Document:

<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.1

                            ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

                                       OF

                       RAMEX SYNFUELS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

FIRST.  The name of the Corporation is Ramex Synfuels International, Inc.

SECOND. Its principal office in the State of Nevada is located et One East First
Street, Reno, Washoe County, Nevada 89501. The name and address of its resident
agent is The Corporation Trust Company of Nevada, One East First Street, Reno,
Washoe County, Nevada 89501.

THIRD. The nature of the business or objects or purposes proposed to be
transacted, promoted, or carried on are to engage in any lawful activity.

FOURTH. The corporation ifs authorized to issue! 125,000,000 capital shares, all
of which shall be common stock, having a par value of $.001 per share. Each
share shall have equal rights as to voting and in the event of dissolution or
liquidation.

         No shareholder of the corporation shall have any preemptive or
preferential rights of subscription to shares of any class of the corporation,
whether now or hereafter authorized, or to any obligations convertible into
shares of the corporation, issued or sold, nor any right of subscription to any
thereof other than such right, if any, and at such price as the Board at
Directors, in its discretion from time to time may determine, pursuant to the
authority hereby conferred by the Articles of Incorporation, and the Board of
Directors may issue shares of the corporation or obligations convertible into
shares without offering such issue either in whole or in part to the
shareholders of the corporation, and no holder of preferred shares of the
corporation shall have any preemptive or preferential right to receive any of
such shares or obligations declared by way of

<PAGE>   2
dividend. Should the Board of Directors as to any portion of the shares of the
corporation, whether now or hereafter authorized, or to any obligation
convertible into shares of the corporation, offer the same to the shareholders
or any class thereof, such offer shall not in any way constitute a waiver or
release of the right to the Board of Directors subsequently to dispose of other
portions of such shares or obligations without so offering the same to the
shareholders. The acceptance of shares in the corporation shall be a waiver of
any such preemptive or preferential right which in the absence of this provision
might otherwise be asserted by shareholders of the corporation or any of them.

FIFTH. The governing board of this corporation shall be known as directors, and
the number of directors may from time to time be increased or decreased in such
manner as shall be provided by the by-laws of this corporation, provided that
the number of directors shall not be reduced to less than three (3), except that
in cases where all of the shares of the corporation are owned beneficially and
of record by either one or two stockholders, the number of directors may be less
than three (3) but not less than the number of stockholders.

         The names and post-office addresses of the first board of directors
which shall be four (4) in number, are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name                                                                        Post-Office Address
----                                                                        -------------------

<S>                                                                         <C>
Donald L. Walker                                                            302 Pointer Trail West
                                                                            Van Buren, Arkansas 72956

Gail Sue Walker                                                             302 Pointer Trail Guest
                                                                            Van Buren, Arkansas 72956

John Mayer                                                                  2736 Sierra Avenue
                                                                            Norco, California 91760

Robert Ferguson                                                             731 Lincoln Avenue
                                                                            Erie, Pennsylvania 16505
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   3
SIXTH. The capital stock, after the amount of the subscription price or par
value has been paid in, shall not be subject to assessment to pay the debts of
the corporation.

SEVENTH. The name and post-office address of the incorporator signing the
articles of incorporation is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name                                                                        Post-office Address
----                                                                        -------------------

<S>                                                                         <C>
Donald L. Walker                                                            302 Pointer Trail West
                                                                            Van Buren, Arkansas 72956
</TABLE>

EIGHTH. The corporation is to have perpetual existence.

NINTH. In furtherance, and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute,
the Board of Directors is expressly authorized:

         Subject to the by-laws, if any, adopted by the stockholders, to make,
alter or amend the by-laws of the corporation.

         To fix the amount to be reserved as working capital over and above its
capital stock paid in, to authorize and cause to be executed mortgages and liens
upon the real and personal property of this corporation.

         By resolution passed by a majority of the whole board, to designate one
(1) or more committees, each committee to consist of one (1) or more of the
directors of the corporation, which, to the extent provided in the resolution or
in the by-laws of the corporation, shall have and may exercise the powers of the
Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the
corporation, and may authorize the seal of the corporation to be affixed to all
papers which may require it. Such committee or committees shall have such name
or names as may be stated in the by-

<PAGE>   4

laws of the corporation or as may be determined from time to time by resolution
adopted by the Board of Directors.

         To enact by-laws, subject to any by-law enacted by the shareholders,
providing for the appointment of an executive committee of the Board of
Directors. The Board of Directors may define the duties of the executive
committee, but if not otherwise defined by the Board of Directors, it shall have
and exercise such of the powers of the Board of Directors, during the period of
time between meetings of the Board of Directors, as may be lawfully delegated.

         The directors in their discretion may submit any contract or act for
approval or ratification at any annual meeting of the shareholders or at any
meeting of the shareholders called for the purpose of considering any such act
or contract, and any contract or act that shall be approved or be ratified by
the vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of the corporation
represented in person or by proxy at such meeting (provided that a lawful quorum
of shareholders is represented in person or by proxy) shall be as valid and as
binding upon the corporation and upon all the shareholders, as though it had
been approved or ratified by every shareholder of the corporation whether or not
the contract or act would otherwise be open to legal attach because of the
directors' interest, or for any other reason.

TENTH. The corporation, by resolution or resolutions of its Board of Directors,
shall have power to create and issue, whether or not in connection with the
issue and sale of any shares or any other securities of the corporation,
warrants, rights or options entitling the holders thereof to purchase from the
corporation any shares of any class or classes or any other securities of the
corporation, such warrants, rights, or options to be evidenced by or in such
instrument or instruments as shall be approved by the Board of Directors. The
terms upon which, the time or times, which may be limited

<PAGE>   5

or unlimited in duration, at or within which, and the price or prices (not less
than the minimum amount prescribed bylaw, if any) at which any such warrants,
rights or options may be issued and any such shares or other securities may be
purchased from the corporation upon the exercise of any such warrant, right or
option shall be such as shall be fixed and stated in the resolution or
resolutions of the Board of Directors providing for the creation and issue of
such warrants, rights, or options. The Board of Directors is hereby authorized
to create and issue any such warrants, rights or options from time to time for
such consideration, and to such persons, firms or corporations, as the Board of
Directors may determine.

ELEVENTH. The corporation shall indemnify any and all persons who may serve or
who have served at any time as directors or officers, or who at the request of
the Board of Directors of the corporation may serve or at any time have served
as directors or officers of another corporation in which the corporation at such
time owned or may own shares of stock or of which it was or may be a creditor,
and their respective heirs, administrators, successors, and assigns, against any
and all expenses, including amounts paid upon judgments, counsel fees, and
amounts paid in settlement (before or after suit is commenced), actually and
necessarily incurred by such persons in connection with the defense or
settlement of any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which they, or any of
them, are made parties, or a party, or which may be asserted against them or any
of them by reason of being or having been directors or officers or a director or
officer of the corporation, or of such other corporation, except in relation to
matters as to which any such director or officer or former director or officer
or person shall be adjudged in any action, suit, or proceeding to be liable for
his own negligence or misconduct in the performance of his duty. Such
indemnification shall be in addition

<PAGE>   6
to any other rights to which those indemnified may be entitled under any law,
by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or otherwise.

TWELFTH. Meetings of stockholders may be held outside the State of Nevada, if
the by-laws so provide. The books of the corporation may be kept (subject to any
provision contained in the statutes) outside the State of Nevada at such place
or places as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors or in
the by-laws of the corporation.

THIRTEENTH. This corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or
repeal any provision contained in the articles of incorporation, in the manner
now or hereafter prescribed by statute, or by the articles of incorporation, and
all rights conferred upon stockholders herein are granted subject to this
reservation.

         I, THE UNDERSIGNED, being the incorporator hereinbefore named, for the
purpose of forming a corporation pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the
State of Nevada, do make and file these articles of incorporation, hereby
declaring and certifying that the facts herein stated are true and accordingly
have hereunto set my hand this 22nd day of November, 1988.

                                                     --------------------------
                                                     DONALD L. WALKER
STATE OF ARKANSAS

COUNTY OF CRAWFORD

         On this 22nd day of November, 1988, before me, a Notary Public,
personally appeared DONALD L. WALKER, who acknowledged that he executed the
above instrument.

                                   ----------------------------------------
                                    NOTARY PUBLIC IN AND FOR THE STATE OF
                                    ARKANSAS PRINTED NAME OF NOTARY:

                                                   Sally Jo Rogers
                                             -----------------------------
                                             MY COMMISSION EXPIRES: 11-9-92<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.2

           ARTICLES OF MERGER AND DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN CORPORATIONS

      Pursuant to the provisions of Section 78.475 of the Nevada General
Corporation Act, the undersigned domestic and foreign corporations adopt the
following Articles of Merger for the purpose of merging them into one of such
corporations.

         1. The names of the undersigned corporations and the states under the
laws of which they are respectively organized are:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Name of Corporation                                     State
      -------------------                                     -----
<S>                                                          <C>
Ramex Synfuels International, Inc.                            Utah
Ramex Synfuels International, Inc.                            Nevada
</TABLE>

         2. The laws of the state under which such foreign corporation is
organized permit such merger.

         3. The name of the surviving corporation is Ramex Synfuels
International, Inc., and it is to be governed by the laws of the State of
Nevada.

         4. The Plan of Merger, which was approved by the board of directors of
the undersigned domestic corporation in the manner prescribed by the Nevada
General Corporation Act and approved by the undersigned foreign corporation in
the manner prescribed by the laws of the state under which it is organized, is
set forth in Exhibit "A" which is attached hereto and hereby incorporated by
reference.

         5. The number of shares of Ramex Synfuels International, Inc. (Utah)
which were outstanding at the time of the approval of the Plan of Merger by its
Shareholders and their adoption of a resolution authorizing the Merger is
Seventy-five Million (75,000,000), all of which were of one class.

         The number of the aforesaid outstanding shares which were voted for the
Plan of Merger and resolution authorizing the Merger is Forty-five Million Nine
Hundred Fifty-six Thousand Six Hundred Thirty-five (45,956,635), and the number
of said shares which were voted against the same is Seven Hundred Twenty Three
Thousand Nine Hundred Seventy-three (723, 973).

         6. The number of shares of Ramex Synfuels International, Inc. (Nevada)
which were outstanding and entitled to vote at the time of the approval of the
Plan of Merger by its Shareholders is zero (-0-), all of which are of one class.

         The number of the aforesaid outstanding shares which were voted for the
Plan is zero (-0-), and the number of said shares which were voted against the
same is zero (-0-).

<PAGE>   2
         7. Ramex Synfuels International, Inc., the surviving corporation
hereby: (a) agrees that it may be served with process in the State of Utah in
any proceeding for the enforcement of any obligation of the undersigned Utah
corporation in any proceeding for the enforcement of the rights of a dissenting
shareholder of such Utah corporation against the surviving corporations (b)
irrevocably appoints the Secretary of State of Utah as its agent to accept
service of process in any such proceedings, and (c) agrees that it will promptly
pay to the dissenting shareholders of such Utah corporation the amount, if any,
to which they shall be entitled under the provisions of the Utah Business
Corporation Act with respect to the rights of dissenting shareholders.

Dated:   November 22, 1988

                                          RAMEX, SYNFUELS  INTERNATIONAL, INC.,
                                          a Utah Corporation

                                          By:  /s/ Donald L. Walker
                                             --------------------------------
                                             Donald L. Walker
                                             President

                                          By:  /s/ Gail Sue Walker
                                             ---------------------------------
                                             Gail Sue Walker
                                             Corporate Secretary

                                          RAMEX SYNFUELS INTERNATIONAL, INC.,
                                          a Nevada Corporation,

                                          By:  /s/ Donald L. Walker
                                             ---------------------------------
                                             Donald L. Walker
                                             President

                                          By:  /s/ Gail Sue Walker
                                             ---------------------------------
                                             Gail Sue Walker
                                             Corporate Secretary

<PAGE>   3
STATE OF    ARKANSAS

COUNTY OF     CRAWFORD

      The undersigned notary public does hereby certify that on this the 22nd
day of November, 1988, personally appeared before me Donald L. Walker, who,
being by me first duly sworn, declared that he is the President of Ramex
Synfuels International, Inc., a Utah Corporation, that he signed the foregoing
document as President of the Corporation, and that the statements therein
contained are true.

                                               /s/ Sally Jo Rogers
                                             ---------------------------------
                                             NOTARY PUBLIC IN AND FOR THE
                                             STATE OF    ARKANSAS

                                             Printed Name of Notary:

                                                     SALLY JO ROGERS
                                             ---------------------------------
                                             My Commission Expires:   11-9-92

STATE OF    ARKANSAS

COUNTY OF     CRAWFORD

      The undersigned notary public does hereby certify that on this the 22nd
day of November, 1988, personally appeared before me Gail Sue Walker, who, being
by me first duly sworn, declared that she is the President of Ramex Synfuels
International, Inc., a Utah Corporation, that she signed the foregoing document
as President of the Corporation, and that the statements therein contained are
true.

                                               /s/ Sally Jo Rogers
                                             ---------------------------------
                                             NOTARY PUBLIC IN AND FOR THE
                                             STATE OF    ARKANSAS

                                             Printed Name of Notary:

                                                      SALLY JO ROGERS
                                             ---------------------------------
                                             My Commission Expires:   11-9-92

<PAGE>   4
STATE OF    ARKANSAS

COUNTY OF     CRAWFORD

      The undersigned notary public does hereby certify that on this the 22nd
day of November, 1988, personally appeared before me Donald L. Walker, who,
being by me first duly sworn, declared that he is the President of Ramex
Synfuels International, Inc., a Utah Corporation, that he signed the foregoing
document as President of the Corporation, and that the statements therein
contained are true.

                                               /s/ Sally Jo Rogers
                                             ---------------------------------
                                             NOTARY PUBLIC IN AND FOR THE
                                             STATE OF    ARKANSAS

                                             Printed Name of Notary:

                                                      SALLY JO ROGERS
                                             ---------------------------------
                                             My Commission Expires:   11-9-92

STATE OF    ARKANSAS

COUNTY OF     CRAWFORD

      The undersigned notary public does hereby certify that on this the 22nd
day of November, 1988, personally appeared before me Gail Sue Walker, who, being
by me first duly sworn, declared that she is the President of Ramex Synfuels
International, Inc., a Utah Corporation, that she signed the foregoing document
as President of the Corporation, and that the statements therein contained are
true.

                                               /s/ Sally Jo Rogers
                                             ---------------------------------
                                             NOTARY PUBLIC IN AND FOR THE
                                             STATE OF    ARKANSAS

                                             Printed Name of Notary:

                                                      SALLY JO ROGERS
                                             ---------------------------------
                                             My Commission Expires:   11-9-92

<PAGE>   5
                                  EXHIBIT "A"

                              AGREEMENT OF MERGER
                                      AND
                       PLAN OF MERGER AND REORGANIZATION

      Agreement of Merger and Plan of Manger and Reorganization dated this 22nd
day of November, 1988, by and between Ramex Synfuels International, Inc., a
Corporation of the State of Utah thereinafter. called ("Ramex-Utah") and by
resolution adopted by its Board of Directors on said date, and Ramex Synfuels
International, Inc., a Corporation of the State of Nevada (hereinafter called
"Ramex-Nevada"), and by resolution adopted by its Board of Directors on said
date.

      WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Ramex-Utah and Ramex-Nevada have
resolved that Ramex-Utah and Ramex-Nevada merge under and pursuant to the
Business Corporation Act of the State of Utah and the General Corporation Law of
the State of Nevada, to-wit: Ramex-Nevada, which shall be the surviving
corporation (such corporation in its capacity as the surviving corporation being
sometimes referred to as the("Surviving Corporation");

      WHEREAS, this authorized capital stock of Ramex-Utah consists of One
Hundred Twenty- five Million (125,000,000) shares of common stock with a par
value of $.001 per share (hereinafter called "Ramex-Utah Common Stock") of which
One Hundred Twenty-five Million (125,000,000) shares are issued and outstanding;

      WHEREAS, the capital stock of Ramex-Nevada consists of One Hundred
Twenty-five Million (125,000,000) shares of common stock with a par value of
$.001 par share (hereinafter called "Ramex- Nevada Common Stock") of which no
shares are issued and outstanding;

      WHEREAS, the respective Board of Directors and shareholders of Ramex-Utah
and Ramex- Nevada have approved the merger upon the terms and conditions
hereinafter set forth and have been approved by this Agreement;

      NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
agreements, provisions, and covenants herein contained, the parties hereto
hereby agree in accordance with the Business Corporation Act of the State of
Utah and the General Corporation Law of the State of Nevada that Ramex-Utah and
Ramex-Nevada shall be, at the Effective Date (as herein defined) , merged with
and into a single corporation existing under the laws of the State of Nevada
(hereinafter called "Merger"), to-wit: Ramex- Nevada, which shall be the
surviving Corporation and the parties hereto adopt and agree to the following
agreements, terms and conditions relating to the Merger and the mode of carrying
the same into effect.

1.    Stockholders' Consent; Filings, Effect of Merger

<PAGE>   6
      1.1 Written Consent of Ramex-Nevada Stockholders. The Agreement of Merger
need not be presented to stockholders of Ramex-Nevada for their consent and
approval because as of this date there are no stockholders of Ramex-Nevada.

      1.2 Written Consent of Ramex-Utah Stockholders. The Agreement of Merger
shall be presented to all stockholders of Ramex-Utah and upon obtaining the
affirmative vote of the required number of the outstanding shares of Ramex-Utah
that were cast at a meeting called and conducted in the same manner as provided
by the Utah Business Corporation Act, a resolution authorizing such merger shall
be adopted.

      1.3 Filing of Certificate of Merger; Effective Date. If (a) this Agreement
is adopted by the stockholders of Ramex-Utah, in accordance with the Utah
Business Corporation Act, and (b) this Agreement is not thereafter and has not
theretofore been terminated or abandoned as permitted by the provisions hereof,
then a Certificate of Merger shall be filed and recorded in accordance with the
General Corporation Law of the State of Nevada and shall be filed in accordance
with the Utah Business Corporation Act. Such filings shall be made
contemporaneously. The merger shall become effective at 9:00 a.m. on the
calendar day following the day of such filings, which date and time shall herein
be referred to as the "Effective Date."

      1.4 Certain Effects of Merger. On the Effective Date, the separate
existence of Ramex-Utah shall cease, and Ramex-Utah shall be merged with and
into Ramex-Nevada which, as Surviving Corporation, shall possess all rights,
privileges, powers, and franchises, of a public as well as private nature, and
be subject to all restrictions, disabilities, and duties of Ramex-Utah and all
and singular, the rights, privileges, powers, and franchises of Ramex-Utah, and
all property, real, personal and mixed, and all debts due to Ramex-Utah on
whatever account, as well as stock subscriptions and all other things in action
or belonging to Ramex-Utah, shall be vested in the Surviving Corporation, and
all property, rights, privileges, powers, franchises and all and every other
interest shall be thereafter as effectually the property of the Surviving
Corporation as they were of Ramex-Utah, and the title to any real estate vested
by deed or otherwise under the laws of Utah or Nevada or any other jurisdiction,
in Ramex-Utah, shall not revert or be in any way impaired; but all rights of
creditors and all liens upon any property of Ramex-Utah shall be preserved
unimpaired, and all debts, liabilities, and duties of Ramex-Utah shall
thenceforth attach to the Surviving Corporation and may be enforced against it
to the same extent as if said debts, liabilities, and duties had been incurred
or contrasted by it. At any time, or from time to time, after the Effective
Date, the last acting officers of Ramex-Utah or the corresponding officers of
the Surviving Corporation may, in the name of Ramex-Utah, execute and deliver
all such proper deeds, assignments, and other instruments and take or cause to
be taken all such further or other action as the Surviving Corporation may deem
necessary or desirable in order to vest, perfect, or confirm in the Surviving
Corporation title to and possession of all property, rights, privileges, powers,
franchises, immunities, and interests of Ramex-Utah and otherwise to carry out
the purpose of this Agreement.

2.    Name of Surviving Corporation; Certificate of Incorporation; By-Laws

<PAGE>   7
      2.1 Name of Surviving Corporation. The name of the Surviving Corporation
from and after the Effective Date shall be Ramex Synfuels International, Inc.

      2.2 Certificate of Incorporation. The Certificate of Incorporation of the
Surviving Corporation in effect on the date hereof shall from and after the
Effective Date be, and continue to be, the Certificate of Incorporation of the
Surviving Corporation and said Certificate of Incorporation shall continue in
full force and effect until amended and changed in the manner prescribed by the
laws of the jurisdiction of its organization.

      2.3 By-Laws. The By-Laws of the Surviving Corporation, as in effect
immediately before the Effective Date, shall from and after the Effective Date
be and continue to be the By-Laws of the Surviving Corporation and will continue
in full force and effect until changed, amended, or altered as therein provided
and in the manner prescribed by the provisions of the laws of the jurisdiction
of its organization.

3.    Management of Surviving Corporation

      3.1 Directors and Officers of Surviving Corporation. The Directors and
Officers in office of the Surviving Corporation upon the Effective Date of the
merger shall be the members of the first board of directors and the first
officers of the Surviving Corporation, subsequent to the merger, all of whom
shall hold their directorships and offices until the election and qualification
of their respective successors or until their tenure is otherwise terminated in
accordance with the By-Laws of the Surviving Corporation.

4.    Status and Conversion of Securities

      The manner and basis of converting the share of capital stock of
Ramex-Utah and the nature and amount of securities of Ramex-Nevada which the
holders of shares of Ramex-Utah Common Stock are to receive in exchange for such
shares are as follows:

      4.1 Ramex-Utah Common Stock. Each share of Ramex-Utah Common Stock which
shall be issued and outstanding immediately before the Effective Date shall, by
virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holder thereof,
be converted at the Effective Date into one fully paid share of Ramex-Nevada
Common Stock. Such certificates may, but need not be, exchanged by the holders
thereof after the merger becomes effective for new certificates for the
appropriate number of shares bearing the name of the Surviving Corporation.

      4.2 Ramex-Nevada Common Stock. All issued and outstanding shares of
Ramex-Nevada Common Stocks if any, are issued and outstanding on or as of the
Effective Date, shall continue to be issued and outstanding shares of
Ramex-Nevada Common Stock with a par value of $0.001.

<PAGE>   8
5.    Miscellaneous

      5.1 This Agreement of Merger may be terminated and the proposed Merger
abandoned at any time before the Effective Date of the Merger, and whether
before or after approval of this Agreement of Merger by the shareholders of
Ramex-Utah, if the board of Directors of Ramex-Utah or if the Surviving
Corporation duly adopts a resolution abandoning this Agreement of Merger.

      5.2 In the event that the Plan of Merger shall have been approved by the
shareholders of Ramex-Utah and the merger shall have been authorized by their
duly adopted resolution in the manner prescribed by the provisions of the Utah
Business Corporation Act, and in the event that the Plan of Merger shall have
been approved by the Board of Directors or shareholders of their Surviving
Corporation in compliance with the provisions of the laws of the jurisdiction of
its organization, Ramex-Utah and the Surviving Corporation hereby stipulate that
they will cause to be executed and filed and/or recorded any document or
documents prescribed by the laws of the State of Utah and of the State of
Nevada, and that they will cause to be formed all necessary acts therein and
elsewhere to effectuate the merger.

      5.3 For the convenience of the parties hereto and to facilitate the filing
of this Agreement of Merger, any number of counterparts hereof may be executed
and each such counterpart shall be deemed to be an original.

      5.4 The following directors have approved this agreement. These directors
constitute all the directors of Ramex-Utah and Ramex-Nevada.

RAMEX SYNFUELS INTERNATIONAL,             RAMEX SYNFUELS INTERNATIONAL,
INC., a Utah Corporation                  INC., a Nevada Corporation

Donald L. Walker, Director                Donald L. Walker, Director
Gail Sue Walker, Director                 Gail Sue Walker, Director
John Mayer, Director                      John Mayer, Director
Robert Ferguson, Director                 Robert Ferguson, Director

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by Ramex Synfuels,
International, Inc, a Utah corporation, and Ramex Synfuels International, Inc.,
a Nevada corporation all on the date first above written.

ATTEST:                                   Ramex Synfuels International, Inc.,
                                          a Utah corporation

By:                                       By:
   ---------------------------------         ---------------------------------
      Corporate Secretary                           President

<PAGE>   9
THE STATE OF ARKANSAS

COUNTY OF CRAWFORD

      BEFORE ME, the undersigned authority, on this day personally appeared
Donald L. Walker, President of Ramex Synfuels International, Inc., a Utah
corporation, known to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the
foregoing instrument, who being first duly sworn did state that he signed said
instrument and that the statements contained therein are true and correct.

      SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO before me on this the 22nd day of November, 1988.

                                            /s/ Sally Jo Rogers
                                          ------------------------------------
                                          NOTARY PUBLIC IN AND FOR THE
                                          STATE OF ARKANSAS

                                          Printed Name of Notary:
                                                Sally Jo Rogers
                                          ------------------------------------
                                          My Commission Expires: 11-9-92

ATTEST:                                   Ramex Synfuels International, Inc.,
                                          a Nevada corporation

By:                                       By:
   ---------------------------------         ---------------------------------
      Corporate Secretary                           President

THE STATE OF ARKANSAS

COUNTY OF CRAWFORD

      BEFORE ME, the undersigned authority, on this day personally appeared
Donald L. Walker, President of Ramex Synfuels International, Inc., a Utah
corporation, known to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the
foregoing instrument, who being first duly sworn did state that he signed said
instrument and that the statements contained therein are true and correct.

      SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO before me on this the 22nd day of November, 1988.

                                            /s/ Sally Jo Rogers
                                          ------------------------------------
                                          NOTARY PUBLIC IN AND FOR THE
                                          STATE OF ARKANSAS
                                          Printed Name of Notary:

                                                Sally Jo Rogers
                                          ------------------------------------
                                          My Commission Expires: 11-9-92

<PAGE>   10
                              LETTER OF ADOPTION

      I, the undersigned, being a Director of both Ramex Synfuels International,
Inc., a Utah Corporation, and Ramex Synfuels International, Inc., a Nevada
Corporation, hereby approve and adopt the foregoing Agreement of Merger and Plan
of Merger and Reorganization dated the 22nd day of November, 1988, by and
between Ramex Synfuels International, Inc., a Corporation of the State of Utah
and Ramex Synfuels International, Inc., a Corporation of the State of Nevada,
and hereby consent to the merger under the terms and conditions as set forth
therein.

                                            /s/ Robert Ferguson
                                          ------------------------------------
                                          Robert Ferguson
                                          Director

STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA

COUNTY OF ERIE

      BEFORE ME, the undersigned authority, on this day personally appeared
Robert Ferguson, Director of Ramex Synfuels International, Inc., a Utah
corporation, and Ramex Synfuels International, Inc., a Nevada corporation, known
to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument, and
acknowledged to me that he executed the same for the purposes and consideration
therein expressed, in the capacity therein stated and as the act and deed of
said corporation.

      GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND SEAL of office this 15th day of December, 1988.

                                            /s/ Christy R. Sloan
                                          ------------------------------------
                                          NOTARY PUBLIC IN AND FOR THE
                                          STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA
                                          Printed Name of Notary:

                                                Christy R. Sloan
                                          ------------------------------------
                                          My Commission Expires: 5/  /92

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00024-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00024-of-00352.parquet"}]]