Document:

QuickLinks
 -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

 
 

  Exhibit 10.8    
    

 United States Department of the Interior  

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Wyoming State Office

P.O. box 1828

Cheyenne, Wyoming 82003-1828 

In
Reply Refer To: 

			
	3425 (922MLove)

WYW174407

Phone No: 307-775-6258

FAX No: 307-775-6203	 	JUL 16 2008

 
 

  NOTICE    
    

					
	Cordero Mining Company

c/o Rio Tinto Energy America

Attn: Michael C. Barrett

Vice President and CFO

505 South Gillette Avenue

Gillette, Wyoming 82716	 	:

:

:

:

:

:	 	Federal Coal

South Maysdorf Tract

Cordero Rojo Mine

History of Timely Payments Determined;

Requirement to Provide Bonus Bond Waived;

Lease Bond Accepted; Coal Lease Issued Effective August 1, 2008  

        We
have issued Federal coal lease WYW174407 effective August 1, 2008. A copy of the executed lease is attached. 

        Cordero
Mining Company submitted an application for a History of Timely Payments (HTP) determination under the "Interim Guidance for Implementation of Section 436 of the Energy
Policy Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-58) for Federal Coal Lease Deferred Bonus Bonds," WO-IM-2006-045. Cordero Mining Company has requested an HTP determination
in order that the requirement to provide bond coverage for one annual installment of the deferred bonus may be waived for Federal coal lease WYW174407
(WO-IM-2004-217). 

        On
June 19, 2008, the Minerals Management Service advised us that Cordero Mining Company has demonstrated a history of timely production royalty, advance royalty and bonus bid
installment payments for the Cordero Mine for the period May 4, 2003 through May 5, 2008. Therefore, Cordero Mining Company is determined to have a history of timely payments in
accordance with the criteria established in the Interim Guidance (WO IM No. 2006-045). Inasmuch as Cordero Mining Company has been determined to have a history of timely payments,
we are waiving the requirement for you to maintain a bonus bond for Federal coal lease WYW174407. 

        On
July 10, 2008, you furnished Bond Number 016-035-446, in the amount of $9,000.00, with Liberty Mutual Insurance Company as surety. We have
examined the bond, have found it satisfactory, and we are accepting it effective August 1, 2008. 

        If
you have any questions concerning this matter, please contact Mavis Love in the Branch of Solid Minerals at 307-775-6258. 

			
	 
	 	/s/ Donald A. Simpson
	 
	 	 for Robert A. Bennett

State Director

Attachment

 

cc:

Mr. Russ Hallcroft, Rio Tinto Energy America,

    505 South Gillette Avenue, Gillette, WY 82716 w/cy of atch.

Ms. Lynne Boomgaarden, Office of State Lands and Investments,

    122 W. 25th St., 3rd West, Cheyenne, WY 82002

Department of Environmental Quality, Land Quality Division,

    122 West 25th Street, Cheyenne, WY 82002 w/cy of atch.

Mr. Rick Holbrook, Office of Surface Mining, Western Region,

    P.O. Box 46667, Denver, CO 80202-6667 w/cy of atch.

U.S. Dept. of Justice, Attn: Jill Patacek, TEA Section,

    Antitrust Division, 450 5th St. NW, Suite 4100,

    Washington, D.C. 20530 (FEDERAL EXPRESS) w/cy of atch.

MMS, Minerals Revenue Management, Solids and Geothermal CAM,

    P.O. Box 25165, MS390B2, Lakewood, CO 80225-0165

    w/cy of atch.

Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, c/o Tara W. Mealer,

    Attorney-in-Fact, Marsh USA, Inc., P.O. Box 36012,

    Knoxville, TN 37930-6012

FM, Casper w/cy of atch.

2

					
	Form 3400-12

(April 2007)	 	 	 	FORM APPROVED

OMB NO. 1004-0073

Expires: March 31, 2010
	

 	
 	
 	
 	
Serial Number
	

 	
 	
 	
 	
    WYW174407

UNITED STATES

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT 

COAL LEASE  

 PART 1. LEASE RIGHTS GRANTED  

        This lease, entered into by and between the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, hereinafter called lessor, through the Bureau of Land Management
(BLM), and (Name and Address)

Cordero
Mining Company

P.O. Box 1449

Gillette, WY 82717-1449 

hereinafter
called lessee, is effective (date) 08/ 01 / 2008 , for a period of 20 years and for so long thereafter as coal is produced in
commercial quantities from the leased lands, subject to readjustment of lease terms at the end of the 20th lease year and each 10-year period thereafter. 

Sec.
1. This lease is issued pursuant and subject to the terms and provisions of the: 

	ý
	Mineral
Lands Leasing Act of 1920, Act of February 25, 1920, as amended, 41 Stat. 437, 30 U.S.C.
181-287, hereinafter referred to as the Act;

	o
	Mineral
Leasing Act for Acquired Lands, Act of August 7, 1947, 61 Stat. 913, 30 U.S.C.
351-359; 

and to the regulations and formal orders of the Secretary of the Interior which are now or hereafter in force, when not inconsistent with the express and specific provisions
herein. 

Sec.
2. Lessor, in consideration of any bonuses, rents, and royalties to be paid, and the conditions and covenants to be observed as herein set forth, hereby grants and leases to lessee the exclusive
right and privilege to drill for, mine, extract, remove, or otherwise process and dispose of the coal deposits in, upon, or under the following described lands: 

							
	 T. 46 N., R. 71 W., 6th P.M., Wyoming	 	T. 47 N., R. 71 W., 6th P.M., Wyoming
	Sec.   4:	 	Lots 5 through 7, 10 through 15,

18 through 20;	 	Sec. 21:	 	Lots 1 through 3, 6 through 11,

14 through 16;
	Sec.   9:	 	Lots 1 through 5;	 	Sec. 28:	 	Lots 1 through 3, 6 through 11,
	Sec. 10:	 	Lots 1 through 6;	 	 	 	14 through 16;
	Sec. 11:	 	Lots 1 through 12;	 	Sec. 33:	 	Lots 1 through 3, 6 through 11,

14 through 16.

containing
2,900.24 acres, more or less, together with the right to construct such works, buildings, plants, structures, equipment and appliances and the right to use such on-lease
rights-of-way which may be necessary and convenient in the exercise of the rights and privileges granted, subject to the conditions herein provided. 

 PART II. TERMS AND CONDITIONS  

Sec.
1. (a) RENTAL RATE—Lessee must pay lessor rental annually and in advance for each acre or fraction thereof during the continuance of the lease at the rate of S 3.00 for each
lease year. 

 

        (b)   RENTAL
CREDITS—Rental will not be credited against either production or advance royalties for any year. 

Sec.
2. (a) PRODUCTION ROYALTIES—The royalty will be 12.5 percent of the value of the coal as set forth in the regulations. Royalties are due to lessor the final day of the
month succeeding the calendar month in which the royalty obligation accrues. 

        (b)   ADVANCE
ROYALTIES—Upon request by the lessee, the BLM may accept, for a total of not more than 20 years [Public Law
109-58], the payment of advance royalties in lieu of continued operation, consistent with the regulations. The advance royalty will be based on a percent of the value of a
minimum number of tons determined in the manner established by the advance royalty regulations in effect at the time the lessee requests approval to pay advance royalties in lieu of continued
operation. 

Sec.
3. BONDS—Lessee must maintain in the proper office a lease bond in the amount of S            . The BLM may require an increase in this amount when additional coverage is
determined appropriate. 

Sec.
4. DILIGENCE—This lease is subject to the conditions of diligent development and continued operation, except that these conditions are excused when operations under the lease are
interrupted by strikes, the elements, or casualties not attributable to the lessee. The lessor, in the public interest, may suspend the condition of continued operation upon payment of advance
royalties in accordance with the regulations in existence at the time of the suspension. Lessee's failure to produce coal in commercial quantities at the end of 10 years will terminate the
lease. Lessee must submit an operation and reclamation plan pursuant to Section 7 of the Act not later than 3 years after lease issuance. 

        The
lessor reserves the power to assent to or order the suspension of the terms and conditions of this lease in accordance with, inter alia, Section 39 of the Mineral Leasing Act,
30 U.S.C. 209. 

        5.     LOGICAL
MINING UNIT (LMU)—Either upon approval by the lessor of the lessee's application or at the direction of the lessor, this lease will become an LMU or
part of an LMU, subject to the provisions set forth in the regulations. 

        The
stipulations established in an LMU approval in effect at the time of LMU approval will supersede the relevant inconsistent terms of this lease so long as the lease remains committed
to the LMU. If the LMU of which this lease is a part is dissolved, the lease will then be subject to the lease terms which would have been applied if the lease had not been included in an LMU. 

Sec.
6. DOCUMENTS, EVIDENCE AND INSPECTION—At such times and in such form as lessor may prescribe, lessee must furnish detailed statements showing the amounts and quality of all products
removed and sold from the lease, the proceeds therefrom, and the amount used for production purposes or unavoidably lost. 

        Lessee
must keep open at all reasonable times for the inspection by BLM the leased premises and all surface and underground improvements, works, machinery, ore stockpiles, equipment, and
all books,
accounts, maps, and records relative to operations, surveys, or investigations on or under the leased lands. 

        Lessee
must allow lessor access to and copying of documents reasonably necessary to verify lessee compliance with terms and conditions of the lease. 

        While
this lease remains in effect, information obtained under this section will be closed to inspection by the public in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552). 

Sec.
7. DAMAGES TO PROPERTY AND CONDUCT OF OPERATIONS—Lessee must comply at its own expense with all reasonable orders of the Secretary, respecting diligent operations, prevention of
waste, and protection of other resources. 

2

 

        Lessee
must not conduct exploration operations, other than casual use, without an approved exploration plan. All exploration plans prior to the commencement of mining operations within
an approved mining permit area must be submitted to the BLM. 

        Lessee
must carry on all operations in accordance with approved methods and practices as provided in the operating regulations, having due regard for the prevention of injury to life,
health, or property, and prevention of waste, damage or degradation to any land, air, water, cultural, biological, visual, and other resources, including mineral deposits and formations of mineral
deposits not leased hereunder, and to other land uses or users. Lessee must take measures deemed necessary by lessor to accomplish the intent of this lease term. Such measures may include, but are not
limited to, modification to proposed siting or design of facilities, timing of operations, and specification of interim and final reclamation procedures. Lessor reserves to itself the right to lease,
sell, or otherwise dispose of the surface or other mineral deposits in the lands and the right to continue existing uses and to authorize future uses upon or in the leased lands, including issuing
leases for mineral deposits not covered hereunder and approving easements or rights-of-way. Lessor must condition such uses to prevent unnecessary or unreasonable interference
with rights of lessee as may be consistent with concepts of multiple use and multiple mineral development. 

Sec.
8. PROTECTION OF DIVERSE INTERESTS, AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY—Lessee must: pay when due all taxes legally assessed and levied under the laws of the State or the United States; accord all
employees complete freedom of purchase; pay all wages at least twice each month in lawful money of the United States; maintain a safe working
environment in accordance with standard industry practices; restrict the workday to not more than 8 hours in any one day for underground workers, except in emergencies; and take measures
necessary to protect the health and safety of the public. No person under the age of 16 years should be employed in any mine below the surface. To the extent that laws of the State in which the
lands are situated are more restrictive than the provisions in this paragraph, then the State laws apply. 

        Lessee
will comply with all provisions of Executive Order No. 11246 of September 24, 1965, as amended, and the rules, regulations, and relevant orders of the Secretary of
Labor. Neither lessee nor lessee's subcontractors should maintain segregated facilities. 

Sec.
9. (a) TRANSFERS 

	ý
	This
lease may be transferred in whole or in part to any person, association or corporation qualified to hold
such lease interest.

	o
	This
lease may be transferred in whole or in part to another public body or to a person who will mine coal on
behalf of, and for the use of, the public body or to a person who for the limited purpose of creating a security interest in favor of a lender agrees to be obligated to mine the coal on behalf of the
public body.

	o
	This
lease may only be transferred in whole or in part to another small business qualified under 13 CFR 121. 

Transfers
of record title, working or royalty interest must be approved in accordance with the regulations. 

        (b)   RELINQUISHMENT—The
lessee may relinquish in writing at any time all rights under this lease or any portion thereof as provided in the regulations. Upon
lessor's acceptance of the relinquishment, lessee will be relieved of all future obligations under the lease or the relinquished portion thereof, whichever is applicable. 

Sec.
10. DELIVERY OF PREMISES, REMOVAL OF MACHINERY, EQUIPMENT, ETC.—At such time as all portions of this lease are returned to lessor, lessee must deliver up to lessor the land leased,
underground timbering, and such other supports and structures necessary for the preservation of the 

3

 

mine
workings on the leased premises or deposits and place all workings in condition for suspension or abandonment. Within 180 days thereof, lessee must remove from the premises all other
structures, machinery, equipment, tools, and materials that it elects to or as required by the BLM. Any such structures, machinery, equipment, tools, and materials remaining on the leased lands beyond
180 days, or approved extension thereof, will become the property of the lessor, but lessee may either remove any or all such property or continue to be liable for the cost of removal and
disposal in the amount actually incurred by the lessor. If the surface is owned by third parties, lessor will waive the requirement for removal, provided the third parties do not object to such
waiver. Lessee must, prior to the termination of bond liability or at any other time when required and in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations, reclaim all lands the surface of which
has been disturbed, dispose of all debris or solid waste, repair the offsite and onsite damage caused by lessee's activity or activities incidental thereto, and reclaim access roads or trails. 

Sec.
11. PROCEEDINGS IN CASE OF DEFAULT—If lessee fails to comply with applicable laws, existing regulations, or the terms, conditions and stipulations of this lease, and the noncompliance
continues for 30 days after written notice thereof, this lease will be subject to cancellation by the lessor only by judicial proceedings. This provision will not be construed to prevent the
exercise by lessor of any other legal and equitable remedy, including waiver of the default. Any such remedy or waiver will not prevent later cancellation for the same default occurring at any other
time. 

Sec.
12. HEIRS AND SUCCESSORS-IN-INTEREST—Each obligation of this lease will extend to and be binding upon, and every benefit hereof will inure to, the heirs,
executors, administrators, successors, or assigns of the respective parties hereto. 

Sec.
13. INDEMNIFICATION—Lessee must indemnify and hold harmless the United States from any and all claims arising out of the lessee's activities and operations under this lease. 

Sec.
14. SPECIAL STATUTES—This lease is subject to the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1252 et seq.), the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 4274 et seq.), and to all other applicable laws pertaining to
exploration activities, mining operations and reclamation, including the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1201 et seq.). 

Sec.
15. SPECIAL STIPULATIONS 

See
attached pages 7 through 9. 

					
	 	 	THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
	 	 	 	 	 
	CORDERO MINING COMPANY

  (Company or Lessee Name)	 	By	 	Donald A. Simpson

 
	
 /s/ MC Barrett

  (Signature of Lessee)	
 	
/s/ Donald A. Simpson

  (BLM)
	
 VP Finance

  (Title)	
 	
State Director

  (Title)
	
 27 May 2008

  (Date)	
 	
July 16, 2008

  (Date)

Title
18 U.S.C. Section 1001, makes it a crime for any person knowingly and willfully to make to any department or agency of the United States any false, fictitious or fraudulent statements or
representations as to any matter within its jurisdiction. 

4

 
 
 

  NOTICES    
    

        The Privacy Act of 1974 and the regulation in 43 CFR 2.48(d) provide that you be furnished with the following information in connection
with information required by this application. 

        AUTHORITY:
30 U.S.C. 181-287 and 30 U.S.C. 351-359. 

        PRINCIPAL
PURPOSE: BLM will use the information you provide to process your application and determine if you are eligible to hold a lease on BLM Land. 

        ROUTINE
USES: BLM will only disclose the information according to the regulations at 43 CFR 2.56(d). 

        EFFECT
OF NOT PROVIDING INFORMATION: Disclosing the information is necessary to receive a benefit. Not disclosing the information may result in BLM's rejecting your request for a lease. 

        The
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 requires us to inform you that: 

        The
BLM collects this information to authorize and evaluate proposed exploration and mining operations on public lands. Response to the provisions of this lease form is mandatory for the
types of activities specified. The BLM would like you to know that you do not have to respond to this or any other Federal agency-sponsored information collection unless it displays a currently valid
OMB control number. 

        BURDEN
HOURS STATEMENT: Public reporting burden for this form is estimated to average one hour per response including the time for reading the instructions and provisions, and completing
and reviewing the form. Direct comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this form to U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (1004-0073), Bureau
Information Collection Clearance Officer (WO-630), 1849 C Street, Mail Stop 401 LS, Washington, D.C. 20240. 

5

 
 DEFERRED BONUS PAYMENT SCHEDULE

TO BE ATTACHED TO AND MADE A PART OF

FEDERAL COAL LEASE WYW174407  

This
lease is issued subject to the payment of $200,640,000.00 by the lessee as a deferred bonus. Payment of the deferred bonus by the lessee shall be
made as follows: 

Total
amount of bid: $250,800,000.00. 

One-fifth
in the amount of $50,160,000.00 submitted on the date of sale. Balance is due and payable in equal annual installments on the first four anniversary dates of the lease: 

One-fifth
in the amount of $50,160,000.00 due on AUG 01 2009. 

One-fifth
in the amount of $50,160,000.00 due on AUG 01 2010. 

One-fifth
in the amount of $50,160,000.00 due on AUG 01 2011. 

One-fifth
in the amount of $50,160,000.00 due on AUG 01 2012. 

6

 

SEC.
15. SPECIAL STIPULATIONS—

        In
addition to observing the general obligations and standards of performance set out in the current regulations, the lessee shall comply with and be bound by the following special
stipulations. 

        These
stipulations are also imposed upon the lessee's agents and employees. The failure or refusal of any of these persons to comply with these stipulations shall be deemed a failure of
the lessee to comply with the terms of the lease. The lessee shall require his agents, contractors and subcontractors involved in activities concerning this lease to include these stipulations in the
contracts between and among them. These stipulations may be revised or amended, in writing, by the mutual consent of the lessor and the lessee at any time to adjust to changed conditions or to correct
an oversight. 

        (a)   CULTURAL RESOURCES—(1) Before undertaking any activities that may disturb the surface of the leased lands,
the lessee shall conduct a cultural resource intensive field inventory in a manner specified by the Authorized Officer of the BLM or of the surface managing agency, if different, on portions of the
mine plan area and adjacent areas, or exploration plan area, that may be adversely affected by lease-related activities and which were not previously inventoried at such a level of intensity. The
inventory shall be conducted by a qualified professional cultural resource specialist (i.e., archeologist, historian, historical architect, as appropriate), approved by the Authorized Officer
of the surface managing agency (BLM, if the surface is privately owned), and a report of the inventory and recommendations for protecting any cultural resources identified shall be submitted to the
Regional Director of the Western Region of the Office of Surface Mining (the Western Regional Director), the Authorized Officer of the BLM, if activities are associated with coal exploration outside
an approved mining permit area (hereinafter called Authorized Officer), and the Authorized Officer of the surface managing agency, if different. The lessee shall undertake measures, in accordance with
instructions from the Western Regional Director, or Authorized Officer, to protect cultural resources on the leased lands. The lessee shall not commence the surface disturbing activities until
permission to proceed is given by the Western Regional Director or Authorized Officer. 

        (2)   The
lessee shall protect all cultural properties that have been determined eligible to the National Register of Historic Places within the lease area from lease-related
activities until the cultural resource mitigation measures can be implemented as part of an approved mining and reclamation or exploration plan unless modified by mutual agreement in consultation with
the State Historic Preservation Officer. 

        (3)   The
cost of conducting the inventory, preparing reports, and carrying out mitigation measures shall be borne by the lessee. 

        (4)   If
cultural resources are discovered during operations under this lease, the lessee shall immediately bring them to the attention of the Western Regional Director or
Authorized Officer, or the Authorized Officer of the surface managing agency, if the Western Regional Director is not available. The lessee shall not disturb such resources except as may be
subsequently authorized by the Western Regional Director or Authorized Officer. 

        Within
two (2) working days of notification, the Western Regional Director or Authorized Officer will evaluate or have evaluated any cultural resources discovered and will
determine if any action may be required to protect or preserve such discoveries. The cost of data recovery for cultural resources discovered during lease operations shall be borne by the lessee unless
otherwise specified by the Authorized Officer of the BLM or of the surface managing agency, if different. 

        (5)   All
cultural resources shall remain under the jurisdiction of the United States until ownership is determined under applicable law. 

        (b)   PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCES—If paleontological resources, either large and conspicuous, and/or of significant
scientific value are discovered during mining operations, the find will 

7

 

be
reported to the Authorized Officer immediately. Mining operations will be suspended within 250 feet of said find. An evaluation of the paleontological discovery will be made by a BLM approved
professional paleontologist within five (5) working days, weather permitting, to determine the appropriate action(s) to prevent the potential loss of any significant paleontological value.
Operations within 250 feet of such discovery will not be resumed until written authorization to proceed is issued by the Authorized Officer. The lessee will bear the cost of any required
paleontological appraisals, surface collection of fossils, or salvage of any large conspicuous fossils of significant scientific interest discovered during the operations. 

        (c)   THREATENED and ENDANGERED SPECIES—The lease area may now or hereafter contain plants, animals, or their
habitats determined to be threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq., or that have other
special status. The Authorized Officer may recommend modifications to exploration and development proposals to further conservation and management objectives or to avoid activity that will contribute
to a need to list such species or their habitat or to comply with any biological opinion issued by the Fish and Wildlife Service for the proposed action. The Authorized Officer will not approve any
ground-disturbing activity that may affect any such species or critical habitat until it completes its obligations under applicable requirements of the Endangered Species Act. The Authorized Officer
may require modifications to, or disapprove a proposed activity that is likely to result in jeopardy to the continued existence of a proposed or listed threatened or endangered species, or result in
the destruction or adverse modification of designated or proposed critical habitat. The authorized officer will not approve any coal lease activities that would disturb bald eagles within a one mile
buffer of the communal winter roost (T. 47 N., R. 71 W., Section 21, Lots 1 through 16 and Section 28, Lots 1, 2, 3, 7, and 8) from November 1 through April 1. The
authorized officer will not permit any ground-disturbing activities within 0.5 miles (T. 47 N., R. 71 W., Section 21, Lots 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, and 16) of the communal winter roost
year-round. These stipulations will apply as long as the winter communal roost exists and/or as long as the bald eagle remains listed as threatened under the ESA. 

        The
lessee shall comply with instructions from the Authorized Officer of the surface managing agency (BLM, if the surface is private) for ground disturbing activities associated with
coal exploration on federal coal leases prior to approval of a mining and reclamation permit or outside an approved mining and reclamation permit area. The lessee shall comply with instructions from
the Authorized Officer of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, or his designated representative, for all ground-disturbing activities taking place within an approved mining and
reclamation permit area or associated with such a permit. 

        (d)   MULTIPLE MINERAL DEVELOPMENT—Operations will not be approved which, in the opinion of the Authorized Officer,
would unreasonably interfere with the orderly development and/or production from a valid existing mineral lease issued prior to this one for the same lands. 

        (e)   OIL AND GAS/COAL RESOURCES—The BLM realizes that coal mining operations conducted on Federal coal leases
issued within producing oil and gas fields may interfere with the economic recovery of oil and gas; just as Federal oil and gas leases issued in a Federal coal lease area may inhibit coal recovery.
BLM retains the authority to alter and/or modify the resource recovery and protection plans for coal operations and/or oil and gas operations on those lands covered by Federal mineral leases so as to
obtain maximum resource recovery. 

        (f)    RESOURCE RECOVERY AND PROTECTION—Notwithstanding the approval of a resource recovery and protection plan
(R2P2) by the BLM, lessor reserves the right to seek damages against the operator/lessee in the event (i) the operator/lessee fails to achieve maximum economic recovery (MER) (as defined at 43
CFR 3480.0-5(21)) of the recoverable coal reserves or (ii) the operator/lessee is determined to have caused a wasting of recoverable coal reserves. Damages shall be measured on the
basis of the royalty that would have been payable on the wasted or unrecoverable coal. 

8

 

        The
parties recognize that under an approved R2P2, conditions may require a modification by the operator/lessee of that plan. In the event a coal bed or portion thereof is not to be
mined or is rendered unmineable by the operation, the operator/lessee shall submit appropriate justification to obtain approval by the Authorized Officer to lease such reserves unmined. Upon approval
by the Authorized Officer, such coal beds or portions thereof shall not be subject to damages as described above. Further, nothing in this section shall prevent the operator/lessee from exercising its
right to relinquish all or portion of the lease as authorized by statute and regulation. 

        In
the event the Authorized Officer determines that the R2P2, as approved, will not attain MER as the result of changed conditions, the Authorized Officer will give proper notice to the
operator/lessee as required under applicable regulations. The Authorized Office will order a modification if necessary, identifying additional reserves to be mined in order to attain MER. Upon a final
administrative or judicial ruling upholding such an ordered modification, any reserves left unmined (wasted) under that plan will be subject to damages as described in the first paragraph under this
section. 

        Subject
to the right to appeal hereinafter set forth, payment of the value of the royalty on such unmined recoverable coal reserves shall become due and payable upon determination by the
Authorized Officer that the coal reserves have been rendered unmineable or at such time that the operator/lessee had demonstrated an unwillingness to extract the coal. 

        The
BLM may enforce this provision either by issuing a written decision requiring payment of the MMS demand for such royalties, or by issuing a notice of non-compliance. A
decision or notice of non-compliance issued by the lessor that payment is due under this stipulation is appealable as allowed by law. 

        (g)   PUBLIC LAND SURVEY PROTECTION—The lessee will protect all survey monuments, witness corners, reference
monuments, and bearing trees against destruction, obliteration, or damage during operations on the lease areas. If any monuments, corners or accessories are destroyed, obliterated, or damaged by this
operation, the lessee will hire an appropriate county surveyor or registered land surveyor to reestablish or restore the monuments, corners, or accessories at the same locations, using the surveying
procedures in accordance with the "Manual of Surveying Instructions for the Survey of the Public Lands of the United States." The survey will be
recorded in the appropriate county records, with a copy sent to the Authorized Officer. 

9

QuickLinks

Exhibit 10.8

NOTICE

NOTICESQuickLinks
 -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

 
 

  Exhibit 10.9    
    

					
	Form 3400-12

April 2007)	 	UNITED STATES

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

 COAL LEASE	 	FORM APPROVED

OMB NO. 1004-0073

Expires: March 31, 2010

Serial Number

WYW154432

DEPARTMENT
OF THE INTERIOR

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

09 FEB 27 AM 9:00

RECEIVED

CHEYENNE, WYOMING 

PART
1. LEASE RIGHTS GRANTED 

This
lease, entered into by and between the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, hereinafter called lessor, through the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and (Name and
Address)

Cordero
Mining LLC

P.O. Box 1449

Gillette, WY 82717-1449 

hereinafter
called lessee, is effective (date) 05/01/2009, for a period of 20 years and for so long thereafter as coal is produced in commercial
quantities from the leased lands, subject to readjustment of lease terms at the end of the 20th lease year and each 10-year period thereafter. 

Sec.
1. This lease is issued pursuant and subject to the terms and provisions of the: 

			
	þ	 	Mineral Lands Leasing Act of 1920, Act of February 25, 1920, as amended, 41 Stat. 437, 30 U.S.C. 181-287, hereinafter referred to as the Act;
	
 o	
 	
Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands, Act of August 7, 1947, 61 Stat. 913, 30 U.S.C. 351-359;

and
to the regulations and formal orders of the Secretary of the Interior which are now or hereafter in force, when not inconsistent with the express and specific provisions herein. 

Sec.
2. Lessor, in consideration of any bonuses, rents, and royalties to be paid, and the conditions and covenants to be observed as herein set forth, hereby grants and leases to lessee the exclusive
right and privilege to drill for, mine, extract, remove, or otherwise process and dispose of the coal deposits in, upon, or under the following described lands: 

T.
47 N., R. 71 W., 6th P.M., Wyoming

    Sec. 7: Lots 5, 12, 13, 20;

    Sec. 8: Lots 3 through 6, 11 through 13. 

containing
445.89 acres, more or less, together with the right to construct such works, buildings, plants, structures, equipment and appliances and the right to use such on-lease rights-of-way which
may be necessary and convenient in the exercise of the rights and privileges granted, subject to the conditions herein provided. 

PART
II. TERMS AND CONDITIONS 

Sec.
1. (a) RENTAL RATE—Lessee must pay lessor rental annually and in advance for each acre or fraction thereof during the continuance of the lease at the rate of $3.00 for each lease
year. 

(b)
RENTAL CREDITS—Rental will not be credited against either production or advance royalties for any year. 

Sec.
2. (a) PRODUCTION ROYALTIES—The royalty will be 12.5 percent of the value of the coal as set forth in the regulations. Royalties are due to lessor the final day of the month
succeeding the calendar month in which the royalty obligation accrues. 

(b)
ADVANCE ROYALTIES—Upon request by the lessee, the BLM may accept, for a total of not more than*                        , the
payment of advance royalties in lieu of continued operation,
consistent with the regulations. The advance royalty will be based on a percent of the value of a minimum number of tons determined in the manner established by the advance royalty regulations in
effect at the time the lessee requests approval to pay advance royalties in lieu of continued operation. 

*20
years [Public Law 109-58] 

Sec.
3. BONDS—Lessee must maintain in the proper office a lease bond in the amount of $            . The BLM may require an increase in this amount when additional coverage is
determined appropriate. 

Sec.
4. DILIGENCE—This lease is subject to the conditions of diligent development and continued operation, except that these conditions are excused when operations under the lease are
interrupted by strikes, the elements, or casualties not attributable to the lessee. The lessor, in the public interest, may suspend the condition of continued operation upon payment of advance
royalties in accordance with the regulations in existence at the time of the suspension. Lessee's failure to produce coal in commercial quantities at the end of 10 years will terminate the lease.
Lessee must submit an operation and reclamation plan pursuant to Section 7 of the Act not later than 3 years after lease issuance. 

The
lessor reserves the power to assent to or order the suspension of the terms and conditions of this lease in accordance with, inter alia, Section 39 of the Mineral Leasing Act, 30 U.S.C. 209. 

5.
LOGICAL MINING UNIT (LMU)—Either upon approval by the lessor of the lessee's application or at the direction of the lessor, this lease will become an LMU or part of an LMU, subject to
the provisions set forth in the regulations. 

The
stipulations established in an LMU approval in effect at the time of LMU approval will supersede the relevant inconsistent terms of this lease so long as the lease remains committed to the LMU. If
the LMU of which this lease is a part is dissolved, the lease will then be subject to the lease terms which would have been applied if the lease had not been included in an LMU. 

Sec.
6. DOCUMENTS, EVIDENCE AND INSPECTION—At such times and in such form as lessor may prescribe, lessee must furnish detailed statements showing the amounts and quality of all products
removed and sold from the lease, the proceeds therefrom, and the amount used for production purposes or unavoidably lost. 

Lessee
must keep open at all reasonable times for the inspection by BLM the leased premises and all surface and underground improvements, works, machinery, ore stockpiles, equipment, and all books,
accounts, maps, and records relative to operations, surveys, or investigations on or under the leased lands. 

Lessee
must allow lessor access to and copying of documents reasonably necessary to verify lessee compliance with terms and conditions of the lease. 

While
this lease remains in effect, information obtained under this section will be closed to inspection by the public in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552). 

Sec.
7. DAMAGES TO PROPERTY AND CONDUCT OF OPERATIONS—Lessee must comply at its own expense with all reasonable orders of the Secretary, respecting diligent operations, prevention of
waste, and protection of other resources. 

Lessee
must not conduct exploration operations, other than casual use, without an approved exploration plan. All exploration plans prior to the commencement of mining operations within an approved
mining permit area must be submitted to the BLM. 

Lessee
must carry on all operations in accordance with approved methods and practices as provided in the operating regulations, having due regard for the prevention of injury to life, health, or
property, and prevention of waste, damage or degradation to any land, air, water, cultural, biological, visual, and other resources, including mineral deposits and formations of mineral deposits not
leased hereunder, and to other land uses or users. Lessee must take measures deemed necessary by lessor to accomplish the intent of this lease term. Such measures may include, but are not limited to,
modification to proposed siting or design of facilities, timing of operations, and specification of interim and final reclamation procedures. Lessor reserves to itself the right to lease, sell, or
otherwise dispose of the surface or other mineral deposits in the lands and the right to continue existing uses and to authorize future uses upon or in the leased lands, including issuing leases for
mineral deposits not covered hereunder and approving easements or rights-of-way. Lessor must condition such uses to prevent unnecessary or unreasonable interference with rights of lessee as may be
consistent with concepts of multiple use and multiple mineral development. 

Sec.
8. PROTECTION OF DIVERSE INTERESTS, AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY—Lessee must: pay when due all taxes legally assessed and levied under the laws of the State or the United States; accord all
employees complete freedom of purchase; pay all wages at least twice each month in lawful money of the United States; maintain a safe working environment in accordance with standard industry
practices; restrict the workday to not more than 8 hours in any one day for underground workers, except in emergencies; and take measures necessary to protect the health and safety of the public. No
person under the age of 16 years should be employed in any mine below the surface. To the extent that laws of the State in which the lands are situated are more restrictive than the provisions in this
paragraph, then the State laws apply. 

Lessee
will comply with all provisions of Executive Order No. 11246 of September 24, 1965, as amended, and the rules, regulations, and relevant orders of the Secretary of Labor. Neither lessee nor
lessee's subcontractors should maintain segregated facilities. 

Sec.
9. (a) TRANSFERS 

			
	þ	 	This lease may be transferred in whole or in part to any person, association or corporation qualified to hold such lease interest.
	
o	
 	
This lease may be transferred in whole or in part to another public body or to a person who will mine coal on behalf of, and for the use of, the public body or to a person who for the limited purpose of creating a
security interest in favor of a lender agrees to be obligated to mine the coal on behalf of the public body.
	
o	
 	
This lease may only be transferred in whole or in part to another small business qualified under 13 CFR 121.
	

 	
 	
Transfers of record title, working or royalty interest must be approved in accordance with the regulations.

(b)
RELINQUISHMENT—The lessee may relinquish in writing at any time all rights under this lease or any portion thereof as provided in the regulations. Upon lessor's acceptance of the
relinquishment, lessee will be relieved of all future obligations under the lease or the relinquished portion thereof, whichever is applicable. 

Sec.
10. DELIVERY OF PREMISES, REMOVAL OF MACHINERY, EQUIPMENT, ETC.—At such time as all portions of this lease are returned to lessor, lessee must deliver up to lessor the land leased,
underground timbering, and such other supports and structures necessary for the preservation of the mine workings on the leased premises or deposits and place all workings in condition for suspension
or abandonment. Within 180 days thereof, lessee must remove from the premises all other structures, machinery, equipment, tools, and materials that it elects to or as required by the BLM. Any such
structures, machinery, equipment, tools, and materials remaining on the leased lands beyond 180 days, or approved extension thereof, will become the property of the lessor, but lessee may either
remove any or all such property or continue to be liable for the cost of removal and disposal in the amount actually incurred by the lessor. If the surface is owned by third parties, lessor will waive
the requirement for removal, provided the third parties do not object to such waiver. Lessee must, prior to the termination of bond liability or at any other time when required and in accordance with
all applicable laws and regulations, reclaim all lands the surface of which has been disturbed, dispose of all debris or solid waste, repair the offsite and onsite damage caused by lessee's activity
or activities incidental thereto, and reclaim access roads or trails. 

Sec.
11. PROCEEDINGS IN CASE OF DEFAULT—If lessee fails to comply with applicable laws, existing regulations, or the terms, conditions and stipulations of this lease, and the noncompliance
continues for 30 days after written notice thereof, this lease will be subject to cancellation by the lessor only by judicial proceedings. This provision will not be construed to prevent the exercise
by lessor of any other legal and equitable remedy, including waiver of the default. Any such remedy or waiver will not prevent later cancellation for the same default occurring at any other time. 

Sec.
12. HEIRS AND SUCCESSORS-IN-INTEREST—Each obligation of this lease will extend to and be binding upon, and every benefit hereof will inure to, the heirs, executors, administrators,
successors, or assigns of the respective parties hereto. 

Sec.
13. INDEMNIFICATION—Lessee must indemnify and hold harmless the United States from any and all claims arising out of the lessee's activities and operations under this lease. 

Sec.
14. SPECIAL STATUTES—This lease is subject to the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1252 et seq.), the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 4274 et seq.), and to all other applicable laws pertaining to
exploration activities, mining operations and reclamation, including the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1201 et seq.). 

Sec.
15. SPECIAL STIPULATIONS 

See
attached pages 5 through B. 

					
	 	 	 	 	THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
	
CORDERO MINING LLC

  (Company or Lessee Name)	
 	
By	
 	
Bill Hill

 
	
/s/ MC Barrett

  (Signature of Lessee)	
 	
 	
 	
/s/ BILL HILL

  (BLM)
	
CFO

  (Title)	
 	
 	
 	
Acting for State Director

  (Title)
	
12 Feb 09

  (Date)	
 	
 	
 	
May 5, 2009

  (Date)

Title
18 U.S.C. Section 1001, makes it a crime for any person knowingly and willfully to make to any department or agency of the United States any false, fictitious or fraudulent statements or
representations as to any matter within its jurisdiction. 

 NOTICES  

The
Privacy Act of 1974 and the regulation in 43 CFR 2.48(d) provide that you be furnished with the following information in connection with information required by this application. 

AUTHORITY:
30 U.S.C. 181-287 and 30 U.S.C. 351-359. 

PRINCIPAL
PURPOSE: BLM will use the information you provide to process your application and determine if you are eligible to hold a lease on BLM Land. 

ROUTINE
USES: BLM will only disclose the information according to the regulations at 43 CFR 2.56(d). 

EFFECT
OF NOT PROVIDING INFORMATION: Disclosing the information is necessary to receive a benefit. Not disclosing the information may result in BLM's rejecting your request for a lease. 

The
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 requires us to inform you that: 

The
BLM collects this information to authorize and evaluate proposed exploration and mining operations on public lands. Response to the provisions of this lease form is mandatory for the types of
activities specified. 

The
BLM would like you to know that you do not have to respond to this or any other Federal agency-sponsored information collection unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. 

BURDEN
HOURS STATEMENT: Public reporting burden for this form is estimated to average one hour per response including the time for reading the instructions and provisions, and completing and reviewing
the form. Direct comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this form to U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (1004-0073), Bureau Information Collection
Clearance Officer (WO-630), 1849 C Street, Mail Stop 401 LS, Washington, D.C. 20240. 

 DEFERRED BONUS PAYMENT SCHEDULE

TO BE ATTACHED TO AND MADE A PART OF

FEDERAL COAL LEASE WYW154432  

This
lease is issued subject to the payment of $38,478,739.20 by the lessee as a deferred bonus. Payment of the deferred bonus by the lessee shall be made as follows: 

Total
amount of bid: $48,098,424.00. 

One-fifth
in the amount of $9,619,684.80 submitted on the date of sale. Balance is due and payable in equal annual installments on the first four anniversary dates of the lease: 

One-fifth
in the amount of $9,619,684.80 due on May 1, 2010. 

One-fifth
in the amount of $9,619,684.80 due on May 1, 2011. 

One-fifth
in the amount of $9,619,684.80 due on May 1, 2012. 

One-fifth
in the amount of $9,619,684.80 due on May 1, 2013. 

SEC.
15. SPECIAL STIPULATIONS—

In
addition to observing the general obligations and standards of performance set out in the current regulations, the lessee shall comply with and be bound by the following special stipulations. 

These
stipulations are also imposed upon the lessee's agents and employees. The failure or refusal of any of these persons to comply with these stipulations shall be deemed a failure of the lessee to
comply with the terms of the lease. The lessee shall require his agents, contractors and subcontractors involved in activities concerning this lease to include these stipulations in the contracts
between and among
them. These stipulations may be revised or amended, in writing, by the mutual consent of the lessor and the lessee at any time to adjust to changed conditions or to correct an oversight. 

(a)
CULTURAL RESOURCES—(1) Before undertaking any activities that may disturb the surface of the leased lands, the lessee shall conduct a
cultural resource intensive field inventory in a manner specified by the Authorized Officer of the BLM or of the surface managing agency, if different, on portions of the mine plan area and adjacent
areas, or exploration plan area, that may be adversely affected by lease-related activities and which were not previously inventoried at such a level of intensity. The inventory shall be conducted by
a qualified professional cultural resource specialist (i.e., archeologist, historian, historical architect, as appropriate), approved by the Authorized Officer of the surface managing agency (BLM, if
the surface is privately owned), and a report of the inventory and recommendations for protecting any cultural resources identified shall be submitted to the Regional Director of the Western Region of
the Office of Surface Mining (the Western Regional Director), the Authorized Officer of the BLM, if activities are associated with coal exploration outside an approved mining permit area (hereinafter
called Authorized Officer), and the Authorized Officer of the surface managing agency, if different. The lessee shall undertake measures, in accordance with instructions from the Western Regional
Director, or Authorized Officer, to protect cultural resources on the leased lands. The lessee shall not commence the surface disturbing activities until permission to proceed is given by the Western
Regional Director or Authorized Officer. 

(2)
The lessee shall protect all cultural properties that have been determined eligible to the National Register of Historic Places within the lease area from lease-related activities until the
cultural resource mitigation measures can be implemented as part of an approved mining and reclamation or exploration plan unless modified by mutual agreement in consultation with the State Historic
Preservation Officer. 

(3)
The cost of conducting the inventory, preparing reports, and carrying out mitigation measures shall be borne by the lessee. 

(4)
If cultural resources are discovered during operations under this lease, the lessee shall immediately bring them to the attention of the Western Regional Director or Authorized Officer, or the
Authorized Officer of the surface managing agency, if the Western Regional Director is not available. The lessee shall not disturb such resources except as may be subsequently authorized by the
Western Regional Director or Authorized Officer. 

Within
two (2) working days of notification, the Western Regional Director or Authorized Officer will evaluate or have evaluated any cultural resources discovered and will determine if any action may
be required to protect or preserve such discoveries. The cost of data recovery for cultural resources discovered during lease operations shall be borne by the lessee unless otherwise specified by the
Authorized Officer of the BLM or of the surface managing agency, if different. 

(5)
All cultural resources shall remain under the jurisdiction of the United States until ownership is determined under applicable law. 

(b)
PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCES—If paleontological resources, either large and conspicuous, and/or of significant scientific value are
discovered during mining operations, the find will be reported to the Authorized Officer immediately. Mining operations will be suspended within 250 feet of said find. An evaluation of the
paleontological discovery will be made by a BLM approved professional paleontologist within five (5) working days, weather permitting, to determine the appropriate action(s) to prevent the potential
loss of any significant paleontological value. Operations within 250 feet of such 

discovery
will not be resumed until written authorization to proceed is issued by the Authorized Officer. The lessee will bear the cost of any required paleontological appraisals, surface collection
of fossils, or salvage of any large conspicuous fossils of significant scientific interest discovered during the operations. 

(c)
THREATENED and ENDANGERED SPECIES—The lease area may now or hereafter contain plants, animals, or their habitats determined to be
threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq., or that have other special status. The Authorized
Officer may recommend modifications to exploration and development proposals to further conservation and management objectives or to avoid activity that will contribute to a need to list such species
or their habitat or to comply with any biological opinion issued by the Fish and Wildlife Service for the proposed action. The Authorized Officer will not approve any ground-disturbing activity that
may affect any such species or critical habitat until it completes its obligations under applicable requirements of the Endangered Species Act. The Authorized Officer may require modifications to, or
disapprove a proposed activity that is likely to result in jeopardy to the continued existence of a proposed or listed threatened or endangered species, or result in the destruction or adverse
modification of designated or proposed critical habitat. 

The
lessee shall comply with instructions from the Authorized Officer of the surface managing agency (BLM, if the surface is private) for ground disturbing activities associated with coal exploration
on federal coal leases prior to approval of a mining and reclamation permit or outside an approved mining and reclamation permit area. The lessee shall comply with instructions from the Authorized
Officer of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, or his designated representative, for all ground-disturbing activities taking place within an approved mining and reclamation
permit area or associated with such a permit. 

(d)  MULTIPLE MINERAL DEVELOPMENT—Operations will not be approved which, in the opinion of the Authorized Officer, would unreasonably
interfere with the orderly development and/or production from a valid existing mineral lease issued prior to this one for the same lands. 

(e)
OIL AND GAS/COAL RESOURCES—The BLM realizes that coal mining operations conducted on Federal coal leases issued within producing oil and
gas fields may interfere with the
economic recovery of oil and gas; just as Federal oil and gas leases issued in a Federal coal lease area may inhibit coal recovery. BLM retains the authority to alter and/or modify the resource
recovery and protection plans for coal operations and/or oil and gas operations on those lands covered by Federal mineral leases so as to obtain maximum resource recovery. 

(f)
RESOURCE RECOVERY AND PROTECTION—Notwithstanding the approval of a resource recovery and protection plan (R2P2) by the BLM, lessor
reserves the right to seek damages against the operator/lessee in the event (i) the operator/lessee fails to achieve maximum economic recovery (MER) (as defined at 43 CFR 3480.0-5(21)) of the
recoverable coal reserves or (ii) the operator/lessee is determined to have caused a wasting of recoverable coal reserves. Damages shall be measured on the basis of the royalty that would have been
payable on the wasted or unrecoverable coal. 

The
parties recognize that under an approved R2P2, conditions may require a modification by the operator/lessee of that plan. In the event a coal bed or portion thereof is not to be mined or is
rendered unmineable by the operation, the operator/lessee shall submit appropriate justification to obtain approval by the Authorized Officer to lease such reserves unmined. Upon approval by the
Authorized Officer, such coal beds or portions thereof shall not be subject to damages as described above. Further, nothing in this section shall prevent the operator/lessee from exercising its right
to relinquish all or portion of the lease as authorized by statute and regulation. 

In
the event the Authorized Officer determines that the R2P2, as approved, will not attain MER as the result of changed conditions, the Authorized Officer will give proper notice to the
operator/lessee as required under applicable regulations. The Authorized Office will order a modification if necessary, identifying additional reserves to be mined in order to attain MER. Upon a final
administrative or judicial ruling upholding such an ordered modification, any reserves left unmined (wasted) under that plan will be subject to damages as described in the first paragraph under this
section. 

Subject
to the right to appeal hereinafter set forth, payment of the value of the royalty on such unmined recoverable coal reserves shall become due and payable upon determination by the Authorized
Officer that the coal reserves have been rendered unmineable or at such time that the operator/lessee had demonstrated an unwillingness to extract the coal. 

The
BLM may enforce this provision either by issuing a written decision requiring payment of the MMS demand for such royalties, or by issuing a notice of non-compliance. A decision or notice of
non-compliance issued by the lessor that payment is due under this stipulation is appealable as allowed by law. 

(g)
PUBLIC LAND SURVEY PROTECTION—The lessee will protect all survey monuments, witness corners, reference monuments, and bearing trees
against destruction, obliteration, or damage during operations on the lease areas. If any monuments, corners or accessories are destroyed, obliterated, or damaged by this operation, the lessee will
hire an appropriate county surveyor or registered land surveyor to reestablish or restore the monuments, corners, or accessories at the same locations, using the surveying procedures in accordance
with the "Manual of Surveying Instructions for the Survey of the Public Lands of the United States." The survey will be recorded in the appropriate
county records, with a copy sent to the Authorized Officer. 

QuickLinks

Exhibit 10.9

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00162-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00162-of-00352.parquet"}]]