Document:

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   Exhibit 10.40

                            Translation from Russian

                                    LICENSE

                                   NO. 402980

     REGISTRATION NO. LZ 2000/289                          FEBRUARY 2, 2000

     Administration of Khabarovsk Territory, Department of Natural Resources
and Mining Industry hereby allows Timber Cutting in the volume of three hundred
thousand cub.m. annually (in accordance with the Minutes No. 17 of the
Territorial Timber-Cutting Licensing Commission, dated 1.25.2000.)

     This License is issued to the Closed Joint-Stock company "Udinskoye"
(Khabarovsk Territory, Polina Osipenko District, Udinsk Settlement).

     Terms and conditions for the licensed activities - in accordance with the
current Russian forest legislation.

     This License is valid until 1.25.2005

                    /s/ G.E. Pocherevin
     Signature:     G.E. Pocherevin
<PAGE>   2
THE PIONEER GROUP, INC.

60 State Street
Boston, MA 02109-1820
617-742-7825

[PIONEER LOGO]

      The undersigned hereby certifies that the translation of License No.
402980 dated as of February 2, 2000 issued by the Administration of the
Khabarovsk Territory, Department of Natural Resources and Mining Industry to
Closed Joint-Stock Company "Udinskoye" to which this certification is attached
is a fair and accurate translation of the original document executed in Russian.

DATE: MAY 25, 2000

                                       /s/ Catherine Mannick
                                       -----------------------------------
                                       Name:  Catherine Mannick
                                       Title: Vice President and Assistant
                                              General Counsel, The Pioneer
                                              Group, Inc.<PAGE>   1

                                                                   Exhibit 10.41

                            Translation from Russian

Series A
No. 084731

                                                Copy 1
                                                for the

                                                Approved by the resolution of
                                                KhKKL
                                                (name of local office)

                                                08/04/95 No. 10

                        Federal Timber Service of Russia

                                  License No. 6
                    for long-term use(lease) of timber tracts

                                                January 1, 1996

Region: Khabarovsk Territory
District: Polina Osipenko
Owner of timber tracts: Kerbinsky leskhoz
Forestry region: Kerbinsky, Nimelensky
Full title of the leasee: JSC "Amgun-Forest"

for performance of the following types of timber harvesting:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nos.   Type of           Metric    Tract Nos.     Square,ha      Set       Amount of
       timber tract      system                                  annual    lease
       usage                                                     volume    payments
                                                                 of usage
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>    <C>               <C>       <C>            <C>            <C>       <C>
1      Timber            m(3)      in accordance  264,7          350       in
       harvesting                  with the       thousand       thousand  accordance
                                   attached       hectares       m(3)      with
                                   excerpt from                            attached
                                   the KhKKL                               annual
                                   resolution                              calculations
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

       Expiration date of this lease shall be August 5, 2046.

       The shall be obligated to provide timber tract usage in accordance with
set volume starting January 1, 1996.

       Term and procedure for lease payments: On a quarterly basis during the
first decade in accordance with the procedures for calculating lease payments
and timber-related fees in effect in the Khabarovsk Territory.

       Amount of withholdings for regeneration, ecological considerations, terms
and payment procedures: In accordance with the instructions on payment
procedure.
<PAGE>   2

                    Volumes of timber shipments to the state

                                     [none]

       The leasee shall be obligated to implement the following forest
maintenance and regeneration measures: In accordance with the lease agreements
and set annual volumes.

       Conditions and procedure for financing of forest maintenance and
regeneration measures by the timber tract owner: Upon acceptance of work in
accordance with Acts, the amount of financing shall be determined expressly in
the lease agreement.

       Requirements on the condition of the timber tracts upon the expiration
date of this license: Maintenance of the percentage of trees on the leased
territories no lesser than the one as of the date of issuance of the license.

       Liability of the leasee, territorial (city) authorities and the owner of
the timber tract for violation of terms and conditions of the lease: In
accordance with the legislation in force.

       Indemnification procedure for losses incurred by the leasee: Shall be
determined by the authoritative body which passed the decision that caused
losses, by allocating an equal volume timber tract.

       Special considerations: Usage volumes may be changed as a result of
closer research of resources upon determining the logging plans, forest
management measures and other changes.

       Leskhoz director  /s/ N.M. Ryabov     N.M. Ryabov

       License received  /s/ A.N. Shkirkov   A.N. Shkirkov

       Extension of the term of the license  (blank)
<PAGE>   3

THE PIONEER GROUP, INC.

60 State Street
Boston, MA 02109-1820
617-742-7825

[PIONEER LOGO]

       The undersigned hereby certifies that the translation of License No. 6
for Long-Term use (Lease) of Timber Tracts dated as of January 1, 1996 issued by
the Federal Timber Service of Russia to Closed Joint-Stock Company
"Amgun-Forest" to which this certification is attached is a fair and accurate
translation of the original document executed in Russian.

Dated: May 22, 2000

                                    /s/ Catherine Mannick
                                    -----------------------------------
                                    Name: Catherine Mannick
                                    Title: Vice President and Assistant
                                    General Counsel, The Pioneer Group,
                                    Inc.<PAGE>   1

                                                                   Exhibit 10.42

                            Translation from Russian

                                               Registered by
                                               Administration of Vanino district
                                               of Khabarovsk territory
                                               on August 4, 1995 No. 17

                                    Agreement
                            on lease of timber tracts

Executed in Polina Osipenko region on June 9, 1995

       1. Parties to the Agreement

       The owner of the timber tracts in Kerbinsky leskhoz, represented by its
Director Nikolai Mikhailovich Ryabov, acting on the basis of the Statute on
Kerbinsky leskhoz, hereinafter referred to as "Lessor", on the one hand, and JSC
"Amgun-Forest", represented by its General Director Alexander Ivanovich
Shkirkov, acting on the basis of the charter, hereinafter referred to as the
"Lessee", on the other hand, have entered into this Agreement on the lease of
forest tracts.

       2. Subject of the lease, usage types and volumes

       2.1. The following III grade forest tracts shall be subject to leasing:

       - in Kerbinsky leskhoz: tracts Nos.: 1-32, 46-58, 60, 61, 73-84, 86-92,
       95-101, 113-117, 121-137, 139, 140, 145-147, 162-165, 170, 183, 200-205,
       213-223, 229, 234, 235, 246, 248-256, 258, 259, 260, 273-275, 279, 281,
       285, 290-297, 309-312, 320-335, 337-339, 340-349, 353-367, 369-387,
       389-391, 400, 401, 404, 408, 409, 410, 414-416, 418, 419, 422-430, 434,
       436;

       - in Nimelensky leskhoz: tracts Nos.: 6, 34-44, 57-63, 70, 71, 76-80, 85,
       86, 90-93, 110-112, 115, 122-129, 135-137, 139-142, 144, 151-164,
       166-171, 173-186;

       - in Omalsky leskhoz: tracts Nos. 1-9, 22-33, 46-53, 55, 74-77, 104-107,
       110-117, 150-154, 193-197, 220-223, 226;

total 473,7 thousand hectares.

       2.2. The characteristics of the leased sites is enclosed in Appendixes I
and IV to this Agreement.

       Appendix I.   Form 1 Forest fund calculations

       Appendix II.  Quarterly report on areas and resources.

       Appendix III. List of available wild-grown resources.

       Appendix IV.  List of roads available to Lessee for commercial usage
                     or leasing.

       2.3. The timber tracts shall be assigned to the Lessee for the following
types of activities--timber harvesting.

       2.4. Annual volume of timber harvesting shall be 350 thousand cubic
meters.

       2.5. The amount of timber for state deliveries shall be set forth as
[none] from the volumes above.
<PAGE>   2

       2.6. The harvesting volume may be changed, if necessary, upon mutual
agreement between the Lessor and the Lessee.

       3. Term of lease

       The term of this lease agreement shall be 50 years, starting July 1, 1995
until July 1, 2045.

       4. Specific obligations of the Lessee

       4.1. To implement fire safety measures on the territory of the leased
forest tracts indicated in Section 2.1 of this Agreement and adjourning tracts
in Kerbinsky, Nimelensky and Omalsky leskhoz.

       4.2. To create 35 km of mineralized stripe, 3 reservoirs and 5 helicopter
grounds.

       4.3. To conduct work on regeneration using methods indicated by the
Lessor, in volumes no lesser that specified in Sections 4.4-4.9 of this
Agreement.

       4.4. To ensure natural regeneration on harvested areas in the amount of
2,000 hectares.

       4.5. To prepare soil for forest cultures on the area of 30 hectares,
including: current year __ hectares, next year 30 hectares.

       4.6. To plant forest cultures on the area of 30 hectares.

       4.7. To tend to plantation on the area of 30 hectares.

       4.8. To do additional planting in the area as advised by the leskhoz
annually.

       4.9. To store 24 kg of conifers' seeds.

       4.10. Appendix V contains a sustainable forest development plan.

       4.11. Appendix VI contains an environmental protection plan.

       4.12. Other considerations: Forest regeneration shall be conducted as
advised by the leskhoz annually.

       5. Rights and obligations of the Lessor

       5.1. The Lessor shall have the right:

       5.1.1. To suggest changes to the provisions of this Agreement.

       5.1.2. To lease or transfer under other conditions same timber tracts
with multiple timber resources simultaneously to different users in order to
promote multi-purpose timber harvesting under the condition that such
arrangement does not violate rights and responsibilities set forth in this
Agreement.

                                        2
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       5.1.3. To implement control over the condition of the forest and
protective measures employed, to enforce compliance with the timber legislation,
norms and procedures in force.

       5.1.4. To implement all types of timber harvesting, including cleaning
and sanitary felling, on the leased tracts, in the event the Lessee is not able
to do so.

       5.1.5. To submit indemnification claims to the Lessee with regard to
violation of cutting rules and damages to the forest as a result of the Lessee's
commercial activities.

       5.1.6. To obtain from the Lessee information, reference and other
materials with respect to use, regeneration and protection of forest.

       5.1.7. To suspend or limit work under the following conditions:

       -  violation by the Lessee of the conditions provided for in the license
          and the agreement on lease of timber tracts;
       -  use by the Lessee of the subject of lease without approved, according
          to the set procedure, plans on timber harvesting;
       -  nonpayment of fees for timber tract use within the set time limits.

       5.1.8. To stop, upon approval from local authorities, timber harvesting
effected by the Lessee in the event that such actions are in violation of the
timber legislation and other legislation in force and this Agreement until such
violation shall be eliminated.

       5.1.9. To withdraw for governmental use, in cases provided for in
legislation, certain leased timber tracts with mandatory compensation for
monetary damages, as agreed upon by the Lessee.

       5.1.10. To draft the Lessee, in accordance with the resolution of the
local administration, to assist in forest fires.

       5.1.11. To demand termination of this Agreement and indemnification of
damages in the event the Lessee fails to fulfill its obligations under this
Agreement.

       5.2. The Lessor shall:

       5.2.1. Implement control over the Lessee's forest usage and regeneration
activities on the leased territory.

       5.2.2. Keep a forest cadastre, report timber tracts dynamics and make
changes to it on a timely manner.

       5.2.3. Oversee forest management and inventory.

       5.2.4. Provide the Lessee with materials, necessary for appropriate use
of timber resources, on a temporary basis.

       5.2.5. Provide the Lessee with necessary materials on forest management
at the Lessee's expense.

                                        3
<PAGE>   4

       5.2.6. Conduct annual marking out and appraisal of coupes, provide the
Lessee with logging tickets and other permits.

       5.2.7. Examine logging sites.

       5.2.8. Provide specialized forest pathology control on leased tracts and
draft plans on pest and forest decease control.

       5.2.9. Provide aerial forest control.

       5.2.10. Finance forest management and regeneration measures in a timely
manner upon completion of such measures by the Lessee and acceptance of such
work by the Lessor. Such financing shall be provided in 19__ in the amount of__
thousand rubles.

       5.2.11. Advance money for forest management and regeneration measures in
the amount of up to __% of the planned costs of such work.

       5.2.12. Coordinate with the Lessee location of commercial buildings,
storage facilities, forest roads, parking, measures on territorial improvement
necessary for timber harvesting.

       5.2.13. Assist the Lessee with choosing forest regeneration methods,
timber species, provide the Lessee with planting material on a contractual
basis.

       5.2.14. Lease timber equipment for timber harvesting and regeneration to
Lessee, if necessary.

       5.2.15. Reimburse the costs of putting out forest fires to the Lessee
which occurred through no fault of the Lessee.

       5.2.16. Indemnify the Lessee for losses it sustained as a result of an
unlawful suspension of his activities by the Lessor upon a court decision.

       6. Rights and obligations of the Lessee

       6.1. The Lessee shall have the right:

       6.1.1. To effect timber harvesting on the territory of the allocated
timber tracts on conditions provided for in this Agreement and legislation in
force.

       6.1.2. To build road in accordance with set procedures, temporary
commercial and lodging facilities and buildings on the leased territory
necessary for effective timber harvesting in accordance with the agreement with
the Lessor.

       6.1.3. To independently chose the method for its commercial activities
with regard to the timber resources, handle harvested timber and profits
received from leasing timber tracts.

       6.1.4. To suggest changes to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

       6.1.5. To effect principal and intermediate logging of timber on the
leased tracts.

                                        4
<PAGE>   5

       6.1.6. To determine fees and receive expense reimbursement for buildings,
roads and other facilities constructed by the Lessee, in the event such
facilities are used for other purposes, excluding use of such facilities for the
purposes of the Lessor.

       6.1.7. To participate in examinations of the leased forest tracts to
assess its condition, compliance with the timber legislation, forest usage norms
and terms of this Agreement.

       6.1.8. To use the Lessor's materials on condition, usage and protection
of the leased timber tracts.

       6.1.9. To exercise preferential right with regard to assignment of limits
on available logging capacity within the allocated timber tracts.

       6.1.10. To use equipment and machinery unless their use is prohibited by
applicable documents.

       6.1.11. To demand termination of this Agreement and indemnification of
damages in the event the Lessor breaches the terms and conditions of this
Agreement.

       6.1.12. To protect its interests by means of arbitration or court
proceedings in the event such interests are infringed upon.

       6.2. The Lessee shall:

       6.2.1. Use the lease timber tracts in accordance with legislation in
force, rules on timber harvesting, resolutions of local administration and terms
of this Agreement.

       6.2.2. To ensure sustainable usage of forest resources, their
regeneration and preservation of ecological habitat of the forest.

       6.2.3. Use methods that would prevent soil erosion, negative effects on
reservoirs and other natural sites.

       6.2.4. Follow fire safety rules and effect fire prevention measures, help
in putting them out and assist in putting out massive forest fires on the
territory upon applicable decisions of the local administration.

       6.2.5. Implement forest usage and regeneration measures, as well as other
conditions, in accordance with annually executed agreements with the Lessor.

       6.2.6. Conduct regeneration measures at its own expense in excess of the
volumes provided for in this Agreements in the areas where the undergrowth was
destroyed as a result of commercial activity.

       6.2.7. Take care of the regrown forest until it can be classified as
forest-covered area.

       6.2.8. Refrain from undercutting forest (unfinished coupes) and leaving
harvested timber in the forest upon expiration of harvesting and removal terms.

       6.2.9. Clear logging sites from pulp.

                                        5
<PAGE>   6

       6.2.10. Restore, at its own expense, timber tracts damaged as a result of
its commercial activity o the conditions suitable for their future use as
provided in permits.

       6.2.11. Turn in timber tracts to the owner upon the completing of
logging.

       6.2.12. Provide the Lessor with information necessary for inventory of
the timber resources and calculation of lease payments, as well as other
information on timber tracts' usage.

       6.2.13. Make payments for the use of timber tracts in a timely manner and
in accordance with set procedures.

       6.2.14. Implement the Lessor's recommendations with regard to detected
violations in accordance with the timber legislation within a determined time
frame.

       6.2.15. Have a 5 to 10-year operations plan and an ecological passport.

       6.2.16. Submit for acceptance by the Lessor completed facilities and
logging sites.

       6.2.17. Assist with forest management and inventory.

       6.2.18. Create and sustain in working order borders, rides between
quadrants, survey lines, forest management marks.

       6.2.19. Participate in local ecological programs.

       6.2.20. Comply with other requirements set forth in forest management
rules and regulations.

       7. Payment for timber resources

       7.1. Lease payments shall be set annually on the basis of the allowed
cutting volumes by the leskhoz.

       7.2. The Lessee shall be obligated to transfer payments in the amount
of ____ thousand rubles to the Lessor's bank account for timber tracts leased in
19__.

       7.3. Terms of payment shall be in accordance with set procedure.

       7.4. Any preferential payments for use of timber resources shall be
determined by the territorial administration upon leskhoz' request.

       8. Responsibilities of the parties

       8.1. The Lessor shall be responsible for violation of timber legislation,
requirement on use of forest resources in accordance with the legislation of the
Russian Federation and legal regulations within the jurisdiction of local
authorities.

       8.2. In the event of late response to forest fires, the Lessee shall
compensate damages in accordance with forest and environmental legislation in
force.

                                        6
<PAGE>   7

       8.3. In the event the Lessee fails to perform regeneration procedures
during current calendar year, the incomplete amount of work shall be transferred
onto the next year along with proportional reduction in allocated forest tracts.

       8.4. Upon termination of this Agreement, the guilty party shall pay
penalty in the amount of 10% of yearly lease payments.

       8.5. In the event of repeated non-fulfillment of obligations under this
Agreement (during two consecutive years), if termination is not discussed, the
guilty party shall pay penalty in the amount of 10% of annual lease payments.

       8.6. In the event of late payments for timber resources and financing of
forest usage works, the guilty party shall pay penalties in the amount of 0,7%
of such amounts for each day of delay.

       8.7. Any disputes arising with regard to this Agreement shall be resolved
in court or through arbitration.

       9.   General provisions

       9.1. Upon mutual agreement, the parties can make amendments and changes
to this Agreement.

       9.2. With regard to issues not provided for in this Agreement, the
parties shall be governed by legislation in force.

       9.3. The provisions of this Agreement shall be subject to change in
compliance with changes in timber legislation.

       9.4. This Agreement shall become effective as of its execution date.

       9.5. The Lessor shall, within a 2-month period after the effective date
of this Agreement, transfer leased forest tracts and all necessary documentation
to the Lessee.

       9.6. This Agreement is drafted in three copies, one of which shall be
distributed to the Lessee, one shall be forwarded to the local administration,
and one shall be kept at the leskhoz.

       10.Legal addresses of the parties

       10.1. Lessor:       Kerbinsky leskhoz
             Address:      Amgunskaya Street, 47
                           Polina Osipenko Settlement
                           Khabarovsk Territory 682380
                           Tel:
       Banking requisites: APB "Konek" Account No. 141017

       10.2. Lessee:       JSC "Amgun-Forest"
                           Briakan Settlement
                           Polina Osipenko District
                           Russian Federation 682382

                                        7
<PAGE>   8

Banking requisites:        Account No. 1467564
                           in Komsomolsk-on-Amur branch of Regiobank
                           MFO 271259

Director                   General Director
Kerbinsky leskhoz          JSC "Amgun-Forest"

/s/ N. M. Ryabov           /s/ A. I. Shkirkov

N. M. Ryabov               A. I. Shkirkov

                                        8
<PAGE>   9

THE PIONEER GROUP, INC.

60 State Street
Boston, MA 02109-1820
617-742-7825

[PIONEER LOGO]

     The undersigned hereby certifies that the translation of Agreement on Lease
of Timber Tracts dated as of June 9, 1995 by and between Kerbinsky Leskhoz and
Closed Joint-Stock Company "Amgun-Forest" to which this certification is
attached is a fair and accurate translation of the original document executed in
Russian.

Dated: June 14, 2000

                                     /s/ Catherine Mannick
                                     -----------------------------------
                                     Name: Catherine Mannick
                                     Title: Vice President and Assistant
                                     General Counsel, The Pioneer Group,
                                     Inc.

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