Document:

OFFICER/ DIRECTOR EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

  CONSULTING AGREEMENT
 

 THIS CONSULTING AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and entered into as of this 1st day of January, 2009, between Tara Minerals Corp. a Nevada corporation (the "Company"), and  Sudhir Khanna, an individual (the "Consultant"), who is located at 2388 Meadowridge Drive, Oakville, Ontario, L6H 7P9.
 

  
 RECITALS
 

 WHEREAS, the Consultant is desirous of being employed by the Company; and
 

 WHEREAS, the Company has agreed with the Consultant upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
 

 NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein made, the Company and the Consultant do hereby agree as follows:
 

 1. Recitals.  The above recitals are true, correct, and are herein incorporated by reference.
 

 2. Employment.   The Company hereby employs the Consultant in the capacity of Corporate Development for Tara Minerals Corp. and the Consultant hereby accepts such employment, upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. 
 

 3. Duties During Consulting Period.  During the "Term" (including any renewals thereof) as defined in Section 5 of this Agreement, the Consultant shall:
 

 A. Diligently devote the Consultant's time and efforts to the business and affairs of the Company.  The Consultant shall have such duties and powers that are commensurate and consistent with those of a Corporate Developer, subject to the authority and directions of the Company's Board of Directors; and
 

               
 B. Manage the operation of the Tara Minerals Corp. web site; and
 

 C. Devote attention and render services to the Company and shall be employed by the Company according to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
 

 4. Compensation and Benefits
 

 A. Salary.  The Consultant shall be paid a base salary (the "Base Salary"), payable monthly, in arrears, at an annual rate of Thirty Thousand Dollars (US $24,000.00) per year or US $2,000.00 per month.
 

 

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 B. Other Costs.  The Consultant may have costs associated with work as needed and requested by the Company in writing.  All approved costs will be covered and paid by the Company upon invoice by the Consultant.
 

 C. Bonus.  The Consultant shall be entitled to receive a bonus ("Bonus") for each fiscal year during the Term in the amount as to be determined by the Company’s Board of Directors. These shares shall be issued under Rule 144 and bear a restrictive legend.
 

 5. Term.   The term of employment hereunder will commence on the Effective Date and end on December 31, 2009 (the “Term"), unless terminated pursuant to Section 6, of this Agreement, provided that the Consultant and the Company may, upon mutual written consent, renew this Agreement for such duration as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties ("Renewal Term"). For purposes of this Agreement, “Effective Date” shall mean January 1, 2009.
 

 6. Consequences of Termination of Employment.  
 

 A. Termination by the Company for Cause
 

 (1)
 Nothing herein shall prevent the Company from terminating employment for "Cause" as hereinafter defined.  The Consultant shall continue to receive salary only for the period ending with the date of such termination as provided in this Section 6A.  Any rights and benefits the Consultant may have in respect of any other compensation shall be determined in accordance with the terms of such other compensation arrangements or such plans or programs.
 

 (2) 
 “Cause” shall mean: 
 

 (a) 
 committing or participating in an act of fraud, gross neglect, intentional misrepresentation, or embezzlement against the Company; or
 (b) 
 committing or participating in any other wanton or willful act against the Company, monetarily or otherwise.
 

 (3)
 Notwithstanding anything else contained in this Agreement, this Agreement will not be deemed to have been terminated for Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to the Consultant a notice of termination stating that the Consultant committed one of the types of conduct set forth in this Section 6A.  
 

 B. Voluntary Termination.   In the event the Consultant terminates the Consultant's employment on the Consultant's own volition (prior to the expiration of the Term or Renewal Term of this Agreement, including any renewals thereof), such termination shall constitute a voluntary termination and in such event the Consultant shall be limited to compensation received.
 

 

 

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 7. Non-Disclosure of Confidential Information.
 

 A. Consultant acknowledges that the Company's trade secrets, private or secret processes, as they exist from time to time, business records and plans, inventions, acquisition strategy, price structure and pricing, discounts, costs, computer programs and listings, source code and/or subject code, copyright, trademark, proprietary information, formulae, protocols, forms, procedures, methods for operating the Company's business, credit and financial data concerning the Company's clients, sales presentations, revenues, acquisitions, practices and plans and information which is embodied in written or otherwise recorded form, and other information of a confidential nature not known publicly or by other companies selling to the same markets (collectively, the "Confidential Information") are valuable, special and unique assets of the Company, access to and knowledge of which have been provided to Consultant by virtue of Consultant's association with the Company.  In light of the highly competitive nature of the industry in which the Company's business is conducted,  Consultant agrees that all Confidential Information, heretofore or in the future obtained by Consultant as a result of Consultant's association with the Company, shall be considered confidential.
 

 B. 
 The Consultant agrees that the Consultant shall: 
 

 (1) 
 hold in confidence and not disclose or make available to any third party any such Confidential Information obtained directly or constructively from the Company, unless so authorized in writing by the Company; 
 

 (2) 
 exercise all reasonable efforts to prevent third parties from gaining access to the Confidential Information; 
 

 (3) 
 take such protective measures as may be reasonably necessary to preserve the confidentiality of the Confidential Information. 
 

 C. 
 Excluded from the Confidential Information, and therefore not subject to the provisions of this Agreement, shall be any information which the Consultant can show:
 

 (1) 
 at the time of disclosure, is in the public domain; or
 

 (2) 
 after the disclosure, enters the public domain by way of printed publication through no fault of the Consultant; or
 

 (3) 
 was in his possession at the time of disclosure and which was not acquired directly or indirectly from the Company; or 
 

 (4) 
 was acquired, after disclosure, from a third party who did not receive it from the Company, and who had the right to disclose the information without any obligation to hold such information confidential.  
 

 

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 D. 
 Upon written request of the Company, Consultant shall return to the Company all written materials containing the Confidential Information.  
 

 8. Covenants as Essential Elements of this Agreements; Survival of Covenants.
 

 It is understood by and between the parties hereto that the foregoing covenants by Consultant contained in Section 7 of this Agreement shall be construed to be agreements independent of any other element of Consultant's relationship with the Company.  The existence of any other claim or cause of action, whether predicated on any other provision in this Agreement, or otherwise, as a result of the relationship between the parties, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement of the covenants in Section 7 of this Agreement against Consultant.
 

 9. Remedies and Enforcement.
 

 A. 
 Consultant acknowledges and agrees that the Company's remedy at law for a breach of any of the provisions of Section 7 herein would be inadequate and the breach shall be per se deemed as causing irreparable harm to the Company.  In recognition of this fact, in the event of a breach by Consultant of any of the provisions of Section 7, Consultant agrees that, in addition to any remedy at law available to the Company, including, but not limited to monetary damages, the Company, without posting any bond, shall be entitled to obtain equitable relief in the form of specific performance, temporary restraining order, temporary or permanent injunction or any other equitable remedy which may then be available to the Company.
 

 B. 
 It is further expressly understood and agreed that the provisions of this Agreement shall apply whether this Agreement is terminated by Company or Consultant or upon its expiration or termination.
 

 C. 
 Nothing herein contained shall be construed as prohibiting Company or Consultant from pursuing any other remedies available to it/ him for any breach or default of this Agreement.
 

 10. Litigation-Attorneys' Fees. 
 

 In connection with any litigation arising out of the enforcement of this Agreement or for its interpretation, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover its costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees, at the trial and all appellate levels from the other party hereto, who was the adverse party to such litigation; however, the Company will advance to the Consultant a minimum of $10,000, if the Company files any litigation as a result of this Agreement to cover Consultant's legal costs and continue to fund Consultant's legal defense fees to the extent required to defend against the Company's actions. In addition, the Company agrees to pay for any and all legal work or representation required to defend and or settle any claims made by or against Consultant as a result of his employment with the Company.
 

 

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 11. Freedom to Contract.  
 

 The Consultant represents and warrants that the Consultant has the right to negotiate and enter into this Agreement, and that this Agreement does not breach, interfere with or conflict with any other existing contractual agreement
 

 12. Effect on Prior Agreements.  
 

 This Agreement supersedes any and all prior oral or written agreements, concerning the subject matter hereof, in their entirety between the parties, which shall be void and of no further force and effect after the date of this Agreement.
 

 13. Notices. 
 

  Any notice required or permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and if sent postage prepaid by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, by overnight delivery, or by courier to the addresses of the respective parties set forth in the preamble of this Agreement. 
 

 14. Waiver.  
 

 Unless agreed in writing, the failure of either party, at any time, to require performance by the other of any provision hereunder shall not affect its rights thereafter to enforce the same, nor shall a waiver by either party of any breach of any provision hereof be taken or held to be a waiver of any other preceding or succeeding breach of any term or provision of this Agreement.  No extension of time for the performance of any obligation or act shall be deemed to be an extension of time for the performance of any other obligation or act hereunder.
 

 15. Complete Agreement. 
 

 This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the contents hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such matters, whether written or oral.  Neither this Agreement nor any term or provision hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or amended in any manner other than by an instrument in writing, signed by the party against which the enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or amendment is sought.
 

 16. Counterparts.  
 

 This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which shall constitute one agreement.
 

 

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 17. Binding Effect/Assignment.  
 

 This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto, their heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns.  This Agreement shall not be assignable by the Consultant but shall be assignable by the Company in connection with the sale, transfer or other disposition of its business or to any of the Company's affiliates controlled by or under common control with the Company, with the written approval of Consultant.
 

 18. Governing Law, Venue, Waiver of Jury Trial.   
 

 The parties agree that this Agreement shall be deemed made and entered into in the State of Illinois and shall be governed and construed under and in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois without giving effect to any principles of conflicts of law.  Company and Consultant acknowledge and agree that the Court of DuPage County, Illinois shall be the exclusive venue and proper forum in which to adjudicate any case or controversy arising either directly or indirectly, under or in connection with this Agreement, they will not contest or challenge the jurisdiction or venue of this court. The parties further agree and hereby waive and release any right to a trial by jury in any action arising out of the interpretation, enforcement or breach of this Agreement. 
 

 19. Headings. 
 

 The headings of the sections are for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction or limit the scope or intent of any of the provisions of this Agreement.
 

 20. Survival.  
 

 Any termination of this Agreement shall not affect the ongoing provisions of this Agreement which shall survive such termination in accordance with their terms.
 

 21. Severabililty. 
 

 Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein. 
 

 22. Construction.  
 

 This Agreement shall be constructed within the fair meaning of each of its terms and not against the party drafting the document.
 

 

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 23. Service Restriction. 
 

 Nothing in this Agreement will prevent or restrict Consultant from serving on the Board of Directors of any public or private companies and receive compensation from such service.
 

 THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT HAVE READ THIS AGREEMENT, UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS AND CONDITIONS, HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONSULT WITH INDEPENDENT COUNSEL OF THEIR OWN CHOICE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY ITS TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
 

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

 TARA MINERALS CORP.
 

 

 Signature:
 /s/
 Print:
 

 
 

 Signature:
 Sudhir Khanna, P.Eng.
 

 

 

 7PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL

  
 

 

 PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL
 May 18th, 2009
 The Board of Directors
 Tara Minerals Corp.
 2162 Acorn Court
 Wheaton, IL 60187
 

 Attention: Mr. Francis Richard Biscan Jr., Chief Executive Officer
 

 Gentlemen:
 

 Mayfair Associates, LLC (“Mayfair”) is pleased to present this engagement letter to act as consultants and financial advisors to Tara Minerals Corp. (“Client” or the “Company”).
 

 Our Role
 We will perform our due diligence on the Company and act as a resource for the Company as needed.  Specific recommendations maybe made by Mayfair and if accepted by the Company, additional fees will be negotiated based on the services rendered by Mayfair.
 

 In our role as your consultants and financial advisors, we may participate in negotiations with third parties, but we will have no authority to bind the Company definitively to any such party.  The Company has the right in its sole and absolute discretion to reject any proposal regardless of its terms.  Our advice and assistance will not encompass legal or tax issues, as to which the Company should consult its attorneys and accountants. 
 

 In acting as the Client's agents, we will review and comment on descriptive information prepared by the Company, as we mutually deem appropriate.  We will necessarily rely on information provided by Client in the preparation of such materials, including information regarding historical and projected financial performance in order to describe the Company accurately to third parties.  Client shall warrant the accuracy and completeness of the information provided to us and shall further advise us during the period of our assignment of all developments materially affecting the Company.  If any descriptive information is prepared by us, a representative of Client shall read it and represent and warrant to us that such information does not contain any untrue statements or omit any material fact relating to the Company that should be disclosed.
 

 Our Fees
 Upon signature of this engagement letter, the Company shall deposit $5,000 with Mayfair.  From this deposit, Mayfair shall withdraw a monthly non-refundable retainer of $5,000 for the first month and $10,000 per month thereafter.  The Company shall deposit additional amounts of $10,000 with Mayfair every month thereafter.  Any unearned retainer deposits shall be refunded to Client upon termination of this engagement.  
 

 333 South Hope Street 16th Floor, Los Angeles CA 90071-1406
 Ph: (213) 576-1050  Fax (213) 576-1100
 

 

 
 
  
Tara Minerals Corp.  Engagement Letter
 Personal and Confidential
 

 

 Additionally, it is understood that the Company will reimburse us for out-of-pocket travel and subsistence expenses incurred for a visit to the Don Ramon project and other Company assets as mutually agreed.  Additional reimbursable expenses in connection with our services to the Company shall be pre-approved.
 

 Client warrants that it has not retained and has no pre-existing obligations to other financial advisors, investment bankers or finders.  No fee payable to any other financial advisor by the Company, its shareholders or any other parties shall reduce or otherwise affect the fees due us in this engagement letter.
 

 As is customary in relationships of this type, Client agrees to indemnify Mayfair (and/or its principals and agents) against any claim by any person for which Mayfair (and/or its principals and agents) shall become liable pursuant to this agreement or by virtue of any action taken or omitted to be taken by Mayfair in performance of its assignment.  Client shall indemnify Mayfair (and/or its principals and agents) against losses or damages suffered by them as a result of such claim (including but not limited to their legal fees and expenses); provided, however, that such indemnity shall not extend to any action taken or omitted by Mayfair and/or its principals or agents which arises from or relates to their own negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.  In no event shall Client’s liability exceed monies received from Mayfair relating to this engagement.
 

 In case any litigation or proceeding shall be brought against Mayfair under this section, Client shall be entitled to assume the defense of such litigation or proceeding with counsel of the Client's choice at its expense (in which case Client shall not be responsible for the fees and expenses of any separate counsel retained by Mayfair, except in the limited circumstances described below); provided, however, that such counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to Mayfair.  Notwithstanding Client's election to assume the defense of such litigation or proceeding (a) Mayfair shall have the right to employ separate counsel and to participate in the defense of such litigation or proceeding, and (b) Client shall bear the reasonable fees, costs and expenses of separate counsel if (and only if) the use of counsel selected by Client to represent Mayfair would present such counsel with a conflict of interest under applicable laws or rules of professional conduct.  Notwithstanding the above, Client shall only be responsible for the fees and expenses of one law firm for all indemnified parties.
 

 Mayfair will comply with all applicable laws and regulations in providing services to the Company pursuant to this agreement.  Company counsel shall be available, without charge, to Mayfair for consultation as reasonably requested.
 

 After 90 days from the date of this engagement letter, the Client or Mayfair may terminate this engagement letter at any time upon thirty (30) day written notice to the other party. The termination will not affect clauses herein regarding the indemnification, which will continue in full force and effect.  This agreement comprises the entire agreement between the parties.  Both Mayfair and Client must agree to any changes or additions in writing. 
 

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Tara Minerals Corp.  Engagement Letter
 Personal and Confidential
 

 

 The Company officer signing below on behalf of the Company hereby represents that they are authorized to enter into this agreement on behalf of both the Company and its shareholders. 
 

 Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this agreement between Client and Advisors or breach thereof, shall be settled by arbitration in Los Angeles, California in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, and judgment upon the award rendered by the Arbitrator(s) may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.  All expenses incurred by the prevailing party including attorney fees will be reimbursed in addition to the funds allowed under the arbitration proceedings.
 

 We look forward to assisting the Company. If this letter correctly sets forth the understanding between us, please so indicate by executing both copies of this letter, return one copy to us, and retain the other copy for your files.
 

 

 

 Sincerely,
 

 

 

 By:  /s/ William F. Pinney
        William F. Pinney
 

 

 

 By:  /s/ J. Richard Haigh
        J. Richard Haigh
 

 

 Agreed and accepted on behalf of Tara Minerals Corp. and its shareholders this 18th day of May, 2009
 

 

 

 

 By:     /s/ Francis Richard Biscan Jr.
 Mr. Francis Richard Biscan Jr.
 Chief Executive Officer
 Tara Minerals Corp.
 

 

 

 

 Tara TM Mayfair Fee Letter 5-13-09
 

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