Document:

Unassociated Document

Exhibit 10.1

 

 

 

 

 

HECLA MINING COMPANY

AND EACH OF THE GUARANTORS PARTY HERETO

6.875% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2021

 

 

 

INDENTURE

Dated as of April 12, 2013

 

 

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

Trustee

 

 

 

 

  

  

  

 

CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*

 

	
Trust Indenture

Act Section

	
Indenture Section

	  	  
	
  310(a)(1)

	
7.10

	
(a)(2)

	
7.10

	
(a)(3)

	
N.A.

	
(a)(4)

	
N.A.

	
(a)(5)

	
7.10

	
(b)

	
7.10

	
(c)

	
N.A.

	
  311(a)

	
7.11

	
(b)

	
7.11

	
(c)

	
N.A.

	
  312(a)

	
2.05

	
(b)

	
13.03

	
(c)

	
13.03

	
  313(a)

	
7.06

	
(b)(2)

	
7.06; 7.07

	
(c)

	
7.06; 13.02

	
(d)

	
7.06

	
  314(a)

	
4.03; 13.02; 13.05

	
(b)

	
N.A.

	
(c)(1)

	
13.04

	
(c)(2)

	
13.04

	
(c)(3)

	
N.A.

	
(e)

	
13.05

	
(f)

	
N.A.

	
  315(a)

	
7.01

	
(b)

	
7.05; 13.02

	
(c)

	
7.01

	
(d)

	
7.01

	
(e)

	
6.11

	
  316(a) (last sentence)

	
2.09

	
(a)(1)(A)

	
6.05

	
(a)(1)(B)

	
6.04

	
(a)(2)

	
N.A.

	
(b)

	
6.07

	
(c)

	
2.12

	
  317(a)(1)

	
6.08

	
(a)(2)

	
6.09

	
(b)

	
2.04

	
  318(a)

	
13.01

	
(b)

	
N.A.

	
(c)

	
13.01

N.A. means not applicable.

	
*

	
This Cross Reference Table is not part of the Indenture.

 

  

  

  

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Page

 

	 	

ARTICLE 1.

	 
	 	 	 
	 	

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION

	 
	 	

BY REFERENCE

	 
	 	 	 
	
SECTION 1.01

	
DEFINITIONS

	
1

	
SECTION 1.02

	
OTHER DEFINITIONS

	
23

	
SECTION 1.03

	
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF TRUST INDENTURE ACT

	
23

	
SECTION 1.04

	
RULES OF CONSTRUCTION

	
24

	  	  	  
	
ARTICLE 2.

	  	  	  
	
THE NOTES

	  	  	  
	
SECTION 2.01

	
FORM AND DATING

	
24

	
SECTION 2.02

	
EXECUTION AND AUTHENTICATION

	
25

	
SECTION 2.03

	
REGISTRAR AND PAYING AGENT

	
25

	
SECTION 2.04

	
PAYING AGENT TO HOLD MONEY IN TRUST

	
25

	
SECTION 2.05

	
HOLDER LISTS

	
25

	
SECTION 2.06

	
TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE

	
26

	
SECTION 2.07

	
REPLACEMENT NOTES

	
35

	
SECTION 2.08

	
OUTSTANDING NOTES

	
36

	
SECTION 2.09

	
TREASURY NOTES

	
36

	
SECTION 2.10

	
TEMPORARY NOTES

	
36

	
SECTION 2.11

	
CANCELLATION

	
36

	
SECTION 2.12

	
DEFAULTED INTEREST

	
36

	
SECTION 2.13

	
CUSIP NUMBERS

	
37

	 	  	  
	  	

ARTICLE 3.

	  
	 
	
REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

	 
	
SECTION 3.01

	
NOTICES TO TRUSTEE

	
37

	
SECTION 3.02

	
SELECTION OF NOTES TO BE REDEEMED OR PURCHASED

	
37

	
SECTION 3.03

	
NOTICE OF REDEMPTION

	
37

	
SECTION 3.04

	
EFFECT OF NOTICE OF REDEMPTION

	
38

	
SECTION 3.05

	
DEPOSIT OF REDEMPTION OR PURCHASE PRICE

	
38

	
SECTION 3.06

	
NOTES REDEEMED OR PURCHASED IN PART

	
39

	
SECTION 3.07

	
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION

	
39

	
SECTION 3.08

	
MANDATORY REDEMPTION

	
40

	
SECTION 3.09

	
OFFER TO PURCHASE BY APPLICATION OF EXCESS PROCEEDS

	
40

	  	  	  
	
ARTICLE 4.

	  	  	  
	
COVENANTS

	  	  	  
	
SECTION 4.01

	
PAYMENT OF NOTES

	
41

	
SECTION 4.02

	
MAINTENANCE OF OFFICE OR AGENCY

	
41

	
SECTION 4.03

	
REPORTS

	
42

	
SECTION 4.04

	
COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

	
43

	
SECTION 4.05

	
TAXES

	
43

 

  

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Page

	
SECTION 4.06

	
STAY, EXTENSION AND USURY LAWS

	
43

	
SECTION 4.07

	
RESTRICTED PAYMENTS

	
43

	
SECTION 4.08

	
DIVIDEND AND OTHER PAYMENT RESTRICTIONS AFFECTING RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES

	
47

	
SECTION 4.09

	
INCURRENCE OF INDEBTEDNESS AND ISSUANCE OF PREFERRED STOCK

	
48

	
SECTION 4.10

	
ASSET SALES

	
52

	
SECTION 4.11

	
TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

	
54

	
SECTION 4.12

	
LIENS

	
55

	
SECTION 4.13

	
BUSINESS ACTIVITIES

	
56

	
SECTION 4.14

	
CORPORATE EXISTENCE

	
56

	
SECTION 4.15

	
OFFER TO REPURCHASE UPON CHANGE OF CONTROL

	
56

	
SECTION 4.16

	
LIMITATION ON SALE AND LEASEBACK TRANSACTIONS

	
58

	
SECTION 4.17

	
PAYMENTS FOR CONSENT

	
58

	
SECTION 4.18

	
ADDITIONAL NOTE GUARANTEES

	
58

	
SECTION 4.19

	
DESIGNATION OF RESTRICTED AND UNRESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES

	
58

	
SECTION 4.20

	
CHANGES IN COVENANTS WHEN NOTES RATED INVESTMENT GRADE

	
59

	
SECTION 4.21

	
SPECIAL INTEREST NOTICE

	
59

	  	  	  
	
ARTICLE 5.

	  	  	  
	
SUCCESSORS

	  
	
SECTION 5.01

	
MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR SALE OF ASSETS

	
59

	
SECTION 5.02

	
SUCCESSOR CORPORATION SUBSTITUTED

	
60

	  	  	  
	
ARTICLE 6.

	  	  	  
	
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

	  	  	  
	
SECTION 6.01

	
EVENTS OF DEFAULT

	
61

	
SECTION 6.02

	
ACCELERATION

	
62

	
SECTION 6.03

	
OTHER REMEDIES

	
63

	
SECTION 6.04

	
WAIVER OF PAST DEFAULTS

	
63

	
SECTION 6.05

	
CONTROL BY MAJORITY

	
63

	
SECTION 6.06

	
LIMITATION ON SUITS

	
63

	
SECTION 6.07

	
RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF NOTES TO RECEIVE PAYMENT

	
63

	
SECTION 6.08

	
COLLECTION SUIT BY TRUSTEE

	
64

	
SECTION 6.09

	
TRUSTEE MAY FILE PROOFS OF CLAIM

	
64

	
SECTION 6.10

	
PRIORITIES

	
64

	
SECTION 6.11

	
UNDERTAKING FOR COSTS

	
64

	  	  	  
	
ARTICLE 7.

	  	  	  
	
TRUSTEE

	  	  	  
	
SECTION 7.01

	
DUTIES OF TRUSTEE

	
65

	
SECTION 7.02

	
RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE

	
65

	
SECTION 7.03

	
INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE

	
66

	
SECTION 7.04

	
TRUSTEE’S DISCLAIMER

	
67

	
SECTION 7.05

	
NOTICE OF DEFAULTS

	
67

	
SECTION 7.06

	
REPORTS BY TRUSTEE TO HOLDERS OF THE NOTES

	
67

	
SECTION 7.07

	
COMPENSATION AND INDEMNITY

	
67

	
SECTION 7.08

	
REPLACEMENT OF TRUSTEE

	
68

	
SECTION 7.09

	
SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE BY MERGER, ETC.

	
69

	
SECTION 7.10

	
ELIGIBILITY; DISQUALIFICATION

	
69

 

  

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Page

	
SECTION 7.11

	
PREFERENTIAL COLLECTION OF CLAIMS AGAINST COMPANY

	
69

	  	  	  
	
ARTICLE 8.

	  	  	  
	
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

	  	  	  
	
SECTION 8.01

	
OPTION TO EFFECT LEGAL DEFEASANCE OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE

	
69

	
SECTION 8.02

	
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE

	
69

	
SECTION 8.03

	
COVENANT DEFEASANCE

	
70

	
SECTION 8.04

	
CONDITIONS TO LEGAL OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE

	
70

	
SECTION 8.05

	
DEPOSITED MONEY AND GOVERNMENT SECURITIES TO BE HELD IN TRUST; OTHER MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

	
71

	
SECTION 8.06

	
REPAYMENT TO COMPANY

	
71

	
SECTION 8.07

	
REINSTATEMENT

	
72

	  	  	  
	
ARTICLE 9.

	  	  	  
	
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

	  	  	  
	
SECTION 9.01

	
WITHOUT CONSENT OF HOLDERS OF NOTES

	
72

	
SECTION 9.02

	
WITH CONSENT OF HOLDERS OF NOTES

	
73

	
SECTION 9.03

	
COMPLIANCE WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT

	
74

	
SECTION 9.04

	
REVOCATION AND EFFECT OF CONSENTS

	
74

	
SECTION 9.05

	
NOTATION ON OR EXCHANGE OF NOTES

	
74

	
SECTION 9.06

	
TRUSTEE TO SIGN AMENDMENTS, ETC.

	
74

	  	  	  
	
ARTICLE 10.

	  	  	  
	
NOTE GUARANTEES

	  
	
SECTION 10.01

	
GUARANTEE

	
74

	
SECTION 10.02

	
LIMITATION ON GUARANTOR LIABILITY

	
75

	
SECTION 10.03

	
EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF NOTE GUARANTEE

	
75

	
SECTION 10.04

	
GUARANTORS MAY CONSOLIDATE, ETC. , ON CERTAIN TERMS

	
76

	
SECTION 10.05

	
RELEASES

	
76

	  	  	  
	
ARTICLE 11.

	  	  	  
	
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

	  	  	  
	
SECTION 11.01

	
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

	
77

	
SECTION 11.02

	
APPLICATION OF TRUST MONEY

	
78

	  	  	  
	
ARTICLE 12.

	  	  	  
	
ESCROW OF PROCEEDS; SPECIAL MANDATORY REDEMPTION

	  	  	  
	
SECTION 12.01

	
ESCROW OF PROCEEDS.

	
78

	
SECTION 12.02

	
SPECIAL MANDATORY REDEMPTION

	
78

	
SECTION 12.03

	
RELEASE OF ESCROWED PROPERTY

	
79

 

  

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Page

	
ARTICLE 13.

	  	  	  
	
MISCELLANEOUS

	  	  	  
	
SECTION 13.01

	
TRUST INDENTURE ACT CONTROLS

	
79

	
SECTION 13.02

	
NOTICES

	
79

	
SECTION 13.03

	
COMMUNICATION BY HOLDERS OF NOTES WITH OTHER HOLDERS OF NOTES

	
80

	
SECTION 13.04

	
CERTIFICATE AND OPINION AS TO CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

	
80

	
SECTION 13.05

	
STATEMENTS REQUIRED IN CERTIFICATE OR OPINION

	
80

	
SECTION 13.06

	
RULES BY TRUSTEE AND AGENTS

	
81

	
SECTION 13.07

	
NO PERSONAL LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND STOCKHOLDERS

	
81

	
SECTION 13.08

	
GOVERNING LAW

	
81

	
SECTION 13.09

	
NO ADVERSE INTERPRETATION OF OTHER AGREEMENTS

	
81

	
SECTION 13.10

	
SUCCESSORS

	
81

	
SECTION 13.11

	
SEVERABILITY

	
81

	
SECTION 13.12

	
COUNTERPART ORIGINALS

	
81

	
SECTION 13.13

	
TABLE OF CONTENTS, HEADINGS, ETC.

	
81

	
SECTION 13.14

	
WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

	
81

	
SECTION 13.15

	
FORCE MAJEURE

	
81

 

 

	
EXHIBITS

	  	  
	
Exhibit A

	
–

	
FORM OF NOTE

	
Exhibit B

	
–

	
FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

	
Exhibit C

	
–

	
FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE

	
Exhibit D

	
–

	
FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF ACQUIRING INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR

	
Exhibit E

	
–

	
FORM OF NOTATION OF GUARANTEE

	
Exhibit F

	
–

	
FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

  

-iv-

  

 

INDENTURE, dated as of April 12, 2013, among Hecla Mining Company, a Delaware corporation, the Guarantors (as defined herein) listed on the signature pages hereto and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee.

The Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders (as defined) of the 6.875% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “Notes”):

 

ARTICLE 1.

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION

BY REFERENCE

Section 1.01          Definitions.

“144A Global Note” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee that will be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 144A.

“Acquired Debt” means, with respect to any specified Person:

(1)           Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged or consolidated with or into or became a Subsidiary of such specified Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging or consolidating with or into, or becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of, such specified Person; and

(2)           Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person at the time of such asset’s acquisition.

“Additional Notes” means additional Notes (other than the Initial Notes and the Exchange Notes in respect thereof) issued under this Indenture in accordance with Sections 2.02 and 4.09 hereof, as part of the same series as the Initial Notes.

“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control,” as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise; provided that beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the Voting Stock of a Person (other than a Person eligible to report such ownership on Schedule 13G under the Exchange Act) will be deemed to be control. For purposes of this definition, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with” have correlative meanings.

“Agent” means any Registrar, co-registrar, Paying Agent or additional paying agent.

“Applicable Premium” means, with respect to any Note on any redemption date, the greater of:

(1)          1.0% of the principal amount of the Note; or

(2)           the excess of:

(a)            the present value at such redemption date of (i) the redemption price of the Note at May 1, 2016 (such redemption price being set forth in the table appearing in Section 3.07(d) hereof) plus (ii) all required interest payments due on the Note through May 1, 2016 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the redemption date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such redemption date plus 50 basis points; over

 

  

 

  

 

(b)           the principal amount of the Note.

The Applicable Premium shall be calculated by the Company.

“Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any transfer or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Note, the rules and procedures of the Depositary, Euroclear and Clearstream that apply to such transfer or exchange.

“Asset Sale” means:

(1)           the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of any assets or rights by the Company or any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole will be governed by the provisions of Section 4.15 hereof and/or the provisions of Section 5.01 hereof and not by the provisions of Section 4.10 hereof; and

(2)           the issuance of Equity Interests by any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries or the sale by the Company or any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries of Equity Interests in any of the Company’s Subsidiaries.

Notwithstanding the preceding, none of the following items will be deemed to be an Asset Sale:

(1)           any single transaction or series of related transactions that involves assets having a Fair Market Value of less than $20.0 million;

(2)           a transfer of assets between or among the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(3)           an issuance of Equity Interests by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

(4)           the sale, lease or other transfer of products, services or accounts receivable in the ordinary course of business (including sales under forward contracts) and any sale or other disposition of damaged, worn-out or obsolete assets in the ordinary course of business (including the abandonment or other disposition of intellectual property that is, in the reasonable judgment of the Company, no longer economically practicable to maintain or useful in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as whole);

(5)           the licensing or sublicensing of intellectual property or other general intangibles and licenses, leases or subleases of other property in the ordinary course of business which do not materially interfere with the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(6)           any surrender or waiver of contract rights or settlement, release, recovery on or surrender of contract, tort or other claims in the ordinary course of business;

(7)           the granting of Liens not prohibited by Section 4.12 hereof;

(8)           the sale or other disposition of cash or Cash Equivalents;

(9)           a Restricted Payment that does not violate Section 4.07 hereof or a Permitted Investment;

(10)         any exchange of assets for assets (including a combination of assets (which assets may include Capital Stock or any securities convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, Capital Stock, but which assets may not include any Indebtedness) and Cash Equivalents) related to a Permitted Business of comparable or greater market value or usefulness to the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, which in the event of an exchange of assets with a Fair Market Value in excess of (a) $15.0 million shall be evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate and (b) $30.0 million shall be set forth in a resolution approved by at least a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company; provided that the Company shall apply any cash or Cash Equivalents received in any such exchange of assets as described in Section 4.10(b) hereof;

 

  

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(11)         dispositions of receivables in connection with the compromise, settlement or collection thereof in the ordinary course of business or in bankruptcy or similar proceedings and exclusive of factoring or similar arrangements;

(12)         the issuance by a Restricted Subsidiary of preferred stock that is permitted by Section 4.09 hereof;

(13)         any sale of Capital Stock or Indebtedness or other securities of an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(14)         sales of assets received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary upon foreclosures on a Lien;

(15)         the unwinding of any Hedging Obligations (including sales under forward contracts);

(16)         any dispositions to the extent required by, or made pursuant to customary buy/sell arrangements between the joint venture parties set forth in joint venture arrangements and similar binding agreements;

(17)         the lease or sublease of office space;

(18)         the abandonment, farm-out, lease, assignment, sub-lease, license or sub-license of any real or personal property in the ordinary course of business;

(19)         with respect to dispositions of precious metals pursuant to a royalty or precious metals streaming agreement or similar transaction, payments made to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary directly in respect of minerals or mineral credits delivered to the counterparty of such agreement pursuant to the terms of such agreement (excluding any front-end payments or deposits payable thereunder); and

(20)         dispositions of receivables in connection with the compromise, settlement or collection thereof in the ordinary course of business or in bankruptcy or similar proceeds and exclusive of factoring or similar arrangements.

“Attributable Debt” in respect of a sale and leaseback transaction means, at the time of determination, the present value of the obligation of the lessee for net rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such sale and leaseback transaction including any period for which such lease has been extended or may, at the option of the lessor, be extended. Such present value shall be calculated using a discount rate equal to the rate of interest implicit in such transaction, determined in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that if such sale and leaseback transaction results in a Capital Lease Obligation, the amount of Indebtedness represented thereby will be determined in accordance with the definition of “Capital Lease Obligation.”

“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

“Beneficial Owner” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), such “person” will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such “person” has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only after the passage of time. The terms “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” have a corresponding meaning.

 

  

-3-

  

 

“Board of Directors” means:

(1)           with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board;

(2)           with respect to a partnership, the Board of Directors of the general partner of the partnership;

(3)           with respect to a limited liability company, the managing member or members or any controlling committee of managing members thereof or if such limited liability company is manager-managed, the managers thereof or any committee of Persons constituting the manager thereof; and

(4)           with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such Person serving a similar function.

“Broker-Dealer” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

“Business Day” means any day other than a Legal Holiday.

“Capital Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP, and the Stated Maturity thereof shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be prepaid or terminated by the lessee without payment of a penalty.

“Capital Stock” means:

(1)           in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;

(2)           in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;

(3)           in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership interests (whether general or limited) or membership interests; and

(4)           any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person, but excluding from all of the foregoing any debt securities convertible into Capital Stock, whether or not such debt securities include any right of participation with Capital Stock.

“Cash Equivalents” means:

(1)           United States dollars, Canadian dollars and Mexican pesos or such other local currencies held by the Company and its Subsidiaries, or in a demand deposit account in the name of the Company or any Subsidiary, from time to time in the ordinary course of business;

(2)           securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States or Canadian government or any agency or instrumentality of the United States or Canadian government (provided that the full faith and credit of the United States or Canada, as the case may be, is pledged in support of those securities) having maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition;

(3)           certificates of deposit and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition and bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding six months, in each case, with any lender party to the Senior Credit Facility or with any commercial bank the long-term debt of which is rated at the time of acquisition thereof at least “A” or better by either S&P or Moody’s, or carrying the equivalent rating by a nationally recognized rating agency, if both of the two named rating agencies cease publishing ratings of investments generally, and having combined capital and surplus in excess of $500.0 million (or its foreign currency equivalent); provided that Cash Equivalents may include certificates of deposit and eurodollar time deposits at a commercial bank that does not meet the ratings or capital requirements set forth above, in an aggregate amount at any time outstanding, not to exceed, as of any date of calculation, $1.0 million;

 

  

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(4)           repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (2) and (3) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (3) above;

(5)           commercial paper having one of the two highest ratings obtainable from Moody’s or S&P, or carrying the equivalent rating by a nationally recognized rating agency, if both of the two named rating agencies cease publishing ratings of investments and, in each case, maturing within one year after the date of acquisition; and

(6)           money market funds, the investment policies of which require at least 95% of the assets of which constitute Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (1) through (5) of this definition.

“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:

(1)           the sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any Person (including any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act));

(2)           the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company;

(3)           the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation), the result of which is that any Person (including any “person” (as defined above)) becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of the Company, measured by voting power rather than number of shares; or

(4)           the first day on which a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company are not Continuing Directors.

“Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking, S. A. or any successor securities clearing agency.

“Company” means Hecla Mining Company, a Delaware corporation, and any successor obligor to its obligations under this Indenture and the Notes.

“Consolidated EBITDA” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period plus, without duplication:

(1)           provision for taxes based on income or profits of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such provision for taxes was deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(2)           the Fixed Charges of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such Fixed Charges were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(3)           any foreign currency translation losses (including losses related to currency remeasurements of Indebtedness) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such losses were taken into account in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

 

  

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(4)           depreciation, amortization (including amortization of intangibles but excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior period) and other non-cash charges and expenses (excluding any such non-cash charge or expense to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash charges or expenses in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash charge or expense that was paid in a prior period) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period to the extent that such depreciation, amortization and other non-cash charges or expenses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(5)           all unusual or non-recurring charges or expenses and all restructuring charges; minus

(6)           any foreign currency translation gains (including gains related to currency remeasurements of Indebtedness) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such gains were taken into account in computing such Consolidated Net Income; minus

(7)           non-cash items increasing such Consolidated Net Income for such period, other than the accrual of revenue in the ordinary course of business; plus

(8)           losses (and minus gains) on Assets Sales, disposals or abandonments; plus

(9)           all costs incurred in connection with the offering of the notes and the subsequent exchange offer (and any amendment or other modification of notes or the exchange notes), the Senior Credit Facility, and the Aurizon Transaction; plus

(10)         any expenses or charges (other than depreciation, amortization or depletion expense) related to any Equity Offering, Permitted Investment, merger, amalgamation, consolidation, arrangement, acquisition, disposition, recapitalization or the incurrence of Indebtedness permitted to be incurred by this Indenture (including a refinancing thereof) (whether or not successful); plus

(11)         losses from discontinued operations;

in each case, on a consolidated basis and determined in accordance with GAAP.

“Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the aggregate of the net income (loss) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis (excluding the net income (and loss) of any Unrestricted Subsidiary of such Person), determined in accordance with GAAP and without any reduction in respect of preferred stock dividends; provided that:

(1)           all extraordinary gains and losses and all gains and losses realized in connection with any Asset Sale or the disposition of securities or the early extinguishment of Indebtedness, together with any related provision for taxes on any such gain or loss, will be excluded;

(2)           the net income (and loss) of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting will be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or similar distributions paid in cash to the specified Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Person;

(3)           solely for the purpose of determining the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 4.07 (a)(3)(A) hereof, the net income (and loss) of any Restricted Subsidiary will be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of that net income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders; provided that Consolidated Net Income of such Person shall be increased by the amount of dividends or distributions or other payments that are actually paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) by such Person to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period, to the extent not already included therein;

 

  

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(4)           the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles will be excluded;

(5)           non-cash gains and losses attributable to movement in the mark-to-market valuation of Hedging Obligations pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 133 will be excluded;

(6)           any amortization of deferred charges resulting from the application of Accounting Standards Codification 470-20—Debt With Conversion and Other Options will be excluded;

(7)           any impairment charge or asset write-off, including, without limitation, impairment charges or asset write-offs related to intangible assets, long-lived assets or investments in debt and equity securities, in each case pursuant to GAAP, will be excluded;

(8)           any non-cash compensation expense recorded from grants of stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options, restricted stock or other rights to officers, director or employees will be excluded;

(9)           any income (loss) for such period attributable to the early extinguishment of Indebtedness, Hedging Obligations (other than Hedging Obligations associated with the Company’s concentrate shipments) or other derivative instruments will be excluded; and

(10)         the effects of adjustments in the inventory, property and equipment, software, goodwill, other intangible assets and in process research and development, deferred revenue and debt line items in such Person’s consolidated financial statements pursuant to GAAP resulting from the application of purchase accounting in relation to any consummated acquisition after the date of this Indenture or the amortization or write-off of any amounts thereof, net of taxes, will be excluded, as will impairment charges whether or not derived therefrom.

“Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means, as of any date, the total consolidated assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as shown on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of the Company that is available internally, minus all current liabilities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected on such consolidated balance sheet and minus total goodwill and other intangible assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected on such consolidated balance sheet, all calculated on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that, for purposes of calculating “Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” for purposes of testing the covenants under this Indenture in connection with any transaction, the total consolidated assets, current liabilities, total goodwill and other intangible assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be adjusted to reflect any acquisitions and dispositions of assets that have occurred during the period from the date of the applicable balance sheet through the applicable date of determination, including any such transactions occurring on the date of determination.

“continuing” means, with respect to any Default or Event of Default, that such Default or Event of Default has not been cured or waived.

“Continuing Directors” means, as of any date of determination, any member of the Board of Directors of the Company who:

(1)           was a member of such Board of Directors on the date of this Indenture; or

(2)           was nominated for election or elected to such Board of Directors with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of such Board of Directors at the time of such nomination or election.

“Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee” means the principal office of the Trustee at which at any time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date hereof is located at 400 South Hope Street, Suite 400, Los Angeles, California, 90071, Attention: Corporate Unit, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company).

 

  

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“Credit Facilities” means, one or more debt facilities (including, without limitation, the Senior Credit Facility) or commercial paper facilities, indentures or debt security or note issuances, in each case, with banks, investment banks, insurance companies, mutual funds or other institutional lenders or investors providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables), letters of credit, other borrowings, debt securities or note issuances, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced in any manner (whether upon or after termination or otherwise) or refinanced (including by means of sales of debt securities to institutional investors) in whole or in part from time to time.

“Custodian” means the Trustee, as custodian with respect to the Notes in global form, or any successor entity thereto.

“Deemed Capitalized Leases” means obligations of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that are classified as “capital lease obligations” under GAAP due to the application of ASC Topic 840 or any subsequent pronouncement having similar effect and, except for such regulation or pronouncement, such obligation would not constitute a Capital Lease Obligation.

“Default” means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default.

“Definitive Note” means a certificated Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.06 hereof, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto except that such Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto.

“Depositary” means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.03 hereof as the Depositary with respect to the Notes, and any and all successors thereto appointed as depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture.

“Designated Non-cash Consideration” means the Fair Market Value of non-cash consideration received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Sale that is designated as “Designated Non-cash Consideration” pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate, setting forth the basis of such valuation, less the amount of cash or Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale, redemption or payment of, on or with respect to such Designated Non-cash Consideration.

“Disqualified Stock” means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible, or for which it is exchangeable, in each case, at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the date on which the Notes mature. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders of the Capital Stock have the right to require the Company to repurchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change of control or an asset sale will not constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of such Capital Stock provide that the Company may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with Section 4.07 hereof. The amount of Disqualified Stock deemed to be outstanding at any time for purposes of this Indenture will be the maximum amount that the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may become obligated to pay upon the maturity of, or pursuant to any mandatory redemption provisions of, such Disqualified Stock, exclusive of accrued dividends, expenses and indemnification obligations.

“Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock prior to its conversion or exchange).

 

  

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“Equity Offering” means a public or private sale for cash either (1) of Equity Interests of the Company by the Company (other than Disqualified Stock and other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) or (2) of Equity Interests of a direct or indirect parent entity of the Company (other than to the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company) to the extent that the net proceeds therefrom are contributed to the common equity capital of the Company.

“Escrow Agent” means The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., together with its successors in such capacity.

“Escrow Agreement” means the Escrow Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among the Company, the Trustee, the Guarantors and the Escrow Agent relating to the Notes, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with this Indenture.

“Escrow End Date” means September 1, 2013.

“Euroclear” means Euroclear Bank, S.A./N. V., as operator of the Euroclear system, or any successor securities clearing agency.

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

“Exchange Notes” means the Notes issued in the Exchange Offer pursuant to Section 2.06(f) hereof.

“Exchange Offer” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

“Exchange Offer Registration Statement” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

“Existing Indebtedness” means all Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries (other than the Senior Credit Facility and Indebtedness described in clauses (3), (4), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), (12) or (13) of Section 4.09(b) hereof) in existence on the date of this Indenture, until such amounts are repaid.

“Fair Market Value” means the value that would be paid by a willing buyer to an unaffiliated willing seller in a transaction not involving distress or necessity of either party. Fair Market Value shall be conclusively determined in good faith by (i) the Company’s Board of Directors and set forth in a resolution of the Company’s Board of Directors or (ii) if an Officer of the Company determines in good faith that the Fair Market Value is less than $50.0 million, an Officer of the Company and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate.

“Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means with respect to any specified Person for any period, the ratio of the Consolidated EBITDA of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the event that the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurs, assumes, guarantees, repays, repurchases, redeems, defeases or otherwise discharges any Indebtedness (other than ordinary working capital borrowings) or issues, repurchases or redeems preferred stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated and on or prior to the date on which the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the “Calculation Date”), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio will be calculated giving pro forma effect (determined in accordance with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act, but including any Pro Forma Cost Savings) to such incurrence, assumption, Guarantee, repayment, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other discharge of Indebtedness, or such issuance, repurchase or redemption of preferred stock, and the use of the proceeds therefrom, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter reference period.

In addition, for purposes of calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio:

(1)           acquisitions that have been made by the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including through mergers or consolidations, or any Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries acquired by the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, and including all related financing transactions and including increases in ownership of Restricted Subsidiaries, during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to the Calculation Date, or that are to be made on the Calculation Date, will be given pro forma effect (in accordance with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act, but including all Pro Forma Cost Savings) as if they had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period;

 

  

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(2)           the Consolidated EBITDA attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses (and ownership interests therein) disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded;

(3)           the Fixed Charges attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses (and ownership interests therein) disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded, but only to the extent that the obligations giving rise to such Fixed Charges will not be obligations of the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries following the Calculation Date;

(4)           any Person that is a Restricted Subsidiary on the Calculation Date will be deemed to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at all times during such four-quarter period;

(5)           any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary on the Calculation Date will be deemed not to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at any time during such four-quarter period; and

(6)           if any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest, the interest expense on such Indebtedness will be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligation applicable to such Indebtedness if such Hedging Obligation has a remaining term as at the Calculation Date in excess of 12 months).

“Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:

(1)           the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued, including, without limitation, amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount, non-cash interest payments (other than any non-cash interest income or expense attributable to the movement in the mark-to-market valuation of Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments pursuant to GAAP), the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations (but excluding any interest expense attributable to Deemed Capitalized Leases), imputed interest with respect to Attributable Debt, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers’ acceptance financings, and net of the effect of all payments made or received pursuant to Hedging Obligations in respect of interest rates; plus

(2)           the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period; plus

(3)           any interest on Indebtedness of another Person that is guaranteed by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries, whether or not such Guarantee or Lien is called upon; plus

(4)           the product of (a) all dividends, whether paid or accrued and whether or not in cash, on any series of preferred stock of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than dividends on Equity Interests payable solely in Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, times (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the then current combined federal, state and local statutory tax rate of such Person, expressed as a decimal, in each case, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; plus

 

  

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(5)           any amortization of deferred charges resulting from the application of Accounting Standards Codification 470-20—Debt With Conversion and Other Options that may be settled in cash upon conversion (including partial cash settlement).

“GAAP” means United States generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect from time to time.

“Global Note Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(2) hereof, which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.

“Global Notes” means, individually and collectively, each of the Restricted Global Notes and the Unrestricted Global Notes deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto and that bears the Global Note Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto, issued in accordance with Section 2.01, 2.06(b)(3), 2.06(b)(4), 2.06(d)(1), 2.06(d)(2) or 2.06(f) hereof.

“Government Securities” means securities that are:

(1)           direct obligations of the United States of America for the timely payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged; or

(2)           obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America, the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America,

which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuers thereof, and shall also include a depositary receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act), as custodian with respect to any such Government Securities or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such Government Securities held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depositary receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Securities or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the Government Securities evidenced by such depositary receipt.

“Guarantee” means a guarantee other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business, direct or indirect, in any manner including, without limitation, by way of a pledge of assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreements to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take or pay or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise).

“Guarantors” means any Subsidiary of the Company that executes a Note Guarantee in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, and their respective successors and assigns, in each case, until the Note Guarantee of such Person has been released in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

“Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any specified Person, the obligations of such Person under:

(1)           interest rate swap agreements (whether from fixed to floating or from floating to fixed), interest rate cap agreements and interest rate collar agreements;

(2)           commodity futures or forward contracts, commodity swaps and commodity options;

(3)           other agreements or arrangements designed to manage interest rates or interest rate risk; and

 

  

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(4)           other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in currency exchange rates or commodity prices or availability (including both physical and financial settlement transactions).

“Holder” means a Person in whose name a Note is registered.

“IAI Global Note” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee that will be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold to Institutional Accredited Investors.

“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any specified Person, any indebtedness of such Person (excluding accrued expenses and trade payables), whether or not contingent:

(1)           in respect of borrowed money;

(2)           evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof);

(3)           in respect of banker’s acceptances;

(4)           representing Capital Lease Obligations or Attributable Debt in respect of sale and leaseback transactions;

(5)           representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property or services due more than six months after such property is acquired or such services are completed; or

(6)           representing any net obligation under any Hedging Obligations,

if and to the extent any of the preceding items (other than letters of credit, Attributable Debt and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of the specified Person prepared in accordance with GAAP, but excluding Deemed Capitalized Leases. In addition, the term “Indebtedness” includes all Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any asset of the specified Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by the specified Person) and, to the extent not otherwise included, the Guarantee by the specified Person of any Indebtedness of any other Person. Indebtedness shall be calculated without giving effect to the effects of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 and related interpretations to the extent such effects would otherwise increase or decrease an amount of Indebtedness for any purpose under this Indenture as a result of accounting for any embedded derivatives created by the terms of such Indebtedness. Notwithstanding the foregoing, money borrowed and set aside at the time of the incurrence of any Indebtedness in order to pre-fund the payment of interest on such Indebtedness shall not be deemed to be “Indebtedness”; provided that such money is held to secure the payment of such interest.

In addition, “Indebtedness” of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall include (without duplication) Indebtedness described in the preceding paragraph that would not appear as a liability on the balance sheet of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries if:

(1)           such Indebtedness is the obligation of a partnership or joint venture that is not a Subsidiary of the Company (a “Joint Venture”);

(2)           the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is a general partner of the Joint Venture (a “General Partner”); and

(3)           there is recourse, by contract or operation of law, with respect to the payment of such Indebtedness to property or assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; and then such Indebtedness shall be included in an amount not to exceed:

 

  

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(a)           the lesser of (i) the net assets of the General Partner and (ii) the amount of such obligations to the extent that there is recourse, by contract or operation of law, to the property or assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or

(b)           if less than the amount determined pursuant to clause (a) immediately above, the actual amount of such Indebtedness that is recourse to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, if the Indebtedness is evidenced by a writing and is for a determinable amount.

“Indenture” means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time.

“Indirect Participant” means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Note through a Participant.

“Initial Notes” means the first $500 million aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture on the date hereof.

“Initial Purchasers” means (i) Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, (ii) Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., (iii) ING Financial Markets LLC and (iv) with respect to each issuance of Additional Notes, the Persons purchasing such Additional Notes under the related purchase agreement.

“Institutional Accredited Investor” means an institution that is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act, who are not also QIBs.

“Investments” means, with respect to any Person, all direct or indirect investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms of loans (including Guarantees or other obligations), advances or capital contributions (excluding commission, travel and similar advances to officers and employees made in the ordinary course of business and any advance payments made to vendors of goods or services used in the ordinary course of business that are made prior to the delivery of the applicable good or service), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities, together with all items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP. If the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company sells or otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect Restricted Subsidiary of the Company such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, the Company will be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition equal to the Fair Market Value of the Company’s Investments in such Subsidiary that were not sold or disposed of in an amount determined as provided in Section 4.07(c) hereof. The acquisition by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of a Person that holds an Investment in a third Person will be deemed to be an Investment by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in such third Person in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the Investments held by the acquired Person in such third Person in an amount determined as provided in Section 4.07(c) hereof. Except as otherwise provided in this Indenture, the amount of an Investment will be determined at the time the Investment is made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value.

“Issue Date” means the date of original issuance of the Notes under this Indenture.

“Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York or at a place of payment are authorized by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue on such payment for the intervening period.

“Letter of Transmittal” means the letter of transmittal to be prepared by the Company and sent to all Holders of the Notes for use by such Holders in connection with the Exchange Offer.

“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction.

 

  

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“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

“Net Proceeds” means the aggregate cash proceeds and Cash Equivalents received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any cash or Cash Equivalents received upon the sale or other disposition of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale, but excluding any royalty payments or other future stream of payments relating to precious metals), net of the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale, including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and sales commissions, and any relocation expenses incurred as a result of the Asset Sale, and taxes paid or payable as a result of the Asset Sale, in each case, after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements, and any reserve for adjustment or indemnification obligations in respect of the sale price of such asset or assets established by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in good faith.

“Non-Recourse Debt” means Indebtedness:

(1)           as to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness) or (b) is directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise; and

(2)           as to which the lenders have been notified in writing that they will not have any recourse to the stock or assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than the Equity Interests of an Unrestricted Subsidiary).

“Non-U.S. Person” means a Person who is not a U.S. Person.

“Note Guarantee” means the Guarantee by each Guarantor of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes, executed pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture.

“Notes” has the meaning assigned to it in the preamble to this Indenture. The Initial Notes and the Exchange Notes in respect thereof and the Additional Notes shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture, and unless the context otherwise requires, all references to the Notes shall include the Initial Notes and the Exchange Notes in respect thereof and any Additional Notes.

“Obligations” means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.

“Offering Memorandum” means the final offering memorandum, dated April 9, 2013, relating to the offering of the Notes.

“Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, any Vice President, the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary of the Company or an Assistant Secretary, except that with respect to any annual compliance certificate delivered pursuant to this Indenture, such term means only the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, or the Chief Accounting Officer of the Company.

“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by an Officer of the Company that meets the requirements of Section 13.05 hereof.

“Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion from legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, that meets the requirements of Section 13.05 hereof. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company.

 

  

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“Participant” means, with respect to the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, a Person who has an account with the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, respectively (and, with respect to DTC, shall include Euroclear and Clearstream).

“Permitted Business” means:

(1)           the acquisition, exploration, development, operation and disposition of mining and precious or base metal processing properties and assets;

(2)           any of the businesses in which the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries are engaged on the date of this Indenture; and

(3)           any other business that is the same as, or reasonably related, ancillary or complementary to, the businesses described in clauses (1) and (2) above.

“Permitted Business Investments” means Investments made in (A) the ordinary course of, or of a nature that are customary in, the mining business as a means of exploiting, exploring for, acquiring, developing, processing, gathering, producing, transporting or marketing gold, silver or other precious or base metals and metal by-products used, useful or created in the mining business, including through agreements, acquisitions, transactions, interests or arrangements which permit one to share (or have the effect of sharing) risks or costs, comply with regulatory requirements regarding ownership or satisfy other customary objectives in the mining business, and in any event including, without limitation, Investments made in connection with or in the form of (i) direct or indirect ownership interests in mining properties, gathering or upgrading systems or facilities and (ii) operating agreements, development agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, pooling agreements, service contracts, joint venture agreements, partnership or limited liability company agreements (whether general or limited), or other similar or customary agreements, transactions, properties, interests or arrangements, and Investments and expenditures in connection therewith or pursuant thereto; and (B) Persons engaged in a Permitted Business.

“Permitted Investments” means:

(1)          any Investment in the Company or in a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

(2)          any Investment in Cash Equivalents;

(3)          any Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in a Person, if as a result of such Investment:

(a)           such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; or

(b)           such Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

(4)           any Investment made as a result of the receipt of non-cash consideration from an Asset Sale that was made pursuant to and in compliance with Section 4.10 hereof;

(5)           any acquisition of assets or Capital Stock solely in exchange for the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company;

(6)           any Investments received in compromise or resolution of (A) obligations of trade creditors or customers that were incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of any trade creditor or customer; or (B) litigation, arbitration or other disputes;

(7)           Investments represented by Hedging Obligations;

 

  

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(8)           repurchases of the Notes;

(9)           any guarantee of Indebtedness permitted to be incurred by Section 4.09 hereof; provided that if such Indebtedness can only be incurred by the Company or Guarantors, then such guarantees are only permitted by this clause to the extent made by the Company or a Guarantor, and (ii) performance guarantees with respect to obligations incurred by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that are permitted by this Indenture;

(10)         any Investment existing on, or made pursuant to binding commitments existing on, the date of this Indenture and any Investment consisting of an extension, modification or renewal of any Investment existing on, or made pursuant to a binding commitment existing on, the date of this Indenture; provided that the amount of any such Investment may be increased (a) as required by the terms of such Investment as in existence on the date of this Indenture or (b) as otherwise permitted under this Indenture;

(11)         Investments acquired after the date of this Indenture as a result of the acquisition by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of another Person, including by way of a merger, amalgamation or consolidation with or into the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in a transaction that is not prohibited by Section 5.01 hereof after the date of this Indenture to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation and were in existence on the date of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation;

(12)         Permitted Business Investments having an aggregate Fair Market Value (measured on the date each such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (12) that are at the time outstanding not to exceed, as of the date any such Investment is made, the greater of (x) $300.0 million and (y) 13.5% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets as of the date of such Investment;

(13)         Guarantees by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of operating leases (other than Capitalized Lease Obligations) or of other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness, in each case entered into by any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

(14)         receivables owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and prepaid expenses created or acquired in the ordinary course of business;

(15)         Investments in the nature of pledges or deposits with respect to leases or utilities provided to third parties in the ordinary course of business;

(16)         Investments in escrow or trust funds in the ordinary course of business;

(17)         Investments consisting of licensing or contribution of intellectual property pursuant to joint marketing arrangements with other Persons;

(18)         Investments relating to the consummation of the Aurizon Transaction; and

(19)         other Investments in any Person having an aggregate Fair Market Value (measured on the date each such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (19) that are at the time outstanding not to exceed, as of the date of such Investment, the greater of (x) $100.0 million and (y) 4.5% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets as of the date of such Investment.

“Permitted Liens” means:

(1)           Liens on assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries securing the Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under Section 4.09(b)(1);

 

  

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(2)          Liens on assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries securing Indebtedness consisting of Hedging Obligations or Treasury Management Arrangements;

(3)          Liens in favor of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(4)          Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or is merged with or into or consolidated with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or such merger or consolidation and do not extend to any assets other than those of the Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or is merged with or into or consolidated with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

(5)          Liens on property (including Capital Stock) existing at the time of acquisition of the property by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such Liens were in existence prior to such acquisition and not incurred in contemplation of such acquisition;

(6)          Liens to secure the performance of statutory obligations, insurance, surety or appeal bonds, performance bonds or other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business (including Liens to secure letters of credit issued to assure payment of such obligations);

(7)          Liens to secure Indebtedness represented by Capital Lease Obligations (other than Deemed Capitalized Leases), mortgage financings or purchase money obligations, in each case, incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of design, construction, installation or improvement of property, plant or equipment used in the business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness, when taken together with all other Indebtedness secured pursuant to this clause (7), not to exceed, as of any date of incurrence, the greater of (x) $80.0 million and (y) 3.5% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets as of such date of incurrence; provided that such Liens apply only to the assets acquired with or financed by such Indebtedness;

(8)           Liens existing on the date of this Indenture (other than Liens permitted under clause (1));

(9)           Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims that are not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted; provided that any reserve or other appropriate provision as is required in conformity with GAAP has been made therefor;

(10)         Liens imposed by law, such as carriers’, warehousemen’s, landlord’s and mechanics’ Liens, in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(11)         survey exceptions, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real property that were not incurred in connection with Indebtedness and that do not in the aggregate materially impair the use of said properties in the operation of the business of such Person;

(12)         Liens created for the benefit of (or to secure) the Notes (or the Note Guarantees);

(13)         Liens to secure any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under this Indenture; provided, however, that:

(a)           the new Lien is limited to all or part of the same property and assets that secured or, under the written agreements pursuant to which the original Lien arose, could secure the original Lien (plus improvements and accessions to such property or proceeds or distributions thereof); and

 

  

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(b)           the Indebtedness secured by the new Lien is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (x) the outstanding principal amount, or, if greater, committed amount, of the Indebtedness renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged with such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness and (y) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such renewal, refunding, refinancing, replacement, defeasance or discharge;

(14)         Liens on insurance policies and proceeds thereof, or other deposits, to secure insurance premium financings;

(15)         filing of Uniform Commercial Code financing statements as a precautionary measure in connection with operating leases;

(16)         bankers’ Liens, rights of setoff, Liens arising out of judgments or awards not constituting an Event of Default and notices of lis pendens and associated rights related to litigation being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;

(17)         Liens on cash, Cash Equivalents or other property arising in connection with the defeasance, discharge or redemption of Indebtedness;

(18)         Liens on specific items of inventory or other goods (and the proceeds thereof) of any Person securing such Person’s obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances or trade-related letters of credit permitted under Section 4.09 hereof issued or created in the ordinary course of business for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;

(19)         grants of intellectual property licenses (including software and other technology licenses) in the ordinary course of business;

(20)         Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of goods entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(21)         Liens incurred or pledges or deposits made in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of social security and employee health and disability benefits (including pledges or deposits securing liability to insurance carriers under insurance or self-insurance arrangements);

(22)         deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure liability to insurance carriers;

(23)         with respect to any lease or sublease entered into by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business as a lessee, tenant, subtenant or other occupant, mortgages, obligations, liens and other encumbrances incurred, created or assumed or permitted to exist and arising by, through or under a landlord or sublandlord of such leased real property encumbering such landlord’s or sublandlord’s interest in such leased real property;

(24)         Liens incurred in connection with surety bonds or cash collateral posted by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from time to time in order to secure reclamation obligations;

(25)         all reservations in the original grant of mineral rights in any lands and premises or any interests therein and all statutory exceptions, qualifications and reservations in respect of title;

(26)         Liens on the assets of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Guarantor and which secure Indebtedness or other obligations of such Restricted Subsidiary (or of another Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor) that are permitted to be incurred under Section 4.09 hereof;

 

  

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(27)         other Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company with respect to obligations in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding, when taken together with all other Indebtedness secured pursuant to this clause (27), not to exceed, as of any date of incurrence, the greater of (x) $100.0 million and (y) 4.5% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets as of such date of incurrence; and

(28)         Liens securing the Escrow Account for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes.

Liens to secure Credit Facilities will be deemed to have been incurred in reliance on clause (1) of this definition of “Permitted Liens.”

“Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than intercompany Indebtedness); provided that:

(1)           the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged (plus all accrued interest on the Indebtedness and the amount of all fees and expenses, including premiums, incurred in connection therewith);

(2)           such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity that is (a) equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged or (b) more than 90 days after the final maturity date of the Notes;

(3)           if the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes on terms at least as favorable to the Holders of Notes as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged; and

(4)           such Indebtedness is incurred either by the Company or by the Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that was the obligor on the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged and is guaranteed only by Persons who were obligors or guarantors on the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged.

“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company or government or other entity.

“Principal Mine Assets” means the Lucky Friday mine located in Mullan, Idaho, the Greens Creek mine located in Admiralty Island, Alaska and the Casa Berardi mine located in Quebec, Canada, in each case, as described in the Offering Memorandum.

“Private Placement Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(1)(A) hereof to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.

“Pro Forma Cost Savings” means, with respect to any four-quarter period, the reduction in net costs and expenses that:

(1)           the Company determines in good faith were directly attributable to an acquisition, Investment, disposition, merger, consolidation or discontinued operation or other specified action that occurred during the four-quarter period or after the end of the four-quarter period and on or prior to the Calculation Date;

 

  

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(2)           were actually implemented prior to the Calculation Date in connection with or as a result of an acquisition, Investment, disposition, merger, consolidation or discontinued operation or other specified action and that are supportable and quantifiable by the underlying accounting records; or

(3)           relate to an acquisition, Investment, disposition, merger, consolidation or discontinued operation or other specified action and that the Company reasonably determines are probable based upon specifically identifiable actions to be taken within six months of the date of the closing of the acquisition, Investment, disposition, merger, consolidation or discontinued operation or specified action.

“QIB” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.

“Qualifying Equity Interests” means Equity Interests of the Company other than (1) Disqualified Stock and (2) Equity Interests sold in an Equity Offering prior to the third anniversary of the date of this Indenture that are eligible to be used to support an optional redemption of Notes pursuant to Section 3.07(a) hereof.

“Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 12, 2013, among the Company, the Guarantors and the representatives of the Initial Purchasers, as such agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time and, with respect to any Additional Notes, one or more registration rights agreements among the Company, the Guarantors and the other parties thereto, as such agreement(s) may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, relating to rights given by the Company to the purchasers of Additional Notes to register such Additional Notes under the Securities Act.

“Regulation S” means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.

“Regulation S Global Note” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 903 of Regulation S.

“Responsible Officer,” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer within the Corporate Trust Administration of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

“Restricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.

“Restricted Global Note” means a Global Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.

“Restricted Investment” means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.

“Restricted Period” means the 40-day distribution compliance period as defined in Regulation S.

“Restricted Subsidiary” of a Person means any Subsidiary of the referent Person that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

“Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.

“Rule 144A” means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.

“Rule 903” means Rule 903 promulgated under the Securities Act.

“Rule 904” means Rule 904 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

  

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“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group.

“SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

“Senior Credit Facility” means that certain Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 14, 2009 (as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified from time to time) by and among the Company, as parent and as a guarantor, The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Administrative Agent, Hecla Alaska LLC, Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company and Hecla Juneau Mining Company, as borrowers, and the other parties thereto.

“Shelf Registration Statement” means the Shelf Registration Statement as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement.

“Significant Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Regulation is in effect on the date of this Indenture.

“Special Interest” has the meaning assigned to that term pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

“Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any installment of interest or principal on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which the payment of interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the documentation governing such Indebtedness as of the date of this Indenture, and will not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof.

“Special Mandatory Redemption Amount” means 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes from the Issue Date to, but not including, the Escrow Redemption Date. The Trustee shall not be required to calculate the Special Mandatory Redemption Amount.

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any specified Person:

(1)           any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency and after giving effect to any voting agreement or stockholders’ agreement that effectively transfers voting power) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees of the corporation, association or other business entity is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and

(2)           any partnership or limited liability company of which (a) more than 50% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general and limited partnership interests, as applicable, are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership interests or otherwise, and (b) such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or otherwise controls such entity.

“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S. C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb).

“Treasury Management Arrangement” means any agreement or other arrangement governing the provision of treasury or cash management services, including deposit accounts, overdraft, credit or debit card, funds transfer, automated clearinghouse, zero balance accounts, returned check concentration, controlled disbursement, lockbox, account reconciliation and reporting and trade finance services and other cash management services.

 

  

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“Treasury Rate” means, as of any redemption date, the yield to maturity as of the earlier of (a) such redemption date or (b) the date on which such Notes are defeased or satisfied and discharged, of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H. 15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to such date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the redemption date to May 1, 2016; provided, however, that if the period from the redemption date to May 1, 2016, is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used. Any such Treasury Rate shall be obtained by the Company.

“Trustee” means The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.

“Unrestricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note that does not bear and is not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

“Unrestricted Global Note” means a Global Note that does not bear and is not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

“Unrestricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company that is designated by the Board of Directors of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company, but only to the extent that such Subsidiary:

(1)           has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt;

(2)           except as permitted by Section 4.11 hereof, is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company unless the terms of any such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding are not materially less favorable, taken as a whole, to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of the Company; and

(3)           is a Person with respect to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect obligation (a) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests or (b) to maintain or preserve such Person’s financial condition or to cause such Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results.

“U.S. Person” means a U.S. Person as defined in Rule 902(k) promulgated under the Securities Act.

“Voting Stock” of any specified Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.

“Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing:

(1)           the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect of the Indebtedness, by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by

(2)           the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.

 

  

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Section 1.02          Other Definitions.

	
Term

	 	
Defined

in

Section

	
“Affiliate Transaction”

	 	
4.11

	 
	
“Asset Sale Offer”

	 	
3.09

	 
	
“Aurizon Transaction”

	 	
5.01

	 
	
“Authentication Order”

	 	
2.02

	 
	
“Change of Control Offer”

	 	
4.15

	 
	
“Change of Control Payment”

	 	
4.15

	 
	
“Change of Control Payment Date”

	 	
4.15

	 
	
“Covenant Defeasance”

	 	
8.03

	 
	
“DTC”

	 	
2.03

	 
	
“Escrow Account”

	 	
12.01

	 
	
“Escrowed Property”

	 	
12.01

	 
	
“Escrow Redemption Date”

	 	
12.02

	 
	
“Escrow Termination Date”

	 	
12.02

	 
	
“Event of Default”

	 	
6.01

	 
	
“Excess Proceeds”

	 	
4.10

	 
	
“incur”

	 	
4.09

	 
	
“Legal Defeasance”

	 	
8.02

	 
	
“Offer Amount”

	 	
3.09

	 
	
“Offer Period”

	 	
3.09

	 
	
“Paying Agent”

	 	
2.03

	 
	
“Permitted Debt”

	 	
4.09

	 
	
“Payment Default”

	 	
6.01

	 
	
“Purchase Date”

	 	
3.09

	 
	
“Registrar”

	 	
2.03

	 
	
“Release Request”

	 	
12.02

	 
	
“Restricted Payments”

	 	
4.07

	 
	
“Special Interest Notice”

	 	
4.21

	 
	
“Special Mandatory Redemption”

	 	
12.02

	 

 

Section 1.03           Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.

Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.

The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

“indenture securities” means the Notes;

“indenture security Holder” means a Holder of a Note;

“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture;

“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee; and

“obligor” on the Notes and the Note Guarantees means the Company and the Guarantors, respectively, and any successor obligor upon the Notes and the Note Guarantees, respectively.

All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA have the meanings so assigned to them.

 

  

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Section 1.04           Rules of Construction.

Unless the context otherwise requires:

(1)           a term has the meaning assigned to it;

(2)           an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

(3)            “or” is not exclusive;

(4)           “including” is not limiting;

(5)           words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;

(6)            “will” shall be interpreted to express a command;

(7)           provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and

(8)           references to sections of or rules under the Exchange Act, the Securities Act or the TIA will be deemed to include substitute, replacement or successor sections or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time.

ARTICLE 2.

THE NOTES

Section 2.01           Form and Dating.

(a)           General. The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage. Each Note will be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

The terms and provisions contained in the Notes will constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

(b)           Global Notes. Notes issued in global form will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (including the Global Note Legend thereon and the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Notes issued in definitive form will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (but without the Global Note Legend thereon and without the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Each Global Note will represent such of the outstanding Notes as will be specified therein and each shall provide that it represents the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby will be made by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.06 hereof.

(c)           Euroclear and Clearstream Procedures Applicable. The provisions of the “Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System” and “Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear” and the “General Terms and Conditions of Clearstream Banking” and “Customer Handbook” of Clearstream will be applicable to transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Note that are held by Participants through Euroclear or Clearstream.

 

  

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Section 2.02           Execution and Authentication. At least one Officer must sign the Notes for the Company by manual or facsimile signature.

If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time a Note is authenticated, the Note will nevertheless be valid.

A Note will not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee. The signature will be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.

The Trustee will, upon receipt of a written order of the Company signed by an Officer (an “Authentication Order”), authenticate Notes for original issue that may be validly issued under this Indenture, including any Additional Notes and Exchange Notes. The aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding at any time may not exceed the aggregate principal amount of Notes authorized for issuance by the Company pursuant to one or more Authentication Orders, except as provided in Section 2.07 hereof.

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company to authenticate Notes. An authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or an Affiliate of the Company.

Section 2.03           Registrar and Paying Agent. The Company will maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Registrar”) and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”). The Registrar will keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company will notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Company fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

The Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes. The Company may change the Depositary at any time without notice to any Holder, but the Company will notify the Trustee of the name and address of any new Depositary.

The Company initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Registrar and Paying Agent and to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Notes.

Section 2.04           Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust. The Company will require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of, premium on, if any, interest or Special Interest, if any, on, the Notes, and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary) will have no further liability for the money. If the Company or a Subsidiary is acting as Paying Agent for the Notes, it will segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. If the Company or a Subsidiary is acting as Paying Agent for the Notes, upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Company, the Trustee will serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

Section 2.05          Holder Lists. The Trustee will preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders and shall otherwise comply with TIA §312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company will furnish to the Trustee (a) semi-annually at least seven Business Days before each interest payment date a list, in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of Notes, provided that the Company shall not be obligated to furnish or cause to be furnished such list at any time that the list shall not differ in any respect from the most recent list furnished to the Trustee by the Company and (b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished and the Company shall otherwise comply with TIA §312(a).

 

  

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Section 2.06           Transfer and Exchange.

(a)           Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. A Global Note may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary. Global Notes will be exchanged by the Company for Definitive Notes if:

(1)           the Company delivers to the Trustee notice from the Depositary that it is unwilling or unable to continue to act as Depositary or that it is no longer a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 120 days after the date of such notice from the Depositary;

(2)           the Company in its sole discretion determines that the Global Notes (in whole but not in part) should be exchanged for Definitive Notes and delivers a written notice to such effect to the Trustee; or

(3)           there has occurred and is continuing a Default or an Event of Default and the owner of a beneficial interest in a Global Note requests such exchange in writing through the Depositary.

Upon the occurrence of either of the preceding events in (1) or (2) above, Definitive Notes shall be issued in such names as the Depositary shall instruct the Trustee. Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.07 and 2.10 hereof. Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.06 or Section 2.07 or 2.10 hereof, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.06(a), however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.06(b), (c) or (f) hereof.

(b)           Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes will be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also will require compliance with either subparagraph (1) or (2) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:

(1)           Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note. Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend; provided, however, that prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Note may not be made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Beneficial interests in any Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.06(b)(1).

(2)           All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.06(b)(1) above, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either:

(A)          both:

 

  

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(i)       a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged; and

(ii)      instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase; or

(B)          both:

(i)       a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a Definitive Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged; and

(ii)      instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (i) above.

Upon consummation of an Exchange Offer by the Company in accordance with Section 2.06(f) hereof, the requirements of this Section 2.06(b)(2) shall be deemed to have been satisfied upon receipt by the Registrar of the instructions contained in the Letter of Transmittal delivered by the Holder of such beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes. Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof.

(3)           Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(2) above and the Registrar receives the following:

(A)           if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;and

(B)          if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof.

(C)          if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the IAI Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.

(4)           Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(2) above and:

(A)          such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the holder of the beneficial interest to be transferred, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (i) a Broker-Dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

 

  

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(B)           such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

(C)           such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D)           the Registrar receives the following:

(i)       if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(a) thereof; or

(ii)      if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

If any such transfer is effected pursuant to subparagraph (B) or (D) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests transferred pursuant to subparagraph (B) or (D) above.

Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note.

(c)           Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Definitive Notes.

(1)           Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

(A)          if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(a) thereof;

(B)           if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(C)           if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

 

  

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(D)          if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

(E)           if such beneficial interest is being transferred to an Institutional Accredited Investor in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than those listed in subparagraphs (B) through (D) above, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable;

(F)           if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

(G)           if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(1) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.

(2)           Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note may exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or may transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note only if:

(A)          such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the holder of such beneficial interest, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (i) a Broker-Dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

(B)           such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

(C)           such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D)           the Registrar receives the following:

(i)       if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(b) thereof; or

(ii)      if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

 

  

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and, in each such case set forth in subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

(3)           Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note, then, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.06(b)(2) hereof, the Trustee will cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Unrestricted Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(3) will be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest requests through instructions to the Registrar from or through the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee will deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(3) will not bear the Private Placement Legend.

(d)           Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests.

(1)           Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes. If any Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note or to transfer such Restricted Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

(A)           if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(b) thereof;

(B)           if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(C)           if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

(D)           if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

(E)           if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to an Institutional Accredited Investor in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than those listed in subparagraphs (B) through (D) above, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable;

(F)           if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

(G)           if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof, the Trustee will cancel the Restricted Definitive Note, increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of, in the case of clause (A) above, the appropriate Restricted Global Note, in the case of clause (B) above, the 144A Global Note, and in the case of clause (C) above, the Regulation S Global Note, and in all other cases, the IAI Global Note.

 

  

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(2)           Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note only if:

(A)           such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (i) a Broker-Dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

(B)           such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

(C)           such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D)           the Registrar receives the following:

(i)     if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(c) thereof; or

(ii)    if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

Upon satisfaction of the conditions of any of the subparagraphs in this Section 2.06(d)(2), the Trustee will cancel the Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note.

(3)           Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee will cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes.

If any such exchange or transfer from a Definitive Note to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to Section 2.06(d)(2)(B), Section 2.06(d)(2)(D), or Section 2.06(d)(3) at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company will issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee will authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Definitive Notes so transferred.

 

  

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(e)           Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes. Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.06(e), the Registrar will register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder must present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder must provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.06(e).

(1)           Restricted Definitive Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be transferred to and registered in the name of Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:

(A)           if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 144A, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(B)           if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; and

(C)           if the transfer will be made pursuant to any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.

(2)           Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the Holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or transferred to a Person or Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note if:

(A)           such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (i) a Broker-Dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

(B)           any such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

(C)           any such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D)           the Registrar receives the following:

(i)       if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(d) thereof; or

(ii)      if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

  

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(3)           Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A Holder of Unrestricted Definitive Notes may transfer such Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof.

(f)           Exchange Offer. Upon the occurrence of the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company will issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee will authenticate:

(1)           one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer by Persons that certify in the applicable Letters of Transmittal that (A) they are not Broker-Dealers, (B) they are not participating in a distribution of the Exchange Notes and (C) they are not affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company; and

(2)           Unrestricted Definitive Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Restricted Definitive Notes accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer by Persons that certify in the applicable Letters of Transmittal that (A) they are not Broker-Dealers, (B) they are not participating in a distribution of the Exchange Notes and (C) they are not affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company.

Concurrently with the issuance of such Notes, the Trustee will cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Restricted Global Notes to be reduced accordingly, and the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver to the Persons designated by the Holders of Definitive Notes so accepted Unrestricted Definitive Notes in the appropriate principal amount.

(g)           Legends. The following legends will appear on the face of all Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued under this Indenture unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

(1)           Private Placement Legend.

(A)          Except as permitted by subparagraph (B) below, each Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the legend in substantially the following form:

“THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER SECTION 5 OF THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER. THE HOLDER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT (A) SUCH SECURITY MAY BE RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (1)(a) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHO THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (b) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO PERSON WHO IS NOT A U.S. PERSON IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 903 OR RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (c) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF APPLICABLE) OR (d) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY IF THE COMPANY SO REQUESTS), (2) TO THE COMPANY OR (3) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND, IN EACH CASE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE JURISDICTION AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN CLAUSE (A) ABOVE. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF THE EXEMPTION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 FOR RESALE OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY.”

 

  

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(B)          Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to subparagraphs (b)(4), (c)(2), (c)(3), (d)(2), (d)(3), (e)(2), (e)(3) or (f) of this Section 2.06 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) will not bear the Private Placement Legend.

(2)           Global Note Legend. Each Global Note will bear a legend in substantially the following form:

“THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (1) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06 OF THE INDENTURE, (2) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (3) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 2.06(h) AND 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (4) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMPANY.

UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”), TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO. , HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN. ”

(h)           Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note will be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.11 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note will be reduced accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note will be increased accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

 

  

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(i)            General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.

(1)          To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof or at the Registrar’s request.

(2)          No service charge will be made to a Holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note or to a Holder of a Definitive Note for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.10, 3.06, 3.09, 4.10, 4.15 and 9.05 hereof).

(3)           Neither the Registrar nor the Company will be required to register the transfer of or exchange of any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.

(4)           All Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Definitive Notes will be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Global Notes or Definitive Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

(5)           Neither the Registrar nor the Company will be required:

(A)           to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Notes during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of any selection of Notes for redemption under Section 3.02 hereof and ending at the close of business on the day of selection;

(B)           to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part; or

(C)           to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a record date and the next succeeding interest payment date.

(6)           Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Company may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Notes and for all other purposes, and none of the Trustee, any Agent or the Company shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

(7)           The Trustee will authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.02 hereof.

(8)           All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Registrar pursuant to this Section 2.06 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by facsimile.

(9)           The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Notes (including any transfers between or among Depositary Participants or beneficial owners of interests in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof. Neither the Trustee nor any Agent shall have any responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by the Depositary.

Section 2.07           Replacement Notes. If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee or the Company and the Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Company will issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, will authenticate a replacement Note. If required by the Trustee or the Company, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Company may charge for its expenses in replacing a Note.

 

  

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Every replacement Note is an obligation of the Company and will be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder that are then outstanding as provided in Section 2.08.

Section 2.08           Outstanding Notes. The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this Section 2.08 as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.09 hereof, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Note; however, Notes held by the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company shall not be deemed to be outstanding for purposes of Section 3.07(a) hereof.

If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07 hereof, it will no longer be considered to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a “protected purchaser” (as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code), and shall be deemed cancelled for all purposes.

If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding, shall be deemed cancelled and interest on it ceases to accrue.

If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary of the Company or an Affiliate of any thereof) holds, on a redemption date or maturity date, money sufficient to pay Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes will be deemed to be no longer outstanding, shall be deemed cancelled, and will cease to accrue interest.

Section 2.09           Treasury Notes. In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Company or any Guarantor, or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or any Guarantor, will be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee will be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned will be so disregarded.

Section 2.10           Temporary Notes. Until certificates representing Notes are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, will authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes will be substantially in the form of certificated Notes but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Notes and as may be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Without unreasonable delay, the Company will prepare and the Trustee will authenticate definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.

Holders of temporary Notes will be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture.

Section 2.11           Cancellation. The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent will forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else will cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and will dispose of canceled Notes (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act) in accordance with its procedures for the disposition of canceled securities. Certification of the disposition of all canceled Notes will be delivered to the Company upon written request therefor. The Company may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

Section 2.12           Defaulted Interest. If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it will pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof. The Company will notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment. The Company will fix or cause to be fixed each such special record date and payment date; provided that no such special record date may be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. At least 15 days before the special record date, the Company (or, upon the written request of the Company, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company) will mail or cause to be mailed to Holders a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.

 

  

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Section 2.13           CUSIP Numbers. The Company in issuing the Notes may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.

ARTICLE 3.

REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

Section 3.01           Notices to Trustee. If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Section 3.07 hereof, it must furnish to the Trustee, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date (or in the event of a Special Mandatory Redemption pursuant to Article 12 hereof, at least five (5) Business Days before an Escrow Redemption Date), an Officer’s Certificate setting forth:

(1)           the clause of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur;

(2)           the redemption date;

(3)           the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed; and

(4)           the redemption price.

Section 3.02           Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased. If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed or purchased in an offer to purchase at any time, the Trustee will select Notes for redemption or purchase on a pro rata basis (or, in the case of Notes issued in global form pursuant to Article 2 hereof, by lot or otherwise in accordance with applicable procedures of DTC) unless otherwise required by law or applicable stock exchange or depositary requirements.

In the event of partial redemption or purchase by lot, the particular Notes to be redeemed or purchased will be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption or purchase date from the outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption or purchase.

The Trustee will promptly notify the Company in writing of the Notes selected for redemption or purchase and, in the case of any Note selected for partial redemption or purchase, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed or purchased. Notes and portions of Notes selected will be in amounts of $2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; provided that no Notes of $2,000 or less shall be redeemed in part. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption or purchase also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption or purchase.

Section 3.03           Notice of Redemption. Subject to the provisions of Section 3.09 hereof, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date (or at least five (5) Business Days in the case of a Special Mandatory Redemption pursuant to Article 12 hereof), the Company will mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail (or, in the case of Notes issued in global form, electronic transmission), a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed (or electronically transmitted to DTC) more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Articles 8 or 11 hereof.

 

  

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The notice will identify the Notes to be redeemed (including the CUSIP number, if any) and will state:

(1)           the redemption date;

(2)           the redemption price;

(3)           if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion will be issued upon cancellation of the original Note;

(4)           the name and address of the Paying Agent;

(5)           that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

(6)           that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

(7)           the paragraph of the Notes and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed; and

(8)           that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes.

At the Company’s request, the Trustee will give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense; provided, however, that the Company has delivered to the Trustee, at least 45 days prior to the redemption date (or at least five (5) Business Days in the case of a Special Mandatory Redemption and, in either case, unless a shorter period shall be acceptable to the Trustee), an Officer’s Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.

Effect of Notice of Redemption. Once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the redemption date at the redemption price. A notice of redemption may not be conditional.

Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price. One Business Day prior to the redemption or purchase date, the Company will deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption or purchase price of, accrued interest and Special Interest, if any, on all Notes to be redeemed or purchased on that date; provided in the event of a Special Mandatory Redemption pursuant to Article 12 hereof, one Business Day prior to the Escrow Redemption Date, the Company will deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent cash in United States dollars sufficient, when taken together with the Escrowed Property to be released to the Trustee in accordance with the Escrow Agreement, to pay the Special Mandatory Redemption Amount. The Trustee or the Paying Agent will promptly return to the Company any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Company in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption or purchase price of, and accrued interest and Special Interest, if any, on all Notes to be redeemed or purchased.

If the Company complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, on and after the redemption or purchase date (including an Escrow Redemption Date), interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption or purchase. If a Note is redeemed or purchased on or after an interest record date but on or prior to the related interest payment date, then any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such record date. If any Note called for redemption or purchase is not so paid upon surrender for redemption or purchase because of the failure of the Company to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the redemption or purchase date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof.

 

  

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Section 3.06           Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part. Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed or purchased in part, the Company will issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, the Trustee will authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Company a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed or unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered.

Section 3.07           Optional Redemption.

(a)           At any time prior to May 1, 2016, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the original aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of Additional Notes), upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at a redemption price equal to 106.875% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, to but excluding the date of redemption (subject to the rights of Holders of Notes so called for redemption on or after a record date for the payment of interest to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date as provided in Section 3.05 hereof), with an amount of cash no greater than the cash proceeds (net of underwriting discounts and commissions) of all Equity Offerings by the Company since the Issue Date; provided that:

(1)           at least 65% (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of Additional Notes) of the original aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture (excluding Notes held by the Company and its Subsidiaries) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption; and

(2)           the redemption occurs within 120 days of the date of the closing of such Equity Offering.

(b)           At any time prior to May 1, 2016 the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus the Applicable Premium (if any) as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, to but excluding the date of redemption, subject to the rights of Holders of Notes so called for redemption on or after a record date for the payment of interest to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date as provided in Section 3.05 hereof.

(c)           Except as described in the preceding paragraphs, the Notes will not be redeemable at the Company’s option prior to May 1, 2016.

(d)           On or after May 1, 2016, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed, to but excluding the applicable date of redemption, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on May 1of the years indicated below, subject to the rights of Holders of Notes so called for redemption on or after a record date for the payment of interest to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date as provided in Section 3.05 hereof:

	
Year

	 	
Percentage

	 
	
2016

	 	 	105.156	%
	
2017

	 	 	103.438	%
	
2018

	 	 	101.719	%
	
2019 and thereafter

	 	 	100.000	%

 

Unless the Company defaults in the payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on the applicable redemption date. The Company may provide in such notice that payment of the redemption price and performance of the Company’s obligations with respect to such redemption may be performed by another Person.

 

  

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(e)           Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 hereof.

Section 3.08           Mandatory Redemption. Except as described in Article 12 hereof, the Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

Section 3.09           Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds . In the event that, pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof, the Company is required to commence an offer to all Holders to purchase Notes (an “Asset Sale Offer”), it will follow the procedures specified below.

The Asset Sale Offer shall be made to all Holders of Notes and all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes containing provisions similar to those set forth in this Indenture with respect to offers to purchase, prepay or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets. The Asset Sale Offer will remain open for a period of at least 20 Business Days following its commencement and not more than 30 Business Days, except to the extent that a longer period is required by applicable law (the “Offer Period”). No later than three Business Days after the termination of the Offer Period (the “Purchase Date”), the Company will apply all Excess Proceeds (the “Offer Amount”), to the purchase of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness (on a pro rata basis based on the principal amount of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness surrendered, if applicable) or, if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes and other Indebtedness tendered in response to the Asset Sale Offer. Payment for any Notes so purchased will be made in the same manner as interest payments are made.

If the Purchase Date is on or after an interest record date and on or before the related interest payment date, any accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, will be paid to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such record date, and no additional interest will be payable to Holders who tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer.

Upon the commencement of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company will send, by first class mail, a notice to the Trustee and each of the Holders, with a copy to the Trustee. The notice will contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer. The notice, which will govern the terms of the Asset Sale Offer, will state:

(1)           that the Asset Sale Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 3.09 and Section 4.10 hereof and the length of time the Asset Sale Offer will remain open;

(2)           the Offer Amount, the purchase price and the Purchase Date;

(3)           that any Note not tendered or accepted for payment will continue to accrue interest;

(4)           that, unless the Company defaults in making such payment, any Note accepted for payment pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer will cease to accrue interest after the Purchase Date;

(5)           that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer may elect to have Notes purchased in denominations of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof;

(6)           that Holders electing to have Notes purchased pursuant to any Asset Sale Offer, will be required to surrender the Note, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached to the Notes completed, or transfer by book-entry transfer, to the Company, a Depositary, if appointed by the Company, or a Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice at least three days before the Purchase Date;

(7)           that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Company, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, not later than the expiration of the Offer Period, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Note the Holder delivered for purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased;

 

  

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(8)           that, if the aggregate principal amount of Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness surrendered by holders thereof exceeds the Offer Amount, the Trustee will select the Notes and the applicable agent will select such other pari passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis based on the principal amount of Notes (or, in the case of Notes issued in global form, in accordance with the applicable procedures of DTC) and such other pari passu Indebtedness tendered or required to be prepaid or redeemed (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Company so that only Notes in denominations of $2,000, or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, will be purchased); and

(9)           that Holders whose Notes were purchased only in part will be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered (or transferred by book-entry transfer).

On or before the Purchase Date, the Company will, to the extent lawful, accept for payment, on a pro rata basis to the extent necessary, the Offer Amount of Notes or portions thereof tendered pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer, or if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered, and will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted together with an Officer’s Certificate stating that such Notes or portions thereof were accepted for payment by the Company in accordance with the terms of this Section 3.09. The Company, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, will promptly (but in any case not later than five days after the Purchase Date) mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the purchase price of the Notes tendered by such Holder and accepted by the Company for purchase, and the Company will promptly issue a new Note, and the Trustee, upon written request from the Company, will authenticate and mail or deliver (or cause to be transferred by book entry) such new Note to such Holder, in a principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered. Any Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Company to the Holder thereof. The Company will publicly announce the results of the Asset Sale Offer on the Purchase Date.

Other than as specifically provided in this Section 3.09 or Section 4.10, any purchase of Notes pursuant to this Section 3.09 shall be made pursuant to the applicable provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 hereof.

ARTICLE 4.

COVENANTS

Section 4.01           Payment of Notes. The Company will pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium on, if any, and interest and Special Interest, if any, on, the Notes on the Business Day prior to the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes. Principal, premium, if any, and interest and Special Interest, if any, will be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, holds as of 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the due date money deposited by the Company in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, then due. The Company will pay all Special Interest, if any, in the same manner on the dates and in the amounts set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

The Company will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at a rate that is 1% higher than the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; it will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Special Interest, if any (without regard to any applicable grace period), at the same rate to the extent lawful.

 

Section 4.02           Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Company will maintain an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee, Registrar or co-registrar) where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company fails to maintain any such required office or agency or fails to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

 

  

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The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

The Company hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as one such office or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 2.03 hereof.

Section 4.03           Reports.

(a)           Whether or not required by the rules and regulations of the SEC, so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Company will furnish to the Trustee and to the Holders of Notes (or file with the SEC for public availability), within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations (and, during any period in which the Company is not required to file reports with the SEC, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations for a “non-accelerated filer”):

(1)           all quarterly and annual reports that would be required to be filed with the SEC on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the Company were required to file such reports, including a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and, with respect to the annual information only, a report thereon by the Company’s certified independent accountants; and

(2)           all current reports that would be required to be filed with the SEC on Form 8-K if the Company were required to file such reports.

All such reports will be prepared in all material respects in accordance with all of the rules and regulations applicable to such reports, provided that if the Company is not required to file such reports with the SEC, (i) such quarterly and annual reports need only include information to the extent similar information is included in the Offering Memorandum and (ii) such current reports need only be prepared or delivered if the Company determines in good faith that the information to be reported is material to the Holders of Notes or the business, operations, assets, liabilities or financial position of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. If the Company is not required to file such reports with the SEC, it will post such reports on its website (http://www.hecla-mining.com). Whether the Company files such reports with the SEC or posts its reports on its website, the public posting of such reports shall satisfy any requirement hereunder to deliver such reports to Holders of Notes. The Company will at all times comply with TIA §314(a). The terms of this Indenture shall not impose any duty on the Company under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the related SEC rules that would not otherwise be applicable to it.

(b)           If the Company has designated any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries, then the quarterly and annual financial information required by paragraph (a) of this Section 4.03 will include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto, and in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Company.

(c)           For so long as any Notes remain outstanding, if at any time they are not required to file with the SEC the reports required by paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 4.03, the Company and the Guarantors will furnish to the Holders and to securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

(d)           Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on an Officer’s Certificate).

 

  

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Section 4.04           Compliance Certificate.

(a)           The Company and each Guarantor (to the extent that such Guarantor is so required under the TIA) shall deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year beginning with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013, an Officer’s Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default has occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto) and that to the best of his or her knowledge no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of, premium on, if any, or interest or Special Interest, if any, on the Notes is prohibited or if such event has occurred, a description of the event and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

(b)           So long as any of the Notes are outstanding, the Company will deliver to the Trustee, within five calendar days (or if such fifth calendar day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) after any Officer becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

Section 4.05           Taxes. The Company will pay, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay, prior to delinquency, all material taxes, assessments, and governmental levies except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes.

Section 4.06           Stay, Extension and Usury Laws. The Company and each of the Guarantors covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company and each of the Guarantors (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

Section 4.07           Restricted Payments.

(a)           The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

(1)           declare or pay any dividend or make any other payment or distribution on account of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests (including, without limitation, any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) or to the direct or indirect holders of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests in their capacity as such (other than dividends or distributions payable in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company and other than dividends or distributions payable to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company);

(2)           purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value (including, without limitation, in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company) any Equity Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect Person owning more than 50% of the outstanding Equity Interests of the Company;

 

  

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(3)          make any payment on or with respect to, or purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor that is contractually subordinated to the Notes or to any Note Guarantee (excluding any intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), except a payment of interest or principal at the Stated Maturity thereof; or

(4)          make any Restricted Investment

(all such payments and other actions set forth in these clauses (1) through (4) above being collectively referred to as “Restricted Payments”), unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment:

(1)          no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur as a consequence of such Restricted Payment;

(2)          the Company would, at the time of such Restricted Payment and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had been made at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, have been permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a) hereof; and

(3)          such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries since the date of this Indenture (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9) and (13) of paragraph (b) of this Section 4.07), is less than the sum, without duplication, of:

(A)          50% of the Consolidated Net Income of the Company for the period (taken as one accounting period) from the beginning of the first fiscal quarter commencing after the date of this Indenture to the end of the Company’s most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment (or, if such Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, less 100% of such deficit); plus

(B)          100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds and the Fair Market Value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, of property and marketable securities received by the Company since the date of this Indenture as a contribution to its common equity capital or from the issue or sale of Qualifying Equity Interests of the Company (other than in connection with the Aurizon Transaction) or from the issue or sale of convertible or exchangeable Disqualified Stock of the Company or convertible or exchangeable debt securities of the Company, in each case that have been converted into or exchanged for Qualifying Equity Interests of the Company (other than Qualifying Equity Interests and convertible or exchangeable Disqualified Stock or debt securities sold to a Subsidiary of the Company); plus

(C)          to the extent that any Restricted Investment that was made after the date of this Indenture is (a) sold or otherwise cancelled, liquidated or repaid, or (b) made in an entity that subsequently becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is a Guarantor, the initial amount of such Restricted Investment (or, if less, the amount of cash or the Fair Market Value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, of property and marketable securities, in each case received upon repayment or sale); plus

(D)          to the extent that any Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company designated as such after the date of this Indenture is redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary after the date of this Indenture, the lesser of (i) the Fair Market Value of the Company’s Restricted Investment in such Subsidiary as of the date of such redesignation or (ii) such Fair Market Value as of the date on which such Subsidiary was originally designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary after the date of this Indenture; plus

 

  

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(E)           100% of any dividends received in cash and the Fair Market Value , as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, of property and marketable securities received by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is a Guarantor after the date of this Indenture from an Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company, to the extent that such dividends were not otherwise included in the Consolidated Net Income of the Company for such period.

(b)           The provisions of Section 4.07(a) hereof will not prohibit:

(1)           the payment of any dividend or the consummation of any irrevocable redemption within 60 days after the date of declaration of the dividend or giving of the redemption notice, as the case may be, if at the date of declaration or notice, the dividend or redemption payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;

(2)           the making of any Restricted Payment in exchange for, or out of or with the net cash proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of, Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or from the substantially concurrent contribution of common equity capital to the Company; provided that the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any such Restricted Payment will not be considered to be net proceeds of Qualifying Equity Interests for purposes of Section 4.07(a)(3)(B) and will not be considered to be net cash proceeds from an Equity Offering for purposes of Section 3.07 of this Indenture;

(3)           the payment of any dividend (or, in the case of any partnership or limited liability company, any similar distribution) by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the holders of its Equity Interests on a pro rata basis;

(4)           the repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor that is contractually subordinated to the Notes or to any Note Guarantee with the net cash proceeds from a substantially concurrent incurrence of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;

(5)           so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company held by any current or former officer, director, employee or consultant of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan, shareholders’ agreement or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or arrangement; provided that the aggregate price paid for all such repurchased, redeemed, acquired or retired Equity Interests may not exceed $15.0 million in any twelve-month period (with unused amounts in any twelve-month period being carried over to succeeding twenty-four month period); provided further, that such amount in any twelve-month period may be increased by an amount not to exceed:

(A)          the cash proceeds from the sale of Qualifying Equity Interests of the Company and, to the extent contributed to the Company as common equity capital, the cash proceeds from the sale of Qualifying Equity Interests of any of the Company’s direct or indirect parent companies, in each case to members of management, directors or consultants of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its direct or indirect parent companies that occurs after the date of this Indenture to the extent the cash proceeds from the sale of Qualifying Equity Interests have not otherwise been applied to the making of Restricted Payments pursuant to the second clause (3) of Section 4.07(a) or Section 4.07(b)(2); plus

(B)          the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries after the date of this Indenture; and

in addition, cancellation of Indebtedness owing to the Company from any current or former officer, director or employee (or any permitted transferees thereof) of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or any direct or indirect parent company thereof), in connection with a repurchase of Equity Interests of the Company from such Persons will not be deemed to constitute a Restricted Payment for purposes of this Section 4.07 or any other provisions of this Indenture;

 

  

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(6)           the repurchase, acquisition or retirement for value of Equity Interests (a) deemed to occur upon the exercise of stock options, warrants, rights to acquire Equity Interests or other convertible securities to the extent such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of those stock options or warrants, or (b) in connection with the withholding of a portion of the Equity Interests granted or awarded to an employee to pay for the taxes payable by such employee upon such grant or award;;

(7)           so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the declaration and payment of regularly scheduled or accrued dividends to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Company or any preferred stock of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company issued on or after the date of this Indenture in accordance with the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test described in Section 4.09(a) hereof;

(8)           payments of cash, dividends, distributions, advances or other Restricted Payments by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to allow the payment of cash in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares upon (i) the exercise of options or warrants or (ii) the conversion or exchange of Capital Stock of any Person (including in a merger, consolidation, amalgamation or similar transaction) and payments of cash to dissenting shareholders in connection with a merger, consolidation, amalgamation, transfer of assets;

(9)           the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Indebtedness that is contractually subordinated to the Notes or to any Note Guarantee (a) at a purchase price not greater than 101% of the principal amount of such Indebtedness in the event of a Change of Control pursuant to provisions similar to Section 4.15 hereof or (b) at a purchase price not greater than 100% of the principal amount of such Indebtedness pursuant to provisions similar to Section 4.10 hereof; provided that all Notes tendered by Holders of the Notes in connection with the related Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer, as applicable, have been repurchased, redeemed or acquired for value;

(10)         the making by the Company of regular quarterly and/or annual dividend payments in respect of (a) its outstanding common stock of no more than $35.0 million in any fiscal year (with unused amounts in any fiscal year carried over to succeeding fiscal years), and (b) its outstanding Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.25 per share, which are payable pursuant to the terms of such preferred stock;

(11)         so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the purchase of Equity Interests of the Company in an aggregate amount not to exceed $20.0 million since the date of this Indenture; and

(12)         the payment by the Company of the entire proceeds received by it in connection with the exercise of its outstanding Series 1 and Series 3 warrants, which such proceeds are required to be paid to the plaintiffs pursuant to that certain consent decree, dated September 8, 2011, settling certain environmental litigation involving the Company and its affiliates; and

(13)         so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $75.0 million since the date of this Indenture.

(c)           The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) will be the Fair Market Value on the date of the Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or securities proposed to be transferred or issued by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to the Restricted Payment. The Fair Market Value of any assets or securities that are required to be valued by this Section 4.07 will be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company whose resolution with respect thereto will be delivered to the Trustee.

 

  

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(d)           For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant, if a Restricted Payment meets the criteria or more than one of the exceptions described in clauses (1) through (13) above or is entitled to be made according to the Section 4.07(a), the Company may, in its sole discretion, classify the Restricted Payment in any manner that complies with this Section 4.07.

Section 4.08          Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries.

(a)           The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:

(1)           pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits, or pay any indebtedness owed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (it being understood that the priority of any preferred stock in receiving dividends or liquidating distributions prior to dividends or liquidating distributions being paid on common stock shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make distributions on Capital Stock);

(2)           make loans or advances to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (it being understood that the subordination of loans or advances made to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to other Indebtedness incurred by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make loans or advances); or

(3)           sell, lease or transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (it being understood that such transfers shall not include any type of transfer described in clauses (1) and (2) of this Section 4.08(a)).

(b)           The restrictions in Section 4.08(a) hereof will not apply to encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

(1)           agreements governing Existing Indebtedness and Credit Facilities as in effect on the date of this Indenture (including the Senior Credit Facility) and any amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of those agreements; provided that the amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings, in the good faith judgment of the Company, (x) are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions than those contained in those agreements on the date of this Indenture and (y) will not materially affect the Company’s ability to make anticipated principal and interest payments on the Notes when due;

(2)           this Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees;

(3)           agreements governing other Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under Section 4.09 hereof and any amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of those agreements; provided that in the good faith judgment of the Company, such encumbrances and restrictions will not materially affect the Company’s ability to make anticipated principal and interest payments on the Notes when due;

(4)           applicable law, rule, regulation or order;

(5)           any instrument governing Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such acquisition (except to the extent such Indebtedness or Capital Stock was incurred in connection with or in contemplation of such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired; provided that, in the case of Indebtedness, such Indebtedness was permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be incurred;

 

  

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(6)           non-assignment provisions in leases, subleases, licenses and other contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, including, without limitation, any encumbrance or restriction (a) that restricts the subletting, assignment or transfer of any property or asset that is subject to a lease, license or similar contract, or the assignment or transfer of such lease, license or other contract; and (b) pursuant to provisions restricting the dispositions of real property interests set forth in any reciprocal easement agreements of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(7)           purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business and Attributable Debt or Capital Lease Obligations that impose restrictions on the property purchased or leased of the nature described in clause (3) of Section 4.08(a) hereof;

(8)           any agreement for the sale or other disposition of all or a portion of the Capital Stock or assets of a Restricted Subsidiary that restricts distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary pending its sale or other disposition;

(9)           Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness; provided that, in the good faith judgment of the Company, the encumbrances and restrictions contained in the agreements governing such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness being refinanced;

(10)         Liens permitted to be incurred under the provisions of Section 4.12 hereof that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets subject to such Liens, including any Permitted Lien;

(11)         provisions limiting the disposition or distribution of assets or property in joint venture agreements, asset sale agreements, sale-leaseback agreements, stock sale agreements and other similar agreements (including agreements entered into in connection with a Restricted Investment), which limitation is applicable only to the assets that are the subject of such agreements; and

(12)         restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business.

Section 4.09           Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock.

(a)           The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to (collectively, “incur”) any Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt), and the Company will not issue any Disqualified Stock and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to issue any shares of preferred stock; provided, however, that the Company may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) or issue Disqualified Stock, and the Guarantors may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) or issue preferred stock, if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company’s most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified Stock or such preferred stock is issued, as the case may be, would have been at least 2.0 to 1.0, determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred or the Disqualified Stock or the preferred stock had been issued, as the case may be, at the beginning of such four-quarter period.

(b)           The provisions of Section 4.09(a) hereof will not prohibit the incurrence of any of the following items of Indebtedness (collectively, “Permitted Debt”):

(1)           the incurrence by the Company and any Guarantor of Indebtedness and letters of credit under Credit Facilities in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding under this clause (1) (with letters of credit being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the maximum amount drawable thereunder) not to exceed, as of any date of incurrence, $250.0 million.

 

  

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(2)           the incurrence by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries of the Existing Indebtedness;

(3)           the incurrence by the Company and the Guarantors of Indebtedness represented by the Notes and the related Note Guarantee to be issued on the date of this Indenture or thereafter as provided in this Indenture and any Exchange Notes and the related Note Guarantees of Exchange Notes to be issued pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement;

(4)           the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness represented by Capital Lease Obligations (other than Deemed Capitalized Leases), mortgage financings or purchase money obligations, in each case, incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of design, construction, installation or improvement of property, plant or equipment used in the business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (4), not to exceed, as of any date of incurrence, the greater of (x) $80.0 million and (y) 3.5% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets as of such date of incurrence;

(5)           the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness) that was permitted by this Indenture to be incurred under Section 4.09(a) hereof or clauses (2), (3), (4), (5) or (21) of this Section 4.09(b);

(6)           the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that:

(A)          if the Company or any Guarantor is the obligor on such Indebtedness and the payee is not the Company or a Guarantor, such Indebtedness must be unsecured and expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all Obligations then due with respect to the Notes, in the case of the Company, or the Note Guarantee, in the case of a Guarantor; and

(B)           (1) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such Indebtedness being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and (2) any sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person that is not either the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, will be deemed, in each case, to constitute an incurrence of such Indebtedness by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, that was not permitted by this clause (6);

(7)           the issuance by any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries to the Company or to any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of shares of preferred stock; provided, however, that:

(A)          any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such preferred stock being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; and

(B)          any sale or other transfer of any such preferred stock to a Person that is not either the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company,

will be deemed, in each case, to constitute an issuance of such preferred stock by such Restricted Subsidiary that was not permitted by this clause (7);

(8)           the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness consisting of Hedging Obligations or Treasury Management Arrangements in the ordinary course of business;

 

  

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(9)           the guarantee by the Company or any of the Guarantors of Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the extent that the guaranteed Indebtedness was permitted to be incurred by another provision of this Section 4.09; provided that if the Indebtedness being guaranteed is subordinated to or pari passu with the Notes, then the Guarantee must be subordinated or pari passu, as applicable, to the same extent as the Indebtedness guaranteed;

(10)         the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness in respect of workers’ compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance, self-insurance obligations, bankers’ acceptances, performance, bid, surety, appeal, remediation and similar bonds and completion Guarantees (not for borrowed money) provided in the ordinary course of business;

(11)         the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument inadvertently drawn against insufficient funds, so long as such Indebtedness is covered within five Business Days;

(12)         Indebtedness of any Person incurred and outstanding on or prior to the date on which such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or was acquired by, or merged into or arranged or consolidated with, the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness incurred in contemplation of, or in connection with, the transaction or series of related transactions pursuant to which such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary of or was otherwise acquired by the Company); provided, however, that on the date that such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary or was otherwise acquired by the Company, either: (a) the Company would have been able to incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.09(a) hereof after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness pursuant to this clause (12); or (b) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries would have been greater than such ratio immediately prior to such acquisition, merger, arrangement or consolidation, in each case after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness pursuant to this clause (12);

(13)         Indebtedness consisting of unpaid insurance premiums owed to any Person providing property, casualty, liability or other insurance to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in any fiscal year, pursuant to reimbursement or indemnification obligations to such Person; provided that such Indebtedness is incurred only to defer the cost of such unpaid insurance premiums for such fiscal year and is outstanding only during such fiscal year;

(14)         Indebtedness of the Company, to the extent the net proceeds thereof are substantially concurrently (a) used to purchase Notes tendered in connection with a Change of Control Offer or (b) deposited to defease the Notes pursuant to Articles 8 hereof or pursuant to Article 11 hereof;

(15)         Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price, earn-outs or similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or Capital Stock of a Subsidiary, other than guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Capital Stock of a Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition;

(16)         Indebtedness arising in connection with endorsement of instruments for deposit in the ordinary course of business;

(17)         Indebtedness owed to a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America or Canada in connection with the settlement or other resolution of any claim or dispute which may arise from time to time with any such agency;

(18)         Indebtedness related to surety bonds or cash collateral posted by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from time to time in order to secure reclamation obligations;

 

  

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(19)         Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries consisting of take-or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(20)         Indebtedness representing deferred compensation to employees of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business; and

(21)         the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of additional Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) at any time outstanding, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (21), not to exceed, as of any date of incurrence, the greater of (x) $100.0 million and (y) 4.5% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets as of such date of incurrence.

The Company will not incur, and will not permit any Guarantor to incur, any Indebtedness (including Permitted Debt) that is contractually subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Company or such Guarantor unless such Indebtedness will be contractually subordinated in right of payment to the Notes and the applicable Note Guarantee to at least the same extent as such other Indebtedness; provided, however, that no Indebtedness will be deemed to be contractually subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Company solely by virtue of being unsecured or by virtue of being secured on a junior priority basis.

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.09, in the event that an item of Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Debt described in clauses (1) through (21) above, or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(a) hereof, the Company will be permitted to classify such item of Indebtedness on the date of its incurrence, or later reclassify all or a portion of such item of Indebtedness, in any manner that complies with this Section 4.09, Indebtedness under Credit Facilities outstanding on the date on which the Notes are first issued and authenticated under this Indenture will initially be deemed to have been incurred in reliance on the exception provided by clause (1) of the definition of Permitted Debt. The accrual of interest or preferred stock dividends, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest on any Indebtedness in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, the reclassification of preferred stock as Indebtedness due to a change in accounting principles, and the payment of dividends on preferred stock or Disqualified Stock in the form of additional shares of the same class of preferred stock or Disqualified Stock will not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness or an issuance of preferred stock or Disqualified Stock for purposes of this Section 4.09; provided, in each such case, that the amount thereof is included in Fixed Charges of the Company as accrued. For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the incurrence of Indebtedness, the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be utilized, calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was incurred. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 4.09, the maximum amount of Indebtedness that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may incur pursuant to this Section 4.09 shall not be deemed to be exceeded solely as a result of fluctuations in exchange rates or currency values.

The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date will be:

 

	 	
(1) 

	
the accreted value of the Indebtedness, in the case of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount;

 

	 	
(2) 

	
with respect to contingent obligations, the maximum liability upon the occurrences of the contingency giving rise to the obligations;

 

	 	
(3) 

	
with respect to Hedging Obligations, the net amount payable, if any, by such Persons of such Hedging Obligations terminated at that time due to default by such Persons

 

	 	
(4) 

	
the principal amount of the Indebtedness, in the case of any other Indebtedness; and

 

	 	
(5) 

	
in respect of Indebtedness of another Person secured by a Lien on the assets of the specified Person, the lesser of:

 

	 	
(A) 

	
the Fair Market Value of such assets at the date of determination; and

 

	 	
(B) 

	
the amount of the Indebtedness of the other Person.

 

  

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(A)           the Fair Market Value of such assets at the date of determination; and

(B)           the amount of the Indebtedness of the other Person.

 

Section 4.10    Asset Sales.

(a)           The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale unless:

(1)           the Company (or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) receives consideration at the time of the Asset Sale at least equal to the Fair Market Value (measured as of the date of the definitive agreement with respect to such Asset Sale) of the assets or Equity Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of; and

(2)           solely with respect to any Asset Sales of any of the Principal Mine Assets, at least 75% of the consideration received in the Asset Sale by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents. For purposes of this provision, each of the following will be deemed to be cash:

(A)           any liabilities of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes or any Note Guarantee) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets pursuant to a customary novation or indemnity agreement that releases the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from or indemnifies the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary against such liability;

(B)           any securities, notes or other obligations received by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash within 120 days after such Asset Sale, to the extent of the cash received in that conversion;

(C)           any Designated Non-cash Consideration received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in such Asset Sale having an aggregate Fair Market Value, taken together with all other Designated Non-cash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (C) that has at that time not been converted in cash or a Cash Equivalent, not to exceed the greater of (x) $75.0 million and (y) 3.25% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of the receipt of such Designated Non-cash Consideration (with the Fair Market Value of each item of Designated Non-cash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value); and

(D)     any stock or assets of the kind referred to in clauses (3) or (5) of the next paragraph of this Section 4.10.

(b)           Within 365 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale, the Company (or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) may apply such Net Proceeds at its options:

(1)           to repay Indebtedness that is secured by a Lien;

(2)           to repay Obligations under other Indebtedness (other than Disqualified Stock or subordinated Indebtedness), other than Indebtedness owed to the Company or an Affiliate of the Company; provided that the Company shall equally and ratably reduce the Obligations under the Notes as provided under Section 3.07 hereof, through open market purchases (to the extent such purchases are at or above 100% of the principal amount thereof) or by making an offer (in accordance with the procedures set forth below for an Asset Sale Offer) to all Holders to purchase their Notes at 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus the accrued but unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, on the amount of the Notes that would otherwise be prepaid;

 

  

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(3)           to acquire all or substantially all of the assets of, or any Capital Stock of, another Permitted Business, if, after giving effect to any such acquisition of Capital Stock, the Permitted Business is or becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

(4)           to make a capital expenditure;

(5)           to acquire other assets that are not classified as current assets under GAAP and that are used or useful in a Permitted Business; or

(6)           any combination of the foregoing.

provided that, in the case of clauses (1), (3), (4) and (5) above, a binding commitment shall be treated as a permitted application of the Net Proceeds from the date of such commitment so long as the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary enters into such commitment with the good faith expectation that such Net Proceeds will be applied to satisfy such commitment within 180 days of the date thereof; provided that if any commitment is later canceled or terminated for any reason before such Net Proceeds are applied, then such Net Proceeds shall constitute Excess Proceeds from the later of (i) the date of such cancelation or termination or (ii) the 365th day after the receipt of such Net Proceeds from the applicable Asset Sale.

Pending the final application of any Net Proceeds, the Company (or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary) may temporarily reduce revolving credit borrowings or otherwise invest the Net Proceeds in any manner that is not prohibited by this Indenture.

(c)           Any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not applied or invested as provided in Section 4.10(b) hereof will constitute “Excess Proceeds.” When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $50.0 million, within five Business Days thereof, the Company will make an Asset Sale Offer to all Holders of Notes and all holders of other Indebtedness that (i) is pari passu with the Notes, and (ii) contemporaneously require the purchase, prepayment or redemption of such Indebtedness with the proceeds of sales of assets in accordance with Section 3.09 hereof to purchase, prepay or redeem the maximum principal amount of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness (plus all accrued interest on the Indebtedness and the amount of all fees and expenses, including premiums, incurred in connection therewith) that may be purchased, prepaid or redeemed out of the Excess Proceeds. The Excess Proceeds shall be allocated between the Notes and the other pari passu Indebtedness referred to above on a pro rata basis based on the aggregate amount of such Indebtedness then outstanding. The offer price with respect to the Notes in any Asset Sale Offer will be equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, to the date of purchase, prepayment or redemption, subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, and will be payable in cash. If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer and the contemporaneous offer with respect to any other pari passu Indebtedness contemplated above, the Company may use those Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes tendered in such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds allocable to the Notes, the Trustee will select the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis (or, in the case of Notes issued in global form, in accordance with the applicable procedures of DTC, based on the amounts tendered or required to be prepaid or redeemed) (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Company so that only Notes in denominations of $2,000, or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, will be purchased). The remainder of the Excess Proceeds allocable to the other pari passu Indebtedness will be repurchased in a similar manner. Upon completion of each Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset at zero.

(d)           The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with each repurchase of Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of Section 3.09 hereof or this Section 4.10, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under Section 3.09 hereof or this Section 4.10 by virtue of such compliance.

 

  

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Section 4.11           Transactions with Affiliates.

(a)           The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any payment to or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Company (each, an “Affiliate Transaction”) involving aggregate payments or consideration in excess of $10.0 million, unless:

(1)           the Affiliate Transaction is on terms, taken as a whole, that are no less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person; and

(2)           the Company delivers to the Trustee:

(A)           with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $15.0 million, a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company set forth in an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with this Section 4.11 and that such Affiliate Transaction has been approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors of the Company; and

(B)           with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $50.0 million, an opinion as to the fairness to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary of such Affiliate Transaction from a financial point of view issued by an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing designated by the Company.

(b)           The following items will be deemed not to be Affiliate Transactions and, therefore, will not be subject to the provisions of Section 4.11(a) hereof:

(1)           any employment agreement, employee benefit plan, officer or director indemnification agreement or any similar arrangement entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and payments pursuant thereto and the issuance of Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) to directors and employees pursuant to stock option or stock ownership plans;

(2)           transactions between or among the Company and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(3)           transactions with a Person (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company) that is an Affiliate of the Company solely because the Company owns, directly or through a Restricted Subsidiary, an Equity Interest in, or controls, such Person;

(4)           payment or advancement of reasonable and customary fees and reimbursements of expenses (pursuant to indemnity arrangements or otherwise) of officers, directors, employees or consultants of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(5)           loans or advances to employees in the ordinary course of business not to exceed $10.0 million in the aggregate at any one time outstanding;

(6)           any issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company to Affiliates of the Company and the granting of registration and other customary rights in connection therewith;

(7)           Restricted Payments that do not violate Section 4.07 hereof and Permitted Investments;

(8)           any agreement as in effect as of the Issue Date, as these agreements may be amended, modified, supplemented, extended or renewed from time to time, so long as any such amendment, modification, supplement, extension or renewal is not more disadvantageous to the Holders of Notes in any material respect than the terms of the agreements in effect on the Issue Date;

 

  

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(9)           any agreement between any Person and an Affiliate of such Person existing at the time such Person is acquired by, merged into or amalgamated, arranged or consolidated with the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that such agreement was not entered into in contemplation of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation, arrangement or consolidation and any amendment thereto (so long as any such amendment is not more disadvantageous to the Holders of Notes in any material respect than the applicable agreement as in effect on the date of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation, arrangement or consolidation);

(10)         transactions between the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and any Person that is an Affiliate solely because one or more of its directors is also a director of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that such director abstains from voting as a director of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, on any matter involving such other Person;

(11)         any transaction or series of related transactions for which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries delivers to the Trustee an opinion as to the fairness to the Company or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary of such transaction or series of related transactions from a financial point of view issued by an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of national recognized standing.

(12)         any contribution to the common equity capital of the Company;

(13)         the pledge of Equity Interests of any Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(14)         the entering into of any tax sharing, allocation or similar agreement and any payments by the Company (or any direct or indirect parent of the Company) or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to any tax sharing, allocation or similar agreement;

(15)         any transaction or series of related transactions between or among the Company and any of its subsidiaries implemented in connection with any corporate restructuring;

(16)         payments to or from, and transactions with, any joint venture in the ordinary course of business; provided that such arrangements are on terms no less favorable to the Company and its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, than to the relevant joint venture partner and its Affiliates, on the other hand, taking into account all related agreements and transactions entered in by the Company and its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the relevant joint venture partner and its Affiliates, on the other hand (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company);

(17)         the Aurizon Transaction; and

(18)         the existence of, or the performance by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of its obligations under the terms of any stockholders agreement, partnership agreement or limited liability company members agreement (including any registration rights agreement or purchase agreement related thereto) to which it is a party as of the date of this Indenture and any similar agreements which it may enter into thereafter, in each case subject to compliance with the other provisions of this Indenture; provided, however, that the existence, or the performance by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of obligations under, any future amendment to any such existing agreement or under any similar agreement entered into after the date of this Indenture shall only be permitted by this clause (18) to the extent that the terms (taken as a whole) of any such amendment or new agreement are not otherwise materially disadvantageous to the holders of the notes, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors or senior management of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary.

Section 4.12    Liens. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien of any kind securing Indebtedness, Attributable Debt or trade payables on any asset now owned or hereafter acquired, except Permitted Liens, unless contemporaneously therewith:

 

  

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(1)           in the case of any Lien securing an obligation that ranks pari passu with the Notes or a guarantee of the Notes, effective provision is made to secure the Notes or such Note Guarantee, as the case may be, at least equally and ratably with or prior to such obligation with a Lien on the same assets of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be; and

(2)           in the case of any Lien securing Indebtedness subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or a Note Guarantee, effective provision is made to secure the Notes or such Note Guarantee, as the case may be, with a Lien on the same assets of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, that is prior to the Lien securing such subordinated Indebtedness.

Section 4.13          Business Activities. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, engage in any business other than Permitted Businesses, except to such extent as would not be material to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

Section 4.14          Corporate Existence. Subject to Article 5 hereof, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect:

(1)           its corporate existence, and the corporate, partnership or other existence of each of its Subsidiaries, in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time) of the Company or any such Subsidiary; and

(2)           the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Company and its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, or the corporate, partnership or other existence of any of its Subsidiaries, if the Board of Directors of the Company shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes.

Section 4.15          Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control.

(a)           Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company will make an offer (a “Change of Control Offer”) to each Holder to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of that Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, on the Notes repurchased to but excluding the date of purchase, subject to the rights of Holders of Notes so called for repurchase on or after a record date for the payment of interest to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date (the “Change of Control Payment”). Within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Company will mail a notice to each Holder describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control and stating:

(1)           that the Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 4.15 and that all Notes tendered will be accepted for payment;

(2)           the purchase price and the purchase date, which shall be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed (the “Change of Control Payment Date”);

(3)           that any Note not tendered will continue to accrue interest;

(4)           that, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer will cease to accrue interest after the Change of Control Payment Date;

 

  

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(5)           that Holders electing to have any Notes purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be required to surrender the Notes, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached to the Notes completed, or transfer by book-entry transfer, to the Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date;

(6)           that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Paying Agent receives, not later than the close of business on the second Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of Notes delivered for purchase, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have the Notes purchased; and

(7)           that Holders whose Notes are being purchased only in part will be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, which unpurchased portion must be equal to $2,000 in principal amount or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. In connection with the tender of any Notes with respect to a Change of Control, the tendering Holder of Notes shall provide good title to the Notes, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances, and shall represent and warrant that such Holder of Notes is presenting good title, free and clear of all Liens and encumbrances, and such other representations and warranties as are customary.

The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes as a result of a Change of Control. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Section 4.15, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.15 by virtue of such compliance.

(b)           On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company will, to the extent lawful:

(1)           accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;

(2)           deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered; and

(3)           deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted together with an Officer’s Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes being purchased by the Company.

The Paying Agent will promptly mail or wire transfer (but in any case not later than five days after the Change of Control Payment Date) to each Holder of Notes properly tendered the Change of Control Payment for such Notes, and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each tendering Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion (if any) of the Note surrendered by such Holder. The Company will publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date.

(c)           Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4.15, the Company will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if (1) a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Section 4.15 and purchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under the Change of Control Offer, or (2) notice of redemption has been given pursuant to Section 3.07 hereof, unless and until there is a default in payment of the applicable redemption price.

(d)           Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, a Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, and conditioned upon the consummation of such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time the Change of Control Offer is made.

 

  

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(e)           If Holders of not less than 90% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes validly tender and do not withdraw such Notes in a Change of Control Offer and the Company, or any other Person making a Change of Control Offer in lieu of the Company as pursuant to Section 4.15(e), purchases all of the Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn by such Holders, the Company will have the right, upon not less than 15 nor more than 30 days’ prior notice, given not more than 15 days following such purchase pursuant to the Change of Control Offer pursuant to Section 4.15, to redeem all Notes that remain outstanding following such purchase at a redemption price in cash equal to the applicable Change of Control Payment plus, to the extent not included in the Change of Control Payment, accrued and unpaid interest to but excluding the date of redemption (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).

Section 4.16           Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any sale and leaseback transaction; provided that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may enter into a sale and leaseback transaction if:

(1)           the Company or that Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, could have (a) incurred Indebtedness in an amount equal to the Attributable Debt relating to such sale and leaseback transaction under the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test in Section 4.09(a) hereof and (b) incurred a Lien to secure such Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.12 hereof; and

(2)           the transfer of assets in that sale and leaseback transaction is permitted by, and the Company applies the proceeds of such transaction in compliance with, Section 4.10 hereof.

Section 4.17           Payments for Consent. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration to or for the benefit of any Holder of Notes for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture or the Notes unless consideration determined and paid on the same basis is offered to be paid and is paid to all Holders of the Notes that consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.

Section 4.18           Additional Note Guarantees. The Company will cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is not a Guarantor and that becomes a borrower or guarantor under the Senior Credit Facility or that Guarantees, on the Issue Date or any time thereafter, any other Indebtedness of the Company, which other Indebtedness exceeds $10.0 million in aggregate principal amount, to become a Guarantor by executing a supplemental indenture and delivering an Opinion of Counsel satisfactory to the Trustee within 20 Business Days thereafter to the effect that such supplemental indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by that Restricted Subsidiary and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of that Restricted Subsidiary, enforceable in accordance with its terms (subject to customary exceptions). The form of such supplemental indenture is attached as Exhibit F hereto.

Section 4.19           Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries. The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Restricted Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary if that designation would not cause a Default. If a Restricted Subsidiary is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the aggregate Fair Market Value of all outstanding Investments owned by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Subsidiary designated as Unrestricted will be deemed to be an Investment made as of the time of the designation and will reduce the amount available either for Restricted Payments under Section 4.07 hereof or under one or more clauses of the definition of Permitted Investments, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion. That designation will only be permitted if the Investment would be permitted at that time and if the Restricted Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of Directors of the Company may redesignate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary if that redesignation would not cause a Default.

Any designation of a Subsidiary of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company giving effect to such designation and an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the preceding conditions and was permitted by Section 4.07 hereof or was a Permitted Investment under one or more of the clauses of the definition of Permitted Investments. If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it will thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of this Indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary will be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as of such date and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred as of such date under Section 4.09 hereof, the Company will be in default of such covenant. The Board of Directors of the Company may at any time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such designation will be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary, and such designation will only be permitted if (1) such Indebtedness is permitted under Section 4.09 hereof, calculated on a pro forma basis as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the applicable reference period; and (2) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence following such designation.

 

  

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Section 4.20          Changes in Covenants When Notes Rated Investment Grade.

(a)           If on any date following the date of this Indenture:

(1)           the Notes are rated Baa3 or better by Moody’s and BBB- or better by S&P (or, if either such entity ceases to rate the Notes for reasons outside of the control of the Company, the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any other “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” as such term is defined in Section (3)(a)(62) of the Exchange Act, selected by the Company as a replacement agency); and

(2)           no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing,

then, beginning on that day and subject to the provisions of Section 4.20(c), the covenants contained in Sections 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.16(1)(a) and (2), 4.18 and 5.01(4) of this Indenture will be suspended.

(b)           During any period that the foregoing covenants have been suspended, the Company’s Board of Directors may not designate any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 4.19 hereof or the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary.”

(c)           Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the rating assigned by either such rating agency should subsequently decline to below Baa3 or BBB-, respectively, the covenants specified in Section 4.20(a) will be reinstituted as of and from the date of such rating decline. Calculations under the reinstated Section 4.07 hereof will be made as if Section 4.07 hereof had been in effect since the date of this Indenture except that no Default or Event of Default will be deemed to have occurred solely by reason of a Restricted Payment made while that covenant was suspended or for any other failure to comply with any suspended covenants during a period when the covenants were suspended. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the continued existence after any reinstitution of the foregoing covenants of obligations arising from transactions that occurred during the period such covenants were suspended shall not constitute a breach of any covenant set forth in this Indenture or cause an Event of Default hereunder.

(d)           The Trustee shall have no responsibility to monitor any change in the rating of the Notes.

Section 4.21           Special Interest Notice. In the event that the Company is required to pay Special Interest to Holders of Notes pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company will provide written notice (a “Special Interest Notice”) to the Trustee of its obligation to pay Special Interest no later than fifteen days prior to the proposed payment date for the Special Interest, and the Special Interest Notice shall set forth the amount of Special Interest to be paid by the Company on such payment date. The Trustee shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holder of Notes to determine the Special Interest, or with respect to the nature, extent, or calculation of the amount of Special Interest owed, or with respect to the method employed in such calculation of the Special Interest.

ARTICLE 5.

SUCCESSORS

Section 5.01    Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets. The Company shall not, directly or indirectly: (1) consolidate or merge with or into another Person (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation), or (2) sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions, to another Person, unless:

 

  

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(1)           either:

(A)          the Company is the surviving corporation; or

(B)           the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made is an entity organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia, Canada, or any province of Canada; and, if such entity is not a corporation, a co-obligor of the Notes is a corporation organized or existing under any such laws;

(2)           the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made assumes all the obligations of the Company under the Notes, this Indenture and the Registration Rights Agreement pursuant to agreements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;

(3)           immediately after such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists;

(4)           the Company or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made would, on the date of such transaction after giving pro forma effect thereto and any related financing transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period (i) be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a) hereof or (ii) have had a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio greater than the actual Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company for such four-quarter period; and

(5)           the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that any such event complies with the foregoing.

In addition, the Company will not, directly or indirectly, lease all or substantially all of the properties and assets of it and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions, to any other Person.

This Section 5.01 will not apply to any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition of assets between or among the Company and any one or more of its Restricted Subsidiaries or between or among any one or more of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries including any actions taken in connection with the creation, funding and other activities related to a British Columbia domiciled entity to be formed by the Company or an affiliate thereof in order to amalgamate with Aurizon Mines Ltd. (together with any and all other actions related thereto, the “Aurizon Transaction”). Clauses (3) and (4) of this Section 5.01 will not apply to (a) any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into one of its Restricted Subsidiaries for any purpose or (b) with or into an Affiliate solely for the purpose of reincorporating the Company in another jurisdiction or creating a holding company for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

Section 5.02           Successor Corporation Substituted. Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company in a transaction that is subject to, and that complies with the provisions of, Section 5.01 hereof, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the successor Person and not to the Company), and may exercise every right and power of the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein; provided, however, that the predecessor Company shall not be relieved from the obligation to pay the principal of, premium on, if any, interest and Special Interest, if any, on, the Notes except in the case of a sale of all of the Company’s assets in a transaction that is subject to, and that complies with the provisions of, Section 5.01 hereof.

 

  

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ARTICLE 6.

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 6.01          Events of Default. Each of the following is an “Event of Default”:

(1)           default for 30 consecutive days in the payment when due of interest and Special Interest, if any, on the Notes;

(2)           default in the payment when due (at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise) of the principal of, or premium, if any, on the Notes;

(3)           failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to comply with Section 5.01 hereof;

(4)           failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 30 days after notice to the Company by the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class to comply with the provisions of Sections 4.07, 4.09, 4.10 or 4.15 hereof;

(5)           failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 60 days after notice to the Company by the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class to comply with any of the other agreements in this Indenture;

(6)           default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), whether such Indebtedness or Guarantee now exists, or is created after the date of this Indenture, if that default:

(A)           is caused by a failure to pay principal of, premium on, if any, or interest, if any, on, such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of the grace period provided in such Indebtedness on the date of such default (a “Payment Default”); or

(B)           results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its express maturity,

and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $50.0 million or more;

(7)           failure by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or any group of its Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together (as of the date of the latest audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, to pay final non-appealable judgments entered by a court or courts of competent jurisdiction aggregating in excess of $50.0 million (net of any amounts covered by insurance policies issued by a reputable and creditworthy insurance company that is not contesting liability for such amounts) , which final non-appealable judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed, for a period of 60 days after such judgment becomes final, and in the event such judgment is covered in full by insurance, an enforcement proceeding has been commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or decree which is not promptly stayed;

 

  

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(8)           except as permitted by this Indenture, any Note Guarantee of a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Guarantors that, taken together (as of the date of the latest audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, is held in any final, non-appealable judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or ceases for any reason to be in full force and effect, or any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Guarantors that, taken together (as of the date of the latest audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, or any Person acting on behalf of any such Guarantor, denies or disaffirms its obligations under its Note Guarantee;

(9)           the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of Bankruptcy Law:

(A)           commences a voluntary case,

(B)           consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,

(C)           consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,

(D)           makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or

(E)           generally is unable to pay its debts as they become due; and

(10)         a court of competent jurisdiction enters a final non-appealable order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

(A)           is for relief against the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;

(B)           appoints a custodian of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary; or

(C)           orders the liquidation of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary;

and the final non-appealable order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 90 consecutive days.

Section 6.02           Acceleration. In the case of an Event of Default specified in clause (9) or (10) of Section 6.01 hereof, with respect to the Company, any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately.

Upon any such declaration, the Notes shall become due and payable immediately.

The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by written notice to the Trustee may, on behalf of all of the Holders of all the Notes, rescind an acceleration or waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences hereunder, if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, premium on, if any, interest or Special Interest, if any, on, the Notes.

 

  

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Section 6.03          Other Remedies. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal of, premium on, if any, interest or Special Interest, if any, on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder of a Note in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

Section 6.04          Waiver of Past Defaults. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by written notice to the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences hereunder, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, premium on, if any, interest or Special Interest, if any, on, the Notes (including in connection with an offer to purchase); provided, however, that the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 6.05          Control by Majority. Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders of Notes or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability.

Section 6.06           Limitation on Suits. No Holder of a Note may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes unless:

(1)           such Holder has previously given the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default is continuing;

(2)           Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

(3)           such Holder or Holders offer and, if requested, provide to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

(4)           the Trustee does not comply with such request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity; and

(5)           during such 60-day period, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request.

A Holder of a Note may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder of a Note or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder of a Note.

Section 6.07           Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Note to receive payment of principal of, premium on, if any, interest or Special Interest, if any, on the Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

 

  

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Section 6.08           Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(1) or (2) hereof occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount of principal of, premium on, if any, interest and Special Interest, if any, remaining unpaid on the Notes and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

Section 6.09           Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders of the Notes allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company (or any other obligor upon the Notes), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

Section 6.10           Priorities. If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article 6, it shall pay out the money in the following order:

First: to the Trustee, its agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.07 hereof, including payment of all compensation, expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and the costs and expenses of collection;

Second: to Holders of Notes for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, interest and Special Interest, if any, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, interest and Special Interest, if any, respectively; and

Third: to the Company or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders of Notes pursuant to this Section 6.10.

Section 6.11           Undertaking for Costs. In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee or the Company, a suit by a Holder of a Note pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.

 

  

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ARTICLE 7.

TRUSTEE

Section 7.01           Duties of Trustee.

(a)           If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee will exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

(b)           Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

(1)           the duties of the Trustee will be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(2)           in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, the Trustee will examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

(c)           The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(1)           this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.01;

(2)           the Trustee will not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

(3)           the Trustee will not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 hereof.

(d)           Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this Section 7.01.

(e)           No provision of this Indenture will require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability. The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under this Indenture at the request of any Holders, unless such Holder has offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

(f)           The Trustee will not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

Section 7.02          Rights of Trustee.

(a)           The Trustee may conclusively rely upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

(b)           Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel will be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

 

  

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(c)           The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and will not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.

(d)           The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

(e)           Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company will be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Company.

(f)           The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against the losses, liabilities and expenses that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

(g)           The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Company and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.

(h)           In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action

(i)            The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture.

(j)            The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

(k)           The Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture.

(l)            Any request or direction of the Company or other Person mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate or certificate of an Officer of such Other Person and any resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company or of such other Person may be sufficiently evidenced by a board resolution certified by the secretary or assistant secretary (or similar officer) of the Company or such other Person.

(m)          The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered, or omitted to be taken by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

Section 7.03           Individual Rights of Trustee. The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company or any Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue as trustee (if this Indenture has been qualified under the TIA) or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11 hereof.

 

  

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Section 7.04           Trustee’s Disclaimer. The Trustee will not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Company or upon the Company’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, it will not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it will not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.

Section 7.05           Notice of Defaults. If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee will mail to Holders of Notes a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium on, if any, interest or Special Interest, if any, on, any Note, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Notes.

Section 7.06           Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes.

 

(a)           Within 60 days after each   May 15 beginning with the   May 15 following the date of this Indenture, and for so long as Notes remain outstanding, the Trustee will mail to the Holders of the Notes a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with TIA §313(a) (but if no event described in TIA §313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also will comply with TIA §313(b)(2). The Trustee will also transmit by mail all reports as required by TIA §313(c).

(b)           A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the Holders of Notes will be mailed by the Trustee to the Company and filed by the Trustee with the SEC and each stock exchange on which the Notes are listed in accordance with TIA §313(d). The Company will promptly notify the Trustee when the Notes are listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof.

Section 7.07          Compensation and Indemnity.

(a)           The Company will pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder as the Company and the Trustee shall from time to time agree in writing. The Trustee’s compensation will not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company will reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses will include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and outside counsel.

(b)           The Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, will indemnify the Trustee against any and all losses, damages, claims, liabilities or expenses, including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee) incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Company and the Guarantors (including this Section 7.07) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company, the Guarantors, any Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent any such loss, damage, claim, liability or expense shall be determined to have been caused by its own negligence or bad faith. The Trustee will notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company will not relieve the Company or any of the Guarantors of their obligations hereunder. The Company or such Guarantor will defend the claim and the Trustee will cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel, which such counsel shall be reasonably acceptable to the Company, and the Company will pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay such fees and expenses if the Company assumes such defense unless there is a conflict of interest between the Company and the Trustee in connection with such defense as reasonably determined by the Trustee in consultation with counsel or if there are additional or separate defenses available to the Trustee that are not available to the Company and the Company is unable to assert any such defense on the Trustee’s behalf . Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company need not reimburse or pay any fees or expenses or indemnify against any loss, liability, damage, claim or expense incurred by the Trustee through its own willful misconduct, bad faith or negligence. Neither the Company nor any Guarantor need pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.

 

  

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(c)           The obligations of the Company and the Guarantors under this Section 7.07 will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or the earlier resignation or removal of the Trustee in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

(d)           To secure the Company’s and the Guarantors’ payment obligations in this Section 7.07, the Trustee will have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal of, premium on, if any, interest or Special Interest, if any, on, particular Notes. Such Lien will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

(e)           When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in clause (9) or (10) of Section 6.01 hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

(f)           The Trustee will comply with the provisions of TIA §313(b)(2) to the extent applicable.

Section 7.08           Replacement of Trustee.

(a)           A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee will become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08.

(b)           The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Company at least 30 days prior to the effective date of such resignation. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Company in writing. The Company may remove the Trustee if:

(1)           the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof;

(2)           the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

(3)           a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(4)           the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

(c)           If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company will promptly appoint a successor Trustee.

(d)           If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, at the expense of the Company, the Company, or the Holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

(e)           If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

(f)           A successor Trustee will deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee will become effective, and the successor Trustee will have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee will mail a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee will promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee; provided all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07 hereof will continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

 

  

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Section 7.09           Successor Trustee by Merger, etc. If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act will be the successor Trustee.

Section 7.10           Eligibility; Disqualification. There will at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $100.0 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

This Indenture will always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA §310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee is subject to TIA §310(b).

Section 7.11           Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company. The Trustee is subject to TIA §311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA §311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA §311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

ARTICLE 8.

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

Section 8.01           Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. The Company may at any time, at the option of its Board of Directors evidenced by a resolution set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, elect to have either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof be applied to all outstanding Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 8.

Section 8.02           Legal Defeasance and Discharge. Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Company and each of the Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes (including the Note Guarantees) on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company and the Guarantors will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes (including the Note Guarantees), which will thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (1) and (2) below, and to have satisfied all their other obligations under such Notes, the Note Guarantees and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which will survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

(1)           the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium on, if any, interest or Special Interest, if any, on, such Notes when such payments are due from the trust referred to in Section 8.04 hereof;

(2)           the Company’s obligations with respect to such Notes under Article 2 and Section 4.02 hereof;

(3)           the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder, and the Company’s and the Guarantors’ obligations in connection therewith; and

(4)           this Article 8.

 

  

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Subject to compliance with this Article 8, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 hereof.

Section 8.03          Covenant Defeasance. Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Company and each of the Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from each of their obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.15, 4.16, 4.17, 4.18, 4.19 and 4.20 hereof and clause (4) of Section 5.01 hereof with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes will thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but will continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes will not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes and Note Guarantees, the Company and the Guarantors may omit to comply with and will have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes and Note Guarantees will be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, Sections 6.01(3), (4), (5), (6), (7) and (8) hereof will not constitute Events of Default.

Section 8.04          Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance. In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance under either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof:

(1)           the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm, or firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, premium on, if any, interest and Special Interest, if any, on, the outstanding Notes on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Company must specify whether the Notes are being defeased to such stated date for payment or to a particular redemption date;

(2)           in the case of an election under Section 8.02 hereof, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an opinion of U.S. tax counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that:

(A)     the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or

(B)     since the date of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law,

in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

(3)           in the case of an election under Section 8.03 hereof, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an opinion of U.S. tax counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

 

  

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(4)           no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit (and any similar concurrent deposit relating to other Indebtedness), and the granting of Liens to secure such borrowings);

(5)            such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture, the Notes, the Note Guarantees and the agreements governing any other Indebtedness being defeased, discharged or replaced) to which the Company or any of the Guarantors is a party or by which the Company or any of the Guarantors is bound;

(6)            the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of Notes over the other creditors of the Company with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of the Company or others; and

(7)           the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.

Section 8.05          Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions. Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all money and non-callable Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes will be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, interest and Special Interest, if any, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

The Company will pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.

Notwithstanding anything in this Article 8 to the contrary, the Trustee will deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the request of the Company any money or non-callable Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(1) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

Section 8.06          Repayment to Company. Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium on, if any, interest or Special Interest, if any, on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium, if any, interest or Special Interest, if any, has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its request or (if then held by the Company) will be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note will thereafter be permitted to look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, will thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which will not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

 

  

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Section 8.07           Reinstatement. If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any U.S. dollars or non-callable Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s and the Guarantors’ obligations under this Indenture and the Notes and the Note Guarantees will be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of, premium on, if any, interest or Special Interest, if any, on, any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company will be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE 9.

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

Section 9.01           Without Consent of Holders of Notes. Notwithstanding Section 9.02 of this Indenture, without the consent of any Holder of Notes, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees:

(1)           to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

(2)           to provide for the assumption of the Company’s or a Guarantor’s obligations to the Holders of the Notes and Note Guarantees by a successor to the Company or such Guarantor pursuant to Article 5 or Article 10 hereof;

(3)           to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Notes or that does not materially adversely affect the legal rights hereunder of any Holder;

(4)           to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;

(5)           to conform the text of this Indenture, the Notes, or Note Guarantees to any provision of the “Description of the Notes” section of the Company’s Offering Memorandum to the extent that such provision in that “Description of the Notes” was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of this Indenture, the Notes, or the Note Guarantees, which intent may be evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate to that effect;

(6)           to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in this Indenture as of the date hereof;

(7)           to allow any Guarantor to execute a supplemental indenture and/or a Note Guarantee with respect to the Notes; or

(8)           to make any other change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder of the Notes.

Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02(b) hereof, the Trustee will join with the Company and the Guarantors in the execution of any amended or supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee will not be obligated to enter into such amended or supplemental indenture that affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

 

  

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Section 9.02           With Consent of Holders of Notes. Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture (including, without limitation, Sections 3.09, 4.10 and 4.15 hereof) and the Notes and the Note Guarantees with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including, without limitation, Additional Notes, if any) voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for, or purchase of, the Notes), and, subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default (other than a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium on, if any, interest or Special Interest, if any, on, the Notes, except a payment default resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded) or compliance with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including, without limitation, Additional Notes, if any) voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, the Notes). Section 2.08 hereof shall determine which Notes are considered to be “outstanding” for purposes of this Section 9.02.

Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders of Notes as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02(b) hereof, the Trustee will join with the Company and the Guarantors in the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture unless such amended or supplemental indenture directly affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but will not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental indenture.

It is not necessary for the consent of the Holders of Notes under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it is sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company will mail to the Holders of Notes affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, will not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver. Subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class may waive compliance in a particular instance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees. However, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not (with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder):

(1)           reduce the principal amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

(2)           reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any Note or alter or waive any of the provisions with respect to the redemption of the Notes (except as provided above with respect to Sections 3.09, 4.10 and 4.15 hereof);

(3)           reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest, including default interest, on any Note;

(4)           waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest or Special Interest, if any, on, the Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

(5)           make any Note payable in money other than that stated in the Notes;

(6)           make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders of Notes to receive payments of principal of, premium on, if any, interest or Special Interest, if any, on, the Notes;

 

  

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(7)           waive a redemption payment with respect to any Note (other than a payment required by Sections 3.09, 4.10 or 4.15 hereof);

(8)           release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Note Guarantee or this Indenture, except in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; or

(9)           make any change in the preceding amendment and waiver provisions.

Section 9.03           Compliance with Trust Indenture Act. Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes will be set forth in an amended or supplemental indenture that complies with the TIA as then in effect.

Section 9.04           Revocation and Effect of Consents. Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder of a Note or subsequent Holder of a Note may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

Section 9.05           Notation on or Exchange of Notes. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Company in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.

Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note will not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

Section 9.06           Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc. The Trustee will sign any amended or supplemental indenture authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. The Company may not sign an amended or supplemental indenture until the Board of Directors of the Company approves it. In executing any amended or supplemental indenture, the Trustee shall receive and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) will be fully protected in relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 13.04 hereof, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.

ARTICLE 10.

NOTE GUARANTEES

Section 10.01         Guarantee.

(a)           Subject to this Article 10, each of the Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, unconditionally guarantees to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Company hereunder or thereunder, that:

(1)           the principal of, premium, if any, on, interest and Special Interest, if any, on the Notes will be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of, premium on, if any, interest and Special Interest, if any, on, the Notes, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder will be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and

(2)           in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise.

 

  

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Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors will be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. Each Guarantor agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

(b)           The Guarantors hereby agree that their obligations hereunder are unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Notes with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor. Each Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenant that this Note Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Notes and this Indenture.

(c)           If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Company, the Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Company or the Guarantors, any amount paid by either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Note Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, will be reinstated in full force and effect.

(d)           Each Guarantor agrees that it will not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby. Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (1) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 hereof for the purposes of this Note Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (2) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article 6 hereof, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) will forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of this Note Guarantee. The Guarantors will have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Note Guarantee.

Section 10.02         Limitation on Guarantor Liability. Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Note Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to any Note Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of such Guarantor will be limited to the maximum amount that will, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor that are relevant under such laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under this Article 10, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Note Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

Section 10.03         Execution and Delivery of Note Guarantee. To evidence its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 hereof, each Guarantor hereby agrees that a notation of such Note Guarantee substantially in the form attached as Exhibit E hereto will be endorsed by an Officer of such Guarantor on each Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and that this Indenture will be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by one of its Officers.

Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 hereof will remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Note a notation of such Note Guarantee.

If an Officer whose signature is on this Indenture or on the Note Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note on which a Note Guarantee is endorsed, the Note Guarantee will be valid nevertheless.

The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, will constitute due delivery of the Note Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.

 

  

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In the event that any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries that is not a Guarantor becomes a borrower or guarantor under the Senior Credit Facility or Guarantees any other Indebtedness of the Company, which other Indebtedness exceeds $10.0 million in aggregate principal amount, the Company will cause such Restricted Subsidiary to Guarantee the Notes on a senior unsecured basis pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.18 hereof and this Article 10, to the extent applicable.

Section 10.04        Guarantors May Consolidate, etc. , on Certain Terms. Except as otherwise provided in Section 10.05 hereof, a Guarantor may not sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to, or consolidate with or merge with or into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person) another Person, other than the Company or another Guarantor, unless:

(1)           immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists; and

(2)           either:

(A)           subject to Section 10.05 hereof, the Person acquiring the property in any such sale or disposition or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger unconditionally assumes all the obligations of that Guarantor under its Note Guarantee, this Indenture and the Registration Rights Agreement on the terms set forth herein or therein, pursuant to a supplemental indenture satisfactory to the Trustee; or

(B)           the Net Proceeds of such asset sale or other disposition, consolidation or merger are applied in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture, including without limitation, Section 4.10 hereof.

In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance and upon the assumption by the successor Person, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the Note Guarantee endorsed upon the Notes and the due and punctual performance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Guarantor, such successor Person will succeed to and be substituted for the Guarantor with the same effect as if it had been named herein as a Guarantor. Such successor Person thereupon may cause to be signed any or all of the Note Guarantees to be endorsed upon all of the Notes issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee. All the Note Guarantees so issued will in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Note Guarantees theretofore and thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Note Guarantees had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.

Except as set forth in Articles 4 and 5 hereof, and notwithstanding clauses 2(A) and (B) above, nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Notes will prevent any consolidation or merger of a Guarantor with or into the Company or another Guarantor, or will prevent any sale or conveyance of the property of a Guarantor as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Company or another Guarantor.

Section 10.05         Releases.

(a)           The Note Guarantee of a Guarantor will be released:

(1)           in connection with any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of that Guarantor, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, if the sale or other disposition does not violate Section 4.10 hereof;

(2)           in connection with any sale or other disposition of Capital Stock of that Guarantor to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, if the sale or other disposition does not violate Section 4.10 hereof and the Guarantor ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as a result of the sale or other disposition;

 

  

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(3)           if the Company designates any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture;

(4)           if the Guarantor ceases to be a borrower or guarantor under all Credit Facilities and is released or discharged from all obligations thereunder and such Guarantor is released or discharged from its Guarantee of any other Indebtedness of the Company in excess of $10.0 million in aggregate principal amount, including the Guarantee that resulted in the obligation of such Guarantor to Guarantee the Notes; provided that if such Person has incurred any Indebtedness in reliance on its status as a Guarantor under Section 4.09 hereof such Guarantor’s obligations under such Indebtedness, as the case may be, so incurred are satisfied in full and discharged or are otherwise permitted to be Incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Guarantor) under Section 4.09 hereof; or

(5)           upon Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance in accordance with Article 8 hereof or satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture in accordance with Article 11 hereof.

(b)           Any Guarantor not released from its obligations under its Note Guarantee as provided in this Section 10.05 will remain liable for the full amount of principal of, premium on, if any, interest and Special Interest, if any, on, the Notes and for the other obligations of any Guarantor under this Indenture as provided in this Article 10.

ARTICLE 11.

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

Section 11.01         Satisfaction and Discharge. This Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all Notes issued hereunder, when:

(1)           either:

(A)           all Notes that have been authenticated, except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes that have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Company, have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(B)           all Notes that have not been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the mailing of a notice of redemption or otherwise or will become due and payable within one year and the Company or any Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in amounts as will be sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on the Notes not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal of, premium on, if any, interest and Special Interest, if any, on, the Notes to the date of maturity or redemption;

(2)           in respect of subclause (B) of clause (1) of this Section 11.01, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of the deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit and any similar deposit relating to other Indebtedness and, in each case, the granting of Liens to secure such borrowings) and the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which the Company or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Company or any Guarantor is bound (other than with respect to the borrowing of funds to be applied concurrently to make the deposit required to effect such satisfaction and discharge and any similar concurrent deposit relating to other Indebtedness, and in each case the granting of Liens to secure such borrowings);

(3)           the Company or any Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable by it under this Indenture; and

 

  

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(4)           the Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee under this Indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at maturity or on the redemption date, as the case may be.

In addition, the Company must deliver an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, if money has been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (b) of clause (1) of this Section 11.01, the provisions of Sections 11.02 and 8.06 hereof will survive. In addition, nothing in this Section 11.01 will be deemed to discharge those provisions of Section 7.07 hereof, that, by their terms, survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

Section 11.02         Application of Trust Money. Subject to the provisions of Section 8.06 hereof, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal, premium, if any, interest and Special Interest, if any, for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or Government Securities in accordance with Section 11.01 hereof by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s and any Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof; provided that if the Company has made any payment of principal of, premium on, if any, interest or Special Interest, if any, on, any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or Government Securities held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE 12.

ESCROW OF PROCEEDS; SPECIAL MANDATORY REDEMPTION

Section 12.01         Escrow of Proceeds. On the Issue Date, and on or about the time of the issuance of the Notes, the Initial Purchasers, at the direction of the Company, shall, pursuant to the Escrow Agreement, deposit into a segregated escrow account (the “Escrow Account”) the gross proceeds of the offering of the Notes (collectively with the Escrow Account and any other property from time to time held in the Escrow Account, the “Escrowed Property”). The Company shall grant the Trustee, for the benefit of Holders of the Notes, a first-priority security interest in the Escrow Account in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement.

Section 12.02         Special Mandatory Redemption. If (i) the Escrow Agent and the Trustee shall not have received an Officer’s Certificate certifying that, pursuant to the Escrow Agreement, the release conditions therein have been satisfied (such Officer’s Certificate, a “Release Request”), on or prior to the Escrow End Date or (ii) the Company shall have notified the Escrow Agent and the Trustee that the Company will not pursue the consummation of the Aurizon Transaction (the date on which the earlier of (i) or (ii) occurs, the “Escrow Termination Date”), then (A) the Escrow Agent shall, pursuant to the terms of the Escrow Agreement and without the requirement of notice or action by the Company, the Trustee or any other Person, promptly release the Escrowed Property (including investment earnings) to the Trustee for application as payment to the Holders of the Special Mandatory Redemption Amount, (B) the Company shall deposit with the Trustee cash in United States dollars sufficient, when taken together with such released Escrowed Property to pay the Special Mandatory Redemption Amount in accordance with Section 3.05, (C) on the fifth (5th) Business Day following the Escrow Termination Date (the “Escrow Redemption Date”), the Company shall redeem the Notes at the Special Mandatory Redemption Amount (such redemption, a “Special Mandatory Redemption”) and (D) the Trustee will pay to the Company any Escrowed Property (or investment earnings) remaining after redemption of the Notes and payment of any unpaid expenses of the Trustee and the Escrow Agent payable in accordance with this Indenture or the Escrow Agreement.

 

  

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Section 12.03         Release of Escrowed Property. Upon receipt by the Escrow Agent and the Trustee of a Release Request, the Escrowed Property will be released in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement.

ARTICLE 13.

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 13.01         Trust Indenture Act Controls. If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by TIA §318(c), the imposed duties will control.

Section 13.02         Notices. Any notice or communication by the Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in Person or by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), facsimile transmission or any electronic means Trustee and the Company agree to accept, overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:

If to the Company and/or any Guarantor:

	
  

	
Hecla Mining Company

	
  

	
6500 N. Mineral Drive, Suite 200

	
  

	
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Facsimile: (208) 209-1278

	
  

	
Attention: David Sienko, Esq.

With a copy to:

	
  

	
K&L Gates LLP

70 West Madison Street, Suite 3100

Chicago, IL 60602

Facsimile: (312) 827-8047

Attention: Donald Bingle, Esq.

Attention: J. Craig Walker, Esq.

And to:

Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP

70 West Madison Street, Suite 4800

Chicago, IL 60602

Facsimile: (312) 499-6301

Attention: Kenneth A. Peterson, Jr., Esq.

 If to the Trustee:

	
  

	
The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.

	
  

	
400 South Hope Street, Suite 400

Los Angeles, California, 90071

Facsimile No.: (213) 630-6298

Attention: Corporate Unit

The Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee, by notice to the others, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) will be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if transmitted by facsimile or other electronic means; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

 

  

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Any notice or communication to a Holder will be mailed by first class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. Any notice or communication will also be so mailed to any Person described in TIA §313(c), to the extent required by the TIA. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it will not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.

If a notice or communication is mailed or otherwise delivered in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

If the Company mails a notice or communication to Holders, it will mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

The Trustee agrees to accept and act upon instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured e-mail, pdf, facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods, provided, however, that the Trustee shall have received an incumbency certificate listing persons designated to give such instructions or directions and containing specimen signatures of such designated persons, which such incumbency certificate shall be amended and replaced whenever a person is to be added or deleted from the listing. If the Company elects to give the Trustee e-mail or facsimile instructions (or instructions by a similar electronic method) and the Trustee in its discretion elects to act upon such instructions, the Trustee’s understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such instructions notwithstanding such instructions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. The Company agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk or interception and misuse by third parties.

Section 13.03         Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes. Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA §312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee, the Registrar and any other Person shall have the protection of TIA §312(c).

Section 13.04         Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent. Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

(1)           an Officer’s Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which must include the statements set forth in Section 13.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and

(2)           an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which must include the statements set forth in Section 13.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied.

Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA §314(a)(4)) must comply with the provisions of TIA §314(e) and must include:

(1)           a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

(2)           a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

(3)           a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been satisfied; and

 

  

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(4)           a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been satisfied.

Section 13.06         Rules by Trustee and Agents. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

Section 13.07         No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders. No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company or any Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantors under the Notes, this Indenture, the Note Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.

Section 13.08         Governing Law. THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WILL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

Section 13.09         No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements. This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or its Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

Section 13.10         Successors. All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Notes will bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture will bind its successors. All agreements of each Guarantor in this Indenture will bind its successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.05 hereof.

Section 13.11         Severability. In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 13.12         Counterpart Originals. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy will be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

Section 13.13         Table of Contents, Headings, etc. The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and Headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and will in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

Section 13.14         Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE COMPANY, EACH GUARANTOR AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

Section 13.15         Force Majeure. In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

[Signatures on following pages]

 

  

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SIGNATURES

Dated as of April 12, 2013

	 	

HECLA MINING COMPANY

	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	
By:

	  
	 	  	
Name:

	 	  	
Title:

 

 

	 	

HECLA LIMITED

	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	
By:

	  
	 	  	
Name:

	 	  	
Title:

 

	 	

HECLA ADMIRALTY COMPANY

	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	
By:

	  
	 	  	
Name:

	 	  	
Title:

 

	 	

HECLA SILVER VALLEY, INC.

	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	
By:

	  
	 	  	
Name:

	 	  	
Title:

 

	 	

HECLA MC SUBSIDIARY, LLC 

	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	
By:

	  
	 	  	
Name:

	 	  	
Title:

 

	 	

RHL HOLDINGS, INC. 

	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	
By:

	  
	 	  	
Name:

	 	  	
Title:

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO INDENTURE]

 

  

 

  

 

	 	

RIO GRANDE SILVER, INC.

	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	
By:

	  
	 	  	
Name:

	 	  	
Title:

 

	 	

SILVER HUNTER MINING COMPANY

	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	
By:

	  
	 	  	
Name:

	 	  	
Title:

 

	 	

HECLA ALASKA LLC

	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	
By:

	  
	 	  	
Name:

	 	  	
Title:

 

	 	

HECLA GREENS CREEK MINING COMPANY

	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	
By:

	  
	 	  	
Name:

	 	  	
Title:

 

 

	 	

HECLA JUNEAU MINING COMPANY

	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	
By:

	  
	 	  	
Name:

	 	  	
Title:

 

	 	

BURKE TRADING INC. 

	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	
By:

	  
	 	  	
Name:

	 	  	
Title:

 

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO INDENTURE]

 

  

 

  

 

 

	 	

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee

	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	
By:

	  
	 	  	

Name: Lawrence M. Kusch

	 	  	

Title: Vice President

 

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO INDENTURE]

 

  

 

  

 

EXHIBIT A

[Insert the Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

[Insert the Private Placement Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

[Face of Note]

CUSIP/CINS                     

6.875% Senior Notes due 2021

No. _____     $______

HECLA MINING COMPANY

promises to pay to       or registered assigns, the principal sum of _                    on May 1, 2021.

Interest Payment Dates: May 1and November 1

Record Dates: April 15 and October 15

Dated:                     

 

	 	
HECLA MINING COMPANY

	 	  	  
	 	 	 
	 	
By:

	  
	 	  	
Name:

	 	  	
Title:

 

 

This is one of the Notes referred to

in the within-mentioned Indenture:

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,

as Trustee

 

 

	
By:

	  	 
	  	
Authorized Signatory

	 

 

 

	Dated: 	 	 	 

 

  

A-1

  

 

[Back of Note]

6.875% Senior Notes due 2021

Capitalized terms used herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

(1)           INTEREST. Hecla Mining Company, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), promises to pay or cause to be paid interest on the principal amount of this Note at 6.875% per annum from             ,          until maturity and shall pay the Special Interest, if any, payable pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement referred to below. The Company will pay interest and Special Interest, if any, semi-annually in arrears on May 1 and November 1 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an “Interest Payment Date”). Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of issuance; provided that, if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date; provided further that the first Interest Payment Date shall be                  . The Company will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at a rate that is 1% higher than the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; it will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Special Interest, if any (without regard to any applicable grace period), at the same rate to the extent lawful.

Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

(2)           METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Company will pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) and Special Interest, if any, to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the April 15 or October 15 next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. The Notes will be payable as to principal, premium, if any, interest and Special Interest, if any, at the office or agency of the Paying Agent and Registrar, or, at the option of the Company, payment of interest and Special Interest, if any, may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders; provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be required with respect to principal of, premium on, if any, interest and Special Interest, if any, on, all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which will have provided wire transfer instructions to the Company or the Paying Agent. Such payment will be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

(3)           PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR. Initially, The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may change the Paying Agent or Registrar without prior notice to the Holders of the Notes. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

(4)           INDENTURE. The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of April 12, 2013 (the “Indenture”) among the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the TIA. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and the TIA for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling. The Notes are unsecured obligations of the Company. The Indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be issued thereunder.

(5)           OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.

(a)           At any time prior to May 1, 2016, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the original aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under the Indenture (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of Additional Notes), upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at a redemption price equal to 106.875% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, to but excluding the date of redemption (subject to the rights of Holders of Notes so called for redemption on or after a record date for the payment of interest to receive interest on the relevant Interest Payment Date as provided in the Indenture), with an amount of cash no greater than the cash proceeds (net of underwriting discounts and commissions) of all Equity Offerings by the Company since the Issue Date; provided that:

 

 

  

A-2

  

(i)           at least 65% (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of Additional Notes) of the original aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under the Indenture (excluding Notes held by the Company and its Subsidiaries) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption; and

(ii)           the redemption occurs within 120 days of the date of the closing of such Equity Offering.

(b)           At any time prior to May 1, 2016, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus the Applicable Premium (if any) as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, to but excluding the date of redemption, subject to the rights of Holders of Notes so called for redemption on or after a record date for the payment of interest to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date as provided in the Indenture.

(c)           Except pursuant to the preceding paragraphs, the Notes will not be redeemable at the Company’s option prior to May 1, 2016.

(d)           On or after May 1, 2016, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed, to but excluding the applicable date of redemption, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on May 1 of the years indicated below, subject to the rights of Holders of Notes so called for redemption on or after a record date for the payment of interest to receive interest on the relevant Interest Payment Date as provided in the Indenture:

	
Year

	 	
Percentage

	 
	
2016

	 	 	105.156	%
	
2017

	 	 	103.438	%
	
2018

	 	 	101.719	%
	
2019 and thereafter

	 	 	100.000	%

 

Unless the Company defaults in the payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on the applicable redemption date.

(6)           MANDATORY REDEMPTION.

(a)           Except as set forth in the Indenture and this Note, the Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

 

(b)           (i)            On the Issue Date, and on or about the time of the issuance of the Notes, the Initial Purchasers, at the direction of the Company, shall, pursuant to the Escrow Agreement, deposit into a segregated escrow account (the “Escrow Account”) the gross proceeds of the offering of the Notes (collectively with the Escrow Account and any other property from time to time held in the Escrow Account, the “Escrowed Property”). The Company shall grant the Trustee, for the benefit of Holders of the Notes, a first-priority security interest in the Escrow Account in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement.

 

(ii)           If (x) the Escrow Agent and the Trustee shall not have received an Officer’s Certificate certifying that, pursuant to the Escrow Agreement, the release conditions therein have been satisfied (such Officer’s Certificate, a “Release Request”), on or prior to the Escrow End Date or (y) the Company shall have notified the Escrow Agent and the Trustee that the Company will not pursue the consummation of the Aurizon Transaction (the date on which the earlier of (x) or (y) occurs, the “Escrow Termination Date”), then (A) the Escrow Agent shall, pursuant to the terms of the Escrow Agreement and without the requirement of notice or action by the Company, the Trustee or any other Person, promptly release the Escrowed Property (including investment earnings) to the Trustee for application as payment to the Holders of the Special Mandatory Redemption Amount, (B) the Company shall deposit with the Trustee cash in United States dollars sufficient, when taken together with such released Escrowed Property to pay the Special Mandatory Redemption Amount in accordance with Sections 3.05 and 12.2 of the Indenture, (C) on the fifth (5th) Business Day following the Escrow Termination Date (the “Escrow Redemption Date”), the Company shall redeem the Notes at the Special Mandatory Redemption Amount (such redemption, a “Special Mandatory Redemption”) and (D) the Trustee will pay to the Company any Escrowed Property (or investment earnings) remaining after redemption of the Notes and payment of any unpaid expenses of the Trustee and the Escrow Agent payable in accordance with the Indenture or the Escrow Agreement.

 

  

A-3

  

 

(iii)          Upon receipt by the Escrow Agent and the Trustee of a Release Request, the Escrowed Property will be released in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement.

(7)           REPURCHASE AT THE OPTION OF HOLDER.

(a)           Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company will be required to make an offer (a “Change of Control Offer”) to each Holder to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of that Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, on the Notes repurchased to the date of purchase, subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date (the “Change of Control Payment”). Within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Company will mail a notice to each Holder setting forth the procedures governing the Change of Control Offer as required by the Indenture.

(b)           If the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company consummates any Asset Sales, within five Business Days of each date on which the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $50.0 million, the Company will make an Asset Sale Offer to all Holders of Notes and all holders of other Indebtedness that is (i) pari passu with the Notes and (ii) contemporaneously require the purchase, prepayment or redemption of such Indebtedness with the proceeds of sales of assets, in accordance with the Indenture to purchase, prepay or redeem the maximum principal amount of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness (plus all accrued interest on the Indebtedness and the amount of all fees and expenses, including premiums, incurred in connection therewith) that may be purchased, prepaid or redeemed out of the Excess Proceeds. The Excess Proceeds shall be allocated between the Notes and the other pari passu Indebtedness referred to above on a pro rata basis based on the aggregate amount of such Indebtedness then outstanding. The offer price with respect to the Notes in any Asset Sale Offer will be equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, to the date of purchase, prepayment or redemption, subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, and will be payable in cash. If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer and the contemporaneous offer with respect to any other pari passu Indebtedness contemplated above, the Company may use those Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by the Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes tendered in such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds allocable to the Notes, the Trustee will select the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis (or, in the case of Notes issued in global form, in accordance with the applicable procedures of DTC). The remainder of the Excess Proceeds allocable to the other pari passu Indebtedness will be repurchased in a similar manner. Upon completion of each Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset at zero. Holders of Notes that are the subject of an offer to purchase will receive an Asset Sale Offer from the Company prior to any related purchase date and may elect to have such Notes purchased by completing the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached to the Notes.

(8)           NOTICE OF REDEMPTION. At least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date (or at least five (5) Business Days in the case of a Special Mandatory Redemption pursuant to Section (6) of this Note and Article 12 of the Indenture), the Company will mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail (or, in the case of Notes issued in global form, electronic transmission), a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed (or electronically transmitted to DTC) more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture pursuant to Articles 8 or 11 thereof. Notes and portions of Notes selected will be in amounts of $2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed or purchased, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder shall be redeemed or purchased.

 

  

A-4

  

 

(9)           DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes are in registered form in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, the Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or during the period between a record date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date.

(10)         PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as the owner of it for all purposes. Only registered Holders have rights under the Indenture.

(11)         AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes including Additional Notes, if any, voting as a single class, and any existing Default or Event of Default or compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes including Additional Notes, if any, voting as a single class. Without the consent of any Holder of Notes, the Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be amended or supplemented to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency, to provide for the assumption of the Company’s or a Guarantor’s obligations to Holders of the Notes and Note Guarantees by a successor to the Company or such Guarantor pursuant to the Indenture, to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Notes or that does not materially adversely affect the legal rights under the Indenture of any Holder, to comply with the requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the TIA, to conform the text of the Indenture, the Notes, or the Note Guarantees to any provision of the “Description of the Notes” section of the Company’s Offering Memorandum, to the extent that such provision in that “Description of the Notes” was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of the Indenture, the Notes, or the Note Guarantees, which intent may be evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate to that effect, to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in the Indenture, to allow any Guarantor to execute a supplemental indenture to the Indenture and/or a Note Guarantee with respect to the Notes, or to make any other change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder of the Notes..

(12)         DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. Events of Default include: (i) default for 30 consecutive days in the payment when due of interest and Special Interest, if any, on, the Notes; (ii) default in the payment when due (at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise) of the principal of, or premium on, if any, the Notes, (iii) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to comply with the provisions of Section 5.01 of the Indenture; (iv) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 30 days after notice to the Company by the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class to comply with the provisions of Sections 4.07, 4.09, 4.10 or 4.15 of the Indenture; (v) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 60 days after notice to the Company by the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class to comply with any of the other agreements in the Indenture; (vi) default under certain other agreements relating to Indebtedness of the Company which default is a Payment Default or results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its express maturity; (vii) failure by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or any group of its Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together (as of the date of the latest audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, to pay final non-appealable judgments entered by a court or courts of competent jurisdiction aggregating in excess of $50.0 million (net of any amounts covered by insurance policies issued by a reputable and creditworthy insurance company that is not contesting liability for such amounts) , which final non-appealable judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed, for a period of 60 days after such judgment becomes final, and in the event such judgment is covered in full by insurance, an enforcement proceeding has been commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or decree which is not promptly stayed; (viii) except as permitted by the Indenture, any Note Guarantee of a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Guarantors that, taken together (as of the date of the latest audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, is held in any final, non-appealable judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or ceases for any reason to be in full force and effect, or any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Guarantors that, taken together (as of the date of the latest audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, or any Person acting on behalf of any such Guarantor, denies or disaffirms its obligations under its Note Guarantee; and (ix) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary. In the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company, any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately. Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, interest or Special Interest, if any,) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by written notice to the Trustee may, on behalf of all of the Holders of all the Notes, rescind an acceleration or waive an existing Default or Event of Default and its respective consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, premium on, if any, interest or Special Interest, if any, on the Notes (including in connection with an offer to purchase). The Company is required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the Company is required, upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default or Event of Default.

 

  

A-5

  

 

(13)         TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH COMPANY. The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.

(14)         NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company or any Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantors under the Notes, the Indenture, the Note Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.

(15)         AUTHENTICATION. This Note will not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

(16)         ABBREVIATIONS. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

(17)         ADDITIONAL RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES AND RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES. In addition to the rights provided to Holders of Notes under the Indenture, Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes will have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 12, 2013, among the Company, the Guarantors and the other parties named on the signature pages thereof or, in the case of Additional Notes, Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes will have the rights set forth in one or more registration rights agreements, if any, among the Company, the Guarantors and the other parties thereto, relating to rights given by the Company and the Guarantors to the purchasers of any Additional Notes (collectively, the “Registration Rights Agreement”).

 

 

  

A-6

  

 

(18)         CUSIP NUMBERS. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes, and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption, and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

(19)         GOVERNING LAW. THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WILL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THE INDENTURE, THIS NOTE AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture and/or the Registration Rights Agreement. Requests may be made to:

Hecla Mining Company

6500 N. Mineral Drive, Suite 200

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Facsimile: (208) 209-1278

Attention: David Sienko

 

 

  

A-7

  

 

ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

	
(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:

	  
	  	
(Insert assignee’s legal name)

 

	  	  
	
(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I. D. No. )

	  
	  
	  
	  
	
(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

 

and irrevocably appoint _________________________________________ to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

Date:                     

 

	 	
Your Signature:

	  
	 	  	
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

 

Signature Guarantee*:                                                  

	
*

	
Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

  

A-8

  

 

OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.15 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

	  	  	  	  
	
o    Section 4.10

	  	
o    Section 4.15

	  
	  	  	  	  

If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.15 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

$            

Date:                     

 

	 	
Your Signature:

	  
	 	  	
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

	 	
Tax Identification No.:

	  

 

Signature Guarantee*:                                                  

	
*

	
Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

  

A-9

  

 

SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE *

The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global Note or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:

 

	
Date of Exchange

	  	
Amount of

decrease in

Principal Amount

of

this Global Note

	  	
Amount of

increase in

Principal Amount

of

this Global Note

	  	
Principal Amount

of this Global Note

following such

decrease

(or increase)

	  	
Signature of

authorized officer

of Trustee or

Custodian

	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  

 

	
*

	
This schedule should be included only if the Note is issued in global form.

 

  

A-10

  

 

EXHIBIT B

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

Hecla Mining Company

6500 N. Mineral Drive, Suite 200

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Facsimile: (208) 209-1278

Attention: David Sienko

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.

[●]

 

	 	
Re:

	
6.875% Senior Notes Due 2021

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of April 12, 2013 (the “Indenture”), among Hecla Mining Company, as issuer (the “Company”), the Guarantors party thereto and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

_____________, (the “Transferor”) owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of $         in such Note[s] or interests (the “Transfer”), to                     (the “Transferee”), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:

[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]

1.    ☐     Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to Rule 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A, and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the 144A Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

2.    ☐     Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a Person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) if the proposed transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Regulation S Global Note, and/or the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

  

B-1

  

3.    ☐     Check and complete if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the IAI Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to any provision of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A or Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):

(a)    ☐     such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act;

or

(b)    ☐     such Transfer is being effected to the Company or a subsidiary thereof;

or

(c)    ☐     such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act;

or

(d)    ☐     such Transfer is being effected to an Institutional Accredited Investor and pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A, Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904, and the Transferor hereby further certifies that it has not engaged in any general solicitation within the meaning of Regulation D under the Securities Act and the Transfer complies with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in a Restricted Global Note or Restricted Definitive Notes and the requirements of the exemption claimed, which certification is supported by (1) a certificate executed by the Transferee in the form of Exhibit D to the Indenture and (2) an Opinion of Counsel provided by the Transferor or the Transferee (a copy of which the Transferor has attached to this certification), to the effect that such Transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the IAI Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

4.    ☐     Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or of an Unrestricted Definitive Note.

(a)    ☐     Check if Transfer is pursuant to Rule 144.(i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

(b)    ☐     Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Regulation S. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

 

  

B-2

  

 

(c)    ☐     Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Other Exemption. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

	 	  
	 	
 [Insert Name of Transferor]

 

	 	
By:

	  
	 	  	
Name:

	 	  	
Title:

Dated:                     

Signature Guarantee*:                                                  

	
*

	
Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

 

  

B-3

  

 

ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

 

	
1.

	
The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:

[CHECK ONE OF (a) OR (b)]

 

	  	
(a)

	
☐     a beneficial interest in the:

 

	  	
(i)

	
☐     144A Global Note (CUSIP            ), or

 

	  	
(ii)

	
☐     Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP            ), or

 

	  	
(iii)

	
☐     IAI Global Note (CUSIP            ); or

 

	  	
(b)

	
☐     a Restricted Definitive Note.

 

	
2.

	
After the Transfer the Transferee will hold:

[CHECK ONE]

 

	  	
(a)

	
☐     a beneficial interest in the:

 

	  	
(i)

	
☐     144A Global Note (CUSIP            ), or

 

	  	
(ii)

	
☐     Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP            ), or

 

	  	
(iii)

	
☐     IAI Global Note (CUSIP            ); or

 

	  	
(iv)

	
☐     Unrestricted Global Note (CUSIP            ); or

 

	  	
(b)

	
☐     a Restricted Definitive Note; or

 

	  	
(c)

	
☐     an Unrestricted Definitive Note,

in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

 

 

  

B-4

  

 

EXHIBIT C

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE

Hecla Mining Company

6500 N. Mineral Drive, Suite 200

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Facsimile: (208) 209-1278

Attention: David Sienko

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.

[●]

 

	 	
Re:

	
6.875% Senior Notes Due 2021

 

(CUSIP [        ])

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of April 12, 2013 (the “Indenture”), among Hecla Mining Company, a Delaware corporation, as issuer (the “Company”), the Guarantors party thereto and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

_________________, (the “Owner”) owns and proposes to exchange the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount of $         in such Note[s] or interests (the “Exchange”). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:

1.   Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Unrestricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note

(a)    ☐    Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note in an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

(b)    ☐    Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

(c)    ☐    Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

 

  

C-1

  

 

(d)    ☐    Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

2.   Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes for Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes

(a)    ☐    Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Restricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Note issued will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

(b)    ☐    Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in the [CHECK ONE]    ☐    144A Global Note,    ☐    Regulation S Global Note,    ☐    IAI Global Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer and (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the beneficial interest issued will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

	 	  
	 	
 [Insert Name of Transferor]

 

	 	
By:

	  
	 	  	
Name:

	 	  	
Title:

Dated:                     

Signature Guarantee*:                                                  

	
*

	
Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

 

  

C-2

  

 

EXHIBIT D

FORM OF CERTIFICATE FROM

ACQUIRING INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR

Hecla Mining Company

6500 N. Mineral Drive, Suite 200

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Facsimile: (208) 209-1278

Attention: David Sienko

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.

[●]

 

	 	
Re:

	
6.875% Senior Notes Due 2021

 

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of April 12, 2013 (the “Indenture”), among Hecla Mining Company, a Delaware corporation, as issuer (the “Company”), the Guarantors party thereto and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

In connection with our proposed purchase of $         aggregate principal amount of:

(a)    ☐     a beneficial interest in a Global Note, or

(b)    ☐     a Definitive Note,

we confirm that:

1.             We understand that any subsequent transfer of the Notes or any interest therein is subject to certain restrictions and conditions set forth in the Indenture and the undersigned agrees to be bound by, and not to resell, pledge or otherwise transfer the Notes or any interest therein except in compliance with, such restrictions and conditions and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

2.             We understand that the offer and sale of the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act, and that the Notes and any interest therein may not be offered or sold except as permitted in the following sentence. We agree, on our own behalf and on behalf of any accounts for which we are acting as hereinafter stated, that if we should sell the Notes or any interest therein, we will do so only (A) to the Company or any subsidiary thereof, (B) in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act to a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined therein), (C) to an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined below) that, prior to such transfer, furnishes (or has furnished on its behalf by a U.S. broker-dealer) to you and to the Company a signed letter substantially in the form of this letter and an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act, (D) outside the United States in accordance with Rule 904 of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (E) pursuant to the provisions of Rule 144 under the Securities Act or (F) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, and we further agree to provide to any Person purchasing the Definitive Note or beneficial interest in a Global Note from us in a transaction meeting the requirements of clauses (A) through (E) of this paragraph a notice advising such purchaser that resales thereof are restricted as stated herein.

3.             We understand that, on any proposed resale of the Notes or beneficial interest therein, we will be required to furnish to you and the Company such certifications, legal opinions and other information as you and the Company may reasonably require to confirm that the proposed sale complies with the foregoing restrictions. We further understand that the Notes purchased by us will bear a legend to the foregoing effect.

4.             We are an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act) and have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of our investment in the Notes, and we and any accounts for which we are acting are each able to bear the economic risk of our or its investment.

 

  

D-1

  

 

5.             We are acquiring the Notes or beneficial interest therein purchased by us for our own account or for one or more accounts (each of which is an institutional “accredited investor”) as to each of which we exercise sole investment discretion.

You and the Company are entitled to rely upon this letter and are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.

	 	  
	 	
  [Insert Name of Accredited Investor]

 

	 	
By:

	  
	 	  	
Name:

	 	  	
Title:

 

Dated:                     

Signature Guarantee*:                                                  

	
*

	
Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

  

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EXHIBIT E

FORM OF NOTATION OF GUARANTEE

For value received, each Guarantor (which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture) has, jointly and severally, unconditionally guaranteed, to the extent set forth in the Indenture and subject to the provisions in the Indenture dated as of April 12, 2013 (the “Indenture”) among Hecla Mining Company, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the Guarantors party thereto and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the “Trustee”), (a) the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium on, if any, interest and Special Interest, if any, on, the Notes, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, the due and punctual payment of interest on overdue principal of, premium on, if any, interest and Special Interest, if any, on, the Notes, if any, if lawful, and the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee all in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that the same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. The obligations of the Guarantors to the Holders of Notes and to the Trustee pursuant to the Note Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article 10 of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise terms of the Note Guarantee.

Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

 

	 	
[NAME OF GUARANTOR(S)]

	 	  	  
	 	 	 
	 	
By:

	  
	 	  	
Name:

	 	  	
Title:

 

  

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EXHIBIT F

FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

TO BE DELIVERED BY SUBSEQUENT GUARANTORS

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of                     , among                      (the “Guaranteeing Subsidiary”), a subsidiary of Hecla Mining Company (or its permitted successor), a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the Company, the other Guarantors (as defined in the Indenture referred to herein) and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee under the Indenture referred to below (the “Trustee”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Company has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an indenture, dated as of April 12, 2013 (the “Indenture”), providing for the issuance of the Company’s 6.875% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “Notes”);

WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Company’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth herein (the “Note Guarantee”); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:

1.             CAPITALIZED TERMS. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

2.             AGREEMENT TO GUARANTEE. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby agrees to provide an unconditional Guarantee on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Note Guarantee and in the Indenture including but not limited to Article 10 thereof.

4.             NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company or any Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantors under the Notes, this Indenture, the Note Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.

5.             NEW YORK LAW TO GOVERN. THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

6.             COUNTERPARTS. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

7.             EFFECT OF HEADINGS. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

 

  

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8.             THE TRUSTEE. The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Company.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed and attested, all as of the date first above written.

Dated: ___________

 

	 	

[GUARANTEEING SUBSIDIARY]

	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	
By:

	  
	 	  	
Name:

	 	  	
Title:

 

 

	 	

HECLA MINING COMPANY

	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	
By:

	  
	 	  	
Name:

	 	  	
Title:

 

	 	

[EXISTING GUARANTORS]

	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	
By:

	  
	 	  	
Name:

	 	  	
Title:

 

	 	

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,

	 	

as Trustee

	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	
By:

	  
	 	  	
Name:

	 	  	
Title:

 

 

F-2Unassociated Document

Exhibit 10.2

 

 

ESCROW AGREEMENT

 

 

ESCROW AGREEMENT, dated as of April 12, 2013 (this “Agreement”), among The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as escrow agent and securities intermediary (in such capacities, the “Escrow Agent”), The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (in such capacity, the “Trustee”) under the Indenture (as defined herein), Hecla Mining Company, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and certain of the Company’s subsidiaries party hereto (the “Guarantors”).

 

R E C I T A L S

 

WHEREAS, this Agreement is being entered into in connection with (i) the Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) dated April 9, 2013 among the Company, the entities listed as “Guarantors” on the signature pages thereof, and the Initial Purchasers (as defined therein) and (ii) the Indenture (the “Indenture”) dated as of the date hereof among the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee, relating to the Securities (as defined below);

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Indenture and the Purchase Agreement, the Company is selling $500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 6.875% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “Securities”);

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the closing of the sale of the Securities, the Initial Purchasers, on behalf of the Company, will deposit with the Escrow Agent, as hereinafter provided, $500,000,000 in cash, representing the gross proceeds from the offering of the Securities (the “Gross Proceeds”);

 

WHEREAS, the Gross Proceeds will be used either (A) upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 3(a), by the Company, for the purposes set forth in Section 3(a) and to pay the Discount (as defined below) required to be paid to the Initial Purchasers under the Purchase Agreement or (B) to fund a portion of the Special Mandatory Redemption Amount (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, as security for its obligations under the Securities and the Indenture, the Company hereby grants to the Trustee, for the sole and exclusive benefit of the holders of the Securities, a first priority security interest in and lien on the Escrow Account (as defined below) and the Collateral (as defined below);

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 3.03 of the Indenture, in the event of a Special Mandatory Redemption, the Company or the Trustee shall issue a notice of redemption to all record holder(s) of the Securities in order to call such Securities for redemption; and

 

WHEREAS, the parties have entered into this Agreement in order to set forth the conditions upon which, and the manner in which, funds will be held in and disbursed from the Escrow Account and released from the security interest and lien described above.

 

A G R E E M E N T

 

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

 

  

 

  

 

1.             Defined Terms.  Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Indenture.  In addition to any other defined terms used herein, the following terms shall constitute defined terms for purposes of this Agreement and shall have the meanings set forth below:

 

“Business Day” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law to close in New York City.

 

“Cash Equivalents” means any investment in time deposits, demand deposits, certificates of deposit or money market deposits maturing or redeemable by the investor on or before the Escrow Redemption Date, entitled to U.S. Federal deposit insurance for the full amount thereof or issued by a bank or trust company that is organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof having capital in excess of $500.0 million, so long as such investment is convertible into cash on not more than one Business Days’ notice.

 

“Collateral” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(a).

 

“Discount” means an amount equal to $10,000,000, to be released to Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, in its capacity as a Representative of the Initial Purchasers, pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement.

 

“Escrow Account” means the escrow account established pursuant to Section 2.

 

“Escrowed Property” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(ii).

 

“Escrow End Date” means September 1, 2013.

 

“Escrow Redemption Date” means the day (if any) that the Escrowed Property is released in accordance with Section 3(b), which shall be the fifth (5th) Business Day after the Escrow Termination Date.

 

“Escrow Termination Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(b).

 

“Escrow Termination Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(b).

 

“Gross Proceeds” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

“Indemnified Person” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.

 

“Indenture” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

“Purchase Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

“Release” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(a).

 

  

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“Release Date” means (a) if the Escrowed Property is uninvested and the Release Request is received by the Escrow Agent on or prior to the Relevant Notice Time, on the same Business Day on which such Release Request is received by the Escrow Agent, (b) if the Escrowed Property is uninvested and the Release Request is received by the Escrow Agent after the Relevant Notice Time, as promptly as possible (but in no event later than 10:00 a.m. (New York City time)) on the next succeeding Business Day following the Business Day on which such Release Request is received by the Escrow Agent, (c) if the Escrowed Property is invested in Treasury Securities or both Treasury Securities and Cash Equivalents and the Release Request is received by the Escrow Agent on or prior to the Relevant Notice Time, as promptly as possible (but in no event later than 10:00 a.m. (New York City time)) on the second succeeding Business Day following the Business Day on which such Release Request is received by the Escrow Agent, (d) if the Escrowed Property is invested in Treasury Securities or both Treasury Securities and Cash Equivalents and the Release Request is received by the Escrow Agent after the Relevant Notice Time, as promptly as possible (but in no event later than 10:00 a.m. (New York City time)) on the third succeeding Business Day following the Business Day on which such Release Request is received by the Escrow Agent, (e) if the Escrowed Property is invested solely in Cash Equivalents and the Release Request is received by the Escrow Agent on or prior to the Relevant Notice Time, as promptly as possible (but in no event later than 10:00 a.m. (New York City time)) on the next succeeding Business Day following the Business Day on which such Release Request is received by the Escrow Agent, and (f) if the Escrowed Property is invested solely in Cash Equivalents and the Release Request is received by the Escrow Agent after the Relevant Notice Time, as promptly as possible (but in no event later than 10:00 a.m. (New York City time)) on the second succeeding Business Day following the Business Day on which such Release Request is received by the Escrow Agent.

 

“Release Request” means an officer’s certificate requesting release of the Escrowed Property signed by an Officer of the Company in the form attached hereto as Annex I, certifying as to the matters specified therein.

 

“Relevant Notice Time” means (a) if the Escrowed Property is uninvested or invested in Treasury Securities or invested in both Treasury Securities and Cash Equivalents, then 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the Business Day on which the Release Request is given, (b) if the Escrowed Property is invested solely in Cash Equivalents, then 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the Business Day on which the Release Request is given.

 

“Representative Officer” means any officer of the Escrow Agent who has direct responsibility for the administration of this Agreement to whom any matter related to this Agreement is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject matter.

 

“Secured Obligations” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(a).

 

“Securities” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

“Special Mandatory Redemption” means the obligation of the Company to redeem all of the Securities for the Special Mandatory Redemption Amount, pursuant to Section 6(b) of the Securities.

 

“Special Mandatory Redemption Amount” means 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Securities from the date hereof to, but not including, the Escrow Redemption Date.

 

“Treasury Securities” means any of the following that may be convertible into or redeemable for cash on not more than one Business Days’ notice: (i) debt obligations issued or guaranteed by the government of the United States of America or any agency thereof for which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged to secure payment in full at maturity; (ii) repurchase agreements with respect to debt obligations referred to in clause (i) above; and (iii) money market accounts that invest solely in debt obligations referred to in clause (i) above and/or repurchase agreements referred to in clause (ii) above.

 

“UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York.

 

  

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2.              Escrow Account; Escrow Agent.

 

(a)            Establishment of Escrow Account.

 

(i)    Concurrently with the execution and delivery hereof, (A) the Escrow Agent shall establish an escrow account in the name of the Trustee entitled “Escrow Account of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, in respect of the Hecla Mining Company’s 6.875% Senior Notes due 2021” (the “Escrow Account”) at its office located at 400 South Hope Street, Suite 400, Los Angeles California 90071 and (B) the Initial Purchasers at the direction of the Company shall deposit with the Escrow Agent the Gross Proceeds.

 

(ii)    The Escrow Agent shall accept the Gross Proceeds and shall hold such funds and the proceeds thereof in the Escrow Account.  All amounts so deposited, and the interest on, and dividends, distributions and other payments or proceeds in respect of, any such deposits, less any amounts released pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, shall constitute the “Escrowed Property.”  Upon direction from the Company, the Escrow Agent shall invest any portion of the Escrowed Property that is cash in Treasury Securities or Cash Equivalents as may be selected by the Company in writing from time to time.  Until the Trustee receives such a written direction the funds in the Escrow Account shall remain uninvested.  With respect to any Escrowed Property received by Escrow Agent after 10:00 a.m. (New York City time), the Escrow Agent shall not be required to invest such funds or to effect any investment instruction until the next Business Day.  In the event no instructions to invest are given by the Company, funds in the Escrow Account shall remain uninvested.  In selecting any Treasury Securities or Cash Equivalents, the Company shall determine that the proceeds thereof at maturity, when added to the balance of the Escrowed Property without the reinvestment thereof or sale prior to maturity, would be sufficient to provide funds to the Escrow Agent in an amount at least equal to the Gross Proceeds on the Escrow Redemption Date (with the understanding that the Company shall be solely responsible for any and all differences between the amount of Escrowed Property released in accordance with Section 3(b) and the Special Mandatory Redemption Amount).  All such property shall be held in the Escrow Account until disbursed in accordance with the terms hereof.  The Escrow Account and all property held therein by the Escrow Agent shall be under the control (within the meaning of Section 9-104 of the UCC) of the Trustee for the benefit of the holders of the Securities.

 

(iii)   The obligation and liability of the Escrow Agent to make the payments and transfers required by this Agreement shall be limited to the Escrowed Property and any other moneys on deposit with it pursuant to this Agreement, including any interest accruing thereon.  The Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any loss resulting from any investment made pursuant to this Agreement in compliance with the provisions hereof or any written instructions from the Company or from the sale of any Treasury Securities or Cash Equivalents required by the terms hereof or any shortfall in the value of the Escrowed Property that might result therefrom.  The Escrow Agent is hereby authorized, in making or disposing of any investment permitted by this Escrow Agreement, to deal with itself (in its individual capacity) or with one or more of its Affiliates, whether it or any such Affiliate is acting as agent of the Escrow Agent or for any third person or dealing as principal for its own account.  The Company acknowledges that the Escrow Agent is not providing investment supervision, recommendations or advice.

 

(b)            Escrow Agent Compensation; Expense Reimbursement.

 

(i)     The Company shall pay the Escrow Agent for services to be performed by it under this Agreement as agreed in writing by the Company and the Escrow Agent.

 

  

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(ii)   The Company shall reimburse the Escrow Agent upon request for all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Escrow Agent in implementing any of the provisions of this Agreement, including the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses and disbursements of its counsel.  The Escrow Agent shall be paid any such reasonable expenses, disbursements and advancements owed to it or its counsel directly by or on behalf of the Company and shall not disburse from the Escrow Account any such amounts, nor shall the Escrow Agent have any interest in the Escrow Account with respect to such amounts; provided that following receipt of a Release Request, to the extent that any fees, expenses or costs incurred by, or any obligations owed to, the Escrow Agent hereunder are then due and owing, the Escrow Agent may reimburse itself therefor from the Escrowed Property and may sell, convey or otherwise dispose of any Escrowed Property for such purpose, prior to the disbursement to the Company of its portion of such Escrowed Property in accordance with Section 3(a) hereof.  For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall the amount of any such reimbursement reduce the amount of the Discount to be distributed to the Initial Purchasers.  The provisions of this clause (ii) shall survive the termination of this Agreement and survive the resignation or removal of the Escrow Agent.

 

(c)            Substitution of Escrow Agent.  The Escrow Agent may resign by giving no less than 30 days’ prior written notice to the Company and the Trustee.  Such resignation shall take effect upon the later to occur of (i) delivery of all Escrowed Property maintained by the Escrow Agent hereunder and copies of all books, records, plans and other documents in the Escrow Agent’s possession relating to such funds or this Agreement to a successor escrow agent approved by the Company (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) and (ii) the Company, the Trustee and such successor escrow agent entering into a written successor escrow agreement no less favorable to the interests of the holders of the Securities and the Trustee than this Agreement.  The Escrow Agent shall thereupon be discharged of all obligations under this Agreement and shall have no further duties, obligations or responsibilities in connection herewith.  If a successor escrow agent has not been appointed or has not accepted such appointment within 30 days after notice of resignation is given to the Company, the Escrow Agent may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction, at the expense of the Company, for the appointment of a successor escrow agent.

 

3.              Release of Escrowed Property; Special Mandatory Redemption.

 

(a)           If at any time on or prior to the Escrow End Date, the Escrow Agent receives the Release Request from the Company (a copy of which shall be provided by the Company to the Initial Purchasers), the Escrow Agent will, on the appropriate Release Date, release all Escrowed Property (including any investment earnings credited to the Escrow Account) (the “Release”) then held by it as directed and in the manner set forth in the Release Request.

 

(b)           If (i) the Escrow Agent shall not have received the Release Request described in clause (a) above on or prior to the Escrow End Date or (ii) the Company shall have notified the Escrow Agent and the Trustee in writing that the Company will not pursue the consummation of the Acquisition (as defined in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum dated April 2, 2013, relating to the offering of the Securities) (the date on which the earlier of (i) and (ii) occurs, the “Escrow Termination Date”), then, in each case: (A) the Escrow Agent shall, upon receipt of a written notice substantially in the form of Annex II (the “Escrow Termination Notice”) (a copy of which will be provided to the Initial Purchasers by the Company), without requirement of any other notice to or action by the Company or any other Person (other than the funds transfer security procedure required pursuant to Section 9(r) and Annex III hereto) promptly release the Escrowed Property (including any investment earnings credited to the Escrow Account) to the Trustee at least one Business Day prior to the Escrow Redemption Date and (B) the Company shall pay to the Trustee at least one Business Day prior to the Escrow Redemption Date, cash in an amount which, when taken together with the released Escrowed Property, shall be sufficient to redeem the Securities at the Special Mandatory Redemption Amount.  The Trustee shall apply the Escrowed Property in accordance with Article 12 of the Indenture and Section 6(b) of the Securities.  For the avoidance of doubt, the Trustee will pay to the Company any Escrowed Property remaining after redemption of the Securities for the Special Mandatory Redemption Amount and payment of the Trustee’s fees and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses that are payable but have not been paid by the Company in accordance with Section 7.07 of the Indenture.

 

  

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(c)           Notwithstanding paragraphs 3(a) and (b) above, if the Escrow Agent receives a notice from the Trustee or the Company (with a copy to the Trustee), or otherwise has actual knowledge, that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Escrow Agent will not release any Escrowed Property to the Company unless and until the Escrow Agent receives a notice from the Trustee that such an Event of Default is not continuing.

 

(d)           If the Escrow Agent receives a notice from the Trustee that the principal of and accrued interest on the Securities (the “Default Amount”) has become immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 6.02 of the Indenture (an “Acceleration Event”) and either (i) a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment determines that the acceleration of the Securities was appropriate as a result of a bona fide Event of Default under the Indenture or (ii) such acceleration is not rescinded on or prior to the Escrow Termination Date (either such event, a “Remedies Trigger Event”), the Escrow Agent will liquidate all Escrowed Property then held by it within three Business Days after it receives notice of such court determination or on the Business Day after the Escrow Termination Date, as the case may be, and will release to the Trustee for payment to the holders of the Securities an amount of Escrowed Property sufficient to pay the Default Amount as directed by the Trustee.  The Escrow Agent will release all remaining Escrowed Property in excess of such Default Amount to the Company.

 

If the Company delivers to the Escrow Agent an officer’s certificate stating that a Special Mandatory Redemption is to occur, which officer’s certificate shall include the Special Mandatory Redemption Amount and the Company’s computation thereof, (A) this Section 3(d) and Section 3(c) shall be of no further effect and all Escrowed Property then held by the Escrow Agent shall be released in accordance with Section 3(b); (B) the Company shall deliver to the Trustee (i) the Officer’s Certificate referred to in Section 13.04(1) of the Indenture and (ii) the Opinion of Counsel referred to in Section 13.04(2) of the Indenture, in each case to authorize the actions to be taken pursuant Section 3.01 of the Indenture with respect to the Special Mandatory Redemption; (C) the Company shall issue a notice of redemption (to be transmitted by the Trustee) to the record holder(s) of the Securities pursuant to Section 3.03 of the Indenture no later than five (5) Business Days prior to the Escrow Redemption Date; and (D) on the Escrow Redemption Date, and by no later than 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the Escrow Redemption Date, assuming compliance by the Company with the first sentence of Section 3.05 of the Indenture, the Trustee shall pay the Special Mandatory Redemption Amount in immediately available funds to the record holder(s) of the Securities as full satisfaction of the Company’s Special Mandatory Redemption payment obligation.

 

  

-6-

  

 

4.             Limitation of Escrow Agent’s Liability; Responsibilities of Escrow Agent.

 

The Escrow Agent’s responsibility and liability under this Agreement shall be limited as follows:  (i) the Escrow Agent does not represent, warrant or guaranty to the Trustee or the holders of the Securities from time to time the performance of the Company under the Indenture or the Securities; (ii) the Escrow Agent shall have no responsibility to the Company or the Trustee or the holders of the Securities from time to time as a consequence of performance or non-performance by the Escrow Agent hereunder, except for any gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Escrow Agent; (iii) the Escrow Agent shall not be responsible for any aspect of the Company’s business or conduct; and (iv) the Escrow Agent shall not be obligated to supervise, inspect or inform the Company or any third party of any matter referred to above.  In no event shall the Escrow Agent be liable for (i) relying upon any judicial or administrative order or judgment, any opinion of counsel or any certification, instruction, notice or other writing delivered to it by the Company or the Trustee in compliance with the provisions of this Agreement, (ii) acting in accordance with or relying upon any instruction, notice, demand, certificate or document believed by it in good faith to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person, (iii) any consequential, punitive, indirect or special damages, (iv) the acts or omissions of its nominees, correspondents, designees, subagents or subcustodians who are appointed by the Escrow Agent in a manner not involving gross negligence or willful misconduct by the Escrow Agent or (v) an amount in excess of the value of the Escrowed Property, valued as of the date of deposit.

 

The rights and powers granted to the Escrow Agent hereunder are being granted in order to preserve and protect the security interest of the Trustee, for the benefit of the holders of the Securities, in and to the Collateral granted hereby and shall not be interpreted to, and shall not, impose any duties on the Escrow Agent in connection therewith other than those imposed under applicable law.  The Escrow Agent shall exercise the same degree of care in the custody and preservation of the Escrowed Property in its possession as it exercises toward its own similar property and shall not be held to any higher standard of care under this Agreement, nor be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the Company or any other party.

 

At any time, the Escrow Agent may request in writing an instruction in writing from the Company (other than with respect to any disbursement pursuant to Section 6(b)(iii)), and may at its own option include in such request the course of action it proposes to take and the date on which it proposes to act, regarding any matter arising in connection with its duties and obligations hereunder; provided, however, that the Escrow Agent shall state in such request that it believes in good faith that such proposed course of action is not contrary to this Agreement.  The Escrow Agent shall not be liable to the Company for acting without the Company’s consent in accordance with such a proposal on or after the date specified therein if (i) the specified date is at least five Business Days after the Escrow Agent sends the request for instructions and its proposed course of action and (ii) prior to so acting, the Escrow Agent has not received the written instructions requested from the Company.

 

At the reasonable expense of the Company, the Escrow Agent may act pursuant to the advice of counsel chosen by it with respect to any matter relating to this Agreement and shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted in accordance with such advice, except for any such action taken or omitted in bad faith, with gross negligence or with willful misconduct.

 

In the event of any ambiguity in the provisions of this Agreement with respect to any funds, securities or property deposited hereunder, or instruction, notice or certification delivered hereunder, the Escrow Agent shall be entitled to refuse to comply with any and all claims, demands or instructions with respect to such funds, securities or property until such ambiguity is resolved to the Escrow Agent’s reasonable satisfaction.  The Escrow Agent shall not be or become liable for its failure or refusal to comply with conflicting claims, demands or instructions by the other parties hereto.  The Escrow Agent shall be entitled to refuse to act until either any conflicting or adverse claims or demands shall have been finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction or settled by agreement between the conflicting claimants as evidenced in a writing reasonably satisfactory to the Escrow Agent, or the Escrow Agent shall have received security or an indemnity satisfactory to the Escrow Agent sufficient to hold the Escrow Agent harmless from and against any and all loss, liability or expense that the Escrow Agent may incur by reason of its acting.  The Escrow Agent shall be entitled to act on any court order without further question, inquiry or consent.  The Escrow Agent shall have no liability to the Company or any other person with respect to any suspension of performance or disbursement into court, including any liability or claimed liability that may arise, or be alleged to have arisen, out of or as a result of any delay in the disbursement of the Escrow Property or any delay in or with respect to any other action required or requested of the Escrow Agent, other than any such suspension, disbursement or delay resulting from the gross negligence, or willful misconduct of the Escrow Agent.  In the event of any conflicting or adverse demands by any of the other parties hereto, the Escrow Agent may elect in its sole option to commence an interpleader action or seek other judicial relief or orders as the Escrow Agent may deem necessary.  The costs and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees and expenses of outside counsel) incurred in connection with such proceedings (except for any such proceedings which arise out of the Escrow Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct) shall be paid by, and shall be deemed an obligation of, the Company.

 

  

-7-

  

 

No provision of this Agreement shall require the Escrow Agent to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, other than such liabilities as may result from the Escrow Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

The Escrow Agent shall not incur any liability for not performing any act or fulfilling any duty, obligation or responsibility hereunder by reason of any occurrence beyond the control of the Escrow Agent (including but not limited to any act or provision of any present or future law or regulation or governmental authority, any act of God, terrorism or war, the failure or malfunction of communication or computer systems (hardware or software) or the unavailability of the Federal Reserve Bank wire or telex or other wire or communication facility).

 

Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, the Escrow Agent is obligated only to perform the duties specifically set forth in this Agreement, which shall be deemed purely ministerial in nature.  The Escrow Agent shall neither be responsible for, nor chargeable with, knowledge of the terms and conditions of any other agreement, instrument, or document other than this Agreement and the Annexes hereto, whether or not an original or a copy of such agreement has been provided to the Escrow Agent; and the Escrow Agent shall have no duty to know or inquire as to the performance or nonperformance of any provision of any such agreement, instrument, or document.  References in this Agreement to any other agreement, instrument, or document are for the convenience of the Company and the Trustee, and the Escrow Agent has no duties or obligations with respect thereto.  This Agreement sets forth all matters pertinent to the escrow contemplated hereunder, and no additional obligations of the Escrow Agent shall be inferred or implied from the terms of this Agreement or any other agreement.

 

5.             Indemnity.  The Company and the Guarantors shall, jointly and severally, indemnify, hold harmless and defend the Trustee and Escrow Agent and their respective directors, officers, agents and employees (each, an “Indemnified Person”) from and against any and all claims, losses, costs, damages, actions, obligations, liabilities and expenses, including reasonable and documented defense costs, reasonable and documented investigative fees and costs, reasonable and documented legal fees and claims for damages, arising from the Escrow Agent’s performance or non-performance, or in connection with the Escrow Agent’s acceptance of its appointment as the Escrow Agent, under this Agreement, except to the extent that such liability, expense or claim is determined to have been caused by bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Escrow Agent or any such other Indemnified Person.  The provisions of this Section 5 shall survive any termination, satisfaction or discharge of this Agreement as well as the resignation or removal of the Escrow Agent.

 

  

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6.              Grant of Security Interest; Instructions to Escrow Agent.

 

(a)           The Company hereby irrevocably grants a first priority security interest in and lien on, and pledges, assigns, transfers and sets over to the Trustee for the benefit of the holders of the Securities as collateral security for the Secured Obligations (as defined below), all of its respective right, title and interest in, to the extent applicable: (i) the Escrow Account, and all other property now or hereafter placed or deposited in, or delivered to the Escrow Agent for placement or deposit in, the Escrow Account in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, including, without limitation, all funds held therein and all Treasury Securities or Cash Equivalents held by (or otherwise maintained in the name of) the Escrow Agent pursuant to Section 2; (ii) all security entitlements (as such term is defined in Section 8-102(a) of the UCC) from time to time credited to the Escrow Account; (iii) all claims and rights of whatever nature that the Company may now have or hereafter acquire against any third party in respect of any of the Collateral described in this Section 6 (including any claims or rights in respect of any security entitlements credited to an account of the Escrow Agent maintained at The Depository Trust Company or any other clearing corporation) or any other securities intermediary (as such terms are defined in Section 8-102(a) of the UCC); (iv) all rights that the Company has under this Agreement and all rights that it may now have or hereafter acquire against the Escrow Agent in respect of its holding and managing all or any part of the Collateral (it being understood that the Company alone shall be entitled to enforce such rights as permitted by this Agreement); and (v) all proceeds (as such term is defined in Section 9-102(a) of the UCC) of any of the foregoing (collectively, the “Collateral”), in order to secure the Company’s obligations and indebtedness under the Indenture and the Securities, now or hereafter arising, of every kind and nature, owed by the Company under the Indenture or the Securities to the holders of the Securities or to the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee (collectively, the “Secured Obligations”); and the Company hereby grants to the Escrow Agent a Security Interest in and lien on the Escrowed Property as security for the due and punctual performance of any and all of the Company’s obligations to the Escrow Agent.  The Escrow Agent hereby acknowledges the Trustee’s security interest and lien as set forth above.  The Company shall take all actions, and shall direct the Trustee in writing, to take all actions necessary on its part to insure the continuance of a perfected first priority security interest in the Collateral in favor of the Trustee in order to secure all Secured Obligations.  The Company shall not grant or cause or permit any other person to obtain a security interest, encumbrance, lien or other claim, direct or indirect, in the Company’s right, title or interest in the Escrow Account or any Collateral.

 

(b)           The Company and the Trustee hereby irrevocably instruct the Escrow Agent to, and the Escrow Agent shall:

 

(i)     maintain the Escrow Account for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Trustee on behalf of the holders of the Securities to the extent specifically required herein; treat all property in the Escrow Account as financial assets (as defined in Section 8-102(a) of the UCC); take all steps reasonably specified in writing by the Company or the Trustee to cause the Trustee to enjoy a continuous perfected first priority security interest under the UCC (provided, however, that neither the Escrow Agent nor the Trustee shall be required to file financing or continuation statements), any other applicable statutory or case law or regulation of the State of New York and any applicable law or regulation of the United States in the Collateral and except as otherwise required by law, will not allow or consent to the imposition on the Collateral of any liens, security interests, safekeeping or other charges, demands and claims of any nature now or hereafter existing in favor of anyone other than the Trustee for the benefit of the holders of the Securities;

 

(ii)    promptly notify the Trustee if a Representative Officer of the Escrow Agent receives written notice that any Person other than the Trustee has or purports to have a lien or security interest upon any portion of the Collateral; and

 

  

-9-

  

 

(iii)   in addition to disbursing amounts held in escrow pursuant to and in accordance with Section 3, upon receipt of written notice from the Trustee to the Escrow Agent and the Company of the acceleration of the maturity of the Securities and direction from the Trustee to disburse the Escrowed Property to the Trustee, as promptly as practicable, disburse all funds and other Collateral held in the Escrow Account to or as directed by the Trustee and, to the extent permissible by applicable law, transfer title to all Cash Equivalents held by the Escrow Agent hereunder to or as directed by the Trustee.  In addition, upon an Event of Default and for so long as such Event of Default continues, the Trustee may, and the Escrow Agent shall on behalf of the Trustee when instructed by the Trustee, exercise in respect of the Collateral, in addition to other rights and remedies provided for herein or otherwise available to it, all the rights and remedies of a secured party under the UCC or other applicable law.

 

The lien and security interest provided for in this Section 6 shall automatically terminate and cease as to, and shall not extend or apply to, and the Trustee and the Escrow Agent shall have no security interest in, any funds disbursed by the Escrow Agent pursuant to Section 3 of this Agreement and subject to Section 2 of this Agreement.  For the avoidance of doubt, the Company shall not require the consent of the Escrow Agent or the Trustee to file UCC termination statements upon disbursement of the Escrowed Property in accordance with Section 3 hereof.  The Escrow Agent shall not have any right to receive compensation from the Trustee and shall have no authority to obligate the Trustee or to compromise or pledge its security interest hereunder.  Accordingly, the Escrow Agent is hereby directed to cooperate with the Trustee in the exercise of its rights in the Collateral provided for herein.

 

(c)           Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to Section 6(b)(iii) shall be applied as provided in Section 6.10 of the Indenture or as otherwise agreed in writing by the parties hereto.  Any surplus of such cash or cash proceeds held by the Trustee and remaining after indefeasible payment in full of all the obligations under the Indenture shall be paid over to the Company promptly or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.  The Escrow Agent shall not have any liability for any shortfall, other than a shortfall resulting from its gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

(d)           The Company will execute and deliver or cause to be executed and delivered, all assignments, instruments and other documents, deliver any instruments to the Trustee and take any other actions that are necessary or reasonably desirable to perfect, continue the perfection of, or protect the first priority of the Trustee’s security interest in and to the Collateral, to protect the Collateral against the rights, claims or interests of third persons or to effect the purposes of this Agreement.  The Company also hereby authorizes the Trustee to file any financing or continuation statements with respect to the Collateral without its signature (to the extent permitted by applicable law).  The Trustee hereby authorizes the Company to file any termination statements with respect to the Collateral without its signature (to the extent permitted by applicable law) following disbursement of the Escrowed Property pursuant to Section 3 hereof. The Company shall pay all reasonable out-of-pocket costs incurred in connection with any of the foregoing, it being understood that the Trustee shall have no duty to determine whether to file or record any document or instrument relating to Collateral.  Neither the Trustee nor the Escrow Agent shall have any duty or obligation to file or record any document or otherwise to see to the grant or perfection of any security interest granted hereunder.  Notwithstanding the foregoing authorization, the Company agrees to file or to cause to be filed all such financing statements in such jurisdictions and filing offices and containing such description of Collateral as is reasonably necessary in order to perfect the security interest granted herein.

 

(e)           The Company hereby appoints the Trustee as attorney-in-fact with full power of substitution to do any act that the Company is obligated hereby to do, and the Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, exercise such rights as the Company might exercise with respect to the Collateral and take any action in the Company’s name to protect the Trustee’s security interest hereunder.

 

  

-10-

  

 

(f)           If at any time the Escrow Agent shall receive any “entitlement order” (as such term is defined in Section 8-102(a)(8) of the UCC) or any other instructions issued by the Trustee directing the disposition of funds in the Escrow Account or otherwise related to the Escrow Account, the Escrow Agent shall comply with such instructions without further consent by the Company or any other person.

 

(g)           The Escrow Agent represents that it is a “securities intermediary” and that the Escrow Account is a “securities account” (as each such term is defined in the UCC).  The “Securities Intermediary’s Jurisdiction” (within the meaning of Section 8-110(e) of the UCC) of the Escrow Agent shall be the State of New York.

 

(h)           The Company hereby confirms that the arrangements established under this Section 6 constitute “control” by the Trustee of the Escrow Account, as each of those terms is defined in Article 9 of the UCC.  Other than the Indenture and the other provisions of this Agreement, the Escrow Agent and the Company have not entered and will not enter into any other agreement with respect to control of the Escrow Account or purporting to limit or condition the obligation of the Escrow Agent to comply with any orders or instructions of the Trustee with respect to the Escrow Account as set forth in this Section 6.  In the event of any conflict with respect to control over the Escrow Account between this Agreement and the Indenture (or any portion hereof or thereof), on the one hand, and any other agreement now existing or hereafter entered into, on the other hand, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail.

 

(i)             The Escrow Agent hereby agrees that any security interest in, lien on or encumbrance, claim or right of setoff against the Escrow Account or any funds therein that it now has or subsequently obtains shall be subordinate to the security interest of the Trustee in the Escrow Account and the funds therein or credited thereto.  The Escrow Agent agrees not to exercise any present or future right of recoupment or set-off against the Escrow Account or to assert against the Escrow Account any present or future security interest, banker’s lien or any other lien or claim (including claim for penalties) that the Escrow Agent may at any time have against or in the Escrow Account or any funds therein.

 

7.             Termination.  This Agreement and the security interest in the Escrowed Property evidenced by this Agreement shall terminate automatically and be of no further force or effect upon the distribution of all Escrowed Property in accordance with Section 3 hereof; provided, however, that the obligations of the Company under Section 2(b) and Section 5 (and any existing claims thereunder) shall survive termination of this Agreement and the resignation of the Escrow Agent.  At such time, upon the written request of the Company, the Escrow Agent shall deliver to the Company all of the Escrowed Property hereunder that has not been disbursed or applied by the Escrow Agent in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Indenture.  Such delivery shall be without warranty by or recourse to the Escrow Agent in its capacity as such, and shall be at the sole expense of the Company.

 

8.             Security Interest Absolute.  All rights of the Trustee for the benefit of the holders of the Securities and security interests hereunder, and all obligations of the Company hereunder, shall be absolute and unconditional irrespective of:

 

(a)           any lack of validity or enforceability of the Indenture or any other agreement or instrument relating thereto;

 

  

-11-

  

 

(b)           any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any of the Secured Obligations, or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to any departure from the Indenture;

 

(c)           any exchange, surrender, release or non-perfection of any Liens on any other collateral for all or any of the Secured Obligations; or

 

(d)           to the extent permitted by applicable law, any other circumstance that otherwise might constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, the Company in respect of the Secured Obligations or of this Agreement.

 

9.             Miscellaneous.

 

(a)           Waiver.  Any party hereto may specifically waive any breach of this Agreement by any other party, but no such waiver shall be deemed to have been given unless such waiver is in writing, signed by the waiving party and specifically designating the breach waived, nor shall any such waiver constitute a continuing waiver of similar or other breaches.

 

(b)           Invalidity.  If for any reason whatsoever any one or more of the provisions of this Agreement shall be held or deemed to be inoperative, unenforceable or invalid in a particular case or in all cases, such circumstances shall not have the effect of rendering any of the other provisions of this Agreement inoperative, unenforceable or invalid, and the inoperative, unenforceable or invalid provision shall be construed as if it were written so as to effectuate, to the maximum extent possible, the parties’ intent.

 

(c)           Assignment.  This Agreement is personal to the parties hereto, and the rights and duties of the Company hereunder shall not be assignable except with the prior written consent of the other parties.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement shall inure to and be binding upon the parties and their successors and permitted assigns.

 

(d)           Benefit.  This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their successors and permitted assigns.  Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, shall give to any person, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement.

 

(e)           Entire Agreement; Amendments.  As used herein, the term “this Agreement” includes each of the Annexes hereto.  This Agreement and the Indenture contain the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all prior agreements, understandings and commitments relating thereto, whether oral or written.  Any amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement and any consent to any departure by the Company from any provision of this Agreement shall be effective only if made or duly given in compliance with all of the terms and provisions of the Indenture, and neither the Escrow Agent nor the Trustee shall be deemed, by any act, delay, indulgence, omission or otherwise, to have waived any right or remedy hereunder or to have acquiesced in any Default or Event of Default or in any breach of any of the terms and conditions hereof.  No single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.  A waiver by the Escrow Agent, the Trustee or the Company of any right or remedy hereunder on any one occasion shall not be construed as a bar to any right or remedy that the Escrow Agent, the Trustee or the Company otherwise would have on any future occasion.  The rights and remedies herein provided are cumulative, may be exercised singly or concurrently and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.

 

  

-12-

  

 

(f)           Notices.  All notices and other communications required or permitted to be given or made under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given and received: (i) on the day of delivery; (ii) three Business Days following the day sent, when sent by United States certified mail, postage and certification fee prepaid, return receipt requested, addressed as set forth below; (iii) when transmitted by facsimile to the facsimile number set forth below with confirmation of receipt by the facsimile operator; or (iv) one Business Day following the day timely delivered to a next-day air courier addressed as set forth below:

 

To the Escrow Agent:

 

	
  

	
The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.

	
  

	
400 South Hope Street, Suite 400

	
  

	
Los Angeles, CA  90071

	
  

	
Attention:  Corporate Unit

	
  

	
Facsimile:  213-630-6298

 

To the Trustee:

 

	
  

	
The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.

	
  

	
400 South Hope Street, Suite 400

	
  

	
Los Angeles, CA  90071

	
  

	
Attention:  Corporate Unit

	
  

	
Facsimile:  213-630-6298

 

To the Company:

 

	
  

	
Hecla Mining Company

	
  

	
6500 N. Mineral Drive, Suite 200

	
  

	
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83815

	
  

	
Facsimile: (208) 209-1278

	
  

	
Attention: David Sienko

 

With a copy to:

 

	
  

	
K&L Gates LLP

	
  

	
70 West Madison Street, Suite 3100

	
  

	
Chicago, IL 60602

	
  

	
Attention: J. Craig Walker

	
  

	
Facsimile:  (312) 827-8047

 

And with a copy to:

 

	
  

	
Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP

	
  

	
70 West Madison Street, Suite 4800

	
  

	
Chicago, IL 60602

	
  

	
Attention: Kenneth A. Peterson, Jr.

	
  

	
Facsimile:  (312) 499-4733

 

or at such other address as the specified entity most recently may have designated in writing in accordance with this Section 9(f).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, notices and other communications to the Trustee or the Escrow Agent pursuant to clauses (ii) and (iv) of this Section 9(f) shall not be deemed duly given and received until actually received by the Trustee or the Escrow Agent, as applicable, at its address set forth above.

 

  

-13-

  

 

The Trustee and Escrow Agent agree to accept and act upon instructions or directions pursuant to this Agreement sent by unsecured e-mail, pdf, facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods, provided, however, that the Trustee or Escrow Agent (as applicable) shall have received an incumbency certificate listing persons designated to give such instructions or directions and containing specimen signatures of such designated persons, which such incumbency certificate shall be amended and replaced whenever a person is to be added or deleted from the listing.  If the Company elects to give the Trustee or Escrow Agent e-mail or facsimile instructions (or instructions by a similar electronic method) and the Trustee or Escrow Agent (as applicable) in its discretion elects to act upon such instructions, the Trustee’s or Escrow Agent’s understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Trustee and Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s or Escrow Agent’s reliance upon and compliance with such instructions notwithstanding such instructions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. The Company agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the Trustee and Escrow Agent, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee or Escrow Agent acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk or interception and misuse by third parties.

 

(g)           Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.  The exchange of copies of this Agreement and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Agreement as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Agreement for all purposes.  Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

 

(h)           Captions.  Captions in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be considered or referred to in resolving questions of interpretation of this Agreement.

 

(i)            Choice of Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial.  THE EXISTENCE, VALIDITY, CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION AND EFFECT OF ANY AND ALL TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.  THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY AGREE THAT JURISDICTION OVER SUCH PARTIES AND OVER THE SUBJECT MATTER OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE EXERCISED BY A COMPETENT COURT OF THE CITY AND STATE OF NEW YORK, OR BY A COMPETENT UNITED STATES COURT, SITTING IN NEW YORK CITY.  THE COMPANY, THE TRUSTEE AND THE ESCROW AGENT HEREBY SUBMIT TO THE PERSONAL JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS.  EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO WAIVES THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY.  THE COMPANY HEREBY WAIVES PERSONAL SERVICE OF PROCESS AND CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS BY CERTIFIED OR REGISTERED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, DIRECTED TO IT AT THE ADDRESS LAST SPECIFIED FOR NOTICES HEREUNDER, AND SUCH SERVICE SHALL BE DEEMED COMPLETED TEN (10) CALENDAR DAYS AFTER THE SAME IS SO MAILED.  FOR PURPOSES OF THE UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE, NEW YORK SHALL BE THE ESCROW AGENT’S JURISDICTION.

 

  

-14-

  

 

(j)           Representations and Warranties of the Company.  The Company hereby represents and warrants that this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered on its behalf and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable in accordance with its terms, (i) except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency (including, without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent transfers), moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and remedies generally, (ii) except as the enforcement thereof is subject to equitable principles regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity and (iii) except that the indemnification provisions hereof may be unenforceable.  The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company does not violate any applicable law or regulation to which the Company is subject and does not require the consent of any governmental or other regulatory body to which the Company is subject, except for such consents and approvals as have been obtained and are in full force and effect.  The Company is, with respect to the Collateral delivered pursuant to this Agreement, the beneficial owner of such Collateral, free and clear of any Lien or claims of any Person (except for the security interest granted under this Agreement), and is the only entitlement holder (as defined in Section 8-102(a)(7) of the UCC) of the Escrow Account and the financial assets (as defined in Section 8-102(a) of the UCC).

 

(k)           Representations and Warranties of Escrow Agent and Trustee.  The Escrow Agent hereby represents and warrants that this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered on its behalf and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation enforceable in accordance with its terms.  The Trustee hereby represents and warrants that the person executing this Agreement is duly authorized to so execute this Agreement, and that this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered on its behalf.

 

(l)            No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.  This Agreement may not be used to interpret another pledge, security or debt agreement of the Company or any subsidiary thereof (other than the Indenture).  No such pledge, security or debt agreement may be used to interpret this Agreement.

 

(m)           Interpretation of Agreement.  All terms not defined herein or in the Indenture shall have the respective meanings set forth in the UCC, except where the context otherwise requires.  To the extent that a term or provision of this Agreement relating to the Trustee or the Company conflicts with the Indenture, the Indenture shall control with respect to the subject matter of such term or provision.  Acceptance of or acquiescence in a course of performance rendered under this Agreement shall not be relevant to determine the meaning of this Agreement even though the accepting or acquiescing party had knowledge of the nature of the performance and opportunity for objection.

 

(n)           Survival of Provisions.  All representations, warranties and covenants of the Company contained herein shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement, and shall terminate only upon the termination of this Agreement.

 

(o)           USA PATRIOT Act.  To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. For a non-individual person such as a business entity, a charity, a trust or other legal entity, the Escrow Agent will ask for documentation to verify its formation and existence as a legal entity. The Escrow Agent may also ask to see financial statements, licenses, identification and authorization documents from individuals claiming authority to represent the entity or other relevant documentation and the Company agrees to comply in all material respects with such requests.

 

(p)           Security Advice.  The Company acknowledges that regulations of the Comptroller of the Currency grant the Company the right to receive brokerage confirmations of the security transactions as they occur.  The Company specifically waives such notification to the extent permitted by law and will receive periodic cash transaction statements that will detail all investment transactions.

 

  

-15-

  

 

(q)           Benefits of the Indenture. Each of the Trustee and the Escrow Agent shall have the benefit of the rights, immunities and protections given to the Trustee in the Indenture as if set forth herein.

 

(r)            Funds Transfer Security Procedure.  In connection with the Release Request delivered pursuant to Section 3(a) hereof or the Escrow Termination Notice delivered pursuant to Section 3(b), the Escrow Agent shall confirm the funds transfer instruction received in the name of the Company by means of the security procedure selected by the Company and communicated to the Escrow Agent through a signed certificate substantially in the form of Annex III attached hereto, which upon receipt by the Escrow Agent shall become a part of this Agreement.  Once delivered to the Escrow Agent, such signed certificate may be revised or rescinded only by a writing signed by an authorized representative of the Company.  Such revisions or rescissions shall be effective only after actual receipt by the Escrow Agent and following such period of time as may be necessary to afford the Escrow Agent a reasonable opportunity to act on it.

 

The parties understand that the Escrow Agent’s inability to receive or confirm funds transfer instructions pursuant to the security procedure selected by the Company may result in a delay in accomplishing such funds transfer and agree that the Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any loss caused by any such delay.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

  

-16-

  

 

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

 

	 	
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,

	 
	 	

as Escrow Agent

	 
	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	
By: 

	 	 
	 	 	Name:	 
	 	 	Title: 	 
	 	 	 	 

 

  

 

  

 

	 	

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,

	 
	 	

not in its individual capacity but solely as Trustee

	 
	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	
By: 

	 	 
	 	 	Name: 	 
	 	 	Title: 	 
	 	 	 	 

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

	 	

HECLA MINING COMPANY

	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	
By:

	  
	 	  	
Name:

	 	  	
Title:

 

 

	 	

HECLA LIMITED

	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	
By:

	  
	 	  	
Name:

	 	  	
Title:

 

	 	

HECLA ADMIRALTY COMPANY

	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	
By:

	  
	 	  	
Name:

	 	  	
Title:

 

 

	 	

HECLA SILVER VALLEY, INC.

	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	
By:

	  
	 	  	
Name:

	 	  	
Title:

 

 

	 	

HECLA MC SUBSIDIARY, LLC

	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	
By:

	  
	 	  	
Name:

	 	  	
Title:

 

 

	 	

RHL HOLDINGS, INC.

	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	
By:

	  
	 	  	
Name:

	 	  	
Title:

 

  

 

  

 

	 	

RIO GRANDE SILVER, INC.

	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	
By:

	  
	 	  	
Name:

	 	  	
Title:

 

	 	

SILVER HUNTER MINING COMPANY

	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	
By:

	  
	 	  	
Name:

	 	  	
Title:

 

	 	
HECLA ALASKA LLC

	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	
By:

	  
	 	  	
Name:

	 	  	
Title:

 

	 	

HECLA GREENS CREEK MINING COMPANY

	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	
By:

	  
	 	  	
Name:

	 	  	
Title:

 

	 	

HECLA JUNEAU MINING COMPANY

	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	
By:

	  
	 	  	
Name:

	 	  	
Title:

 

 

	 	

BURKE TRADING INC.

	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	
By:

	  
	 	  	
Name:

	 	  	
Title:

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00215-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00215-of-00352.parquet"}]]