to the internal control procedures of the Company are to:

(a)

review the appropriateness and effectiveness of the Company's policies and business practices which impact on the financial integrity of the Company, including those relating to internal accounting, the use of and services provided by any external accounting consultant(s), insurance, information services and systems and financial controls, management reporting and risk management, and to ensure that the Company maintains:

(i)

the necessary books, records and accounts in reasonable detail to accurately and fairly reflect the Companys financial transactions,

(ii)

effective internal control systems, and

(iii)

adequate processes for assessing the risk of material misstatement of the financial statements and for detecting control weaknesses or fraud;

(b)

establish procedures for:

(i)

the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, and

(ii)

the confidential, anonymous submission by employees or any external consultants of the Company of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters;

(c)

to periodically review this policy and recommend to the Board any changes which the Committee may deem appropriate;

(d)

review any unresolved issues between management and the external auditors that could affect the financial reporting or internal controls of the Company;

(e)

periodically review the Company's financial and auditing procedures and the extent to which recommendations made by the internal accounting staff, by any external accounting consultant(s) or by the external auditors have been implemented;

(f)

assist in the preparation of any internal control report by management, which provides that management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining an adequate control structure and procedures for financial reporting by the Company, assessing the effectiveness of such control structure and procedures, and ensuring that the external auditors of the Company attest to, and report on, the assessment of such control structure and procedures by management of the Company;

(g)

assist the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of the Company in their assessment of the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting and in determining whether there has been any material change in the Companys internal control over financial reporting which has materially affected or could materially affect such internal control subsequent to the date of the evaluation; and

(h)

assist the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of the Company in identifying and addressing any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the design or operation of the Companys internal control over financial information and any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Companys internal control over financial reporting.

3.4

The Committee is also charged with the responsibility to:

(a)

review the Company's quarterly statements of earnings, including the impact of unusual items and changes in accounting principles and estimates and report to the Board with respect thereto;

(b)

review and approve the financial sections of:

(i)

the annual report to shareholders;

(ii)

the annual information form (if any);

(iii)

any quarterly or annual management discussion and analysis;

(iv)

prospectuses; and

(v)

other public reports requiring approval by the Board,

and report to the Board with respect thereto including, without limitation, as to the approval (or otherwise) thereof by the Board;

(c)

review regulatory filings and decisions as they relate to the Company's consolidated annual and interim financial statements, including any press releases with respect thereto;

(d)

ensure that the Company discloses in the periodic reports of the Company, as appropriate, whether at least one member of the Committee is a financial expert within the meaning of the rules and forms adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission;

(e)

ensure that all non-audit services approved by or on behalf of the Committee are disclosed in the periodic reports of the Company;

(f)

ensure that each annual report and, to the extent required by any applicable legal or regulatory requirement, any quarterly report of the Company includes disclosure with respect to all material off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements, obligations (including contingent obligations) and other relationships of the Company with unconsolidated entities which may have a current or future effect on the Company in accordance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements;

(g)

ensure that all financial statements and other financial information, including pro forma financial information, included in any report filed by the Company with any regulatory authority or contained in any public disclosure or press release of the Company is presented in a manner which does not contain a material misstatement or omission and reconciles the pro forma information contained therein to Canadian GAAP, and if appropriate, reconciles such pro forma information contained therein to United States GAAP, and which otherwise complies with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements;

(h)

review the appropriateness of the policies and procedures used in the preparation of the Company's consolidated financial statements and other required disclosure documents, and consider recommendations for any material change to such policies;

(i)

review and report on the integrity of the Companys consolidated financial statements;

(j)

review the minutes of any audit committee meeting of any subsidiaries of the Company;

(k)

review with management, the external auditors and, if necessary, with legal counsel, any litigation, claim or other contingency, including tax assessments that could have a material effect upon the financial position or operating results of the Company and the manner in which such matters have been disclosed in the consolidated financial statements;

(l)

review the Companys compliance with regulatory and statutory requirements as they relate to financial statements, tax matters and disclosure of material facts; and

(m)

develop a calendar of activities to be undertaken by the Committee for each ensuing year and to submit the calendar in the appropriate format to the Board within a reasonable time following each annual general meeting of shareholders.

3.5

The Committee shall have the authority to determine:

(a)

subject to the grant by the shareholders of the authority to do so, if required, the compensation to be received by the external auditors of the Company in connection with all audit services, and non-audit services, to be performed by the auditors;

(b)

the compensation to be received by any legal, financial or other advisors or consultants engaged by the Committee to assist it in performing its duties and responsibilities hereunder; and

(c)

the appropriate funding for the ordinary administrative expenses of the Committee.

ARTICLE 4   GENERAL

4.1

The Committee will:

(a)

prepare any report or other disclosure, including any recommendation of the Committee, required by any applicable legal or regulatory requirement to be included in the annual proxy or information circular of the Company;

(b)

review this Charter at least annually and recommend any changes herein to the Board;

(c)

report the activities of the Committee to the Board on a regular basis and make such recommendations thereto as the Committee may deem necessary or appropriate; and

(d)

prepare and review with the Board an annual performance evaluation of the Committee, which performance evaluation must compare the performance of the Committee with the requirements of this Charter and be conducted in such manner as the Committee deems appropriate.  Such report to the Board may be in such form as the Committee determines, which may include being in the form of an oral report by the chair of the Committee or by another member of the Committee designated by the Committee to make such report.

4.2

No member of the Committee will receive any compensation from the Company, other than fees for being a director of the Company, or a member of a committee of the Board.

4.3

In addition to the foregoing, the Committee will perform such other duties as may be assigned to it by the Board from time to time or as may be required by any applicable stock exchanges, regulatory authorities or legislation.

Composition of the Audit Committee

Carderos Audit Committee is made up of the following directors:

|Name           | Independent (Y/N) | Status              
|-------------- | ----------------- | --------------------
|Leonard Harris | Independent       | Financially Literate
|Murray Hitzman | Independent       | Financially Literate
|Stephan Fitch  | Independent       | Financially Literate

Relevant Education And Experience

The experience and education of each member of the Audit Committee that is relevant to the performance of his responsibilities as a member of the Audit Committee is as follows:

Leonard Harris:  Mr. Harris is a professional engineer with Metallurgy diploma and 50 years experience in all aspects of mineral processing and mining operations worldwide, a significant part of which has been in South America.  Mr. Harris spent 16 years with Cerro de Pasco Corporation before joining Newmont Mining Corporation, where he served as President and General Manager of Newmont Peru Limited and Vice-President and General Manager of Newmont Latin America.  Mr. Harris was General Manager (involved in construction and operation) of the Minera Yanacocha gold mine in Peru.  Since 1995, Mr. Harris has been a consultant and director of several small capitalized mining companies including Glamis Gold Ltd., Solitario Resources Inc., Alamos Gold Inc., Corriente Resources Inc., Endeavour Silver Corp. and Cardero.  In such roles, he has had extensive experience with the review and understanding of the accounting principles relevant to the financial statements of public natural resource companies, including companies comparable to Cardero.

Murray Hitzman:  Dr. Hitzman received BA degrees in Earth Science and Anthropology from Dartmouth College in 1976, an MS in geology from the University of Washington, Seattle in 1978, and a Ph.D. from Stanford University in 1983.  Dr Hitzman began work in the mining industry with Anaconda in 1976 at the Yerington porphyry copper mine in Nevada and subsequently worked for Anaconda in Alaska from 1977 through 1982.  From 1982 through 1993, Dr. Hitzman worked throughout the world for Chevron Resources Company and initiated and managed base and precious metal exploration projects in Papua New Guinea, Brazil, Spain, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Tanzania, Canada, and the United States.  In 1990 he discovered the Lisheen zinc-lead-silver deposit in Ireland.  From 1990 through 1993, Dr. Hitzman was manager of the Lisheen project, guiding it through exploration and pre-feasibility, including engineering and environmental studies.  In 1993, Dr. Hitzman was named Geological Society of America Congressional Fellow and served from September, 1993 to August, 1994, on the staff of U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman (D - CT) working on natural resource and environmental issues.  Dr. Hitzman was named Executive Branch Fellow by the American Association for the Advancement for Science/Sloan Foundation during 1994.  As the Executive Branch Fellow he served as a senior policy analyst in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy from September, 1994 through March, 1996 specializing in natural resource, environmental, and geoscience issues.  In June, 1996, Dr. Hitzman became the Charles F. Fogarty Professor of Economic Geology at the Colorado School of Mines, and in 2000 was named Head of the Department of Geology and Geological Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines (he stepped down as such in August, 2007).  Mr. Hitzman has been a director of a number of public companies similar to Cardero and, in such roles, he has had experience with the review and understanding of the accounting principles relevant to the financial statements of public natural resource companies.

Stephan Fitch:  Stephan Fitch is a co-founder and a managing director of the London based International Asset Group, Ltd. (IAGL), a private company which specializes in international merchant banking activities.  He has been involved in a broad range of international corporate finance/investment banking activities for over 18 years specializing primarily in start up, venture capital and small-capitalized public companies.  Prior to joining IAGL, Mr. Fitch was co-founder and Executive Vice President of New World Capital, Inc.  New World was established in 1992 and was involved in corporate finance and investment banking activities throughout Europe and the US.  The firm's activities included the raising of capital from European institutional investors for small-capitalized US public companies, corporate restructuring, technology transfers between U.S. high tech companies and European conglomerates and, numerous M & A/strategic advisory projects.  During this time, he assisted with the purchase and management of Eastern Securities, a fully licensed, NASD member, and New York City based broker/dealer.  Prior to joining New World, Mr. Fitch co-founded in 1986, Somerset Partners Ltd., a Denver based partnership specializing in M & A activities.  From 1984 to 1986, Mr. Fitch worked as an assistant research analyst for Cambridge Research and Management Group, a registered commodities trading advisor, based in Century City, California.  In 1984, Mr. Fitch earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Los Angeles in Political Science with a specialization in International Relations.  In connection with these activities, Mr. Fitch has had extensive experience in reviewing, interpreting and assessing financial statements and the underlying accounting principles, and has been involved in the development and analysis of internal controls and procedures for financial reporting.

Reliance on Certain Exemptions

At no time since the commencement of Carderos most recently completed financial year has the Company relied on the exemptions the following sections of MI 52-110:

1.

Section 2.4 (De Minimis Non-audit Services);

2.

Section 3.2 (Initial Public Offerings);

3.

Section 3.3(2) (Controlled Companies);

4.

Section 3.4 (Events Outside Control of Member);

5.

Section 3.5 (Death, Disability or Resignation of Audit Committee Member);

6.

Section 3.6 (Temporary Exemption for Limited and Exceptional Circumstances);

7.

Section 3.8 (Acquisition of Financial Literacy); or

8.

an exemption from MI 52-110, in whole or in part, granted under Part 8 of MI 52-110.

Audit Committee Oversight

At no time since November 1, 2008, being the commencement of Carderos most recently completed financial year, was a recommendation of the Audit Committee to nominate or compensate an external auditor not adopted by the Board.

Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

The Audit Committee is authorized by the Board to review the performance of Carderos external auditors and approve in advance provision of services other than auditing and to consider the independence of the external auditors, including reviewing the range of services provided in the context of all consulting services bought by Cardero.  The Chairman of the Audit Committee is authorized to approve, in advance, any non-audit services or additional work which the Chairman deems as necessary and is required to notify the other members of the Audit Committee of such non-audit or additional work.

External Auditor Service Fees (By Category)

The aggregate fees billed by the Companys external auditors in each of the last two fiscal years for audit fees are as follows:

|Financial Year Ending | Audit Fees(1) | Audit Related Fees(2) | Tax Fees(3) | All Other Fees(4)
|--------------------- | ------------- | --------------------- | ----------- | -----------------
|October 31, 2009      | $135,000(5)   | $10,000(5)(6)         | $6,000(5)   | $5,000(5)(7)     
|October 31, 2008      | $135,000      | $14,040(6)            | $6,000      | $8,500(7)        

(1) The aggregate audit fees billed for the audit of the financial statements for the fiscal year indicated, including with respect to the audit of the Companys internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

(2) The aggregate fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Companys financial statements which are not included under the heading Audit Fees.

(3) The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.  The work performed in each year was assistance in the preparation and review of Carderos tax returns.

(4) The aggregate fees billed for products and services other than as set out under the headings Audit Fees, Audit Related Fees and Tax Fees.

(5) Estimate only  final account not yet rendered.

(6) The services rendered are in connection with the review of the Companys quarterly financial statement and of its 20F, 40F and AIF disclosure documents and management discussion and analysis for the fiscal years indicated.

(7) The services rendered are in connection with the consideration of accounting issues in connection with special transactions, including the sale of the Pampa de Pongo property in Peru.

---

Mark D. Wanless

SRK Consulting (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd
265 Oxford Road
Illovo
2196
South Africa
Telephone: +27 11 441 1111
Fax: +27 11 880 8086
Email: mwanless@srk.co.za

CERTIFICATE of AUTHOR

I, Mark David Wanless, Pr. Sci. Nat. do hereby certify that:

1.  I am a Principal Geologist of:

SRK Consulting (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd.
265 Oxford Road
Illovo
2196
South Africa

2.  I graduated with a B.Sc. degree in Geology, and Environmental and Geographical Science from the University of Cape Town in 1994.  In addition, I have obtained a Bachelor of Science with Honours (Geology and Geochemistry) degree (1995) from the University of Cape Town.

3.  I am a Professional Earth Scientist registered with the statutory body South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions.

4.  I have worked as a geologist for a total of 14 years since my graduation from university.

5.  I have read the definition of qualified person set out in National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101) and certify that by reason of my education, affiliation with a professional association (as defined in NI 43-101) and past relevant work experience, I fulfil the requirements to be a qualified person for the purposes of NI 43-101.

6.  I am responsible for the preparation of all sections of the technical report titled Pampa el Toro Mineral Resource Technical Report and dated 10 September 2009 (the Technical Report) relating to the Pampa el Toro project, other than Section 16.  I visited the Pampa el Toro project from the 21st till the 23rd of February, 2008 for 3 days.

7.  The Technical Report was filed on SEDAR on September 10, 2009 under Project No. 01450005 and I confirm that there has been no change in the information contained in the sections of the Technical Report for which I am responsible.

8.  I have had no prior involvement with the property that is the subject of the Technical Report.

9.  At the date hereof, to the best of my knowledge, information and belief, the Technical Report contains all scientific and technical information that is required to be disclosed to make the Technical Report not misleading.

10.  I am independent of the issuer applying all of the tests in section 1.4 of National Instrument 43-101.

11.  I have read National Instrument 43-101 and Form 43-101F1, and the Technical Report has been prepared in compliance with that instrument and form.

Dated this 28th day of January, 2010.

(signed) Mark D. Wanless

Mark D. Wanless, Pr. Sci. Nat.

---

Leonard Holland

Holland and Holland Consultants9 Nevis Close
Linslade
Leighton Buzzard
Bedfordshire
England
Telephone: (44) 1525 378294
Email:Len@holland-holland.demon.co.uk

CERTIFICATE of AUTHOR

I, Leonard Holland, B.Sc., C. Eng., FIMMM, do hereby certify that:

1.  I am a Consultant Minerals Processing Engineer of:

Holland and Holland Consultants,
9 Nevis Close
Linslade
Leighton Buzzard
Bedfordshire
England.

2.  I graduated with a degree in Extraction Metallurgy with Honours from the University of Wales in 1968.

3.  I am a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals, and Mining, UK.

4.  I have worked as a Minerals Processing Engineer for a total of 41 years since my graduation from university.

5.  I have read the definition of qualified person set out in National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101) and certify that by reason of my education, affiliation with a professional association (as defined in NI 43-101) and past relevant work experience, I fulfil the requirements to be a qualified person for the purposes of NI 43-101.

6.  I am responsible for the preparation of Section 16 of the technical report titled Pampa el Toro Mineral Resource Technical Report and dated 10 September 2009 (the Technical Report) relating to the mineral concentration and electric smelting of iron ore concentrate for the Pampa el Toro project.  I have not visited the Pampa el Toro project.

7.  The Technical Report was filed on SEDAR on September 10, 2009 under Project No. 01450005 and I confirm that there has been no change in the information contained in the sections of the Technical Report for which I am responsible.

8.  I have had prior involvement with the property that is the subject of the Technical Report.  The nature of my prior involvement was conducting pilot plant test work on bulk samples from the mineralized resource for production of the mineral concentrate.

9.  I am not aware of any material fact or material change with respect to the subject matter of the Technical Report that is not reflected in the Technical Report, the omission to disclose which makes the Technical Report misleading.

10.  I am independent of the issuer applying all of the tests in section 1.5 of National Instrument 43-101.

11.  I have read National Instrument 43-101 and Form 43-101F1, and the Technical Report has been prepared in compliance with that instrument and form.

Dated this 28th day of January, 2010.

(signed) Len Holland

Leonard Holland, C.Eng., FIMMM.



---



MARK D. WANLESS, Pr. Sci. Nat.



Consent and Certificate

of Professional (Qualified Person)



|British Columbia Securities Commission
Pacific Centre
12th Floor, 701 West Georgia Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
CANADA  V7Y 1L2

Attention: Corporate Finance | Toronto Stock Exchange
The Exchange Tower
130 King Street West
Toronto, Ontario
CANADA  M5X 1J2

Attention: Listed Issuer Services
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|Ontario Securities Commission
20 Queen Street West, Suite 1903
Toronto, Ontario
CANADA  M5H 3S8

Attention: Corporate Finance                                       | Alberta Securities Commission
4th Floor, 300  5th Avenue S.W.
Calgary, Alberta
CANADA  T2P 3C4

Attention: Corporate Finance     



Re:  Cardero Resource Corp. (the Issuer)



I, Mark D. Wanless, Pr. Sci. Nat., of 265 Oxford Road, Illovo, 2196 South Africa, have prepared and am the author of all Sections, excluding Section 16 entitled Mineral Processing and Metallurgical Testing, ofthe technical report entitled Pampa El Toro Mineral Resource Technical Report dated September 10, 2009 (the Report).



1.

I hereby consent to:



(a)

the public filing of the Report on SEDAR and in the public files with the Securities Commissions of British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario and with the Toronto Stock Exchange and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission;



(b)

the use of and reliance upon the Report for disclosure in the Issuers Annual Information Form dated January 20, 2010 (the AIF);



(c)

the inclusion of extracts from, or a summary of, the Report in the AIF; and



(d)

the use of the Report for any and all required regulatory filings, acceptances or approvals in connection with the mineral property that is the subject of the Report.



2.

I hereby consent to the use of my name Mark D. Wanless and to the use of the name of SRK Consulting (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd., a private engineering consulting firm of which I am a Principal Geologist, in the AIF.



3.

I hereby certify that I have read the AIF and that the AIF fairly and accurately represents the information contained in the Report.



Dated this 28th day of January, 2010





(signed) Mark D. Wanless



Mark D. Wanless, Pr. Sci. Nat.



---



LEONARD HOLLAND, B.Sc., C.Eng., FIMMM



Consent and Certificate

of Professional (Qualified Person)



|British Columbia Securities Commission
        Pacific Centre
        12th Floor, 701 West Georgia Street
        Vancouver, British Columbia
        CANADA  V7Y 1L2
        
        Attention: Corporate Finance | Toronto Stock Exchange
        The Exchange Tower
        130 King Street West
        Toronto, Ontario
        CANADA  M5X 1J2
        
        Attention: Listed Issuer Services
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|Ontario Securities Commission
        20 Queen Street West, Suite 1903
        Toronto, Ontario
        CANADA  M5H 3S8
        
        Attention: Corporate Finance                                               | Alberta Securities Commission
        4th Floor, 300  5th Avenue S.W.
        Calgary, Alberta
        CANADA  T2P 3C4
        
        Attention: Corporate Finance             



Re:  Cardero Resource Corp. (the Issuer)



I, Leonard Holland, Chartered Engineer, of 9 Nevis Close, Linslade, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshgire, England, have prepared and am the author of Section 16 entitled Mineral Processing and Metallurgical Testing ofthe technical report entitled Pampa El Toro Mineral Resource Technical Report dated September 10, 2009 (the Report).



1.

I hereby consent to:



(a)

the public filing of the Report on SEDAR and in the public files with the Securities Commissions of British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario and with the Toronto Stock Exchange and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission;



(b)

the use of and reliance upon the Report for disclosure in the Issuers Annual Information Form dated January 20, 2010 (the AIF);



(c)

the inclusion of extracts from, or a summary of, the Report in the AIF; and



(d)

the use of the Report for any and all required regulatory filings, acceptances or approvals in connection with the mineral property that is the subject of the Report.



2.

I hereby consent to the use of my name Leonard Holland, and to the use of the name of Holland & Holland Consultants, a private engineering firm, of which I am the principal Consultant - Minerals Processing in the AIF.



3.

I hereby certify that I have read the AIF and that the AIF fairly and accurately represents the information contained in the Report.



Dated this 28th day of January, 2010





(signed) Len Holland



Leonard Holland, B.Sc., C.Eng., FIMMM