Document:

Exhibit 10.23

TO:  Kurt Hoffman

FM:  John P. Ryan

SUBJ:  Amended Employment Agreement

DATE:  September 1, 2002

This letter amends my employment agreement with Trend Mining Company of July 1,
2001.

From September 1, 2002 my compensation per month shall be $3000 in cash. If the
Company cannot pay such sums in cash, then, at my option, I may convert the
compensation owed to restricted shares at the prevailing rate at which shares
are or were most recently sold.

This compensation is a retainer and is in exchange for my services as Secretary
and Treasurer of the Company. I will undertake these duties to the best of my
abilities and will be available for consultation, meetings, conference call,
advice and support as needed.

This agreement may be cancelled by you or by the action of the Board upon thirty
days notice. Similarly, it may be cancelled by me with thirty days notice.

Sincerely,

/s/ John Ryan
John Ryan

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I, Kurt Hoffman, President of Trend Mining, hereby confirm the terms of Mr.
Ryan's agreement as outlined above.

/s/ Kurt Hoffman
Kurt Hoffman, PresidentExhibit 10.24

                              TREND MINING COMPANY
                              1519 Main Street #169
                              Hilton Head, SC 29926
               Telephone (843) 682-2023 * Facsimile (843) 682-2024

October 1, 2002

Mr. Thomas Kaplan
New York, NY

Dear Mr. Kaplan:

         By mutual agreement of the parties it is hereby acknowledged that the
single outstanding preferred share held in your name is hereby cancelled
effective on the date first written above. It is also agreed that all rights,
duties and obligations of either party related to such share being issued and
outstanding shall also terminate and be of no further effect as of the same
date.

On Behalf of the Company,

/s/ John P. Ryan
John P. Ryan
Chief Financial Officer
Trend Mining Company

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Agreed and Accepted,

/s/ Thomas Kaplan
Thomas KaplanExhibit 10.25

                          BUSINESS CONSULTANT AGREEMENT

         THIS BUSINESS CONSULTANT AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is entered into this
29th day of October, 2002, between, TREND MINING COMPANY, a Delaware
corporation, with its principal offices located at P.O. Box 3397, Post Falls,
Idaho 83877 (hereinafter referred to as the "COMPANY"), and HOWARD SCHRAUB, an
Individual with its principal offices located at 8538 Ruette Monte Carlo, La
Jolla, CA 92037 (hereinafter "SCHRAUB").

1.       Consulting Services

         The COMPANY hereby engages SCHRAUB to perform the financial consulting
and public relations services listed below on the terms and conditions set forth
in this Agreement:

         (a) Introduce the COMPANY to investment bankers, market makers,
stockbrokers, private investors, hedge funds, and other financing or marketing
sources designed to both raise capital and create a public market for the
COMPANY'S shares;

         (b) Meet with tike appropriate existing and potential shareholder
groups to create and broaden a shareholder base for the COMPANY;

         (c) Initiate and negotiate on behalf of the COMPANY to explore
potential transactions which may involve a public or private offering of equity;

         (d) Analyze and evaluate the projected financial performance of the
COMPANY;

         (e) Assist in the formulation of a strategy for discussions with and
the presentation of a transaction proposal to any interested parties;

         (f) As mutually agreed, advise the COMPANY regarding alternative
financing structures (including bridge loans) with which to effect a
transaction;

         (g) Assist in negotiation of letters of intent and definitive purchase
or financing agreements with any interested parties and their advisors;

         SCHRAUB acknowledges that the COMPANY's objectives include a public or
private offering of its equity securities resulting in gross proceeds to the
COMPANY of between $3 and $5 million. The COMPANY acknowledges that SCHRAUB
cannot provide any guaranty or assurances that the COMPANY will be successful in
completing any transaction of the types set forth above, as they are subject to
numerous factors which are beyond the control of SCHRAUB, including, but not
limited to, market conditions, results of operations of the COMPANY, industry
trends and underwriter interest.

         The COMPANY acknowledges that SCHRAUB is not a registered broker-dealer
and that SCHRAUB cannot, and shall not be required hereunder to, engage in the
offer or sale of securities on behalf of the COMPANY. While SCHRAUB has
relationships and contacts with. various investors, broker dealers, and
investment funds, SCHRAUB's participation in the actual offer or sale of the
COMPANY securities shall be limited to that of an advisor to the COMPANY and a
"finder" of investors, broker-dealers and funds. The COMPANY acknowledges and
agrees that the solicitation and consummation of any purchases of the

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<PAGE>
                          BUSINESS CONSULTANT AGREEMENT

COMPANY's securities shall be handled by the COMPANY or one or more NASD member
firms engaged by the COMPANY for such purpose.

         The COMPANY shall pay a 10% cash finders fees to SCHRAUB on sums
received from investors whom he introduces to the COMPANY provided such fees are
allowable under the laws of the jurisdiction of the domicile of the investor.
Alternatively, SCHRAUB may elect to take such fees ins restricted stock of
comparable value.

2.       Term of Agreement

         The term of this Agreement shall commence upon signing and shall be
retroactive to August l, 2002 and shall continue therefrom for a period of
twelve (12) months until August 1, 2003, with an option to renew upon the
agreement of both parties.

3.       Compensation

         Beginning and retroactive to August 1, 2002, the COMPANY shall pay to
SCHRAUB 50,000 shares in restricted common stock and $10,000 in value of
restricted stock calculated as of the close on the 15th day of each month, or
the previous most recent close if the 15th day shall be on a weekend or other
trading holiday. The COMPANY shall also reimburse SCHRAUB for any actual
out-of-pocket expenses in a timely manner.

4.       Miscellaneous

         4.1 Further Actions. At any time and from time to time, each party
agrees, at its or his expense, to take such actions and to execute and deliver
such documents as may be reasonably necessary to effectuate the purposes of this
Agreement.

         4.2 Entire Agreement: Modification. This Agreement sets forth the
entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof
and supersedes all existing agreements among them concerning such subject
matter, and may be modified only by a written instrument duly executed by the
party to be bound.

         4.3 Notices. Any notice or other communication required or permitted to
be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be mailed by certified mail,
return receipt requested (or by the most nearly comparable method if mailed or
to a location outside of the United States), or delivered against receipt to the
party to whom it is to be given at the address of such party set forth in the
preamble to this Agreement (or to such other address as the party shall have
furnished in writing in accordance with the provisions of this Section). Any
notice given to any corporate party shall be addressed to the attention of the
Corporation Secretary. Any notice of other communication given by certified mail
(or by such comparable method) shall be deemed given at the time of
certification thereof (or comparable act), except for a notice changing a
party's address which will be deemed given at the time of receipt thereof.

         4.4 Waiver. Any waiver by any party of a breach of any provision of
this Agreement shall not operate as or be construed to be a waiver of any other
breach of that provision or of any breach of any other provision of this
Agreement. The failure of a party to insist upon strict

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<PAGE>

                          BUSINESS CONSULTANT AGREEMENT

adherence to any term of this Agreement on one or more occasions will not be
considered a waiver or deprive that party of the right thereafter to insist upon
strict adherence to that term or any other term of this Agreement. Any waiver
must be in writing and, in the case of a corporate party, be authorized by a
resolution of the board of directors or by an officer of the waiving party.

         4.5 Binding Effect. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of the COMPANY and SCHRAUB and their respective
successors and assigns; provided, however, that any assignment by any party of
its rights under this Agreement without the written consent of the other party
shall be void.

         4.6 Severability. If any provisions of this Agreement is invalid,
illegal, or unenforceable, the balance of this Agreement shall remain in effect,
and if any provision is inapplicable to any person or circumstance, it shall
nevertheless remain applicable to any other persons and circumstances.

         4.7 Headings. The headings in this Agreement are solely for convenience
of reference and shall be given no effect in the construction or interpretation
of this Agreement.

         4.8 Counterparts: Governing Law. This Agreement may be executed in any
number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of
which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. It shall be
governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of
California, without giving effect to conflict of laws.

         4.9 Attorney's Fees. In the event of a dispute with respect to this
Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to its reasonable attorney's
fees and other costs and expenses incurred in litigating or otherwise resolving
or settling such dispute.

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

/s/ Kurt Hoffman                                 /s/ Howard Schraub
----------------------------                     -----------------------------
Kurt Hoffman                                     Howard Schraub
President, Trend Mining Co.                      an Individual

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