Document:

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                              EXHIBIT NUMBER 10.16
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                              MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
                              DATED 3rd APRIL 2000

                                     PARTIES

                           PHOENIX MANAGEMENT LIMITED
                                    (PHOENIX)

                                       AND

                             PACIFIC LITHIUM LIMITED
                                      (PLL)

                                   JONES YOUNG
                     LAWYERS CORPORATE ADVISERS STRATEGISTS
                                    AUCKLAND
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                              MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

AGREEMENT  dated the 3rd day of April 2000

PARTIES

1.    PHOENIX MANAGEMENT LIMITED a duly incorporated company having its
      registered office at Auckland ("PHOENIX")

2.    PACIFIC LITHIUM LIMITED a duly incorporated company having its registered
      office at Auckland ("PLL")

INTRODUCTION

A.    PLL has requested PHOENIX and PHOENIX has agreed, to provide the Services
      to PLL and companies in the PLL group.

AGREEMENT

      DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

1.0   In this agreement, unless the context otherwise requires:

      COMMENCEMENT DATE means 3rd April 2000.

      CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION  means any Information:

      (a)   Relating directly or indirectly to the business of PLL or its
            suppliers or customers; or

      (c)   Disclosed by either party to the other on the express basis that
            such information is confidential; or

      (d)   Which might reasonably be expected by either party to be
            confidential in nature;

      provided that where information relates exclusively to one party, nothing
      in this agreement shall require that party to maintain confidentiality in
      respect of that information.

      CONSULTANCY FEE means the fee payable by PLL to PHOENIX for the provision
      by PHOENIX of the Services calculated pursuant to SCHEDULE 2.
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                                                                               2

      GST means goods and services tax in terms of the Goods and Services Tax
      Act 1985, at the rate prevailing from time to time.

      MANAGER  means Robin Theodorus Johannink

      REIMBURSABLE EXPENSES means expenses of the type specified in SCHEDULE 2
      and includes any other expense necessarily incurred by PHOENIX as a direct
      result of any failure by PLL to perform any obligation of PLL under this
      agreement in the manner and at the time required by this agreement.

      SERVICES means the services to be provided by PHOENIX and outlined in
      SCHEDULE 1.

      TERM means the period commencing on the Commencement Date and terminating
      on six months notice given by PLL or PHOENIX at any time.

2.0   In this agreement:

      (a)   Where the context permits, the singular includes the plural and vice
            versa.

      (b)   References to any "party" mean a party to this agreement and include
            the successors, executors, administrators and permitted assignees
            (as the case may be) of that party.

      (c)   References to clauses and schedule are to clauses in, and the
            schedule to, this agreement (unless stated otherwise). Each such
            schedule forms part of this agreement.

      (d)   Where the context permits, references to a "person" include an
            individual, firm, company, corporation or unincorporated body of
            persons, any public, territorial or regional authority, any
            government, and any agency of any government or of any such
            authority.

      (e)   References to a month or a year are references to a calendar month
            or calendar year.

      APPOINTMENT OF PHOENIX

3.0   PLL appoints PHOENIX, and PHOENIX accepts such appointment, to provide the
      Services to PLL during the Term and upon the terms and conditions
      appearing in this agreement.

      PHOENIX'S RESPONSIBILITIES

4.0   PHOENIX shall:

      4.1   Provide the Services for the Term including the services of the
            Manager.
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      4.2   Comply with industry best practice and all relevant codes of
            practice in providing the Services.

      PLL'S RESPONSIBILITIES

5.0   PLL shall, throughout the Term:

      5.1   Promptly provide all information, directions, assistance and
            co-operation reasonably required by PHOENIX for the provision of the
            Services.

      5.2   Provide such facilities as shall reasonably be required by PHOENIX
            and the Manager to enable them to perform their obligations under
            this agreement.

6.0   PLL shall be responsible for all costs, loss or damaged suffered by the
      Manager or PHOENIX and arising from the failure by PLL to provide the
      Manager with working conditions that meet all health and safety standards
      imposed under all applicable regulations or laws.

7.0   PLL shall confirm acceptance of the completion of the Services and shall
      be responsible for the implementation of any recommendations made by
      PHOENIX and for compliance with procedures stipulated by PHOENIX.

      INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

8.0   PLL and PHOENIX each acknowledge the other's ownership of its patents,
      proprietary processes, copyright and other intellectual property and that
      it will not infringe or dispute the same.

9.0   All business records, developed or maintained by PHOENIX or the Manager in
      the course of providing the Services under this agreement shall at all
      times be the absolute property of PLL and, to the extent reasonably
      practicable, shall be kept at PLL's premises.

      CONFIDENTIALITY

10.0  Each party shall maintain as confidential at all times, and shall not at
      any time, directly or indirectly:

      10.1  Disclose or permit to be disclosed to any person; or

      10.2  Use for itself; or

      10.3  Use to the detriment of the other party,

      any Confidential Information except:

      10.4  As required by law; or
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      10.5  As is already or becomes public knowledge, otherwise than as a
            result of a breach by the party disclosing or using that
            Confidential Information of any provision of this agreement; or

      10.6  As authorised in writing by the other party; or

      10.7  To the extent reasonably required by this agreement (and, without
            limiting the effect of this clause, a party may disclose
            Confidential Information only to such of its officers, employees or
            professional advisers, on a "need to know" basis, as is reasonably
            required in order for the implementation of this agreement).

      CONSULTANCY FEES AND REIMBURSABLE EXPENSES

11.0  The Consultancy Fee shall be paid by PLL within seven days of invoice from
      PHOENIX.

12.0  PHOENIX shall provide to PLL, no more frequently than monthly, a valid tax
      invoice for GST purposes in respect of all Reimbursable Expenses which
      PHOENIX has incurred and for which PHOENIX has paid and is entitled to be
      reimbursed by PLL. Each such invoice shall be accompanied by such evidence
      as PLL may reasonably consider appropriate that the expenses covered by
      the invoice are Reimbursable Expenses.

      TERM AND TERMINATION

13.0  This agreement shall have effect during the Term or until the date on
      which it is terminated in accordance with clause 15.0.

14.0  In addition to any other right of termination or remedy conferred on the
      parties under this agreement or by law, this agreement may be terminated
      at any time and with immediate effect by written notice given by either
      PLL or PHOENIX (referred to in this clause as "the First Party") to
      PHOENIX or PLL respectively (referred to in this clause as "the Second
      Party") if:

      14.1  The Second Party has failed to comply with an earlier written notice
            given by the First Party specifying a material breach of this
            agreement by the Second Party and, in the case of a breach which is
            capable of remedy, requiring that the Second Party remedy that
            breach within 5 Business Days after receipt of that earlier notice,
            provided that the First Party may not at any time give such a notice
            if, at that time, the First Party is in default under this
            agreement.

      14.2  The Second Party goes into liquidation (otherwise than for a solvent
            restructuring which has been previously approved in writing by the
            First Party (which approval may not be unreasonably withheld) or a
            receiver or statutory manager has been appointed in respect of the
            Second Party or any material part of its assets or if any event
            analogous in nature has occurred in respect of the Second Party
            under the laws of any relevant jurisdiction.
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      14.3  The Second Party suspends, for 10 Business Days or longer, or
            ceases, its principal business activities.

      14.4  The Second Party makes any assignment to, or enters into an
            arrangement for the benefit of, its creditors (other than for the
            purposes of a solvent restructuring).

      14.5  There occurs any change in the composition of the shareholding in,
            or the board of directors of, the Second Party (being PHOENIX) or if
            the Second Party (being PHOENIX) ceases to be controlled by the same
            persons as at the date of this agreement.

      14.6  The Second Party has committed any material breach of this
            agreement, which breach is not reasonably capable of being remedied
            by the Second Party within 20 Business Days, provided that the First
            Party may not at any time give such a notice if, at that time, the
            First Party is in default under this agreement.

15.0  Upon termination of this agreement for whatever reason:

      15.1  Such termination shall be without prejudice to the rights and
            remedies of either party in respect of any antecedent breach of this
            agreement by the other party.

      15.2  PLL shall, notwithstanding such termination, pay (in the manner and
            at the times provided in this agreement) to PHOENIX the Consultancy
            Fee and all Reimbursable Expenses as relate to the period up to and
            including the date of termination.

      DISPUTES

16.0  Unless a party has first complied with clauses 17 - 19 (inclusive) that
      party may not commence court proceedings or arbitration relating to any
      dispute arising from this agreement (except where the party seeks urgent
      interlocutory relief, in which case that party need not comply with this
      clause before seeking such relief) and where that party fails to so comply
      with those clauses, the other parties need not comply with those clauses
      before referring the dispute to arbitration or commencing court
      proceedings relating to that dispute.

17.0  Any party (referred to in this clause as "the First Party") claiming that
      a dispute has arisen under this agreement between itself and any other
      party shall give written notice to the other party to the dispute
      (referred to in this clause as "the Second Party") specifying the matter
      in dispute and designating as its representative in negotiations relating
      to the dispute a person with authority to settle the dispute. The Second
      Party shall, within 5 Business Days after receiving the First Party's
      notice, give written notice to the First Party, designating as its
      representative in negotiations relating to the dispute, a person with
      similar authority.
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18.0  The parties to the dispute shall use their reasonable endeavours to
      procure that the persons designated under clause 17 shall, within 10
      Business Days of the last designation required by clause 17, following
      whatever investigations each such person deems appropriate, seek to
      resolve the dispute.

19.0  If the dispute is not resolved within the period referred to in clause 18
      (or within such longer period as their respective representatives may
      agree is appropriate) the parties to the dispute shall within a further
      period of 10 Business Days (or such longer period as the representatives
      may agree is appropriate) use their reasonable endeavours to agree, in
      good faith, on a process for resolving the whole or part of the dispute
      through means other than litigation or arbitration (including, without
      limitation, further negotiations, mediation, conciliation, or independent
      expert determination) and on:

      19.1  The procedure and timetable for any exchange of documents and other
            information relating to the dispute.

      19.1  Procedural rules and a timetable for the conduct of the selected
            mode of proceedings.

      19.3  A procedure for selection and compensation of any neutral person who
            may be employed by the parties in dispute.

      19.4  Whether the parties should seek the assistance of a dispute
            resolution organisation.

20.0  After the expiry of the time established by or agreed under clause 19 for
      agreement on a dispute resolution process, a party which has complied with
      the provisions of clauses 16 - 19 (inclusive) may, by written notice to
      the other party to the dispute, terminate the dispute resolution process
      provided for in those clauses and may then refer the dispute to
      arbitration or commence court proceedings relating to the dispute.

21.0  Subject to clauses 16 - 19 (inclusive), any party may, by written notice
      to any other party, require that, if a dispute between those parties
      arising out of this agreement is not resolved within 10 Business Days of
      receipt of such notice by the other party, the dispute shall be
      immediately submitted for determination by a single arbitrator nominated
      by the President, for the time being, of the Auckland District Law Society
      after consultation with those parties.

22.0  In the event of a submission to arbitration pursuant to clause 21:

      22.1  The arbitration shall be conducted pursuant to Arbitration Act 1996.

      22.2  The parties' respective responsibilities for the costs of the
            arbitration shall be determined by the arbitrator.
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      NOTICES

23.0  Any written notice required to be given pursuant to this agreement shall
      (without limitation) be deemed validly given if:

      23.1  Delivered by hand or sent by facsimile transmission (provided that
            the sender's facsimile machine confirms transmission to the intended
            recipient) to the intended recipient's last known physical address
            or facsimile number; and

      23.2  Signed, in the case of a notice by PHOENIX or PLL, by a director of
            the party giving that notice.

24.0  For the purposes of this agreement, any notice transmitted by facsimile or
      delivered after 5.00pm on a Business Day, or at any time on a non Business
      Day, shall be deemed received at 9.00am on the next Business Day.

25.0  Any notice required to be given to PHOENIX or the Manager shall be deemed
      given to both of them if given to either of them in accordance with
      clauses 23 and 24.

      LIABILITY

26.0  Neither PHOENIX nor the Manager shall be liable for any cost, loss or
      liability incurred by PLL except where it arises from PHOENIX's or the
      Manager's gross neglect. The maximum combined liability of PHOENIX and the
      Manager shall be limited to the value of the Services paid by PLL to
      PHOENIX.

      GENERAL

27.0  NON WAIVER - No waiver of any breach, or failure to enforce any provision,
      of this agreement at any time by either party shall in any way limit or
      waive the right of that party to subsequently enforce and compel strict
      compliance with this agreement.

28.0  NO ASSIGNMENT - Neither party may transfer or assign any of its
      liabilities or rights under this agreement to any other person without the
      prior written consent of the other party, which consent may be withheld at
      the other party's absolute discretion.

29.0  GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION - This agreement is governed by the laws of
      New Zealand and the parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the
      New Zealand courts in respect of all matters relating to this agreement.

30.0  PARTIAL INVALIDITY - If any provision of this agreement is or becomes
      invalid or unenforceable, that provision shall be deemed deleted from this
      agreement and such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the
      other provisions of this agreement, all of which shall remain in full
      force and effect to the extent permitted by law, subject to any
      modifications made necessary by the deletion of the invalid or
      unenforceable provisions.
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31.0  ENTIRE AGREEMENT - This agreement records the entire arrangement between
      the parties relating to the matters dealt with in this agreement and
      supercedes all previous arrangements, whether written, oral or both,
      relating to such matters.

32.0  RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE PARTIES - Nothing expressed or implied in this
      agreement shall constitute either party as the partner, agent, employee or
      officer of, or as a joint venturer with, the other party, and neither
      party shall make any contrary representation to any other person.

33.0  UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES - Neither party shall be liable for any act,
      omission or failure under this agreement if that act, omission or failure
      arises directly from a cause beyond the reasonable control of the party
      concerned, including (without limitation) extreme weather conditions,
      civil disruption or industrial action, provided that:

      33.1  The party claiming the protection of this clause shall, as soon as
            possible after becoming aware of such cause or the likelihood of
            such cause, give the other party written notice accordingly.

      33.2  Notwithstanding the intervention of such cause, each party shall
            continue to use its best endeavours to perform its obligations as
            required under this agreement (excluding any obligations which have
            already been duly performed as at the date of the relevant cause)
            despite that cause.

      33.3  In any such event, neither party shall be deemed to have accepted
            any extra costs which may be incurred or sustained by the other
            party through a delay resulting from the cause.

34.0  SUBCONTRACTORS - PHOENIX shall not appoint subcontractors to perform any
      Services on behalf of PHOENIX except with the express written consent of
      PLL, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld. Notwithstanding any
      such consent given by PLL in respect of a subcontractor, PHOENIX shall at
      all times remain primarily liable to PLL for all acts and omissions of
      that subcontractor, and PLL shall not be deemed to have accepted any
      liability to that subcontractor by reason only of such consent.

35.0  GST - PLL shall pay to PHOENIX all GST (if any) payable in respect to the
      Consultancy Fees and the Reimbursable Expenses.

EXECUTION

SIGNED on behalf of PHOENIX    )             /s/ Robin T. Johannink
MANAGEMENT  LIMITED by         )
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                                                                               9

SIGNED on behalf of PACIFIC       )          /s/ R. F. Locke
LITHIUM LIMITED by:               )              R. F. Locke
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                                   SCHEDULE 1

                                  THE SERVICES

-     Strategic Management

-     Administration and management

-     Accounting and liaison with Auditors

-     Marketing

-     Business development

-     Corporate Governance

-     Capital raising

-     Shareholders relations

-     Directors and shareholders meetings and minutes

-     Share register

-     Shareholders updates

-     Instructing lawyers

-     Provision of offices and equipment

-     Staffing for the above functions<PAGE>   1
                              EXHIBIT NUMBER 10.17
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                             QINGHAI LITHIUM LIMITED

                                    CONTRACT

                        QINGHAI INSTITUTE OF SALT LAKES,
                          CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
                            PACIFIC LITHIUM LIMITED

                               30 September, 1998
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             JOINT VENTURE CONTRACT FOR QINGHAI LITHIUM LIMITED
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          CHAPTER 1: GENERAL PROVISIONS

    In accordance with the "Law of the People's Republic of China on
Chinese-Foreign Equity on Joint Ventures" and other relevant Chinese laws,
decrees and regulations, Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes, Chinese Academy of
Sciences, and Pacific Lithium Limited of New Zealand, adhering to the principle
of equality and mutual benefit and through friendly consultations, agree to
establish a joint venture company Qinghai Lithium Ltd. Qinghai Lithium
Limited is to be established according to the following contract.

                 CHAPTER 2: PARTIES OF THE JOINT VENTURE COMPANY

ARTICLE 1

The Parties to this contract are as follows:

-  Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes, (hereinafter referred to as Party A),
   research unit established in accordance with the laws of People's Republic of
   China, registered in China, and its legal address is at 18 # Xining Road,
   Xining City, Qinghai Province, China. The postal code is 810008.

    LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE:    Peihua Ma
    POSITION:                Executive Deputy Director
    NATIONALITY:             The People's Republic of China
                             Tel: +86 971 6144306   Fax: +86 971 6146002

-  Pacific Lithium Limited. (hereinafter referred to as Party B), a corporation
   established in accordance with the law of New Zealand, registered in New
   Zealand, and its legal address is at 5th Floor, 63 Albert St, Auckland, New
   Zealand.

    LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE:    R.T. Johannink
    POSITION:                Managing Director
    NATIONALITY:             New Zealand
                             Tel: +64 9 309 5221    Fax: +64 9 307 1749

             CHAPTER 3: ESTABLISHMENT OF JOINT VENTURE COMPANY

ARTICLE  2

    In accordance with the "Law of the People's Republic of China on
Chinese-Foreign Equity Joint Ventures" and other relevant Chinese law, decrees
and regulations, both parties agree to establish the joint venture limited
liability company (hereinafter referred to as Qinghai Lithium Limited or QLL) in
the People's Republic of China.

ARTICLE  3

    Upon registration with the appropriate agency, QLL shall be a legal entity
within the People's Republic of China. All activities of the joint venture
company shall be governed and protected by the laws, decrees, and pertinent
rules and regulations of the People's Republic of China.
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ARTICLE  4

    QLL shall be a limited liability company, with the liability of each party
limited to its contributed capital, which is stipulated in the contract or any
revised version thereof. The profits, risks and losses of the joint venture
company shall be shared by the parties in accordance with their respective
share-holding.

          CHAPTER 4: THE PURPOSE, SCOPE AND SCALE OF THE BUSINESS

ARTICLE  5

    The objective of the parties is for QLL to fully implement the new
technologies of Party A, for the development and utilization of the salt lakes
resources, in conjunction with the advanced technologies owned by Party B in
processing fine lithium salts and its experience in the world market, so as to
exploit the resources of East Taijinaier Salt Lake located in Qinghai Province.
The principal aim is to produce and sell lithium, potassium, borate, magnesium
and other salts and all other commercially viable chemicals and to gain a
significant share of the world market.

ARTICLE  6

    The business scope of the joint venture company is the production and
marketing of:

        a.  lithium
        b.  potassium
        c.  borate
        d.  magnesium
        e.  other fine chemicals
        f.  assuming research and development of salt lake products

ARTICLE  7

    The site of the joint venture company's (QLL) production activities is
located near East Taijinaier Salt Lake and will be established over three
distinct phases. The scope of each phase is as follows:

PHASE I (BEGINNING 1998-BEGINNING 2000):

    i.  construct 100,000 m(2) of solar pond;

    ii. optimize their operation and

    iii. establish pilot plants for the production of technical grade lithium
        carbonate (99.5% - 50-100 tonnes) and boric acid (50-100 tonnes)

PHASE II (BEGINNING 2000 - END 2001):

    i.  construct 700,000 - 1,400,000m(2) of new solar ponds;

    ii. upscale Phase I plant operation to produce 1000-2000 tonnes of lithium
        carbonate (technical grade) and 1200-2400 tonnes of boric acid.

    iii. construct a facility to produce 20,000 tonnes of potassium sulphate;

    iv. produce lithium carbonate of a minimum of 99.9% quality, as well as
        lithium hexaflorophosphate, lithium metal and lithium bromide. Volumes
        to be specified at a later date.

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PHASE III (AFTER 2002 -):

    i.  upscale Phase II operation to produce 10,000 - 15,000 tonnes of lithium
        carbonate (technical grade) and 12,000-14,000 tonnes of boric acid;

    ii. produce 100,000 - 200,000 tonnes of potassium sulphate;

    iii. produce lithium carbonate of a minimum of 99.9% quality; as well as
        lithium hexaflorophosphate, lithium metal and lithium bromide. Volumes
        to be specified at a later date.

      CHAPTER 5: TOTAL AMOUNT OF INVESTMENT AND THE REGISTERED CAPITAL

ARTICLE  8

    The total amount of investment of QLL for Phase I is 1.50 million USD.

ARTICLE  9

The registered capital of the joint venture company is 1.50 million USD, of
which Party A shall pay 0.75 million USD, accounting for 50% shareholding. The
payment of Party A includes USD in cash, USD of production equipment and USD of
intellectual property. Party B shall pay 0.75 million USD, accounting for 50%
shareholding, which includes USD in cash and USD of intellectual property. The
value of intangible assets shall be determined in accordance with Article 10.

    Where Renminbi are used, the exchange price to be applied shall be the
medium price indicated by State Administration of Foreign Exchange Control of
China on the due date of payment. Accordingly changes of foreign exchange rate,
both parties shall increase or decrease the contributed equipment to maintain
the proportion of the contributed capital. All the assets contributed by both
parties are to be evaluated by the Qinghai Administrative Bureau of State Owned
Property and banks at provincial level to verify the amount and date of payment.

ARTICLE  10

   Party A shall contribute its assets and first payment to the joint venture
company as per a Cashflow and Investment Schedule that is to be determined
during September 1998. Party B shall contribute its assets and first payment to
the joint venture company as per a Cashflow and Investment Schedule that is to
be determined during September 1998. The date of payments shall conform to the
date of the money order received by the Bank of China.

A Cash flow and Investment Schedule for the joint venture company shall be
determined at the time of signing this joint venture contract (Appendix 1) and
shall dictate the deposit of funds by Party A and Party B to the Joint Venture
Company. The Schedule shall also outline the value of both parties production
equipment and intellectual property which may form part of QLL. Should either
party fail to meet its obligations to the Cashflow and Investment Schedule, that
Party shall give up its share-holding in the registered capital of the joint
venture company.

ARTICLE  11

    Both parties shall re-invest to the joint venture company in proportion to
their share-

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holding at Phase II and Phase III with the expansion in production scale and
development. At Phase II, other Chinese or foreign companies may be invited to
take up to 50% of the company.

ARTICLE  12

    Upon payment of investment in either cash or the materials stipulated in
Article 9, an accountant registered in China will be invited by QLL to verify
the payments and provide a verification report to QLL. On receiving the report,
QLL shall issue a Share Certificate to each party which shall include the date
and amount of their respective share-holding.

ARTICLE  13

    During the term of the joint venture company, no party shall be allowed to
reduce the capital which has been contributed to the joint venture company.
Should any party of the joint venture company intend to assign all or part of
its contributed investment to a third party, consent shall be obtained from the
other parties as well as the examining and approving authority.

ARTICLE  14

    During the term of the joint venture company, no party shall be allowed to
mortgage any part of the investment to a third party without unanimous approval
of the board of directors.

              CHAPTER 6: RESPONSIBILITIES OF EACH PARTY TO QLL

ARTICLE  15

Party A shall be responsible for the following matters:

1)  Applications for approval, registration, business license and other matters,
    relating to the establishment of the joint venture company, from relevant
    departments in China;

2)  The construction of large-scale solar ponds, design and construction of the
    workshops and production facilities at East Taijinaier Salt Lake;

3)  Assisting the joint venture company in purchasing or leasing equipment,
    materials, raw materials, items for office use, means of transportation and
    communication facilities;

4)  Assisting the joint venture company in recruiting Chinese employees;

5)  Assisting foreign employees with applications for entry visas, work licenses
    and processing their traveling requirements;

6)  Responsible for handling any other matters entrusted by the joint venture
    company.

Party B shall be responsible for the following matters:

1)  Assisting the joint venture company in purchasing machinery, equipment
    and materials outside China;

2)  Assisting the joint venture company in the development of its products for
    the world market and their marketing;

3)  Assisting the joint venture company in recruiting foreign employees;

4)  Ensuring the integration of advanced processing technologies into the
    facilities of the QLL for the production of the lithium carbonate

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<PAGE>   7
5)  Responsible for any other matters entrusted by the joint venture
    company.

ARTICLE  16

    During the term of the joint venture company and 10 years after, both
parties shall keep confidential all commercial and technical information and
technologies, either independently developed or purchased by the JV. No party
shall disclose any information or data relating techniques to a third party
without the consent of the original party.

Party A shall have the right of first refusal to repurchase intellectual
property sold by it to QLL, pursuant to Article 9, and Party B shall have the
right of first refusal to repurchase all intellectual property sold by it to
QLL, pursuant to Article 9, and Party B shall have the right of first refusal to
repurchase all intellectual property. The rights of first refusal shall be
exerciseable if the joint venture is terminated for any reason.

ARTICLE  17

   Both parties acknowledge the individual ownership of any patents, proprietary
processes, copyright, licenses, trade secrets, intellectual property, customer
or market information and it shall not infringe, copy, use or dispute the
ownership of the same.

ARTICLE  18

    Both parties shall exchange any such information as is necessary for the
other to develop the processes set out above or specific markets within and
outside of the People's Republic of China.

              CHAPTER 7: THE TERM OF THE JOINT VENTURE COMPANY

ARTICLE  19

    The term of the joint venture company will be 30 years, and the date of the
business license is the date of the establishment of the joint venture company.
An extension of the term for up to 5 years can be applied if both parties agree
and the board of directors approves unanimously 6 months before the expiration
of the term.

                       CHAPTER 8: SELLING OF THE PRODUCTS

ARTICLE  20

    In order to ensure the success of the joint venture company, the joint
venture company shall give the top priority to exporting and earning foreign
currency. The products may be exported directly or through agents designated by
the joint venture company. Party B has the first right to act as a sales agent
for QLL.

                        CHAPTER 9: THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ARTICLE  21

    QLL shall establish a Board of Directors. The board of directors shall
consist of 6 directors, of whom 3 directors shall be appointed by Party A, and 3
by Party B. The date of registration of the joint venture company shall be the
date of the establishment of the Board of Directors of QLL.

                                       5
<PAGE>   8
ARTICLE  22

    The Board of Directors shall have a chairman and a vice-chairman to be
appointed by the Board of Directors respectively. The first term of office for
the chairman, vice-chairman and directors is 2 years, and thereafter, 1 year.
The term of office for the chairman, vice-chairman and directors may be renewed
if agreed to unanimously by the appointors of the Directors. In case of a
vacancy of any Director, the original appointor of that director, shall appoint
a replacement.

ARTICLE  23

    The highest authority within QLL shall be its Board of Directors whom shall
determine or decide all major issues relating to the company's activities. As
for the following issues, unanimous approval amongst the directors shall be
required for the following issues;

i.  amendment of the association of the joint venture company; termination and
    dissolution of the joint venture company; merger, affiliation and
    consolidation of the joint venture company with another company (either
    foreign or domestic);

ii. increase or assignment of the registered capital of QLL; establishment of
    branches or subsidiaries;

iii. determination of annual management strategy; approval of medium and long
    period development;

iv. ratification of financial budgets, reports and accounting statements; and
    determination of the method of annual profit sharing;

v.  nomination, employment and/or dismissal of the general manager and deputy
    general managers.

    APPROVAL BY MAJORITY OF DIRECTORS SHALL BE REQUIRED FOR THE FOLLOWING
MATTERS:

i.  the amount of expenditure funds to be raised annually for the joint venture
    company;

ii. amending and defining the legal structure of the joint venture company;

iii. drawing up the rules on remuneration and health and safety of employees in
    accordance with the relevant regulations of the People's Republic of China;

iv. nomination and dismissal of senior administrative personnel who shall be
    recommended by general manager and approved by the board of directors in
    addition to determining their salary and welfare;

v.  inspection and ratification of annual operation report submitted by the
    general manager;

vi. determination of funding for contingencies, expansion funds and bonuses from
    net profit of the joint venture company for employees;

vii. appointment and removal of sales agents for QLL.

ARTICLE  24

    The chairman of the board is the principal legal representative of the joint
venture company. Should the chairman be unable to exercise his/her
responsibilities for some reasons, s/he shall authorize the vice-chairman or any
other directors (when the vice-chairman is absent) to represent the joint
venture company.

                                       5
<PAGE>   9
ARTICLE  25

    The Board of Directors shall meet at least once every year. The meeting
shall be convened and presided over by the chairman of the board. The chairman
may convene an interim meeting based on a proposal made by 4 or more directors.
The meeting shall be held at the location of the joint venture company, or an
appropriate location as determined from time to time. Other methods such as
teleconference, and fax can be adopted. The quorum of the meeting is 5
directors. The minutes of the meeting is invalid when the quorum is less than 5
directors. Minutes of the meetings shall be placed on file. The minutes shall be
written in English and Chinese and shall be signed by every director attending
the meeting.

                   CHAPTER 10: BUSINESS MANAGEMENT OFFICE

ARTICLE  26

   QLL shall establish a business management office which shall be responsible
for its daily management. The management office shall have one general manager
and two deputy general managers, whose term of office shall be two years. The
vice-chairman and other members of the board can be the general manager and
deputy general manager at the same time if they are appointed by the Board.

ARTICLE  27

    The responsibility and function of the general manager is to implement the
decisions of the board and organize and conduct daily management of the joint
venture company. Within the limits authorized by the board of directors, the
general manager shall represent the joint venture company in order to exercise
his responsibilities. The deputy general managers shall assist the general
manager in his work.

ARTICLE  28

    Within the power authorized by the board of directors, the management office
has the right to determine the following matters:

i.  Planning of quarterly and annual production, budget, sales and other matters
    relating to the company's day-to-day operation;

ii. Signing, amending and canceling any contracts for sales and purchases;
    signing the contracts of loan or credit for the joint venture;

iii. Developing and implementing all administrative rules and regulations;

iv. Management of all staff according to relevant employment regulations.

                          CHAPTER 11: LABOR MANAGEMENT

ARTICLE  29

    Labor contract covering the recruitment, dismissal, salaries, labor
insurance, welfare, rewards, penalty and other matters concerning the staff and
workers of the joint venture company shall be drawn up by the general manager
and approved by the board of directors in accordance with the "regulations of
the People's Republic of China on Labor Management in Chinese-Foreign Equity
Joint Ventures and their Implementation".

                                       7
<PAGE>   10
ARTICLE  30

    The labor contracts shall be drawn up between the joint venture company and
individual employees. QLL has the autonomy to recruit and dismiss employees
directly subject to Article 23.

                      CHAPTER 12: TAXES, FINANCE AND AUDIT

ARTICLE  31

    The joint venture company shall pay taxes in accordance with Chinese law and
other relevant regulations. Employees of QLL shall pay individual income tax
according to the "Individual Income Tax Law of the People's Republic of China."

ARTICLE  32

    The finance and accounting of the joint venture shall be in accordance with
the "Accounting Regulations on Finance and Accounting of the People's Republic
of China for Chinese-Foreign Equity Joint Venture" issued by the Ministry of
Finance of China and any other relevant Chinese laws or regulation.

ARTICLE  33

    The fiscal year of the joint venture company shall begin from January 1 and
end on December 31 (a calendar year). All vouchers, receipts, accounting
statements and reports, account books shall be written in Chinese, and Renminbi
shall be the accounting unit. A monthly report summarizing the above shall be
prepared in English and provided to Party B. For the foreign currency accounts,
actual and projected revenue and expenditure indicated by cash, bank deposit,
assets and liabilities, detailed minutes and reports shall be required in both
English and Chinese.

ARTICLE  34

    The business management office shall prepare a quarterly accounting
statement and prepare all fiscal accounting statements and reports at the end of
each calendar year. The annual fiscal accounting statement shall be written in
Chinese and English and submitted to the board of directors for approval.

ARTICLE  35

    Internal financial audited accounts shall be carried out each quarter by the
venture company. External financial auditing shall be conducted by a registered
auditor in China. Party B may engage a registered auditor outside of China to
undertake a financial audit. All the expenses associated with an external audit
shall be borne by Party B.

ARTICLE  36

    The profits shall be distributed to the respective parties once a year. The
proposal for the distribution and amount of profit of each party shall be
published within the first three months of the following fiscal year. Profit
shall not be distributed before the losses of the previous financial year have
been recovered. Remaining profits from previous year may be distributed together
with those of the current financial year.

                                       8
<PAGE>   11
ARTICLE  37

    After payment of taxes, the net profit shall be distributed in USD, in
accordance with the parties' respective share-holding in QLL. The Products of
the joint venture company may be distributed as profit.

                      CHAPTER 13: FOREIGN EXCHANGE CONTROL

ARTICLE  38

    All matters concerning foreign exchange for QLL shall be handled according
to the Interim Regulations on Foreign Exchange control of the People's Republic
of China.

ARTICLE  39

    All foreign currency (USD) income generated by QLL must be deposited in Bank
of China. All payments by QLL in foreign currency are to be effected from its
USD account. The Foreign Exchange Account of QLL must guarantee the following:

i.  importation of required machinery, transportation vehicles, equipment
    capital and operating expenses and materials;

ii. salaries of the foreign administrative personnel and overseas traveling cost
    of QLL employees;

iii. repayment of foreign exchange loans and associated interests of the joint
    venture company;

ARTICLE  40

    The joint venture company shall give priority to repatriation of profits of
Party B with foreign exchange income earned from export sales.

                  CHAPTER 14: TERMINATION AND LIQUIDATION

ARTICLE  41

    If unanimously approved by the board of directors, the joint venture company
can be terminated before the date of expiration. The termination shall be
decided by the board 90 days prior to the termination and submitted to the
relevant Government authority for approval.

ARTICLE  42

    Each party has the right to terminate the joint venture company in one of
the following situations:

i.  expiration of duration of the joint venture company;

ii. inability to continue operations due to heavy losses;

iii. inability to continue operations due to the fact that one of the
    contracting parties fails to fulfill the obligations prescribed by the
    contract and its articles;

iv. inability to continue operations due to force majeure.

ARTICLE  43

    Upon receiving approval of the joint venture company's termination, the
joint venture

                                       9
<PAGE>   12
company shall liquidate its assets immediately. Subject to the rights of refusal
in Article 16, the board of directors shall establish procedures and principles
governing the liquidation and nominate candidates for the committee overseeing
the liquidation process. It shall report to the Government department in charge
of the joint venture company for supervision of its liquidation. The liquidation
committee shall be responsible for all activity relating to the company
liquidation.

ARTICLE  44

    After liquidation, the liquidation committee shall submit a report to the
relevant Government authorities and implement procedures for canceling QLL's
registration. Two sets of account books and documents shall be made available to
Party A and B.

             CHAPTER 15: LIABILITIES FOR BREACH OF THE CONTRACT

ARTICLE  45

    Should all or part of the contract and its appendices be unable to be
fulfilled, owing to the lack of performance by one party, the breaching party
shall bear the costs incurred to that date. Should both parties bear equal
responsibility of the failure of QLL, the costs incurred to that date shall be
borne equally.

                            CHAPTER 16: FORCE MAJEURE

ARTICLE  46

    Should any of the parties to the contract be prevented from executing
contract by force majeure, such as earthquake, typhoon, flood, fire, war or
other unforeseen events, and their occurrence and consequences are unavoidable,
the said party shall immediately notify the other party by cable or fax and
within 15 days thereafter provide the detailed information of the event.
Documentation or evidence issued by a relevant public notary organization for
detailing the reasons for the parties' inability to execute all or part of the
contract, or the necessity to delay the execution of the contract. Both parties
shall consult with each other to determine the effect of the non performance of
QLL.

                           CHAPTER 17: APPLICABLE LAW

ARTICLE  47

    The formation of this contract, its interpretation, execution and settlement
of any disputes shall be governed by the relevant law of the People's Republic
of China.

                       CHAPTER 18: SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES

ARTICLE  48

    Any disputes arising from execution of, or in connection with the contract,
shall be settled through consultations between both parties. In case a
settlement can not be reached through consultation, the disputes shall be
submitted to the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission
under China International Trade promotion in accordance with its rules. The
arbitration award is final and binding upon both parties.

ARTICLE  49

    During the arbitration, the joint venture contract shall be executed
continuously by

                                       10
<PAGE>   13
both parties except for matters in disputes.

                              CHAPTER 19: LANGUAGE

ARTICLE  50

    The contract shall be prepared in ten original copies in Chinese and
English respectively. Both language versions are to be identical. In the event
of any discrepancy between the two above-mentioned versions, the Chinese version
shall take precendence.

        CHAPTER 20: EFFECTIVENESS OF THE CONTRACT AND MISCELLANEOUS

ARTICLE  51

    The contract and its appendices shall come into force on the date of
approval by Department of Foreign Economic Trade Co-operation of Qinghai
Province, the People's Republic of China.

ARTICLE  52

    The appendixes are to be read as part of the joint venture contract;

i.   Cashflow and Investment Schedule

ii.  Articles of Association for Qinghai Lithium Limited

ARTICLE  53

    The contract is signed in Xining City, Qinghai Province, of the People's
Republic of China, by authorized representatives of both parties:

EXECUTED AS A DEED

DATED                                 SEPTEMBER  1998

Signed for and on behalf of
QINGHAI INSTITUTE OF SALT LAKES

By:                Peihua Ma

                    /s/ Peihua Ma
Title:              Executive Director

Signed for and on behalf of
PACIFIC LITHIUM LIMITED

By :       Phillip RJ Borghuis              Mennolt H Regtien

           /s/ Phillip R J Borghuis         /s/ Mennolt H Regtien

Title :    Chief Executive Officer          General Manager-Business Development

                                       11

<PAGE>   14
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  APPENDIX I: CASHFLOW AND INVESTMENT SCHEDULE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The cashflow schedule will set out the expenditure over each quarter until the
completion of Phase I of the JV project. A preliminary version of this was set
out in the Memorandum and Co-operation Agreement between QSIL and PLL signed in
April 1998.

Investment by QISL and PLL shall be made in accordance with the scheduled
expenditure.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date      Item (Capital/Working)         Expenditure      Party A   Party B
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>       <C>                           <C>                <C>          <C>
Q3,1998   Geological Survey, Solar pond      150,000        150,000
           design and construction
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Solar pond and brine-collecting
          Facilities construction,           500,000        200,000      300,000
Q4 1998   Purchase of solar pond
          And experiment equipment,
           Public facilities and setup of
           Qinghai Lithium Limited.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Operation of solar pond,           400,000        200,000      200,000
Q1 1999   Construction of boron and
          lithium workshop and living
          and public facilities
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Operation of solar pond,           300,000        150,000      150,000
Q2 1999   Construction of boron and
          Lithium workshop
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q3 1999   Operation of solar pond
          And workshop                       150,000         50,000      100,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL INVESTMENT                        US$1,500,000        750,000      750,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

</TABLE>

Marks: The investment includes cash, fixed assets such as production equipment
and intellectual property, whose value shall be evaluated and determined by
relative authorities.

Dated: 30 September, 1998

Signed for and on behalf of

QINGHAI INSTITUTE OF SALT LAKES

BY:    Peihua Ma

       /s/ Peihua Ma

Title: Executive Director of QISL

Signed for and on behalf of
PACIFIC LITHIUM LIMITED

By:    Phillip RJ Borghuis         Mennolt H Regtien
       /s/ Phillip RJ Borghuis     /s/ Mennolt H Regtien

Title: Chief Executive Officer     General Manager-Business Development

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