Document:

EXHIBIT 10.17

                              FIRST COLONY MERCHANT

                        WRITTEN NOTICE TO EXERCISE OPTION

         We hereby  submit this  Written  Notice to Exercise the Option of First
Colongy  Merchant,  which  was  approved  by the Board of  Directors  of Can Cal
Resources  Ltd. as of November  23,  2000 and  attached as Exhibit A hereto.  We
enclose  consideration  of One Hundred and Fifty Four  Thousand  Six Hundred and
Eighty  ($154,680)  being 300,000 x $1.3012 x 50%.  Please issue these shares at
your earliest convenience.

                                            FIRST COLONY MERCHANT

                                              /s/    J. M. Edwards
                                            ------------------------------------

                                       95EXHIBIT 10.18
                                    AGREEMENT

This agreement entered into as of the 8th day of January 2001, by and between
Can-Cal Resources, Ltd. ("Can-Cal"), a Nevada Corporation, and S. Bruce
Ballantyne ("Ballantyne").

Whereas, Can-Cal is in the process of testing and attempting to recover precious
metals from its volcanic cinders material, and

Whereas, Can-Cal owns other mineral deposits which are prospective for the
existence of precious metals, and

Whereas, Ballantyne is a geological consultant and has acted as an independent
consultant to Can-Cal pursuant to an oral understanding, and

Whereas,  Ballantyne has been  responsible  for supervising  an/or  coordinating
Can-Cal's  activities  in  connection  with its  volcanic  cinders  material and
performed numerous tests and other procedures both alone and in conjunction with
others and has caused assays or various types to be done by others, and

Whereas, Ballantyne is intimately familiar with Can-Cal's volcanic cinder
material and its properties and composition, and

Whereas, Can-Cal and Ballantyne desire to enter into a written agreement
providing for Ballantyne's services to Can-Cal and protecting Can-Cal's
proprietary information,

Now, therefore, in consideration of the premises and other good and valuable
consideration, receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged,

Now, therefore, it is agreed as follows:

     1.   Can-Cal hereby retains the services of Ballantyne and Ballantyne
          agrees to render services to Can-Cal as a consultant to advise and
          assist it on a daily basis in its business and operations, principally
          with respect to its volcanic cinder material. Ballantyne shall perform
          such services and activities reasonably requested of him. Those
          services and activities shall include, but not be limited to,
          evaluating Can-Cal's volcanic cinder material, performing sampling,
          testing, producing and extractions from that material and meeting and
          consulting with such persons as Can-Cal may request in connection with
          those activities. Ballantyne shall utilize his best efforts,
          experience and skill to assist and advise Can-Cal in its business and
          operations.

     2.   Ballantyne shall report directly to Ronald D. Sloan, President of
          Can-Cal and liaise with such other persons, including other officers
          and directors of Can-Cal, as Ronald D. Sloan may request.

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     3.   Can-Cal shall pay Ballantyne for his services $3,400 U.S. every two
          weeks, in advance. In the event that Ballantyne is unable, for any
          reason, including sickness or disability, to perform services for
          Can-Cal pursuant to this agreement, Can-Cal and Ballantyne shall in
          good faith agree upon appropriate adjustments to amounts due
          Ballantyne.

     4.   Ballantyne shall devote his full time to Can-Cal's business and
          operations and shall not perform services for any other person during
          the term of this agreement or be engaged in any other business
          activity. The services to be rendered each day shall consist of
          whatever work needs to be accomplished and it is anticipated that
          services rendered each day will likely exceed 8 hours per day.
          However, the parties also recognize that because of the importance of
          the work currently being done by Can-Cal that Ballantyne may be
          required to work more than 10 days during every two-week period. The
          shares to be issued to Ballantyne and the option to purchase shares
          that may be granted to Ballantyne pursuant to this agreement are
          agreed to constitute full compensation to Ballantyne for those
          services.

     5.   Can-Cal will pay all Ballantyne's ordinary out of pocket living
          expenses while he is rendering services for Can-Cal, such as food,
          transportation and incidentals. Can-Cal will also use its best efforts
          to make a vehicle available to Ballantyne at such times as it may be
          necessary.

     6.   Ballantyne shall, at all times, be and function as, an independent
          contractor. Can-Cal shall not be responsible for any expenses or
          obligations of Ballantyne other than as provided in this agreement.

     7.   Can-Cal will provide medical coverage for Ballantyne during the term
          of this agreement as he and Can-Cal shall agree upon.

     8.   During the term of this agreement Ballantyne will be based in
          Vancouver, B.C. Can-Cal will pay, or reimburse Ballantyne for the cost
          of a round trip airplane ticket between Vancouver, B.C. and Las Vegas,
          Nevada for Ballantyne to return to Vancouver or his wife to come to
          Las Vegas, every five weeks. Ballantyne agrees to schedule any such
          trip to obtain the lowest cost ticket with an advance reservation on a
          scheduled airline. The present cost of such a ticket is approximately
          $250 U.S. Can-Cal shall be under no obligation to pay any of costs of
          such trips other that the airplane ticket or an equivalent amount in
          the event Ballantyne drives to or from Vancouver. In the event
          Ballantyne is required to return to Vancouver at any other time for
          any other reason, including family requirements, illness or death,
          Ballantyne will bear the cost of any such trips.

     9.   At the termination of this agreement, as additional consideration for
          services rendered by Ballantyne pursuant to this agreement, Can-Cal
          shall issue to Ballantyne or his assignee 10,000 shares of its common
          stock, which shall be fully paid and non-assessable. Such shares will
          be "restricted securities" as that term is defined in Rule 144
          promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 and appropriate
          stop transfer instructions will be issued to Can-Cal's stock

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          transfer agent. Ballantyne will execute a stock subscription agreement
          and other documentation reasonably required by Can-Cal to insure
          compliance with all applicable securities laws.

     10.  In the event that Can-Cal is producing, or is able to produce precious
          metals from its volcanic cinder material on an economic basis during
          the term of, or at the termination of, this agreement or any extension
          thereof, Can-Cal will issue to Ballantyne or his assignee an option to
          purchase up to 40,000 shares of its common stock. Can-Cal's Board of
          Directors shall make the final determination of whether Can-Cal is
          producing precious metals on an economic basis or is able to do so.
          The option, if granted, shall be for a period of 3 years and the
          exercise price shall be the closing price of Can-Cal's common stock on
          January 8, 2001. The option shall include standard anti-dilution
          provisions and both the granting of the option and shares issued
          pursuant to the exercise of the option shall be subject to compliance
          with all applicable securitieslaws.

     11.  The term of this agreement shall be from January 8, 2001 through April
          30, 2001. Can-Cal shall have the right to extend this contract for an
          additional 12 weeks by written notification to Ballantyne at any time
          prior to April 15, 2001. Termination of this agreement by either party
          shall be only for cause or for a breach of the agreement by the other
          party.

     12.  Ballantyne warrants that he is under no contractual or other
          restrictions of obligations that will in any way limit his activities
          on behalf of Can-Cal.

     13.  Ballantyne recognizes and acknowledges that he has had, and will have,
          access to confidential information belonging to Can-Cal and that such
          information constitutes confidential, valuable, special and unique
          property of Can-Cal. Confidential information includes, but is not
          limited to, procedures, processes, methods, formulas, ideas, trade
          knowledge plans, innovations and improvements utilized by Can-Cal in
          the treating, testing, processing, extracting, and producing of
          precious metals from its volcanic cinders material; the assaying
          evaluating obtaining results from metals produced; all information
          obtained from any third person regarding that material composition and
          all other information regarding that material which Can-Cal has not
          publicly released. Ballantyne acknowledges that disclosure of any such
          confidential information could cause Can-Cal irreparable damage.
          Ballantyne agrees that he will not, during or after the term of this
          agreement, disclose any of such confidential information to any
          person, firm or any other entity for any reason or purpose whatsoever,
          without the express permission of Can-Cal.

     14.  Upon the termination of this agreement Ballantyne will return to
          Can-Cal all confidential information in his possession and control.

     15.  Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this agreement
          or any actual or any alleged breach thereof, shall be settled by
          arbitration conducted in the City of Las Vegas. The parties, or
          counsel for the parties, shall attempt to agree on one arbitrator from
          the American Arbitration Association to act as arbitrator. The
          arbitrator selected shall have experience in mining or in the
          production of metals,

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          and, if possible, with emphasis on precious metals. In the event the
          parties or counsel for the parties are unable to agree on the
          selection of such arbitrator, the arbitrator shall be designated by a
          Judge of the Eighth Judicial District Court of the State of Nevada,
          upon written request of the parties. Any decision of the arbitrator
          shall be binding and may be confirmed in any court of competent
          jurisdiction.

     16.  This agreement supersedes all prior agreements, written or oral,
          between Can-Cal and Ballantyne and shall constitute the only agreement
          covering Ballantyne's services. No provision of this agreement shall
          be changed or modified except by an amendment to this agreement signed
          by both parties.

     17.  This agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto, their
          successors, assigns, heirs, executors, personal representatives and
          corporations and other persons succeeding to their rights and
          obligations.

     18.  This agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Nevada.

    /s/    Ronald D. Sloan                                   March 9, 2001
----------------------------------                           ------------------
Can-Cal Resources Ltd.                                       Date
By:  Ronald D. Sloan, President

    /s/    S. Bruce Ballantyne                               March 9, 2001
----------------------------------                           -------------------
S. Bruce Ballantyne                                          Date

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