Document:

EX-10.1

 Exhibit 10.1 

NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC. 

2000 STOCK PLAN 
 (As
Amended and Restated January 17, 2019) 
 1. Purposes of the Plan.    The purposes of this Plan are: 

 

	 	•	 	 to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility,

  

	 	•	 	 to provide additional incentive to Employees, Directors and Consultants, and 

 

	 	•	 	 to promote the success of the Company’s business. 

The Plan permits the grant of Incentive Stock Options, Nonstatutory Stock Options, Stock Purchase Rights, Stock Appreciation Rights, and Restricted Stock
Units. 
 2. Definitions.    As used herein, the following definitions shall apply: 

(a) “Administrator” means the Board or any of its Committees as shall be administering the Plan, in accordance with
Section 4 of the Plan. 
 (b) “Affiliate” means any corporation or other entity (including, but not limited to
partnerships and joint ventures) controlled by, or under common control with the Company. 
 (c) “Affiliated SAR” means a
SAR that is granted in connection with a related Option, and which automatically will be deemed to be exercised at the same time that the related Option is exercised. 

(d) “Applicable Laws” means the requirements relating to the administration of equity-based awards under U.S. state
corporate laws, U.S. federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction where Awards are, or will be,
granted under the Plan. 
 (e) “Annual Revenue” means the Company’s or a business unit’s net sales for the
Fiscal Year, determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; provided, however, that prior to the Fiscal Year, the Committee shall determine whether any significant item(s) shall be excluded or included from the calculation
of Annual Revenue with respect to one or more Participants. 
 (f) “Award” means, individually or collectively, a grant
under the Plan of Options, Stock Purchase Rights, Stock Appreciation Rights, and Restricted Stock Units. 
 (g) “Award
Agreement” means the written or electronic agreement setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to each Award granted under the Plan. The Award Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan. 

(h) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company. 

(i) “Cash Position” means the Company’s level of cash and cash equivalents. 

(j) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Any reference to a section of the Code herein will be a
reference to any successor or amended section of the Code. 
 (k) “Committee” means a committee of Directors appointed
by the Board in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan. 
 (l) “Common Stock” means the common stock of the
Company. 
 (m) “Company” means Nuance Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation. With respect to the definitions of
the Performance Goals, the Committee may determine that “Company” means Nuance Communications, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. 

(n) “Consultant” means any person, including an advisor, engaged by the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary to render
services to such entity; provided, that a Consultant will include only those persons to whom the issuance of Shares may be registered under Form S-8 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. 

 (o) “Controllable Profits” means as to any Fiscal Year, a business
unit’s Annual Revenue minus (a) cost of sales, (b) research, development, and engineering expense, (c) marketing and sales expense, (d) general and administrative expense, (e) extended receivables expense, and
(f) shipping requirement deviation expense. 
 (p) “Customer Satisfaction MBOs” means as to any Participant for
any Performance Period, the objective and measurable individual goals set by a “management by objectives” process and approved by the Committee, which goals relate to the satisfaction of external or internal customer requirements. 

(q) “Director” means a member of the Board. 

(r) “Disability” means total and permanent disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code. 

(s) “Earnings Per Share” means as to any Fiscal Year, the Company’s or a business unit’s Net Income, divided by
a weighted average number of common shares outstanding and dilutive common equivalent shares deemed outstanding, determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. 

(t) “Employee” means any person, including Officers and Directors, employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of
the Company. Neither service as a Director nor payment of a director’s fee by the Company shall be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the Company. 

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

(v) “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of Common Stock determined as follows: 

(i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the NASDAQ
Global Select Market, the NASDAQ Global Market or the NASDAQ Capital Market of The NASDAQ Stock Market, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange
or system on the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable; 

(ii) If the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, the Fair Market Value
of a Share of Common Stock shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the Common Stock on the last market trading day on the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the
Administrator deems reliable; or 
 (iii) In the absence of an established market for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value
shall be determined in good faith by the Administrator. 
 (w) “Fiscal Year” means the fiscal year of the Company. 

(x) “Freestanding SAR” means a SAR that is granted independent of any Option. 

(y) “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of
Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder. 
 (z) “Individual Objectives” means as to a
Participant, the objective and measurable goals set by a “management by objectives” process and approved by the Committee (in its discretion). 

(aa) “Net Income” means as to any Fiscal Year, the income after taxes of the Company for the Fiscal Year determined in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, provided that prior to the Fiscal Year, the Committee shall determine whether any significant item(s) shall be included or excluded from the calculation of Net Income with respect to one or
more Participants. 
 (bb) “New Orders” means as to any Performance Period, the firm orders for a system, product,
part, or service that are being recorded for the first time as defined in the Company’s order Recognition Policy. 
 (cc) “Non-Employee Director” means a Director who is not an Employee. 

(dd) “Nonstatutory Stock Option” means an Option that by its terms does not qualify or is not intended to qualify as an
Incentive Stock Option. 
 (ee) “Officer” means a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of
Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. 
 (ff) “Operating Cash Flow”
means the Company’s or a business unit’s sum of Net Income plus depreciation and amortization less capital expenditures plus changes in working capital comprised of accounts receivable, inventories, other current assets, trade accounts
payable, accrued expenses, product warranty, advance payments from customers and long-term accrued expenses, determined in accordance with generally acceptable accounting principles. 

 (gg) “Operating Income” means the Company’s or a business
unit’s income from operations but excluding any unusual items, determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. 

(hh) “Option” means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan. 

(ii) “Optionee” means the holder of an outstanding Option or Stock Purchase Right granted under the Plan. 

(jj) “Optioned Stock” means the Shares subject to an Award. 

(kk) “Parent” means a “parent corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in
Section 424(e) of the Code. 
 (ll) “Participant” means the holder of an outstanding Award, which shall include an
Optionee. 
 (mm) “Performance Goals” means the goal(s) (or combined goal(s)) determined by the Committee (in its
discretion) to be applicable to a Participant with respect to an Award. As determined by the Committee, the Performance Goals applicable to an Award may provide for a targeted level or levels of achievement using one or more of the following
measures: (a) Annual Revenue, (b) Cash Position, (c) Controllable Profits, (d) Customer Satisfaction MBOs, (e) Earnings Per Share, (f) Individual Objectives, (g) Net Income, (h) New Orders, (i) Operating
Cash Flow, (j) Operating Income, (k) Return on Assets, (l) Return on Equity, (m) Return on Sales, and (n) Total Shareholder Return. The Performance Goals may differ from Participant to Participant and from Award to Award.
The Committee shall have the authority to make equitable adjustments to Performance Goals in recognition of extraordinary or non-recurring events affecting the Company or any Subsidiary or the financial
statements of the Company or any Subsidiary, in response to changes in applicable laws or regulations, or to account for items of gain, loss or expense determined to be extraordinary or unusual in nature or infrequent in occurrence or related to the
disposal of a segment of a business or related to a change in accounting principles. 
 (nn) “Performance Period” means
a period, from one quarter to twenty (20) quarters in duration, selected by the Administrator during which the performance of the Company or any Subsidiary, division, segment or strategic business unit thereof or any individual is measured for
the purpose of determining the extent to which an Award has been earned. 
 (oo) “Plan” means this 2000 Stock Plan, as
amended and restated. 
 (pp) “Restricted Stock” means Shares acquired pursuant to a grant of Stock Purchase Rights
under Section 9 of the Plan or pursuant to the early exercise of an Option. 
 (qq) “Restricted Stock Purchase
Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and the Participant evidencing the terms and restrictions applying to stock purchased under a Stock Purchase Right. The Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement is subject to the terms and
conditions of the Plan and the Notice of Grant. 
 (rr) “Restricted Stock Unit” means an Award granted to a Participant
pursuant to Section 11. 
 (ss) “Return on Assets” means the percentage equal to the Company’s or a business
unit’s Operating Income before incentive compensation, divided by average net Company or business unit, as applicable, assets, determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. 

(tt) “Return on Equity” means the percentage equal to the Company’s Net Income divided by average stockholder’s
equity, determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. 
 (uu) “Return on Sales” means the
percentage equal to the Company’s or a business unit’s Operating Income before incentive compensation, divided by the Company’s or the business unit’s, as applicable, revenue, determined in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles. 
 (vv) “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect when discretion is being exercised with respect to the Plan. 

(ww) “Section 16(b)” means Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act. 

(xx) “Service Provider” means an Employee, Director or Consultant. 

(yy) “Share” means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in accordance with Section 14 of the Plan. 

(zz) “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means an Award, granted alone or in connection with an Option, which
pursuant to Section 10 is designated as a SAR. 

 (aaa) “Stock Purchase Right” means the right to purchase Shares
pursuant to Section 9 of the Plan. 
 (bbb) “Subsidiary” means a “subsidiary corporation”, whether now
or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code. 
 (ccc) “Tandem SAR” means an SAR that is
granted in connection with a related Option, the exercise of which will require forfeiture of the right to purchase an equal number of Shares under the related Option (and when a Share is purchased under the Option, the SAR will be canceled to the
same extent). 
 (ddd) “Total Shareholder Return” means the total return (change in share price plus reinvestment of
any dividends) of a Share. 
 3. Stock Subject to the Plan.    Subject to the provisions of Section 14 of the Plan, the
maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be issued under the Plan is 83,500,000 Shares (the “Plan Maximum”). If any outstanding Award for any reason expires or is terminated or canceled without having been exercised or settled in
full, or if Shares acquired pursuant to an Award subject to forfeiture or repurchase are forfeited to or repurchased by the Company, the Shares allocable to the terminated portion of such Award or such forfeited or repurchased Shares shall again be
available for grant under the Plan. Shares shall not be deemed to have been granted pursuant to the Plan (a) with respect to any portion of an Award that is settled in cash or (b) to the extent such Shares are withheld in satisfaction of
tax withholding obligations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Shares used to pay the exercise price of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right or to satisfy tax withholding obligations related to an Option or Stock Appreciation Right or that are
reacquired by the Company on the open market or otherwise using cash proceeds from the exercise of an Option will not become available for future grant or sale under the Plan. Upon payment in Shares pursuant to the exercise of a Stock Appreciation
Right, the number of Shares available for grant under the Plan shall be reduced by the total number of Shares subject to the Stock Appreciation Right regardless of the number of Shares actually issued in such payment. The Shares may be authorized,
but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock. 
 4. Administration of the Plan. 

(a) Procedure. 

(i) Multiple Administrative Bodies.    Different Committees with respect to different groups of Service
Providers may administer the Plan. 
 (ii) Section 162(m).    To the extent that the
Administrator determines it to be desirable to qualify Awards granted hereunder as “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the Plan shall be administered by a Committee of two or more
“outside directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code. For purposes of qualifying grants of Awards as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee, in its discretion,
may set restrictions based upon the achievement of Performance Goals during a specified Performance Period. The Performance Goals shall be set by the Committee on or before the latest date permissible to enable the Awards to qualify as
“performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code. In granting Awards which are intended to qualify under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall follow any procedures determined by it from time to time to
be necessary or appropriate to ensure qualification of the Awards under Section 162(m) of the Code (e.g., in determining the Performance Goals). Following the completion of each Performance Period, the Committee will certify in writing whether
the applicable Performance Goals have been achieved for such Performance Period. A Participant will be eligible to receive payment pursuant to an Award intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of
the Code for a Performance Period only if the Performance Goals for such period are achieved, unless otherwise permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code. In determining the amounts earned by a Participant pursuant to an Award intended to
qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee will have the right to reduce or eliminate (but not to increase) the amount payable at a given level of performance to take into account
additional factors that the Committee may deem relevant to the assessment of individual or corporate performance for the Performance Period. 

(iii) Rule 16b-3.    To the extent desirable to
qualify transactions hereunder as exempt under Rule 16b-3, the transactions contemplated hereunder shall be structured to satisfy the requirements for exemption under
Rule 16b-3. 
 (iv) Other Administration.    Other than as provided
above, the Plan shall be administered by (A) the Board or (B) a Committee, which committee shall be constituted to satisfy Applicable Laws. 

(b) Powers of the Administrator.    Subject to the provisions of the Plan, and in the case of a Committee, subject to the
specific duties delegated by the Board to such Committee, the Administrator shall have the authority, in its discretion: 
 (i) to
determine the Fair Market Value; 
 (ii) to select the Service Providers to whom Awards may be granted hereunder; 

(iii) to determine the number of Shares to be covered by each Award granted hereunder; 

(iv) to approve forms of agreement for use under the Plan; 

(v) to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award granted hereunder. Such terms and
conditions include, but are not limited to, the exercise price, the time or times when Awards may be exercised (which may be based on performance criteria), any vesting acceleration or waiver of forfeiture restrictions in connection with the
termination of a Participant’s status as a Service Provider, and any restriction or limitation regarding any Award or the Shares relating thereto, based in each case on such factors as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine;

 (vi) to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and awards granted pursuant to the Plan; 

(vii) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan, including rules and regulations relating to sub-plans established for the purpose of qualifying for preferred tax treatment under foreign tax laws; 

(viii) to modify or amend each Award (subject to Section 18(c) of the Plan), including the discretionary authority to extend the
post-termination exercisability period of Awards longer than is otherwise provided for in the Plan; 
 (ix) to allow Participants to
satisfy withholding tax obligations by electing to have the Company withhold from the Shares to be issued upon exercise of an Award that number of Shares having a Fair Market Value up to the maximum statutory withholding rate that does not result in
adverse accounting consequences. The Fair Market Value of the Shares to be withheld shall be determined on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined. All elections by a Participant to have Shares withheld for this purpose
shall be made in such form and under such conditions as the Administrator may deem necessary or advisable; 
 (x) to authorize any
person to execute on behalf of the Company any instrument required to effect the grant of an Award previously granted by the Administrator; 

(xi) to allow a Participant to defer the receipt of payment of cash or the delivery of Shares that would otherwise be due to such
Participant under an Award; or 
 (xii) to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for administering the Plan.

 (c) Effect of Administrator’s Decision.    The Administrator’s decisions, determinations and
interpretations shall be final and binding on all Participants and any other holders of Awards. 

5. Eligibility.    Nonstatutory Stock Options, Stock Purchase Rights, Stock Appreciation Rights, and Restricted Stock Units
may be granted to Service Providers. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees. 
 6. Limitations. 

(a) Each Option shall be designated in the Award Agreement as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option. However,
notwithstanding such designation, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by the Participant during any calendar year (under all plans of the
Company and any Parent or Subsidiary) exceeds 

 
$100,000, such Options shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 6(a), Incentive Stock Options shall be taken into account in the order in which they were
granted. The Fair Market Value of the Shares shall be determined as of the time the Option with respect to such Shares is granted. 

(b) The following limitations shall apply to grants of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights: 

(i) No Service Provider shall be granted, in any Fiscal Year, Options or Stock Appreciation Rights covering more than
1,500,000 Shares. 
 (ii) In connection with his or her initial service, a Service Provider may be granted Options or Stock
Appreciation Rights covering up to an additional 1,500,000 Shares, which shall not count against the limit set forth in subsection (i) above. 

(iii) The foregoing limitations shall be adjusted proportionately in connection with any change in the Company’s capitalization as
described in Section 14. 
 (iv) If an Option or Stock Appreciation Right is cancelled in the same fiscal year of the Company in
which it was granted (other than in connection with a transaction described in Section 14), the cancelled Option or Stock Appreciation Right will be counted against the limits set forth in subsections (i) and (ii) above. For this
purpose, if the exercise price of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right is reduced, the transaction will be treated as a cancellation of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right and the grant of a new Option or Stock Appreciation Right. 

(c) The exercise price of any Option or SAR outstanding or to be granted in the future under the Plan shall not be reduced or cancelled
and re-granted at a lower exercise price, regardless of whether or not the Shares subject to the cancelled Options or SARs are put back into the available pool for grant. In addition, the Administrator shall
not replace underwater Options or SARs with restricted stock or cash in an exchange, buy-back or other scheme. Moreover, the Administrator shall not replace any Options or SARs with new options or stock
appreciation rights having a lower exercise price or accelerated vesting schedule in an exchange, buy-back or other scheme. 

(d) Non-Employee Director Awards.    Notwithstanding any contrary provision
in the Plan, no Participant who is a Non-Employee Director may be granted Awards during any Fiscal Year having a grant date fair value in excess of $750,000, increased to $1,000,000 in connection with his or
her initial service, calculated using the assumptions and methods used for recording compensation expense in the Company’s financial statements. 

7. Term of Plan.    Subject to Section 21 of the Plan, the Plan shall become effective upon its adoption by the Board. It
shall continue until December 31, 2023 unless terminated earlier under Section 18 of the Plan. 
 8. Stock Options 

(a) Term of Option.    The term of each Option shall be stated in the Award Agreement, but in no event shall
the term of an Option be more than seven (7) years from the date of grant. Moreover, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Participant who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than ten
percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the term of the Incentive Stock Option shall be five (5) years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may be
provided in the Award Agreement. 
 (b) Option Exercise Price and Consideration. 

(i) Exercise Price.    The per Share exercise price for the Shares to be issued pursuant to the exercise of an
Option shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to an Employee who, at the time the incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than ten
percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant. 

(ii) Waiting Period and Exercise Dates.    At the time an Option is granted, the Administrator shall fix the
period within which the Option may be exercised and shall determine any conditions that must be satisfied before the Option may be exercised. 

 (iii) Form of Consideration.    The Administrator shall
determine the acceptable form of consideration for exercising an Option, including the method of payment. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the Administrator shall determine the acceptable form of consideration at the time of grant. Such
consideration may consist entirely of: 
 (1) cash; 

(2) check; 
 (3) other
Shares which have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which said Option shall be exercised; 

(4) consideration received by the Company under a cashless exercise program implemented by the Company in connection with the Plan; 

(5) a reduction in the amount of any Company liability to the Participant, including any liability attributable to the Participant’s
participation in any Company-sponsored deferred compensation program or arrangement; 
 (6) any combination of the foregoing methods of
payment; or 
 (7) such other consideration and method of payment for the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable
Laws. 
 (c) Exercise of Option. 

(i) Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Stockholder.    Any Option granted hereunder shall be exercisable
according to the terms of the Plan and at such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set forth in the Award Agreement. An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share. 

(1) An Option shall be deemed exercised when the Company receives: (i) written or electronic notice of exercise (in such form as the
Administrator may specify from time to time) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (ii) full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised (together with any applicable withholding taxes). Full payment may
consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the Administrator and permitted by the Award Agreement and the Plan. Shares issued upon exercise of an Option shall be issued in the name of the Participant or, if requested by the
Participant, in the name of the Participant and his or her spouse. Until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive
dividends or any other rights as a stockholder shall exist with respect to the Optioned Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such Shares promptly after the Option is exercised. No
adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as provided in Section 14 of the Plan. 

(2) Exercising an Option in any manner shall decrease the number of Shares thereafter available, both for purposes of the Plan and for
sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised. 
 (ii) Termination of Relationship as a Service
Provider.    If a Participant ceases to be a Service Provider, other than upon the Participant’s death or Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Award
Agreement to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the
Option shall remain exercisable for three (3) months following the Participant’s termination. If, on the date of termination, the Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the
Option shall revert to the Plan. If, after termination, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified by the Administrator, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.

 (iii) Disability of Participant. If a Participant ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of the Participant’s
Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such
Option as set forth in the Award Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for twelve 

 
(12) months following the Participant’s termination. If, on the date of termination, the Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested
portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan. If, after termination, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.

 (iv) Death of Participant.    If a Participant dies while a Service Provider, the Option may be exercised
following the Participant’s death within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement (but in no event may the Option be exercised later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement), by the
Participant’s estate or by a person who acquires the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of death. In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the
Option shall remain exercisable for twelve (12) months following the Participant’s termination. If, at the time of death, the Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the
Option shall immediately revert to the Plan. The Option may be exercised by the executor or administrator of the Participant’s estate or, if none, by the person(s) entitled to exercise the Option under the Participant’s will or the laws of
descent or distribution. If the Option is not so exercised within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan. 

9. Stock Purchase Rights. 

(a) Rights to Purchase.    Stock Purchase Rights may be issued either alone, in addition to, or in tandem with
other Awards granted under the Plan and/or cash awards made outside of the Plan. After the Administrator determines that it will offer Stock Purchase Rights under the Plan, it shall advise the offeree in writing or electronically, of the terms,
conditions and restrictions related to the offer, including the number of Shares that the offeree shall be entitled to purchase (subject to the limits set forth in Section 3), the price to be paid, and the time within which the offeree must
accept such offer. The offer shall be accepted by execution of a Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement in the form determined by the Administrator. The following limitations shall apply to grants of Stock Purchase Rights: 

(i) No Service Provider shall be granted, in any Fiscal Year, Stock Purchase Rights covering more than 1,000,000 Shares. 

(ii) The foregoing limitation shall be adjusted proportionately in connection with any change in the Company’s capitalization as
described in Section 14. 
 (iii) If a Stock Purchase Right is cancelled in the same fiscal year of the Company in which it was
granted (other than in connection with a transaction described in Section 14), the cancelled Stock Purchase Right will be counted against the limit set forth in subsection (i) above. 

(b) Repurchase Option.    Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, the Restricted Stock Purchase
Agreement shall grant the Company a repurchase option exercisable upon the voluntary or involuntary termination of the purchaser’s service with the Company for any reason (including death or Disability). The purchase price for Shares
repurchased pursuant to the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall be the original price paid by the purchaser and may be paid by cancellation of any indebtedness of the purchaser to the Company. The repurchase option shall lapse at a rate
determined by the Administrator. 
 (c) Other Provisions.    The Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall
contain such other terms, provisions and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion. 

(d) Rights as a Stockholder.    Once the Stock Purchase Right is exercised, the purchaser shall have the rights
equivalent to those of a stockholder and shall be a stockholder when his or her purchase is entered upon the records of the duly authorized transfer agent of the Company. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record
date is prior to the date the Stock Purchase Right is exercised, except as provided in Section 14 of the Plan. 

 10. Stock Appreciation Rights 

(a) Grant of SARs.    Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, a SAR may be granted to Service
Providers at any time and from time to time as will be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion. The Administrator may grant Affiliated SARs, Freestanding SARs, Tandem SARs, or any combination thereof. 

(b) Number of Shares.    The Administrator will have complete discretion to determine the number of SARs
granted to any Service Provider, subject to the limits set forth in Section 3 of the Plan. 
 (c) Exercise Price and Other
Terms.    The Administrator, subject to the provisions of the Plan, will determine the terms and conditions of SARs granted under the Plan; provided, that, the exercise price of a SAR is at least 100% of the Fair Market Value
of the Shares subject to the SAR; provided, further, the exercise price of Tandem or Affiliated SARs will equal the exercise price of the related Option. 

(d) Exercise of Tandem SARs.    Tandem SARs may be exercised for all or part of the Shares subject to the
related Option upon the surrender of the right to exercise the equivalent portion of the related Option. A Tandem SAR may be exercised only with respect to the Shares for which its related Option is then exercisable. With respect to a Tandem SAR
granted in connection with an Incentive Stock Option: (i) the Tandem SAR will expire no later than the expiration of the underlying Incentive Stock Option; (ii) the value of the payout with respect to the Tandem SAR will be for no more
than one hundred percent (100%) of the difference between the exercise price of the underlying Incentive Stock Option and the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the underlying Incentive Stock Option at the time the Tandem SAR is
exercised; and (iii) the Tandem SAR will be exercisable only when the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the Incentive Stock Option exceeds the Exercise Price of the Incentive Stock Option. 

(e) Exercise of Affiliated SARs.    An Affiliated SAR will be deemed to be exercised upon the exercise of the
related Option. The deemed exercise of an Affiliated SAR will not necessitate a reduction in the number of Shares subject to the related Option. 

(f) Exercise of Freestanding SARs.    Freestanding SARs will be exercisable on such terms and conditions as the
Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine. 
 (g) SAR Agreement.    Each SAR grant will be
evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the exercise price, the term of the SAR, the conditions of exercise, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine. 

(h) Expiration of SARs.    An SAR granted under the Plan will expire upon the date determined by the
Administrator, in its sole discretion, and set forth in the Award Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the rules of Section 8(c) also will apply to SARs. 

(i) Payment of SAR Amount.    Upon exercise of a SAR, a Participant will be entitled to receive payment from
the Company in an amount determined by multiplying: 
 (i) The difference between the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of
exercise over the exercise price; times 
 (ii) The number of Shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised. 

At the discretion of the Administrator, the payment upon SAR exercise may be in cash, in Shares of equivalent value, or in some combination thereof. 

11. Restricted Stock Units. 

(a) Grant of Restricted Stock Units.    Restricted Stock Units may be granted to Service Providers at any time
and from time to time, as will be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion. The Administrator will have complete discretion in determining the number of Restricted Stock Units granted to each Participant, subject to the limits set
forth in Section 3 of the Plan. The following limitations shall apply to grants of Restricted Stock Units: 
 (i) No Service
Provider shall be granted, in any Fiscal Year, Restricted Stock Units covering more than 1,000,000 Shares. 
 (ii) The foregoing
limitation shall be adjusted proportionately in connection with any change in the Company’s capitalization as described in Section 14. 

 (iii) If a Restricted Stock Unit is cancelled in the same fiscal year of the Company in
which it was granted (other than in connection with a transaction described in Section 14), the cancelled Restricted Stock Unit will be counted against the limit set forth in subsection (i) above. 

(b) Value of Restricted Stock Units.    Each Restricted Stock Unit will have an initial value that is
established by the Administrator on or before the date of grant. 
 (c) Performance Objectives and Other
Terms.    The Administrator will set performance objectives or other vesting provisions (including, without limitation, continued status as a Service Provider) in its discretion which, depending on the extent to which they
are met, will determine the number or value of Restricted Stock Units that will be paid out to Participants. Each award of Restricted Stock Units will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the Performance Period, and such other terms
and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine. The Administrator may set performance objectives based upon the achievement of Company-wide, divisional, or individual goals, applicable federal or state securities laws,
or any other basis determined by the Administrator in its discretion. 
 (d) Earning of Restricted Stock
Units.    After the applicable Performance Period has ended, the holder of Restricted Stock Units will be entitled to receive a payout of the number of Restricted Stock Units earned by the Participant over the Performance
Period, to be determined as a function of the extent to which the corresponding performance objectives or other vesting provisions have been achieved. After the grant of a Restricted Stock Units, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may reduce
or waive any performance objectives or other vesting provisions for such Restricted Stock Unit. 
 (e) Form and Timing of Payment of
Restricted Stock Units.    Payment of earned Restricted Stock Units will be made as soon as practicable after the expiration of the applicable Performance Period. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may pay earned
Restricted Stock Units in the form of cash, in Shares (which have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the value of the earned Restricted Stock Units at the close of the applicable Performance Period) or in a combination thereof. 

(f) Cancellation of Restricted Stock Units.    On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, all unearned or
unvested Restricted Stock Units will be forfeited to the Company, and again will be available for grant under the Plan. 
 12. Leaves of
Absence.    Unless the Administrator provides otherwise or as otherwise required by applicable law, vesting of Awards granted hereunder will be treated as follows during a leave of absence of a Participant: 

(a) Statutory Leave of Absence.    Vesting credit will continue during a leave of absence if the leave satisfies
each of the following requirements: (a) the leave is approved by the Company, (b) the leave is mandated by applicable law, and (c) the Participant takes the leave in accordance with such law and complies with applicable Company leave
policies (a leave meeting all such requirements being a “Statutory Leave of Absence”). 
 (b) Approved Personal Leave of
Absence.    Vesting credit will not continue (and instead will be tolled or suspended) during any leave of absence that is not a Statutory Leave of Absence (a “Personal Leave of Absence”). For purposes of
clarification, a Participant will not cease to be a Service Provider during any Company-approved Personal Leave of Absence so long as the Participant complies with applicable law and applicable Company leave policies. 

(c) Incentive Stock Options.    For purposes of Incentive Stock Options, if a leave of absence continues for more
than ninety (90) days, then the Option shall be treated for tax purposes as a Nonstatutory Stock Option at the end of the three (3)-month period measured from the 91st day of such leave, unless Optionee’s reemployment upon expiration
of such leave is guaranteed by statute or contract. 
 13. Non-Transferability of
Awards.    Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, an Award may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution
and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the Participant, only by the Participant. If the Administrator makes an Award transferable, such Award shall contain such additional terms and conditions as the Administrator deems appropriate. 

 14. Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization, Dissolution, Merger or Asset Sale. 

(a) Changes in Capitalization.    Subject to any required action by the stockholders of the Company, in the
event of a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, extraordinary dividend, combination or reclassification of the Shares, or other change in the Company’s capital structure that constitutes an equity restructuring within the meaning
of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, or any successor provision, the number and class of Shares or other securities underlying Awards outstanding or subsequently granted under the Plan, any exercise or
purchase price relating to such Awards, any other provision of Awards affected by such change and the numerical Share limits in Sections 3, 6, 9 and 11 of the Plan shall be proportionately adjusted and/or the Company may provide for a dividend,
dividend equivalent or similar payment. Such adjustment and/or dividend, dividend equivalent or similar payment shall be made or determined by the Board, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as expressly
provided in this Section 14, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or
price of Shares subject to an Award. 
 (b) Dissolution or Liquidation.    In the event of the proposed
dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Administrator shall notify each Participant as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed transaction. The Administrator in its discretion may provide for a Participant to have the
right to exercise his or her Award until ten (10) days prior to such transaction as to all of the Optioned Stock covered thereby, including Shares as to which the Award would not otherwise be exercisable. In addition, the Administrator may
provide that any Company repurchase option applicable to any Shares purchased upon exercise of an Award shall lapse as to all such Shares, provided the proposed dissolution or liquidation takes place at the time and in the manner contemplated. To
the extent it has not been previously exercised, an Award will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action. 

(c) Merger or Asset Sale.    In the event of a merger of the Company with or into another corporation, or the
sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company, each outstanding Award shall be assumed or an equivalent option or right substituted by the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation. In the event that the
successor corporation refuses to assume or substitute for the Award, the Participant will fully vest in and have the right to exercise all of his or her outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, including Shares as to which such Awards
would not otherwise be vested or exercisable, all restrictions on Restricted Stock will lapse, and, with respect to Restricted Stock Units, all Performance Goals or other vesting criteria will be deemed achieved at target levels and all other terms
and conditions met. In addition, if an Option or Stock Appreciation Right becomes fully vested and exercisable in lieu of assumption or substitution in the event of a merger or sale of assets, the Administrator will notify the Participant in writing
or electronically that the Option or Stock Appreciation Right will be fully vested and exercisable for a period of 15 days from the date of such notice, and the Option or Stock Appreciation Right will terminate upon the expiration of such
period. 
 For the purposes of this paragraph, the Award shall be considered assumed if, following the merger or sale of assets, the Award confers the right
to purchase or receive, for each Share subject to the Award immediately prior to the merger or sale of assets, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) or, in the case of a Stock Appreciation Right upon the exercise
of which the Administrator determines to pay cash or a Restricted Stock Unit which the Administrator can determine to pay in cash, the fair market value of the consideration received in the merger or sale of assets by holders of Common Stock for
each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration
received in the merger or sale of assets is not solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent, the Administrator may, with the consent of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of
an Option or Stock Appreciation Right or upon the payout of a Restricted Stock Unit, for each Share subject to such Award (or in the case of Restricted Stock Units, the number of implied shares determined by dividing the value of the Restricted
Stock Units by the per Share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the merger or sale of assets), to be solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent equal in fair market value to the per Share consideration received
by holders of Common Stock in the merger or sale of assets. 

 Notwithstanding anything in this Section 14(c) to the contrary, an Award that vests, is earned or paid-out upon the satisfaction of one or more Performance Goals will not be considered assumed if the Company or its successor modifies any of such Performance Goals without the Participant’s consent; provided,
however, a modification to such Performance Goals only to reflect the successor corporation’s corporate structure post-merger or post-sale of assets will not be deemed to invalidate an otherwise valid Award assumption. 

15. No Effect on Employment or Service.    Neither the Plan nor any Award will confer upon a Participant any right with
respect to continuing the Participant’s relationship as a Service Provider with the Company, nor will they interfere in any way with the Participant’s right or the Company’s right to terminate such relationship at any time, with or
without cause, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws. 
 16. Date of Grant.    The date of grant of an Award shall be,
for all purposes, the date on which the Administrator makes the determination granting such Award, or such other later date as is determined by the Administrator. Notice of the determination shall be provided to each Participant within a reasonable
time after the date of such grant. 
 17. No Dividend Payments on Unvested Awards.    No dividends or dividend
equivalents may be paid to a Participant with respect to an Award unless and until the date the Participant vests in such Award. If provided in the Award Agreement, dividends or dividend equivalents relating to unvested Awards may accrue and be
paid to Participants at the time of vesting of the underlying Award and shall be forfeited to the extent the underlying Award is forfeited. Nothing in this Section 17 shall require the payment or accrual of dividends on any
Awards. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Awards may be adjusted for dividends, and dividend, dividend equivalents or similar payments may be paid, to the extent permitted in Section 14.

18. Amendment and Termination of the Plan. 

(a) Amendment and Termination.    The Board may at any time amend, alter, suspend or terminate the Plan. 

(b) Stockholder Approval.    The Company shall obtain stockholder approval of any Plan amendment to the extent
necessary and desirable to comply with Applicable Law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall also obtain stockholder approval of any Plan amendment or any exchange, buy-back or other scheme which
would purport to reprice or otherwise cancel and replace any Option or SAR as described in Section 6(c) of the Plan. 

(c) Effect of Amendment or Termination.    No amendment, alteration, suspension or termination of the Plan
shall impair the rights of any Participant, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Participant and the Administrator, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Participant and the Company. Termination of the Plan shall not affect
the Administrator’s ability to exercise the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to Awards granted under the Plan prior to the date of such termination. 

19. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares. 

(a) Legal Compliance.    Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Award unless the exercise of
such Award and the issuance and delivery of such Shares shall comply with Applicable Laws and shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance. 

(b) Investment Representations.    As a condition to the exercise of an Award, the Company may require the
person exercising such Award to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the
Company, such a representation is required. 
 20. Inability to Obtain Authority.    The inability of the Company to obtain
authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the
failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained. 

 21. Stockholder Approval.    The Plan shall be subject to approval by the
stockholders of the Company within twelve (12) months after the date the Plan is adopted. Such stockholder approval shall be obtained in the manner and to the degree required under Applicable Laws.Exhibit 10.16

AMENDED CONSULTING SERVICES AGREEMENT

THIS CONSULTING SERVICES AGREEMENT made as of the 13th day of December, 2018.

AMONG:

RISE GOLD CORP., a body corporate incorporated under the laws of Nevada, USA and having its head office at Suite 650, 669 Howe Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 0B4 

(the “Company”)

AND:

J. PROUST & ASSOCIATES INC., a body corporate incorporated under the laws of British Columbia, Canada and having its office address at Suite 650, 669 Howe Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 0B4

 (the “Consultant”)

WHEREAS the Company is a company listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the “CSE”) which operates as a mineral exploration company focused on gold and copper-gold resources in California;

AND WHEREAS the Company agrees to retain the Consultant and the Consultant agrees to provide business advisory, finance, accounting, corporate administrative services and an office to the Company to maintain continuous disclosure obligations and comply with public listing requirements on the CSE in Canada;

NOW THEREFORE THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSETH that in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.

RETAINER, TERM AND SERVICES

1.1

Retainer

The Company hereby agrees to retain the services of the Consultant as an independent contractor and the Consultant hereby agrees to such retainer and agrees to provide finance, accounting and corporate administrative services in accordance with the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

1.2

Term

The retainer of the Consultant by the Company hereunder shall commence on January 1, 2019 and shall be in effect for a period of twelve (12) months, and shall continue thereafter on a month-to-month basis, or terminated by either party in accordance with Section 4.1, or by the Company in accordance with Section 4.2.

1.3

Services

The Consultant will provide the Company with the following personnel and services:

(a)

such business advisory, finance, accounting and corporate administrative services as may be requested by the Company including a Chief Financial Officer, a Controller and a Corporate Secretary; 

(b)

such other services as may be reasonably requested by the Company and as set out from time to time; and

(c)

use of a fully furnished office with access to a boardroom, pantry, Xerox copier/printer/scanner, DID telephone line, and Wi-Fi.

The Consultant shall spend a commercially reasonable amount of time and attention on the business and affairs of the Company as may be necessary to discharge faithfully and efficiently the responsibilities assigned to the Consultant, 

The Consultant shall report directly to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, or such other person(s) he may designate.

2.

THE CONSULTANT’S OBLIGATIONS

2.1

Other Business Activities

The Company acknowledges that the Consultant may provide consulting services to persons other than the Company, and that it is a condition of the Consultant entering into this Agreement that the Consultant be free to continue to do so, provided that the provision of such other consulting services does not result in the Consultant being unavailable to perform the services to be provided by the Consultant hereunder.

2.2

Disclosure of Confidential Information

The Consultant acknowledges that the Company is a mineral exploration firm and in the provision of its services hereunder, the Consultant will have access to and be entrusted with a wide variety of confidential non-public information concerning the properties, operations, assets and financial plans of the Company and its affiliates and any related corporate entities (collectively the “Rise Group”) which, if disclosed, could cause irreparable and significant damage to the Rise Group. Accordingly, the Consultant, will take such reasonable steps as may be necessary to ensure that the Consultant’s directors, officers and employees and legal counsel, accountants, financial advisors and other consultants and professional advisors (referred to as a “Related Party” or “Related Parties”) do not, either during or after the term of the Consultant’s retainer by the Company, disclose any confidential, non-public or proprietary information of the Rise Group in connection with the properties, assets or financing plans of the Rise Group to any person, firm, corporation, association, partnership or other entity for any reason or purpose whatsoever unless expressly permitted in writing by the Company. Further, the Consultant will not, nor, if applicable, will it permit or suffer any of the Related Parties to, during the term of the Consultant’s retainer hereunder, give, deliver, reveal to, or otherwise permit any person to come into possession of any confidential, non-public or proprietary information of the Rise Group, whether in written, photographic, photostatic, electronic or any other form, and upon the termination of this Agreement, the Consultant will return to the Company all such information and data as may be in its possession or control, or that of the Consultant’s employees. If requested by the Company, the Consultant will, if applicable, obtain from any of the Consultant’s Related Parties a non-disclosure covenant in favour of the Company upon substantially the terms of this Section 2.2. In the event of a breach or threatened breach by the Consultant or any Related Parties of the provisions of this Section 2.2, the Company will be entitled to an injunction restraining the Consultant, or, if applicable, any of the Consultant’s Related Parties, from disclosing, in whole or in part, any of the confidential, non-public or proprietary information pertaining to the Rise 

2

Group Company, their respective properties, operations, assets or financial plans, to any person, firm, corporation, association, partnership or other entity to whom such confidential information, in whole or in part, has been disclosed or is threatened to be disclosed. Nothing herein will be construed as prohibiting the Company from pursuing any other remedies available to it for such breach or threatened breach including the recovery of damages from the Consultant. “Confidential Information” includes, without limitation, the following types of information or material, both existing and contemplated, regarding the Rise Group: corporate information, including contractual licensing arrangements, plans, strategies, tactics, policies, resolutions, patents, trade-mark and trade name applications; any litigation or negotiations; information concerning suppliers; marketing information; financial information, including debt arrangements, equity structure, investors and holdings; operational and scientific information, including trade secrets; technical information, including technical drawings and designs; any information relating to any mineral projects in which the Rise Group has an actual or potential interest; and personal information, including personnel lists, resumes, personal data, organizational structure and performance evaluations.

3.

COMPENSATION FOR CONSULTING SERVICES

3.1

Service Fees

In consideration for the Consultant providing the services to the Company as set forth in Section 1.3, the Company agrees to pay the Consultant, by the 12th day of each and every month, the fee of C$15,000.00/month plus GST (the “Fee”), a fee which may be revised from time to time upon mutual agreement of the parties.  

3.2

Ineligibility for Employee Benefits

Neither the Consultant, nor any employees of the Consultant, will be considered as employees of the Company for any reason and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no employees of the Consultant will be eligible to participate in any employee benefit plans or programs in effect for executive and key management employees of the Company including, without limitation, medical, dental, health or life insurance, pension or retirement plans.

3.3

Expenses

The Company will promptly reimburse the Consultant for reasonable expenses incurred by it in the performance of its services hereunder upon presentation to the Company of receipts for such expenses.

3.4

Stock Options

The Company may grant stock options to the Consultant or employees of the Consultant, at such times and in an amount and at an exercise price to be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company in accordance with the Company’s share option plan as may be amended from time to time.

3.5

No Other Compensation

The Consultant will not be entitled to any compensation or fee from the Company, except as set out in Sections 3.1, 3.3 and 3.4.

3.6

Statutory Withholdings

The Consultant agrees that the Company shall not be responsible for any payroll withholding taxes and the Consultant shall make and remit all statutory withholdings as may be required to be made by the 

3

Consultant in connection with the services provided to the Company by the Consultant.  At the request of the Company, the Consultant will provide to the Company satisfactory evidence that such statutory withholdings having been remitted to the relevant taxation authorities.

4.

TERMINATION

4.1

Voluntary Termination of Agreement

Either party may, upon 90 days’ written notice to the other party, terminate this Agreement. Upon the expiration of 90 days’ written notice period, the retainer of the Consultant hereunder will terminate and neither party hereto will have any obligations to the other hereunder except as follows:

(a)

the Company will pay to the Consultant all amounts owing to the Consultant hereunder as of the termination date; and

(b)

Section 2.2 hereof will survive the termination of this Agreement.

4.2

Termination of Agreement for Cause  

The Company may, it is sole discretion and upon provision of written notice to the Consultant, terminate this Agreement immediately, if, at any time, the Consultant, in the performance of its duties:

(a)

commits a material breach of a provision of this Agreement and does not cure that breach to the reasonable satisfaction of the Company, upon receipt of reasonable written notice detailing the breach;

(b)

is unable or unwilling to perform the duties under this Agreement;

(c)

commits fraud or serious neglect or misconduct in the discharge of its duties hereunder; or

(d)

becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or compromise with its creditors.

5.

MISCELLANEOUS

5.1

Binding Agreement

This Agreement is personal to and will be binding on the parties hereto and their respective successors in interest but, subject as hereinafter provided, will not be assignable by either party. The Company may assign this Agreement to any continuing or successor corporation resulting from any amalgamation, consolidation, merger or arrangement with one or more affiliates of the Company.

5.2

Notices

Any notice or other communication required or permitted to be given or made hereunder will be well and sufficiently given or made if:

(a)

enclosed in a sealed envelope and delivered in person to the party hereto to whom it is addressed at the relevant address set forth below; or

(b)

sent by facsimile or other means of recorded electronic communications;

4

if to the Company addressed to it at:

RISE GOLD CORP

Suite 650, 669 Howe Street

Vancouver, BC V6C 0B4

Attention:  Benjamin Mossman, President, CEO and Director

Email:  info@risegoldcorp.com

and if to the Consultant, addressed to it at:

J. PROUST & ASSOCIATES INC.

Suite 650-669 Howe Street

Vancouver, BC V6C 0B4

Attention:  John Proust, President

Email:  jproust@jproust.ca

Any notice or other communication so given will be deemed to have been given and to have been received on the day of delivery, if delivered, and if sent by email, upon receipt of an electronic delivery receipt, (provided such delivery or sending is during normal business hours on a business day and, if not, then on the first business day thereafter). Either party hereto may change his or its address for notice by notice to the other party hereto given in the manner aforesaid.

5.3

Modification and Waiver

No provision of this Agreement may be modified or amended unless such modification or amendment is authorized by the Board and is agreed to in writing by the Consultant and the Company. The parties agree that the Fee may be amended from time to time, and once initialed, such amendment shall be binding on the parties from the date of such amendment.  No waiver by any party hereto of any breach by another party hereto of any condition or provision of this Agreement will be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the time or at any prior or subsequent time. No agreement or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the retainer of the Consultant by the Company have been made by either party which are not set forth expressly in this Agreement.

5.4

Entire Agreement

This Agreement contains all the terms and conditions agreed upon by the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings with respect thereto. There are no agreements collateral or supplementary hereto.  

5.5

Law Governing

This agreement will be subject to and governed by the laws of the Province of British Columbia and the parties attorn to the jurisdiction of the courts of British Columbia with respect to any dispute or other matter arising hereunder.

5.6

Time of Essence

Time is and will be of the essence of this Agreement.

5

5.7

Invalidity

The invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of any provision hereof will not in any way affect or impair the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof.

5.8

Headings

The headings contained herein are for reference purposes only and will not in any way affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.

5.9

Severability

If any part of this Agreement is determined to be void or unenforceable in whole or in part, it will not be deemed to affect or impair the validity of any other parts hereof, all of which will continue in full force and effect and be construed as if this Agreement had been executed without the invalid part and it is hereby declared to have been the intention of the parties that this Agreement would have been executed without reference to any part which may for any reason be determined to be void or unenforceable.

6.

REGULATORY APPROVAL

The obligations of the Company hereunder are subject to the receipt of all required regulatory approvals. If any required regulatory approvals are not obtained, this Agreement, unless extended in writing by the parties, will be of no force or effect and neither party will have any rights or obligations against or to the other as a result of the execution hereof.

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

			
	RISE GOLD CORP. by its authorized signatory:

“Ben Mossman”

Benjamin Mossman

President, CEO and Director

	 
	J. PROUST & ASSOCIATES INC. by its authorized signatory:

“John Proust”

John Proust

President

	 
	 
	 

6

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