U. S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


__________________


AMENDMENT NO. 1
FORM 20-F

_________________________


[X]

REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.


[   ]

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.


[   ]

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSACTION PERIOD FROM ______________ TO ___________________.


Commission File Number 


TAN RANGE EXPLORATION CORPORATION

(Exact name of Company as specified in its charter)


A CORPORATION FORMED UNDER THE LAWS OF ALBERTA, CANADA

(Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)


93 Benton Hill Road

Sharon, Connecticut

06069  U.S.A.

(Address of principal executive offices)


Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:  NONE


Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:


Common Shares, without Par Value

(Title of Class)


Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:  NONE


The number of outstanding Common Shares as of  April 30, 2004 was 82,127,663.


Indicate by check mark whether the Company (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Company was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  [   ]Yes  [   ]No

Not applicable

Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the Company has elected to follow.

Item 17  [X]

Item 18  [   ]


(Applicable only to issuers involved in bankruptcy proceedings during the past five years)


Indicate by check mark whether the Company has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.  NOT APPLICABLE


 






ii

 

 




Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors Concerning Estimates of Measured
and Indicated Mineral Resources


The Company advises U.S. Investors that while the terms "measured mineral resources" and "indicated mineral resources" (see: "Glossary of Technical Terms - Canadian Terminology" herein) are recognized and required by Canadian securities regulations, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission does not recognize them.  U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral resources in these categories will ever be converted into mineral reserves.


Currency


All references to dollar amounts are expressed in the lawful currency of Canada, unless otherwise specifically stated.


Foreign Private Issuer Filings


As a foreign private issuer registered under section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), the Company will be subject to section 13 of the Exchange Act, and will be required to file Annual Reports on Form 20-F and Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K with the Commission.  However, the Company will be exempt from the proxy rules under section 14 of the Exchange Act, and the short-swing profit rules under section 16 of the Exchange Act.




1





Glossary of Technical Terms


Ag

The elemental symbol for silver.

alteration

Usually referring to chemical reactions in a rock mass resulting from the passage of hydrothermal fluids.

andesite

Volcanic rock, low in quartz content, generally fine grained and moderately dark coloured.

anomalous

A value, or values, in which the amplitude is statistically between that of a low contrast anomaly and a high contrast anomaly in a given data set.

anomaly

Any concentration of metal noticeably above or below the average background concentration.

assay

An analysis to determine the presence, absence or quantity of one or more components.

Au

The elemental symbol for gold.

background

Traces of elements found in sediments, soils, and plant material that are unrelated to any mineralization and which come from the weathering of the natural constituents of the rocks.

BLEG

Acronym for "bulk leach extractable gold" sampling.

chalcedony

Very fine crystalline quartz which may be massive or banded (agate).

chalcopyrite

Copper sulfide mineral.

Cretaceous

The geologic period extending from 135 million to 63 million years ago.

Cu

The elemental symbol for copper.

dyke

A tabular body of igneous rock that has been injected while molten into a fissure.

epidote

Calcium, aluminum, iron silicate mineral commonly occurring in hydrothermally altered carbonate-bearing rocks.

fault

A fracture in a rock where there has been displacement of the two sides.

Fe

The elemental symbol for iron.

fracture

Breaks in a rock, usually due to intensive folding or faulting.

gossan

Decomposed rock or vein material of reddish or rusty colour resulting from oxidized pyrites.

grab sample

A sample of selected rock chips collected at random from within a restricted area of interest.

 

2



grade

The concentration of each ore metal in a rock sample, usually given as weight percent.  Where extremely low concentrations are involved, the concentration may be given in grams per tonne (g/t or gpt) or ounces per ton (oz/t).  The grade of an ore deposit is calculated, often using sophisticated statistical procedures, as an average of the grades of a very large number of samples collected from throughout the deposit.

HLEM

Horizontal loop electromagnetic survey, a form of geophysical survey used in the exploration for minerals.

hectare or ha

An area totalling 10,000 square metres.

highly anomalous

An anomaly which is 50 to 100 times average background, i.e. it is statistically much greater in amplitude.

hydrothermal

Hot fluids, usually mainly water, in the earth's crust which may carry metals and other compounds in solution to the site of ore deposition or wall rock alteration.

IP

Induced polarization survey, a form of geophysical survey used in the exploration for minerals.

intrusive

A rock mass formed below earth's surface from magma which has intruded into a pre-existing rock mass.

kilometres or km

Metric measurement of distance equal to 1,000 metres (or 0.6214 miles).

mill

A facility for processing ore to concentrate and recover valuable minerals.

mineral reserve

That part of a mineral deposit which could be economically and legally extracted or produced at the time of the reserve determination.

mineralization

Usually implies minerals of value occurring in rocks.

net smelter or NSR royalty

Payment of a percentage of net mining profits after deducting applicable smelter charges.

ore

A natural aggregated of one or more minerals which may be mined and sold at a profit, or from which some part may be profitably separated.

outcrop

An exposure of rock at the earth's surface.

overburden

A general term for any material covering or obscuring rocks from view.

Pb

The elemental symbol for lead.

porphyry

Rock type with mixed crystal sizes, i.e. containing larger crystals of one or more minerals.

ppm or parts per million

A unit of measurement which is 1000 times larger than parts per billion (i.e. ppb); 1 ppm is equivalent to 1000 ppb, and is also equivalent to 1 gram/tonne.

prefeasibility study and preliminary feasibility study

Each mean a comprehensive study of the viability of a mineral project that has advanced to a stage where mining method, in the case of underground mining, or the pit configuration, in the case of open pit mining, as been established, and which, if an effective method of mineral processing has been determined, includes a financial analysis based on reasonable assumptions of technical, engineering, operating, economic factors, and the evaluation of other relevant factors which are sufficient for a qualified person, acting reasonably, to determine if all or part of the mineral resource may be classified as a mineral reserve.


3



propylitic

A rock alteration assemblage comprising calcite, epidote, chlorite, pyrite and other minerals, found typically in the periphery of a hydrothermal system.

pyrrhotite

A bronze coloured mineral of metallic lustre that consists of ferrous sulfide and is attracted by a magnet.

pyrite

Iron sulfide mineral.

quartz

Silica or SiO 2 , a common constituent of veins, especially those containing gold and silver mineralization.

RAB

Rotary air blast drilling.

RC

Reverse circulation diamond drilling.

reef

A geological formation or mineral within defined boundaries separating it from the adjoining rocks.

Sb

The elemental symbol for antimony (stibium).

silicification

Replacement of the constituent of a rock by quartz.

test pits

Shallow holes dug at spots along the strike of any mineralization or, if it is disseminated, anywhere in the area where the shallow holes might reach mineralized bedrock.

ton

Imperial measurement of weight equivalent to 2,000 pounds (sometimes called a "short ton").

tonne

Metric measurement of weight equivalent to 1,000 kilograms (or 2,204.6 pounds).

tuff

A rock comprised of fine fragments and ash particles ejected from a volcanic vent.

veins

The mineral deposits that are found filling openings in rocks created by faults or replacing rocks on either side of faults.

Zn

The elemental symbol for zinc.

Canadian Terminology

The following terms are used in the Company's technical reports to describe its mineral properties and have been used in this Registration Statement (see: "Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors Concerning Estimates of Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources" at page 1 hereof).  These definitions have been published by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (the "CIM") as the CIM Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves Definitions and Guidelines adopted by the CIM Counsel on August 20, 2000, and have been approved for use by Canadian reporting issuers by the Canadian Securities Administrators under National Instrument 43-101, "Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects":


4



indicated mineral resource

That part of a mineral resource for which quantity, grade or quality, densities, shape and physical characteristics, can be estimated with a level of confidence sufficient to allow the appropriate application of technical and economic parameters to support mine planning and evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit.  The estimate is based on detailed planning and reliable exploration and testing information gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes that are spaced closely enough for geological and grade continuity to be reasonably assumed.

inferred mineral resource

That part of a mineral resource for which the quantity and grade or quality can be estimated on the basis of geological evidence and limited sampling and reasonably assumed, but not verified, geological and grade continuity.  The estimate is based upon limited information and sampling gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes.  Confidence in the estimate is insufficient to allow the meaningful application of technical and economic parameters or to enable an evaluation of economic viability worthy of public disclosure.

measured mineral resource

That part of a mineral resource for which quantity, grade or quality, densities, shape, and physical characteristics are so well established that they can be estimated with confidence sufficient to allow the appropriate application of technical and economic parameters, to support production planning and evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit.  The estimates is based on detailed and reliable exploration, sampling and testing information gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes that are spaced closely enough to confirm both geological grade and continuity.

mineral reserve

A mineral reserve is the economically mineable part of a Measured or Indicated mineral resource demonstrated by at least a preliminary feasibility study.  This study must include adequate information on mining, processing, metallurgical, economic and other relevant factors that demonstrate, at the time of the reporting, that economic extraction can be justified.  A mineral reserve includes diluting materials and allowances for losses that may occur when the material is mined.  Mineral resources are sub-divided in order of increasing confidence into "probable" and "proven" mineral reserves.  A probable mineral reserve has a lower level of confidence than a proven mineral reserve.  The term "mineral reserve" does not necessarily signify that extraction facilities are in place or operative or that all governmental approvals have been received.  It does signify that there are reasonable expectations of such approvals.

mineral resource

The estimated quantity and grade of mineralization that is of potential economic merit.  A resource estimate does not require specific mining, metallurgical, environmental, price and cost data, but the nature and continuity or mineralization must be understood.  Mineral resources are sub-divided in order of increasing geological confidence into "inferred", "indicated", and "measured" categories.  An inferred mineral resources has a lower level of confidence than that applied to an indicated mineral resource.  An indicated mineral resource has a higher level of confidence than an inferred mineral resource, but has a lower level of confidence than a measured mineral resource.  A mineral resource is a concentration or occurrence of natural, solid, inorganic or fossilized organic material in or on the Earth's crust in such form and quantity and of such grade or quality that it has reasonable prospects for economic extraction.


5

Part I


Item 1.

Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisors


A.

Directors and Senior Management :


James E. Sinclair , Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director

93 Benton Hill Road

Sharon, CT  06069


Mr. Sinclair provides the Company with the strategy for its corporate growth and is primarily responsible for providing the leadership necessary for the Company to complete its evolution into a gold royalty company.


Victoria Luis, M.B.A., CSCPA and AICPA Member , Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Director

93 Benton Hill Road

Sharon, CT  06069


In addition to being on the Board of Directors, Mrs. Luis acts as Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary for the Company.  Ms. Luis provides the Company with financial guidance in the areas of amalgamation, risk management and financial modeling for new ventures.  As the Company's Chief Financial Officer, she is responsible for the implementation of all operating budgets for exploration and administration.


Jonathan G. Deane , Vice-President, Exploration

P.O. Box 10953

Mwanza, Tanzania


Mr. Deane is responsible for the management and administration of the Company's exploration programs in Tanzania, and local negotiations for the acquisition of new mineral properties in Tanzania.


Marek J. Kreczmer, M.Sc. (Geol.), B.Sc. (Geol.) , Director

Suite 1304 - 925 West Georgia Street

Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 3L2


Mr. Kreczmer provides the Company with advice on geological and technical matters.  Mr. Kreczmer is the Chairman of the Technical Committee.


Ulrich E. Rath , Director

18 Kilbarry Road

Toronto, Ontario, M5P 1K5


Mr. Rath provides the Company with advice on geological and technical matters.


Anton Esterhuizen , Director

P.O. Box 85267

Emmarentia 2029, South Africa

 

 

Mr. Esterhuizen is responsible for developing new exploration projects for the Company.

 

 

 

6



 

Dr. William Harvey, B.A., Ph.D. , Director

97 Amenia Union Road

Sharon, CT  06069


Dr. Harvey reviews the social service impact of the Company's activities upon the indigenous Tanzanians.


Rosalind Morrow , B.A., B.Ed., LL.B ., Director

Scotia Plaza

40 King Street West

Toronto, Ontario, M5H 3Y4


Ms. Morrow is a corporate and securities lawyer and partner with Borden Ladner Gervais LLP in Toronto, a national Canadian law firm.  Ms. Morrow provides advice to the Company on corporate governance and securities matters, and is the Chairperson of the Audit and Compensation Committee.


Please refer to "Item 6.  Directors, Senior Management and Employees" for further details concerning the directors and officers of the Company.


B.

Advisers


Legal Counsel :


Salley Bowes Harwardt

Barristers and Solicitors

Suite 1750 - 1185 West Georgia Street

Vancouver, B.C., V6E 4E6

Bartel Eng & Schroder

Attorneys at Law

300 Capital Mall, Suite 1100

Sacramento, CA  95814


C.

Auditors


Years ended August 31, 2003 and 2002


KPMG LLP

Chartered Accountants

P.O. Box 10426, Pacific Centre

777 Dunsmuir Street

Vancouver, B.C., V7Y 1K3


Members of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants.


Year ended August 31, 2001


PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Chartered Accountants

Suite 700, 250 Howe Street
Vancouver, B.C., V6C 3S7


Members of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants.


Item 2.

Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable

 

Not applicable.

 


7



Item 3.

Key Information


A.

Selected Financial Data


The following tables set forth and summarize selected consolidated financial data for the Company prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles ("Canadian GAAP").   For each of the last five fiscal years, the tables also summarize certain corresponding information prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP").  Canadian GAAP, as applied to the Company, materially differs from U.S. GAAP, as set forth in Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements of the Company.  Unless stated otherwise, reference to dollar amounts shall mean Canadian dollars.


For each of the years in the five year period ended August 31, 2003, the information in the tables was extracted from the more detailed audited financial statements of the Company, and for the interim periods ending February 29, 2004 and February 28, 2003, the information in the table was extracted from the unaudited interim financial statements, prepared by the management of the Company.


The selected financial data should be read in conjunction with Item 5, "Operating and Financial Review and Prospects" and in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Company and the notes thereto contained elsewhere in this Registration Statement.  The Company's fiscal period ends on August 31 of each year.


The following is a summary of certain selected financial information for the Company's five most recently completed fiscal years and six month interim periods ending February 29, 2004 and February 28, 2003 (in Canadian dollars, except number of shares):


Canadian GAAP

 

February 29,

       2004        

February 28,

       2003        

Year ended August 31,

     

2003

2002

2001

2000

1999

Operations:

             
               

Revenues

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

               

Net loss

(916,281)

(802,860)

(3,014,778)

(1,343,958)

(792,773)

(3,411,602)

(2,336,587)

               

Basic and diluted
loss per share

(0.011)

(0.10)

(0.04)

(0.02)

(0.02)

(0.09)

(0.06)

               

Balance sheet:

             
               

Working Capital

3,007,141

3,024,151

2,092,912

1,921,418

2,186,371

1,028,558

208,191

               

Total Assets

22,266,418

22,510,077

21,424,565

20,912,060

12,439,780

9,035,881

8,739,938

               

Net Assets

21,363,019

21,297,018

20,318,000

19,605,513

11,874,926

8,527,142

8,436,276

               

Share Capital

41,510,271

38,316,071

39,423,971

35,821,706

26,747,161

22,606,604

19,104,136

               

Number of Shares

81,961,716

78,995,478

80,191,542

74,714,203

50,760,978

40,026,971

36,681,929

               

Deficit

(20,147,252)

(17,019,053)

(19,230,971)

(16,216,193)

(14,872,235)

(14,079,462)

(10,667,860)

 

 

 

 

8


 


U.S. GAAP

 

February 29,

       2004        

February 28,

       2003        

Year ended August 31,

     

2003

2002

2001

2000

(unaudited)

1999

(unaudited)

Operations:

             
               

Revenues

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

               

Net loss

(1,027,291)

(3,713,695)

(5,874,669)

(9,775,342)

(3,157,571)

(2,204,505)

(1,383,891)

               

Basic and diluted loss per share

(0.01)

(0.05)

(0.07)

(0.17)

(0.07)

(0.06)

(0.04)

               

Balance sheet:

             
               

Working Capital

3,007,141

3,024,151

2,092,912

1,921,418

2,186,371

1,028,558

208,191

               

Total Assets

3,482,962

3,346,687

2,752,119

2,359,505

3,364,651

2,181,924

631,798

               

Net Assets

3,227,128

3,221,193

2,293,119

2,140,523

2,799,797

1,673,185

328,136

               

Share Capital

44,265,199

41,070,999

42,178,899

36,276,634

27,160,566

22,876,383

19,326,829

               

Number of Shares

81,961,716

78,995,478

80,191,542

74,714,203

50,760,978

40,026,971

36,681,929

               

Deficit

(41,038,071)

(37,849,806)

(40,010,780)

(34,136,111)

(24,360,769)

(21,203,198)

(18,998,693)


Exchange Rates

The Company's accounts are maintained in Canadian dollars.  In this Registration Statement, all dollar amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars, except where otherwise indicated.  The following table sets forth information as to the period end, average, the high and the low exchange rate for Canadian Dollars ("CDN") and U.S. Dollars for the periods indicated based on the noon buying rate in New York City for cable transfers in Canadian Dollars as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (Canadian dollar = US$1):

Year Ended:

August 31


Average


Period End


High


Low

1997

1.3688

1.3889

1.4025

1.3263

1998

1.4387

1.5645

1.5845

1.3686

1999

1.5071

1.4929

1.5677

1.4447

2000

1.4714

1.4776

1.5140

1.4310

2001

1.5283

1.5455

1.5822

1.4680

2002

1.5724

1.5591

1.6190

1.5024

2003

1.4819

1.3865

1.5991

1.3305


9

 


The following table sets forth the high and low exchange rate for the past six months.  As of April 30, 2004, the exchange rate was CDN $1.37 for each US$1.


Month

High

Low

November, 2003

$1.3362

$1.2973

December, 2003

$1.3405

$1.2923

January, 2004

$1.3340

$1.2690

February, 2004

$1.3442

$1.3108

March, 2004

$1.3480

$1.3080

April, 2004

$1.3711

$1.3095


B.

Capitalization and Indebtedness


The following table shows the Company's capitalization (distinguishing between guaranteed and unguaranteed, and secured and unsecured indebtedness) as at April 30, 2004 under Canadian GAAP:


Description

Secured/Guaranteed

Unsecured/
Unguaranteed

Total

Current Liabilities

Nil

$255,834

$255,834

Long Term Liabilities

Nil

$647,565

$647,565

Shareholders' Equity
(net of deficit)

Nil

$21,363,019

$21,363,019


C.

Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds


Not Applicable.


D.

Risk Factors


In addition to other information presented in this Registration Statement, the following should be considered carefully in evaluating the Company and its business.  This Registration Statement contains forward-looking statements that involve risk and uncertainties.  The Company's actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements.  Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, those discussed below and elsewhere in this Registration Statement.  The management of the Company have identified the following risk factors, listed in the view of management in order from most significant to least significant:


We have incurred net losses since our inception and expect losses to continue.  We have not been profitable since our inception.  For the six months ended February 29, 2004 and the fiscal year ended August 31, 2003, we had a net loss of $916,281 and $3,014,778, respectively,  and an accumulated deficit on February 29, 2004 of $20,147,252.  The Company has not generated revenues from operations during fiscal year 2003 and does not expect to generate revenues from operations until one or more of its properties are placed in production. There is a risk that none of the Company's properties will be placed in production, and that the Company's operations will not be profitable in the future.


Our exploration activities are highly speculative and involve substantial risks.  All of the Company's properties are in the exploration stage and no proven mineral reserves have been established.  The Company's

 

10


exploration work may not result in the discovery of mineable deposits of ore in a commercially economical manner.  There may be limited availability of water, which is essential to milling operations, and interruptions may be caused by adverse weather conditions.  The Company's operations are subject to a variety of existing laws and regulations relating to exploration and development, permitting procedures, safety precautions, property reclamation, employee health and safety, air quality standards, pollution and other environmental protection controls.  The Company's exploration activities are subject to substantial hazards, some of which are not insurable or may not be insured for economic reasons.


We cannot accurately predict whether commercial quantities of ores will be established.   Whether an ore body will be commercially viable depends on a number of factors beyond the control of the Company, including the particular attributes of the deposit such as size, grade and proximity to infrastructure, as well as mineral prices and government regulations, including regulations relating to prices, taxes, royalties, land tenure, land use, importing and exporting of minerals and environmental protection.  We cannot accurately predict the exact effect of these factors, but the combination of these factors may result in a mineral deposit being unprofitable.  The Company has no mineral producing properties at this time.  The Company has not defined or delineated any proven or probable reserves or resources on any of its properties.  Although the mineralized material estimates included herein have been carefully prepared by the Company, or, in some instances have been prepared, reviewed or verified by independent mining experts, these amounts are estimates only and there is a risk that a particular level of recovery of gold or other minerals from mineralized material will not in fact be realized or that an identified mineralized deposit, if any, will not ever qualify as a commercially mineable or viable reserve.


We may not be able to establish the presence of minerals on a commercially viable basis.  Our ability to generate revenues and profits is expected to occur through exploration of our existing properties as well as through acquisitions of interests in new properties.  We will need to incur substantial expenditures in an attempt to establish the economic feasibility of mining operations by identifying mineral deposits and establishing ore reserves through drilling and other techniques, developing metallurgical processes to extract metals from ore, designing facilities and planning mining operations.  The economic feasibility of a project depends on numerous factors beyond our control, including the cost of mining and production facilities required to extract the desired minerals, the total mineral deposits that can be mined using a given facility, the proximity of the mineral deposits to a user of the minerals, and the market price of the minerals at the time of sale.  Our existing or future exploration programs or acquisitions may not result in the identification of deposits that can be mined profitably.


Our competition is intense in all phases of our business.  The Company competes with many companies possessing greater financial resources and technical facilities than itself for the acquisition of mineral interests, as well as for the recruitment and retention of qualified employees.


Our exploration activities are subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations.  Laws and regulation govern the development, mining, production, importing and exporting of minerals; taxes; labor standards; occupational health; waste disposal; protection of the environment; mine safety; toxic substances; and other matters.  We require licenses and permits to conduct exploration and mining operations.  Amendments to current laws and regulations governing operations and activities of mining companies or more stringent implementation thereof could have a substantial adverse impact on the Company.  Applicable laws and regulations will require the Company to make certain capital and operating expenditures to initiate new operations.  Under certain circumstances, the Company may be required to close an operation once it is started until a particular problem is remedied or to undertake other remedial actions.


We have uninsurable risks.  We may be subject to unforeseen hazards such as unusual or unexpected formations and other conditions.  The Company may become subject to liability for pollution, cave-ins or hazards against which it cannot insure or against which it may elect not to insure.  The payment of such liabilities may have a material, adverse effect on the Company's financial position.

 

11



We depend on key management personnel .  The success of the operations and activities of the Company is dependent to a significant extent on the efforts and abilities of its management including James E. Sinclair, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Victoria Luis, Chief Financial Officer.  Investors must be willing to rely to a significant extent on their discretion and judgment.  We do not have employment contracts with the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer, and we do not maintain key-man life insurance on these individuals.


We depend on consultants and engineers for our exploration programs.   The Company has relied on and may continue to rely upon consultants for exploration development, construction and operating expertise.  Substantial expenditures are required to construct mines, to establish ore reserves through drilling, to carry out environmental and social impact assessments, to develop metallurgical processes to extract the metal from the ore and, in the case of new properties, to develop the exploration infrastructure at any suite chosen for exploration.  We may not be able to discover minerals in sufficient quantities to justify commercial operation, and we may not be able to obtain funds required for exploration on a timely basis.


We are subject to the volatility of metal and mineral prices.  The economics of developing metal and mineral properties are affected by many factors beyond our control including, without limitation, the cost of operations, variations in the grade ore or resource mined, and the price of such resources.  The market prices of the metals for which we are exploring are highly speculative and volatile.  Depending on the price of gold or other resources, the Company may determine that it is impractical to commence or continue commercial production.  The price of gold has fluctuated widely in recent years.  The price of gold and other metals and minerals may not remain stable, and such prices may not be at levels that will make it feasible to continue the Company's exploration activities, or commence or continue commercial production.


Our business activities are conducted in Tanzania.  Our mineral exploration activities in Tanzania may be affected in varying degrees by political stability and government regulations relating to the mining industry and foreign investment in that country.  The government of Tanzania may institute regulatory policies that adversely affect the exploration and development (if any) of the Company's properties.  Any changes in regulations or shifts in political conditions in this country are beyond the control of the Company and may adversely affect its business.  Investors should assess the political and regulatory risks related to the Company's foreign country investments.  Our operations may be affected in varying degrees by government regulations with respect to restrictions on production, price controls, export controls, foreign exchange controls, income taxes, expropriation of property, environmental legislation and mine safety.


We may not have clear title to our properties.  Acquisition of title to mineral properties is a very detailed and time-consuming process, and the Company's title to its properties may be affected by prior unregistered agreements or transfers, or undetected defects.  Several of the Company's prospecting licenses are currently subject to renewal by the Ministry of Energy and Minerals of Tanzania.  In result, there is a risk that we may not have clear title to all our mineral property interests, or they may be subject to challenge or impugned in the future.


We have requirements for and there is an uncertainty of access to additional capital.  At February 29, 2004, the Company had cash of approximately $2,242,935 and working capital of $3,007,141.  The Company will continue to incur exploration costs to fund its plan of operations and intends to fund its plan of operations from working capital.  In the future, the Company's ability to continue its exploration activities depends in part on the Company's ability to commence operations and generate revenues or to obtain financing through joint ventures, debt financing, equity financing, production sharing agreements or some combination of these or other means.

 

12

 


The Company may not generate sufficient revenues to meet its obligations as they become due or may not obtain necessary financing on acceptable terms, if at all.  The failure of the Company to meet its ongoing obligations on a timely basis could result in the loss or substantial dilution of the Company's interests in its properties.  In addition, should the Company incur significant losses in future periods, it may be unable to continue as a going concern, and realization of assets and settlement of liabilities in other than the normal course of business may be at amounts significantly different from those in the financial statements included in this Registration Statement.


We have no cash flow from operations and depend on equity financing for our operations. The Company's current operations do not generate any cash flow.  Any work on the Company's properties may require additional equity financing.  If the Company seeks funding from existing or new joint venture partners, its project interests will be diluted.  If the Company seeks additional equity financing, the issuance of additional shares will dilute the current interests of the Company's current shareholders.  We may not be able to obtain additional funding to allow the Company to fulfill its obligations on existing exploration properties.  Our failure to obtain such additional financing could result in delay or indefinite postponement of further exploration and the possible partial or total loss of the Company's potential interest in certain properties or dilution of the Company's interest in certain properties.


We may not be able to continue as a going concern.  We are in the process of exploring our mineral properties, and we have not yet determined whether these properties contain mineral reserves that are economically recoverable.  Consequently, we consider ourselves to be an exploration stage company.  The continued operations of the Company and the recoverability of the amounts shown in our balance sheet for our mineral properties and related deferred costs are dependent upon the existence of economically recoverable reserves, securing and maintaining title and beneficial interest in the properties, obtaining necessary financing to explore and develop the properties, entering into agreements with others to explore and develop the mineral properties, and upon future profitable production or proceeds from disposition of the mineral properties.  In the event that we cannot achieve these things, the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern could be in doubt.


Conflicts of interest may arise among our board of directors.  Marek J. Kreczmer, Ulrich E. Rath, and  Anton Esterhuizen, directors of the Company, are also directors, officers, or shareholders of other companies that are similarly engaged in the business of acquiring, developing, and exploiting natural resource properties.  Mr. Kreczmer is a director of Golden Patriot Mining Inc., a Canadian company exploring for minerals in the Yukon Territory and Mongolia.  Mr. Rath is a director of Chariot Resources Ltd., a Canadian company exploring for minerals in Peru.  Mr. Esterhuizen is the Managing Director of Pangea Exploration (Pty.) Ltd., a South African company exploring for minerals in Africa and South America.  Such associations may give rise to conflicts of interest from time to time if the Company were to enter into negotiations to acquire an interest in a mineral project in which their other companies hold an interest, or the Company were to enter into negotiations to sell or joint venture an interest in its mineral properties to any of these companies.  The directors of the Company are required to act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Company and disclose any interest which they may have in any project or opportunity of the Company.  If a conflict of interest arises at a meeting of the board of directors, any director in a conflict will disclose his interest and abstain from voting on such matter.


Penny stock rules may make it more difficult to trade the Company's common shares.   The Securities and Exchange Commission has adopted regulations which generally define a "penny stock" to be any equity security that has a market price, as defined, less than US$5.00 per share or an exercise price of less than US$5.00 per share, subject to certain exceptions.  Our securities may be covered by the penny stock rules, which impose additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell to persons other than established customers and accredited investors such as, institutions with assets in excess of US$5,000,000 or an individual with net worth in excess of US$1,000,000 or annual income exceeding US$200,000 or US$300,000 jointly with his or her spouse.

 

 

13

 


For transactions covered by this rule, the broker-dealers must make a special suitability determination for the purchase and receive the purchaser's written agreement of the transaction prior to the sale.  Consequently, the rule may affect the ability of broker-dealers to sell our securities and also affect the ability of our investors to sell their shares in the secondary market.


Item 4.

Information on the Company


A.

History and Development of the Company


The Company was originally incorporated under the corporate name " 4245547 Alberta Ltd ." in the Province of Alberta on July 5, 1990, under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta).  The name was changed to " Tan Range Exploration Corporation " on August 13, 1991.  The Company was registered in the Province of British Columbia as an extra provincial company under the Company Act (British Columbia) on August 5, 1994.


The principal executive office of the Company is located at 93 Benton Hill Road, Sharon, Connecticut, 06069, U.S.A., and its telephone number is (860) 364-1830.


The Company is a mineral resource company with exploration stage properties, which means that the Company is engaged in the search for mineral deposits and that the properties are not in development or production.


Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors Concerning Estimates of
Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources


As an Alberta corporation, the Company is subject to certain rules and regulation issued by Canadian securities administrators.  The Company files an Annual Information Form on Form 44-101F1 ("AIF") with the British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario Securities Commissions via the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval ("SEDAR").  Under the AIF, the Company is required to provide detailed information regarding its properties including mineralization, drilling, sampling and analysis, security of samples and mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates.  Further, the Company describes its properties utilizing mining terminology such as "measured mineral resources" and "indicated mineral resources" that are required by Canadian regulations but are not recognized by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").  For clarification, the Company has no properties that contain "reserves" as defined by either the SEC or Canadian regulations, and is providing the following information on inferred mineral resources, in part,  in order to meet its requirements under National Instrument 43-101 adopted by the Canadian securities administrators.  U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral resources will ever be converted into reserves.


The Company's Itetemia concession is our most advanced property (the "Itetemia Property").  This property contains an inferred mineral resource of 500,000 tonnes grading 7 g/t gold, using a 2 g/t gold cut-off.


The Itetemia Property consists of six contiguous prospecting licenses.  Itetemia North, Itetemia Village, Itetemia East, Itetemia Far East, Mwinglo and Ngula. The Itetemia North concession was acquired in exchange for US$35,000 and a 3% net smelter royalty.  The Itetemia Village, Itetemia East, Itetemia Far East, Mwinglo and Ngula concessions were acquired by staking, and minimum work requirements have been completed.  The Company acquired a 90% interest in the Itetemia concession through an agreement with the State Mining Corporation ("Stamico") dated July 18, 1994 in exchange for US$57,400 in option payments over seven years and a requirement to spend at least US$300,000.  Those requirements have been met.  The Ngula North was acquired through the acquisition of Tanzanian American International Development Corporation 2000 Limited ("Tanzam") in April, 2002.

 

 

14

 



By an option and joint venture agreement dated May 31, 1999 as amended April 24, 2001 between the Company and Barrick Gold Corporation ("Barrick"), Barrick was granted the exclusive option to earn an undivided 60% interest in the Itetemia Project.  In exchange for the option, Barrick agreed to provide funding to the Company totalling $4,000,000, which has been completed.


The Company's Luhala property also located in Tanzania, consists of four (4) contiguous prospecting licenses:  Luhala, Ngobo, Shilalo and Sima (the "Luhala Property"). The Company was granted a 100% interest in the Luhala prospecting license on July 2, 1992.  To maintain this concession, the Company was required to conduct exploration work of at least US$250,000 before October 25, 1997.  This work commitment was met.


The Luhala property was the focus of an exploration program under an option agreement dated April 25, 1999 with Newmont Overseas Exploration Limited ("Newmont").  This property contains an inferred mineral resource of 9,390,000 tonnes, averaging 1.0 g/t gold, using a 0.5 g/t gold cut-off.  Newmont terminated their option on the property during the year 2000, and the Company will now explore the property further itself or enter into a new joint venture with a new mining company.  During the years ended August 31, 2001 and 2000, the Company entered into option agreements to acquire three additional licenses, named Shilalo, Ngobo and Sima.  See "Luhala Property" under Item 4.D for further details.


During the fiscal year ended 2003, the Company has also discovered three new gold occurrences on the Kigosi Property (forming a part of the Company's Lake Victoria Goldfield Properties held through Tanzam).  Two of the three occurrences are located at the north end of a three kilometre long northwest trending structure that may be responsible for concentrating the mineralization reported at the northern and southern limits of this prominent geological feature (see: "Lake Victoria Goldfield Properties" below for further details).  At the present time the Company is exploring 86 mineral resource properties in the Lake Victoria Greenstone Belts region of Tanzania.  The Company currently has a total of 29 royalty agreements with three industry partners; eleven of these royalty agreements are with Barrick Gold Corporation; nine with Ashanti Goldfields Limited; and nine with Northern Mining Explorations.


Significant Acquisitions and Significant Dispositions


The Company's principal capital expenditures and divestitures (including interests in other companies and amounts invested) for the last three fiscal years are described as follows:


Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2001


During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2001, the Company completed $2,228,725 in property acquisition and exploration on its mineral resource properties, including a further $1,242,270 in work on the Itetemia Property, as well as $971,509 on the Luhala Property.  The Company incurred a write-down of $7,553 relating to the Mulehe Property due to uncertainty as to recoverability.


Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2002


On April 30, 2002, the Company completed the acquisition of 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Tanzania American International Development Corporation 2000 Limited ("Tanzam"), in exchange for 20,000,000 shares of the Company at a value of CDN$0.35 per share (or a cost of CDN$7,000,000). Tanzam, a privately held mineral investment company, holds an interest in 52 prospecting licenses and reconnaissance licenses in the Lake Victoria Goldfields Belts of north-western Tanzania. The total land area currently held under these licenses is 3480km 2 .

 

 

15

 


By a Prospecting and Mining Option Agreement dated March 31, 1999, as amended March 31, 2000, between Northern Mining & Consultancy Company Limited ("Northern Mining") and Tanzam, Tanzam  acquired the right to form a joint venture with Northern Mining.  Tanzam will hold a 60% equity interest and Northern Mining a 40% equity interest in the joint venture.  Tanzam has paid US$50,000 on signing and a further US$25,000 to Northern Mining on the first anniversary of the agreement.  In addition, Tanzam is required to complete at least US$35,000 in annual exploration work during the first two years, and depending on commercial viability and geological potentials another US$250,000 in exploration work during the fourth, fifth and sixth years.  Until Tanzam is reimbursed for all of its expenses, Tanzam will be entitled to 80% of the net cash flows from production.


On December 14, 2001, Barrick Exploration Africa Limited ("BEAL") entered into an agreement with Tanzam (the "BEAL Agreement"), wherein BEAL was granted the option to acquire the total rights, titles and interests in thirteen prospecting licenses (now reduced to five licenses under the terms of this agreement) in different properties (called the "BEAL Project"; see "Lake Victoria Goldfields Properties" below for further details).


To exercise the option, BEAL must expend US$250,000 in exploration of the BEAL Project within the first year, and thereafter US$50,000 each year for each retained prospecting license.  In addition, BEAL must make the following annual payments for each retained prospecting license:


December 14, 2002

 

US$10,000

December 14, 2003

 

US$20,000

December 14, 2004

 

US$30,000

December 14, 2005 and
subsequent years

 

US$40,000


Within thirty days after commercial production, BEAL must pay US$1,000,000 and an additional US$1,000,000 on each of the next two years of production.  The BEAL Agreement is subject to a 1.5% net smelter returns royalty.


During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2002, the Company capitalized mineral property acquisition costs of $8,297,805.  Of this amount, $8,166,292 related to the acquisition of Tanzam.  The Company also completed $1,238,635 in exploration work on its mineral resource properties, including $443,603 on the Itetemia Property and $491,724 on the Luhala Property.  The Company wrote-off deferred exploration expenditures of $59,014 in 2002 relating to certain licenses of the Bukwimba, Mbogwe and Tulawaka properties, based on management's review of the exploration results and uncertainty over recoverability.


Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2003


The Company's exploration work for the 2002 fiscal year and up to February 28, 2003 identified two gold-bearing mineralized quartz reefs on the Lunguya Property, located in the Lake Victoria Goldfields area of Tanzania (the "Lunguya Property"), ranging in thickness from 1.3 metres and extending for at least 350 metres along strike.  The two structures, designated as the East and West reefs, are about 50 feet apart and are roughly parallel to the mafic-granite contact (see: "Lunguya Property" under Item 4D for further details).


The Company has also discovered three new gold occurrences on the Kigosi Property (forming a part of the Company's Lake Victoria Goldfield Properties held through Tanzam).  Two of the three occurrences are located at the north end of a three kilometre long northwest trending structure that may be responsible for concentrating the mineralization reported at the northern and southern limits of this prominent geological feature (see: "Lake Victoria Goldfield Properties" below for further details).

 

 

16

 



The Company has also signed nine (9) option and royalty agreements on prospecting licenses in the Lake Victoria goldfields area of Tanzania with Northern Mining Explorations/Explorations Minieres du Nord ("MDN").  Under the agreements, MDN holds the right to earn 100% of the Company's underlying interest in the licenses for an up-front cash payment of US$80,000, plus US$1.8 million in option payments and US$1.5 million in property expenditures over the five year life of the agreements.  MDN must also complete a feasibility study and make a production decision by December 31, 2008 and achieve production within 18 months or be subject to cash penalties in lieu of royalty payments.  The Company retains the right to escalating net smelter royalties on commercial production that are tied to the price of gold and range from 0.5% below US$250 per ounce to a maximum of 2% at US$380 per ounce.  The first year's commitments call for option payments of US$160,000 and an exploration expenditures of US$200,000.


In July, 2003, the Company closed nine (9) royalty agreements with Ashanti Goldfields Company Limited ("Ashanti") for prospecting licenses in the Ushirombo Belt (also forming a part of the Company's Lake Victoria Goldfield Properties held through Tanzam).  Under the terms of these royalty agreements, Ashanti has the right to earn 100% of the Company's underlying interests in the subject prospecting licenses, for staged cash payments totalling US$200,000 in the first year, plus minimum cash payments of US$930,000 over the remaining life of the five year agreement.  Ashanti must also incur aggregate property expenditures of US$800,000 in the first two years of the agreements of which US$300,000 must be expended in the first year.  In years three, four, and five of the agreements, Ashanti must complete 6,000, 8,000, and 10,000 metres of diamond drilling, respectively.


The Ashanti royalty agreements also call for Ashanti to complete a bankable feasibility report and make a positive production decision on or before the fifth anniversary of the effective date of the agreements.  Ashanti is liable for cash penalties should gold output at production not reach a minimum annual threshold of 50,000 ounces per year.


The Company retains the right to escalating net smelter royalties in commercial production that are tied to the price of gold, and range from 0.5% below US$250 per ounce to a maximum of 2% at US$380 per ounce.


All of the above investments have been made abroad and were financed internally.  The Company has not proposed any principal capital expenditures or divestitures which are currently in progress.


During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2003, the Company incurred $1,151,327 in property acquisition costs and exploration work on its mineral resource properties (net of $184,965 in option payments received) of which $450,912 was incurred on the Lunguya Property.  The Company also wrote-off $1,031,436 in exploration expenditures, of which $729,309 related to claims relinquished within the Itetemia Property area.


Six Month Interim Period Ended February 29, 2004


The Company's exploration office in Tanzania recently formed a new section called the "Regional Studies Group" whose mandate is to acquire new ground based on geologically sound research.  The primary objective in forming this group is to upgrade the Company's ground position in Tanzania for further exploration. Three new project areas within the Lake Victoria greenstone gold belts have been chosen to date.  One license in the Biharamulo North Project Area was returned to its owner during the quarter, but was written off in the previous fiscal year.


Exploration activity throughout the quarter was spent undertaking a first pass BLEG soils program over the Tanzam licenses in the Lake Victoria Goldfields Properties project area.  This work was conducted on eight licenses within six locations; namely, Geita, Ushirombo West, Biharamulo, Biharamulo North, Shinyanga, and

 

17

 


Nyanzaga North.  The Shinyanga and Nyanzaga North project areas returned encouraging results that will require detailed follow-up next quarter.


Heavy mineral indicator sampling and ground magnetic follow-up was conducted during the quarter on aeromagnetic targets identified on the Tanzam properties.  Work was completed on the Kanagele, Lunguya, and Ushirombo project areas, where 34 anomalies were ground proofed and sampled for indicator minerals.  The bulk of this work program is now completed and only eight anomalies remain to be sampled in the next quarter.  The results from the sampling program are being used to further refine exploration methodologies.


A significant reorganization was undertaken at the Tanzam corporate office in Dar es Salaam during the period, mostly to facilitate the heightened level of exploration activity anticipated by the Company in 2004.  Virtually all of the administrative activities associated with Tanzam and Tancan are now being handled by the office in Dar es Salaam, where some of the Company's most skilled and experienced personnel reside.


For the period ended February 29, 2004, the Company reported a net loss of $916,281.  The largest expense categories being $374,546 for new property investigations and staff salaries of $241,591.  Another $111,010 was expended for exploration on existing properties.


B.

Business Overview


The Company is a natural resource company, which since its incorporation has engaged in the acquisition of interests in and the exploration of natural resource properties.  The Company commits its own resources to the initial evaluation of mineral properties and in select situations, if and when warranted, the Company will enter into joint venture agreements with other corporations to further the exploration of such properties, in exchange for annual rental/option payments and post-production royalty payments.  At present, the Company's natural resource activities do not generate any income from production.


The Company's general area of interest has been in the exploration of gold properties in regional East Africa.  The Company has explored gold properties in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Zambia, Swaziland and South Africa. At the present time, the Company is exploring 86 mineral resource properties in the Lake Victoria Greenstone Belts region of Tanzania.  Tanzania remains the prime focus of the Company's activities.  Other corporations, including Barrick Gold Corporation ("Barrick"), Ashanti Goldfields Limited ("Ashanti Goldfields"), Northern Mining Explorations, and Newmont Overseas Exploration Corporation have funded most of the work on the Company's properties in this area since 1999 under option arrangements, with the exception of properties explored by Tanzania American International Development Corporation 2000 Limited ("Tanzam") which were privately funded.  The Company currently has a total of 29 joint venture and royalty agreements with its three industry partners: eleven (11) of the agreements are with Barrick, nine (9) with Ashanti Goldfields, and nine (9) with Northern Mining Explorations.


In the Company's view, this joint venture and royalty strategy offers investors leverage to gold prices with lower risk and shareholder dilution.  Future production royalties from any producing properties discovered by the Company's joint venture partners would provide the Company with a direct interest in the mine's cash flow, with exposure to any benefits from new discoveries and production growth, but without the capital obligations, and environmental and social liabilities, associated with direct ownership.

 

18

 



Plan of Operations


Exploration Activities


All of the properties in which the Company holds an interest are in the exploration stage only.  Mineral exploration and development involves a high degree of risk and few properties, which are explored, are ultimately developed into producing mines.  There is no assurance that the Company's mineral exploration activities will result in any discoveries of commercial bodies of ore.  The long-term profitability of the Company's operations will be in part directly related to the cost and success of its exploration programs, which may be affected by a number of factors beyond the control of the Company.


By way of general description of the Company's operating activities, the Company's business operations involve using known or published geological and geophysical data to locate mineral resource properties meriting further exploration or development.  Once identified, the Company must stake and apply for registration to title of the mineral properties, or negotiate the acquisition of such properties from any third party owners.  Upon registration or acquisition of title, the Company then designs a program of preliminary exploration which can involve grid mapping, geophysical and magnetic surveying, geochemical surveying, geological sampling, grab sampling, assaying and other forms of prospecting as circumstances may require.  Based on the preliminary results, mineral properties are ranked according to merit for further exploration work, which may involve further mapping, more detailed geophysical and geochemical surveying, and trenching to identify potential drill targets.  If mineralization is indicated which merits further investigation, drill targets are selected, and a diamond drilling program for underground sampling and assaying will commence.


Based on the drilling program results, the Company will develop models of the underlying geology and mineralized zones for more detailed testing.  After further drilling, some mineralized zones may be classified as inferred or indicated mineral resources.  With sufficient infill drilling, these inferred or indicated mineral resources can be confirmed as a measured mineral resource, upon which a pre-feasibility study can be prepared by a qualified, independent mining engineer or geologist to determine whether mining activities are economic in the circumstances of the particular property.  A pre-feasibility study must be completed under the requirements of National Instrument 43-101 in Canada in order for mineral reserves to be designated.  A final or bankable feasibility study must be completed for the designation of reserves under the SEC's Industry Guide 7.  If the bankable feasibility study is favourable, the Company can then use the feasibility study to seek out the necessary financing from a merchant banker or other financial institution for mine construction and development. A further mine feasibility study would be prepared to confirm the appropriate mining method based on the metallurgical studies of the ore, and to develop a mining plan.


At any point along this plan of operation, the Company may seek to interest larger mining companies in its mineral properties, which show potential for further development.  It is highly unlikely that the Company would pursue any particular property through to mineral production by itself.  By exploring and developing properties to a point where major mining companies are interested, the Company will leave the risk of mine development and operations to those companies, while retaining a carried interest or royalty from any future production.


During 2004 calendar year, the Company plans to continue evaluation of all prospecting licenses in its portfolio with a view of offering some of them for royalty agreements to other mining companies.  The evaluation of their potential comprises geological mapping, soil sampling and geophysical interpretations.  Currently, prospecting licenses which have potential diamond targets are being prospected using ground magnetic surveys, followed by loam sampling and analysis for indicator minerals.

 

 

19

 


The Company's plans for the first six months of 2004 is to continue efforts for the "farming-out" of identified properties for royalty agreements with other mining companies, and continue to examine and review other exploration opportunities in Tanzania.


Exploration


The Company's principal exploration properties are currently all located in the United Republic of Tanzania, Africa.  The government of Tanzania is a stable, multi-party democracy.  Mineral exploration in Tanzania is affected by local climatic, political, and economic conditions.  The Company's properties have year round access, although seasonal winter rains from December to March may result in flooding in low lying areas, which are dominated by mbuga (black organic rich laustrine flood soils).  Further, most lowland areas are under active cultivation for corn, rice, beans and mixed crops by subsistence farmers.  As a result, the area has been deforested by local agricultural practices for many years.  The seasonal rains and deforested areas can create a muddy bog in some areas, which can make access more difficult, and could impede or even prevent the transport of heavy equipment to the Company's mineral properties at certain times of the year between December to March.


Competition


The mining industry in which the Company is engaged is in general, highly competitive.  Competitors include well-capitalized mining companies, independent mining companies and other companies having financial and other resources far greater than those of the Company.  The Company competes with other mining companies in connection with the acquisition of gold and other precious metal properties.  In general, properties with a higher grade of recoverable mineral and/or which are more readily minable afford the owners a competitive advantage in that the cost of production of the final mineral product is lower.  Thus, a degree of competition exists between those engaged in the mining industries to acquire the most valuable properties.  As a result, the Company may eventually be unable to acquire attractive gold mining properties.


Dependence on Customers and Suppliers


The Company is not dependent upon a single or few customers or supplier for revenues or its operations.


Governmental Regulations


The Company's mineral interests in Tanzania are initially held under prospecting licenses granted pursuant to the Mining Act, 1998 (Tanzania) for a period of up to three years, and are renewable two times for a period of up to two years each.  We must pay annual rental fees for our prospecting licenses based on the total area of the license measured in square kilometres, multiplied by US$20.00 per sq. km.  There is also an initial one-time "preparation fee" of US$200.00 per license.  Upon renewal, we pay a renewal fee of US$200.00 per license.  Renewals of our prospecting licenses can take many months and even years to process by the regulatory authority in Tanzania.


All prospecting licenses in Tanzania also require the holder to expend funds in the employment and training of Tanzanian personnel, which expenditures typically amount to US$5,000 per year, and in exploration expenditures, which are set out in the Mining Act, 1998 (Tanzania).  At each renewal, at least 50% of our licensed area must be relinquished.  If the Company wishes to keep the relinquished one-half portion, it must file a new application for the relinquished portion.


We must hold a mining license to carry on mining activities, and a mining license will only be granted to the holder of a prospecting license over the area.  A mining license is granted for a period of 25 years or the life of the mine.  It is renewable for a period not exceeding 15 years.  We do not hold any mining licenses, only

 

 

20

 


prospecting licenses.  Prospecting and mining license holders must submit regular reports in accordance with mining regulations.  Upon commercial production, the government of Tanzania imposes a royalty on the gross value of all production at the rate of 3% of all gold produced.  The applicable regulatory body in Tanzania is the Ministry of Energy and Minerals.


In July 1999, environmental management and protection regulations under the Mining Act, 1998 (Tanzania) came into force.  An environmental impact statement and an environmental management plan must accompany special mining license, mining license and gemstone mining license applications for mineral rights.  In addition to the establishment of environmental regulations, the Tanzanian Government has improved management procedures for effective monitoring and enforcement of these regulations by strengthening the institutional capacity, especially in the field offices.  The Government has provided rules for the creation of reclamation funds to reinstate land to alternative uses after mining and it has developed guidelines for mining in restricted areas, such as forest reserves, national parks, sources of water and other designated areas.  These regulations have not had any material adverse effect on the Company's operations, which are exploration in nature at this time.


C.

Organization Structure


The Company has the following five subsidiaries:


Name of Subsidiary

Jurisdiction of Incorporation

Percentage &Type of Securities Owned or Controlled by Company

Voting Securities Held

Non-Voting Securities

Dia Consult Limited

Republic of Tanzania, Africa

100% (common)

n/a

Itetemia Mining Company Limited (1)

Republic of Tanzania, Africa

90% (common)

n/a

Lunguya Mining Company Ltd. (2)

Republic of Tanzania, Africa

60% (common

n/a

Kabahelele Mining Company Limited (3)

Republic of Tanzania, Africa

80% (common)

n/a

Tancan Mining Company Limited ("Tancan")

Republic of Tanzania, Africa

100% (common)

n/a

Tanzania American International Development Corporation 2000 Limited

Republic of Tanzania, Africa

100% (common)

n/a

(1)

The remaining 10% interest is held by Stamico.

(2)

The remaining 40% interest is held by Northern Mining Consulting Ltd.

(3)

The remaining 20% interest is held by Bungu Minerals Ltd.


D.

Property, Plant and Equipment


The Company's business is the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties, with a primary focus on exploring for gold properties in Tanzania.  The Company funds its activities by way of the sale and issuance of its securities to accredited investors or investor located outside the United States.  The Company also obtains operating funds through sales of and options to sell its various mineral property interests to other parties, retaining a royalty interest.  The Company's properties are without a known body of commercial ore, with no established plant or equipment, and the Company's activities to date on such properties have been exploratory in nature.

 

21

 



Itetemia Property


The following discussion regarding the geological information on the Itetemia Property is summarized from a technical report prepared in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101F1 dated May 2, 2001 entitled, "Independent Review of the Itetemia Project, Lake Victoria Greenstone Region, Tanzania" by Michael J. Michaud, M.Sc. P. Geo. of Steffen Robertson and Kirsten Consulting (Canada) Inc. (the "Itetemia Report").  The reader is referred to the complete text of the Itetemia Report, which is available online at www.sedar.com , filed on March 10, 2003 under the heading, "Engineering Report and Certificate of Qualifications".


Property Description and Location


The Itetemia Property currently consists of eight (8) contiguous prospecting licenses, covering approximately 180 km 2 .  The eight (8) prospecting licenses now comprising the Itetemia Property are held in the names of the following companies and expire (or expired in the case of Mwingilo) as indicated:


Prospecting License

Name Of Holder

Date Granted

Last Renewal Application

Expiry Date

Itetemia East (PL 2518/04)

Tancan

May 18, 2004

na/

May 18, 2007

Ngula North (PL 2374/03)

Tanzam

November 25, 2003

n/a

November 24, 2006

Itetemia (PL 1450/2000 &
PL 2523/04)

Itetemia Mining Co.

March 10, 2003;
May 18, 2004

n/a

March 10, 2006
May 18, 2007

Ngula (PL 1612/2000)

Tancan

August 29, 2003

n/a

August 29, 2006

Mwingilo (PL 241/94)

Tancan

n/a

April 12, 2000

September 11, 2000*

Itetemia Village (PL 2520/04)

Dia Consult

May 18, 2004

n/a

May 18, 2007

Itetemia North (PL 2038/2002)

Tancan

November 1, 2002

n/a

October 31, 2005

*

This license is in dispute, and the Company is attempting to renew it, but renewal may be in doubt.


The Itetemia and Ngula prospecting licenses may be renewed twice, each time for a period of two years. The Company has one right of renewal with regard to the Itetemia East prospecting license for a further period of two years and must thereafter apply for a mining license or retention license in order to preserve any rights therein.  The rental payments and minerals permitted to be pursued under such licenses are summarized below:


Prospecting License

Annual Rentals &
Preparation Fees

Minerals Covered

Itetemia East (PL 1115/98) (Application 839)

US$548.00*

All except building materials and gems

Ngula North (PL 2374/03)

US$468.20

All except building materials and gems

Itetemia (PL 1450/2000 & PL 2523/04)

US$1,142.80

All except building materials and gems

Ngula (PL 1612/2000) (Application 1459)

US$367.20*

All except building materials and gems

Mwingilo (PL 241/94)

n/a*

All except building materials and gems

Itetemia Village (PL 2520/04)

US$714.40

All except building materials and gems

Itetemia North (PL 2038/2002)

US$543.00

All except building materials and gems

*

These requirements are not fully known at this time, because application has been made for the relinquished one-half portion of the relevant license, which application is pending at this time.


Accessibility, Climate, Local Resources, Infrastructure and Physiography


The Itetemia Property is located in the Mwanza Region of the Lake Victoria Greenstone Region, Tanzania, approximately 90 kilometres by air southwest of the city of Mwanza, situated on the south shore of Lake Victoria.   The property is accessed via local roads from Geita or by plane from Mwanza to an airstrip accommodating the neighbouring Bulyanhulu Mine, owned by Barrick.  The Barrick airstrip is 3.75 km west of

 

22

 


the western boundary of the Itetemia prospecting license, and approximately 4 km northeast of the Nyamykonze village. Local resources are available at Mwanza, located on the southern shore of Lake Victoria.


[F20COVER002.JPG]


The topography in the region and on the property consists of large flat-lying areas surrounded by numerous small hills. The hills have elevations of up to 100 m above local terrain.  The hills are thickly vegetated and access is only possible along cut lines.  Little outcrop exists on the property. The climate is similar to the rest of the region.  The rainy season starts in November and lasts to the middle of April, but precipitation is irregular from one season to another. The dry seasons are usually hot. Mwanza, located along the southern shore of Lake Victoria, can, and has, provided limited supplies for mining and exploration operations in the area.  Dwellers in the area of the Itetemia Project, such as the neighbouring Nyamykonze village, are traditionally subsistence farmers and ranchers, and have limited mining experience from the Bulyanhulu operation and numerous small scale activities.  Water for the purpose of mining and processing is not readily available in the region; however, a pipeline from Lake Victoria built by Barrick for its Bulyanhulu Mine, provides an adequate supply.


The large, relatively flat terrain surrounding the known gold mineralization may be suitable for potential tailings and waste rock storage and for heap leach pads and a potential processing plant. Electric power is available via the national grid within 5 km; due to the unreliability of such power, alternative forms of residual or back-up power would be necessary for mining or processing operations, such as diesel power generation used by Barrick at its Bulyanhulu mine.


Ownership


Prior Ownership


Only two of the prospecting licenses comprising the Itetemia Property, namely, Itetemia and Itetemia North, were previously held by third parties.  With respect to the Itetemia prospecting license, the interest of the Company was acquired from State Mining Corporation of Tanzania ("Stamico") pursuant to a joint venture agreement dated July 12, 1994 (the "Stamico Venture Agreement").  The Stamico Venture Agreement obligated the Company to make two initial payments of Tsh1,000,000 and US$7,200, both of which were satisfied. With respect to the Itetemia North prospecting license, the interest of the Company was acquired from RSR (Tanzania) Limited by agreement dated April 20, 1995 (the "RSR Royalty Agreement"). The RSR Royalty Agreement obligated the Company to pay a sum of US$35,000, which payment was made.

 

23

 


The Company's Interest


Prior to the Barrick Venture Agreement (defined below), four of the prospecting licenses comprising the Itetemia Property, namely, Itetemia Village, Mwingilo, Ngula and Itetemia East, were indirectly 100% held by the Company; in the case of the Itetemia North prospecting license, the Company held an indirect 100% interest therein, through Tancan, subject only to the 2% NSR Royalty payable pursuant to the RSR Royalty Agreement. In the case of the Itetemia prospecting license, Tancan acquired its interest pursuant to the Stamico Venture Agreement, as amended June 18, 2001, which provides, among other things, that:


1.

Tancan had to pay Stamico, on execution of the Stamico Venture Agreement, the sum of US$7,200 (as an advance against the 2% gross revenue royalty) and TS1,000,000.


2.

Tancan and Stamico were to form a joint venture company for the purpose of holding the prospecting license that shall be held 10% by Stamico (with no obligation to contribute) and 90% by Tancan, which was effected through the formation of Itetemia Mining Co.


3.

Stamico is entitled to acquire an additional 20% interest in the joint venture company by paying a sum equal to 20% of the cost of placing the property into commercial production based on the feasibility study submitted to the Government of Tanzania for such purpose.


4.

Tancan shall assist Stamico in raising the required capital to exercise the right referred to in (3) above.


5.

Tancan was to expend the sum of US$25,000 in the first year and US$50,000 annually thereafter in relation to the training of Tanzanian personnel.


6.

Upon commencement of commercial production, Stamico shall receive a 2% gross revenue royalty, which shall be increased to a 2.5% gross revenue royalty should a mine on the Itetemia prospecting license produce recoverable gold in excess of 12 grams per tonne.


7.

Tancan shall pay to Stamico, as an advance against the 2% gross revenue royalty, the sum of US$7,200 on or before every anniversary of the Stamico Venture Agreement up until the development phase, upon and after which the annual sum of US$10,000 shall be paid as an advance against such royalty.


8.

Tancan shall show preference to Stamico for the provision of local materials and services during the period of mining operations.


9.

Tancan shall pay to Stamico the sum of US$20,000 on or before July 12 of each year beginning in 2001 and ending upon commercial production, provided that commercial production commences by December 31, 2007, failing which the aforementioned payment shall be revisited.


10.

Tancan may assign its rights under the agreement, subject to the prior written consent of Stamico.


By an option and joint venture agreement dated May 31, 1999 as amended April 24, 2001 between the Company and Barrick (the "Barrick Venture Agreement"), Barrick agreed to provide funding to the Company totalling $4,000,000 in the form and amounts, and on or before the dates, set out as follows:

 

 

24

 

 




Amount


Exercise Date


Form


No. Shares

Price Paid

Per Share 

         

$1,000,000

Upon Regulatory Approval

Share Subscription

1,428,571

$0.70

$1,000,000

April 30, 2000

Share Subscription

1,176,471

$0.85

$1,000,000

October 31, 2000

Share Subscription

1,000,000

$1.00

$1,000,000

June 14, 2001

Warrant

740,741

$1.35


Barrick made the first three payments to the Company and requested an extension of the date to exercise the warrants from April 30, 2001 to June 14, 2001, which was then exercised at that date.  Pursuant to the terms of the Barrick Venture Agreement, the Company was required to use 80% of the Barrick payments to advance the exploration of the Itetemia Property.  To date, the Company has expended the funds received from the Barrick payments.  The Company has spent at least 80% of these funds on the exploration of the Itetemia Property in accordance with its commitment to Barrick, and has therefore met its expenditure requirements.  Barrick retains the right to participate in any sale or issue of further securities by the Company, provided it holds at least 10% of the outstanding common shares of the Company, subject to certain exceptions.  At present, Barrick does not hold 10% of the total issued common shares.


Until a decision is made by Barrick to place the property into commercial production, Barrick is required to advance funds for the purpose of furthering exploration activities in respect of the Itetemia Property.  On or before the fourth anniversary of April 30, 2005, Barrick may deliver a production notice and feasibility report; in such event:


1.

Barrick shall acquire an undivided 60% interest in the Itetemia Property; and


2.

Barrick must commence commercial production within 12 months of such notice at a rate of 100,000 ounces of gold production per annum (18 months where it chooses to process the ore on site) or make payments to the Company equal to:


(a)

US$500,000 on or before the first anniversary of such 12 (or 18) month deadline;


(b)

US$750,000 on or before the second anniversary thereof;


(c)

US$1,000,000 on or before the third anniversary thereof;


(d)

US$1,200,000 on or before the fourth anniversary thereof; and


(e)

US$1,200,000 on or before the fifth anniversary thereof;


and a further sum of US$1,200,000, after adjusting for inflation, every anniversary thereafter.  Barrick may acquire the 10% interest held by Stamico and cause the Stamico Venture Agreement to be terminated, in which event it shall obtain a 70%, in lieu of a 60%, undivided interest in the Itetemia Property; otherwise, the Company is required to assume responsibility for the Stamico 10% interest.


Upon a production notice, Barrick is obligated to arrange financing to bring the Itetemia Property into production, which it may arrange through the use of internal funds or external funds, with the Company to repay its portion of the costs from its share of the net proceeds of production.  The costs of arranging the financing are required to be paid by the Company in proportion to its interest in the Itetemia Property.  In addition, should Barrick provide a completion guarantee to a third party lender, then the Company is obligated to pay to Barrick, on a monthly basis, 1/12 of 1% of the amount attributable to the Company that is contingently liable under the

 

25

 


guarantee.  Neither Barrick nor the Company may assign any interest in the Barrick Venture Agreement without the prior consent of the other.  Tancan obtained the written consent of Stamico to its execution of the Barrick Venture Agreement on November 17, 1999.


The Company has incurred total net costs (after any recoveries) of $6,553,777 on the Itetemia Property to February 29, 2004.  The Company does not plan to carry out any work on the property, as Barrick has operatorship of the property.


History


The exploration history of the Itetemia Property from 1988 to 1999 may be summarized as follows:


Itetemia Exploration History Synopsis


Year

Operator

Work Performed

1988 - 1992

BRG, a Tanzanian-German Corporation

First modern exploration program conducted, consisting of geological mapping, ground geophysics, magnetometer, horizontal loop electromagnetic ("HLEM"), pulse electromagnetic, and induced polarization ("IP") surveys, trenching and sampling.

1993

Stamico

Continued BRG's work and completed an air photo interpretation of the region, resulting in the identification of a northerly trenching gold bearing structure.

1994

Stamico

Completed regional geological mapping, and geochemical soil sampling on the northern and southwestern portions of the licensed area.

1995

Tancan

Detailed soil sampling in several areas confirmed strong gold anomalies along the northwest trend.  A 100 m long trench trending northwesterly was dug, returning anomalous grades of gold.  Pangea drilled six reverse circulation ("RC") holes by mistake on the southwest corner of Itetemia.  Tancan also begins first RC drilling program consisting of 4 holes totalling 374 m, in the southwest corner, but subeconomic intersections were recovered.

1996

Geodass (under contract to Pangea and Tancan)

Airborne magnetic and radiometric surveys completed over Itetemia, Itetemia North and Ngula prospecting licenses.  A magnetic survey was conducted on the Golden Horseshoe Reef and 25 kms of IP which further defined the reef and extended the reef for more than one kilometre.

1996

Tancan

Next phase of RC drilling continued with 39 holes totalling 3,596 m (Oct. '95 to July '96) covering the main HLEM anomalies.  Most of the conductors were explained by the presence of argillite horizons, containing 1-50% sulphides.

1997

Tancan

A fence of 66 RC holes totalling 2,188 m were drilled in the southern portion of the license.

 

 

26



1998

Tancan

A further 14 RC holes were drilled totalling 1,350 m in the southwest portion to test several IP anomalies, the best results returned 0.65 g/t Au over 9.0 m and 1.1 g/t Au over 8.0 m, respectively.  A second phase of 14 RC holes totalling 831 m, were drilled in the area of the Golden Horseshoe Reef to test IP anomalies and the south eastern extension of the reef near the granite contact.  Holes RC-65 and RC-66 intersected 0.7 g/t Au over 5.0 m, respectively, west of the reef.


The next phase of diamond drilling focused on the Golden Horseshoe Reef with 21 holes totalling 2,032 m drilled to test the gold showing.  The holes were drilled at a spacing of 15 m to 50 m.  The Golden Horseshoe Reef appears to be terminated to the southeast by an intrusion and seems to be pinching to the northwest.

1999

Tancan

A rotary air blast ("RAB") drilling program of 151 holes totalling 6,660 m, in seven fences were drilled; the northwestern extension of the Golden Horseshoe Reef was intersected, returning 0.28 g/t Au over 33 m.


Very little exploration work has been carried out on the Itetemia East, Itetemia Village and Mwingilo prospecting licenses.  Only limited mapping and soil sampling have been carried out.  At present, no work is being carried out on the Ngula prospecting license.


Recent Exploration (Including Drilling)


2000 Exploration Program


Barrick provided the funds for the 2000 program to the Company through share subscriptions, as provided in the Barrick Venture Agreement.  Pursuant to the Barrick Venture Agreement, 80% of the funds subscribed for are required to be incurred in respect of the Itetemia Property. The total cost of the 2000 program, including support services was $809,148.


On behalf of Barrick, the Company carried out the following exploration program in 2000: A total of 211 geochemical soil samples were collected on 21 line segments utilizing a 50 m sample interval. Twenty-eight samples came from Itetemia, 90 from Itetemia North, 9 from Itetemia Village and 84 from Mwingilo.  This soil survey confirmed most of the main anomalies, and some secondary and isolated anomalies interpreted from the earlier survey.


A RAB drilling program, comprising 448 holes and totalling 9,862 m was undertaken on the Itetemia and Ngula licenses during the period from May 23 to June 19, 2000.  The main targets of this drilling were gold soil anomalies, HLEM conductors, I.P. anomalies and mafic/felsic contacts. With respect to the Ngula prospecting license, two fences, NA and NB, were drilled to test HLEM conductors located in the central part of the license. These conductors are thought to reflect a north-northwest shear zone.  The fences intersected the shear zone, but did not encounter any significant gold mineralization. On the Itetemia prospecting license, three areas were designated for RAB drilling during the 2000 program, namely, (i) the Golden Horseshoe Reef area, (ii) the southwest corner area and (iii) the southeast corner area.

 

 

27

 



A multi-purpose drilling program, consisting of a combination of RC and diamond drilling in the same hole, was carried out during the period from June 28 to August 5, 2000 on the Itetemia prospecting license.  Four holes were drilled for an aggregate total of 1,558.2 m comprising 526.0 m of RC drilling and 1,032.2 m of diamond drilling.  Two holes ITDD-69 and 70 tested the "QFP/Reef 2" located in the southwest corner of the license, targeting the lateral and depth extensions of the QFP intersected in diamond drill hole ITDD-37, grading 0.40 g/t Au over 40.1 m.  Holes ITRC-71 and 72 holes tested the northwest extension of the Golden Horseshoe Reef. A subsequent diamond drilling program was carried out during the period from August 17 to October 20, 2000 and consisted of 12 holes totalling 2,376.8 m. The objective of this program was to test the Golden Horseshoe Reef at depth and along strike to the west, the southwest corner area and 7 anomalies identified during the 1999 soil sampling program.  The drilling results are summarized in the table below:


2000 MULTIPURPOSE AND DIAMOND DRILLING PROGRAM

(significant assays >0.19 g/t Au and >1,000ppm Cu+Zn+Pb)

HOLE

FROM

TO

INTERVAL

Au

Cu

Zn

Pb

 

(m)

(m)

(m)

g/t

(ppm)

(ppm)

(ppm)

               

ITRC-69

248.8

252.0

3.2

0.217

n/a

n/a

n/a

ITRC-71

453.5

467.5

14.0

0.140

390

7,140

3.850

ITRC-72

370.3

377.0

6.7

0.106

170

1,330

40

ITDD-40

335.9

366.5

30.6

3.65

365

639

n/a

  including

337.8

343.8

6.0

7.75

867

1,359

n/a

  including

337.8

342.2

4.4

9.80

1,109

1,290

n/a

  including

351.0

359.0

8.0

5.49

449

806

n/a

  including

351.0

354.4

3.4

8.84

496

1,158

n/a

ITDD-41

309.0

330.4

21.4

1.55

86

481

n/a

  including

311.9

316.6

4.7

2.63

166

1,512

n/a

ITDD-42

115.5

118.1

2.6

1.07

534

837

n/a

ITDD-43

134.0

135.5

1.5

1.22

n/a

n/a

n/a

ITDD-44

128.0

131.2

3.2

2.50

n/a

n/a

n/a

ITDD-46

117.9

120.9

3.0

0.98

n/a

n/a

n/a


2001 Exploration Program


During 2001, the Company carried out, on behalf of Barrick, the following exploration program.  Barrick provided the funds for the 2001 program to the Company through share subscriptions, as provided in the Barrick Venture Agreement.  Pursuant to the Barrick Venture Agreement, 80% of the funds subscribed for are required to be incurred in respect of the Itetemia Property.  The total cost of the 2001 program, including support services was $554,046.

 

28

 


In May 2001, the Company reported that two holes, totalling approximately 1,100 meters, were drilled to evaluate the down dip potential of gold mineralization in the Golden Horseshoe Reef deposit. The results of this drilling are summarized in the following table:


MINERALIZED INTERVAL

DDH#

Grade (g

Au/t)

Width (m)

Interval (m)

Zone

GHDD-25

2.10

27.20

479.40-506.60

Mineralized Envelope

2450E; 100S

       

Location Includes:

3.14

16.45

483.45-499.90

 
         

Contains:

4.58

6.50

484.35-490.85

South Zone

 

6.73

1.40

498.00-499.90

North Zone

         
 

11.0

1.00

518.50-519.50

Quartz Feldspar Poryphyry

GHDD-25W

2.15

49.8

464.50-514.30

Mineralized Envelope

2450E; 100S

       
 

4.42

2.9

470.50-473.40

South Zone

Contains:

5.59

2.2

476.10-478.30

North Zone


The recent deep core drilling of the Golden Horseshoe has confirmed that gold mineralization over widths of approximately 50 meters has been traced from surface to a vertical depth of 440 meters. The gold mineralization occurs primarily within two discrete gold zones, the South and North zones, and appears to plunge 55° to the northwest. Gold mineralization intersected in Hole GHDD-26 indicates that the geologic structure hosting the gold mineralization of the Golden Horseshoe Reef deposit may transect the felsic package of rocks. This suggests that the gold mineralization may extend further to the west, beyond the basaltic rocks that were previously thought to represent the western limit of the gold mineralization.


The Company is of the opinion that the drill results correlate well with the geology and gold mineralization identified by previous surface trenching and shallow core drilling. Additional drilling is required to provide adequate information of the continuity of the geometry and grade of the gold mineralization for updating the current resource estimate.


2002 and 2003 Exploration Programs


During the 2002 fiscal year, the Company has carried out only minor surface work on the Itetemia Property at a cost of $250,364.  No drilling was conducted and no significant new results were reported.  During the 2003 fiscal year, the Company incurred only minor geochemical and geophysical work of $13,910 on the Itetemia Property.


Geology


Regional


The Lake Victoria area contains 12 Archean Nyanzian greenstone belts which are surrounded by and have been interrupted by numerous granitic intrusions.  The Nyanzian belts comprise a volcano-sedimentary sequence composed of mafic to felsic volcanics (lavas and tuffs), BIF and shales. The greenstone belts have been grouped into locally distinct geographic regions.  One of these regions is the Southwest Mwanza Region which includes a large area south of town of Mwanza, located on the south shore of Lake Victoria.  There are five greenstone belts in the Southwest Mwanza Region, one of which is the Ushirombo belt. The Ushirombo belt is

 

29

 

 


an east-west trending belt, the eastern end of which is located approximately 25 km west of the southern end of Smith Sound on Lake Victoria. The eastern end of the belt is arcuate in shape and trends northerly tangential to the northwestern flank of the Siga Hills.


Property


The Itetemia Property is underlain by the northerly trending eastern portion of the Ushirombo Nyanzian greenstone belt.  Granite underlies the eastern and northern portions of the property.  The greenstone/granite contact trends northerly through the east-central portion of the Itetemia prospecting license and through the central portion of the Itetemia East prospecting license onto the Itetemia Village license; at which point, the contract tends westerly through the Mwingilo license cutting the northeast corner of the Ngula license. Sixty percent of the Itetemia, Itetemia North and Ngula licenses are underlain by the Nyanzian greenstone belt.  The remaining 40% is underlain by granite.  Granite variably underlies 90 to 100% of the Itetemia East, Itetemia Village and Mwingilo prospecting licenses. The mbuga soil covers 10 to 40% of the property.


Lithology


The lithologies encountered on the Itetemia and Itetemia North prospecting licenses can be divided into three volcano-sedimentary domains: (i) Northeast Domain, (ii) Central Domain and (iii) Southwest Domain. The granite truncates these domains to the east. The Northeast Domain is composed of basalt, felsic flows, thick to thin sequences of argillite and dykes/sill of gabbro.  The domain is up to 3 km thick, exhibits a north to north-northeasterly trend and has numerous extensive HLEM conductors.  The conductors are related to argillite dominantly located in one horizon at the top of the sequence.  A massive sulphide unit/zone is situated at the bottom of this horizon marking change in the volcanism.


Mineralization


The sulphide mineralization encountered on the Itetemia Property comprise massive to semi-massive, stringers, veins and veinlets, disseminated and nodular mineralization.  The types of mineralization are (i) sulphides associated with volcanism activity; (ii) remobilized sulphides associated with deformation (shear hosted); and (iii) sulphides associated with sedimentation.  The gold and metallic contents associated with this mineralization are variable and the relation between the grades and the mineralized type is not well known at this stage.


The massive to semi-massive sulphide mineralization seems to be related to volcanism.  It occurs in two areas on the Property.  One area is located in the northern part of the licenses and has been intersected by the hole ITDD-06.  More than 30 m. of sulphides were intersected at the contact between a QFP and an argillite horizon separating two pillowed basalts.  The sulphide content ranges from 10 to 90% pyrrhotite, 2 to 5% pyrite, trace to 5% sphalerite, trace to 1% copper.


The Golden Horseshoe Reef mineralization occurs as massive sulphide veins locally ranging from 15-30 cm wide.  Sulphides dominantly appear in veins/veinlets less than 5 cm wide in felsic volcanic rocks.  Five to thirty percent pyrite-pyrrhotite is common over sections of 1 to 15 m along the holes.  They are sub-concordant and parallel to the schistosity.  The strong shearing at the Golden Horseshoe Reef probably represents a remobilization of the sulphides.

 

 

30

 


Mineral Resource Estimation


Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors Concerning Estimates of
Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources


This section uses the terms "mineral resource" and "inferred mineral resource".  We advise U.S. investors that while those terms are recognized and required by Canadian regulations, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission does not recognize them.  U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into reserves.


In 1998, Minestart Management Inc. ("Minestart") was retained by Tancan to prepare a mineral resource estimation for the Golden Horseshoe Reef.  The mineral resource was calculated based on 13 diamond drill holes which were drilled at 25 m. intervals along strike for approximately 300 m. and to a depth of approximately 50 m. The mineral resource was calculated using polygons on cross-sections incorporating a 2 g/t gold cutoff and a constant bulk density of 2.7 tonnes/cubic meter. Minestart estimated the mineral resource for the Golden Horseshoe Reef to be 500,000 tonnes grading 7 g/t gold.  As an integral part of its review, the Company hired Steffen, Robertson and Kirsten Consulting (Canada) Inc. ("SRK") to review the mineral resource estimate prepared by Minestart, and SRK provided the following observations:



SRK believes the mineral resource estimation prepared by Minestart to be an inferred mineral resource as defined by standards set by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (see: "Glossary of Technical Terms - Canadian Terminology" at page 5 herein).


THE ITETEMIA PROPERTY IS WITHOUT KNOWN MINERAL RESERVES AND ANY PROPOSED PROGRAM IS AN EXPLORATORY SEARCH FOR ORE.


Luhala Property


The following discussion regarding both the Luhlala and Lunguya Properties below is summarized from a technical report prepared in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101F dated February 28, 2003 entitled, "Report on the 2002 Exploration of the Luhala Concessions and the Lunguya Concessions, Lake Victoria Goldfields District, North-Central Tanzania" by Dr. Jim L. Oliver, Ph.D., P. Geo. (the "Luhlala and Lunguya

 

31


2002 Report").  The reader is referred to the complete text of the Luhala and Lunguya 2002 Report, which is available at www.sedar.com , filed on March 10, 2003 under the heading, "Other".


Property Description and Location


The Luhala property is located in Misungwi District of Mwanza Region of Tanzania. It lies approximately 70 kilometres south of the city of Mwanza.  The Luhala property consists of five (5) prospecting licenses (namely, the Luhala PL 1451/00, Shilalo PL 2297/03, Ngobo PL 1559/00, Sima PL 1560/00, and Luhala PL 2519/04).  These prospecting licenses are in good standing with respect to required filings and payments with the Government of Tanzania.


[F20COVER004.JPG]


The Company has a 100% interest in the Luhala prospecting license, and has the right to acquire a 100% interest in the Ngobo and Sima prospecting licenses by making a series of payments to the property holder, Widescope Promotion Ltd. ("Widescope"), totaling US$120,000 over six years for the Ngobo license and US$84,000 over six years for the Sima license.  Widescope retains a 2% net smelter returns royalty on both the Ngobo and Sima licenses, which the Company may buy back, in each case, one-half (i.e. 1%) for US$1,000,000. For the Shilalo license, the Company has the right to acquire a 100% interest by making a series of payments to the property owner totaling US$16,000.  The Shilalo property owner retains a 2% net smelter return royalty, of which the Company may buy back one-half (i.e.1%) for US$ 250,000.


Each of the prospecting licenses forming the Luhala property has the following mandatory annual work and rental payments:


Prospecting License

Work Program

Annual Rentals

Minerals Covered

Luhala (PL 1451/00)

None

US$757.20

all excluding building materials and gems

Luhala (PL 2519/04)

None

US$757.30

All excluding building materials and gems

Shilalo (PL 2297/03)

None

US$274.40

all excluding building materials and gems

Ngobo (PL 1559/00)

None

US$666.00*

all excluding building materials and gems

Sima (PL 1560/00)

None

US$1140.00*

all excluding building materials and gems

*These requirements are not fully at this time because application has been made for the relinquished one-half portion of the relevant license, which application is pending at this time.


32

 



The Luhala property covers an area of approximately 101.88 square kilometers.  The target on the Luhala property is gold stockwork mineralization associated with felsic rock units in dilational structures.  There is widespread gold mineralization on the property over a 6.25 square kilometer area.


The Company has incurred total net costs (after any recoveries) of $2,589,190 on the Luhala Property to February 29, 2004.  The Company plans to conduct a further US$100,000 in RC drilling during the fiscal year ending August 31, 2004.


Accessibility, Climate, Local Resources, Infrastructure and Physiography


Access to the Luhala Property is via the main Mwanza - Shinyanga road, which is a single lane, good to excellent quality, asphalt highway.  Approximately 45 kms south of Mwanza, a dirt road from a junction at the settlement of Manawa, leads southwest to the town of Misasi.  The property has year round access, although seasonal winter rains, December to March, may result in flooding in low lying areas which are dominated by mbuga (black organic rich laustrine flood soils).  Most lowland areas are under active cultivation, corn, rice, beans and mixed crops, by subsistence farmers.  Low scrub and thorn bushes cover the small hills.  The area has been, for many years, deforested by local agricultural practices.


At Luhala, the mean elevation is approximately 1,200 m above sea level, with a series of small sub-rounded hills, rising up to one hundred metres above the surrounding plain.  These hills are typically formed by either resistive iron formations or felsic volcanic rocks.  Mafic volcanic rocks weather recessively and are typically only exposed in trenches through well formed laterite profiles.  Laterite development is extensive with brick-red laterites overlying weak mottled zones and saprolites at a depth of approximately 3-5 m's.  Deep weathering penetrates 45 - 60 m's vertically within the subsurface.


An enthusiastic and competent labor force is available through the surrounding villages, and local people have been routinely hired during the trenching, drilling and soil sampling programs conducted on this property.  However, no other significant infrastructure is available.


History


Luhala has had a significantly more protracted exploration history than Lunguya, beginning with the initial exploration by the then Tanganyikan Geological Survey in 1947.  The exploration history of Luhala may be summarized as:


LUHALA EXPLORATION HISTORY SYNOPSIS


Year

Operator

Work Performed

1947

Tanganyikan
Geological Survey

Underground adit, Shilalo West

1960's

Unknown

Minor test pits and trenches

1994

Tan Range

Grab sampling and panning, Luhala Hills

1996

Tan Range

Airbourne magnetic survey, 505 m diamond drilling in two drillholes

1997

JCI/Tan Range

MMI survey, 5,700 samples collected, geological mapping and sampling, 243 grab samples, gradient array IP over Lahula Hills, 5 DDH's for 549 m

2000

Newmont/Tan Range

251 Rotary Air Blast (RAB) drillholes

2001

Tan Range

10 DDH's, 1204  m, trenching and sampling, 32 RAB holes, totaling 1969 m. Regional mapping

2002

Tan Range

Property mapping.

2003

Tan Range

Updated geological model


33

 


The sole activities conducted on the Luhala project during 2002 were mapping and surface sampling. No drilling programs were completed on the property in 2002.  The work programs at Luhala to date have greatly enhanced the Company's understanding of the geological and structural environment on the property.  Future drill targets in the South Shilalo and Kisunge areas are now based on an updated geological model.


Geology


Luhala is found within the eastern portion of the Buhungukira Belt, a local place name assigned to one to the eight greenstone belts in the Lake Victoria District.  These rocks are believed to be the eastern continuation of the Geita  Greenstone Belt and consist of dominantly Upper Nyanzian rock sequences.


In the Luhala area, the predominant structural grain is dominated by an early deformational event which has deformed all supracrustal rocks into tight, south to southwest plunging, west overturned, synforms and antiforms.  The short limbs of these folds may have east-west strikes and modest, 40 degree south dips. The long limbs of these folds have north to northeast strikes and generally much steeper, 60 - 80 degree, and east dips.


At Luhala, three principal mineralized zones have been identified. These include Kisunge Hill, Shilalo South, and Shilalo West.  All of the three principal mineralized areas are linked by a common southwest plunging antiform, the limbs of which are separated by 500 to 800 m's and converge just south of Line 6200 E and 3800 N.  Mineralization to Kisunge Hill is associated with a chert - felsic volcanic contact.  As Shilalo South, structurally controlled gold mineralization closely tracks the position of a massive to locally well-bedded chert or cherty iron formation.  The results of diamond drilling in Shilalo West strongly outline the importance of the felsic volcanic - chert - structural sites and gold association.  For example, borehole LSD - 08A is collared in the hangingwall to the Shilalo West mineralized zone, traverses the host rhyolite-chert lithology, and terminates in the footwall.  This borehole intersected significant gold mineralization of 3.55 g/t Au over 5 m near the hangingwall contact of the felsic volcanic rocks, and is mineralized repeatedly at over one gram ranges throughout much of the felsic host interval, which in this borehole is over 35 metres thick.


The felsic volcanic rock package at Shilalo West once again presents an excellent structural site for the development of dilatant sites and gold mineralization.  As at Shilalo South, a well defined planar, brittle-ductile structural zone was not identified at Shilalo West.  Gold distribution is likely related to volumes of extensional and shear extensional veinlets, which are developed within the felsic volcanic rocks at or near, the felsic volcanic "red tuff" contact.

 

 

34

 


Exploration


Exploration at Luhala has included the following material work:


1.

The development of a strong, 1:5,000 scale geological map base tied to sub-surface geological data. The geological base has strong predictive value and may be used to guide and interpret both the results of historical drilling and plan future programs.


2.

RC and diamond drilling conducted during 2001 on the Luhala property was successful in "ground truthing" the interpreted structural style and conclusively demonstrating the association of multi-gram per tonne gold mineralization at well defined structural and stratigraphic sites, particularly antiform - synform closures near felsic volcanic -  tuff contacts.


Mineralization


At Luhala, gold mineralization is associated with zones of diffuse silicification, localized around small cm and mm scale fractures within competent chert and felsic volcanic rock units.  Major discordant vein structures are not identified and planar high strain zones are absent.  The width of these intersections may be estimated as approximately true width but this may only be ascertained through the construction of a complete set of geological sections which reconcile sub-surface and surface geological data.  Currently these kinds of sections are available for only a few of the total required areas.


No specific gravity data have been calculated for any of the rocks cored in these intervals and without strong cross sectional control, no reliable resource estimates for any of the principal mineralized zones at Kisunge, Shilalo South and Shilalo West may be calculated.


Drilling


Drilling programs were completed on the Luhala prospecting license in 2001, consisting of nine diamond drill holes, totaling 1,865 metres with an average depth of 207 metres.  The holes were planned along the three best RAB section lines (7400E, 7600E and 8000E) on Kisunge Hill, as well as some testing of a lower ranked target on the Shilalo South.  Some gold mineralization was encountered, including 4.3 metres at 1.84 g/t, 8.5 metres at 1.23 g/t, and 14.4 metres at 5.72 g/t, using a 1g/t cut-off.  Diamond drilling has shown that these gold zones do not continue at depth.  The distribution of gold at Kisunge would appear to be flat or near flat dipping.  There is insufficient drill hole coverage to tie up the numerous different rock types found at depth.  Most of the drill holes stopped in fresh rock, but it is not possible to model the significance of these rock types at depth.


No drilling programs were conducted during 2002 or 2003 on the Luhala Property, but a further US$100,000 in RC drilling is proposed during the 2004 exploration season.


THE LUHALA PROPERTY IS WITHOUT KNOWN MINERAL RESERVES AND ANY PROPOSED EXPLORATION PROGRAM IS AN EXPLORATORY SEARCH FOR ORE.


Lunguya Property


Property Description and Location


The Lunguya Property is located in the Kahama District of Tanzania, and the Company's interest therein is held indirectly through Tanzam.  The Lunguya Property is situated in the Lake Victoria Greenstone Belts, approximately 100 kms by air to the southwest of Mwanza and about 15 kms south of  Bulyanhulu.  The

 

35

 


Lunguya Property consists of six (6) prospecting licenses (namely, the Lunguya 1766/01, Lunguya East 1887/02, Shilela North 2059/02, Shilela 2472/04, Lunguya West PL 2193/03 and PL 1990/02).  These prospecting licenses are in good standing with respect to required filings and payments with the Government of Tanzania, although the Shilela prospecting license is under application for renewal.


[F20COVER006.JPG]


With respect to Lunguya PL 1766/02, in January, 2003, a Shareholder's Agreement was entered into wherein a new company, Lunguya Mining Company Limited ("LMC"), was created to form a joint venture between Northern Mining Consultancy Company Limited ("NMCCL"), Tanzam and LMC.  Tanzam has a 60% shareholding and NMCCL has the remaining 40% shareholding in LMC.


The Lunguya Property covers an area of 333 square kilometers.  There are no work requirements, and property payments on each of licenses are as follows:

Prospecting License

Annual Rentals &
Preparation Fees 

Minerals Covered

Lunguya 1766/01

$1,628.60

all excluding building
materials and stone

Lunguya East 1887/02

$1,896.8

as above

Shilela North 2059/02

$885.60

as above

Shilela 2472/04

$1,225.00

as above

Lunguya West PL 2193/03

$1,822.80

as above

PL 1990/02

$405.80

as above


Through prospecting and mining option agreements, the Company has options to acquire interests ranging from 60% to 75% in the six (6) licenses.  To maintain the options, the Company is required to make certain expenditures and fund all exploration costs of the properties.  During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2003, the Company abandoned one of the licenses, and wrote-off $35,342 in costs deferred to such license.  There are no royalties to the original license holder.  At Shilela North, through a Prospecting and Mining Option Agreement signed by Tanzam dated June 25, 1999, the Company is obligated to make annual payments of US$7,000 until commencement of exploration or abandonment, with no royalties, and a right to obtain a 70% working interest in this project.  The payment schedule is identical at Shilela.  At Lunguya East, US$12,000 annual payments are required until commencement of exploration or abandonment, the Company can earn up to

 

36

 


 an 80% interest and no royalty is required.  For PL 1990/02, through a Prospecting and Mining Option Agreement dated June 10, 1999, the Company can earn a right to obtain a 75% working interest in this project and no royalty is required; an initial payment of US$50,000 was made and no annual payments are required.


Internal to the Lunguya prospecting license (1766/01) is a small approximately 1.0 square kilometre primary mining license ("PML").  The PML is currently held by Mr. Joseph Magunila who is exploiting the Nyamakwenge Reefs.  Negotiations for control and the validity of this license is currently under discussion with relevant private and government third parties.  Portions of the currently known veins at Lunguya and some of the RC and Lunguya diamond drilling, conducted by the Company in 2002, lie within this mining license.


The Company has incurred total net costs (after any recoveries) of $2,605,034 on the Lunguya Property to February 29, 2004.  The Company proposes to conduct only minor rotary air blast drilling of US$10,000 on the Lunguya Property during the fiscal year ending August 31, 2004.


Accessibility, Climate, Local Resources, Infrastructure and Physiography


The Lunguya Property can be reached by plane from Mwanza to an airstrip accommodating Bulyanhuylu or by road via Geita up to the Bulyanhulu/Kahama road intersection. From Kahama, the property is located approximately 8 kms to the south, toward Lunguya village. Secondary roads and trails traverse the property. The Nyamakwenge Reef, located in the northeastern part of the property, can be accessed using a 12 kms dirt tract passing to the north of the property.  Climate and elevation are similar to the Luhala Property.


Very little outcrop (less than 1%) has been identified at Lunguya.  The entire property is flat and covered largely by granitic sands and grey orange laterities derived from granitic sources.  Like Luhala, Lunguya is actively cultivated, but also is being actively mined by a few score artisenal miners along the trend of the Nyamakwenge Reefs.  No significant infrastructure, power or water is available on site.  However, the entire infrastructure of the region including electricity, air transport, health clinics, schools, and improved road networks, have been greatly improved due to the proximity to Barrick's Bulyanhulu mine, some 20 kms to the north.


History


Exploration in the Lunguya area has had a much briefer history than the exploration of the Luhala area.  Reconnaissance overviews of this area are documented, but no significant historical exploration activities are known to the Company.  The license was acquired by the Company in 2001 and a program of bulk leach extractable gold (BLEG) sampling, geological mapping, rock sampling, reverse circulation (RC) and diamond drilling was initiated.


Geology


The very limited outcrop exposures on the Lunguya concession necessitate development of a geological and interpretive environment largely based on geophysical interpretations.


Regionally, Lunguya is located near the eastern terminus of the inner volcanic arc, lower Nyanzian, of the Sukumaland Greenstone belt.  The succession is dominated by tholeiitic volcanic rocks containing lesser felsic tuffaceous rocks and  argillaceous horizons cut by thin quartz porphyry dykes and sills.  The thick, banded iron formation and felsic flows characteristic of the outer arc Upper Nyanzian sequence are absent. Most of the map scale granite - greenstone contacts strike north-south.  No information is available with respect to the orientation of sub-surface contacts.

 

37

 


At Lunguya, all currently known, auriferous structural zones track at an oblique angle, the eastern granodiorite-mafic volcanic contact.  Auriferous veins strike at 020 ° to 030 ° with the dominant intrusive volcanic contact trending at approximately 360 ° .  On the property scale, two 330 ° trending fault  structures are interpreted to offset the Lunguya vein into two fault repeated vein segments, having strike lengths of  approximately 180 and 300 m.  A few score artesinal miners have exploited these veins to a depth not exceeding 30 vertical m's subsurface. A second set of auriferous reefs, the Nyikoboko Reefs, are located 12 kilometres to the south. This area is associated with a smaller set of largely inactive artisanal dumps and workings.


Exploration


Exploration at Lunguya has included the following material work:


1.

Rock geochemical surveys were successful in defining the principal mineralized trends of auriferous vein systems at Lunguya.  Reconnaissance mapping programs have established a spatial relationship of granite greenstone contacts to the localization of auriferous quartz veins.  The proximity of these contacts is clear at both the Nyamakewnge and Nyikoboko Reefs.


2.

Diamond drilling programs on the Nyamakwenge and Nyikoboko Reefs have been successful in demonstrating excellent geological continuity of the vein systems. Continuity of gold grades within  these vein systems is more problematic.


3.

In combination with geological mapping, diamond drill programs have established the strong likelihood that the Western and Eastern Reefs at Nyamakwange represent a common, fault repeated vein system with dextral and reverse offsets.  The re-constructed length of the known segments of this vein system is approximately 475 m's.  The vein ranges in thickness, cross sectional indicated, from 1.0 to 8.0 m's.


4.

Using right handed or dextral offsets, several apparently unrelated geochemical anomalies may be tied to interpreted dextral fault offsets of the Lunguya vein system.


Mineralization


Lunguya is a mineralized brittle ductile strain zone, developing internal to a major granite-greenstone contact. Gold is associated with one fault offset vein which is likely broken into two segments, the Western and Eastern reefs.  Lesser veins are also present.  Initial sampling of artisenal vein waste dumps indicated the presence of well mineralized dump samples.  The site contained greater than 200 of these small pits-shafts ranging from 1 to 20 metres deep.


Diamond drill and RC programs at Lunguya have demonstrated excellent geological continuity of the Nyamakwenge West and East Reefs but weaker continuity of grade.  The difficulty in obtaining representative gold grades from small core samples of vein material containing coarse particulate gold is a well documented phenomenon.  Significant assays obtained during the 2002 diamond drill program at Lunguya are summarized in Table 4 of the Luhala and Lunguya 2002 Report.  Widths in these boreholes are approximately true widths and the boreholes have been collared roughly perpendicular to the strike and dip of the mineralized structural zones.


Drilling


Two programs of drilling where initiated on the Lunguya property during 2002. This included a seven hole RC program totaling 535 metres completed in late August 2002.  A follow-up diamond drill program consisting of 1175 metres, in 18 boreholes was completed in November and December of 2002.

 

38

 


Core recovery measurements where made on site by geotechnician of the Company.  RC boreholes (LGRC 01 - 07) utilized the same grid system as the diamond drill program.  The location of all drill collars were marked with concrete monuments.  Drilling was concentrated on the Lunguya Reefs (11 boreholes) with three boreholes completed on the Nyikoboko Reefs.  A series of geological cross-sections and plans (Figures 10 to Figure 18 in the Luhala and Lunguya 2002 Report), summarize the results of these programs.  Both RC and diamond drill data are combined on these sections.  Drill collar locations for 12 diamond holes and 7 RC holes on the Nyamakwenge Reefs are shown on Figure 9 of the Luhala and Lunguya 2002 Report.  Drill logs for diamond drill holes are compiled on Appendix III and for RC holes in Appendix IV of the Luhala and Lunguya 2002 Report.  Assay results for diamond drill holes are compiled in Appendix V and RC assay data in Appendix VI of the Luhala and Lunguya 2002 Report.


THE LUNGUYA PROPERTY IS WITHOUT KNOWN MINERAL RESERVES AND ANY EXPLORATION PROGRAM IS AN EXPLORATORY SEARCH FOR ORE.


Tulawaka Project


The Tulawaka Project is located in the Biharamulo District of Kagera Region of Tanzania and is approximately 160 kilometers west-southwest of Mwanza town.  The Tulawaka Project consists of eight (8) prospecting licenses, including two (2) licenses held through Tanzam.  These prospecting licenses are in good standing with respect to required filings and payments with the Government of Tanzania.  The Company has incurred $1,494,346 in total costs on the Tulawaka Project to February 29, 2004.


The Tulawaka Project covers an area of approximately 334 square kilometers.  The property lies on an east-west magnetic trend, between the Kakindu gold discovery (Ashanti) and the Tuluwaka gold discovery (Pangea).  RAB (rotary air blast) drilling on the Mnekezi property intersected mineralized chert sequences which included intersections of 5 meters @ 0.26 grams/tonne gold, 3 meters @ 0.24 grams/tonne gold and 1 meter @ 0.37 grams/tonne gold.  The majority of this project has been joint ventured to MDN.


THE TULAWAKA PROPERTY IS WITHOUT KNOWN MINERAL RESERVES AND ANY EXPLORATION PROGRAM IS AN EXPLORATORY SEARCH FOR ORE.


Lake Victoria Goldfield Properties


The following discussion regarding the Lake Victoria Goldfield Properties below is summarized from a technical report prepared in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101F dated March 21, 2002 entitled, "Project Technical Review on 52 Prospecting Licenses, Lake Victoria Goldfields Tanzania" by Stephen R. McMullan, P. Geo. of  Poseidon Geophysics (Pty) Ltd. (the "52 PL Report").  The reader is referred to the complete text of the 52 PL Report, which is  available at www.sedar.com , filed on March 28, 2002 under the heading, "Technical Reports".


Property Description and Location


Tanzam, a privately held mineral investment company wholly-owned by the Company, currently holds various interests in 46 prospecting licenses in the Lake Victoria Goldfields Belts of north-western Tanzania (the "LVGB") in order to explore for economic mineral deposits.  The total land area currently held under license is 3374.13 km 2 .


Tanzam engaged Geodass (Pty) Limited of Johannesburg, South Africa (now Fugro Airborne Surveys (Pty) Limited) to undertake and manage an integrated mineral exploration program in the LVGB in August 1999. The exploration program was designed primarily to explore for gold mineralisation, without bias for mode of

 

39

 

 


occurrence. Other commodities including base metals, diamonds and industrial minerals were also considered and suitable exploration methods were adopted for a multi-commodity approach.


As of the date hereof, Tanzam holds interests in the following 45 licenses:


Book #

JV Partner

JV%

District

Old PL#

New PL#

Sq Km

1

Wazawa

65%

Ushirombo, Kahama

752/97

1846/2001

40.2

2

Martedo Investment

65%

Diabohika Bukombe

1254/99

1795/2001

24.01

3

Afrigold Limited

65%

Igando, Biharamulo

1221/99

1798/2001

68.39

4

Tanzam

100%

Bwanga, Kahama

1163/98

1946/02

72.36

5

Jope Buisness/ Mineral Industries

65%

Nyambale, Geita

1226/99

1951/02

102.9

6

Tanzam

100%

Runazi, Biharamulo

1252/99

2198/03

34.41

7

Tesemining/F-Bminerals

51%

Runazi, Biharamulo

750/97

2102/02

90.3

8

Jope Business

65%

Kisengo, Biharamulo

1275/99

2448/04

78.88

9

Jope Business

65%

Nyaesero, Biharamulo

1218/99

2182/03

82.31

10

Tanzam

100%

Kaniha, Biharamulo

1164/98

1947/02

120.4

11

Tanzam

100%

Kaniha, Biharamulo

1161/98

1945/02

85.72

12

Tanzam

100%

Kaniha, Biharamulo

1162/98

1944/02

85.72

13

Tanzam

100%

Kaniha, Biharamulo

1250/98

2192/03

132.6

14

Tanzam

100%

Kaniha, Biharamulo

1249/99

2197/03

16.05

15

Tese Mining/ F-B Minerals

51%

Ikola, Bukombe

936/98

2040/02

83.99

16

Bazo Enterprises

65%

Msasa, Bukombe

947/98

1775/2001

39.77

17

Afrigold Limited

65%

Msasa, Kahama

1223/99

1796/2001

84.0

18

Martedo Investment

65%

Mulehe, Kahama

1400/99

2449/04

34.28

19

Tanzam

100%

Kigosi, Kahama

1251/99

2191/03

147.4

20

Abby's Mining Co

65%

Kigosi, Kahama

1180/98

1854/2001

154.3

22

Wazawa

65%

Ushirombo, Kahama

751/97

1749/2001

67.24

23

Martedo Investment

65%

Ushirombo, Kahama

1253/99

1794/2001

52.62

24

Charles Shumbi

70%

Ushirombo, Kahama

1192/98

1762/2001

33.6

25

Abby's Mining Co

65%

Bwenda, Bukombe

675/97

1758/2001

17.14

26

Tese Mining/ F-B Minerals

51%

Mwalo, Kahama

537/96

1754/2001

111.4

27

Tese Mining/ F-B Minerals

51%

Nikonga, Kahama

533/96

1930/02

51.4

29

Reapa Bus. Assoc. Inc.

65%

Mbogwe, Geita

1225/99

1942/02

154.3

31

Abby's Mining Co/ Nzega Imp/Exp

65%

Bwelwa, Kahama

RL196/99

2194/03

138.2

32

Abby's Mining Co/ Nzega Imp/Exp

65%

Isebya, Kahama

RL195/99

2195/03

161.2

34

Dalles & Shamwada

65%

Pembwe, Kahama

1269/99

2510/04

102.9

35

Germina Lukuvi

65%

Kanegele, Kahama

736/97

1815/2001

37.47

39

Afrigold Limited

65%

Bukombe, Bukombe

1222/99

1797/2001

52.62

42

Jsn Limited

65%

Bukweni, Kahama

847/97

2056/02

23.14

43

Afrigold Limited

65%

Ntobo, Kahama

1311/99

2502/04

51.41

44

Zahabu Investments

70%

Uyovu, Kahama

1319/99

 

63

45

Sigo Gems

65%

Nikonga, Kahama

66/92

1853/2001

22

46

Digitel Holdings

70%

Geita North, Geita

1087/98

 

59.5

47

Digitel Holdings

70%

Bwanga North, Biharamulo

1086/98

2506/04

51.45

50

Tamo Geo-Consult

80%

Bushirombo, Kahama

1401/99

 

156

51

Tamo Geo-Consult

80%

Bushirombo, Kahama

1402/99

 

88

 

 

40

 



52

Tanzam

100%

Bukondo, Geita

 

2196/03

11.23

53

Tangulf Express Ltd.

85%

Kongota, Geita

 

2070/02

50.81

54

RSR (T) Ltd.

85%

Nungwiza

 

2513/04

59.42

55

RSR (T) Ltd.

90%

Ngwangumbolwa

 

2514/04

8.381

 

Teddy & Co.

90%

Igogo

 

App 880

58.23

81

Tanzam

100%

Bushirombo, Kahama

Relinquished 1/2 of 1401/99

2466/04

74.60

82

Tanzam

100%

Bushirombo, Kahama

Relinquished 1/2 of 1402/99

2467/04

43.57

(1)

The area of each license has been calculated based on geographic coordinates from the original license application in planar map coordinates.  Prospecting license numbers have been changed after registration under the Mining Act 1998 .

(2)

A mineral right may be transferred upon application and approval by the Minister.


As of the date hereof, Tancan holds interests in the following prospecting licenses, not previously discussed herein:


Book #

License Holder

TancanJV%

District

Old PL#

New PL#

Sq Km

80

Tancan

100%

Kahama

Relinquished 1/2 of 1376/99

2375/03

9.32

103

Tancan

100%

Itetemia

1713/01

App R-234

8.57

111

Tancan

100%

Geita

276/95

1856/1

102.9

112

Kabahelele Mining Co.

80%

Tulawaka

1452/00

App 1138

15.95

113

Tancan

100%

Tulawaka

427/96

2473/04

54.01

119

Dia Consult

100%

Tulawaka

 

1757/01

5.2

120

Eb-Hance

90%

Kibara

 

2058/02

34.58

124

Charles Shumbi

90%

Kanagele

1375/99

App 743

22.92

125

Mega Deposit Explorers

90%

Kigosi

 

2019/02

495.1

127

Mega Deposit Explorers

90%

Miyabi

 

2020/02

150.8

130

Dismas Calist

90%

Shinyanga

 

2217/03

123.4

131

Makweba/Kusundwa

90%

Tulawaka

 

2295/03

39.46

132

Eb-Hance Co.

90%

Kibara

 

2308/03

53.35

133

Mussah Mussah

90%

Nyanzaga North

 

2279/03

35.79

134

Hasanet Ltd.

90%

Manonga

 

2272/03

54.82

135

Trust Marck Investments

90%

Manonga

 

2007/03

10.64

136

Mbonimpa, J&F

90%

Manonga

 

2461/04

116.5

137

Bey & Daniel

90%

Manonga

 

1187/01

37.96

138

Hasanet

90%

Manonga

 

2487/04

24.84

139

Dismast Calist

90%

Igunga

 

2458/04

152.4


History


Prior to Tanzam's acquisition of the original fifty-two prospecting licenses ("PL") in its current portfolio, little systematic work using modern exploration methods had been undertaken on the licenses. Tanzam acquired the licenses through negotiation with local vendors and prospectors, and by direct application to the Geological Survey (Madini), within the Mineral Resources Department of the Ministry of Water, Energy and Minerals of Tanzania.

 

41

 


Tanzam's interest in the prospecting licenses is variable, depending on the agreements with the individual vendors. However, it is common to all agreements with the vendors that Tanzam has exclusive rights to sell the project to a third party without restraint. Compensation to the vendors remains the responsibility of Tanzam.


Tanzam has granted to Barrick Exploration Africa Limited ("BEAL") an option to acquire the total rights, titles and interests held by Tanzam in the following three (3) prospecting licenses:


PL 1401/99

PL 2374/03

PL 2455/04


If such option is exercised, Tanzam is entitled to (i) certain payments after the Commercial Production Date (as defined) with respect to the first mine constructed by BEAL on any property covered by the licenses; and (ii) a 1.5% net smelter return (which may, in certain circumstances, be reduced).  Refer to Item 4A for further information on the option granted to BEAL.


The Company has incurred total net costs of $5,541,109 on the Lake Victoria Goldfields Properties to February 29, 2004.  The Company proposes to spend US$135,000 on rotary air blast drilling on the Lake Victoria Goldfields Properties during the fiscal year ending August 31, 2004.


Mineralisation


Lake Victoria Goldfields Belts


The Lake Victoria Goldfields have produced the greatest proportion of Tanzania's mineral wealth and are still the most fertile and prospective for gold exploration.  Ninety percent of Tanzania's gold production to 1991 had come from the district and new production is likely.  Significant gold resources have been discovered in the Lake Victoria Goldfields in the last decade by other third parties.


Artisanal Gold Mining


Official estimates indicate that artisanal gold mining in Tanzania produces 8 to 15 tonnes of gold per annum. Black market dealers have previously purchased most of this production, but Meremeta (a state-owned gold company) has set up regional buying centres to capture most of this production. The net benefit is both to the State in gaining foreign currency, and to the artisanal miners who can sell gold at set prices based on world commodity markets.


Historically, artisanal miners have only operated on a cash basis, i.e. where the gold grade was less than approximately 40g/t, the artisanals could not profitably mine the ore.  Artisanals actively explored the Lake Victoria Goldfields, and have discovered several significant deposits that are currently being developed commercially by other mining companies.


Geology


Tanzania is underlain by the Tanzanian Craton, a crustal block of predominately Archaean (>2,500 Ma) rocks surrounded and overlain by younger sediments and mobile belts.  It is one of the core blocks of Africa, and is essentially a continuation of the Congo Craton.


The Lake Victoria Goldfields consist of a granite greenstone terrain that extends northwards into SW Kenya.  The internal stratigraphy of the greenstone belts is reasonably well constrained.  It consists of a lower,

 

42

 


essentially mafic, volcanic unit in which ultramafic rocks are rare, overlain by chemical and classic sediments and then felsic volcanics.  This assemblage is called the Nyanzian Group.  The Nyanzian Group is unconformably overlain by a classic sedimentary sequence, also Archean, known as the Kavirondian Group.  These sediments contain clasts of all Nyanzian lithogies, some of which appear to have been deformed before erosion.  In addition they contain debris of some granitoids.  However, the main period of granitoid emplacement post-dates the Kavirondian.  Although there was early tectonism, the main pervasive deformation post-dates the bulk of the granites, imparting a foliation to all these lithogies.  Some Archaean granitoids of the Belt appear to pot-date this foliation.  Further discussion on the regional and local geology is set out above, under the section on "Geology" for the Itetemia Property.


Exploration


The exploration program on behalf of Tanzam comprised the following elements:


Component

Description

No of Samples/Kilometres

Desk Studies

   

Literature database

Compilation of all available technical literature on geology and mineralisation of Tanzania, document scanning, indexing and OCR

>300 references;

10,000 pages

Air Photography Interpretation

Government uncontrolled panchromatic airphotos used as reference for field mapping

450 photos @ 1:50,000 scale

Geographic Information System

All available published Government topocadastral, geophysics and geology maps scanned, georeferenced and digitised

35 topocadastral maps;

10 geology maps; and

30 geophysics maps

Landsat TM

Georeferencing using map control points, calculation of iron oxide, clay ratios, various band combinations, principal component analysis (Crosta alteration index)

One scene 160 X 185km

SPOT satellite imagery

Georeferencing using map control points, scene mosaic, digital base map, structural analysis, identification of artisanal workings

Eight scenes 60 X 60km

Orientation Program

Soil profile mapping

Mapping of the soil profile in trenches and artisanal workings

Trenches in PL1846/01

Lunguya Kimberlite Orientation

Examination of previous Open File exploration work, indicator mineral sampling

Lunguya kimberlite area

 

 

43

 



Mine visits

Geological tours of Golden Pride (Resolute) and Chocolate Reef (Anglo American/Pangea)

2 tours

Airborne Geophysics

Magnetic gradiometer, radiometrics and VLF-EM

Fugro Airborne Surveys Triax® aeromagnetic gradiometer, 256 channel radiometrics and VLF-EM

36714 line kilometres @ 250m line spacing;

approximately 8500km 2

GEOTEM test survey

Fugro Airborne Surveys (Geoterrex Canada), Utambala, Musindikwa and Katente artisanal workings in PL1401/99 near Ushirombo village.

200 lkm @ 250m line spacing; 6 X 8 km area

Field Program

Regional Aeromagnetic Interpretation

Identification of magnetic lineaments indicative of structure, magnetic fabric indicating foliation, shearing and stratigraphy, pseudo-geology mapping

36714 line kilometres;

approximately 8500km 2

Soils Mapping

Combination of Landsat TM imagery, airborne radiometrics, and DEM to identify soils and erosional surfaces for interpretation of underlying geology and planning geochemical programs

Entire project area; approximately 8500km 2

Artisanal Mapping

Identification of artisanal workings from SPOT imagery and records from airborne survey

139 artisanal workings identified

Regional mapping

Integrated interpretation of Air photos, geophysical and satellite imagery and geophysics, regional structural interpretation, identification of areas of alteration, detailed interpretation of high ranked prospecting licenses

Entire project area;

approximately 8500km 2

Gold Analysis Samples

726 samples fire assay Humac Laboratory Mwanza

1045 samples Aqua Regia wet chemical assay Humac laboratory Mwanza

726 samples fire assay;

1045 samples wet chemical method

Multi element geochemistry Samples

726 samples 45-element ICP-MS Omac Laboratory Ireland

726 samples

License boundary survey

OmniStar differential GPS survey on corners of prospecting licenses

184 points

Kimberlite program

Identification of discordant sub-circular aeromagnetic targets

195 targets identified;
98 targets sampled


 

44

 


Prospecting License Ranking Criteria


The prospecting licenses in the Tanzam portfolio in Phase I have been ranked according to the following criteria for potential to host gold mineralisation:


(a)

Regional structural controls for mineralisation (including relative ages) interpreted from airborne geophysics and satellite imagery should be present.


(b)

The presence of artisanal mining on a prospecting license, especially if it is currently active.


(c)

Underlying "prospective" lithologies (eg. banded iron formation that had been sheared is a known host for gold).


(d)

Indications from assay data that gold or a marker element present in anomalously high concentrations. This criterion will take into consideration possible near-surface leaching, nature of the sample (regolith, grab rock specimen, etc).


(e)

Indication of hydrothermal alteration associated with mineralisation.


(f)

Proximity to known gold occurrences.


From the Phase I program, nine prospecting licenses have been ranked high potential for gold mineralization, and an additional eight have been categorized as moderate-high potential for gold mineralization. Within the high ranking prospecting licenses, twenty-nine targets over a 715.36km 2 area warrant detailed follow-up.


Prospecting Licenses Ranked "High"

Prospecting Licenses Ranked "Moderate-High"

1846/01

1762/01

1798/01

1225/99

2182/03

RL120/99

1854/01

RL139/99

1749/01

1269/99

1766/01

2059/02

2374/03 (1)

2472/04

2455/04 (1)

1853/01

1401/99 (1)

 

(1)

Prospecting licenses over which BEAL has an option.

 

45

 


Conclusions from Phase I


The LVGB is generally under explored using modern exploration methodology. The Tanzam exploration program tested the effectiveness of several exploration techniques and has assembled a considerable database of literature, digital data and exploration methodologies Greenstone rocks that are favourable hosts to gold mineralisation are more widespread than previously mapped.  Thick soil development obscures virtually all bedrock exposures, and geophysics is the only effective geological mapping tool. Areas that were mapped previously as granite based on soils and float are seen to be underlain by greenstone rocks which are favourable for gold mineralization.  Artisanal miners in PL 1854/01 have led to the discovery of an unknown mineralized occurrence previously mapped as granitic terrain with low potential for gold mineralization.


THE LAKE VICTORIA GOLDFIELDS PROPERTY IS WITHOUT KNOWN MINERAL RESERVES AND ANY EXPLORATION PROGRAM IS AN EXPLORATORY SEARCH FOR ORE.


Item 5.

Operating and Financial Review and Prospects


This discussion and analysis of the operating results and the financial position of the Company for the six months ended February 29, 2004, and the years ended August 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the related notes attached hereto.


Critical Accounting Policies


The Company is in the process of exploring its mineral properties and has not yet determined whether these properties contain mineral deposits that are economically recoverable.  The continued operations of the Company and the recoverability of the amounts shown for mineral properties and related deferred costs are dependent upon the existence of economically recoverable reserves, securing and maintaining title and beneficial interest in the properties, obtaining necessary financing to explore and develop the properties, and upon future profitable production or proceeds from disposition of the mineral properties.


In accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles, acquisition costs and exploration and development costs relating to mineral properties are deferred until the properties are brought into production, at which time they are amortized on a unit-of-production basis, or until the properties are abandoned or sold or management determines that the mineral property is not economically viable, at which time the deferred costs are written off.  Option payments on mineral properties are exercisable at the discretion of the Company and, accordingly, are only recognized as paid.


Amounts recovered from third parties to earn an interest in the Company's mineral properties are applied as a reduction of the deferred exploration costs.  The amounts shown as deferred expenditures and property acquisition costs represent net costs to date, less amounts amortized and/or written off, and do not necessarily represent present or future values.


Overhead costs directly related to exploration are allocated to the mineral properties explored during the year and are deferred and amortized using the same method applied to property-specific exploration costs.  All other overhead and administration costs are expensed in the year they are incurred.


For the purposes of United States generally accepted accounting principles, the Company expenses all exploration expenditures made prior to commercially mineable deposits being identified.  See Note 12 of the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company.

 

46

 


The Company's financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue on a going concern basis.  The Company has incurred losses since inception and the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern depends upon its ability to develop profitable operations and to continue to raise adequate financing.  The Company's sole source of financing is by the issue of common stock.  The Auditors' report on the Consolidated Financial Statements includes additional comments that state that conditions and events exist that cast substantial doubt on the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.  The financial statements do not contain any adjustments as a result of this uncertainty.


Management notes that its ability to finance additional exploration on its resource properties is contingent on the outcome of exploration and the availability of financing in capital markets, factors which are beyond the Company's control.  The Company may not be able to continue to raise funds in which case the Company may be unable to meet its obligations and commitments.  Should the Company be unable to realize on its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business, the net realizable value of its assets may be materially less than the amounts recorded on the Company's balance sheets and insolvency and liquidation with a total loss to shareholders could result.


The Consolidated Financial Statements utilize estimates and assumptions principally regarding mineral properties and going concern that reflect management's expectations at the date of preparation.  Events or circumstances in the future, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, may impact these expectations and accordingly could lead to different assumptions and estimates from those utilized.  Factors that could impact the estimates and assumptions that were made at the date of preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements have been previously discussed under the heading "Risk Factors".


A.

Operating Results


The following discussion and analysis of the financial condition and operating results of the Company for the three years ended August 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 and the second quarter ended February 29, 2004 (the "MD&A") should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes to the financial statements which have been prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP.  The discussion and analysis set for the below covers the results measured under Canadian GAAP.  Material differences between the application of Canadian GAAP and U.S. GAAP to the Company's audited financial statements exist as described in Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.


Second Quarter ended February 29, 2004 as compared to Second Quarter ended February 28, 2003


The Company incurred a net loss of $916,281 for the six months ended February 29, 2004 or $0.011 per share, compared to a net loss of $802,860 for the six months ended February 28, 2003.  The increase in net loss in the period-to-period comparison is $113,421, which is due primarily to the increase in property investigation costs for the period of $374,546 ($42,127 for 2003) which was partially off-set by reductions in general and administrative expenses, such as rent of $54,313, compared to $76,947 in 2003, and lower consulting and management fees ($65,761, compared to $110,258 in 2003), and lower professional fees ($54,000, compared to $100,647 in 2003).  The lower consulting and management fees were due to reductions in management staff, and the lower professional fees are due to the settlement of an outstanding lawsuit .


Fiscal year ended August 31, 2003 as compared to fiscal year ended August 31, 2002


The Company incurred a net loss for year ended August 31, 2003 of $3,014,778 or $0.04 per share, compared to a net loss of $1,343,958 or $0.02 per share in 2002.  The increase in net loss in the year-to-year comparison is $1,670,820.  The increase in net loss prior to future income tax recovery is $2,110,820.  Throughout the fiscal year ending August 31, 2003, exploration staff performed exploration over the territory

 

 

47


acquired from Tanzam and on new properties acquired for the Company's account during the year.  At the end of the fiscal year, a total of ten licenses were relinquished.  The write-offs associated with these licenses of $1,031,436 comprise the largest expense category for the 2003 fiscal year, while the write-off in the 2002 fiscal year was only $59,014.  A license within the Itetemia Property area accounted for the largest portion ($729,309) of this write-off.  In addition, the expense to investigate new properties for the Company's portfolio increased by $175,134 from the prior year's amount of $204,952, to a total of $380,086.  Administration expenses amounted to $1,978,041 in 2003 compared to $1,144,038 in 2002.  The increase is primarily due to an increase in consulting and management fees, office rentals, professional fees and salaries and benefits, as a result of an increase in activities in all these areas.


Consulting and management fees increased to $170,468 in 2003, compared to $98,899 in 2002 mainly due to the increase in property acquisition and exploration activities of the Company.  The increase is a result of the Company's increased focus and efforts on property acquisitions in Tanzania.  Office and administration costs decreased to $110,123 in 2003, from $116,264 in 2002, and office rentals increased to $142,148 in 2003, from $88,467 in 2002, the increase in office rentals relating to the Company's offices in Tanzania as a result of the Tanzam acquisition.  The Company is looking to decrease rental costs through a sublease agreement. Professional fees increased to $309,556 in 2003, from $90,202 in 2002 mainly due to the increase in property acquisition, exploration, and financing activities of the Company, increase in auditing costs associated with the acquisition of Tanzam, and legal fees associated with an outstanding law suit.  Promotions and shareholder relations expense increased to $92,876 in 2003, from $83,790 in 2002.  Salaries and benefits costs increased to $637,327 in 2003, from $351,975 in 2002, mainly due to increased staffing levels.


Travel and accommodation costs increased to $78,906 in 2003, from $53,875 in 2002 mainly due to increased travel as a result of more activity in Tanzania.  Foreign exchange loss increased to $104,989 in 2003, from $13,509 in 2002 mainly due to a weaker Tanzanian schilling versus the Canadian dollar.


Fiscal year ended August 31, 2002 as compared to fiscal year ended August 31, 2001


The Company incurred a net loss for the year ended August 31, 2002 of $1,343,958 or $0.02 per share, compared to a net loss of $792,773 or $0.02 per share in 2001.  The increase in net loss in the year-to-year comparison is $551,185, which is due primarily to an increase in administrative expenses of $270,294 and an increase in property investigation costs of $204,952.  Administration expenses, net of recoveries amounted to $1,144,038 in 2002 compared to $873,744 in 2001.  The increase in property investigation costs of $204,952 expensed in 2002 (Nil in 2001), related to investigation at Mabale Hills and the increase in administration expenses is related to the increased corporate activities associated with the acquisition of Tanzam.  Amortization increased to $92,227 in 2002 from $37,406 in 2001 due to equipment purchases during the year, mainly the assets acquired in the Tanzam acquisition.


Consulting and management fees decreased from $100,939 in 2001 to $98,899 in 2002 as a result of lower financing activities.  Office and administration costs increased to $116,264 in 2002, from $37,705 in 2001 mainly due to a write-off of $42,821 of amounts due from a director and a company controlled by a former director.  There was also an increase in office and administration costs relating to the Company's offices in Tanzania as a result of increased activities.  Office rentals expense increased to $88,467 in 2002, from $54,270 in 2001 mainly as a result of increased rent expense in the Company's Tanzanian offices.  Press release expense decreased to $12,448 in 2001, from $38,979 in 2001 due to less volume of news releases in the year.  Information and shareholder relations expense increased to $83,790 in 2002, from $36,552 in 2001 mainly due to increased communications to shareholders, website maintenance and investor relations costs to promote the Company.  Property investigation costs of $204,952 in 2002 relate to costs incurred to investigate the Mabale Hills property and were expensed as the Company decided not to pursue this property further.  There were no  such costs in 2001.  Salaries and benefits costs increased to $351,975 in 2002, from $268,857 in 2001 mainly due to an increase in the number of staff in Tanzania.

 

48



Transfer agent and listing costs decreased to $36,236 in 2002 from $140,741 in 2001 mainly due to costs of $105,397 that related to a prospectus in 2001 that are not applicable in 2002.  Expense recoveries were nil in 2002 compared to $45,479 in 2001.  All option payments received from joint venture partners are offset against the carrying value of the mineral properties for Canadian GAAP.  The Company incurred a write-down of mineral properties of $59,014 in 2002.  Management reviewed the carrying value and recoverability of all mineral properties and deferred exploration costs and wrote-off deferred costs relating to certain licenses of the Bukwimba, Mbogwe and Tulawaka properties.


Inflation


Historically, inflation has not affected the Company's business in the current locations where it is doing business and the Company does not expect it to affect the Company's operations in the future.


B.

Liquidity and Capital Resources


The Company had $2,242,935 in cash at February 29, 2004, as well as $925,100 in short term investments, compared to $1,550,072 in cash at August 31, 2003 and $2,027,272 in cash at August 31, 2002.  The Company had working capital of $3,007,141 at February 29, 2004, compared to $2,092,912 at August 31, 2003 and $1,921,418 at August 31, 2002.  Although the Company is in a positive working capital position, the Company will need to obtain additional financing to sustain operations at the present rate of activity.  Historically, the Company has raised funds through equity financing, entering into joint venture or royalty agreements with other mining companies, and the exercise of options and warrants to fund its operations.  The Company's funding requirements by major expenditure category, listed in order of priority are:


(a)

exploration work,

(b)

new property investigations, and

(c)

general and administrative costs.


Exploration work and new property investigations can generally be deferred until adequate capital resources are available, and general and administrative costs can be reduced during periods when funding is not available.


At this time, the Company has no operating revenues, and does not anticipate any operating revenues unless the Company is able to find, acquire, place in production and operate a profitable mining property.


The Company has completed the following fifteen (15) tranches of a twenty-four (24) tranche private placement pursuant to a Subscription Agreement dated March 5, 2003 made between the Company and James E. Sinclair, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company:


(a)

March 19, 2003 - 58,480 common shares at a price of $1.71 per share;

(b)

April 11, 2003 - 73,368 common shares at a price of $1.363 per share;

(c)

May 15, 2003 - 101,875 common shares at a price of $1.227 per share;

(d)

June 26, 2003 - 77,930 common shares at a price of $1.604 per share;

(e)

July 30, 2003 - 88,968 common shares at a price of $1.405 per share;

(f)

August 27, 2003 - 73,443 common shares at a price of $1.702 per share;

(g)

September 26, 2003 - 65,445 common shares at a price of $1.91 per share;

(h)

October 21, 2003 - 68,757 common shares at a price of $1.818 per share;

 

49


(i)

November 21, 2003 - 76,876 common shares at a price of $1.626 per share;

(j)

December 12, 2003 - 66,525 common shares at a price of $1.879 per share;

(k)

January 13, 2004 - 77,785 common shares at a price of $1.607 per share;

(l)

February 24, 2004 - 82,508 common shares at a price of $1.515 per share;

(m)

March 26, 2004 - 83,001 common shares at a price of $1.506 per share;

(n)

April 29, 2004 - 82,946 common shares at a price of $1.507 per share; and

(o)

May 20, 2004 - 98,580 common shares at a price of $1.268 per share.


The Company also completed a $1,000,000 private placement pursuant to a Subscription Agreement dated January 5, 2004 between the Company and James E. Sinclair for 622,278 common shares at a price of $1.607 per share.


On March 6, 2001, the Company closed an issue of 5,875,000 special warrants priced at $0.40 per special warrant to non-residents of the United States, pursuant to Regulation S as offshore sales.  Each special warrant was exchangeable into one unit of the Company, comprising one common share and one-half of one share purchase warrant.  Each whole share purchase warrant entitled the holder to purchase an additional common share at a price of $0.60 for a period of 18 months.  The share purchase warrants have now expired.  A prospectus filed to qualify these special warrants cleared on June 4, 2001 in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario, Canada.  The gross proceeds of $2,350,000 were reduced by an agents' commission of $164,500.  The agents were also issued 46,266 common shares upon clearance of a qualifying prospectus.  Additional expenses relating to the offering of the special warrants and qualifying prospectus were $268,310.


On May 30, 2001, the Company completed a private placement for the issuance of 162,000 units at a price of $0.55 per unit to non-residents of the United States, pursuant to Regulation S.  These units comprised one common share and one non-transferable share purchase warrant for a further 162,000 common shares exercisable at a price of $0.60 per share until May 30, 2003.  As of May 31, 2003, none of these warrants remained unexercised or outstanding.


Under the terms of a property acquisition agreement dated December 6, 1999 (see note 4(a) of the financial statements), on November 30, 1999, Barrick Gold Corporation ("Barrick") purchased 1,428,571 shares at a price of $0.70 each for total proceeds of $1,000,000.  On May 11, 2000, Barrick purchased a further 1,176,471 shares at a price of $0.85 each for total proceeds of $1,000,000.  On October 23, 2000, Barrick purchased a third placement of 1,000,000 shares at $1.00 each for total proceeds of $1,000,000.  On June 14, 2001, Barrick purchased a final placement of 740,741 shares at $1.35 each for total proceeds of $1,000,000.


On May 9, 2000, the Company completed a private placement for the issuance of 200,000 special warrants at a price of $0.50 per special warrant to non-residents of the United States, pursuant to Regulation S.  These special warrants were exchangeable into one common share and one non-transferable share purchase warrant for a further 200,000 common shares exercisable at a price of $0.60 per share until May 9, 2001 and $0.70 per share until May 9, 2002.  On September 12, 2000, these special warrants were exchanged for common shares and warrants.  The expiry date on the 2000 warrants exercisable at $0.70 per share were extended to October 9, 2002.  All of the warrants were subsequently exercised.


Mineral Property Projects:


As at February 29, 2004, amounts capitalized in respect of mineral properties were $18,783,456, an increased from August 31, 2003 when the balance was $18,672,446 and August 31, 2002 when the balance was $18,552,555.

 

50


During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2003, the Company capitalized under Canadian GAAP $1,151,327 (net of option payments received of $184,965) for property acquisition and exploration work, of which $450,912 was incurred on the Lunguya Property.  The Company also wrote-off $1,031,436 in exploration expenditures, of which $729,309 related to claims relinquished in the Itetemia Property area.


During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2002, the Company capitalized mineral property acquisition costs of $8,297,805.  Of this amount, $8,166,292 related to the acquisition of Tanzam.  The Company also completed $1,238,635 in exploration work on its mineral resource properties, including $443,603 on the Itetemia Property and $491,724 on the Luhala Property.  On Itetemia, the exploration work was primarily trenching and drilling and on Luhala, it related primarily to geophysical and geochemcial analysis.


During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2001, the Company capitalized mineral property acquisition costs of $95,094 and completed $2,133,631 of exploration work on its mineral resource properties, including $1,208,685 on the Itetemia Property and $910,000 on the Luhala Property.


For information on the Company's commitments for property and rental payments, refer to Item 4.


C.

Research and Development, Patents and License, etc.


Not Applicable.


D.

Trend Information


No known trend.


E.

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements


The Company has no material off balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on the Company's financial condition.


F.

Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations


The following table sets out the Company's known contractual obligations as of the latest fiscal year end:


Contractual Obligations

Payments Due by Period

Total

Less than
1 year

1-3 years

3-5 years

More than
5 years

Mwanza Office Lease (1)

US$12,000

US$1,000/mo

Nil

Nil

Nil

Dar es Salaam Office Lease (2)

US$5,760

US$480/mo

Nil

Nil

Nil

Vancouver Office Lease (3)

CDN$14,000

CDN$3,500/mo

Nil

Nil

Nil

Field Staff House Lease (4)

US$4,800

US$400/mo

Nil

Nil

Nil

(1)

Renewable annually in October, 2004.

(2)

Renewable annually in January, 2005.

(3)

Expires on May 31, 2004.

(4)

Renewable annually in July, 2004.

 

 

 

51

 

 


Item 6.     Directors, Senior Management and Employees


A.

Directors and Senior Management


The following is a list of the Company's current directors and officers.  The directors named below were all re-elected by the Company's shareholders on February 16, 2004:


Name, Municipality of Residence and Position With the Company

Principal occupation or employment and, if not a previously elected director, occupation during the past
5 years

Served as a Director Continuously Since

James E. Sinclair
Sharon, Connecticut


Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director

Chairman and CEO of the Company; Chairman and CEO of Tanzania American International Development Corporation 2000 Limited

April 30, 2002

Victoria Luis
Kent, Connecticut


Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Director

CFO and Secretary of the Company; CFO, Tanzania American International Development Corporation 2000 Limited; Process Improvement Manager, General Electric Capital

April 30, 2002

Jonathan G. Deane
Mwanza, Tanzania

Vice-President, Exploration

Exploration Manager of the Company from 1996; Vice-President, Exploration of the Company from February, 2004

Not a director

Marek J. Kreczmer
Vancouver,
British Columbia


Director

President of the Company from 1991 to December, 2003; Chairman of the Technical Committee since October, 2003

July 24, 1991

Ulrich E. Rath
Toronto, Ontario


Director

Chief Executive Officer, Compania Minera Milpo (Peru) from May, 1999 to April, 2002; Chief Executive Officer, EAGC Ventures Ltd. from May, 2002 to April, 2003; Director, Chariot Resources Ltd. from December, 2002 to present

October 7, 2003

Anton Esterhuizen
Johannesburg, South Africa


Director

Managing Director, Pangea Exploration (Pty)

January, 2001

William Harvey
Sharon, Connecticut


Director

Psychologist

April 30, 2002

Rosalind Morrow
Willowdale, Ontario

Director

Lawyer; Partner, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

October 20, 2003

 

 

52



Directors and Senior Management


James E. Sinclair

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director


Mr. Sinclair became Chairman and CEO of the Company following the Company's acquisition in April, 2002 of Tanzam, a Tanzanian gold exploration company formerly controlled by the Sinclair family.  Mr. Sinclair, aged 63, devotes his full time to the business and affairs of the Company.


Mr. Sinclair is primarily a precious metals specialist and a commodities and foreign currency trader.  His past experience includes that of founder of the Sinclair Group of Companies (1977), which offered full brokerage services in stocks, bonds, and other investment vehicles.  The companies, which operated branches in New York, Kansas City, Toronto, Chicago, London and Geneva, were sold in 1983.  Mr. Sinclair served as a Precious Metal Advisor to Hunt Oil and the Hunt family from 1981 to 1984 for the liquidation of their silver position. Mr. Sinclair was a general partner and member of the executive committee of two New York Stock Exchange firms and also President of Sinclair Global Clearing Corporation (Commodity clearing firm) and Global Arbitrage (derivative dealer in metals and currencies).  Mr. Sinclair was President of James Sinclair Financial Research SARL in Luxembourg. Mr. Sinclair held the position of Chairman of Sutton Resources from 1989 to 1995.


Mr. Sinclair is the author of numerous magazine articles and three books, which deal with a variety of investment subjects, including precious metals, trading strategies and geopolitical events and their relationship to world economics and the markets.


Victoria Luis, M.B.A., CSCPA and AICPA Member

Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Director


Prior to her association with the Company, she was a board member of Tanzam in addition to being its Chief Financial Officer, a position she also held with an associated company, Sinclair Financial.


Before joining Tanzam, Mrs. Luis held various management positions with General Electric Capital Corporation where she was part of a team that facilitated the amalgamation of companies acquired by GE.


She earned her Masters of Business Administration with a specialization in Accounting in 1998 and her Bachelors of Science in Finance in 1990.  Ms. Luis, aged 35, devotes her full time to the business and affairs of the Company.

 

53

 


Jonathan G. Deane

Vice-President, Exploration


Prior to his association with the Company, he held various positions with Gold Fields Namibia, including Senior Exploration Geologist, from 1998 to 1994 and Senior Mine Geologist with Otjihase Copper Mine, Central Namibia from April, 1994 to July, 1996.


Mr. Deane, aged 43, devotes his full time to the business and affairs of the Company.


Marek J. Kreczmer, M.Sc. (Geol.), B.Sc. (Geol.)

Director


Mr. Kreczmer was the President of the Company since its inception in 1991until December 31, 2003.  He established the Company's operating subsidiary in Tanzania, Tancan Mining Company Limited ("Tancan").  Mr. Kreczmer has initiated, formed and operated several exploration joint ventures with senior gold companies.  He is responsible for representing the Company's interests in various management and technical committees required to operate these joint ventures, and is currently the Chairman of the Technical Committee of the Company.  Jonathan Deane, Vice-President, Exploration, has assumed Mr. Kreczmer's former responsibilities for the day-to-day management and administration of the Company's exploration programs, and local negotiations for new property acquisitions.  Mr. James Sinclair, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, has assumed Mr. Kreczmer's former responsibilities for strategic planning and negotiations for major acquisitions.


Mr. Kreczmer has an extensive background in the mineral exploration business.  He was a project geologist for two leading Canadian explorers, Cameco and Granges Exploration.  The exploration focus for these companies included base metals, uranium and gold.  His responsibilities included all aspects of administering the exploration budget, on-site field management, and the set-up and establishment of an exploration team to deal with specific project objectives.  Mr. Kreczmer, aged 53, devotes approximately 10% of his time to the business and affairs of the Company.


Ulrich E. Rath

Director


Mr. Rath has a wide range of experience in the mining industry, and has specific experience in South Africa and Peru.  Currently a director of Chariot Resources Ltd. since December 2002, he was formerly the CEO and a director of EAGC Ventures Inc. from May 2002 to April 2003, and the CEO and director of Compania Minera Milpo from May 1999 to April 2002.  Mr. Rath was also formerly Vice-President, Corporate Development, for Rio Algom Ltd. from December 1992 to October 1998.  Rio Algom Ltd. was a U.S. reporting issuer, whose common shares were listed on the American Stock Exchange.  Mr. Rath, aged 57, devotes approximately 10% of his time to the business and affairs of the Company.


Anton Esterhuizen

Director


Mr. Esterhuizen is based in Johannesburg, South Africa is currently the Managing Director of Pangea Exploration (Pty) Ltd., a South African company with exploration interests in Africa and South America and not related to Pangea Goldfields Inc.  Mr. Esterhuizen developed the exploration model which led to the discovery of the Tulawaka gold deposit.  He successfully managed Pangea Goldfields' gold and mineral sands exploration in East Africa until July, 2000 when that company was sold to Barrick.  Mr. Esterhuizen, aged 53, devotes approximately 15% of his time to the business and affairs of the Company.

 

 

54

 


Dr. William Harvey, B.A., Ph.D.

Director


Dr. Harvey is presently a consultant and technical expert to a variety of research centres and state and federal programs in the United States.  He is a consultant to: National Drug Information Centre for Families in Action; American Institute of Research; Office of Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention; National Institute on Drug Abuse; and National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse.  He is involved in the formulation of new programs and policies aimed at the betterment of society.  The Sinclair family has already made a significant donation to a private trust, The Tanzanian Relief Fund, which in turn has funded the hospital at Bulyanhulu.  Dr. Harvey will expand the role which the Company has at the local level to ensure that stakeholder interests are addressed.  Dr. Harvey, aged 71, devotes approximately 10% of his time to the business and affairs of the Company.


Rosalind Morrow , B.A., B.Ed., LL.B .

Director


Ms. Morrow's practice includes a special emphasis on financings and acquisitions for the financial services and communications industry sectors, project and government financings, and corporate governance.  She advises issuers, underwriters, and investors in connection with debt and equity offerings and investments, including domestic and trans-border public offerings and private placements, capital restructurings and corporate and securities law compliance.  Ms. Morrow, aged 49, devotes approximately 20% of her time to the business and affairs of the Company.


Penalties or Sanctions


No directors or officers of the Company, or a shareholder holding a sufficient number of securities of the Company to affect materially the control of the Company has:


(a)

been subject to any penalties or sanctions imposed by a court relating to Canadian securities legislation or by a Canadian securities regulatory authority or has entered into a settlement agreement with a Canadian securities regulatory authority; or


(b)

been subject to an other penalties or sanctions imposed by a court or regulatory body that would likely be considered important to a reasonable investor in making an investment decision;


except for Mr. James E. Sinclair who entered into a settlement agreement dated July 22, 1998 with the British Columbia Securities Commission and paid a fine of $2,000 in connection with the issuance of a news release and proxy circular prepared in connection with a proxy contest for Sutton Resources Ltd. ("Sutton"), a reporting issuer of which Mr. Sinclair was a director, which contained a statement which was not accurate, since the statement was not properly qualified to distinguish between the acquisition cost and current market cost of the Sutton shares in question.


Personal Bankruptcies


No director or officer of the Company, or a shareholder holding a sufficient number of securities of the Company to affect materially the control of the Company, or a personal holding company of any such persons has, with the 10 years before the date of this Registration Statement, became bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency or was subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold its assets of the director or officer; except for Victoria Luis who was discharged from personal bankruptcy on September 18, 1995.

 

55



Conflicts of Interest


There is no existing material conflict or interest between the Company or its subsidiaries and a director or officer of the Company or its subsidiaries.  However, certain directors and officers of the Company are and may continue to be involved in the mining and mineral exploration industry through their direct and indirect participation in corporations, partnerships or joint ventures which are potential competitors.  Situations may arise in connection with potential acquisitions and investments where the other interests of these directors and officers may conflict with the interests of the Company.  As required by law, each of the directors of the Company is required to act honestly, in good faith and in the best interests of the Company.  Any conflicts which arise shall be disclosed by the directors and officers in accordance with the Business Corporation Act (Alberta) and they will govern themselves in respect thereof to the best of their ability with the obligations imposed on them by law.


B.

Compensation


The Company has three (3) executive officers, namely James E. Sinclair, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Victoria Luis, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, and Jonathan G. Deane, Vice-President, Exploration.


The following table sets forth particulars concerning the compensation of the executive officers (except for Jonathan G. Deane, who was appointed as Vice-President, Exploration subsequent to August 30, 2003) as defined in Form 51-102F6 prescribed by the "Regulations" under the Securities Act of the Province of British Columbia for the Company's fiscal year ended August 31, 2003:


Name and Principal Position

Fiscal Year

Annual Compensation

Long Term Compensation

All Other Compen-
sation ($)

Salary
($)

Other Annual Compen-
sation
($)

Bonus
($)

Awards

Restricted Shares or Restricted Share Units

Payouts

Securities under Options Grants (#)

LTIP Payouts

James E. Sinclair,
Chief Executive
Officer

2003
2002

$105,968
$46,406

Nil
Nil

Nil
Nil

Nil
Nil

Nil
Nil

Nil
Nil

Nil
Nil

Victoria Luis,
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

2003
2002
2001

$61,886
Nil
Nil

Nil
Nil
Nil

$5,625 (2)
Nil
Nil

Nil
75,000
Nil

Nil
Nil
Nil

Nil
Nil
Nil

Nil
Nil
Nil

Marek J. Kreczmer
Former President

2003
2002
2001

$161,483
$161,079
$149,484 (1)

Nil
Nil
Nil

$29,700 (2)
Nil
$53,900 (2)

Nil
250,000
160,000

Nil
Nil
Nil

Nil
Nil
Nil

Nil
Nil
Nil

(1)

Including amounts paid in common shares (but not including stock options).

(2)

Paid with approval of the Board of Directors in recognition of service and, in the case of Mr. Kreczmer, prior reductions in compensation, and not pursuant to a bonus or profit sharing plan.


The Company has not set aside or accrued any funds for pension, retirement or similar benefits.


Long Term Incentive Plan Awards to Named Executive Officers


The Company has made no long-term incentive plan awards during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2003, to any executive officers of the Company, and none are proposed.

 

 

56


Options and SAR's Exercised by Named Executive Officers


The following options were exercised during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2003 by the named executive officers:


Name
(a)

Securities
Acquired on
Exercise
(#)
(b)

Aggregate
Value
Realized
($)
(c)

Unexercised
Options/SARs
at August 31, 2003
(#)
Exercisable/
Unexercisable
(d)

Value of
Unexercised
in-the-Money
Options/SARs
at August 31, 2003 ($)
Exercisable/
Unexercisable
(e)

James E. Sinclair,
CEO

Nil

N/A

Nil

N/A

Victoria Luis,
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

Nil

N/A

Nil

N/A

Marek J. Kreczmer,
Former President

405,000

$265,900

630,000

822,100

(1)

Subsequent to August 31, 2003, Mr. Kreczmer exercised the right to purchase 260,000 shares for an aggregate value realized of $403,000, leaving 370,000 shares available for further exercise.


C.

Board Practices


The directors of the Company serve a one year term and are elected at the Annual General Meeting of shareholders.  At the Annual General Meeting, held on February 16, 2004, the shareholders elected James E. Sinclair, Marek J. Kreczmer, Victoria Luis, Anton Esterhuizen, William Harvey, Rosalind Morrow and Ulrich E. Rath as directors.  The officers of the Company are elected by the Board serve at the pleasure of the Board.


The Company has an audit committee consisting of Ulrich E. Rath, Rosalind Morrow and William Harvey.  The roles and responsibilities of the audit committee have been specifically defined as described in the Company's Information Circular dated January 5, 2004, and include responsibilities for overseeing management reporting on internal control.  The audit committee has direct communication channels with the external auditors.


The Company also has a compensation committee comprised of Ulrich E. Rath, Rosalind Morrow and William Harvey.  The Compensation Committee periodically reviews the compensation paid to directors, management, and employees based on such factors as time commitment, comparative fees paid by other companies in the industry in North America and Africa, level of responsibility and the Company's current position as an exploration company with limited operating revenue.


The Company has formed a Technical Committee comprised of Marek J. Kreczmer (Chairman), Ulrich E. Rath, Anton Esterhuizen, and Jonathan G. Deane.  The Committee sets the definitive exploration policy for the Company and reports directly to the Board of Directors.


Directors' Fees and Stock Option Plan


The Board of Directors has recently implemented an arrangement to compensate directors for their services to the Company by the payment of $10,000 per annum, and $2,500 per committee served by each director.

 

57

 


In addition to these arrangements, directors are also compensated by the Company for their services in their capacity as directors under a Stock Option Plan (the "Plan").  The Plan is administered by the Company's Board of Directors and options are granted at their discretion.  The number of shares reserved and available for issue under the Plan shall not exceed 8,144,132 or such greater number of shares as may be determined by the Board and approval, if required, by the shareholders of the Company and by any relevant stock exchange or other regulatory authority.  Options must expire no later than five years from the date such options are granted.  As of April 3, 2003, the Board resolved that the Company will not to grant any further options under the Plan, subject to further resolutions of the Board.  There has been no other arrangement pursuant to which directors were compensated by the Company in their capacity as directors; however, directors' fees of $5,600 were paid to directors during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2003, prior to implementing the compensation package described above.


Employee Share Ownership Plan


By an agreement dated May 1, 2003, the Company appointed Olympia Trust Company of Calgary, Alberta, as trustee (the "Trustee") to manage and administer an employee share ownership plan ("ESOP").  Under the ESOP, eligible employees, directors, and consultants can elect to contribute up to 30% of their salary or compensation on a monthly basis for investment by the Trustee in shares of the Company.  The Company will contribute funds equal to 100% of the employee's contribution up to an amount equal to 5% or less of the employee's salary.  The Company will contribute funds equal to 50% of the employee's contribution for the next 6% to 30% inclusive of the employee's salary.  All share purchases will be at market prices at the time of purchase, through the facilities of the Toronto Stock Exchange using registered representatives.  To date, eight employees have purchased a total of 5,500 common shares under the ESOP.  Monthly employee contributions are $3,905.21, and the Company's matching contribution currently is $3,803.98 per month.


Employment Agreements


There are currently no service or employment contracts with directors or officers of the Company.


D.

Employees


The Company has two (2) full time employees located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, 30 full time employees located in Mwanza, Tanzania, and two (2) full time employees located in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.


The Company also contracts three or more persons on a full time or part time basis as dictated by the exploration activities on its properties.  The full time and temporary employees of the Company as at the most recent fiscal year end can be grouped according to main category of activity and geographic location as follows:


Location

Category

Full Time Employees

Temporary Employees

Full Time Consultants

Part Time Consultants

Vancouver, Canada

Administration

1

Nil

Nil

1

Exploration

1

Nil

Nil

Nil

Mwanza, Tanzania

Administration

5

Nil

Nil

Nil

Exploration

25

Nil

2

1

Dar es Salaam,
Tanzania

Administration

2

Nil

1

Nil

Exploration

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Connecticut, USA

Administration

Nil

Nil

2

1

Exploration

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil


58

 

 



E.

Share Ownership


The following table sets for the share ownership of the directors and officers of the Company as of May 10, 2004:


Name of Owner

Number of Shares

Percent

James E. Sinclair

1,700,185

2.07%

Marek J. Kreczmer

456,686

0.55%

Victoria Luis

200,000

0.24%

Ulrich E. Rath

Nil

--

Anton Esterhuizen

150,000

0.18%

William Harvey

345,000

0.42%

Rosalind Morrow

404,100

0.49%

Jonathan G. Deane

4,848

0.005%


Options Granted to Directors and Officers During the Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2003


No stock options were granted to directors or officers during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2003, or subsequent thereto, to the date of this Registration Statement.


Outstanding Options


The following information as of April 30, 2004, reflects outstanding options held by directors and officers of the Company:


Name

No. of Shares

Date of Grant

Exercise Price

Expiration Date

James E. Sinclair

Nil

     

Marek J. Kreczmer

250,000

May 3, 2002

$0.79

May 3, 2007

Victoria Luis

75,000

May 3, 2002

$0.79

May 3, 2007

William Harvey

75,000

May 3, 2002

$0.79

May 3, 2007

Options held by officers
and directors as a group:

   400,000


Item 7.

Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions


A.

Major Shareholders


As far as it is known to the Company, it is not directly or indirectly owned or controlled by any other corporation or by the Canadian Government, or any foreign government.  The Company has no knowledge of any arrangements which at a subsequent date would result in a change of control.   All of the Company's issued common shares rank equally as to voting rights, dividends, and any distribution of assets on winding-up or liquidation.


As of April 30, 2004, the Company knows of no person who owned more than five (5%) of the outstanding shares of each class of the Company's voting securities other than:


Name

Number of Common Shares Owned

Percentage of Class

JCI East African Exploration (1)

4,892,600

6%

(1)

Wholly-owned subsidiary (indirectly) of JCI Limited, a public company listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

 

 

59

 



The above major shareholder has held its shares interests in the Company for over the past three years.  The major shareholder does not have different voting rights.


The following table sets out the portion of common shares of the Company held by shareholders of record in Canada, the United States of America, and all other countries by total number of holders, total shareholdings, percentage of total issued shares, and percentage of total holders:


Jurisdiction
Shareholders of Record

No. of Shareholders

No. of Common Shares

Percentage of Total Issued Shares

Percentage of Total Holders

United States

2,556

34,430,773

41.9%

70.7%

Canada

1,043

39,255,491

47.8%

28.8%

Other Countries

18

8,441,399

10.3%

0.5%

TOTAL:

3,617

82,127,663

100%

100%


B.

Related Party Transactions


Financing


Pursuant to a Subscription Agreement dated March 5, 2003 made between the Company and James E. Sinclair, Mr. Sinclair has elected to proceed with his earlier commitment to purchase common shares of the Company over a two-year period representing a value between $1,500,000 and $3,000,000.  Mr. Sinclair has agreed to conduct these share purchases in 24 separate tranches, each tranche having a minimum subscription price of $62,500.  At the sole option of Mr. Sinclair, each tranche may be increased to a maximum of $125,000.


The price paid for the shares will be equal to the weighted average trading price of the Company's shares for the last five consecutive trading days of each month immediately preceding the closing of each tranche.  Each tranche is subject to approval by the Toronto Stock Exchange.


As at the date of this Registration Statement, Mr. Sinclair has completed the following fifteen (15) tranches:


(a)

March 19, 2003 - 58,480 common shares at a price of $1.71 per share;

(b)

April 11, 2003 - 73,368 common shares at a price of $1.363 per share;

(c)

May 15, 2003 - 101,875 common shares at a price of $1.227 per share;

(d)

June 26, 2003 - 77,930 common shares at a price of $1.604 per share;

(e)

July 30, 2003 - 88,968 common shares at a price of $1.405 per share;

(f)

August 27, 2003 - 73,443 common shares at a price of $1.702 per share;

(g)

September 26, 2003 - 65,445 common shares at a price of $1.91 per share;

(h)

October 21, 2003 - 68,757 common shares at a price of $1.818 per share;

(i)

November 21, 2003 - 76,876 common shares at a price of $1.626 per share;

(j)

December 12, 2003 - 66,525 common shares at a price of $1.879 per share;

(k)

January 13, 2004 - 77,785 common shares at a price of $1.607 per share;

(l)

February 24, 2004 - 82,508 common shares at a price of $1.515 per share;

(m)

March 26, 2004 - 83,001 common shares at a price of $1.506 per share;

(n)

April 29, 2004 - 82,946 common shares at a price of $1.507 per share; and

(o)

May 20, 2004 - 98,580 common shares at a price of $1.268 per share.

 

60

 



The Company also completed a $1,000,000 private placement pursuant to a Subscription Agreement dated January 5, 2004 between the Company and James E. Sinclair for 622,278 common shares at a price of $1.607 per share.


Other


During the year ended August 31, 2003, $178,894 (2002 - $143,635; 2001 - $362,596) was paid or payable by the Company, as to $105,968 to James E. Sinclair, as to $61,886 to Victoria Luis, and $11,040 to Marlene Sinclair for consulting fees.  Legal fees of $25,554 were paid to a firm in which Albert Gourley, a former director of the Company, was a partner during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2003.


Accounts receivable include advances to related parties of nil (2002 - $42,599; 2001 - $72,846), which consisted of funds advanced to officers and directors for exploration and corporate activities conducted in the normal course of business.  Also included in accounts receivable is an amount of $16,081 (2002 - $52,000; 2001 - $10,747) payable to certain directors and a former director for consulting fees.


C.

Interest of Experts and Counsel


Not Applicable.


Item 8.

Financial Statements


A.

Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information


This Registration Statement contains the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 with Audit Reports and Comments by Auditors for U.S. Readers on Canada-U.S. Reporting Differences, comprised of:


(a)

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of August 31, 2003 and 2002;

(b)

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit for the years ended August 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001;

(c)

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended August 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001; and

(d)

Notes to the consolidated financial statements.


This Registration Statement also contains unaudited consolidated interim financial statements of the Company for the six month periods ended February 29, 2004 and 2003 including:


(a)

Consolidated Balance Sheet as of February 29, 2004 and 2003;

(b)

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit for the three months ended February 29, 2004 and 2003;

(c)

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Financial Position for the three months ended February 29, 2004 and 2003; and

(d)

Notes to the consolidated financial statements.


This Registration Statement also contains the audited financial statements of Tanzanian American International Development Corporation 2000 Limited for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000, together with the Report of the Auditors, comprised of:


(a)

Income Statements for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000;

(b)

Balance Sheets as at December 31, 2001 and 2000;

(c)

Cash Flow Statements for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000;

(d)

Statements of Changes in Equity for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000; and

(e)

Notes to the financial statements.

 

 

61

 



Dividend Policy


The Company has never paid dividends and does not intend to in the near future.


Litigation


On November 12, 2002 a former officer of the Company filed a constructive dismissal action against the Company, seeking damages in the amount of $141,000 plus interest and costs.  This action was settled.


B.

Significant Changes

None.

Item 9.

The Offering and Listing

A.

Offering and Listing Details

The common stock of the Company was listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "TNX" on October 29, 2001, and prior to that date the Company's common stock was listed on the Canadian Venture Exchange ("CDNX").


As of April 30, 2004, there were 2,556 record holders in the United States holding 41.9% of the Company's outstanding common stock, representing approximately 70.7% of the total number of shareholders.  The Company's Common stock is issued in registered form and the percentage of shares reported to be held by record holders in the United States is taken from the records of the Computershare Trust Company of Canada in the City of Vancouver, the registrar and transfer agent for the common stock.


The number of record holders resident in the United States is attributed as to 2.74% to directors and officers of the Company who are United States residents; a further 9.38% held by United States residents who are immediate family members of a director and officer of the Company; a further 0.73% by United States residents who were formerly shareholders of Tanzam; and the balance of 29.05% are United States residents who have purchased shares in the secondary market, through the facilities of the Toronto Stock Exchange.


The high and low prices expressed in Canadian dollars on the Toronto Stock Exchange for the Company's common stock for the last six months and for each quarter for the last three fiscal years:


 

Toronto Stock Exchange

(Canadian Dollars)

Last Six Months

High

Low

Volume

April, 2004

$1.49

$1.18

2,224,935

March, 2004

$1.58

$1.36

2,535,243

February, 2004

$1.70

$1.47

2,508,479

January, 2004

$1.90

$1.46

4,461,932

December, 2003

$1.90

$1.46

3,614,132

November, 2003

$2.00

$1.46

5,248,489

 

 

62

 



 

 

2004-2003

High

Low

Volume

Second Quarter ended February 29, 2004

$1.83

$1.46

10,584,543

First Quarter ended November 30, 2003

$1.97

$1.56

15,207,219

2003-2002

High

Low

Volume

Fourth Quarter ended August 31, 2003

$1.86

$1.44

14,552,920

Third Quarter ended May 31, 2003

$1.66

$1.15

16,604,990

Second Quarter ended February 28, 2003

$1.44

$1.05

18,998,816

First Quarter ended November 30, 2002

$0.89

$0.69

6,531,443

2002-2001

High

Low

Volume

Fourth Quarter ended August 31, 2002

$0.86

$0.63

8,873,199

Third Quarter ended May 31, 2002

$0.81

$0.54

13,061,443

Second Quarter ended February 28, 2002

$0.45

$0.24

3,941,433

First Quarter ended November 30, 2001

$0.38

$0.23

1,166,353

2000-2001

High

Low

Volume

Fourth Quarter ended August 31, 2001

$0.52

$0.41

1,601,670

Third Quarter ended May 31, 2001

$0.47

$0.33

2,310,476

Second Quarter ended February 28, 2001

$0.49

$0.33

2,770,779

First Quarter ended November 30, 2000

$0.44

$0.32

967,255

Last Five Fiscal Years

High

Low

 

2003 Annual

$1.80

$1.35

 

2002 Annual

$0.63

$0.41

 

2001 Annual

$0.48

$0.35

 

2000 Annual

$0.37

$0.33 (CDNX)

 

1999 Annual

$0.45

$0.41 (CDNX)

 

 

 

B.

Plan of Distribution


Not Applicable.


C.

Markets


The Company's common stock is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "TNX".  The Company may apply to list its common shares on the American Stock Exchange.  If such an application is made, there can be no assurance made that any such application will be successful.


D.

Selling Shareholders


Not Applicable.


E.

Dilution


Not Applicable.

 

 

63

 

 



F.

Expenses of the Issue


Not Applicable.


Item 10.

Additional Information


A.

Share Capital


As of April 3, 2003, the Board resolved that the Company authorize for issuance up to a maximum 91,000,000 common shares, subject to further resolutions of the Company's Board of Directors, from time to time.  Of the 91,000,000 common shares authorized, without par value, 82,127,663 shares were issued and outstanding as of April 30, 2004.


Each of the common shares has equal dividend, liquidation and voting rights.  Voters of the common shares are entitled to one vote per share on all matters that may be brought before them.  Holders of the common shares are entitled to receive dividends when declared by the Board from funds legally available therefor.  The common shares are not redeemable, have no conversion rights and carry no pre-emptive or other rights to subscribe for additional shares.  The outstanding common shares are fully paid and non-assessable.


The following table reconciles the total number of shares outstanding for the three fiscal years:


 

No. of Shares

Amount

Price and Terms
(if any)

Total Outstanding Shares at August 31, 2000

40,026,971

$22,606,604

 

Add:

Stock Options Exercised for cash

129,000

$       53,650

$0.42 (average price)

Issued for cash

1,902,741

$  2,089,100

1,000,000 shares at $1.00/share,
740,741 shares at $1.35/share,
and 162,000 shares at $0.55/share

Issued for debt

125,000

$       56,250

$0.45/share (deemed value)

Issued for director services

60,000

$       24,367

$0.42/share (deemed value)

Issued on conversion of Special Warrants

2,596,000

--

No additional consideration paid on conversion of Special Warrants

Special warrants issued and converted to   

shares

- net of  issue costs

5,875,000

$  1,917,190

$0.40 per share

Issued for a finder's fee

46,266

--

 

Total Outstanding Shares at August 31, 2001

50,760,978

$26,747,161

 

Add:

Stock Options Exercised for cash

1,756,000

$     795,995

$0.45/share (deemed value)

Issued on Exercise of Warrants

2,197,225

$  1,380,550

$0.63/share (deemed value)

Issued on acquisition of Tanzam

20,000,000

$  7,000,000

$0.35/share (deemed value)

Subscriptions receivable

--

$  (102,000)

 

Total Outstanding Shares at August 31, 2002

74,714,203

$35,821,706

 

Add:

Stock Options Exercised for cash

2,454,000

$  1,255,700

$0.51/share (deemed value)

 

 

64

 



Issued on Exercise of Warrants

2,549,275

$  1,544,565

$0.61/share (deemed value)

Issued for cash

474,064

$     700,000

$1.48/share (deemed value)

Collection of previous years subscription receivable

               0

$     102,000

 

Total Outstanding at August 31, 2003

80,191,542

$39,423,971

 


Due to the issuance of 20,000,000 common shares for the acquisition of Tanzam in April, 2002, more than 10% of the total outstanding shares have been issued for non-cash consideration within the last five years.


Shares are issued by the Company with the regulatory acceptance of the Toronto Stock Exchange, upon resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company.  There are a total of 82,127,663 common shares issued and a further 400,000 common shares reserved for issuance under outstanding stock options.


B.

Articles of Association and Bylaws


The Company was originally incorporated under the corporate name " 4245547 Alberta Ltd ." in the Province of Alberta on July 5, 1990, under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta).


The Articles of 4245547 Alberta Ltd. were amended on August 13, 1991 as follows:


  • the name of the Company was changed to its present name, " Tan Range Exploration Corporation";

  • the restriction on the transfer of shares was removed; and

  • a new paragraph regarding the appointment of additional directors was added as follows:


" (b)

The Directors, may, between annual general meetings, appoint one or more additional directors of the Company to serve until the next annual general meeting, but the number of additional Directors shall not at any time exceed one-third (1/3) of the number of Directors who held office at the expiration of the last annual meeting of the corporation."


The Company was registered in the Province of British Columbia as an extra provincial company under the Company Act (British Columbia) on August 5, 1994.


The Articles of the Company were further amended on February 15, 1996 as follows:


  • the provisions of the Articles authorizing the issue of Class "B" Voting shares, Class "C" Non-Voting shares and Class "D" Preferred shares were deleted;

  • Class "A" voting shares were redesignated as Common shares; and

  • a provision was added to allow meetings of shareholders to be held outside Alberta in either of the cities of Vancouver, British Columbia or Toronto, Ontario.


Common Shares


All issued and outstanding common shares are fully paid and non-assessable.  Each holder of record of common shares is entitled to one vote for each common share so held on all matters requiring a vote of shareholders, including the election of directors.  The holders of common shares will be entitled to dividends on a pro-rata basis, if and when as declared by the board of directors.  There are no preferences, conversion rights,

 

65

 


preemptive rights, subscription rights, or restrictions or transfers attached to the common shares.  In the event of liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Company, the holders of common shares are entitled to participate in the assets of the Company available for distribution after satisfaction of the claims of creditors.


The rights of shareholders cannot be changed without a special resolution of at least 2/3 of the votes cast by the shareholders who voted in respect of the resolution, and separate classes of shareholders are entitled to separate class votes.  Any such alteration of shareholder's rights would also require the regulatory acceptance of the Toronto Stock Exchange.  There are no provisions of the Company's Articles or Bylaws that would have the effect of delaying, deferring, or preventing a change of control of the Company, and that would operate only with respect to a merger, acquisition, or corporate restructuring involving the Company (or any of its subsidiaries).


However, the Company has implemented a Shareholder Rights Plan dated April 19, 2000 (the "Rights Plan") whereunder in the event of a take-over bid (i.e. an offer to purchase 20% or more of the Company's issued shares, when aggregated with the offeror's shareholdings), which fails to meet certain conditions, the Rights Plan entitles all shareholders to rights to purchase additional shares of the Company.  Take-over bids which meet the required conditions ("Permitted Bids") do not trigger the issuance of rights to purchase additional shares.


Permitted Bids are offers which meet all of the following conditions:


1.

The offer is made to all shareholders and include shares issuable upon exercise of share purchase warrants, stock options and other convertible securities;


2.

The offer must contain an irrevocable and unqualified provision that no shares will be taken up or paid for prior to the close of business on a date less than 60 days following the date of the Bid, and only if at such date more than 50% of the shares held by independent shareholders have been deposited or tendered and not withdrawn;


3.

The offer must contain an irrevocable and unqualified provision that any share deposited may be withdrawn at any time until being taken up and paid for; and


4.

The offer must contain an irrevocable and unqualified provision that if the deposit conditions set out in subparagraph 2 above are met, then the offeror will make a public announcement of that fact, and the bid will remain open for deposits or tenders of additional shares for not less than 10 business days from the date of the public announcement.


The Rights Plan is designed to ensure that all shareholders are treated fairly and equitably in the event of a take-over bid.  The Rights Plan will expire on April 19, 2005, unless renewed by the Company.


Powers and Duties of Directors


The directors shall manage or supervise the management of the affairs and business of the Company and shall have authority to exercise all such powers of the Company as are not, by the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) or by the Articles or Bylaws, required to be exercised by the Company in a general meeting.


Directors will serve as such until the next annual meeting.  In general, a director who is, in any way, directly or indirectly interested in an existing or proposed contract or transaction with the Company whereby a duty or interest might be created to conflict with his duty or interest director, shall declare the nature and extent of his interest in such contract or transaction or the conflict or potential conflict with his duty and interest as a director.  Such director shall not vote in respect of any such contract or transaction with the Company in which he is interested and if he shall do so, his vote shall note be counted, but he shall be counted in the quorum present

 

66

 


at the meeting at which such vote is taken.  However, notwithstanding the foregoing, directors shall have the right to vote on determining the remuneration of the directors.


The directors may from time to time on behalf of the Company:  (a) borrow money in such manner and amount from such sources and upon such terms and conditions as they think fit; (b) issue bonds, debentures and other debt obligations; or (c) mortgage, charge or give other security on the whole or any part of the property and assets of the Company.


At least half of the directors of the Company should be persons ordinarily resident in Canada and all must be at least 18 years of age.  At least half of the Company's directors are not Canadian residents; however, this has no material adverse effect on the Company's operations.  There is no minimum share ownership to be a Director.  No person shall be a Director of the Company who is not capable of managing their own affairs; is an undischarged bankrupt or who is a person who is not an individual.


Shareholders


An annual general meeting shall be held once in every calendar year at such time and place as may be determined by the directors.  A quorum at an annual general meeting and special meeting shall be two shareholders or one or more proxy holder representing two shareholders, or one shareholder and a proxy holder representing another shareholder.  There is no limitation imposed by the laws of Canada or by the charter or other constituent documents of the Company on the right of a non-resident to hold or vote the common shares, other than as provided in the Investment Canada Act , (the "Investment Act") discussed below under "Item 10. Additional Information, D. Exchange Controls."


In accordance with Alberta law, directors shall be elected by an "ordinary resolution" which means (a) a resolution passed by the shareholders of the Company in general meeting by a simple majority of the votes cast in person or by proxy, or (b) a resolution that has been signed by all shareholders entitled to vote on the resolution.


Under Alberta law certain items such as an amendment to the Company's articles or entering into a merger, requires approval by a special resolution, which means (a) a resolution passed by a majority of not less than 2/4 of the votes cast by the shareholders of the Company who, being entitled to do so, vote in person or by proxy at a general meeting of the company (b) a resolution consented to in writing by every shareholder of the Company who would have been entitled to vote in person or by proxy at a general meeting of the Company, and a resolution so consented to is deemed to be a special resolution passed at a general meeting of the Company.


C.

Material Contracts


The following are the material contracts of the Company (other than contracts in the ordinary course of business) entered into within the last two years:


Date

Names of Parties

Description of General Nature of the Contract

Consideration Paid; Terms and Conditions

January 5, 2004

James E. Sinclair and the Company

Subscription Agreement for purchase of 622,278 common shares

$1.607 per share for a total of $1,000,000

July 21, 2003

Ashanti Goldfields (Cayman) Limited ("Ashanti") and the Company

Letter of Intent granting to Ashanti the right to acquire all of the Company's interests in nine (9) licenses

Over US$1.4 million over five years; US$800,000 in exploration work; up to 10,000 meters in diamond drilling; and a feasibility study to earn its interests; and payment of a NSR royalty up to 2%

 

 

 

67

 

 



March 18, 2003

Northern Mining Explorations Ltd. ("NME") and the Company

Amending Letter Agreement to January 20, 2003 agreement

Not applicable

March 5, 2003

James E. Sinclair and the Company

Subscription Agreement for purchase of common shares over a two year period, in 24 separate monthly tranches

Market price at the time of purchase; to date a total of $1,700,002 for 1,078,267 shares, or an average price of $1.58 per share

January 20, 2003

Northern Mining Explorations Ltd. ("NME") and the Company

Letter of Intent granting to NME the right to acquire all of the Company's interests in 7 prospecting licenses and one application for license

US$70,000; assuming underlying property payments; feasibility study; pre-production payments; and NSR royalty of up to 2%

April 19, 2000

The Company and Computershare Trust Company of Canada

Shareholder Rights Plan

No consideration paid (see Item 10.  Additional Information, "Common Shares" above for details)


D.

Exchange Controls


Canada


There is no law, governmental decree or regulation in Canada that restricts the export or import of capital or affects the remittance of dividends, interest or other payments to a non-resident holder of common shares other than withholding tax requirements.  Any such remittances to United States residents are subject to withholding tax.  See "Taxation."


There is no limitation imposed by the laws of Canada or by the charter or other constituent documents of the Company on the right of a non-resident to hold or vote the common shares, other than as provided in the Investment Act.  The following discussion summarizes the principal features of the Investment Act for a non-resident who proposes to acquire the common shares.


The Investment Canada Act generally prohibits implementation of a reviewable investment by an individual, government or agency thereof, corporation, partnership, trust or joint venture (each an "entity") that is not a "Canadian" as defined in the Investment Canada Act (a "non-Canadian"), unless after review, the Director of Investments appointed by the minister responsible for the Investment Canada Act is satisfied that the investment is likely to be of net benefit to Canada.  An investment in the common shares by a non-Canadian other than a "WTO Investor" (as that term is defined by the Investment Canada Act, and which term includes entities which are nationals of or are controlled by nationals of member states of the World Trade Organization) when the Company was not controlled by a WTO Investor, would be reviewable under the Investment Canada Act if it was an investment to acquire control of the Company and the value of the assets of the Company, as determined in accordance with the regulations promulgated under the Investment Canada Act, was $5,000,000 or more, or if an order for review was made by the federal cabinet on the grounds that the investment related to Canada's cultural heritage or national identity, regardless of the value of the assets of the Company.  An investment in the common shares by a WTO Investor, or by a non-Canadian when the Company was controlled by a WTO Investor, would be reviewable under the Investment Canada Act if it was an investment to acquire control of the Company and the value of the assets of the Company, as determined in accordance with the regulations promulgated under the Investment Canada Act was not less than a specified amount, which for 1996 was any amount in excess of $168 million.  A non-Canadian would acquire control of the Company for the purposes of the Investment Canada Act if the non-Canadian acquired a majority of the common shares.  The

 

68

 


acquisition of one third or more, but less than a majority of the common shares would be presumed to be an acquisition of control of the Company unless it could be established that, on the acquisition, the Company was not controlled in fact by the acquirer through the ownership of the common shares.


Certain transactions relating to the common shares would be exempt from the Investment Canada Act, including:  (a) an acquisition of the common shares by a person in the ordinary course of that person's business as a trader or dealer in securities; (b) an acquisition of control of the Company in connection with the realization of security granted for a loan or other financial assistance and not for a purpose related to the provisions of the Investment Canada Act; and (c) an acquisition of control of the Company by reason of an amalgamation, merger, consolidation or corporate reorganization following which the ultimate direct or indirect control in fact of the Company, through the ownership of the common shares, remained unchanged.


Foreign Investments and Exchange in Tanzania


Tanzania adopted in 1997 an Investment Act under which the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC), as agency for investment promotion and facilitation, was established.  Foreign investment is welcome and in order to enjoy certain tax benefits under the Investment Act, the minimum equity contribution whether in kind or in cash must be not less than US$300,000.


In 1992, the stringent foreign exchange legislation was repealed and the restriction on foreign commercial banks abolished. Any person whether resident or not may establish foreign currency accounts with any of the commercial banks and transfer foreign currency outside Tanzania without restriction.  The Bank of Tanzania regulates commercial banks and approves the establishment of offshore foreign currency accounts by residents.  There are no controls on foreign exchange rates or interest rate on loans and overdrafts.


E.

Taxation


Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences


The following summarizes the principal Canadian federal income tax consequences applicable to the holding and disposition of common shares in the capital of the Company by a United States resident, a corporation or partnership created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or of any political subdivision thereof which has elected to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, an estate whose income is taxable in the U.S. irrespective of source, or a trust subject to primary supervision of a court within the U.S. and control of a U.S. fiduciary, and who holds common shares solely as capital property and who owns (directly and indirectly) no more than 5% of the value of the total outstanding stock of the Company (a "U.S. Holder").  This summary is based on the current provisions of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Tax Act"), the regulations thereunder, all amendments thereto publicly proposed by the government of Canada, the published administrative practices of Canada Revenue Agency, and on the current provisions of the Canada-United States Income Tax Convention, 1980, as amended (the "Treaty").  Except as otherwise expressly provided, this summary does not take into account any provincial, territorial or foreign (including without limitation, any U.S.) tax law or treaty.  It has been assumed that all currently proposed amendments will be enacted substantially as proposed and that there is no other relevant change in any governing law or practice, although no assurance can be given in these respects.


Each U.S. Holder is advised to obtain tax and legal advice applicable to such U.S. Holder's particular circumstances.


Every U.S. Holder is liable to pay a Canadian withholding tax on every dividend that is or is deemed to be paid or credited to the U.S. Holder on the U.S. Holder's common shares.  The statutory rate of withholding tax

 

69

 


is 25% of the gross amount of the dividend paid.  The Treaty reduces the statutory rate with respect to dividends paid to a U.S. Holder for the purposes of the Treaty.  Where applicable, the general rate of withholding tax under the Treaty is 15% of the gross amount of the dividend, but if the U.S. Holder is a company that owns at least 10% of the voting stock of the Company and beneficially owns the dividend, the rate of withholding tax is 5% for dividends paid or credited after 1996 to such corporate U.S. Holder.  The Company is required to withhold the applicable tax from the dividend payable to the U.S. Holder, and to remit the tax to the Receiver General of Canada for the account of the U. S. Holder.


Pursuant to the Tax Act, a U.S. Holder will not be subject to Canadian capital gains tax on any capital gain realized on an actual or deemed disposition of a common share, including a deemed disposition on death, provided that the U.S. Holder did not hold the common share as capital property used in carrying on a business in Canada, and that neither the U. S. Holder nor persons with whom the U.S. Holder did not deal a arms length (alone or together) owned or had the right or an option to acquire 25% or more of the issued shares of any class of the Company at any time in the five years immediately preceding the disposition.


United States Federal Income Tax Consequences


The following is, in the opinion of the Company after consultation with its professional advisors, a discussion of material United States federal income tax consequences, under current law, generally applicable to a U.S. Holder (as defined above) of common shares of the Company. This discussion does not address all potentially relevant federal income tax matters and it does not address consequences peculiar to persons subject to special provisions of federal income tax law. In addition, this discussion does not cover any state, local or foreign tax consequences. (See "Taxation - Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences" above). Accordingly, holders and prospective holders of common shares of the Company are urged to consult their own tax advisors about the specific federal, state, local, and foreign tax consequences to them of purchasing, owning and disposing of common shares of the Company, based upon their individual circumstances.


The following discussion is based upon the sections of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), Treasury Regulations, published Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") rulings, published administrative positions of the IRS and court decisions that are currently applicable, any or all of which could be materially and adversely changed, possibly on a retroactive basis, at any time and which are subject to differing interpretations. This discussion does not consider the potential effects, both adverse and beneficial, of any proposed legislation which, if enacted, could be applied, possibly on a retroactive basis, at any time.


Passive Foreign Investment Company.


The Company believes that it is a passive foreign investment company ("PFIC") for United States federal income tax purposes with respect to a U.S. Holder (as defined above).  The Company will be a PFIC with respect to a U.S. Holder if, for any taxable year in which such U.S. Holder held the Company's shares, either (i) at least 75 % of the gross income of the Company for the taxable year is passive income, or (ii) at least 50% of the Company's assets are attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income.  In each case, the Company must take into account a pro rata share of the income and the assets of any company in which the Company owns, directly or indirectly, 25% or more of the stock by value (the "look-through" rules).  Passive income generally includes dividends, interest, royalties, rents (other than rents and royalties derived from the active conduct of a trade or business and not derived from a related person), annuities, and gains from assets that produce passive income.  As a publicly traded corporation, the Company would apply the 50% asset test based on the value of the Company's assets.

 

70

 



Because the Company is a PFIC, unless a U.S. Holder who owns shares in the Company (i) elects (a section 1295 election) to have the Company treated as a "qualified electing fund" (a "QEF") (described below), or (ii) marks the stock to market (described below), the following rules apply:


1.

Distributions made by the Company during a taxable year to a U.S. Holder who owns shares in the Company that are an "excess distribution" (defined generally as the excess of the amount received with respect to the shares in any taxable year over 125% of the average received in the shorter of either the three previous years or such U.S. Holder's holding period before the taxable year) must be allocated ratably to each day of such shareholder's holding period.  The amount allocated to the current taxable year and to years when the corporation was not a PFIC must be included as ordinary income in the shareholder's gross income for the year of distribution.  The remainder is not included in gross income but the shareholder must pay a deferred tax on that portion.  The deferred tax amount, in general, is the amount of tax that would have been owed if the allocated amount had been included in income in the earlier year, plus interest.  The interest charge is at the rate applicable to deficiencies in income taxes.


2.

The entire amount of any gain realized upon the sale or other disposition of the shares will be treated as an excess distribution made in the year of sale or other disposition and as a consequence will be treated as ordinary income and, to the extent allocated to years prior to the year of sale or disposition, will be subject to the interest charge described above.


A shareholder that makes a section 1295 election will be currently taxable on his or her pro rata share of the Company's ordinary earnings and net capital gain (at ordinary income and capital gains rates, respectively) for each taxable year of the Company, regardless of whether or not distributions were received. The shareholder's basis in his or her shares will be increased to reflect taxed but undistributed income.  Distributions of income that had previously been taxed will result in a corresponding reduction of basis in the shares and will not be taxed again as a distribution to the shareholder.


A shareholder may make a section 1295 election with respect to a PFIC for any taxable year of the shareholder (shareholder's election year).  A section 1295 election is effective for the shareholder's election year and all subsequent taxable years of the shareholder.  Procedures exist for both retroactive elections and filing of protective statements.  Once a section 1295 election is made it remains in effect, although not applicable, during those years that the Company is not a PFIC.  Therefore, if the Company re-qualifies as a PFIC, the section 1295 election previously made is still valid and the shareholder is required to satisfy the requirements of that election.  Once a shareholder makes a section 1295 election, the shareholder may revoke the election only with the consent of the Commissioner.


If the shareholder makes the section 1295 election for the first tax year of the Company as a PFIC that is included in the shareholder's holding period, the PFIC qualifies as a pedigreed QEF with respect to the shareholder.  If a QEF is an unpedigreed QEF with respect to the shareholder, the shareholder is subject to both the non-QEF and QEF regimes.  Certain elections are available which enable shareholders to convert an unpedigreed QEF into a pedigreed QEF thereby avoiding such dual application.


A shareholder making the section 1295 election must make the election on or before the due date, as extended, for filing the shareholder's income tax return for the first taxable year to which the election will apply. A shareholder must make a section 1295 election by completing Form 8621; attaching said Form to its federal income tax return; and reflecting in the Form the information provided in the PFIC Annual Information Statement or if the shareholder calculated the financial information, a statement to that effect.  The PFIC Annual Information Statement must include the shareholder's pro rata shares of the ordinary earnings and net capital gain of the PFIC for the PFIC's taxable year or information that will enable the shareholder to calculate its pro rata shares.  In addition, the PFIC Annual Information Statement must contain information about distributions to

 

71

 


shareholders and a statement that the PFIC will permit the shareholder to inspect and copy its permanent books of account, records, and other documents of the PFIC necessary to determine that the ordinary earnings and net capital gain of the PFIC have been calculated according to federal income tax accounting principles.  A shareholder may also obtain the books, records and other documents of the foreign corporation necessary for the shareholder to determine the correct earnings and profits and net capital gain of the PFIC according to federal income tax principles and calculate the shareholder's pro rata shares of the PFIC's ordinary earnings and net capital gain.  In that case, the PFIC must include a statement in its PFIC Annual Information Statement that it has permitted the shareholder to examine the PFIC's books of account, records, and other documents necessary for the shareholder to calculate the amounts of ordinary earnings and net capital gain.  A shareholder that makes a Section 1295 election with respect to a PFIC held directly or indirectly, for each taxable year to which the Section 1295 election applies, must comply with the foregoing submissions.


Because the Company's stock is "marketable" under section 1296(e), a U.S. Investor may elect to mark the stock to market each year.  In general, a PFIC shareholder who elects under section 1296 to mark the marketable stock of a PFIC includes in income each year an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the PFIC stock as of the close of the taxable year over the shareholder's adjusted basis in such stock.  A shareholder is also generally allowed a deduction for the excess, if any, of the adjusted basis of the PFIC stock over the fair market value as of the close of the taxable year.  Deductions under this rule, however, are allowable only to the extent of any net mark to market gains with respect to the stock included by the shareholder for prior taxable years.  While the interest charge regime under the PFIC rules generally does not apply to distributions from and dispositions of stock of a PFIC where the U.S. Investor has marked to market, coordination rules for limited application will apply in the case of a U.S. Investor that marks to market PFIC stock later than the beginning of the shareholder's holding period for the PFIC stock.


Special rules apply with respect to the calculation of the amount of the foreign tax credit with respect to excess distributions by a PFIC or inclusions under a QEF.


Distribution on Common Shares of the Company


In general, U.S. Holders receiving dividend distributions (including constructive dividends) with respect to common shares of the Company are required to include in gross income for United States federal income tax purposes the gross amount of such distributions, equal to the U.S. dollar value of such distributions on the date of receipt (based on the exchange rate on such date), to the extent that the Company has current or accumulated earnings and profits, without reduction for any Canadian income tax withheld from such distributions. Such Canadian tax withheld may be credited, subject to certain limitations, against the U.S. Holder's federal income tax liability or, alternatively, may be deducted in computing the U.S. Holder's federal taxable income. (See more detailed discussion at "Foreign Tax Credit" below). To the extent that distributions exceed current or accumulated earnings and profits of the Company, they will be treated first as a return of capital up to the U.S. Holder's adjusted basis in the common shares and thereafter as gain from the sale or exchange of property. Preferential tax rates for long-term capital gains are applicable to a U.S. Holder which is an individual, estate or trust. There are currently no preferential tax rates for long-term capital gains for a U.S. Holder which is a corporation.


In the case of foreign currency received as a dividend that is not converted by the recipient into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt, a U.S. Holder will have a tax basis in the foreign currency equal to its U.S. dollar value on the date of receipt. Generally any gain or loss recognized upon a subsequent sale or other disposition of the foreign currency, including the exchange for U.S. dollars, will be ordinary income or loss. However, an individual whose realized gain does not exceed $200 will not recognize that gain, provided that there are no expenses associated with the transaction that meet the requirements for deductibility as a trade or business

 

 

72

 

 


expense (other than travel expenses in connection with a business trip) or as an expense for the production of income.


Dividends paid on the common shares of the Company generally will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction provided to corporations receiving dividends from certain United States corporations.  A U.S. Holder which is a corporation and which owns shares representing at least 10% of the voting power and value of the Company may, under certain circumstances, be entitled to a 70% (or 80% if the U.S. Holder owns shares representing at least 20% of the voting power and value of the Company) deduction equal to the United States source portion of dividends received from the Company (unless the Company qualifies as a "foreign personal holding company" as defined below, or a "passive foreign investment company" (a PFIC) as defined above). The Company does not anticipate that it will earn any United States income, however, and therefore does not anticipate that any U.S. Holder will be eligible for the dividends received deduction.


Foreign Tax Credit


A U.S. Holder who pays (or has withheld from distributions) Canadian income tax with respect to the ownership of common shares of the Company may be entitled, at the option of the U.S. Holder, to either receive a deduction or a tax credit for such foreign tax paid or withheld. Generally, it will be more advantageous to claim a credit because a credit reduces United States federal income taxes on a dollar-for-dollar basis, while a deduction merely reduces the taxpayer's income subject to tax. This election is made on a year-by-year basis and generally applies to all foreign taxes paid by (or withheld from) the U.S. Holder during that year. There are significant and complex limitations which apply to the credit, among which is the general limitation that the credit cannot exceed the proportionate share of the U.S. Holder's United States income tax liability that the U.S. Holder's foreign source income bears to his or its worldwide taxable income. In the determination of the application of this limitation, the various items of income and deduction must be classified into foreign and domestic sources. Complex rules govern this classification process. In addition, this limitation is calculated separately with respect to specific classes of income such as "passive income", " "high withholding tax interest," "financial services income," "shipping income," and certain other classifications of income. Dividends distributed by the Company will generally constitute "passive income" or, in the case of certain U.S. Holders, "financial services income" for these purposes. The availability of the foreign tax credit and the application of the limitations on the credit are fact specific, and U.S. Holders of common shares of the Company should consult their own tax advisors regarding their individual circumstances.


Disposition of Common Shares of the Company


In general, U.S. Holders will recognize gain or loss upon the sale of common shares of the Company equal to the difference, if any, between (i) the amount of cash plus the fair market value of any property received, and (ii) the shareholder's tax basis in the common shares of the Company. Preferential tax rates apply to long-term capital gains of U.S. Holders which are individuals, estates or trusts. In general, gain or loss on the sale of common shares of the Company will be long-term capital gain or loss if the common shares are a capital asset in the hands of the U.S. Holder and are held for more than one year. Deductions for net capital losses are subject to significant limitations. For U.S. Holders which are not corporations, any unused portion of such net capital loss may be carried over to be used in later tax years until such net capital loss is thereby exhausted. For U.S. Holders that are corporations (other than corporations subject to Subchapter S of the Code), an unused net capital loss may be carried back three years and carried forward five years from the loss year to be offset against capital gains until such net capital loss is thereby exhausted.

 

73

 


Controlled Foreign Corporations.


Sections 951 through 964 and Section 1248 of the Code relate to controlled foreign corporations ("CFCs").  A foreign corporation that qualifies as a CFC will not be treated as a PFIC with respect to a shareholder during the portion of the shareholder's holding period after December 31, 1997, during which the shareholder is a 10% United States shareholder and the corporation is a CFC.  The PFIC provisions continue to apply in the case of PFIC that is also a CFC with respect to shareholders that are less than 10% United States shareholders.


The 10% United States shareholders of a CFC are subject to current U.S. tax on their pro rata shares of certain income of the CFC and their pro rata shares of the CFC's earnings invested in certain U.S. property.  The effect is that the CFC provisions may impute some portion of such a corporation's undistributed income to certain shareholders on a current basis and convert into dividend income some portion of gains on dispositions of stock, which would otherwise qualify for capital gains treatment.


The Company does not believe that it will be a CFC.  It is possible that the Company could become a CFC in the future.  Even if the Company were classified as a CFC in a future year, however, the CFC rules referred to above would apply only with respect to 10% shareholders.


Personal Holding Company/Foreign Personal Holding Company/Foreign Investment Company.


A corporation will be classified as a personal holding company (a "PHC") if at any time during the last half of a tax year (i) five or fewer individuals (without regard to their citizenship or residence) directly or indirectly or by attribution own more than 50% in value of the corporation's stock and (ii) at least 60% of its ordinary gross income, as specially adjusted, consists of personal holding company income (defined generally to include dividends, interest, royalties, rents and certain other types of passive income).  A PHC is subject to a United States federal income tax of 39.6% on its undistributed personal holding company income (generally limited, in the case of a foreign corporation, to United States source income).


A corporation will be classified as a foreign personal holding company (an "FPHC") and not a PHC if at any time during a tax year (i) five or fewer individual United States citizens or residents directly or indirectly or by attribution own more than 50% of the total combined voting power or value of the corporation's stock and (ii) at least 60% of its gross income consists of foreign personal holding company income (defined generally to include dividends, interest, royalties, rents and certain other types of passive income).  Each United States shareholder in a FPHC is required to include in gross income, as a dividend, an allocable share of the FPHC's undistributed foreign personal holding company income (generally the taxable income of the FPHC, as specially adjusted).


A corporation will be classified as a foreign investment company (an "FIC") if for any taxable year it (i) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as a management company or share investment trust or is engaged primarily in the business of investing or trading in securities or commodities (or any interest therein) and (ii) 50% or more of the value or the total combined voting power of all the corporation's stock is owned directly or indirectly (including stock owned through the application of attribution rules) by United States persons.  In general, unless an FIC elects to distribute 90% or more of its taxable income (determined under United States tax principles as specially adjusted) to its shareholders, gain on the sale or exchange of FIC stock is treated as ordinary income (rather than capital gain) to the extent of such shareholder's ratable share of the corporation's earnings and profits for the period during which such stock was held.


The Company believes that it is not and will not be a PHC, FPHC or FIC.  However, no assurance can be given as to the Company's future status.

 

74

 


U.S. Information Reporting and Backup Withholding.


Dividends are generally subject to the information reporting requirements of the Code.  Dividends may be subject to backup withholding at the rate of 28% unless the holder provides a taxpayer identification number on a properly completed Form W-9 or otherwise establishes an exemption.


The amount of any backup withholding will not constitute additional tax and will be allowed as a credit against the U.S. Holder's federal income tax liability, provided the required information is furnished to the IRS.


Filing of Information Returns.


Under a number of circumstances, a U.S. Holder acquiring shares of the Company may be required to file an information return.  In particular, any U.S. Holder who becomes the owner, directly or indirectly, of 10% or more of the shares of the Company will be required to file such a return.  Other filing requirements may apply, and U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors concerning these requirements.


Tanzania


Taxation


Tax in Tanzania is levied on the income of any person which is deemed to have accrued in or was derived in Tanzania, in the case of individuals, if he was resident in Tanzania during the year of income for a total of 183 days, or an average of 122 days per year over 3 tax years.  Prevailing income tax rate is 30% in the case of both corporate entities and individuals.


Value Added Tax ("VAT")


Taxable Supplies

Rate

Supply of goods and services in Mainland Tanzania

20%

Import of goods and services in Mainland Tanzania

20%

Export of goods and services from Mainland Tanzania

0%


VAT registrable threshold is Tshs. 20 Million (or about US$20,000 at prevailing exchange rates).


Withholding Tax


Withholding tax is charged at the rates specified below:


 

Resident

Non-Resident

Dividend (unlisted companies)

10%

10%

Interest

15%

15%

Royalty

0%

20%

Management and Professional Fees

0%

20%

Rental Income

15%

20%

Pension/Retirement Annuity

0%

15%

Insurance Commission

7.5%

0%

Goods and Services (not applicable to TIN Cert. Holders)

2%

2%


75

 


Special Rates for Persons Engaged in "Mining Operations" Rates


 

Resident

Non-Resident

Dividend

10%

10%

Technical Service Fee

3%

3%

Management Fee up to 2% of Operating Costs

0%

3%

Management Fee - Excess Over 2%

0%

20%

Interest on Foreign Sourced Loans*

0%

0%

Companies listed on the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange enjoy a preferential withholding tax on 5% on dividends.

   

*

In respect of mining companies having Development Agreements with Government.


Capital Gains Tax


Capital Gains Tax is chargeable on Premises and Financial Assets.  The prevailing rate is 10%.


Stamp duty


Stamp duty is changeable on conveyance of property, shares and registration of securities as follows:


 

Rate

Conveyance

4%

Transfer of Shares or Debenture

1%

Insurance Commission

7.5%


Customs Duty


Imports into Tanzania are subject to duty as follows:


 

Rate

Capital Goods

5%

Semi-processed inputs and spare parts other than for motor vehicles

10%

Fully processed inputs and motor vehicle spare parts

15%

Consumer Goods

25%

Equipment and supplies imported by persons engaged in mining operations subcontractors - up to one (1) year after production

0%

Thereafter

5% (max)


Mining Sector


There is a special fiscal regime for mining companies which provides for 100% depreciation allowance on all mining capital expenditures.  Losses may be carried forward for an unlimited period of time.  There is also an exemption on import duty for mining equipment and supplies up to one year after start up of production as well as a 10% withholding tax on dividends and maximum 3% withholding tax on management fees up to 2% of operating costs and 20% for any excess over 2% of the operating costs.  Mining companies may opt to keep their books of account in the United States Dollar Currency.  The special regime applies for subcontractors and providers of technical services to the mining sector as well.  The government of Tanzania also imposes a royalty on the gross value of all production equal to 5% for diamonds and 3% for all gold produced.

 

 

 

76

 

 



Double Taxation Agreement


Tanzania has an Agreement to prevent double taxation with Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Zambia, Canada, India, Finland and Italy.  Treaties with Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, South Korea and Zimbabwe have been signed but not yet ratified.


F.

Dividends and Paying Agents


Not Applicable.


G.

Statement by Experts


Financial Statements


The consolidated financial statements of the Company as of August 31, 2003 and 2002, and for each of the years in the two-year period ended August 31, 2003, have been included herein in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP, independent accountants, P.O. Box 10426, Pacific Centre, 777 Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver, B.C., V7Y 1K3, appearing elsewhere herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing. The audit report covering the August 31, 2003 and 2002 consolidated financial statements contains additional comments for U.S. readers on Canada - U.S. reporting difference that states that the Company's financial statements are affected by conditions and events that raise substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern.  The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of that uncertainty.  These consolidated financial statements are included, in the form and content in which they are included, with the consent of KPMG LLP.


The consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended August 31, 2001, have been included herein in reliance upon the reports of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, 250 Howe Street, Suite 700, Vancouver, B.C., V6C 3S7, appearing elsewhere herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.  The audit report covering the August 31, 2001 consolidated financial statements contains additional comments for U.S. readers on Canada - U.S. reporting difference that states that the Company's financial statements are affected by conditions and events that raise substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern.  The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of that uncertainty.  These consolidated financial statements are included, in the form and content in which they are included, with the consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.


The financial statements of Tanzam as of December 31, 2001 and 2000, and for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2001, have been included herein in reliance upon the report of KPMG, independent accountants, P.O. Box 1160, PPF Tower, Floor 11, Garden Avenue/Ohio Street, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, appearing elsewhere herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.  These financial statements of Tanzam are included, in the form and content in which they are included, with the consent of KPMG.


Technical Reports


The following technical reports are included herein by reference, in the form and content in which they are included, with the consent of each of their authors:


(i)

"Independent Review of the Itetemia Project, Lake Victoria Greenstone Region, Tanzania", May 2, 2001, by Michael J. Michaud, M.Sc. P. Geo. of Steffen Robertson and Kirsten Consulting (Canada) Inc.;

 

77

 


(ii)

" Report on the 2002 Exploration of the Luhala Concessions and the Lunguya Concessions, Lake Victoria Goldfields District, North-Central Tanzania", February 28, 2003, by Dr. Jim L. Oliver, Ph.D., P. Geo.; and


(iii)

" Project Technical Review on 52 Prospecting Licenses, Lake Victoria Goldfields Tanzania", March 21, 2002, by Stephen R. McMullan, P. Geo. of Poseidon Geophysics (Pty) Ltd.


H.

Documents on Display


The Company will file annual reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You may read and copy any document that we file at the Commission's Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington, D.C. 20549.  Please call the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for more information about the Public Reference Rooms.  The Securities and Exchange Commission also maintains a website, www.sec.gov, where you may obtain our reports.  We also file certain reports with the Canadian Securities Administrators that you may obtain through access of the Sedar website, www.sedar.com.


Copies of the Company's material contracts are kept in the Company's administrative headquarters.


I.

Subsidiary Information


Not Applicable.


Item 11.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk


The Company is exposed to market risk, primarily related to foreign exchange and metals prices (gold in particular).  The Company uses the Canadian dollar as its reporting currency, but the Company converts Canadian dollars to U.S. dollars, and then U.S. dollars to Tanzanian schillings.  The Company is therefore exposed to foreign exchange movements in Tanzania where the Company is incurring costs in conducting exploration activities.  Most of the Company's exploration work is conducted in U.S. dollars; however, some general and administrative expenses are paid in Tanzanian schillings.


The following table sets forth the percentage of the Company's administrative expense by currency for the year ended August 31, 2003.


By Currency


 

2003

Canadian Dollar

35%

U.S. Dollar

40%

Tanzanian Dollar

25%

Total:

100%


Such administrative expense by currency may change from time to time, but it has been roughly the same year to year.  Further, the Company incurred exploration costs of $1,151,327 and $1,238,635 for the years ended August 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively, which are primarily paid in U.S. dollars.


The Company has not entered into any material foreign exchange contracts to minimize or mitigate the effects of foreign exchange fluctuations on the Company's operations. The Company exchanges Canadian dollars to U.S. dollars to fund its Tanzanian operations.  Based on prior years, the Company does not believe that

 

 

78

 


it is subject to material foreign exchange fluctuations.  However, no assurance can be given that this will continue to be true in the future.


The Company has no long-term debt, therefore, the Company does not believe that the interest rate market risk to be material.


The market prices of most precious metals, including gold, have generally increased over the past three years, but are subject to market fluctuations based primarily on supply and demand.


The following table sets out the cumulative average prices of gold for the past five years, based on the London Metals Market afternoon price fix in U.S. dollars:


1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

$278.98

$279.11

$271.04

$309.73

$363.38


The cumulative average price of gold to May 25, 2004 was $403.34, based on the London afternoon price fix.


Item 12.

Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities


Not Applicable.


Part II


Item 13.

Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies


None.


Item 14.

Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds


None.


Item 15.

Controls and Procedures


Not applicable


Item 16.

[Reserved]


Item 16 A.

Audit committee financial expert - Not Applicable

Item 16 B.

Code of Ethics - Not Applicable

Item 16 C.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services - Not Applicable

Item 16 D.

Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees - Not Applicable

Item 16 E.

Purchase of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers - Not Applicable


Part III


Item 17.

Financial Statements


The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles and are expressed in Canadian dollars.  All year end and interim financial statements attached have been reconciled to U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.  See Item 8 (A).

 

 

79

 



Item 18.

Financial Statements


Not applicable.


Item 19.

Exhibits


(a)

Exhibits


(1)

Articles and Bylaws of Tan Range Exploration Corporation, as amended.


(2)(a)

Shareholder Rights Plan.


(4)(a)

-

Subscription and Property Option Agreement dated May 31, 1999 between the Company and Barrick Gold Corporation,

-

Option Agreement dated December 14, 2001 between Tanzam 2000 Limited and Barrick Exploration Africa Limited,

-

Letter of Intent dated January 20, 2003 between the Company and Northern Mining Explorations Ltd., as amended by Letter Agreement dated March 18, 2003,

-

Employee Share Ownership Plan dated May 1, 2003,

-

Letter of Intent dated July 21, 2003 between the Company and Ashanti Goldfields (Cayman) Limited.


(4)(b)(i)

-

Stock Option Plan.

-

Subscription Agreement dated March 5, 2003 between the Company and James E. Sinclair for 24 share instalments.

-

Subscription Agreement dated January 5, 2004 between the Company and James E. Sinclair.


(10)(a)

Consents of Auditors and Experts.


(10)(b)

List of Subsidiaries.


80


SIGNATURE


The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this Registration Statement on its behalf.



Dated:

June 22, 2004



TAN RANGE EXPLORATION CORPORATION


 


By:

s/ "James E. Sinclair"


James E. Sinclair,

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer



81






TAN RANGE EXPLORATION CORPORATION




Consolidated Financial Statements

For the Three and Six Months Ended February 29, 2004 and 2003







Unaudited

Prepared by Management

Vancouver, B.C.


 






Tan Range Exploration Corporation

Consolidated Balance Sheet

As at February 29, 2004 and August 31, 2003

(in Canadian Dollars)



ASSETS


February 29, 2004


August 31, 2003

Current Assets

        $

 $

Cash and Short Term Deposits

2,242,935

1,550,072

Investments

925,100

926,192

Accounts and Other Receivables

55,780

44,288

Prepaid Expenses

          39,160

       31,360

 

3,262,975

2,551,912

Mineral Properties and Deferred Exploration Costs (note 3)


18, 783,456


18,672,446

Capital Assets

       2 19,987

       200,207

 

  2 2,266,418

  21,424,565

     

LIABILITIES

   

Current Liabilities

   

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

255,834

459,000

Future Income taxes

647,565

647,565

     

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

   

Share Capital (note 4)

4 1,510,271

39,423,971

Share Subscriptions Received

                -

        125,000

Deficit

(20,147,252)

(19,230,971)

 

    2 1,363,019

    20,318,000

 

    2 2,266,418

    21,424,565


See Accompanying Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements




" Victoria Luis" , Director


" James E. Sinclair" , Director





Unaudited - Prepared by Management


 






Tan Range Exploration Corporation

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit

For the Three and Six Months ended February 29, 2004 and February 28, 2003

(in Canadian Dollars)


 

Three months ended

February 29

Six months ended

February 29

 

2004

2003

2004

2003

 

$

$

$

$

EXPENSES

       

Annual General Meeting

18,215

11,077

21,216

11,077

Depreciation

13,348

14,795

23,539

29,047

Consulting and Management Fees

20,888

62,617

65,761

110,258

Insurance

16,336

14,232

32,153

17,283

Membership, Courses & Publications

  -   

5,134

-

21,393

New Property Investigation Costs

146,258

(56,955)

374,546

42,127

Office and Administration

21,695

21,653

46,264

37,503

Office Rentals

14,873

38,415

54,313

76,947

Press Releases

2,959

2,133

8,891

4,973

Printing and Mailout

16,349

(558)

16,349

7,942

Professional Fees

35,379

69,147

54,000

100,647

Promotion and Shareholder Relations

3,919

41,456

5,363

64,645

Salaries and Benefits

136,490

11,296

241,591

158,992

Telephone and Fax

7,699

8,464

13,448

21,932

Transfer Agent and Listing

29,207

21,932

41,540

25,987

Travel and Accommodation

4,601

26,134

12,741

40,080

Training

12,032

(44)

12,032

2,187

Vehicles

              -

    (1,363)

              -

             -

 

500,248

289,565

1,023,747

773,020

LESS:  EXPENSE RECOVERIES

      43,809

              -

     43,809

             -

 

456,439

289,565

979,938

773,020

OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE

       

Short term investments (Gain) Loss

(4,479)

-

(13,494)

-

(Interest Earned), Net of Expense

(12,727)

(5,012)

(12,961)

(12,101)

Foreign Exchange (Gain) Loss

    (76,848)

      65,355

   (37,202)

      41,940

 

(94,054)

60,343

(63,657)

29,840

         

NET LOSS FOR THE PERIOD

362,385

349,908

916,281

802,860

DEFICIT, BEGINNING OF PERIOD

19,784,867

16,669,145

19,230,971

16,216,193

DEFICIT, END OF PERIOD

20,147,252

17,019,053

20,147,252

17,019,053

         

Basic and diluted loss per share

.004

.005

.011

.010


See Accompanying Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements


Unaudited - Prepared by Management


 







Tan Range Exploration Corporation

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

For the Three and Six Months ended February 29, 2004 and February 28, 2003

(in Canadian Dollars)


 

Three months ended

February 29

Six months ended

February 29

 

2004

2003

2004

2003

 

$

$

$

$

Cash provided from (used in)

       

Operating activities

       

Loss for the period

(362,385)

(349,908)

(916,281)

(802,860)

Items not affecting cash:

       

  Depreciation

     13,348

      14,795

      23,539

       29,047

 

13,348

14,795

23,539

29,047

         

Change in non-cash working capital items

 (103,112)

 (145,192)

  (222,458)

  (  36,958)

 

(452,149)

(480,305)

(1,115,200)

(810,771)

Investing Activities

       

Mineral properties and deferred exploration

50,334

(220,498)

(111,010)

(610,835)

Short term investments

71,030

-  

1,092

-

Capital asset (additions) disposals, net

  (31,091)

      (4,340)

   (43,319)

    (6,985)        

 

90,273

(224,838)

(153,237)

(617,820)

         

Financing Activities

       

Share capital issued

1,435,000

   669,600

 1,961,300

 2,494,365

         

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH

1,073,124

(35,543)

692,863

1,065,774

CASH BEGINNING OF PERIOD

1,169,811

3,128,589

1,550,072

2,027,272

CASH END OF PERIOD

2,242,935

3,093,046

2,242,935

3,093,046


See Accompanying Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements


 

Unaudited - Prepared by Management


 






Tan Range Exploration Corporation

Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

For the Three and Six Months Ended February 29, 2004 and February 28, 2003

(in Canadian Dollars)


1.

Nature of operations


Tan Range Exploration Corporation (the "Company") is in the process of exploring its mineral properties and has not yet determined whether these properties contain mineral deposits that are economically recoverable. The continued operations of the Company and the recoverability of the amounts shown for mineral properties and related deferred costs are dependent upon the existence of economically recoverable reserves, securing and maintaining title and beneficial interest in the properties, the ability of the company to obtain necessary financing to explore and develop, and upon future profitable production or proceeds from disposition of the mineral properties. The amounts shown as deferred expenditures and property acquisition costs represent net costs to date, less amounts recovered, amortized and/or written off, and do not necessarily represent present or future values.


2.

Significant accounting policies

These interim consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared by management, and have not been audited or reviewed by an independent public accountant.  These interim consolidated financial statements do not include all disclosures required by Canadian generally accepted accounting principles for annual financial statements, and accordingly, these interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's most recent annual consolidated financial statements.  These interim consolidated financial statements follow the same accounting policies and methods of application as the Company's audited annual consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended August 31, 2003.  


These interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries.





Tan Range Exploration Corporation

Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

For the Six Months Ended February 28, 2004 and Year Ended August 31, 2003

(in Canadian Dollars)

3.

Mineral Properties and Deferred Exploration Costs

The continuity of expenditures on mineral properties is as follows:


 

Itetemia

Luhala

Kigosi

Lunguya

Kanagele

Tulawaka

Ushirombo

Mbogwe

Biharamulu

Other

Total

                       

Balance, August 31, 2002

   $7,288,200.00

         $2,498,293

$1,072,516

          $2,177,768

$785,565

$1,424,545

          $1,330,002

$984,190

$679,869

$311,607

    $18,552,555

                       

Exploration expenditures:

                     

Camp, field supplies and travel                 

2,512

3,747

1,223

15,687

218

42

24,275

2,770

1,659

6,172

58,305

Exploration and field overhead   

(143)

33,543

6,240

182,437

52,319

185,825

66,311

36,418

17,743

149,041

729,734

Geological consulting and field wages

22

314

6,510

47,786

1,234

 

5,376

130

278

397

62,047

Geophysical and geochemical

13,910

2,814

3,298

80,985

8,465

 

24,619

16,421

1,896

34,623

187,031

Property acquisition costs

                       

40,519

36,183

        

6,900

            

        

 

12,501

57,850

153,953

Parts and equipment

                             

                     

                       

1,454

                         

                        

1,875

   

2,937

6,266

Trenching and drilling

     

122,563

     

16,393

 

                     

138,956

Option payments received

(11,410)

              

              

              

             

(56,974)

(44,419)

(11,410)

(60,752)

 

(184,965)

Reclassifications

               

 

371,411

   

4,270

(371,411)

   

(4,270)

0

 

      4,891

    80,937

    53,454

   450,912

    69,136

    128,893

      78,037

    60,722

     (26,675)

     251,020

 1,151,327

 

7,293,091

2,579,230

1,125,970

2,628,680

854,701

1,553,438

1,408,039

1,044,912

653,194

562,627

19,703,882

Write-offs

(729,309)

 

 

(35,342)

 

0

(106,386)

0

(10,744)

(149,655)

(1,031,436)

                       

Balance, August 31, 2003

6,563,782

2,579,230

1,125,970

2,593,338

854,701

1,553,438

1,301,653

1,044,912

642,450

412,972

18,672,446

                       

Exploration expenditures:

                     

Camp, field supplies and travel

     

1,514

3,048

       

16,252

20,814

Exploration and field overhead

7,715

9,960

32,889

9,353

2,096

19,300

9,703

5,309

14,341

218,402

329,068

Geological consulting and field wages

                 

(21,113)

(21,113)

Geophysical and geochemical

   

3,775

829

3,152

397

 

2,272

1,663

28,652

40,740

Property Acquisition costs

              

 

290,441

     

(87,824)

   

(195,728)

6,889

Parts and equipment

               

               

111

111

Trenching and drilling

              

                 

0

Option payments received

(17,720)

       

(78,789)

(125,007)

(17,720)

(26,263)

 

(265,499)

 

   (10,005)

       9,960

   327,105

     11,696

     8,296

    (59,092)

  (203,128)

    (10,139)

    (10,259)

     46,576

      111,010

 

6,553,777

2,589,190

1,453,075

2,605,034

862,997

1,494,346

1,098,525

1,034,773

632,191

459,548

18,783,456

Write-offs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, February 29, 2004

$6,553,777

$2,589,190

$1,453,075

$2,605,034

$862,997

$1,494,346

$1,098,525

$1,034,773

$632,191

$459,548

$18,783,456


Unaudited - Prepared by Management



Tan Range Exploration Corporation

Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

For the Three and Six Months Ended February 29, 2004 and February 28, 2003

(in Canadian Dollars)


3.

Mineral Properties and Deferred Exploration Costs (continued)


Acquisition costs and exploration and development costs relating to mineral properties are deferred until the properties are brought into production, at which time they are amortized on a unit-of-production basis, or until the properties are abandoned or sold or management determines that the mineral property is not economically viable, at which time the deferred costs are written off.


4.

Share Capital

 

Number

Amount ($)

Balance at August 31, 2003

80,191,542

39,423,971

Issued for cash

     994,729

  1,625,000

Subscription Receivable

       65,445

     125,000

Issued on exercise of stock options

     710,000

     336,300

Balance at February 29, 2004

81,961,716

41,510,271


5.

Options Outstanding


Number of Shares

Exercise Price

Expiry Date

50,000

$0.50

January 19, 2005

35,000

$0.51

  August 7, 2006

400,000

$0.79

     May 3, 2007

10,000

$0.96

   May 23, 2007

 50,000

$0.83

   June 20, 2007

545,000

   


 


Number

Exercise Price

Balance at August 31, 2003

1,255,000

$0.40 to $0.96

Exercised

   710,000

$0.40 to $0.51

Balance at February 29, 2004

  545,000

$0.50 to $0.96




Unaudited - Prepared by Management




Tan Range Exploration Corporation

Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

For the Three and Six Months Ended February 29, 2004 and February 28, 2003

(in Canadian Dollars)


 

6.

Reconciliation between Canadian and United States generally accepted accounting principles:

   

These unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles  ("Canadian GAAP").  A detailed description of United States generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP") and rules prescribed by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") that result in material measurement differences from Canadian GAAP is contained in the annual audited financial statements contained elsewhere in this Registration Statement.  The effect of the measurement differences between Canadian GAAP and U.S. GAAP on the consolidated balance sheets and statements of operations and cash flows is summarized below.

     
 

(a)

Assets:

     
     

February 29,

 

August 31,

     

2004

 

2003

           
 

Assets, under Canadian GAAP

$

22,266,418 

$

21,424,565 

 

Adjustment for mineral properties and deferred exploration

 

(18,783,456)

 

(18,672,446)

           
 

Assets, under U.S. GAAP

$

3,482,962 

$

2,752,119 

   
 

(b)

Liabilities:

     
     

February 29,

 

August 31,

     

2004

 

2003

           
 

Liabilities, under Canadian GAAP

$

903,399 

$

1,106,565 

 

Adjustment for mineral properties and deferred exploration

 

(647,565)

 

(647,565)

           
 

Liabilities, under U.S. GAAP

$

255,834 

$

459,000 

   
 

(c)

Share capital:

     
     

February 29,

 

August 31,

     

2004

 

2003

           
 

Share capital, under Canadian GAAP

$

41,510,271 

$

39,423,971 

 

Adjustment for stock-based compensation for employees

 

61,850 

 

61,850 

 

Adjustment for stock-based compensation for non-employees

 

393,078 

 

393,078 

 

Adjustment for escrow shares

 

2,300,000 

 

2,300,000 

           
 

Share capital, under U.S. GAAP

$

44,265,199 

$

42,178,899 

   



Tan Range Exploration Corporation

Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

For the Three and Six Months Ended February 29, 2004 and February 28, 2003

(in Canadian Dollars)


6.

Reconciliation between Canadian and United States generally accepted accounting principles (continued):

 

(d)

Deficit:

     
     

February 29,

 

August 31,

     

2004

 

2003

           
 

Deficit, under Canadian GAAP

$

(20,147,252)

$

(19,230,971)

 

Adjustment for stock-based compensation for employees

 

(61,850)

 

(61,850)

 

Adjustment for stock-based compensation for non-employees

 

(393,078)

 

(393,078)

 

Adjustment for escrow shares

 

(2,300,000)

 

(2,300,000)

 

Adjustment for mineral properties and deferred exploration,
net of income taxes

 

(18,135,891)

 

(18,024,881)

           
 

Deficit, under U.S. GAAP

$

(41,038,071)

$

(40,010,780)

   
   
 

(e)

Loss and loss per share:

     
 


 

Six months
ended

February 29,

 

Six months
ended

February 28,

     

2004

 

2003

           
 

Loss for the period, under Canadian GAAP

$

(916,281)

$

(802,860)

 

Adjustment for mineral properties and deferred exploration

 

(111,010)

 

(610,835)

 

Adjustment for escrow shares

 

 

(2,300,000)

           
 

Loss for the period, under U.S. GAAP

$

(1,027,291)

$

(3,713,695)

           
 

Basic additional loss per share, under U.S. GAAP

$

(0.01)

$

(0.05)

           
 

(f)

Cash flows:

     
 


 

Six months
ended

February 29,

 

Six months
ended

February 28,

     

2004

 

2003

           
 

Cash used in operating activities, under Canadian GAAP

$

(1,115,200)

$

(810,771)

 

Adjustment for mineral properties and deferred exploration

 

(111,010)

 

(610,835)

           
 

Cash used in operating activities, under U.S. GAAP

$

(1,226,210)

$

(1,421,606)

           
 

Cash used in investing activities, under Canadian GAAP

$

(153,237)

$

(617,820)

 

Adjustment for mineral properties and deferred exploration

 

111,010 

 

610,835 

           
 

Cash used in investing activities, under U.S. GAAP

$

(42,227)

$

(6,985)

           




TAN RANGE

Subscription Agreement

final



SUBSCRIPTION AND PROPERTY OPTION AGREEMENT



THIS AGREEMENT is dated for reference the 31st day of May, 1999,


BETWEEN:


Tan Range Exploration Corporation , an Alberta company having an office at Suite 1730 - 355 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 2G8


(hereinafter referred to as the "Issuer")


AND:


Barrick Gold Corporation , an Ontario corporation having an office at Royal Bank Plaza, South Tower, Suite 2700, 200 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2J3


(hereinafter referred to as the "Subscriber")


WHEREAS:


A.

The Common Shares of the Issuer are listed on the Alberta Stock Exchange and the Issuer is subject to the regulatory jurisdiction of the Alberta Stock Exchange, the Alberta Securities Commission and the British Columbia Securities Commission; and


B.

The Subscriber wishes to subscribe for and take up and pay for Common Shares of the Issuer and the Issuer wishes to grant the Subscriber certain rights, all in accordance with and on the terms and subject to the conditions in this Agreement;


NOW THEREFORE THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSES that in consider­ation of the premises and mutual covenants and conditions hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:


Definitions


1.

In this Agreement:


(a)

"Agreement" means this agreement between the Issuer and the Subscriber;


TAN RANGE

Subscription Agreement

final

2





(b)

"ASE" means the Alberta Stock Exchange;


(c)

A Closings @ means the transactions of payment and delivery described in Sections 5 and 6, below;


(d)

"Commissions" mean the Alberta Securities Commission and the British Columbia Securities Commission;


(e)

"Common Shares" means the common voting shares in the capital of the Issuer, as such capital is presently constituted;


(f)

"Corporations Act" means the Alberta Corporations Act, as amended;


(g)

"Effective Date" means the date first above stated;


(h)

A First Closing" means the making of the payments and deliveries contemplated in Section 6(a) of this Agreement;


(i)

A Issuer = s Subsidiaries @ means Itetemia Mining Company Limited, Tancan Mining Company Limited and Dia-Consult Limited, the ownership of which is more particularly described in Schedule A B @ hereto;


(j)

A Joint Venture Agreement @ means a joint venture agreement substantially in the form of the joint venture agreement attached hereto as Schedule "D";


(k)

A Property @ means the Itetemia Property, comprised of certain Prospecting Licences held by the Issuer = s Subsidiaries over certain areas of land situate in Tanzania, East Africa, as more particularly described in Schedule A B @ hereto and having the coordinates and shapes depicted in Schedule A C @ hereto, and includes all licences, mineral rights, titles, powers and privileges appurtenant thereto and flowing therefrom, including all such licences, mineral rights, permissions, titles, powers, privileges and additional entitlements of whatsoever nature issued in furtherance thereof or in substitution therefor, whether as a result of changes to the laws of Tanzania or by virtue of the exercise of statutory rights by the holder thereof or as a result of the exercise by officials of any powers to enhance or augment the same or to create rights or entitlements to augment or expand the same;


(l)

A Second Closing @ means the making of the payments and deliveries contemplated in 6(b) of this Agreement;


(m)

"Securities" means the Subscribed Shares, the Warrants and the Warrant Shares;


(n)

"Securities Act" means the Alberta Securities Act, as amended;


TAN RANGE

Subscription Agreement

final

3




(o)

A Subscribed Shares @ means the Common Shares for which, pursuant to Section 4, below, the Subscriber is agreeing to buy and the Issuer is agreeing to issue at the Closings;


(p)

A Third Closing @ means the making of the payments and deliveries contemplated in 6(c) of this Agreement;

(q)

"Warrant Shares" means the Common Shares which are issuable upon any exercise of the Warrants; and


(r)

"Warrants" means the 740,741 non-transferable share purchase warrants to be issued and delivered to the Subscriber at the First Closing and having the features described in Sections 2 and 3, below;



Warrants


2.

The Warrants will be non-transferable and each whole Warrant will entitle the Subscriber to purchase one additional Common Share at a price of $1.35 per Warrant Share at any time up to and including the close of business in Vancouver, British Columbia, on April 30, 2001, provided that on April 30, 2001, at the close of business in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Warrants will expire and be of no further force and effect.


3.

The Warrants shall be evidenced in one or more certificates substantially in the form attached as Schedule "A" hereto and will have terms and conditions as set out in such certificates.



Subscription for Subscribed Shares and Warrants


4.

On the terms and subject to the conditions set out in this Agreement, the Subscriber hereby subscribes for the Subscribed Shares and Warrants and the Issuer agrees to issue the Subscribed Shares and Warrants at the Closings against receipt of payments for the same, in the amounts and at the prices set out in Section 6, below .


Closings


5.

The Closings shall each take place at the offices of the Issuer as set out above on that date which is:


(a)

in the case of the First Closing, two business days following the date final approval is received by the Issuer from the ASE with respect to the private placement herein contemplated;


(b)

in the case of the Second Closing, the later of April 30, 2000, and the date which is


TAN RANGE

Subscription Agreement

final

4




two business days following the date all of the conditions in Section 9(a)(v), below are waived or satisfied.


(c)

in the case of the Third Closing, the later of October 31, 2000 and the date which is two business days following the date all of the conditions in Section 9(a)(vi), below are waived or satisfied.




Deliveries at the Closings


6.

At:


(a)

the First Closing:


(i)

the Subscriber will deliver to the Issuer a bank draft or certified cheque for $999,999.70, being payment of $0.70 per Common Share for 1,428,571 of the Subscribed Shares; and


(ii)

the Issuer will deliver to the Subscriber one or more certificates representing 1,428,571 of the Subscribed Shares, registered in the name of, or as otherwise directed by, the Subscriber, and in further consideration of the completion of the First Closing, the Issuer will deliver the Warrants;


(b)

the Second Closing:


(i)

the Subscriber will deliver to the Issuer a bank draft or certified cheque for $1,000,000.35, being payment of $0.85 per Common Share for 1,176,471 of the Subscribed Shares; and


(ii)

the Issuer will deliver to the Subscriber one or more certificates representing 1,176,471 of the Subscribed Shares, registered in the name of, or as otherwise directed by, the Subscriber; and


(c)

the Third Closing:


(i)

the Subscriber will deliver to the Issuer a bank draft or certified cheque for $1,000,000. being payment of $1.00 per Common Share for 1,000,000 of the Subscribed Shares; and


(ii)

the Issuer will deliver to the Subscriber one or more certificates representing 1,000,000 of the Subscribed Shares, registered in the name of, or as otherwise directed by, the Subscriber;



TAN RANGE

Subscription Agreement

final

5





Warranties, Representations and Covenants of the Issuer


7.

The Issuer warrants and represents to, and covenants with, the Subscriber that, except as set out expressly in any specific Subsection below, as of the Effective Date and as of the date of each of the First Closing  the Second Closing and the Third Closing:


(a)

the Issuer is a valid and subsisting corporation duly incorporated and organized and in good standing under the laws of Alberta, with full corporate power and authority to make this Agreement and to carry out the transactions herein contemplated, and each of the Issuer's Subsidiaries is a valid and subsisting corporation duly incorporated and organized and in good standing under the laws of Tanzania, beneficially wholly owned by the Issuer, except in the case of Itetemia Mining Company Limited which is held as to 10% by State Mining Corporation ( A Stamico @ ), and as to 90% by the Issuer = s wholly owned subsidiary, Tancan Mining Company Limited, which is subject to a joint venture agreement in writing dated the 12 th day of July, 1994, between Tancan Mining Company Limited and Stamico, (the A Stamico Agreement @ ), by which Stamico may, in certain events, increase its shareholding in Itetemia Mining Company Limited to 30%;


(b)

the authorized capital of the Issuer is unlimited, of which 36,609,418 are issued and outstanding as of the Effective Date; various agreements exist for the issue of up to 4,341,639 Common Shares pursuant to options and share purchase warrants outstanding as of the Effective Date and a further agreement exists by which Newmont Mining Company Limited may purchase up to 10% of the Issuer under certain circumstances (collectively, the A Share Agreements @ ); there are no other outstanding agreements or rights, warrants, or options to acquire, or instruments convertible or exchangeable into Common Shares; at the time of each of the First Closing, the Second Closing and the Third Closing, no Common Shares will be outstanding except those outstanding as at the Effective Date or Common Shares which have been issued under the Share Agreements or which have been issued as contemplated in Section 16 below; and the Issuer has, or at the time of each of the First Closing, the Second Closing and the Third Closing will have, as the case may be, reserved or set aside sufficient Common Shares in the treasury of the Issuer to enable it to issue the Subscribed Shares and, upon exercise of the Warrants in accordance with their terms, the Warrant Shares, to the Subscriber;


(c)

each of the Issuer and the Issuer's Subsidiaries is the beneficial owner of its properties, business and assets or the interests in the properties, business and assets, as referred to in the quarterly report of the Issuer most recently filed with the Commission and the ASE (the "Latest Disclosure Document") or referred to in the  Latest Financial Statements, (as defined below), including without limitation, the property, business and assets comprised in the Property, the beneficial interests to which are held as described in Schedule A B @ ; all agreements pursuant to which the Issuer or the Issuer = s Subsidiaries holds any such interest in property, business or assets, including without limitation, the property, business and assets comprised in


TAN RANGE

Subscription Agreement

final

6




            the Property, are in good standing according to their terms; and the properties comprising the Property are in good standing under the applicable statutes and regulations of the jurisdictions in which they are situated and are in full compliance with all applicable laws, including, without limitation, environmental laws;


(d)

the latest audited financial statements of the Issuer and the latest unaudited financial statements of the Issuer filed with the Commission, each on a consolidated basis, (collectively, the "Latest Financial Statements"), accurately reflect the financial position of the Issuer and its subsidiaries (including the Issuer = s Subsidiaries) on a consolidated basis as at the dates to which they are made up, and no material changes in the financial position of the Issuer and its said subsidiaries have taken place since the date of the latest Financial Statements save in the ordinary course of the Issuer's business or that of its said subsidiaries, other than material changes disclosed in Material Change Reports and news releases filed with the ASE since such date (the "Releases");


(e)

the Latest Disclosure Document and the Latest Financial Statements, together with the Releases constitute full true and plain disclosure of the affairs, business operations, assets and ownership of the Issuer and its said subsidiaries and there are no undisclosed facts material to the Issuer or its said subsidiaries or their respective affairs, assets, business operations and ownership;


(f)

the Issuer has fully complied with or will fully comply with all legal requirements to permit the offering and sale of the Securities, including, without limitation, applicable securities laws in the jurisdictions in which the same are sold;


(g)

the allotment, issuance and sale of the Subscribed Shares and the conditional allotment of the Warrant Shares and the issuance in due course of the Warrant Shares upon exercise of the Warrants in accordance with their terms by the Issuer upon exercise of the Warrants in accordance with their terms does not and will not conflict with and does not and will not result in a breach of any of the terms, conditions, or provisions of the Articles or Memorandum of the Issuer or any agreement or instrument to which the Issuer is a party or by which its assets, or those of the Issuer = s Subsidiaries are affected, nor will any of the transactions contemplated herein constitute a breach or give rise to any rights or accelerate any obligations under such Memorandum and Articles or under or in connection with any agreement or instrument, including, without limitation, any management or employment contract to which the Issuer or any of the Issuer = s Subsidiaries is party or any agreement or licence under which the Issuer's assets or those of the Issuer = s Subsidiaries, including without limitation, those comprised in the Property,  are held or by which such assets are affected nor will such events give rise to any suspension or termination of, or other change in, any such interest;


(h)

there are no shareholder rights, and there are no agreements, obligations or other rights of any nature, in favour of any person which would confer upon any person any right of first refusal, preemption or any other right of any nature whatsoever in respect of any issue of Common Shares under or pursuant to this Agreement or,  


TAN RANGE

Subscription Agreement

final

7




            except  as contemplated in this Agreement,  in respect of any other issue of securities of the Issuer;


(i)

the Issuer is not a party to any action, suit or proceeding which is material to the Issuer and neither is any of the Issuer = s Subsidiaries, and there are no such actions, suits or proceedings of which the Issuer is, or ought to be, aware, pending or threatened, other than as have been publicly disclosed;


(j)

no order ceasing or suspending trading in securities of the Issuer nor prohibiting the sale of such securities has been issued against the Issuer or its directors, offi­cers or promoters and no investi­gations or proceedings of which the Issuer is, or ought to be, aware, are pending or threatened;


(k)

this Agreement has been, or on or before First Closing will be, duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Issuer and now constitutes, or will, before the First Closing, constitute, a valid obligation of the Issuer legally binding upon it and enforceable in accordance with its terms;


(l)

the Issuer is a "reporting issuer" in Alberta, and the Common Shares are listed and posted for trading on the ASE;


(m)

the Subscribed Shares and Warrant Shares for which certificates will be delivered to the Subscriber hereunder will, at the time of such delivery, be duly allotted, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and be free of all liens, charges and encumbrances;


(n)

at each of the First Closing, the Second Closing and the Third Closing, and at each issuance and delivery of Warrant Shares, every consent, approval, authorization, order or agreement from or with the ASE that is required for the issuance and delivery of the same to be valid will have been obtained and will be in effect; and


(o)

the Issuer has complied, or will have complied, in all material respects, with the requirements of the Securities Act, the Corporations Act and the regulations and rules made under such Acts.



Warranties, Representations and Covenants of the Subscriber


8.

The Subscriber warrants and represents to, and covenants with, the Issuer that, as of the Effective Date and as of the date of each of the First Closing, the Second Closing and the Third Closing:


(a)

the Subscriber is a valid and subsisting corporation duly incorporated and organized and in good standing under the laws of the Ontario, with full corporate power and authority to make this Agreement and to carry out the transactions herein contemplated;


TAN RANGE

Subscription Agreement

final

8






(b)

the Subscriber has fully complied with or will fully comply with all legal requirements to permit the subscription by it for and the purchase by it of the Subscribed Shares and Warrants hereunder and, as the case may be, any Warrant Shares upon exercise of the Warrants­;


(c)

the subscription for and the purchase of the Subscribed Shares and the Warrants, and each exercise of the Warrants by the Subscriber does not and will not conflict with and does not and will not result in a breach of any of the terms, conditions, or provisions of the constating documents of the Subscriber or any agreement or instrument to which the Subscriber is a party or by which its assets are affected;


(d)

this Agreement has been, or on or before the First Closing will be, duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Subscriber and constitutes a valid obligation of the Subscriber, legally binding upon it and enforceable in accordance with its terms;


(e)

the Subscriber is aware that no prospectus or offering memorandum has been prepared or filed by the Issuer with any securities commission or similar authority in connection with the sale of the Securities contemplated hereby as such sale is exempted from the prospectus requirements of the Securities Act and the regulations thereunder, and that as a result:


(i)

the Subscriber is restricted from using most of the civil remedies available under applicable securities legislation;


(ii)

the Subscriber may not receive information that would otherwise be required to be provided under applicable securities legislation; and


(iii)

the Issuer is relieved from certain obligations that would otherwise apply under applicable securities legislation;


(f)

the Subscriber is entering into this Agreement, and will acquire the Securities, as principal, for investment only and not with a view to resale or distribution, and no other person, corporation, firm or other organization has a beneficial interest in the said Securities;


(g)

the Subscriber is not a syndicate, partnership or other form of unincorporated entity or organization created solely to permit the purchase of the Securities (or other similar purchases) by a group of individuals whose individual share in the aggregate acquisition cost of the Securities is less than $150,000;


(h)

the Subscriber has no knowledge of a "material fact" or "material change", as those terms are defined in the Securities Act in the affairs of the Issuer that has not been generally disclosed to the public, save know­ledge of this particular transaction and


TAN RANGE

Subscription Agreement

final

9




            those contemplated in the conditions below;


(i)

the Subscriber is not purchasing the Securities as a result of an advertisement of the Securities, including an advertisement in printed media of general and regular paid circulation, radio or tele­vision;


(j)

no person has made to the Subscriber any written or oral representations:


(i)

that any person will resell or repurchase the Subscribed Shares, Warrants and Warrant Shares issued hereunder;


(ii)

that any person will refund the purchase price of the Securities; or


(iii)

as to the future price or value of the Subscribed Shares or Warrant Shares issued hereunder;


(k)

the Subscriber is, for purposes of securities and tax laws, resident at the address set forth above;


(l)

the Securities to be acquired by the Subscriber will be subject to certain resale restrictions under the Securities Act and the regulations thereunder and the rules of the ASE, including a requirement that the Subscriber hold the Securities for a specified hold period, and it will not be possible for the Subscriber to liquidate the Subscriber's investment readily in case of any emergency and, therefore, the Subscriber may be required to bear the economic risk of the investment for an indefinite period of time;


(m)

in addition to being subject to resale restrictions under the laws of Alberta, the resale by the Subscriber of the Securities may be subject to resale restrictions imposed under the laws of jurisdictions other than Alberta, including, without limitation, the laws of Ontario, the laws of the other Provinces of Canada and the laws of the United States of America;


(n)

the Subscriber is sufficiently sophisticated and has made itself sufficiently well-informed so as to be able to assess the investment risk of the purchase hereunder;


(o)

the Subscriber has adequate access to the public records as to the Issuer's business affairs;


(p)

no information furnished by the Issuer constitutes investment, accounting, legal or tax advice, and the Subscriber is not in any way relying on the Issuer for such advice;


(q)

in making a decision to purchase the Securities the Subscriber has relied or will rely solely upon the Subscriber's own independent investigation and upon advice from such professionals as may be engaged by the Subscriber, and the Subscriber acknowledges that the Securities are speculative investments which involve a


TAN RANGE

Subscription Agreement

final

10




            substantial degree of risk;


(r)

the Subscriber has no contract, undertaking, agreement or arrangement with any person to sell, transfer or pledge to such person, or anyone else, the Securities, or any part thereof, or any interest therein, and the Subscriber has no present plans to enter into any such contract, undertaking, agreement or arrangement;


(s)

the Subscriber will indemnify and hold the Issuer and its representatives harmless from, any and all loss, liability, cost, damage or expense (including attorney's fees and expenses) arising out of, in connection with or resulting from the sale or distribution of any Securities by the Subscriber in violation of any applicable law, rule or regulation;


(t)

the Subscriber is aware that no agency, governmental authority, regulatory body, stock exchange or other entity has made any finding or determination as to the merit for investment of, nor have any such agencies or governmental authorities made any recommendation or endorsement with respect to, the Securities;


(u)

the Subscriber is aware that the Issuer will rely on the representations and warranties made herein in com­plet­ing the sale of the Securities to the Subscriber and the Subscriber agrees to promptly notify the Issuer of any material change in any representation or warranty made by the Subscriber up to the completion of the purchase and sale of the Securities; and


(v)

the Subscriber is not a A control person @ as defined in the Securities Act and the Subscriber will not become a A control person @ as a result of the purchase of the Securities.



Conditions


9.

The completion of each of the transactions contemplated in Section 6 of this Agreement is subject to satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions precedent, namely, that:


(a)

as conditions for the sole benefit of the Subscriber, which the Subscriber may waive in whole or in part at any time and from time to time:


(i)

at the time of each of the First Closing, the Second Closing and the Third Closing, all of the warranties and representations made by the Issuer shall be true in all material respects and the Issuer shall have performed up to that time substantially in accordance with its covenants herein;


(ii)

prior to each of the First Closing, the Second Closing and the Third Closing, the Subscriber and its advisors and agents shall have been afforded full and unlimited access, at their own expense, to the documents and records of the Issuer and the Issuer's Subsidiaries, and at their own risk and expense to the properties held by the Issuer and the Issuer's Subsidiaries;


TAN RANGE

Subscription Agreement

final

11



(iii)

prior to the First Closing, the Issuer shall have obtained consent in writing to this Agreement from the Government of Tanzania and from Stamico (as hereinafter defined) and from RSR Tanzania Limited, such consents to be in form reasonably acceptable to the Subscriber;


(iv)

prior to the First Closing, the Issuer shall have caused its Subsidiaries to covenant with the Subscriber to be bound to the Subscriber to do all acts and things necessary or desirable on the part of the Issuer = s Subsidiaries to give effect to the transactions herein contemplated and to assure to the Subscriber  the full enjoyment and perfection of all benefits contemplated to accrue to the Subscriber under and in accordance with this Agreement;

 

(v)

prior to the Second Closing, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Subscriber a report setting out in reasonable detail the results of the programs of exploration conducted on the Property pursuant to Section 15, below, using not less than 80% of the money delivered by the Subscriber at the First Closing, and such results shall be in substance acceptable to the  Subscriber in its absolute discretion;


(vi)

prior to the Third Closing, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Subscriber a report setting out in reasonable detail the results of the programs of exploration conducted on the Property pursuant to Section 15, below, using not less than 80% of the money delivered by the Subscriber at the Second Closing, and such results shall be in substance acceptable to the  Subscriber in its absolute discretion;


(b)

as a condition for the sole benefit of the Issuer, which the Issuer may waive in whole or in part at any time and from time to time at the time of each of the First Closing, the Second Closing and the Third Closing, all of the warranties and representations made by the Subscriber shall be true in all material respects and the Subscriber shall have performed up to that time substantially in accordance with its covenants herein.



Regulatory Approval


10.

This Agreement is subject to receipt of acceptance from the ASE and if such acceptance is not obtained by November 30, 1999, or such later date as the Parties may agree in writing, this Agreement shall be null and void and of no further force and effect.



Termination


11.

Notwithstanding anything herein contained:


TAN RANGE

Subscription Agreement

final

12





(a)

the Subscriber may terminate this Agreement by notice in writing to the Issuer at any time before the parties are required to deliver the Joint Venture Agreement if:


(i)

a material adverse change in the affairs of the Issuer occurs;


(ii)

there is an event, accident, creation of a law or regulation or any other occurrence which materially and adversely affects financial markets generally, or the business of the Issuer or the Issuer's Subsidiaries, or the ability of the Issuer to perform its obligations under this Agreement;


(iii)

an order to cease trading in the securities of the Issuer is made by a competent regulatory authority and such order is in effect;


(iv)

the Issuer is in breach of any provision of this Agreement and such breach is not remedied within 60 days of notice from the Subscriber specifying the breach and requiring the Issuer to remedy the same within such 60 days;


(v)

any material warranty or representation herein on the part of the Issuer is false or becomes false;


(vi)

the Subscriber gives notice that the title to Property or any part thereof held by the Issuer or the Issuer's Subsidiaries is not, or is no longer, acceptable to the Subscriber,  and the defects specified in the notice are not cured within 60 days of that notice; or


(vii)

any condition in this Agreement has not been satisfied within 60 days of a notice from the Subscriber specifying such condition and requiring the Issuer to satisfy such condition within such 60 days;


and:


(b)

 the Issuer may terminate this Agreement by notice in writing to the Subscriber at any time before the parties are required to deliver the Joint Venture Agreement if:


(i)

the Subscriber is in breach of any provision of this Agreement and such breach is not remedied within 60 days of notice from the Issuer specifying the breach and requiring the Subscriber to remedy the same within such 30 days;


(ii)

any material warranty or representation herein on the part of the Subscriber is false or becomes false; or


(iii)

the Subscriber fails to exercise the Warrants before the expiry date;


and effective upon any such termination, the obligations of the parties hereunder shall be at an end,


TAN RANGE

Subscription Agreement

final

13




except as otherwise specifically set out in this Agreement, provided that any cause of action for breach of this Agreement prior to such termination and any obligation or liability of a party accruing due prior to the termination shall survive such termination.



Pending the Closings


12.

Forthwith hereafter and prior to each of the First Closing, the Second Closing and the Third Closing, each party shall do all reasonable acts and things necessary or desirable to give effect to the subscriptions in this Agreement and to the transactions herein contemplated to take place at the Closings, and without limitation to the generality of the foregoing:


(a)

the Issuer will:


(i)

subject to existing confidentiality agreements by which the Issuer is bound, co-operate fully with the Subscriber in the conduct of reviews of the Issuer's corporate records, and the Property and all records related thereto;


(ii)

not do, or fail to do, any act or thing if the act or failure would have the result that a representation or warranty herein is or becomes untrue in any material respect;


(iii)

not enter into any contract or incur any debts which affect the Property or in any way diminish the Issuer = s direct or indirect beneficial interest therein, unless the Subscriber has given prior consent in writing, nor shall the Issuer permit the Issuer's Subsidiaries do so;


(iv)

promptly provide all documents and assurances as required to obtain any and all necessary or desirable regulatory approvals to the transactions herein contemplated;


(b)

the Subscriber will provide all documents and assurances as required to obtain any and all necessary or desirable regulatory approvals to and perfect and facilitate the transactions herein contemplated.



Hold Period and Resale Restrictions


13.

The Subscriber hereby acknowledges and agrees that:


(a)

the Subscriber will not resell any of the Securities prior to the first anniversary of the First Closing;


(b)

the Securities will be subject to resale restrictions imposed under the rules of regulatory bodies having jurisdiction including, without limiting the generality of the


TAN RANGE

Subscription Agreement

final

14




            foregoing, a requirement that the Securities not be traded in Alberta for a period of 12 months from the execution of this Agreement; and


(c)

a legend will be placed on the certificates representing the Securities to the effect that the Securities represented by the certificates are subject to a hold period and may not be traded until the expiry of such hold period except as permitted by applicable securities legislation;


and the provisions of this Section shall survive any termination of this Agreement.



Subscriber's Continuing Covenant Regarding Resales


14.

The Subscriber covenants that upon each resale by the Subscriber of the Subscribed Shares and Warrant Shares issued hereunder, the Subscriber will effect such resale only in accordance with all applicable laws, and the provisions of this Section shall survive any termination of this Agreement.





15.   Use of Proceeds


The Issuer covenants that it will expend not less than 80% of the money:


(a)

delivered by the Subscriber at the First Closing within six (6) months of the First Closing,


(b)

delivered by the Subscriber at the Second Closing within six (6) months of the Second Closing,


(c)

delivered by the Subscriber at the Third Closing within six (6) months of the Third Closing,


(d)

delivered by the Subscriber upon exercise of the Warrants within six (6) months of the exercise of the Warrants,


solely on programs of exploration and or development on the Property which programs shall have been approved in advance in writing by the Subscriber, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, provided that any amounts expended by the Issuer on exploration of the Property since May 31, 1999, up to a maximum of US$60,000 in aggregate, shall be credited towards the obligations of the Issuer under this Subsection.



Subscriber = s Ongoing Pro Rata Rights to Participate in Issues of Securities


TAN RANGE

Subscription Agreement

final

15





16.

While this Agreement is in force, and from time to time thereafter (notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement), as long as the Subscriber is the beneficial owner of at least 10% of the outstanding Common Shares or securities into which such have been converted as a result of any reorganization of the Issuer = s authorized or issued capital or as a result of any exchange of the Common Shares in an amalgamation or arrangement, the Subscriber shall be entitled to participate pro rata in any issue or sale of further securities by the Issuer, as follows:


(a)

the Issuer shall notify the Subscriber in writing of any such proposed issue of securities, setting out the number of securities to be offered and the price in cash at which the securities will be offered;


(b)

for ten days following such notice, the Subscriber shall have the right but not the obligation to subscribe for and take up a pro rata share of the securities offered, at the price in the notice, and the subscription shall otherwise be on the terms set out in the notice,


(c)

the Subscriber = s pro rata entitlement at any time shall be proportional to the Subscriber = s percentage holding at that time in the outstanding Common Shares or securities into which such have been converted as a result of any reorganization of the Issuer = s authorized or issued capital or as a result of any exchange of the Common Shares in an amalgamation or arrangement;



provided that nothing in this Agreement shall require the Issuer to offer the Subscriber any pro rata rights in respect of:


(i)

incentive options issued to directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Issuer within the rules of and as approved by a Canadian stock exchange;


(ii)

any issue of securities in consideration of mineral properties or services or in consideration of the takeover of another company if that issue of securities has been approved by a Canadian stock exchange.



Subscriber's Right to Directly Fund Exploration and Development of Property


17.

From the time of completion of the First Closing and while this Agreement is in force, up until the fourth anniversary of the later of the Third Closing and the date upon which the Warrants are exercised, but in any event, before a decision has been made by the Subscriber to place the Property into Commercial Production, as contemplated in Section 19, below, the Subscriber shall be entitled, at its sole cost and expense, to:


(a)

provide funding to the Issuer to conduct such additional exploration and development work on the Property as the Subscriber shall designate in advance in writing, and if it does so, not less than 90% of such money shall expended, as soon as reasonably


TAN RANGE

Subscription Agreement

final

16




            practicable after it has been advanced to the Issuer, directly and solely on the programs of exploration and or development as so designated;


(b)

conduct itself, at its sole risk and expense, such additional programs of exploration and development, including, without limitation, programs to complete such reports,  Preliminary Feasibility Studies and Final Feasibility Studies, as the Subscriber may in its sole discretion determine to be necessary or desirable to enable it to make decisions regarding its rights hereunder, and if it does so, the programs then being undertaken by the Issuer shall be suspended and the Subscriber shall have full access to and quiet possession of the areas comprised in the Property for so long as the Subscriber = s programs are under way, provided that the representatives of the Issuer shall be permitted full and unrestricted access to the Property and to all information, samples and interpretive work deriving from such programs from time to time both during and after such programs, and the Subscriber shall deliver reports in reasonable detail of the results of each such program to the Issuer and shall promptly provide explanations and elaboration with respect to such results, information, samples and interpretive work and with respect to each such report, as may be reasonably requested from time to time by the Issuer, and, in any event, such reports shall be delivered at the end of each calendar quarter in which any such work is undertaken or in which results from such work become available, and the Subscriber shall, upon any termination of this Agreement, deliver all samples, reports, assays, information, interpretive data and studies regarding or arising from these programs to the Issuer.



Subscriber's Rights of Information and Access


18.

At all times while this Agreement is in force, the Issuer will afford the Subscriber full access to the results of each and every program of exploration and development on the Property on an ongoing basis and, at the risk and expense of the Subscriber, the representatives of the Subscriber shall be permitted full and unrestricted access to the Property and to all information, samples and interpretive work deriving from such programs from time to time both during and after such programs, and the Issuer shall deliver reports in reasonable detail of the results of each such program to the Subscriber and shall promptly provide explanations and elaboration with respect to such results, information, samples and interpretive work and with respect to each such report, as may be reasonably requested from time to time by the Subscriber, and, in any event, such reports shall be delivered at the end of each calendar quarter in which any such work is undertaken or in which results from such work become available.



Subscriber's Right to Earn Interest in the Property


19.

At any time commencing on the date (the A Operative Date @ ) of the last to occur of the Third Closing and the exercise, if any, of the Warrants, and ending on the fourth anniversary of the Operative Date, provided that this Agreement remains in force, the Subscriber shall be entitled to deliver a notice to the Issuer and the Issuer = s Subsidiaries that the Subscriber has decided to place the Property into Production and is prepared to provide financing according to the provisions set out


TAN RANGE

Subscription Agreement

final

17




in Section 20 of this Agreement, together with a report, containing such information as the Subscriber, acting reasonably, considers adequate to justify a decision by the Subscriber = s board of directors to place the Property into Production and describing in reasonable detail the basis upon which the Subscriber has decided to do so, if the Subscriber delivers such notice and report, the Subscriber shall thereupon become entitled to a 60% undivided beneficial interest in and to the Property, (or, in certain events, as described in Section 21 of this Agreement, up to a 70% undivided beneficial interest) and the Issuer shall forthwith cause the Issuer = s Subsidiaries to transfer the entire legal registered title to the Property to the Subscriber = s nominee which shall be a Tanzanian company controlled by the Subscriber (herein called the A Nominee @ ) together with a 60% (or 70%, as the case may be) undivided beneficial interest to the Nominee, and to transfer the remaining beneficial interests in the Property to one of the Issuer = s Subsidiaries (the A Designated Subsidiary @ ), all to be held pursuant to and subject to the terms of the Joint Venture Agreement, whereupon:


(a)

the Subscriber and the Issuer, respectively, will cause the Nominee and the Designated Subsidiary, respectively, to enter into the Joint Venture Agreement as soon as practicable after the Subscriber delivers its said notice, and the parties shall, and shall cause their Affiliates to, complete and deliver all necessary filings, title transfers and notices thereof as may be necessary or desirable to give effect to the same;


(b)

 the Nominee shall be the initial Operator;


(c)

the initial Participating Interest of the Nominee shall be:


(i)

60%, plus


(ii)

an additional 10% interest if the Subscriber has acquired in their entirety from Stamico the Itetemia Mining Company Limited shares and the interests in the Stamico Agreement held by Stamico and has gifted such shares to the Issuer and has terminated the Stamico Agreement (including termination of  any and all rights of Stamico to royalties from, and all other rights of Stamico in respect of, the Property), as contemplated in Section 21 of this Agreement, provided that if the Subscriber has not acquired all or any part of such shares and interests, then notwithstanding any other provision of  this Agreement or anything in the Joint Venture Agreement, the Issuer and the Designated Subsidiary shall jointly and severally indemnify the Subscriber and the Nominee against and shall jointly and severally hold the Subscriber and the Nominee harmless from any and all amounts, claims, debts, dues, payments, liabilities and obligations whatsoever due to Stamico in respect of or related to the said shares or interests,


and the aggregate initial Participating Interest of the Designated Subsidiary shall be the balance, (less any interest which is held by Stamico, if any, at the time the Joint Venture Agreement is completed if the Subscriber has not acquired, gifted and terminated or amended the said Stamico interests), and the Joint Venture Agreement shall be completed to reflect such initial Participating Interests;


TAN RANGE

Subscription Agreement

final

18






(d)

from and after the notice, the Nominee and the Designated Subsidiary shall hold their said Participating Interests in the Property, and each shall be responsible for its share, according to its Participating Interest, of all Expenditures and all costs of placing the Property into Production, and, in due course, for its Cost Share, as set out in the Joint Venture Agreement;


(e)

the Nominee may, in its absolute discretion, determine when and how the Property is to be placed into Production, provided that, if Production has not commenced at a rate of not less than 100,000 ounces of gold per annum by the date (the A Production Deadline @ ) which is:


(i)

within 12 months of the notice, if the Subscriber has determined to effect Production by processing ore from the Property pursuant to a custom milling contract through processing facilities at the Subscriber = s beneficially held Bulyanhulu property; or


(ii)

within 18 months of the notice, if the Subscriber has determined to effect Production by processing ore from the Property in stand-alone Facilities;


then the Subscriber shall be obligated to make the following payments to the Issuer while the Joint Venture continues in force and until Production has commenced at such rate:


First anniversary of the Production Deadline:                              US$   500,000

Second anniversary of the Production Deadline:                          US$   750,000

Third anniversary of the Production Deadline:                             US$1,000,000

Each subsequent anniversary of the Production Deadline:           US$1,200,000


and the payments, if any, due on the sixth and subsequent such anniversaries shall be adjusted for inflation for the periods following such fifth anniversary with reference to the United States Industrial Goods Producer Price Index as reported from time to time in the publication International Financial Statistics of the International Monetary Fund ;


(f)

notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or in the Joint Venture Agreement, while the Nominee is a Participant, the Nominee shall be solely responsible for all payments due or accruing due from time to time to the Government of Tanzania on account of the statutory 3% net smelter return provided in the Income Tax Act, 1973, of Tanzania, as amended, and payments to the Government on account of such net smelter return shall not be Expenditures or Operating Costs and shall not otherwise affect the Issuer = s Subsidiaries = Participating Interests;  


(g)

from and after the said notice, except where it is  herein expressly provided that a provision of this Agreement will operate notwithstanding the Joint Venture


TAN RANGE

Subscription Agreement

final

19




            Agreement, the terms of the Joint Venture Agreement shall be the primary agreement to govern the relationship between the parties in respect of the Property, with the intent that where the terms of this Agreement conflict with the terms of the Joint Venture Agreement, the terms of the Joint Venture Agreement shall prevail except where it is  herein expressly provided that a provision of this Agreement will operate notwithstanding the Joint Venture Agreement;


(h)

for all purposes of this Section 19, capitalized words shall have the same meanings as in the Joint Venture Agreement, except where otherwise expressly provided.



Financing


20.                   The financing which the Subscriber commits to provide or arrange to place the Property into Production shall have the following features and effects:


(a)

the amount of financing to be provided or arranged by the Subscriber shall be that amount which is required to place the Property into Production, including working capital up to Production;


(b)

the Subscriber, acting in good faith, shall determine the amount of the financing which is available from arm = s length commercial lenders as a project loan, (the A Project Loan Amount @ ) on terms considered by the Subscriber to be reasonable commercial terms, taking into account the location and characteristics of the Property, the Mineral Products which the Participants expect to produce from the Property, the proposed rates of Production, and all other factors customarily determined to be relevant by commercial lenders making loans for construction of mines similar to that which the Subscriber proposes for the Property;


 

(c)

the Subscriber shall have the right, in its absolute discretion, to provide or to cause an Affiliate of the Subscriber to provide to the Participants, some or all of the Project Loan Amount and/or to arrange, on behalf of the Participants, some or all of the Project Loan Amount as financing from third party lenders;


(d)

if the Subscriber arranges any portion of the Project Loan Amount as financing from third party lenders, the Subscriber shall do so on terms that the Subscriber considers to be in the best interests of the Participants, provided that the Subscriber may commit and agree on behalf of the Participants to any and all terms of such financing which the Subscriber, acting reasonably, determines to be necessary or desirable in order to secure such portion of the Project Loan Amount, and the Participants shall be bound accordingly, (as between themselves, each in proportion to its Participating Interest) and, without limitation to the foregoing, the Subscriber shall have the right to agree on behalf of each of the Participants that it will grant encumbrances on its entire respective interest in the Property and its Participating Interest to secure repayment of the Project Loan Amount, and that it will sell its Mineral Products under long term purchase and sale agreements, and the Subscriber and the Issuer,


TAN RANGE

Subscription Agreement

final

20




respectively, shall cause the Nominee and the Designated Subsidiary, respectively, to be bound by all acts and things done by the Subscriber pursuant to this Subsection and will cause them to do all acts and things reasonably required to give effect to the same, including, without limitation, all acts and things necessary or desirable to perfect and deliver and give effect to any such encumbrances, and further, the Subscriber and the Issuer, respectively, shall each give such other guarantees and assurances, including without limitation, security over their shares in the Nominee and the Designated Subsidiary, respectively, as are required pursuant to the terms of such financing;


(e)

if the Subscriber provides, or causes an Affiliate to provide, its completion guarantee to any lenders, guaranteeing the completion of the Facilities, the Issuer shall pay, or shall cause the Designated Subsidiary to pay, on the last day of each month that the guarantee stays in effect, a guarantee fee to the Subscriber or its Affiliate equal to one twelfth of 1% of the portion attributable to the Designated Subsidiary = s Participating Interest of the amount for which the Subscriber or its Affiliate is contingently liable under the guarantee on such day;


(f)

if the Subscriber itself or any Affiliate of the Subscriber lends any or all of the Project Loan Amount to the Participants, it shall be on the same terms and subject to the same conditions as the Subscriber determined to have been available from arm = s length commercial lenders, including, without limitation, provisions for encumbrances, security and long term purchase and sale agreements, and, if the Subscriber has determined that a completion guarantee guaranteeing the completion of the Facilities would have been required by arms length third party lenders in respect of the amount so loaned by the Subscriber or its Affiliate, then the Issuer shall pay, or shall cause the Designated Subsidiary to pay, on the last day of each month until Production, a fee in the nature of a completion guarantee fee equal to one twelfth of 1% of the portion attributable to the Designated Subsidiary = s Participating Interest of such loan outstanding on such day;


(g)

other than amounts payable by the Designated Subsidiary to the Subscriber or its Affiliate as described in this Section 20 and amounts, if any, of a similar nature  payable by the Nominee to the Subscriber or its Affiliate, all costs of arranging or providing the financing needed to place the Property into Production, including all lenders = fees, costs to create and perfect security, costs of loan syndication and costs of marketing portions of such syndication to participating lenders, lenders = bonuses and fees, lenders = due diligence fees, advisors = fees, lawyers = fees, political risk insurance, advisory fees  and all other outlays and expenses whatsoever paid in connection with arranging or providing the financing, including all disbursements reasonably incurred in that regard, shall be Expenditures;


(h)

if the Subscriber pays or funds, or causes an Affiliate to pay or fund, any money under a completion guarantee or any shortfalls in repayments due to the lenders from time to time in respect of the Project Loan Amount, then any amounts paid or funded to satisfy the Designated Subsidiary = s Cost Share of such money or shortfalls shall


TAN RANGE

Subscription Agreement

final

21




be treated as having been advanced as loans to the Issuer and the Designated Subsidiary as joint and several borrowers and the provisions of Subsection 20(j), below shall apply in respect of such loans;

 

(i)

if the Project Loan Amount is not sufficient to fund all of the costs to place the Property into Production, the Nominee and the Designated Subsidiary shall each provide its Cost Share of all additional amounts required to place the Property into Production, if, as and when called upon by the Operator to do so, provided that upon request of the Designated Subsidiary, the Subscriber will advance, on behalf of the Designated Subsidiary which advances shall be treated as having been advanced  as loans to the Issuer and the Designated Subsidiary as joint and several borrowers, all of such money required to be so advanced by the Designated Subsidiary and the provisions of Subsection 20(j), below shall apply in respect of such loans;


(j)

all loans advanced pursuant to Subsections 20(h) and 20(i) shall have the following terms:


(i)

each advance, including all reasonable costs of documenting and perfecting security for the repayment of the same, shall be debts of the Designated Subsidiary and the Issuer as joint and several debtors;


(ii)

each advance shall bear interest from the date of the advance to the date of repayment at the rate of interest which is the greater of:


(A.)

the LIBOR Rate plus 2% per annum calculated and compounded as set out in the Joint Venture Agreement; and


(B.)

the rate of interest which is 2% per annum higher than the highest rate of interest chargeable on the Project Loan Amount following Production, calculated and compounded in the same manner as such highest rate of interest chargeable on the Project Loan Amount following Production;


(iii)

the aggregate amount of the advances outstanding and the interest thereon shall be secured by a pledge by the Issuer of its shares in the Designated Subsidiary and by a charge on all money due to it from the Designated Subsidiary, and by a mortgage or similar security granted by the Designated Subsidiary over its Participating Interest and over any and all Mineral Products or money distributable to it under the Joint Venture Agreement, such pledge, charge, mortgage and other security interest to be subordinated only to the security interests granted in connection with the Project Loan Amount, provided that, upon a default by the Issuer and the designated Subsidiary in payment of the same, the rights of the Subscriber shall be limited to foreclosure on, or realization of, the security, without recourse to the Issuer or the Designated Subsidiary for any shortfall;


TAN RANGE

Subscription Agreement

final

22





(iv)

the aggregate amounts owing in respect of the advances  shall be repayable, at the option of the Issuer and the Designated Subsidiary, in part or in full at any time and from time to time without notice, bonus or penalty;  


(v)

while any amount is outstanding in respect of the advances, 50% of the payments due by the Subscriber, if any, to the Issuer pursuant to Subsection 19(e), above, and, subject to Subsection 20(k), below, 90% of any and all distributions of money or, subject to Subsection 20(j)(vii), below, Mineral Products, otherwise due to the Designated Subsidiary under the Joint Venture Agreement, shall be delivered, as soon as they are available, to the Subscriber or Affiliate and shall be applied in their entirety to reduction of the amounts so owing;


(vi)

the value of any Mineral Products so delivered shall be determined in accordance with paragraph 6.6 of the Joint Venture Agreement;


(vii)

each quarter, the Operator shall notify the Participants of the amount of Mineral Products which the Operator anticipates will be available for delivery  during that quarter, and, notwithstanding Subsection 20(j)(v), at any time and from time to time when Mineral Products otherwise due to the Designated Subsidiary under the Joint Venture Agreement are actually available and are to be delivered to the Subscriber or Affiliate under Subsection 20(j)(v), the Operator shall notify the Designated Subsidiary in writing and the Designated Subsidiary shall have the right to pay the value thereof, determined in accordance with paragraph 6.6 of the Joint Venture Agreement, in cash, to the Operator within three Business Days of such notice, to be applied in reduction of the amounts outstanding in respect of the advances, against which payment the Operator shall deliver such Mineral Products to the Designated Subsidiary, and failing which payment, the Operator shall proceed with the delivery under Subsection 20(j)(v);


(k)

notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection 20(j) above, 100% of the net proceeds from Production accruing to the Nominee and the Designated Subsidiary, respectively, will be dedicated firstly to repayment of the Project Loan Amount and interest thereon and thereafter to repayment of any other borrowing in relation to the Property by the Operator;


(l)

during the repayment under Subsection 20(k), but subject always to any prior contract properly made on behalf of either or both Participants for the sale of its or their respective shares of Mineral Products, each Participant shall have the right to pay, in cash, to the Operator within three Business Days of the Operator = s notice that Mineral Products will otherwise be sold by the Operator, the value of its share of the Mineral Products which the Operate proposes to sell, such value determined in accordance with paragraph 6.6 of the Joint Venture Agreement, against which payment the Operator shall deliver such Mineral Products to that Participant, and


TAN RANGE

Subscription Agreement

final

23




            failing which payment the Operator shall proceed with the proposed sale;


(m)

the provisions of this Section 20 shall apply notwithstanding anything in the Joint Venture Agreement;


(n)

for all purposes of this Section 20, capitalized words shall have the same meanings as in the Joint Venture Agreement, except where otherwise expressly provided.



Subscriber's Right to Acquire Interests Held by Stamico


21.                   From the time of completion of the First Closing and while this Agreement is in force, the Subscriber shall be entitled to, and the Issuer will assist the Subscriber as requested to, negotiate for the acquisition on such terms as the Subscriber sees fit of all interests of Stamico in the shares of Itetemia Mining Company Limited and in the Stamico Agreement, and if the Subscriber acquires the same, then notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, the said shares shall be gifted by the Subscriber to the Issuer and the Stamico Agreement shall be terminated, in which event, if the notice contemplated in Section 19 has been or is thereafter given by the Subscriber, the Nominee shall be entitled to the additional 10% interest in the Property described in Section 19, Subsection (c)(iii), above and the Joint Venture Agreement shall be completed or amended to reflect such additional 10% interest.



Protection of Interests in the Issuer's Subsidiaries and in the Property  


22.                  While this Agreement is in force but subject as herein provided the Issuer will:


(a)

retain and take all reasonable steps to preserve and protect its ownership interests, as they are on the Effective Date, in the Issuer's Subsidiaries, (subject only to the third party rights expressly described in Section 7, above);


(b)

not permit any of the Issuer's Subsidiaries to dispose of, and take all reasonable steps to preserve and protect, any interest in any assets and properties comprised in the Property; and


(c)

take all reasonable steps to renew and extend the terms of all existing licences comprised in the Property and to make its best efforts to obtain replacement licences for the same with new initial periods and renewal rights;


except as the Subscriber may otherwise approve in advance in writing, which approval may be withheld in the absolute discretion of the Subscriber.



Financings


23.                    Except as otherwise expressly herein provided, nothing in the Agreement will prevent


TAN RANGE

Subscription Agreement

final

24




the Issuer from carrying out any form of public or private financing whether by the issuance of treasury shares or otherwise.



Governing Law and Attornment


24.                     This Agreement will be governed by and interpreted according to the laws of Ontario, and the parties hereby agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the Courts of Ontario in connection with any disputes arising hereunder.



Notice


25.                       Any notice to be given by any party to another under this Agreement will be deemed to be properly given when in writing and delivered by hand or, if possible, communicated by telecopier, on any business day to the following address for notice of the intended recipient:



(a)

for the Subscriber:


BARRICK GOLD CORPORATION

Royal Bank Plaza

Suite 2700 - P.O. Box 119

200 Bay Street

Toronto, Ontario   M5J 2J3

Fax Number: (416) 861-2492


with a copy to:


Jonathan Rubenstein

c/o Sutton Resources Ltd.

900 - 999 West Hastings Street

Vancouver, B.C.  V6C 2W2

Fax Number: (604) 669-5330


(b)

If to the Issuer:


Tan Range Exploration Corporation

Suite 1730 - 355 Burrard Street

Vancouver, B.C.  V6C 2G8

Fax Number: (604) 669-8915


(c)

If to the Transfer Agent:

Montreal Trust

510 Burrard Street

Vancouver, B.C.  V6C 3B9


TAN RANGE

Subscription Agreement

final

25





Fax Number: (604) 683-3694


Attention:  Corporate Trust Department


A party may by notice to the other party change its address for notice to some other address and will so change its address for notice to an address that is adequate whenever its existing address for notice is not adequate for delivery by hand.



Further Assurances


26

The parties hereto each covenant and agree to execute and deliver such further agreements, documents and writings and provide such further assurances as may be required by the parties to give effect to this Agreement, both before and after the Closings, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing to do all acts and things, execute and deliver all documents, agreements and writings and provide such assurances, undertakings, information and investment letters as may be required from time to time by all regulatory or govern­mental bodies or stock exchanges having jurisdiction over the Issuer's affairs or as may be required from time to time under the Securities Act and the regulations thereunder, and any other applicable law and the rules of the ASE, or to give effect to the Subscriber = s rights in respect to the Property.  



Time of Essence


27                    Time shall be of the essence of this Agreement and shall be calculated in accordance with the provisions of the Interpreta­tion Act (Ontario).



Entire Agreement


28                    This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties hereto and may be modified only by an instrument in writing signed by all parties hereto.



Interpretation


29                    In this Agreement a reference to:


(a)

currency means Canadian currency, except where expressly otherwise set out;


(b)

a statute or code or a specific provision thereof includes every regulation made pursuant thereto, all amendments to the statute, code or to any such regulation in force from time to time, and any statute, code or regulation that supplements or supersedes such statute, code or any such regulation; and


TAN RANGE

Subscription Agreement

final

26






(c)

an entity includes any entity that is a successor of such entity.



Survival


30                    The terms, provisions, representations, warranties and covenants of the Issuer and the Subscriber, respectively, will survive the Closings, any exercise of Warrants and any issue of Warrant Shares, and all other transactions contemplated herein.



Not a Certificate


31                    Notwithstanding anything herein contained, this Agreement is not and shall not constitute a certificate or title document representing the securities herein referenced, and this Agreement is not and shall not be negotiable or tradeable as a certificate at any time.



Counterparts


32                    This Agreement may be executed in as many counterparts as may be necessary, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original and such counterparts together shall constitute one and the same instrument.


No Assignment


33                    Except as expressly provided herein or in the Joint Venture Agreement, neither the Subscriber nor the Issuer may set over or assign all or any part of its interest in or to this Agreement without the written consent of the other and any purported assignment without such consent will be void


Enurement


34                    This Agreement shall enure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Issuer and the Subscriber and their respective successors and permitted assigns.



IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have executed this Agreement as of the day, month and year first above written.


Subscriber:


The Corporate Seal of

                                              )

BARRICK GOLD CORPORATION                       )

was hereunto affixed in the        

                              )

presence of:                      

                              )

                                   

                              )  

c/s

SIGNED                                            

                       )

Authorized Signatory              

                              )

                                  

                                          )

SIGNED                                            

                       )

Authorized Signatory               

                              )


Present direct and indirect holdings of the Subscriber in securities of the Issuer:


_________________________________________________________________




Issuer:


The Corporate Seal of

Tan Range Exploration Corporation

was hereunto affixed in the presence of:


SIGNED                                      


Authorized Signatory


SIGNED                                      


Authorized Signatory


)

)

)

)

)

c/s

)

)

)

)

)





Schedule “A”



THIS WARRANT CERTIFICATE AND THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO A HOLD PERIOD AND MAY NOT BE TRADED IN BRITISH COLUMBIA UNTIL *********, 2000, EXCEPT AS PERMITTED BY THE SECURITIES ACT (BRITISH COLUMBIA) AND THE REGULATION THEREUNDER.


THE WARRANTS REPRESENTED HEREBY WILL BE VOID AND OF NO VALUE UNLESS EXERCISED WITHIN THE TIME LIMIT HEREIN PROVIDED.


NON-TRANSFERABLE WARRANTS


TAN RANGE EXPLORATION CORPORATION


(Incorporated under the laws of British Columbia)


Right to Purchase

740,741 Shares


WARRANTS FOR PURCHASE OF COMMON SHARES


THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT, for value received, BARRICK GOLD CORPORATION, of Royal Bank Plaza, South Tower, Suite 2700, P. O. Box 119, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2J3, (hereinafter called the "holder") is entitled to subscribe for and purchase 740,741 fully paid and non-assessable Common Shares in the capital of TAN RANGE EXPLORATION CORPORATION (hereinafter called the "Company") at any time prior to 4:00 p.m. (Vancouver time) on April 30, 2001, at $1.35 per Share, subject, however, to the provisions and upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.


The rights to acquire Common Shares of the Company granted by this Warrant Certificate (the "Warrants") may be exercised by the holder, in whole or in part (but not as to a fractional Common Share), by surrender of this Warrant Certificate and a duly completed and executed Exercise Form in the form attached to this Warrant Certificate as Appendix" A" at the offices of the Company's registrar and transfer agent, Montreal Trust, 510 Burrard Street, Vancouver, B.C., V6C 3B9 (the "Transfer Agent"), accompanied by a certified cheque payable to or to the order of the Company in payment of the purchase price of the number of Common Shares for which Warrants are then exercised.


In the event of any exercise of the Warrants, certificates (the "Share Certificates") for the Common Shares so purchased shall be delivered to the holder within a reasonable time, not exceeding ten days after the Warrants shall have been so exercised, and, unless the Warrants have expired, if less than the full number of Warrants represented hereby are exercised, the Company or the Transfer Agent will endorse this Warrant Certificate to show the number of Common Shares acquired upon exercise and the number of Common Shares remaining hereunder and return this Warrant Certificate to the holder.






All Share Certificates issued prior to *******, 2000, shall bear the following legends:


"The securities represented by this certificate are subject to a hold period and may not be traded in British Columbia until **********************, 2000, except as permitted by the Securities Act (British Columbia) and regulations made thereunder."


The Company covenants and agrees that all Common Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of the Warrants will, upon issuance, be fully paid and non-assessable and free of all liens, charges and encumbrances. The Company further covenants and agrees that during the period within which the Warrants may be exercised, the Company will at all times have authorized and reserved a sufficient number of Common Shares to provide for the exercise of the Warrants.


THE FOLLOWING ARE THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS REFERRED TO IN THIS WARRANT CERTIFICATE:


1.

The exercise of the Warrants herein provided for is subject to adjustment in accordance with the following provisions:


a.

If and when at any time hereafter while the Warrants are outstanding, the outstanding Common Shares of the Company shall be subdivided or changed into a greater or consolidated into a lesser number of shares, or the outstanding Common Shares of the Company shall be reclassified, if the holder has not exercised fully its rights hereunder prior to the record date or effective date of such subdivision, change, consolidation, or re-classification, upon the exercise of any such rights thereafter, it shall be entitled to receive on the date of exercise the aggregate number of shares of the Company of the appropriate classes that the holder would have been entitled to receive as a result of such subdivision, change, consolidation or re-classification if it had so exercised its rights in advance of such subdivision, change, consolidation or re-classification;


b.

The adjustments provided for in the preceding paragraph are cumulative. After any adjustment pursuant to this section, the term Common Share where used in the preceding paragraph of this section shall be interpreted to mean the shares of any class or classes which, as a result of all prior adjustments pursuant to this section, the holder would have been entitled to receive upon the exercise of the Warrants;


c.

As a condition precedent to the taking of any action which would require an adjustment in respect of the holder's rights pursuant to the Warrants, including the exercise price and the number and classes of shares which are to be received upon the exercise thereof, the Company shall take any corporate action which may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary in order that the Company may validly and legally issue a sufficient number of shares, as fully paid and non-assessable shares, for the holder to receive all of the shares to which it is entitled in accordance with the provisions hereof; and


d.

Immediately after the occurrence of any event which requires an adjustment in any of the holder's rights pursuant to the Warrants, including the exercise price and the





                         number and classes of shares which are to be received upon the exercise thereof, the Company shall forthwith give written notice to the holder of the particulars of such event and the required adjustment.


2.

In case at any time:


a.

the Company shall pay any dividend payable in stock upon its Common Shares or make any distribution to the holders of its Common Shares;


b.

the Company shall offer for subscription pro rata to the holders of its Common Shares any additional shares of stock of any class or other rights;


c.

there shall be any capital reorganization, or reclassification of the capital stock of the Company, or consolidation or merger or amalgamation of the Company with, or sale of all or substantially all of its assets to, another corporation; or


d.

there shall be a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding- up of the Company;


then, and in anyone or more of such cases, the Company shall give to the holder, at least twenty days' prior written notice of the date on which the books of the Company shall close or a record shall be taken for such dividend, distribution or pro rata offer, or for determining rights to vote with respect to such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, or amalgamation, sale, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up and in the case of any such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, amalgamation, sale, dissolution, liquidation or winding up, at least twenty days' prior written notice of the date when the same shall take place. Such notice shall also specify, in the case of any such dividend, distribution or pro rata offer, the date on which the holders of Common Shares shall be entitled thereto, and each such notice shall also specify the date on which the holders of Common Shares shall be entitled to exchange their Common Shares for securities or other property deliverable upon such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, amalgamation, sale, dissolution, liquidation or winding up, as the case may be.


3.

Any notice, direction or other instrument required or permitted to be given hereunder to the Company, the holder or the Transfer Agent shall be in writing and may be given by sending the same by facsimile transmission, delivering the same or mailing the same by registered mail to such party at the following address:


a.

If to the Company:


TAN RANGE EXPLORATION CORPORATION

Suite 1730 -355 Burrard Street

Vancouver, B.C., V6C 2G8

Fax Number: (604) 669-8915

Attention: The President






b.

If to the Holder:


BARRICK GOLD CORPORATION

Royal Bank Plaza South Tower

Suite 2700

P.O. Box 119

200 Bay Street

Toronto, Ontario M5J 2J3

Fax Number: (416) 861-2492


with a copy to:


Jonathan Rubenstein

c/o Sutton Resources Ltd.

900 -999 West Hastings Street

Vancouver, B.C. V6C 2W2

Fax Number: (604) 669-5330


(c)

If to the Transfer Agent:


Montreal Trust

510 Burrard Street

Vancouver, B.C. V6C 3B9

Fax Number: (604) 683-3694

Attention: Corporate Trust Department


Any notice, direction or instrument aforesaid shall


(a)

if by facsimile transmission, be deemed to have been given or made upon the completion of the facsimile transmission;


(b)

if delivered, be deemed to have been given or made at the time of delivery; and


(c)

if mailed by registered mail and properly addressed be deemed to have been given or made on the third business day following the day on which it was so mailed; provided that if mailed, should there be, at the time of mailing or between the time of mailing and the actual receipt of the notice, a mail strike, slowdown or other labour dispute which might affect the delivery of such notice by the mails, then such notice shall only be effective upon actual delivery.


Any party may give written notice of change of address in the same manner, in which event such notice shall thereafter be given to it as above provided at such changed address.


4.

In the event of any question arising with respect to the calculation of the adjustment herein provided for in the Warrants, such question shall be conclusively determined by the Company's auditors or if it has no auditors, its accountants, who shall have access to all necessary records of the Company, and such determination shall be binding upon the Company and the holder.








5.

As used herein, the term "Common Shares" shall mean the Company's presently authorized common voting shares without par value.



6.

The Warrants shall not entitle the holder to any rights as a shareholder of the Company, including without limitation, voting rights.


7.

The Warrants and all rights hereunder are not transferable.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Company has caused this Warrant Certificate to be executed by a duly authorized officer this ***** day of *********, 1999.


TAN RANGE EXPLORATION CORPORATION


Per:













_________________________________________________




Record of Warrants Exercised

Number of Shares Acquired

Date

Balance of Shares Held

Endorsement by Transfer Agent

       
       
       
       





Schedule “B”




1.

Name

:

Itetemia

 

Licence No.

:

PL 65/92

 

Map District

:

Geita

 

Date of Issue

:

March 8, 1993 (2 years)

 

First Renewal

:

October 26, 1995 (2 years)

 

Second Renewal

:

Issued March 2, 1998 (2 years) to March 7, 2000

 

Rental Payment

:

Paid to October 25, 1999

Payment of Rental to March 7, 2000 in Progress

 

Licence Area

:

Approximately 37.0 square kilometers

 

Coordinates

:

3°10'00"S              32°30'50"E

3°10'00"S              32°33'00"E

3°15'00"S              32°33'00"E

3°15'00"S              32°30'50"E

 

Licence Holder

:

Itetemia Mining Company Limited

 

Ownership

:

Tancan Mining Company Limited -90%

State Mining Corporation ("Stamico") -10%

 

Agreements

:

Subject to Agreement dated July 12, 1994 between Stamico and Tancan (1) Stamico 10% share interest is carried, (2) Stamico "shall be entitled to purchase an additional up to 20% of the company shares at an aggregate price equivalent to 20% of the anticipated cost of placing the property into commercial production", and (3) Stamico retains a royalty interest or 2%.



2.

Name

:

Itetemia North

 

Licence No.

:

PL 268/95

 

Map District

:

Geita

 

Date of Issue

:

March 16, 1995 (two years)

 

First Renewal

:

Issued May 30, 1997 (two years) to May 29, 1999

 

Second Renewal

:

Renewed to March 15, 2001

 

Rental Payment

:

Paid to March 15, 2000

 

Licence Area

:

Approximately 17.3 square kilometers

 

Coordinates

:

3°09'00"S              32°30'00"E

3°09'00"S              32°35'00"E

3°10'00"S              32°35'00"E

3°10'00"S              32°30'00"E

 

Licence Holder

:

Tancan Mining Company Limited (Transfer of Assignment from RSR (Tanzania) Limited); Transfer of Mineral Right from RSR to Tancan in Progress.

 

Ownership

:

Tancan Mining Company Limited – 100%

 

Agreements

:

Acquired pursuant to Agreement dated April 20, 1995 between Tancan and RSR (Tanzania) Limited; Vendor retains 2% NSR royalty.




3.

Name

:

Itetemia Village

 

Licence No.

:

PL 509/96

 

Map District

:

Geita

 

Date of Issue

:

December 10, 1996 (two years)

 

First Renewal

:

December 10, 1998 (two years to December 9, 2000

 

Rental Payment

:

Paid to December 9, 1999

 

Licence Area

:

Approximately 50.0 square kilometers

 

Coordinates

:

3°06'00"S              32°30'00"E

3°06'00"S              32°35'00"E

3°09'00"S              32°35'00"E

3°09'00"S              32°30'00"E

 

Licence Holder

:

Dia-Consult Limited

 

Ownership

:

Dia-Consult Limited – 100%

 

Agreements

:

None



4.

Name

:

Mwingilo

 

Licence No.

:

PL 241/94

 

Map District

:

Geita

 

Date of Issue

:

September 30, 1994 (two years)

 

First Renewal

:

May 30, 1997 (two years) to May 29, 1999

 

Second Renewal

:

Renewed to September 29, 2001

 

Rental Payment

:

Paid to September 29, 1999

Payment of Rental to September 29, 2000 in Progress

 

Licence Area

:

Approximately 31.4 square kilometers

 

Coordinates

:

3°06'00"S              32°26'00"E

3°06'00"S              32°30'00"E

3°09'00"S              32°30'00"E

3°09'00"S              32°27'34"E

3°07'18"S              32°27'34"E

3°07'18"S              32°26'00"E

 

Licence Holder

:

Tancan Mining Company Limited

 

Ownership

:

Tancan Mining Company Limited – 100%

 

Agreements

:

None




5.

Name

:

Ngula

 

Licence No.

:

PL 31/92

 

Map District

:

Geita

 

Date of Issue

:

July 2, 1992

 

First Renewal

:

October 10, 1994

 

Second Renewal

:

July 23, 1998 (two years) to July 1, 2000

 

Rental Payment

:

Paid to July 1, 2000

 

Licence Area

:

Approximately 11.64 square kilometers

 

Coordinates

:

3°07'18"S              32°26'00"E

3°07'18"S              32°27'34"E

3°09'28"S              32°27'34"E

3°09'28"S              32°26'00"E

 

Licence Holder

:

Tancan Mining Company Limited

 

Ownership

:

Tancan Mining Company Limited – 100%

 

Agreements

:

None



6.

Name

:

Itetemia East

 

Licence No.

:

PL 1115/98

 

Map District

:

Geita

 

Date of Issue

:

August 28, 1998 (two years) to August 27, 2000

 

Rental Payment

:

Paid to August 27, 2000

 

Licence Area

:

Approximately 33.3 square kilometers

 

Coordinates

:

3°10'00"S              32°33'00"E

3°10'00"S              32°35'00"E

3°15'00"S              32°35'00"E

3°15'00"S              32°33'00"E

 

Licence Holder

:

Dia-Consult Limited

 

Ownership

:

Dia-Consult Limited – 100%

 

Agreements

:

None




Schedule “C”


Maps Omitted




 Tanrange JVA

Final



Schedule “D”


THIS AGREEMENT made as of the day of ,



BETWEEN:


[Nominee], a corporation incorporated under the laws of Tanzania and having an office at


(hereinafter sometimes called the "Nominee")


OF THE FIRST PART



AND:


[Designated Subsidiary], a corporation incorporated under the laws of Tanzania and having an office at


(hereinafter sometimes called the "[Designated Subsidiary]")


OF THE SECOND PART


WHEREAS:


A.

[Designated Subsidiary] holds various interests in the Property in the manner set out in Schedule A B @ to the Head Agreement;


2.

[Nominee] has become entitled to a [ 60% or 70% ] Participating Interest in the Property (as hereinafter defined); and


C.

The parties have agreed to form a joint venture for the purposes herein described, all upon and subject to the terms and conditions hereof.  



NOW, THEREFORE, THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSES that, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto mutually agree as follows:



-2-

 Tanrange JVA

Final




ARTICLE  1


INTERPRETATION


1.1

Interpretation :  In this Agreement, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires,


(1)

"this Agreement" means this agreement of [DATE] as from time to time supplemented or amended by one or more agreements entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Agreement,


(2)

the headings are for convenience only and are not intended as a guide to interpretation of this Agreement or any portion thereof,


(3)

the word "including", when following any general statement or term, is not to be construed as limiting the general statement or term to the  specific items or matters set forth or to similar items or matters, but rather as permitting the general statement or term to refer to all other items or matters that could reasonably fall within its broadest possible scope,


(4)

all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them, and all calculations to be made hereunder are to be made, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis,


(5)

all references to currency mean Canadian currency, except where otherwise expressly stated,


(6)

a reference to a statute includes all regulations made thereunder, all amendments to the statue or regulations in force from time to time, and any statute or regulation that supplements or supersedes such statute or regulations,  


(7)

a reference to an entity includes any successor to that entity,


(8)

words importing the masculine gender include the feminine or neuter, words in the singular include the plural, words importing a corporate entity include individuals, and vice versa,


(9)

a reference to "approval", "authorization" or "consent" means written approval, authorization or consent, and


(10)

any terms not defined herein will have the meaning ascribed to them in the Head Agreement.  


-3-


1.2

Definitions :  In this Agreement the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:


" Affiliate " means, in respect of a party hereto, a corporation with which that party is affiliated within the meaning of subsection 1(2) of the Securities Act (Ontario).  


" Assets " means the Property, Other Tenements, Facilities, Mineral Products, all supplies and equipment and all other assets acquired or held by the Participants with respect to the Property or pursuant to this Agreement as the same may exist from time to time;


" Associated Company " means, in respect of a party hereto:


(1)

any corporation which beneficially owns securities carrying more that 30% of the voting rights attached to the outstanding securities of such party;


(2)

any corporation in respect of which such party beneficially owns securities carrying more than 30% of the voting rights attached to the outstanding securities of such corporation; or


(3)

any corporation in respect of which corporations referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) hereof beneficially own, in the aggregate, more than 30% of the voting rights attached to the outstanding securities of such corporation.


For the purposes hereof, beneficial ownership shall include securities deemed beneficially owned within the meaning of subsection 1(4) of the Securities Act (Ontario).  


" Business Day " means a day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or a civic or statutory holiday in Tanzania or Ontario or British Columbia;


" Cost Share " means the respective share of all Expenditures, Operating Costs and other liabilities hereunder to be borne by each Participant from time to time, which will be borne in proportion to the respective Participating Interest of such Participant at that time;


" Expenditures " means all cash, expenses, obligations, liabilities and charges of whatever kind or nature incurred, chargeable or spent directly or indirectly by the Operator from the date of this Agreement prior to the commencement of Production, in connection with the exploration and development of the Property and the equipping of the Property or a part thereof for Production including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing but without duplication in respect of any item:


(i)

monies expended in maintaining the Property in good standing;


(ii)

monies expended in doing geophysical, geochemical and geological surveys, drilling, assaying and metallurgical testing,



-4-


(iii)

monies expended in acquiring or constructing Facilities,


(iv)  

monies expended in paying the fees, wages, salaries, travelling expenses and fringe benefits in an amount not to exceed 30% of salaries (whether or not required by law) of all persons engaged in work with respect to and for the benefit of the Property and not already included in (ii) or (iii) above,  


(v)  

monies expended in paying for the food, lodging and other reasonable needs of the persons referred to in clause (iv) hereof,


(vi)  

a charge equal to 5% of all Expenditures expended hereunder by the Operator on behalf of the Participants from the date hereof, other than the charge referred to in this clause (vi), as reimbursement for overhead which cannot be directly allocated to the Operator = s activities hereunder and to cover the Operator = s head office expenses and all other expenses relating to supervision and management of all work done with respect to and for the benefit of the Property;  


" Facilities " means all mines and plant, including, without limitation, all pits, shafts, ramps, drives, vents, haulage ways, stopes, and other underground workings, and all buildings, plants and other structures, fixtures and improvements, all roadways, power plants, waste piles, settling ponds, water containment and pipelines, cement works, mills, processing plants, machinery and equipment, and all other property, whether fixed or moveable, as the same may exist at any time in or on the Property and relating to the operation of the Property as a mine or outside the Property if for the exclusive benefit of the Property;


" Financing " means a financing to be provided for all or part of the Project Loan Amount, as defined in the Head Agreement;


" Head Agreement " means the agreement dated for reference the 31st day of May 1999, between Tan Range Exploration Corporation and Barrick Gold Corporation, to which the form of this Agreement is attached as Schedule A D @ .  


" LIBOR Rate " means for any date, the per annum rate of interest equal to the average, (rounded upwards if necessary, to the nearest 1/16th of 1%), of the interest rates for A 3 month LIBOR Fixings @ quoted on the Reuters Screen LIBO Page, (or such other page or service in replacement thereof as may be utilized by banks generally from time to time for the purpose of displaying quotes for London Interbank Offered Rates) at which United States Dollar deposits in immediately available funds are offered in the London interbank market as at 11:00 a.m. Greenwich Mean Time on such date;


" Management Committee " means the committee formed pursuant to Article 5;


" Mineral Products " means the end products derived from Operating the Property as a mine;


-5-


" Operating the Property as a mine " or " Operation of the Property as a mine " or " Operate the Property as a mine " means any or all of the mining, milling, smelting, refining and other processing of ores, minerals, metals, tailings or concentrates derived from the Property and other ancillary activities and operations related thereto following the commencement of Production;  


" Operating Costs " means, for any period after the commencement of Production, all costs, expenses, obligations, liabilities and charges of whatsoever kind or nature incurred, chargeable or spent, directly or indirectly by the Operator in connection with the Operation of the Property as a mine, during such period, which costs, expenses, obligations, liabilities and charges include, without duplication and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the following:


(i)  

such amount of cash for working capital as, in the opinion of the Operator, is required for the Operation of the Property as a mine,


(ii)  

all costs of or related to operating employee facilities, including housing,


(iii)

all payments to Governments or Government agencies in the form of taxes, licence fees, assessment and filing fees, holding costs, customs fees, duties, charges and levies on imports and exports, harbour, shore handling and wharfage fees, customs handling and verification fees and other similar fees and charges, harbour taxes, Tanzania Freight Bureau commissions, water fees, electricity fees, road taxes, fuel and transportation taxes, value added tax, stamp duties, land assessments, local rates, taxes and imposts, withholding taxes and all other imposts of every kind and nature in respect of or related to the Property, preparation of the Property for Production or Operation of the Property as a mine, but excluding income taxes, which shall be the individual responsibility of each Participant, and excluding payments on account of the 3% Net Smelter Royalty due to the Government of Tanzania and any other payments to such Government in the form of royalties or interests in the Property, which payments to the said Government shall be the sole responsibility of Nominee for so long as Nominee is a Participant;


(iv)

all costs of maintaining the Property in good standing, including any required vendor's or royalty payments, subject to the exceptions in the preceding sub-Article (iii),


(v)

all reasonable costs of the Operator for providing technical, management and/or supervisory services,


(vi)

all reasonable costs of consulting, legal, accounting, insurance and other


services,

-6-


(vii)

all exploration expenditures incurred after commencement of Production,


(viii)

all capital costs of Operating the Property as a mine including all costs of construction, equipment and mine development including maintenance, repairs and replacements, and any capital expenditures relating to an improvement, expansion, modernization or replacement of the Facilities,


(ix)

all costs for pollution control, reclamation costs and any other related costs incurred or to be incurred by the Operator,


(x)

any costs or expenses incurred or to be incurred relating to the termination of the Operation of the Property as a mine,


(xi)

all costs and expenses related to reporting the results of operations on the Property, whether to the Participants or to Governments or to any other persons;


(xii)

a management fee payable to the Operator equal to 3% of all Operating Costs other than those referred to in clauses (i), (v) and (xi) hereof and other than the fee referred to in this clause (xii),  


and, except where specific provision is made otherwise, all Operating Costs will be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied consistently from year to year but such costs will not include any amount in respect of depletion or depreciation;


" Operating Plan " means a plan for an Operating Year as contemplated in Article 4 including, inter alia, the following information:


(i)

a written plan of the proposed mining operations for the Operating Year, including any plans for exploration or for expansion of the Facilities;


(ii)  

a detailed estimate of all Operating Costs plus a reasonable allowance for contingencies, on a monthly basis, including any proposed cash calls;


(iii)

an estimate of the quantity and quality of the ore to be mined and of the quality of Mineral Products to be produced on a monthly basis; and


(iv)

such other facts as may be reasonably necessary to present the results proposed to be achieved during the Operating Year.  


" Operating Year " means a calendar year or such other fiscal year as the Management Committee may approve.  In the case of the first Operating Year, unless otherwise decided by


 

-7-

 

 

 

the Management Committee, that Operating Year will be the remainder of the current calendar year, if the commencement of Production occurs before October 1st, or the period from the commencement of Production to the end of the next succeeding calendar year, if the commencement of Production occurs on or after October 1st in that year.  


" Operator " means that party acting as operator from time to time in accordance with Article 3 and includes any subsidiary corporation acting as the agent or delegate of the Operator in that regard;


" Other Tenements " means all surface rights of and to any lands within or outside the Property including surface rights held in fee or under lease, licence, easement, right of way or other rights of any kind (and all renewals, extensions and amendments thereof or substitutions therefor) acquired by or on behalf of the parties with respect to the Property;


" Participant " means any party hereto and its successors and permitted assigns and " Participants " means collectively all parties having a Participating Interest and their respective successors and permitted assigns;


" Participating Interest " means the undivided beneficial percentage interest which each Participant owns in the Assets;


" Production " means the operation of the Property or any part thereof as a mine but does not include milling for the purpose of testing or milling by a pilot plant, and Production shall be deemed to have commenced on the first day of the month following the first period of 90 consecutive days during which Mineral Products have been produced from the Property at an average rate not less than 60% of the initial rated capacity of the Facilities;


" Property " means the prospecting licences, mining licences, retention licences or other  properties, claims, interests and other rights as more particularly described in Schedule B of the Head Agreement and includes any renewals thereof and any other form of successor or substitute title or rights in respect of the same.


1.3

References :  Unless otherwise stated, a reference herein to a numbered or lettered article, paragraph, clause or schedule refers to the article, paragraph, clause or schedule bearing that number or letter in this Agreement.  A reference to "this Agreement", "hereof", hereunder", "herein" or words of similar meaning, means this Agreement including the schedules hereto, together with any amendments thereof.


1.4

Governing Law :  Except as to matters which, under private international law, are governed by the lex situs of any property, this Agreement will be construed and governed by the laws in force in the Province of Ontario and, except as provided in Article 12, the courts of said Province will have exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine all disputes arising hereunder.  This paragraph 1.5 will not be construed to affect the rights of a party to enforce a judgment or award outside the said Province, including the right to record or enforce a judgment or award in the jurisdiction in which the Property or Assets are situated.  



-8-


1.5

Severability :  If any provision of this Agreement is or will becomes illegal, invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in  part, the remaining  provisions will nevertheless be and remain valid and subsisting and the said remaining provisions will be construed as if this Agreement had been executed without the illegal, invalid or unenforceable portion.  

1.6

Interest Calculation :  Wherever interest is chargeable under this Agreement, unless otherwise specifically provided, interest will be at the specified per annum rate, calculated daily and compounded on the last day of each calendar month.  The interest rate chargeable on any specific day will be the specified per annum rate divided by the number of days in the calendar year in which such day occurs.  




END OF ARTICLE 1

 

 

ARTICLE   2


JOINT VENTURE


2.1

As of the date hereof:


(1)

the [Nominee] and the [Designated Subsidiary] will, and will be deemed to, form a joint venture for the purpose of carrying out all such acts which are which are necessary or appropriate, directly or indirectly, to:


(1)

place the Property in Production;


(2)

Operate the Property as a mine, and


(3)

engage in such other activity as may be considered by the Participants to be necessary or desirable in connection with the foregoing; and


(2)

the [Nominee] has an undivided [60% or 70%] Participating Interest and the [Designated Subsidiary] has an undivided % Participating Interest.  


2.2

All transactions, contracts, employments, purchases, operation, negotiations with third parties and any other matter or act undertaken of behalf of the Participants in connection with the Property will, subject to paragraph 2.6, be done, transacted, undertaken or performed in the name of the Operator, and no party (other than the Operator acting in that capacity) will do, transact, perform or undertake anything in the name of another party hereto or in the joint names of the Participants.  


2.3

The rights and obligations of the Participants will be, in each case, several, and will not be or be construed to be either joint or joint and several.  Nothing contained in this Agreement will, except to the extent specifically authorized hereunder, be deemed to constitute a


-9-

 

 

 

            Participant a partner, and agent or legal representative of any other party.  It is intended that this Agreement will not create the relationship of a partnership between the Participants and that no act done by any Participant pursuant to the provisions hereof will operate to create such a relationship.  


2.4

From and after the date hereof, each Participant will be liable for its Cost Share of all Expenditures and Operating Costs, (having regard to the availability of the proceeds of Financing and the availability of the proceeds of loans to the Designated Subsidiary under subsection 20(i) of the Head Agreement).  


2.5

Each Participant will have such Participating Interest as is specified in this Agreement and any legal title to any of the Assets will be held by the Operator in trust for the Participants in accordance with the Participating Interests under the terms of this Agreement.  Nothing herein contained will prevent a party hereto from registering notice of this Agreement and its Participating Interest against the title to the Property or any other Assets.  


-10-


2.6

Each Participant will devote such time as may be required to fulfil any obligation assumed by it hereunder but, subject to Article 7 and to the Head Agreement:


(1)

each Participant will be at liberty to engage in any other business or activity outside the joint venture constituted hereby, including the ownership and operation of any other mining areas, licenses, claims and leases;


(2)

no Participant will be under any fiduciary or other obligation to any other party which will prevent or impede such Participant from participating in, or enjoying the benefits of, competing endeavours of a nature similar to the business or activity undertaken by the Participants hereunder;


(c)

no Participant shall be liable to account to any other Participant for trading profits arising out of or in connection with any trading or other activities by such first named Participant on any futures markets, derivatives markets, hedging or forward sales markets, or in respect of any onward sales or trading opportunities of any kind or nature which are or may be available to such first named Participant for Mineral Products, or which are in place for or which may be available to such first named Participant in respect of Mineral Products; and


(d)

the legal doctrines of "corporate opportunity" or "business opportunity" sometimes applied to persons occupying a relationship similar to that of the Participants will not apply with respect to participation by any Participant in any business activity or endeavour outside the joint venture constituted hereby, and, without limitation, a Participant will not be accountable to the others for participation in any such business activity or endeavour outside the joint venture constituted hereby which is in direct competition with the business or activity undertaken by the joint venture.  


END OF ARTICLE 2

 

 

 

ARTICLE  3


OPERATOR


3.1

From the date of this Agreement, subject to the terms of this Agreement, the [Nominee] shall be the Operator to manage the operations carried out on the Property.  The Operator will have full right, power and authority to do everything necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of the parties in connection with this Agreement, including and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the right, power and authority to:


(1)

regulate access to the Property subject only to the right of designates of the Participants duly authorized in writing to have access to the Property at all reasonable times for the purpose of inspecting work being done thereon, but at their own risk and expense;


-11-


(2)

employ and engage such employees, agents, and arms-length independent contractors

            as it may consider necessary or advisable to carry out its duties and obligations hereunder and in this connection to delegate any of its powers and rights to perform its duties and obligations hereunder, but the Operator shall not enter into contractual relations with a Participant or any Associated Company of a Participant except upon terms which are commercially competitive;


(3)

subject to the authority of the Management Committee, Operate the Property as a mine; and


(4)

charge an amount, in respect of and in lieu of any other charges for its overhead costs, equal to those amounts specified in the definitions of Expenditures and Operating Costs;


(e)

subject to the authority of the Management Committee, conduct on behalf of the Participants any dealings with the Government regarding the Property;


Provided however and notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained, subject to the [Nominee] = s compliance with Subsection (e) of Section 19 of the Head Agreement, the [Nominee] will have absolute control in managing the placing of the Property into Production.

  

3.2

The Operator may resign as Operator at any time by giving 120 days' prior written notice to the other Participant who will, within 60 days after receipt of such notice, appoint another party (which may be the Participant) who consents to act as Operator, upon the terms hereof.  

3.3

Subject to paragraph 3.1 the Operator will have the following duties and obligations:


(1)

to manage, direct and control all exploration, development and producing operations in respect of the Property, in a prudent and workmanlike manner, and in compliance with all applicable laws, rules, orders and regulations;


(2)

to prepare and deliver to the Participants quarterly progress reports for those quarters during which active field work is carried out and a comprehensive annual report within 3 months of the end of each Operating Year as well a timely current reports and information on any material results obtained;


(3)

subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, to keep the Property in good standing and free of liens, charges and encumbrances of every character arising from operations (except liens for taxes not yet due, other inchoate liens and liens contested in good faith by the Operator) and to proceed with all due dispatch and diligence to contest or discharge any lien that is filed;


(4)

to account to the Participants for all contributions to Expenditures and Operating


Costs;

-12-


(5)

to maintain true and correct books, accounts and records of operations hereunder and to prepare and deliver to the Participants audited financial statements of the joint venture within 120 days following the end of each Operating Year;


(6)

to permit the Participants, at their own expense, to inspect, take abstracts from or audit any or all of the records and accounts referred to in subparagraph (e) hereof on reasonable notice and during normal business hours;


(7)

to obtain and maintain, or cause any contractor engaged hereunder to obtain and maintain, during any period in which active work is carried out hereunder, adequate insurance;


(8)

to permit the Participants and their representative appointed in writing, at their own expense and risk, access to the Property and to all data derived from carrying out work thereon, on reasonable notice and without undue disruption of the work and operations of the Operator hereunder;


(9)

to arrange for and maintain workers' compensation or equivalent coverage for all eligible employees engaged by the Operator in accordance with local statutory requirements;


(10)

to perform its duties and obligations in a manner consistent with good exploration and mining practices;


(11)

to transact, undertake and perform all transactions, contracts, employments, purchases, operations, negotiations with third parties and any other matter or thing undertaken on behalf of the parties in the Operator's name;


(12)

to employ such experts and employees as the Operator deems necessary;


(m)

to comply with fiscal and other laws of Tanzania.


3.4

If the Operator fails to perform in a manner that is consistent with good mining practice or fails to perform in a manner consistent with its duties and responsibilities under this Agreement, or is adjudged to be bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver is appointed for its business and assets, then the other Participant may give to the Operator written notice setting forth particulars of the Operator's default.  The Operator will within 30 days of receipt of such notice commence to remedy the default.  Failure of the Operator to commence to remedy the default within such 30-day period or (except in the case of an adjudication of bankruptcy or insolvency) within 30 days after a final determination of default has been made, (and thereafter to proceed continuously and diligently to complete all required remedial action) will be grounds for termination of the Operator's appointment; provided that no steps will be taken to remove or replace the Operator in such circumstances while the


-13-

 

 

 

 

            Operator is contesting in good faith the alleged default.  On any termination of the Operator's appointment hereunder, the other Participant will appoint another party (which may be the Participant) who consents, as Operator upon the terms hereof.

 

3.5

Upon ceasing to be Operator, the former Operator will forthwith deliver to the new Operator custody of all Assets and any books and records pertaining to the Assets which it prepared or maintained in its capacity as Operator.  The new Operator will assume all of the rights, responsibilities, duties, and status of the previous Operator as provided in this Agreement.  The new Operator will have no obligation to hire any of the employees of the former Operator.  


3.6

If the Operator resigns or is removed and no other party consents to act as Operator, the joint venture hereunder will be terminated and, subject to applicable laws, the Assets will be liquidated or sold and the Assets or proceeds from the sale thereof distributed to the Participants, net of liabilities hereunder or related thereto, in accordance with their Participating Interests.  Each Participant will be responsible for its Cost Share of all costs and expenses related to such termination and liquidation.  The party which was the Operator may, if it consents to act, continue to act as Operator to effect such termination and liquidation and it will have a lien on the Participants' respective Participating Interests in the Assets and any proceeds therefrom as security for their respective Cost Shares of all costs, expenses and other liabilities owing in respect of or as of the date of such termination.  


3.7

Subject to paragraph 3.8, each Participant will indemnify and save the Operator harmless from and against any loss, liability, claim, demand, damage, expense, injury and death (including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, legal fees) resulting from any acts or omissions of the Operator or its officers, employees or agents.  


3.8

Notwithstanding paragraph 3.7, the Operator will not be indemnified nor held harmless by any of the Participants for any loss, liability, claim, demand, damage, expense, injury or death (including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, legal fees) resulting from the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of the Operator or its officers, employees or agents.  


3.9

An act or omission of the Operator or its officers, employees or agents done or omitted to be done:


(a)

at the direction, or within the scope of the direction, of the Management Committee;


(b)

with the concurrence of the Management Committee; or


(c)

unilaterally and in good faith by the Operator to protect life, limb or property;


shall be deemed not to be gross negligence or wilful misconduct.  


-14-


3.10

The obligation of a Participant to indemnify and save the Operator harmless pursuant to paragraph 3.7 will be in proportion to its Participating Interest as at the date that the loss, liability, claim, demand, damage, expense, injury or death occurred or arose.  


3.11

The Operator will not be liable to any Participant nor shall any Participant be liable to the Operator, in contract, tort or otherwise, for special or consequential damages, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, loss of profits or revenues.


3.12

If the Operator contracts on behalf of the Participants with any Associate or Affiliate of the Operator or the Nominee for the processing of any material which is from the Property through any plant or other processing facilities located on the Bulyanhulu Project, such contract shall provide that:


(a)

the operating costs of such plant or other processing facilities and the depreciation charges for the same charged to the Participants under the contract shall be:


(i)

competitive;


(ii)

fairly determined according to the relative use of the plant or other processing facilities to process material which is from the Property compared to use of the same to process material which is not from the Property;


and the allocation and apportionment of such costs and charges shall otherwise be in accordance with generally accepted practices in the mining industry;


(b)

all sampling, measuring, analysing, weighing and assaying pertaining to the material from the Property shall be conducted in accordance with procedures generally accepted in the mining industry and in accordance with good mining practice;


(c)

all financial records and statements prepared pursuant to such contract shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied and that such financial records and statements shall be audited no less than annually;


and shall otherwise be on the terms and conditions usually contained in the similar arrangements in  the mining industry generally known as custom milling contracts.


3.13

If [Designated Subsidiary] does not agree that the terms and conditions of any contract proposed or made by the Operator pursuant to paragraph 3.12 comply with the stipulations of that paragraph, [Designated Subsidiary ] may submit the matter to arbitration in accordance with Article 12 for determination of that question and for any and all related  determinations, including amendments which should be made to the contract to meet the said stipulations and any consequent monetary adjustments necessary between the Participants..

 

 

END OF ARTICLE 3

 



-15-




ARTICLE    4


EXPENDITURES, OPERATING PLANS AND OPERATING COSTS



4.1

The Operator will, on or before the 15th day of each month prior to the commencement of Production, submit to the Participants a detailed statement of Expenditures which the Operator estimates will be incurred to the end of the next month (taking into account any current cash shortfall or surplus) and, within 15 days after receipt of such statement, subject to the availability of the proceeds of Financing and subject to availability of the proceeds of loans to the Designated Subsidiary under subsection 20(i) of the Head Agreement, the Participants will pay to the Operator its respective Cost Share of such amount.  


4.2

Following the day on which Production commences the Operator will, subject to the direction of the Management Committee concerning those matters described in paragraph 5.7, on or before the 15th day of each month, submit to the Participants a detailed statement of Operating Costs which the Operator estimates will be incurred to the end of the next month (taking into account any current cash shortfall or surplus) and, within 15 days after receipt of such statement, each Participant will pay to the Operator its respective Cost Share thereof.  


4.3

If any Participant (for the purposes hereof a "Defaulting Participant") fails to pay all or any part of the amounts properly payable by it pursuant to paragraphs 4.1 or 4.2, the other Participant will be entitled to pay all or a portion of the unpaid share of the Defaulting Participant.  If the other Participant declines to pay all of such unpaid share, the Operator will be entitled to pay the unpaid share (or remainder thereof) of the Defaulting Participant.  If the other Participant and/or the Operator pays such unpaid share, then they or it will be entitled to recover the amount so paid and the provisions of paragraph 6.4 will apply.  Any amount in default shall bear interest from the date such amount was due at a per annum rate equal to the LIBOR Rate plus 5% per annum which shall be paid to the Operator for the accounts of the non-defaulting Participant or Operator who paid such unpaid shares.


4.4

At least 90 days prior to the date that the Operator anticipates that Production will commence, the Operator will propose and deliver to the Participants an Operating Plan for the portion of the Operating Year remaining from (and including) the month in which Production commences.  Subsequently, at least 90 days before the commencement of each succeeding Operating Year, the Operator will propose an Operating Plan for such succeeding Operating Year.  Within 30 days of delivery of a proposed Operating Plan hereunder, a


-16-

 

 

 

            meeting of the Management Committee will be convened to review, amend (if deemed appropriate) and approve same.  


4.5

Except as herein provided, the Operator will have the power and authority to deviate from or make modifications to the Operating Plan from time to time, in accordance with good mining and engineering practice.  If it appears to the Operator that Operating Cost overruns will result in costs exceeding by more than 15% the estimated Operating Costs under an Operating Plan, the Operator will give notice to the Participants of the anticipated overruns and the reasons therefor and will propose an amendment to the Operating Plan with respect thereto.  Within 30 days of delivery of such notice, a meeting of the Management Committee will be convened to review, amend (if deemed appropriate) and approve same.  


4.6

In the event that a proposed Operating Plan or amendment thereto is not approved by the Management Committee as hereinbefore provided, the Operator may submit such matter to arbitration in accordance with Article 12, to determine if the proposed Operating Plan is in keeping with good mining practice.  Pending the outcome of such arbitration, the Operator may continue to Operate the Property as a mine on behalf of the Participants, based as closely as practicable on the most recently approved Operating Plan, and notwithstanding that such operations may be carried over to a subsequent Operating Year.  



END OF ARTICLE 4

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE   5


MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE



5.1

The Participants will, as soon as is practicable after the date on which Production commences, establish a Management Committee which will manage and direct the business and affairs of the joint venture thereafter.  Each Participant will be entitled to one member on the Management Committee.  


5.2

A Participant may from time to time revoke in writing the appointment of its member to the Management Committee and appoint in writing another in his place.  A Participant may from time to time in writing appoint one alternate member for any member theretofore appointed by such Participant.  Alternate members may attend meetings of the Management Committee and, in the absence of the member, his alternate may vote and otherwise act in the place and stead of a member.  Whenever any member or alternate member votes or acts, his votes or actions will for all purposes of this Agreement be considered the actions of the Participant whom he represents.  


5.3

The Participants will give written notice to each other from time to time as to names, addresses and telephone, telex and telefax numbers of their respective members and alternates on the Management Committee.  All meetings of the Management Committee will be held in Toronto, Ontario, unless all members of the Management Committee agree


-17-

 

 

 

 

            otherwise and any member of the Management Committee may call a meeting at any time by giving fourteen (14) days' notice to the other members of the time and place of such meeting and the general nature of the business to be conducted, but no Participant other than the Operator will be entitled to call a meeting less than three months after the date of the last meeting of the Management Committee.  Any member of the Management Committee, or his alternate, may waive in writing the giving of such notice before or after such meeting.  Otherwise, the giving of notices under this Article 5 will be governed by Article 13.


5.4

Any resolution in writing signed by all members of the Management Committee in one or more counterparts will be as valid and binding as if passed at a meeting of the Management Committee duly called and constituted.  


5.5

Except as herein set out, each member of the Management Committee or his alternate will have a number of votes equal in number to the Participating Interest held by the Participant he represents.  Except as herein set out, a quorum for any meeting shall be a member or members representing a Participant or Participants whose Participating Interest or  Participating Interests aggregate in excess of 60%.  If a quorum is not present within thirty minutes after the time fixed for holding any such meeting, the meeting will be adjourned to the same day in the next week (unless such day is a non-business day in which case it will be adjourned to the next following business day) at the same time and place, provided not less than four business days' notice of the time and place of the adjourned meeting is delivered to each member of the Management Committee.  At the adjourned meeting, the members or alternate members present in person (which may be only one person) will form a quorum and may transact the business for which them meeting was originally convened.


5.6

The Management Committee will decide all matters coming before it by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by members.  The Operator will have an additional or casting vote in the case of an equality of votes on any matter other than a matter referred to in paragraph 5.7.  


5.7

Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 5.6, a decision as to any of the following matters will require the agreement or affirmative vote of greater than 60% of the Participating Interests under this Agreement; provided, however, that for the limited purposes of a vote as to any of the matters referred to in subparagraphs (a), (b), (c), (e), (h) and (i) hereof, the Participating Interests under this Agreement will exclude the Participating Interest of any Participant then in default hereunder:


(1)

the voluntary suspension of operations, following commencement of Production, for more than 30 days in any 12-month period or the permanent shutdown of the Facilities;


(2)

capital expenditure items, following the commencement of Production, requiring aggregate expenditures in excess of $3,000,000 in any one calendar year;


-18-


(3)

an exploration or development program, following the commencement of Production, requiring aggregate expenditures in excess of $2,000,000 in any one calendar year;


(4)

the terms of engagement of the Operator, other than the agreed upon charges referred to in the definitions of Expenditures and Operating Costs;


(5)

the abandonment, sale or other disposition following the commencement of Production of any Asset or series of related Assets having an aggregate fair market value in excess of $5,000,000;


(6)

any decision to act or not to act which would breach any licence or instrument or agreement under which title to the Property or any of the Assets is held;


(7)

the entry into any contract or commitment by the Operator with itself or an Associated Company which is not accompanied by evidence of the competitive nature of the pricing thereof;


(8)

the settlement of any lawsuit, claim or demand involving an aggregate amount or value exceeding $2,000,000; and


(9)

following a suspension of operations under subparagraph (a) hereof, the resumption of operations.


If approval under this Section is not given for a decision then the decision shall not be implemented, provided that the Operator may submit such matter to arbitration in accordance with Article 12 to determine whether the decision is in keeping with mining industry standards and good mining practice.  The Operator may implement the decision if the arbitration finds it to be in keeping with mining industry standards and good mining practice.

 

 

 

5.8

The Management Committee will appoint a Secretary (who need not be a member of the Management Committee) to keep a record of the meetings of the Management Committee.  Each Participant will have the right to examine and take extracts of all records of the Management Committee (which will be maintained by the Operator), at reasonable times and on reasonable notice at the Operator's offices during regular business hours.


5.9

Following authorization of any program under Section 5.7, the Operator may require letters of credit or other security from the Participants to secure the advance by the Participants of their respective shares of the funds which will be required pursuant to the authorization.


END OF ARTICLE 5


-19-

 Tanrange JVA

Final



ARTICLE   6


DISPOSITION OF PRODUCTION



6.1

For any period after the commencement of Production, each Participant will, subject to the Head Agreement, Article 11 hereof, any contracts for the sale of Mineral Products previously made and the terms of this Article, take in kind and separately dispose of its share (in proportion to its respective Participating Interest) of Mineral Products and the Operator shall take all reasonable steps to equalize the quality of Mineral Products taken in kind by the Participants.  However, if agreed by the Participants, each Participant may, from time to time, appoint the Operator as its sole marketing agent to sell and dispose of its share of Mineral Products, and upon completing any such sale and disposition on behalf of a Participant, the Operator will, subject to the Head Agreement, Article 11 hereof and the terms of this Article, remit to such Participant its respective share of the proceeds.


6.2

For the purposes of calculating the proceeds of Mineral Products distributable to, or for credit to, a Participant in respect of Mineral Products sold by the Operator for a Participant pursuant to paragraph 6.1, 6.3 or 6.4, each Participant's share of Mineral Products will be valued and accounted for as of the time of delivery to or settlement with the purchaser or purchasers thereof, (whether or not  such purchaser or purchasers are Affiliates or Associated Companies of a Participant), and at the prices paid by such purchaser or purchasers, less of all costs of or related to the marketing thereof, including, without limitation:


(1)

all costs of storage and transportation, including insurance;


(2)

all commissions and discounts;


(3)

such reasonable charge for marketing Mineral Products as is consistent with generally accepted industry marketing practices; and


(4)

all taxes (other than income taxes), royalties or other charges or imposts provided for pursuant to any law or legal obligation imposed by any government if paid by the Operator for the account of such Participant in connection with the disposition of Mineral Products hereunder, provided that the 3% Net Smelter Royalty due to the Government of Tanzania and any other payments to the Government in the form of royalties or interests in the Property shall be the sole responsibility of [Nominee] for so long as [Nominee] is a Participant.


6.3

Subject to paragraph 6.2 and to the Head Agreement, distributions of Mineral Products in kind or of the proceeds from the sale thereof will be made from time to time as follows:


(1)

at the time of each distribution the [Nominee] and [Designated Subsidiary] will receive Mineral Products in kind valued in accordance with paragraph 6.6, or proceeds from the sale thereof calculated in accordance with paragraph 6.2, equal to the then balance of  unrecovered Operating Costs, each according to its proportionate share of total unrecovered Operating Costs; and


-20-

 

 

(2)

thereafter, subject to any liens hereunder and to the terms of any contracts for the sale of Mineral Products previously made, the Mineral Products, or the proceeds from the sale thereof, shall be distributed in accordance with the Participating Interests.


6.4

If the Operator or a Participant makes any payment on behalf of a Defaulting Participant pursuant to paragraph 4.3, it will have the prior and preferred right to receive all distributions under paragraph 6.3 to the Defaulting Participant in the form of Mineral Products valued in accordance with paragraph 6.6, or proceeds from the sale thereof calculated in accordance with paragraph 6.2, until the Operator or such Participant has received Mineral Products in kind of a value or proceeds from the sale thereof equal to the amount advanced together with interest at the rate specified in paragraph 4.3, calculated from the date of advance by the Operator or Participant, as the case may be.


6.5

Proceeds from the sale by the Operator of Mineral Products hereunder will be calculated by the Operator separately for each Participant at the end of each calendar month and will be distributed or credited to such Participant in accordance with paragraph 6.3 monthly within 20 days after the end of each such calendar month following payment to the Operator by such Participant of its respective Cost Share of Operating Costs outstanding as at the end of that calendar month.


6.6

If the value of any Mineral Products in kind taken by, or distributed to or for the credit of a Participant is to be determined for any purpose of, or in respect of any matter arising under, this Agreement or the Head Agreement, such value shall be determined with reference only to available spot market prices prevailing for the Mineral Products at the time for which the determination is made, and without regard to any futures market prices, derivatives market prices, hedging or forward sales prices or other onward sales or trading opportunities of any kind or nature which are or may be available for such Mineral Products, or which are in place for or which may be available to the recipient of such Mineral Products.


6.7

The records relating to Mineral Products taken in kind or to the calculation of proceeds from the sale thereof may, at the direction of the Management Committee, be audited annually at the end of each Operating Year.  Any adjustments required by such audit will be made forthwith and a copy of the audited statements will be delivered to the Participants.


6.8

Any of the Participants will, at reasonable times and upon reasonable notice in writing to the Operator, have the right to inspect, audit and copy the Operator's accounts and records relating to the accounting for Mineral Products taken in kind or to the determination or calculation of proceeds from the sale thereof for any fiscal year within 12 months following the end of such fiscal year.  All such accounts and records will be deemed to be correct and accurate unless questioned by a Participant within 12 months following the end of the fiscal year to which the accounts relate.  The Participants will make all reasonable efforts to conduct audits in a manner which will result in a minimum of inconvenience to the Operator.


6.9

Each quarter, the Operator shall notify the Participants of the amount of Mineral Products which the Operator anticipates will be available for delivery during that quarter, and, notwithstanding Subsection 20(j)(v) of the Head Agreement, at any time and from time to time when Mineral Products otherwise due to [Designated Subsidiary] under this Agreement


-21-

 

 

 

 

            are actually available and are to be delivered to the Subscriber or Affiliate under Subsection 20(j)(v) of the Head Agreement, the Operator shall notify [Designated Subsidiary] in writing and [Designated Subsidiary] shall have the right to pay the value thereof, determined in accordance with paragraph 6.6 of this Agreement, in cash, to the Operator within three Business Days of such notice, to be applied in reduction of the amounts outstanding in respect of the advances under Subsection 20(j) of the Head Agreement, against which payment the Operator shall deliver such Mineral Products to [Designated Subsidiary], and failing which payment, the Operator shall proceed with the delivery under Subsection 20(j)(v) of the Head Agreement.


6.10

During the repayment under Subsection 20(k) of the Head Agreement, but subject always to any prior contract properly made on behalf of either or both Participants for the sale of its or their respective shares of Mineral Products, each Participant shall have the right to pay, in cash, to the Operator within three Business Days of the Operator = s notice that Mineral Products will otherwise be sold by the Operator, the value of its share of the Mineral Products which the Operate proposes to sell, such value determined in accordance with paragraph 6.6 of this Agreement, against which payment the Operator shall deliver such Mineral Products to that Participant, and failing which payment the Operator shall proceed with the proposed sale.




END OF ARTICLE 6



-22-

 

 

 

ARTICLE   7


CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION



7.1

Each party agrees that all information obtained hereunder shall be the exclusive property of the parties and shall not be publicly disclosed or used other than for the activities contemplated hereunder, except as required by law or by the rules and regulations of any stock exchange or regulatory authority having jurisdiction, or with the written consent of the other parties, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld.


7.2

Consent to disclosure of information pursuant to paragraph 7.1 shall not be unreasonably withheld where a party wishes to disclose any such information to a third party for the purpose of arranging financing for its contributions hereunder or otherwise or for the purpose of selling its Participating Interest in the Assets, provided that such third party gives its undertaking to the Participants that any such information not theretofore publicly disclosed shall be kept confidential.


7.3

No party shall be liable to the others for the fraudulent or negligent disclosure of information by any of its employees, servants or agents, provided that such party has taken reasonable steps to ensure the preservation of the confidential nature of such information.


7.4

The provisions of the Article 7 do not apply to information which is or becomes part of the public domain other than through a breach of the terms hereof.


7.5

Where a request is made for permission to disclose confidential information hereunder, the other parties shall reply within two (2) Business Days of receipt of same, failing which a party shall be deemed to have consented to the disclosure requested.


7.6

Each Participant  will consult with the other prior to issuing any press release or other public statement regarding the Property or the activities of the Participants with respect thereto and each shall provide to the other a copy of any such press release or other public statement prior to the publication of the same for the consent of such other, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. [Designated Subsidiary] will not issue any press release or other public statement using [Nominee's] name or the names of any of the officers, directors or employees of  [Nominee] or its Affiliates or Associated Companies without actual prior approval from [Nominee].



END OF ARTICLE 7


-23-

 

 

 

ARTICLE   8


RESTRICTIONS ON ALIENATION



8.1

Except in accordance with this Agreement no party will transfer, convey, assign, mortgage or grant an option in respect of or grant a right to purchase or in any manner transfer or alienate any or all of its Participating Interest or transfer or assign any of its rights under this Agreement.


8.2

A party will not sell any of its Participating Interest or transfer or assign any of its rights under this Agreement except:


(1)

in its entirety;


(2)

pursuant to an agreement in which the consideration is expressed only in lawful money of Canada;


(3)

as a single transaction not directly or indirectly part of some other sale or purchase or agreement for any additional consideration of any nature whatsoever; and


(4)

when there is no default of any of the covenants and agreements herein contained by such party.


8.3

Nothing in this Article 8, will prevent:


(1)

a sale, transfer or assignment by [Designated Subsidiary] or [Nominee] of all of its Participating Interest or a sale, transfer or assignment of all its rights under this Agreement to an Affiliate or to an Associated Company, provided that such Affiliate or Associated Company, as the case may be, first assumes and agrees to be bound by the terms of this Agreement and further provided that the transfer shall require that if the Affiliate or Associated Company ceases to be such within two years of the date of transfer, the Participating Interest transferred shall be:


(1)

retransferred to the transferor; or


(2)

offered to the other Participants at its fair value, as agreed between the Offeror and the Participants, or, failing agreement, as determined by arbitration to be its fair value;


(2)

a joint disposition of the Property or all or any part of the other assets constituting any part of the Assets to a third party by all the parties;


(3)

an amalgamation or corporate reorganization involving a party hereto which has the effect in law of the amalgamated or surviving corporation possessing all the property, rights and interests and being subject to all the debts, liabilities and obligations of each amalgamating or predecessor corporation; or


-24-

 

 

 

 

(4)

a sale, forfeiture, charge, withdrawal, transfer or other disposition or encumbrance which is otherwise specifically required or permitted under this Agreement.


8.4

Subject to the foregoing, any party (in this Article 8 called the "Offeror") intending to sell its Participating Interest or transfer or assign its rights under this Agreement will first give notice in writing to the other party (in this Article 8 called the "Offeree") of such intention together with the terms and conditions on which the Offeror intends to sell its Participating Interest or transfer or assign it rights under this Agreement.


8.5

If any party (in this Article 8 also called the "Offeror") receives any offer to purchase its Participating Interest or its rights under this Agreement which it intends to accept, the Offeror will not accept the same unless and until the Offeror has first offered to sell such Participating Interest or rights to the other party (in this Article 8 also called the "Offeree") on the same terms and conditions as in the offer received and the same has not been accepted by the Offeree in accordance with paragraph 8.7.


8.6

Any communication of an intention to sell pursuant to paragraphs 8.4 or 8.5 (the "Offer") will be in writing delivered in accordance with Article 13 and will:


(1)

set out fully and clearly all of the terms and conditions of any intended sale;


(2)

if it is made pursuant to paragraph 8.5, include a true copy of the offer received; and


(3)

if it is made pursuant to paragraph 8.5, clearly identify the offering party and include such information as is known by the Offeror about such offering party;


and such communication will be deemed to constitute an Offer by the Offeror to the Offeree to sell the Offeror's Participating Interest or transfer or assign its rights under this Agreement to the Offeree on the terms and conditions set out in such Offer.


8.7

Any Offer made as contemplated in paragraph 8.6 will be open for acceptance by the Offeree for a period of ninety (90) days from the date of receipt by the Offeree.


8.8

If the Offeree accepts the Offer within the time provided in paragraph 8.7, then such acceptance will constitute a binding agreement of purchase and sale between the Offeror and the Offeree for the Offeror's Participating Interest or rights  under this Agreement on the terms and conditions set out in the Offer.


8.9

If the Offeree does not accept the Offer within the time limited, the Offeror may complete the sale of its Participating Interest or its rights under this Agreement on terms and conditions no more favourable to the buyer thereof than those that were set out in the Offer and, where applicable, only to the party making the original offer to the Offeror as contemplated in paragraph 8.5, and in any event such sale will be completed within ninety (90) days from the expiration of the right of the Offeree to accept such Offer or the Offeror must again comply with the provisions of this Article 8.



-25-

 

 

 

8.10

Following an Offer under paragraph 8.6, no other Offer may be made by the Offeror unless and until the ninety (90) day period referred to in paragraph 8.9 has expired and no sale of the Offeror's Participating Interest or rights has been completed in accordance with the terms of the first-mentioned Offer.


8.11

If a party which is the Operator sells its Participating Interest or transfers or assigns its rights under this Agreement to a third party, its rights and obligations as Operator under this Agreement will be included in such sale only if the third party is capable of assuming and performing the duties and obligations of the Operator imposed under this Agreement and the consent of all parties to this Agreement is first had and obtained, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld.


8.12

No sale by a party of its Participating Interest or of its rights under this Agreement will be completed unless the purchaser enters into an agreement with the remaining party pursuant to which it agrees not to sell, transfer or assign the acquired Participating Interest except in accordance with the terms of this Article 8.


END OF ARTICLE 8

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE   9


ENCUMBRANCES AND PARTITION



9.1

Except as hereinafter provided, a Participant will not encumber or suffer to exist any lien, charge or encumbrance on its Participating Interest.


9.2

Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 9.1, each of [Nominee] and [Designated Subsidiary] will mortgage, charge or otherwise encumber the whole or any part of its respective Participating Interest as may be required by the Subscriber (as defined in the Head Agreement) or [Nominee] to secure a Financing or to support any borrowing required to fund the placing of the Property into Production provided that subject to provisions for prior repayment of such Financing or borrowing, and subject as otherwise herein or in the Head Agreement provided, they may do so for their own corporate purposes, but only upon the condition that the holder of such encumbrance, (hereinafter called the "Chargee"), first enters into a written agreement with them in form satisfactory to counsel for each of them, binding upon the Chargee, to the effect that:


(1)

the Chargee will not enter into possession or institute any proceedings for foreclosure or partition of the encumbering party's Participating Interest and that such encumbrance will be subject to the provisions of this Agreement including, without limitation, the provisions of Articles 6 and 11; and


(2)

the Chargee's remedies under the encumbrance will be limited to the sale of the whole, (but only of the whole), of the encumbering party's Participating Interests to the other Participants, provided that if the other Participants do not buy the same, the Chargee may sell the same:


-26-



(1)

at a public auction to be held after 90 days' prior notice to the other Participants but with a reserve price and terms no more favourable to a third party than those most recently offered to and declined by the other Participants pursuant to this Section, or


(2)

by private sale subject to the right of first refusal in the Agreement,


such sale to be subject to the purchaser entering into a written agreement with the other Participant, whereby such purchaser assumes all obligations of the encumbering Participant under the terms of this Agreement.


9.3

Each party hereto hereby waives its right to seek partition of the Property or any part thereof.


9.4

A party hereto will not have authority to act for or assume any obligations or liabilities on behalf of the other party except such as are previously authorized pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, and each party will indemnify and hold the other part, and its officers, employees and agents, harmless from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities arising out of any act or any assumption of any obligations by it done or undertaken on behalf of the other party other than as provided herein.


END OF ARTICLE 9


ARTICLE   10


VOLUNTARY WITHDRAWAL



10.1

Prior to the date on which a decision to place the Property into Production is made any Participant will have the right to voluntarily withdraw under this Agreement and terminate its Participating Interest and rights under this Agreement by giving written notice of such withdrawal to the other Participant, which notice will indicate an effective date for such withdrawal and termination not less than 90 days after the date of such notice.  In the case of such voluntary withdrawal, all of the rights and obligations of the withdrawing Participant under this Agreement will terminate as of the date of the giving of notice of such withdrawal and all its Participating Interest will be deemed to have been transferred to the other Participant but the withdrawing Participant will:


(1)

remain liable for all amounts chargeable to it as at the date of the withdrawal as well as its share of all other liabilities and obligations incurred hereunder up to such date;


(2)

secure to the satisfaction of the other Participant its Cost Share of the costs of reclamation of the surface lands comprised in the Property as estimated at the time of withdrawal in accordance with the requirements of any governmental, regulatory or other body having jurisdiction;


(3)

remain obligated to execute and deliver such instruments as may abe necessary to formally effect the transfer of its Participating Interest to the other Participant; and


(4)

remain obligated under Article 7 for a period of 2 years following such withdrawal.


10.2

Upon receipt of a notice of withdrawal pursuant to paragraph 10.1, the other Participant may elect, within the said 90-day period, to join in the voluntary withdrawal, in which event the joint venture will be terminated and Assets liquidated and the provisions of paragraph 3.6 will apply with respect thereto, mutatis mutandis.


END OF ARTICLE 10

 

 

 

ARTICLE   11


OPERATOR'S LIEN



11.1

In addition to any lien, charge or security interest (collectively in this Agreement called a "lien") to which the Operator may be entitled by law, including any provided for elsewhere in this Agreement, each Participant does hereby mortgage, charge, assign and grant a security interest to and in favour of the Operator in:


(1)

the undivided share of Mineral Products owned or to be owned by such Participant;


(2)

the Participating Interest of such Participant; and


-28-



(3)

all personal property in any form derived directly or indirectly from any dealing with or comprised in or related to the collateral described in subparagraphs (a) and (b), or the proceeds therefrom, including insurance proceeds and any other payment representing indemnity or compensation for loss of or damage thereto or the proceeds therefrom,


as security for:


(4)

an amount equal to any amount paid or advanced by the Operator pursuant to paragraph 4.3, together with interest thereon at the rate and calculated in the manner specified in paragraph 4.3;


(5)

their respective shares of the costs of a termination and liquidation under paragraph 3.6 or 10.2; and


(6)

a withdrawing Participant's obligations under subparagraphs 10.1(a) and (b).


11.2

Such lien in respect of a Participant who is in default of one or more of its obligations as specified in paragraph 11.1 (in this Article 11 a "Defaulting Participant") may be enforced by the Operator against the Defaulting Participant by any one or more of the following, provided that it has first given the Defaulting Participant notice of the default and, at the expiration of 30 days from the date of giving such notice, the default described therein has not been cured:


(1)

the sale or lease (either to one or more of the other Participants, or to a third party, but subject to Article 8, save and except for paragraph 8.2) of all or part of the Participating Interest of the Defaulting Participant for cash or on credit or partly for cash and partly on credit;


(2)

the sale of the Defaulting Participant's share of Mineral Products for cash or on credit or partly for cash and partly on credit, such credit to be on the terms no less favourable than those on which the Operator, acting in good faith, sells its own Mineral Products, and it is expressly acknowledged that the Operator is justified in offering discounts and other pricing and payment concessions to secure a buyer's longer term commitment to buy, or to secure other benefits from buyers;


(3)

the collection and/or retention of receipts due to the Defaulting Participant from the sale of Mineral Products or any other Assets and the application of the receipts so collected to the obligations, amounts and costs referred to in subparagraphs 11.1(d) to (f), inclusive, or


(4)

without restricting the provisions of subparagraphs (a), (b) and (c), the exercise by the Operator of any other rights and remedies available at law or in equity, which may be exercised in the alternative, concurrently or cumulatively.


-29-



In the case of the sale of the Defaulting Participant's Participating Interest or the sale of Mineral Products pursuant to subparagraphs (a) and (b) respectively, the Defaulting Participant will execute and deliver to the purchaser on demand any instrument reasonably necessary to confirm to the purchaser the title to the property so sold and the Operator is hereby irrevocably authorized by each Participant to execute on its behalf and in its name any such confirmatory instrument.


11.3

The security interest hereby granted by each Participant to the Operator will in no way hinder or prevent a Participant, at any time or from time to time until the security interest hereby constituted will have become enforceable pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 11.1, from:


(1)

selling, assigning, transferring, conveying or otherwise disposing of all or any part of its Mineral Products, free from such security interest, in the ordinary course of, and for the purpose of carrying on, its business;


(2)

selling, assigning, conveying, transferring or otherwise disposing of all or an undivided part of its Participating Interest in accordance with the provisions of Article 8;


(3)

subject always to compliance with the provisions of Article 9, entering into a security agreement in accordance with that Article;


provided that any such action is not in breach of any provision of this Agreement and further provided that, unless other security is given which is acceptable to the Operator, acting reasonably, any forward commitment is subject always to the Operator's lien, whether or not the Participant has received any advance payment.


11.4

If a Participant other than the Operator makes a payment on behalf of a Defaulting Participant pursuant to paragraph 4.3 such first named Participant will have a lien to secure repayment of the same on the Defaulting Participant's Participating Interest, the right of the Defaulting Participant to receive either Mineral Products in kind or proceeds from the sale thereof or from the sale of any other Assets, the interest of the Defaulting Participant in any contracts for the sale of Mineral Products or other Assets, and on Mineral Products to be received in kind by the Defaulting Participant, and all amounts paid or advanced by such first named Participant pursuant to paragraph 4.3, shall bear interest thereon at the rate specified in paragraph 4.3, calculated from the dates the same are paid or advanced.

The lien under this paragraph 11.4 will rank pari passu with the Operator's lien under paragraph 11.1 insofar as it secures amounts referred to in subparagraph 11.1(d) and subordinate to the lien of the Operator insofar as it secures amounts referred to in subparagraphs 11.1(e) or (f) and the provisions of paragraphs 11.2 and 11.3 will apply with respect thereto mutatis mutandis.


END OF ARTICLE 11


-30-

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE   12


ARBITRATION



12.1

Any matter required or permitted to be referred to arbitration pursuant to paragraph 3.13, 4.6, 5.7 or 8.3 will be determined by a single arbitrator to be appointed by the parties hereto.


12.2

Any party may refer any such matter to arbitration by written notice to the others and, within ten (10) days after receipt of such notice, the parties will agree on the appointment of an arbitrator.  No person will be appointed as an arbitrator hereunder unless such person agrees in writing to act.


12.3

If the parties cannot agree on a single arbitrator as provided in paragraph 12.2, or if the person appointed is unwilling or unable to act, either party may submit the matter to arbitration (before a single arbitrator) in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Act of the Province of Ontario (the "Act").


12.4

The arbitrator shall be a member in good standing of the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers.


12.5

Except as specifically provided in this Article 12, an arbitration hereunder will be conducted in accordance with the Act.  The arbitrator will fix a time and place in Toronto, Ontario, for the purpose of hearing the evidence and representations of the parties and he will preside over the arbitration and determine all questions of procedure not provided for under the Act or this Article 12.  After hearing any evidence and representations that the parties may submit, the arbitrator will make an award and reduce the same to writing and deliver one copy thereof to each of the parties.  The decision of the arbitrator will be made within 45 days after his appointment, subject to any reasonable delay due to unforeseen circumstances.  The expense of the arbitration will be paid as specified in the award.  The parties agree that the award of the single arbitrator will be final and binding upon each of them.


END OF ARTICLE 12

 

 

 

ARTICLE   13


NOTICE



13.1

Any notice, direction or other communication required or permitted to be given under this Agreement will be in writing and may be given by the delivery of the same or by mailing the same (first class postage prepaid) or by sending the same by telex, facsimile transfer or other similar form of telecommunication, in each case addressed as follows:


(1)

If to the [Nominee] at:


!



-31-

Attention:

!


Fax:

!


with a copy to:


BARRICK GOLD CORPORATION

Royal Bank Plaza

Suite 2700 - P.O. Box 119

200 Bay Street

Toronto, Ontario   M5J 2J3

Fax Number: (416) 861-2492


(2)

If to [Designated Subsidiary] at:


!


Attention:

!


Fax:

!


with a copy to:


Tan Range Exploration Corporation

Suite 1730 - 355 Burrard Street

Vancouver, B.C.  V6C 2G8

Fax Number: (604) 669-8915



13.2

Any notice, direction or other communication aforesaid will, if delivered, be deemed to have been given and received on the day it was delivered and, if mailed, will e deemed to have been given and received on the fourth Business Day following the day of mailing, except in the event of disruption of the postal service in which event notice will be deemed to be received only when actually received and, if sent by telex, facsimile transfer or other similar form of telecommunication, will be deemed to have been given or received on the next Business Day following the day on which it was so sent.


13.3

Any party may at any time give to any other party notice in writing of any change of address of the party giving such notice, and from and after the giving of such notice, the address therein specified will be deemed to be the address of such party for the purposes of giving notice hereunder.


END OF ARTICLE 13


-32-

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE   14


FORCE MAJEURE



14.1

No party will be liable for its failure to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement due to cause beyond its control (an "Intervening Event") (except those caused by its own lack of funds) including, but not limited to:  acts of God, war, insurrection, fire, flood, explosion, strikes, lockouts or other industrial disturbances, laws, rules and regulations or orders of any court or governmental authority, actions by third parties claiming an interest in the Property, non-availability of materials or transportation or actions of securities regulatory bodies and stock exchange or any limitation on the free exchange of currency in which the Property is located and any restriction on export from that country of minerals to be produced from the Property if such limitation on exchange or restriction on import demonstrably affects:


(1)

the viability of the project;


(2)

the ability of the Participants to service debt or repatriate profits;


and it is recognized that normal withholding taxes shall not constitute a limitation on the exchange of currency.


14.2

All time limits imposed by this Agreement will be extended by a period equivalent to the period of delay resulting from an Intervening Event described in this Article 14.


14.3

A party relying on the provisions of this Article 14 will take all reasonable steps to eliminate any Intervening Event and, if possible, will perform its obligations under this Agreement as far as practical, but nothing herein will require such party to settle or adjust any labour dispute or to question or to test the validity of any law, rule, regulation or order of any duly constituted court or governmental authority or to complete its obligations under this Agreement if an Intervening Event renders completion impossible.


14.4

A party relying on this Article 14 will give notice to the other party forthwith upon the occurrence of the Intervening Event and forthwith after the end of the period of delay when such Intervening Event has been eliminated or rectified.


END OF ARTICLE 14


-33-

 

 

 

ARTICLE   15


DEFAULT



15.1

Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, if any party (a "Defaulting Party") is in default of any requirement herein set forth, the other party may give written notice to the Defaulting Party specifying the default and the Defaulting Party will not lose any rights under this Agreement unless, within ninety (90) days after the giving of notice of default by the other party, the Defaulting Party has failed to take reasonable steps to cure the default by the appropriate performance and is proceeding to do so without undue delay and, if the Defaulting Party fails to take reasonable steps to cure any such default or, having done so, fails to proceed without undue delay in curing the default, the other party will be entitled to seek any remedy it may have on account of such default.


END OF ARTICLE 15

ARTICLE 16


GENERAL PROVISIONS



16.1

Entire Agreement:  This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and replaces and supersedes all prior agreements, memoranda, correspondence, communications, negotiations and representations, whether oral or written, express or implied, statutory or otherwise between the parties with respect to the subject matter herein.


16.2

Waiver:  No consent or waiver, express or implied, by any party to or of any breach or default by any other party of any or all of its obligations under this Agreement will:


(1)

be valid unless it is in writing and stated to be a consent or waiver hereunder;


(2)

be relied upon as a consent or waiver to or of any other breach or default of the same or any other obligation;


(3)

constitute a general waiver under this Agreement; or


(4)

eliminate or modify the need for a specific consent or waiver in any other or subsequent instance.


16.3

Further Assurances:  The parties will execute such further and other documents and do such further and other things as may be necessary or convenient to carry out and give effect to the intent of this Agreement.


16.4

Manner of Payment:  All payments to be made to any party hereunder may be made by cheque or draft mailed or delivered to such party at its address for notice purposes as provided herein, or for the account of such party at such bank or banks in  Canada as such party may designate from time to time by written notice.  Such bank or banks shall be


-34-

 

 

 

            deemed the agent of the designating party for the purpose of receiving, collecting and receipting such payment.


16.5

Termination:  This Agreement shall terminate upon the occurrence of the earliest of:


(5)

the written agreement by the parties to terminate;


(6)

the voluntary withdrawal of one of the parties in accordance with Article 10; or


(7)

the sale, abandonment or liquidation of all of the Assets and the distribution of any proceeds therefrom, net of liabilities, to the joint venture Participants to the extent of their Participating Interests therein.


Such termination will not affect any amount owing, obligation or liability existing or incurred prior to the date of such termination.  In the event that an assignment permitted under this Agreement results in more than two Participants holding a Participating Interest, then a termination will not occur under clause (b) hereof so long as there remains at least two Participants holding a Participating Interest.


16.6

Time of Essence:  Time will be of the essence in the performance of this Agreement.


16.7

Enurement:  This Agreement will enure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.


16.8

Rule Against Perpetuities:  If any right, power or interest of any party in any property under this Agreement would violate the rule against perpetuities, then such right, power, or interest will terminate at the expiration of 20 years after the death of the last survivor of all the lineal descendants of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of England, living on the date of execution of this Agreement.


16.9

Remedies:  Each of the Participants agrees that its failure to comply with the covenants and restrictions set out in Articles 7, 8, 9 and 16 would constitute an injury and damage to the other Participant impossible to measure monetarily and, in the event of any such failure, the other Participant will, in addition and without prejudice to any other rights and remedies at law or in equity, be entitled to injunctive relief restraining, enjoining or specifically enforcing save in accordance with or as required by the provisions of Articles 7, 8, 9 or 16, as the case may be, and any party intending to breach the provisions of said Articles 7, 8, 9 or 16 hereby waives any defence it might have in law to such injunctive or other equitable relief.


END OF ARTICLE 16


-41-

 Tanrange JVA

Final



EXECUTION


IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the day and year first above written.


The Corporate Seal of [Nominee] was hereunto affixed in the presence of:



Authorized Signatory                                 



Authorized Signatory                                 

)

)

)

)

)

)

c/s

)

)

)

   

The Corporate Seal of [Designated Susbidiary] was hereunto affixed in the presence of:



Authorized Signatory                               



Authorized Signatory                                

)

)

)

)

)

)

c/s

)

)

)



 


July 21 , 2003



Ashanti Goldfields(Cayman) Limited
Ugland House,

PO Box 309 Georgetown,

Cayman Islands

Attn:

Mr. Peter Cowley



Dear Sirs:


RE:

Those agreements copied in Schedule “A’ attached hereto (“Underlying Agreements”) concerning those mineral properties located in Tanzania and more particularly described in Schedule “A” attached hereto (collectively the "Licenses")


Further to our discussions, we confirm that Tan Range Exploration Corporation, Tanzanian American International Development Corporation 2000 Limited and Tancan Mining Company Limited (collectively, “Tan Range”) are prepared to grant you an option to acquire an interest in the Licenses, through the assumption of all rights and obligations under the Underlying Agreements, pursuant to the following terms and conditions of this letter agreement and in consideration of the premises and the mutual promises, covenants and agreements herein contained and the sum of $2 now paid by each party to the other (the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged):

1.

INTERPRETATION

1.1

Capitalized words and phrases shall have the meanings given thereto in Schedule “B” hereto.

2.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

2.1

Each party represents and warrants to the other that:

(a)

it is a body corporate duly incorporated, organized and validly subsisting under the laws of its incorporating jurisdiction and it has full power and authority to carry on its business and to enter into this Agreement and any agreement or instrument referred to or contemplated by this Agreement;

(b)

neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, nor any of the agreements or transactions referred to herein or contemplated hereby, will conflict with, result in the breach of or accelerate the performance required by any agreement to which it is a party; and

 



- 2 -




(c)

the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the agreements and transactions contemplated hereby will not violate or result in the breach of the laws of any jurisdiction applicable or pertaining thereto or of its constating documents.

2.2

Tan Range represents and warrants to the Optionee that:

(a)

the Property is properly and accurately described in Schedule “A” attached hereto;

(b)

Tan Range has the right to obtain or has been vested with:

(i)

an undivided 51% beneficial right, title and interest in and to License PL 2040/02 pursuant and subject to that Underlying Agreement with Tese Mining Co. Ltd. and F-B Minerals Company Limited, dated in the year 1998;

(ii)

an undivided 65% beneficial right, title and interest in and to License PL 1775/01 pursuant and subject to that Underlying Agreement with Bazo Enterprises & General Supplies, dated January 22, 1999;

(iii)

an undivided 65% beneficial right, title and interest in and to License PL 1796/01 pursuant and subject to that Underlying Agreement with Afrigold Limited, dated January 22, 1999;

(iv)

an undivided 65% beneficial right, title and interest in and to License PL 1400/99 pursuant and subject to that Underlying Agreement with Martedo Investment Limited, dated July 5, 1999;

(v)

an undivided 65% beneficial right, title and interest in and to License PL 1854/01 pursuant and subject to that Underlying Agreement with Abby’s Mining Co. Limited, dated in the month of March, 1999;

(vi)

an undivided 70% beneficial right, title and interest in and to License PL 1762/01 pursuant and subject to that Underlying Agreement with Charles S. Shumbi, dated June 29, 1999;

(vii)

an undivided 65% beneficial right, title and interest in and to License PL 1853/01 pursuant and subject to that Underlying Agreement with Sigo Gems Limited, dated June 27, 1999; and

(viii)

an undivided 90% beneficial right, title and interest in and to License PL 2019/02 pursuant to that Underlying Agreement with Mega Deposits Explorers, dated in the month of September, 2002;

(c)

Tan Range holds and owns a 100% beneficial and registered right, title and interest in and to License PL 1251/99;

(d)

other than Tan Range and the parties to the Underlying Agreements, no person has any proprietary or possessory right to the Property and no person is entitled to any royalty or other payment in the nature of rent or royalty on any Mineral Products;

 



- 3 -




(e)

all taxes and other applicable payments, and all other acts, have been made and taken to maintain the Property in good standing, including those set forth in section 33 of The Mining Act, 1998 (Tanzania);

(f)

to the best of its information, conditions on and relating to the Property are in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and orders relating to environmental matters;

(g)

to the best of its information, there are no outstanding or threatened actions, investigations, suits or claims that would affect its right, title or interest in or to the Property; and

(h)

to the best of its information, the Property is free and clear of all recorded and unrecorded liens, charges and encumbrances.

.

2.3

The representations and warranties hereinbefore set out are conditions on which the parties have relied in entering into this Agreement and will survive for a period of one year after the Effective Date and each party will indemnify and save the other parties harmless from all loss, damage, costs, actions and suits arising out of or in connection with any breach of any representation or warranty made by it and contained in this Agreement.


3.

FIRST OPTION

3.1

Tan Range hereby gives and grants to the Optionee the sole and exclusive option (“Option”) to acquire a 100% right, title and interest in and to its right, title and interest in and to the Property, save and except for the Royalty. In order to exercise the Option, the Optionee shall:

(a)

make cash payments to Tan Range, or its nominee, as follows:

(i)

US$75 ,000 on or before the 30 th day subsequent to the Effective Date;

(ii)

US$50,000 on or before that date which is 6 months subsequent to the Effective Date;

(iii)

US$75,000 on or before that date which is 12 months subsequent to the Effective Date;

(iv)

US$75,000 on or before that date which is 18 months subsequent to the Effective Date;

(v)

US$75,000, plus US$25,000 for each License held in excess of three, on or before that date which is 24 months subsequent to the Effective Date;

(vi)

US$80,000, plus X, on or before that date which is 30 months subsequent to the Effective Date;

(vii)

US$100,000, plus X, on or before that date which is 36 months subsequent to the Effective Date;

 



- 4 -




(viii)

US$120,000, plus X, on or before that date which is 42 months subsequent to the Effective Date;

(ix)

US$140,000, plus X, on or before that date which is 48 months subsequent to the Effective Date;

(x)

US$160,000, plus X, on or before that date which is 54 months subsequent to the Effective Date;

(xi)

US$180,000, plus X, on or before that date which is 60 months subsequent to the Effective Date;  

where X equals the number resulting when US$25,000 is multiplied by Y, where Y equals the positive number obtained, if any, when 2 is subtracted from the number of Licenses forming part of the Property as of the date of such payment, provided, however, that a cash payment may be delayed by the Optionee if Tan Range has not obtained the required Wildlife and Forestry permits for the Optionee to undertake prospecting and exploration works for the 6 month period following the date corresponding to such payment (in which event, such payment shall be made upon receipt or renewal of such permit or permits).

(b)

incur Expenditures aggregating US$800,000 on or before the second anniversary of the Effective Date, as follows:

(i)

US$300,000 on or before the first anniversary of the Effective Date; and

(ii)

US$800,000 (in the aggregate) on or before the second anniversary of the Effective Date;

(c)

complete the following Diamond Drilling Metres on or before the fifth anniversary of the Effective Date:

(i)

6,000 Diamond Drilling Metres on or before the third anniversary of the Effective Date;

(ii)

8,000 Diamond Drilling Metres (in the aggregate) on or before the fourth anniversary of the Effective Date; and

(iii)

10,000 Diamond Drilling Metres (in the aggregate) on or before the fifth anniversary of the Effective Date; and

(d)

complete a Bankable Feasibility Report, and make a positive production decision, on or before the fifth anniversary of the Effective Date;

provided, however, that the performance by the Optionee of Expenditure, Diamond Drilling Metre and Bankable Feasibility Report obligations within the periods set out in Sections 3.1(b), 3.1(c) and 3.1(d) shall be dependent upon Tan Range obtaining the required Wildlife and Forestry permits for the Optionee to undertake prospecting, exploration and development activities. Should Tan Range fail to secure such permits such that the Optionee is hindered in its prospecting, exploration or development activities hereunder, then such failure shall constitute an Event of Force Majeure for purposes of Section 8.8.

 



- 5 -




Should the Optionee complete a Bankable Feasibility Report and make a positive production decision prior to the fifth anniversary of the Effective Date , then the provisions of Sections 3.1(a), (b) and (c) shall cease to have further effect.

4.

EXPENDITURES

4.1

If the Optionee has not incurred the requisite Expenditures in Section 3.1(b) to maintain the Option in good standing during any period, then the Optionee may pay to Tan Range, within 10 days following the expiry of such period, the amount of the deficiency and such amount shall thereupon be deemed to have been Expenditures incurred by the Optionee during such period. Tan Range understands and agrees that the amounts to be spent within the periods referred to in Section 3.1(b) are cumulative amounts and that, accordingly, Expenditures incurred in a particular period in excess of the amount of Expenditures required to be incurred to maintain the Option in good standing during such period shall be carried over and included in the aggregate amount of Expenditures for the next subsequent period or periods, as the case may be.

4.2

Within 60 days following each anniversary of the Effective Date, the Optionee shall deliver to Tan Range a statement showing in reasonable detail the Expenditures incurred by the Optionee during the annual period just expired (ending the last anniversary of the Effective Date) and the aggregate Expenditures incurred to the end of such period and Tan Range shall have 45 days from the time of receipt of such statement to question the accuracy thereof in writing, failing which such statement shall be deemed to be correct and unimpeachable thereafter. If a statement delivered pursuant to this Section 4.2 is questioned by Tan Range:

(a)

Tan Range shall have 60 days from the time of delivery of the statement to have the statement audited by a firm of international repute; and

(b)

the audited results shall be final and determinative of the amount of Expenditures incurred for the audited period;

provided that if such audit discloses a deficiency in the amount of Expenditures required to be incurred to maintain its option in good standing, then the Optionee may pay to Tan Range the amount of such deficiency within 30 days following receipt of notice of such audited results, whereupon such amount shall be deemed to have been Expenditures incurred during the audited period. The costs of the audit shall be borne by the Optionee if the statement shows a deficiency of greater than 5 %; otherwise the costs shall be borne by Tan Range.

5.

MINING ACTIVITIES


5.1

Should the Optionee exercise the Option, then Tan Range shall be entitled to the Royalty on the terms and condition of the Royalty Agreement attached as Schedule “C,” to which they agree to be bound. The Royalty shall be in addition to all other compensation provided hereunder.

5.2

The Optionee shall have the absolute discretion as to the manner in which Commercial Production shall be achieved, provided, however, that if the Mine is producing at a rate of less than 50,000 Gold Ounces on or before the eighth anniversary of the Effective Date, then the Optionee shall pay to Tan Range a sum equal to US$X, where X equals the result when the Gold Ounces are deducted from 50,000 and then multiplied by US$25.

 The Optionee shall use its best endeavours to keep the Property free and clear of all third party miners.

 



- 6 -




6.

OPERATIONS AND TERMINATION

6.1

During the Option Period, the following shall apply, subject to the laws of Tanzania and the terms and conditions of the Licenses:

(a)

The Optionee, along with its employees, agents and independent contractors, shall have the sole and exclusive right and option to:

(i)

enter upon the Property and have exclusive and quiet possession thereof;

(ii)

do such prospecting, exploration, development or other mining work thereon and thereunder as the Optionee in its sole discretion may consider advisable; and

(iii)

bring and erect upon the Property such facilities as the Optionee may consider advisable.

(b)

The Optionee shall:

(i)

conduct all work on or with respect to the Property in material compliance with all applicable federal, provincial and local laws, rules, orders and regulations, and indemnify and save Tan Range, as well as its directors, officers, employees and agents, harmless from any and all claims, suits or actions made or brought against them as a result of work done by the Optionee on or with respect to the Property;

(i)

provide Tan Range with a status report on a quarterly basis in respect of field operations, which report shall include all analyses, assay results and other factual information acquired or learned during such month;

(ii)

provide Tan Range with a technical report on a yearly basis within 60 days of each anniversary of the Effective Date, which report shall interpret all analyses, results and factual information acquired or learned during the annual period just expired (as of the last anniversary of the Effective Date);

(iii)

arrange for insurance in keeping with industry standards and, upon request, provide evidence of such insurance to Tan Range;

(iv)

provide Tan Range with draft copies of all pre-feasibility, feasibility and other studies or reports prepared by or for the benefit of the Optionee; and

(v)

make available to Tan Range such information as may be necessary, from time to time, to enable Tan Range to meet with investors or potential investors to describe operations on the Property and all results therefrom.


(c)

Tan Range and its respective authorized agents:

(i)

may enter upon the Property to inspect the Property and activities conducted by the Optionee thereon, provided reasonable notice is first given to the Optionee, the Optionee is then active on the Property and such inspections occur during normal business hours;

 



- 7 -




(ii)

shall keep the Property in good standing by the doing of all work and the filing of all necessary reports and by the doing of all other acts and things and making all other payments which may be necessary in that regard (including the timely renewal or reapplication for all Licenses and other forms of mineral properties embraced by the Property as and when required), provided all necessary cooperation and assistance in doing so is provided by Ashanti and, where applicable, the License holder and all reasonable expenses borne by Tan Range in doing so are reimbursed by Ashanti promptly upon notice with reasonable evidence thereof;

(iii)

shall make available to the Optionee and its representatives all records and files in the possession of either of them relating to the Property, and permit the Optionee and its representatives at its own expense to take abstracts therefrom and make copies thereof; and

(iv)

shall promptly provide the Optionee with any and all notices and correspondence from government agencies in respect of the Property; and

(d)

Tan Range and the Optionee each shall use its best efforts to keep the Property free and clear of all liens, charges and encumbrances.

6.2

If any party (a “Defaulting Party”) is in default of any requirement herein set forth, including those set forth in Section 3.1, the party affected by such default shall give written notice to the Defaulting Party specifying the default and the Defaulting Party shall not lose any rights under this Agreement should it cure the default within 30 days after the receipt of such notice of default by the appropriate performance.  If the Defaulting Party fails within such period to cure any such default, then:

(a)

Prior to the exercise of the Option where such Defaulting Party is the Optionee, the Option shall terminate; and

(b)

In all other circumstances, the affected party shall be entitled to seek any remedy it may have on account of such default, including a claim for damages or injunctive relief.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Optionee may terminate the Option at any time by giving 30 days advance notice in writing to Tan Range Subject to Clause 6.1.

6.3

In the event of the termination of the Option, the Optionee shall:

(a)

leave the Property in good standing for a minimum of three (3) months under all applicable legislation, free and clear of all liens, charges and encumbrances arising from this Agreement or its operations hereunder and in a safe and orderly condition;

(b)

deliver to Tan Range a comprehensive, interpretative report on all work carried out by the Optionee in a form in keeping with industry standards.

(c)

remove from the Property within three (3 ) months of the effective date of termination all facilities erected, installed or brought upon the Property by or at the instance of the Optionee, unless the consent of Tan Range is obtained to the contrary.

 



- 8 -




7.

TRANSFERS AND ASSIGNMENTS

7.1

No party (“Sellor”) shall sell, transfer, assign or otherwise dispose of (“Sell” or “Sale”) all or any portion of its right, title and interest in and to the Property or its rights and obligations under this Agreement (“Interest”), except:

(a)

Pursuant to an agreement in which the consideration is expressed in lawful money of Canada or the United States of America;

(b)

As a single transaction not directly or indirectly part of some other sale or purchase or agreement of any nature whatsoever; and,

(c)

Otherwise in accordance with this Section 7.

If the Sellor receives a bona fide offer from a third party to Sell all or any portion of its Interest (“Offered Interest”) and intends to accept such offer (the “Offer”), the Sellor, prior to accepting the Offer, shall give notice in writing to the other party (the “Potential Preemptor”) of the Offer together with a copy of the Offer, which shall be in written form (the “Notice’). A Notice shall be deemed to constitute an offer (“1 st Offer”) by the Sellor to the Potential Preemptor to Sell the Offered Interest on the terms and conditions set out in the Notice and shall be open for acceptance by the Potential Preemptor for a period of 60 days from the date of its receipt by the Potential Preemptor. Such Notice shall clearly identify the person or person making the Offer and include such information as is known by the Sellor about such person or persons. If the Potential Preemptor gives notice to the Sellor electing to accept the 1 st Offer within the 60 day period, such acceptance shall constitute a binding agreement of purchase and sale between the Sellor and the Potential Preemptor in respect of the Offered Interest on the terms and conditions set out in the Notice. If the Potential Preemptor does not accept the 1 st Offer within the 60 day period, the Sellor may complete a sale and purchase of the Offered Interest to the person or persons making the Offer on the terms and conditions set out in the Notice and such sale and purchase shall be completed within 100 days of the expiration of the right of the Potential Preemptor to accept the 1 st Offer provided for in this Section 7.1, failing which the Sellor must again comply with the provisions of this Section 7.1 in respect to a sale and purchase of the Offered Interest. Nothing in this Section 7 shall prevent a party from soliciting offers from third parties to purchase its Interest, provided, however, that no party shall make offers to third parties to Sell its Interest if the effect of such an offer would avoid the application of the provisions of this Section 7.1.

7.2

The Sellor may Sell all or any portion of its Interest to an Affiliate of the Sellor. For purposes of clarity, such sale, transfer, assignment or disposal is not subject to Section 7.1, provided, however, that if control over such Affiliate is immediately transferred to a third party or if such transactiion is merely an attempt at avoiding the provisions of Section 7.1, then the provisions of Section 7.1 shall be deemed to apply to such transaction and such transaction shall have no effect, unless the Potential Preemptor subsequently declines to exercise its right to acquire the Offered Interest pursuant to Section 7.1.

7.3

Should the Sellor Sell only a portion of its Interest to a third party (“New Party”), the Sellor and the New Party shall be deemed to be one continuing party for purposes of this Agreement and the Sellor shall be deemed to be such continuing party and shall act as an agent for the New Party hereunder.

7.4

This Agreement shall be binding upon and enure to the benefit of the parties’ successors and permitted assignees, provided, however, that any assignment by the Sellor of all or any portion of its rights or obligations hereunder shall include a provision whereby the New Party agrees to abide by the terms of this Agreement, including the provision of this Section 7, and assume all of the liabilities and obligations of the Sellor under this Agreement, whether accruing before or becoming due after such assignment. The Sellor and New Party shall execute such agreements or documents as may be reasonably required in this regard by the other party to this Agreement. No assignment shall serve to release or discharge the Sellor from any of the said liabilities or obligations, unless all of the rights and obligations of the Sellor have been assigned to the New Party and the other party has released the Sellor.

 



- 9 -



7.5

Subsequent to the exercise of the Option, Section 7.1 shall no longer have effect.

7.6

Notwithstanding the foregoing part of this Section 7 and in addition to the other obligations imposed upon the Optionee pursuant to this Section 7, the Optionee shall not Sell all or any portion of its Interest to a New Party, unless the New Party passes the Financial Test. The “Financial Test” shall be passed by the New Party where its:

(a)

assets net of liabilities are in excess of C$25,000,000; and

(b)

gross revenues are in excess of C$25,000,000;


and the New Party is not then contemplating bankruptcy, liquidation, dividends in-kind or any other transaction or event that would substantially affect its ability to assume the obligations hereunder.


7.8

For purposes of this Article 7, Tan Range Exploration Corporation, Tanzanian American International Development Corporation 2000 Limited and Tancan Mining Company Limited shall be treated as one party and Tan Range Exploration Corporation shall act as agent for the others.

7.9

It is understood and agreed that the transfer of control over the Optionee to a party that is not a shareholder of the Optionee at present (or does not have a sufficient shareholding to control the Optionee at present) will not constitute a Sale for purposes of this Article 7.


8.

GENERAL

8.1

Upon the exercise of the Option, Tan Range shall execute such documents as may be reasonably necessary to transfer the Property into the name of the Optionee, subject to the Underlying Agreements. Prior to the exercise of the Option, the Optionee and Tan Range shall take all such actions as may be necessary to notify applicable governmental agencies of this Agreement, and register the agreement with all applicable registries, and all costs in respect thereof shall be borne by the Optionee and constitute Expenditures.

8.2

The Optionee shall have the right at any time to remove from this Agreement any portion of the Property by delivering a notice to Tan Range, which notice shall list the license or other mineral property that the Optionee wishes to remove (“Infertile Property”). Infertile Property shall be in good standing for at least three months beyond the date of such notice and free and clear of all liens, charges and encumbrances arising from the operations of the Optionee

8.3

No party shall disclose Confidential Information to a third party, unless the disclosure is believed to be required by law or a regulatory authority having jurisdiction or the disclosure is consented to by the other party (“Non-Disclosing Party”); consent of the Non-Disclosing Party shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Where disclosure is believed to be required by law or a regulatory authority having jurisdiction, a copy of the information to be disclosed shall be provided to the Non-Disclosing Party in advance of its disclosure. Notwithstanding the foregoing:

(a)

either party may disclose Confidential Information to a bank or other financial institution for purposes of arranging financing or securing credit and to a third party that has

 



- 10 -



evidenced a bona fide interest in acquiring all or a portion of such party’s right, title or interest in or to the Property, provided such third party agrees in writing to keep such information confidential for a period of time of not less than two years; and

(b)

it is understood and agreed that a party shall not be liable to the other party for the fraudulent or negligent disclosure of information by any of its employees, agents or contractors, provided that such party has taken reasonable steps to ensure the preservation of the confidential nature of such information.

8.4

The parties hereto agree that they and each of them shall execute all documents and do all acts and things within their respective powers to carry out and implement the provisions and intent of this Agreement.

8.5

Any notice, direction or other communication required, permitted or otherwise given hereunder (“Communication”) shall be in writing and shall be delivered or mailed as follows:

(a)

if to Tan Range:


Tan Range Exploration Corporation

Suite 1730 – 355 Burrard Street

Vancouver, B.C., V6C 2G8

Attention :

Marek Kreczmer, President

Telecopier:

604-669-8915

(b)

if to the Optionee:


Ashanti Goldfields Company Limited
Gold House
Patrice Lumumba Road
PO Box 2665
Accra
Ghana


Attention: Peter Cowley, Managing Director
Telecopier:  +233-21-778-739 or 773-521

A Communication shall, if delivered, be deemed to have been given and received on the day it was delivered and, if mailed, be deemed to have been given and received on the fourth business day following the day of mailing, except in the event of a disruption of postal services in which event such notice shall be deemed to be received only when actually received. Any party may at any time give notice to the other parties of a change of address of the party giving such notice and, from and after the giving of such notice, the address or addresses therein specified (not to exceed two) shall be deemed to be the address of such party for the purpose of giving notice hereunder.

8.6

In this Agreement, headings have been inserted for ease of reference and may not accurately describe the provisions that follow them.  Consequently, headings shall not be used for purposes of interpreting this Agreement.

8.7

All references to monies hereunder are to funds of the United States of America.  All payments to be made to any party hereunder shall be mailed or delivered to such party at its address for notice purposes or to the account of such party at such bank or banks in Canada as such party may designate from time to time by notice. All payments to be made to Tan Range shall be made to Tan Range Exploration Corporation or its nominee.

 



- 11 -




8.8

Notwithstanding anything herein contained to the contrary, if either party is prevented from or delayed in performing any obligation under this Agreement by any cause, whether foreseeable or unforeseeable, beyond its reasonable control including without limiting the generality of the foregoing, acts of war or conditions arising out of or attributable to war, whether declared or undeclared, riot, civil strife, insurrection or rebellion, fire, explosion, earthquake, storm, flood or other adverse weather condition (an “Event of Force Majeure”), then the time for the observance of the condition or performance of the obligation in question shall be extended for a period equivalent to the period the Event of Force Majeure persists or remains in effect. A party claiming an Event of Force Majeure shall promptly notify the other party to that effect and shall take and continue to take all reasonable steps to remove or remedy the cause of the prevention or delay insofar as it is reasonably able to do so and as soon as possible.

8.9

This Agreement provides for an option only and nothing herein contained shall be construed as obligating the Optionee to do any acts or make any payment hereunder and any act or acts or payment or payments as shall be done or made hereunder shall not be construed as obligating the Optionee to do any further act or make any further payment.

8.10

No waiver of any breach of this Agreement shall be binding, unless evidenced in writing executed by the party against whom waiver is claimed.  Any waiver shall extend only to the particular breach so waived and shall not limit any rights with respect to any future breach. Time is of the essence of this Agreement.

8.11

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.  It supersedes and revokes all previous writings and all proposals, negotiations, representations, agreements, commitments and communications between the parties.  An amendment or variation of this Agreement shall only be binding upon a party if evidenced in writing and executed by that party.

9.

ARBITRATION

9.1

Any dispute or conflict between the parties concerning this Agreement, including an question regarding its existence, validity or termination, shall be referred to and finally resolved by arbitration under the rules of the London Court of International Arbitration, which rules are deemed to be incorporated herein by reference. The number of arbitrators shall be one, the place of hearing shall be London, England and the language used in the proceedings shall be English.

9.2

Resorting to arbitration shall not prevent the parties from directly petitioning a Court having jurisdiction for injunctive relief or special recourses.

9.3

The arbitrator shall have the power to make determinations with respect to the costs, expenses and fees which it may incur.  The parties waive their right to contest any decision of the arbitration tribunal in this regard and agree to pay any amounts so determined upon demand.

9.4

Unless the arbitration award provides otherwise, the arbitration costs shall be shared equally by the parties.

9.5

The terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with the laws of England


 



- 12 -





10.

CONDITION PRECEDENT

10.1

Subject to Section 10.2, this Agreement shall be conditional upon and effective as of the date upon which all of the third parties to the Underlying Agreements execute the Ashanti Benefits Agreement in form and substance to that set forth in Schedule “D” hereto.

10.2

Should Tan Range obtain some, but not all, of the requisite signatures contemplated in Section 10.1, then the parties hereto agree to negotiate in good faith for the purpose of modifying the terms hereof with a view to retaining the essence of the agreement contemplated between the parties.


If the foregoing terms and conditions, and the attached schedules which form a part of this Letter of Intent, accurately set out our mutual understandings, please indicate your acceptance by signing this letter where indicated below and returning to us the enclosed copy duly signed on or before 4:30 p.m. on  

June 30 2003.





Yours very truly,


Tan Range Exploration Corporation


Per:


Signed by Marek Kreczmer                           





Further agreed to by:


Tanzanian American International Development Corporation 2000 Limited


Per:


Signed by Joseph Kahama                             



And


Tancan Mining Company Limited


Per:


Signed by Marek Kreczmer                             






Terms and conditions approved as of the date first above written.


Ashanti Goldfields (Cayman) Limited


Per:

 

 

Signed by Trevor S. Schultz                           



- 13 -



SCHEDULE “A”

LICENSES AND UNDERLYING AGREEMENTS



Book No.

Current PL No.

Previous PL No.

License Owner

Area

(km 2 )

Interest earned at Vesting

15

2040/02

936/98

Tese Mining Co. Ltd.

83.99

51% Tanzam

16

1775/01

947/98

Bazo Enterprises & General Supplies

39.77

65% Tanzam

17

1796/01

1223/99

Afrigold Limited

84.00

65% Tanzam

18

 

1400/99

Martedo Ivestments Limited

34.28

65% Tanzam

19

 

1251/99

Tanzam 2000

147.00

100% Tanzam

20

1854/01

1180/98

Abby's Mining Co. Ltd.

154.30

65% Tanzam

24

1762/01

1192/98

Charles S. Shumbi

34.57

70% Tanzam

45

1853/01

66/92

Sigo Gems Limited

22.00

65% Tanzam

125

2019/02

 

Mega Deposit Explorers

495.10

90% Tancan




 



SCHEDULE “B”

DEFINED TERMS


Affiliate ” means, in respect of a party hereto, a corporation with which that party is affiliated within the meaning of section 1 of the Securities Act (Ontario).

Agreement ” means the letter agreement to which this Schedule is attached, including all written amendments and modifications hereof, and all schedules hereto.

Bankable Feasibility Report ” means a technical report to be prepared by the Optionee or a contractor or contractors employed by the Optionee for purposes of assessing the viability of establishing a Mine on the Property, which report shall be based upon the exploration and development work performed prior to the date of such report and which shall consider, in good faith, the following elements:

(a)

the results of such exploration and development work, including analyses of a proposal for mining Mineral Products; proposed mining, milling and production rates; a proposal for placement of facilities; a proposal for waste treatment and handling; the estimated recoverable reserves of Mineral Products, and the estimated mineral composition and content thereof; a general conceptual analysis of the permitting and environmental liability implications of the proposal; appropriate metallurgical tests to project the efficiency of proposed extraction, recovery and, if applicable, processing techniques; and such other analyses as deemed appropriate by the Optionee; and

(b)

general estimates of capital costs for the development and start-up of a Mine and, if proposed, of a mill and other processing and ancillary facilities, which cost estimates shall include:

(i)

reasonable estimates of all material expenditures required to purchase, construct and install all material, machinery, equipment and facilities and infrastructure (including contingencies) required to bring a Mine into Commercial Production;

(ii)

reasonable estimates of material expenditures required to perform all other related work required to commence Commercial Production of Mineral Products (including reasonable estimates of working capital requirements, if any);

(iii)

reasonable estimates of all other material direct and indirect expenditures and general and administrative expenses that may be required for an evaluation of the proposed production levels;

which capital cost estimates shall include a timing schedule showing the estimated time when all such material costs will likely be incurred;

(iv)

a general estimate of the annual expenditures required for the first year of operations after completion of the capital program described above, and for subsequent years of operations, including estimates of annual production, administrative, operating and maintenance expenditures, taxes (other than income taxes), working capital funding requirements, royalties (if any), material equipment leasing or material supply contract expenditures, expansion or modification of capital requirements, work commitments, and all other anticipated material costs of operations, which estimate shall also include a general estimate of the number of employees required to conduct operations;

(v)

a review of the nature, extent and rated capacity of the mining equipment and a proposed production schedule;


- 2 -

 

(vi)

a development plan showing the proposed development of all orebodies, with associated process facilities, waste disposal facilities, infrastructures and services and the timing thereof; and

(vii)

such other information as the Optionee deems appropriate.

(c)

“Commercial Production” shall be deemed to have commenced the first day following any period of 40 consecutive days during which ore has been processed in 30 of those 40 days at a rate of production equal to 66% of the initial design-rated capacity or, if no milling facilities are located on the Property, the first day following any period of 40 consecutive days during which ore has been produced from the Property on a reasonably regular basis for the purpose of earning profit.

(d)

Confidential Information ” means all information and data prepared by, provided to or acquired by a party, which is marked « Confidential » or is stated to be confidential or is by its nature intended to be confidential relating to the Property, and all analyses, compilations, data, studies, documents or other information derived therefrom, other than information or data which a party is able to establish: (i) was readily available to the public at the time such information was made available to that party; (ii) became readily available to the public after the time such information was made available to that party other than as a result of disclosure by a party in contravention of this Agreement; or (iii) became available to a party on a non-confidential basis from a third party provided such third party was not bound by confidentiality obligations relating thereto.

(e)

Construction ” means every kind of work carried out in accordance with a Bankable Feasibility Report to prepare the Property for production.

(f)

Diamond Drilling Metres ” means metres of diamond drilling, provided, however, that where drilling has been completed using techniques other than diamond drilling then the aggregate Expenditures incurred in respect of such drilling shall be divided by the then per metre cost of diamond drilling in such region to arrive at the number of Diamond Drilling Metres thereby completed.

(g)

Effective Date ” means the date upon which the Agreement shall be effective pursuant to Article 10 thereof.

(h)

Expenditures ” shall include all expenditures and costs made or incurred by the Optionee or its Affiliates or assigns relating directly or indirectly to the Property, including the Overhead Fee, but excluding expenditures and costs relating to head office management, regional offices not solely dedicated to the Property, technology and facilities held by the Optionee for general application in respect of its projects, professional services (including legal, accounting and tax advisors) and other matters normally considered to be covered by an overhead fee, provided, however, that where Expenditures are charged by an Affiliate of the Optionee for services rendered such Expenditures shall not exceed the fair market value of the services rendered.

(i)

Option ” has the meaning given thereto in Section 3.1.

(j)

Option Period ” means the period of time prior to the exercise of the Option.

(k)

Optionee ” means Ashanti Goldfields (Cayman) Limited.


- 3 -


(l)

Mine ” means the workings established and assets acquired, including development headings, plant and concentrator installations, infrastructure, housing, airport and other facilities, in order to bring the Property into Commercial Production.

(m)

Mineral Products ” means any and all ores, concentrates, dore and other products derived from the Property, directly or indirectly, whose value is principally dependent upon precious or base minerals, including gold, silver, platinum, palladium, nickel, copper and zinc, or diamonds.

(n)

Overhead Fee ” means 10% of all Expenditures (other than the Overhead Fee) during the period prior to the completion of a Bankable Feasibility Report and 3% of all Expenditures (other than the Overhead Fee) thereafter.

(o)

Property ” means the Licenses, along with all substitute and successor properties.

(p)

Royalty ” has the meaning given thereto in Schedule “C” attached to the Agreement.




SCHEDULE “C”

ROYALTY AGREEMENT


THIS AGREEMENT, DATED JU LY 21, 2003 ,

BETWEEN:

TAN RANGE EXPLORATION CORPORATION

- and -

ASHANTI GOLDFIELDS (CAYMAN) LIMITED


WITNESSETH THAT:


AND WHEREAS [Tan Range] and Ashanti Goldfields (Cayman) Limited agreed to enter into this Agreement (the “ Royalty Agreement ”) upon the exercise of an option granted to the latter by [Tan Range];


NOW, THEREFORE, the parties do hereby agree, in consideration for the sum of $2 (the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged), as follows:


1.

Grant of Royalty:         Ashanti Goldfields (Cayman) Limited (referred to as the “ Payor ,” collectively with its successors or assignees) hereby agrees to grant, transfer and convey to Tan Range (referred to as the “ Payee ,” collectively with its successors or assignees) a royalty (the “ Royalty ”) in respect of all Mineral Products that may be produced from the [property description] (“ Property ”). It is the parties’ intention that the Royalty be construed as an interest in land.

2.

Definitions :

The Royalty shall be calculated on a quarterly basis. The following words shall have the following meanings:

(i)

Commercial Production ” shall be deemed to have commenced the first day following any period of 40 consecutive days during which ore has been processed in 30 of those 40 days at a rate of production equal to 66% of the initial design-rated capacity or, if no milling facilities are located on the Property, the first day following any period of 40 consecutive days during which ore has been produced from the Property on a reasonably regular basis for the purpose of earning profit;

(ii)

Fair market value ” shall be determined by using, for gold, the quarterly average price of gold which shall be calculated by dividing the sum of all London Bullion Market Association P.M. Gold Fix prices reported for the month in question by the number of days for which such prices were quoted and, for silver, the monthly average price of silver, which shall be calculated by dividing the sum of all New York Commodity Exchange (“ COMEX ”) prices reported for silver quoted by and at the closing of COMEX for the month in question by a number of days for which such prices were quoted, less, in each case, an amount reasonably equivalent to the deductions permitted by section 2(vii);  fair market value for all other Mineral Products shall be determined by reference to the monthly average price of such commodity as quoted on the London Metal Exchange or, should such exchange not provide a quotation for the relevant mineral product, a similarly transparent commodity market, less, in either case, an amount reasonably equivalent to the deductions permitted by section 2(vii);


- 2 -


(iii)

Gross Revenue ” shall mean the aggregate of the following amounts received in each monthly period from Sales:

(A)

all revenue received by the Payor in such period from Sales; and

(B)

any proceeds of insurance received in such period due to losses or damages in respect to Mineral Products;


provided, that no such revenues or proceeds arising from activities prior to the commencement of Commercial Production shall give rise to Gross Revenue;

(iv)

Maintenance Shutdowns ” shall mean any period of time during which production of Mineral Products has ceased from the Property due to maintenance, capital equipment alterations or other similar reasons, other than those periods of time exceeding 20 consecutive days of shutdown time;

(v)

Mineral Products ” shall mean any and all ores, concentrates, dore and other products derived from the Property, directly or indirectly, whose value is principally dependent upon precious or base minerals, including gold, silver, platinum, palladium, nickel, copper and zinc, or diamonds;

(vi)

“Net Smelter Returns” shall mean Gross Revenue less all Permissible Deductions in respect of Mineral Products derived from the Property;

(vii)

Permissible Deductions ” shall mean the aggregate of the following charges (to the extent not previously deducted or accrued in computing Gross Revenue) that are paid in each monthy period:

(A)

sales charges levied by any arms length sales agent in respect to the Sale of Mineral Products;

(B)

transportation costs incurred in respect to the transportation of Mineral Products from the Property to the place of beneficiation, processing or treatment including shipping, freight, handling and forwarding expenses;

(C)

all costs, expenses and charges of any nature whatsoever which are either paid or incurred by the Payor in connection with the refinement or beneficiation of Mineral Products after leaving the Property, including all weighing, sampling, assaying and representation costs, metal losses, any umpire charges and any penalties charged by the processor, refinery or smelter;

(D)

all insurance costs in respect of Mineral Products; and

(E)

all government mineral royalties prescribed by law;

but,

(F)

excluding, for purposes of clarity, any milling costs and royalties or other payments payable to third parties;

provided that where a cost or expense otherwise constituting a Permissible Deduction is incurred by the Payor in a transaction with a party with whom it is not dealing at arm’s length (as that term is defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada)), such costs or expenses


may be deducted, but only as to the lesser of the actual cost incurred by the Payor or the fair market value thereof considering the time of such transaction and under all the cir­cumstances thereof;

(viii)

Property ” shall include all forms of mineral title into which the Property may be converted by process of law or otherwise, including mining agreements and leases;

(ix)

Royalty ” shall mean the following percentage of Net Smelter Returns depending upon the applicable Gold Price:

Gold Price

Percentage of Net Smelter Returns Payable as Royalty


Below $250.0

0.5%

$250 - $269.9

0.7%

$270 - $289.9

0.8%

$290 - $309.9

0.9%

$310 - $329.9

1.0%

$330 - $339.9

1.1%

      

$340 - $349.9

1.2%

   

$350 - $359.9

1.3%

$360 - $369.9

1.4%

$370-  $379.9

1.5%

above $380.0

2.0%   and


 

(x)

“Sales” shall mean sales of Mineral Products, provided , however, that where Mineral Products have been produced from the Property and not sold within a period of 90 days then such Mineral Products will be deemed to have been sold and the Fair Market Value thereof shall be used for determining the Net Smelter Returns therefrom.

3.

Payment Timing .

The Royalty shall be calculated and paid within 30 days after the end of eachquarter . Settlement sheets, if any, and a statement setting forth calculations in sufficient detail to show how the payment was derived (the “ Statement ”) shall be submitted with the payment. In the event that final amounts required for the calculation of the Royalty are not available within the time period referred to in this section 3, then provisional amounts shall be established, the Royalty shall be paid on the basis of such provisional amounts and positive or negative adjustments shall be made to the payment within the following 30 days, as necessary. All Royalty payments shall be considered final and in full satisfaction of all obligations of the Payor with respect thereto, unless the Payee delivers to the Payor a written notice (the “ Objection Notice ”) describing and setting forth a specific objection to the calculation thereof within 360 days after receipt by the Payee of the Statement or revised Statement, as the case may be.  If the Payee objects to a particular Statement as herein provided, the Payee shall, for a period of 90 days after the Payor’s receipt of such Objection Notice, have the right, upon reasonable notice and at a reasonable time, to have the Payor’s accounts and records relating to the calculation of the Royalty in question audited by the auditors of the Payee.  If such audit determines that there has been a deficiency or an excess in the payment made to the Payee, such deficiency or excess will be resolved by adjusting the next quarterly Royalty payment(s) due hereunder.  The Payee shall pay all the costs and expenses of such audit unless a deficiency of 5 % or more of the amount due is determined to exist; otherwise the Payor shall pay such costs. All books and records used and kept by the Payor to calculate the Royalty due hereunder shall be kept in accordance with industry standard accepted accounting principles.  Failure on the part of the Payee to make claim against the Payor for adjustment in such 360 day period by delivery of an Objection Notice shall conclusively establish the correctness and sufficiency of the Statement and Royalty payment for such month.


- 4 -


4.

Right to Take in Kind :

The Payee may give notice to the Payor at any time indicating its desire to receive the Royalty in the form of one of the Mineral Products produced from the Property, provided:


(i)

the Payor does not have to comply with this provision for a period of 12 months;


(ii)

the Payor may stockpile Royalty taken in kind on the Property and, upon such stockpiling, title and risk shall transfer to the Payee; and


(iii)

the Payee shall bear all costs of insurance, storage, transportation, treatment and any other costs incurred subsequent to it taking title thereto.


5.

Registration Against Title :

The Payor shall register the Royalty against title to the Property and the Payee shall execute any necessary documentation to this effect. The Payor shall ensure that notice of the Royalty is maintained against title to the Property at all times. Should the Payor fail to comply with the terms of this section 5, the Payee may register notice of the Royalty on title and all costs associated therewith, including costs in respect of legal counsel, shall be borne by the Payor.

6.

Reversionary Interest Upon Default :

Should the Payor fail to pay the Royalty in accordance with this Royalty Agreement (“ Default ”), then the Payee may give notice to the Payor (“ Default Notice ”). Within 10 days of its receipt of a Default Notice, the Payor may deny the Default and refer the matter to its auditors for review or, alternatively, acknowledge the Default. Should the Payor refer a Default to its auditors, it shall provide them with all material information necessary to determine whether or not a Default has occurred. The auditors shall report on any Default within a period of 90 days. Should:

(i)

the Payor acknowledge a Default (or fail to respond to a Default Notice within the requisite 10 day period), but fail to correct the Default within a period of 30 days following a Default Notice;

(ii)

the auditors report that a Default has occurred, but the Payor fail to correct the Default within a period of 30 days following such report; or

(iii)

the auditors fail to report within a period of 90 days after being referred a Default and the Payor fail, within a further 30 days, to commence proceedings before a court for relief from such failure;

then the Payee may give notice (“ Vesting Notice ”) to the Payor that it wishes to have the Property transferred to it. In addition, the Payee shall have the right to give a Vesting Notice at any time after the thirtieth anniversary (30 th ) of this Royalty Agreement. Upon receipt of a Vesting Notice, the Payor and the Payee shall execute documentation granting, transferring and conveying all of the Payor’s right, title and interest in and to the Property to the Payee. The Payor hereby appoints the Payee its attorney, and grant the Payee all necessary powers of attorney, to effect such grant, transfer and conveyance on its behalf.  The Payee may forfeit and abandon its reversionary rights and interest upon notice to the Payor at any time.

7.

Failure to Produce :

Should the Payor commence Commercial Production, but then cease to produce Mineral Products from the Property for a cumulative period of time equal to 60 months, whether or not consecutive, but excluding Maintenance Shutdowns:

(i)

the Payor shall forfeit the Property to the Payee (at the Payee’s election); and


- 5 -


(ii)

the provisions of section 6 hereof shall apply mutatis mutandis with respect to such forfeiture.




8.

Hedging and Related Trading :

All profits and losses resulting from the Payor engaging in any commodity futures trading, option trading, metals trading, gold loans or any combination thereof, and any other hedging transactions with respect to Mineral Products (collectively, “ Hedging Transactions ”) are specifically excluded from calculations of the Royalty pursuant to this Royalty Agreement, it being understood by the parties that both the Payor and Payee may engage in speculative hedging trading activities for their own account.  All Hedging Transactions by the Payor and all profits or losses associated therewith, if any, shall be solely for the Payor’s account, irrespective of whether or not Mineral Products are delivered in fulfilment of such obligations.  When necessary to give effect to the provisions of this section 8, Gross Revenue from Mineral Products subject to Hedging Transactions by the Payor shall be determined by reference to the Fair Market Value of such Mineral Products.

9.

Commingling :

No commingling of the Mineral Products may occur with products produced from other properties without the consent of the Payee.

10.

Transfers of Property :

The Payor shall not grant, transfer or convey the whole or any portion of its right, title and interest in and to the Property (“ Interest ”) to a third party (“ New Party ”), unless the New Party enters into an agreement with the Payee and Payor agreeing to assume, jointly and severally with the Payor, the obligations of the Payor hereunder. Where the Payor is transferring all of its Interest to a New Party, the Payor may request that the Payee release the Payor from its obligations hereunder, which request may be unreasonably refused unless the New Party passes the Financial Test. The “ Financial Test ” shall be passed by the New Party where its:

(i)

assets net of liabilities are in excess of C$25,000,000; and


(ii)

gross revenues are in excess of C$25,000,000;


and the New Party is not then contemplating bankruptcy, liquidation, dividends in-kind or any other transaction or event that would substantially affect its ability to assume the obligations hereunder. In no event shall the Payor be granted a royalty or other interest in the nature of rent or royalty from the Property upon a grant, transfer or conveyance to a New Party. For purposes of clarity, neither party owes the other a right of first refusal or any other pre-emptive right and, subject to the terms of this Royalty Agreement, each is free to grant, transfer or convey all or any portion of its Interest, or its rights under this Royalty Agreement, to a third party.


11.

Abandonment :

The Payor shall be obligated to maintain the Property in good standing. Should the Payor wish to abandon the Property or any portion thereof (the “ Infertile Property ”) it shall give notice to the Payee (“ Notice of Infertility ”) at least three (3) months prior to the date upon which the Infertile Property would cease to be in good standing. Upon receipt of a Notice of Infertility, the Payee may give notice to the Payor (“ Notice of Transfer ”) electing to have transferred to the Payee the Infertile Property that the Payor no longer wishes to retain. The Payee shall be responsible for all such transfer costs. Should the Payee fail to give a Notice of Transfer to the Payor within 30 days of its receipt of a Notice of Infertility or fail to pay for all transfer costs when required, then the Payor may abandon the Infertile Property without any liability whatsoever to the Payee. In the event that the Payor abandons Infertile Property and either the Payor or any of its affiliates subsequently acquires an interest, direct or indirect, in the Infertile Property, then the Payor shall be liable to the Payee hereunder as if the Infertile Property continued to form part of the Property hereunder.


1 2.

Notices:

    All notices, statements, reporting documents and other communications required, permitted or otherwise given hereunder (“ Notices ”) shall be deemed to have been properly given if delivered by registered mail, postage prepaid, to each of the parties at the following addresses:


- 6 -

 

 

 

 

            

Tan Range:

Suite 1730 – 355 Burrard Street

Vancouver, B.C., V6C 2G8

Attention :

Marek Kreczmer, President

Telecopier:

604-669-8915


Ashanti Goldfields Company Limited:

Gold House
Patrice Lumumba Road
PO Box 2665
Accra
Ghana



Attention:

Peter Cowley, Managing Director
Telecopier:        233-21-778-739 or 773-521

 

 


 

 

or such other address or addresses (not to exceed two) as a party may in writing designate. Every Notice so given shall be deemed to be received on the fourth day of business following the date of mailing or the first day of business following the date of a facsimile transmission, provided that (i) in the event of an interruption of postal service at any time prior to the deemed receipt of any Notice sent by mail such Notice shall be deemed to be received on the fourth business day following the resumption of normal postal service, unless earlier delivered or actually received, and (ii) any Notice sent by facsimile transmission shall be followed within one day by a Notice sent by mail.


1 3.

Interpretation :

This Royalty Agreement shall be governed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of Englan d and, subject to section 14, the parties hereby  submit to the jurisdiction of English Courts . In this Royalty Agreement, headings have been inserted for ease of reference and may not accurately describe the provisions that follow them.  Consequently, headings shall not be used for purposes of interpreting this Royalty Agreement. This Royalty Agreement constitutes the whole of this agreement concerning the payment of royalty to the Payee and replaces any prior agreements between the parties with respect thereto. There are no warranties, representations or other agreements between the parties in connection with Royalty, except as specifically set forth herein. In this Royalty Agreement, the singular encompasses the plural and vice versa , and the masculine encompasses the feminine and vice versa .


1 4.

Arbitration :

The parties hereto shall endeavour to resolve any dispute or interpretative issue arising in relation to this Royalty Agreement amicably and without recourse to the courts. Subject to section 3 and failing such resolution, any dispute concerning this Royalty Agreement, including the failure to pay Royalty or the computation of Royalty, shall be determined by an independent technical arbitrator to be chosen by the President of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IMMM) of the United Kingdom or his or her nominee. Such arbitrator shall be a person:


(i)

experienced in conducting arbitration proceedings; and


(ii)

familiar with mining concepts and processes.


The arbitrator shall be appointed within a period of 60 days of either party giving notice to the President of the IMMM , which notice shall be copied to the other party; failing which, either party may apply for the appointment of same. The arbitrator shall forthwith establish procedural rules to govern the conduct of the arbitration taking into account the significance of the issues in dispute and the intention of the parties in entering into this Royalty Agreement that arbitration be concluded as quickly as possible. In all cases, the arbitrator shall seek to resolve disputes within a period of 45 days.


 

- 7 -

 

 


15.

Diamonds :


For the purpose of this Royalty Agreement, “2% Gross Overriding Royalty” shall mean:


(i)

2% (two percent) of the gross sales revenue (i.e. gross proceeds) derived from the sale of diamonds produced or originating from the Property after sortiing, cleaning and polishing; or,


(ii)

2% (two percent) of the diamonds produced from the Property after sorting, cleaning and polishing, which in kind delivery shall be representative of the sizes and colours of all diamonds produced during the relevant time period, which shall be confirmed by an independent party mutually agreed upon by the parties;


but not both.  The Payee shall be entitled to elect on or before November 30 of each applicable calendar year after the commencement of Commercial Production whether or not to receive payment of the 2% Gross Overriding Royalty pursuant to Section 15(i) or (ii); failing any such election, payment shall be made pursuant to Section 15(i).The provisions of Sections 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 of this Royalty Agreement shall apply mutatis mutandis with respect to the 2% Gross Overriding Royalty.




SIGNED, SEALED AND DELIVERED THIS 21ST DAY OF JULY, 2003.

Tan Range Exploration Corporation

Per:  

SIGNED

  c/s

Per:  

SIGNED

  c/s

Ashanti Goldfields(Cayman) Limited

Per:  

SIGNED

  c/s

Per:  

SIGNED

  c/s




SCHEDULE “D”

ASHANTI BENEFITS AGREEMENT

Whereas Tanzanian American International Development Corporation 2000 Limited (“Tanzan”) entered into an agreement (“1999 Agreement”) with [OWNER] on [DATE] for the purpose of advancing exploration, and potentially development and production, activities on [PL NO.] (“Property”);


And Whereas Tanzam undertook in the 1999 Agreement to seek potential joint venture associations that might accelerate such activities and has now advanced the Property to the point that Ashanti Goldfields (Cayman) Limited (“Ashanti”) is prepared to assist in such activities;


Now therefore the parties do hereby agree as follows:


1.

Tanzam and [Owner] agree to permit Ashanti to:


(a)

access, explore, develop and produce minerals from the Property, as determined by Ashanti in its sole discretion; and


(b)

obtain a 100% right, title and interest in and to the Property;


subject only to such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon by Ashanti and Tanzam.


1.

Tanzam shall remain responsible for maintaining the Property in good standing and preparing all reports required under the Mining Act, 1998 , [ as well as all annual payments required to be made to the [Owner] in the 1999 Agreement ]. [ Language required in Sigo agreement.]


2.

Should Tanzam become entitled to any royalty payments in respect of the Property, then Tanzam hereby agrees to share such payments with [Owner], as follows:


(a)

[65%] as to Tanzam; and


(b)

[35%] as to [Owner].


Tanzam shall have a 60 day right of first refusal in the event of any intended sale of such royalty interest by [Owner].


4.

The parties agree that the Property shall be governed by the terms of this Agreement without regard to any prior agreements so long as Ashanti (or any successor or assignee thereof) has any rights to or interest in the Property.


5.

Tanzanian law shall be applied and Tanzanian courts shall have jurisdiction with respect to this Ashanti Benefits Agreement.



DATED THIS ____________ DAY OF ___________________, 2003


Ashanti Goldfields (Cayman) Limited

[Owner]



__________________________________



per:_______________________________



Tanzanian American International Development Corporation 2000 Limited



__________________________________



per:_______________________________














                 

 

 

March 18, 2003


Northern Mining Explorations Ltd.

Place du Canada

1010, de la Gauchetiere Street West

Suite M-110

Montreal, Quebec

Canada H3B 2N2


Attn:  Mr. Carlos H. Bertoni, CEO


Dear Sirs:


RE:    Amendment to Letter of Intent dated January 20, 2003


This will confirm that the Letter of Intent between Northern Mining Explorations Ltd. (the "Optionee") and Tan Range Exploration Corporation for an Option to acquire from Tanzanian American International Development Corporation 2000 ("Tanzam 2000"), Kabahelele Mining Company Limited ("Kabahelele") and Tancan Mining Company Limited ("Tancan") (collectively the "Optionors") dated January 20, 2003 is hereby amended as follows:


(a)

By adding the interest of the Optionors in Prospecting License PL 1319/99 ("PL 1319/99"), located in Tanzania, a copy of which is attached hereto as Schedule "A".   We confirm that Tanzam 2000 holds an option to acquire a 70% undivided interest in PL 1319/99 pursuant to a Prospecting and Mining Option Agreement with Zahabu Investment Limited ("Zahabu") dated June 25, 1999, a copy of which is attached hereto as Schedule "B";


(b)

By amending paragraph 3.2 to read:  "In consideration of the grant of the Option, the Optionee agrees to pay to the Optionor the sum of Seventy Thousand Dollars ($70,000) immediately upon execution of the Letter of Intent by the Optionee and in consideration of the grant of the Option of PL 1319/99, the Optionee agrees to pay to the Optionor the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) immediately upon execution of the Amendment to Letter of Intent by the Optionee.";


(c)

By amending paragraph 4.1.4 table as attached hereto;




(d)

By amending PL Appl. No. 590 ("PL 590") to correctly read PL Appl. No. 594 ("Appl. 594").


1.

This Amendment to the Letter of Intent shall be deemed to be incorporated in and to form part of the said Letter of Intent dated January 20, 2003 and which said PL 1319/99 shall be included in and referred to under the same terms and conditions as the Letter of Intent, which, except as amended by this Amendment, shall continue in full force and effect.


Kindly indicate your acceptance of the foregoing by signing and returning one copy of this Amendment to Letter of Intent together with your payment of $10,000 in consideration of the grant of the option of PL 1319/99.


TAN RANGE EXPLORATION CORPORATION




Per:

Signed by Marek Kreczmer


MAREK J. KRECZMER

President



AGREED AND ACCEPTED THIS   16th

 DAY OF   April    , 2003.



NORTHERN MINING EXPLORATIONS LTD.




Per:

Signed by Paul A. Girard for:


CARLOS BERTONI, C.E.O.





4.1.4


Date of Completion

Payment to Optionors

Re:

PL 1319/99

Payment to

Optionors Re:

PL 427/96

Payment to

Optionors Re:

 PL 1452/00

Payment  to Optionors Re:

PL 1946/02

Payment to Optionors Re:

Appl. 594

Payment to

Optionors Re:

PL 1269/99

Payment to

Optionors

Re:

PL 1275/99

Payment to

Optionors

Re:

PL 1218/99

Payment to

Optionors

Re:

 PL 1947/02

Exploration and Development Expenditures

Drilling Requirement

December 31,2003

$20,000

$20,000

$20,000

$20,000

$20,000

$20,000

$20,000

$20,000

$20,000

$200,000+

 

December 31,2004

$30,000

$30,000

$30,000

$30,000

$30,000

$30,000

$30,000

$30,000

$30,000

$250,000+

 

December 31,2005

$40,000

$40,000

$40,000

$40,000

$40,000

$40,000

$40,000

$40,000

$40,000

$300,000+

17,000m RAB or 7,000m RC or 3,500m DD

December 31,2006

$50,000

$50,000

$50,000

$50,000

$50,000

$50,000

$50,000

$50,000

$50,000

$350,000+

20,000m RAB or 8,500m RC or   4,600m DD

December 31,2007

$60,000

$60,000

$60,000

$60,000

$60,000

$60,000

$60,000

$60,000

$60,000

$400,000+

23,000m RAB or 10,000m RC or 5,400m DD


TOTAL


$200,000


$200,000


$200,000


$200,000


$200,000


$200,000


$200,000


$200,000


$200,000


$1,500,000

 





 


OPTION AGREEMENT



1.

PARTIES:


This Option Agreement ("this Agreement"), dated December 14, 2001 is between:


1.1

TANZAM 2000 LIMITED (hereinafter referred to as "the OWNER"), incorporated in the United Republic of Tanzania and having an office at 8th Floor, PPF House, Samora Avenue/Morogoro Road, Dar es Salaam, and


1.2

BARRICK EXPLORATION AFRICA LIMITED (hereinafter referred to as "BEAL"), incorporated in the United Republic of Tanzania and having an office at 2nd Floor, International House, Garden Avenue, Dar es Salaam.


2.

NATURE OF MINERAL RIGHTS


2.1

The OWNER is the holder of, or has agreements with the holders of ("Underlying Agreements", as further defined herein), certain mineral rights granted under the Prospecting Licences identified in Exhibit A issued by the Government under, or pending re-issuance under, the Mining Act, 1998 (the "Prospecting Licences", as further defined herein). The Prospecting Licences, subject to the Underlying Agreements, give the OWNER the exclusive right to prospect for metalliferous and certain other minerals within the areas covered by the Prospecting Licences.


2.2

BEAL wishes to hold an option to acquire the total rights, titles, and interests in the Prospecting Licences held by the OWNER, including all of the OWNER's rights, titles, and interests in and under the Underlying Agreements as to the Prospecting Licences, and the OWNER is willing to grant such option to BEAL in accordance with the terms hereof.


2.3

The OWNER and BEAL have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding dated June 15, 2001 ("Memorandum") as to the Prospecting Licences, and desire that such Memorandum be superseded by this Agreement.


3.

DEFINITIONS AND TERMINOLOGY


In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms and expressions shall bear the meanings assigned to them:


"Affilliate": any person or entity that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with a Party. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the word "control" shall mean possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause direction of management and policies through ownership of voting securities, contract, voting trust, or otherwise.


"this Agreement": this Option Agreement, as it may be amended or modified from time to time, and all exhibits to it.


"Anniversary Year": the annual period between Commencement Date and the first anniversary of the Commencement Date and each annual period thereafter between an anniversary of the Commencement Date and the next anniversary of the Commencement Date.


“Applications": the pending applications identified in Exhibit A pursuant to which certain Original Owners have applied to the Minister for the conversion of previously existing prospecting licences into prospecting licences governed by the Mining Act, 1998.




2




"BEAL": Barrick Exploration Africa Limited and its successors and assigns as to this Agreement.


"Commercial Production Date": the first day of the calendar month following the first calendar month when the average daily production of Mineral Products to be shipped from the site of a mine and ore treatment facilities constructed by or on behalf of BEAL or its Affiliates on the Properties reaches 70% of the average daily production that is expected in accordance with the design capacity of such mine and related treatment facilities. For example, if a mine and related treatment facilities are designed to produce 1,000 ounces of dore gold per day, then the Commercial Production Date would occur on the first day of the month following the month when the average daily production of such dore gold reaches 700 ounces. If due to economic considerations BEAL elects to use pre-existing ore treatment facilities constructed by BEAL or its Affiliates to process ores recovered from a mine on the Properties, the Commercial Production Date will be the day of first throughput of such ores at such facilities.


"Commencement Date": the date set forth in the heading of this Agreement.


"Encumbrance" or "Encumbrances": mortgages, charges, deeds of trust, security interests, pledges, liens, royalties, overriding royalty interests, preferential purchase rights, or other encumbrances or burdens of any nature whether imposed by contract or operation of law.


"Expenditures": all operating and capital costs incurred by BEAL or its Affiliates in connection with the exploration, evaluation, development, and maintenance of the Properties, which shall include, but not be limited to, all expenses incurred by BEAL or its Affiliates in maintaining and exercising rights under the Prospecting Licences and the Underlying Agreements and exploring and evaluating the Properties, including without limitation, payments to the Government required to maintain the Prospecting Licences, payments to the Original Owners required to maintain the Underlying Agreements, costs of preparing and filing reports to the Minister as required under the Prospecting Licences, salaries, wages and benefits of employees of BEAL or its Affiliates in respect of work performed on the project, costs of equipment and supplies, payments to contractors, governmental fees and taxes (except income taxes), costs of obtaining permits and complying with environmental requirements, costs of feasibility and engineering studies and evaluations, costs incurred in acquiring and maintaining necessary related property rights and agreements, costs of other related activities and operations, and a charge of 10% of the costs set forth above to cover general and administrative overhead costs incurred by BEAL and its Affiliates. Charges by contractors or other third parties shall be credited as Expenditures on the basis of actual payments made by BEAL. Charges for wages and benefits of employees of BEAL or its Affiliates in respect of work performed on the project shall be apportioned based upon the percentage of total work performed by such employees during the relevant period that is represented by work on the project. Charges for equipment and facilities owned by BEAL or its Affiliates used for the project shall not exceed commercial rates available from third party providers of similar equipment or facilities.


"Government": the United Republic of Tanzania.


"Held Prospecting Licences":  Prospecting Licences held directly by the OWNER or BEAL.


"Minerals": the base and/or precious metals or industrial minerals or any mineral matter being the subject of the Prospecting Licences and any mining licences issued in respect thereof.


"Mineral Products": marketable products produced after the extraction and treatment of ores or other Mineral bearing substances produced from a mine on the Properties.




3




"Mining Act, 1998": Act No.5 of 1998 passed by the National Assembly of the Government on the 23rd day of April, 1998, as amended.


"Minister": Minister of Energy and Minerals of the Government.


"Net Smelter Returns": is defined in Exhibit C.


"Option": the exclusive option granted to BEAL in clause 5.2 to acquire the totality of the OWNER's direct and indirect rights, titles, and interests in and to the Prospecting Licences.


"Option Period": the time period beginning on the Commencement Date and ending at 5 :00 P.M. in Dar es Salaam on the twentieth anniversary of the Commencement Date.


"Original Owners": the parties other than the OWNER to the Underlying Agreements


"the OWNER": Tanzam 2000 Limited and its successors and assigns as to this Agreement.


"Parties": the OWNER and BEAL.


"Party": the OWNER or BEAL.


"Production Decision": a decision by the Board of Directors of BEAL, or of the parent company of BEAL, to construct a mine and related facilities for the production of Mineral Products at a location anywhere on the Properties.


"Properties": the land areas described in and covered by any Prospecting Licences that remain subject to this Agreement.


"Prospecting Licences": the Prospecting Licences described in Exhibit A, including Held Prospecting Licences and Untransferred Prospecting Licences, and renewals and conversions thereof, and any prospecting licences, retention licences, or mining licences issued in replacement or substitution of such Prospecting Licences.


"Relinquished Prospecting Licence": is defined in clause 6.2.


"Retained Prospecting Licence": is defined in clause 6.2.


"Retention Notice": is defined in clause 6.2.


"Royalty": is defined in clause 7.2.


"Transfer": means a transfer of a Prospecting Licence from the holder thereof to another party. For purposes of this Agreement, a Transfer shall be deemed to have been made when a transfer document in customary form has been either delivered from the transferor to the transferor or deposited with the Minister.


"Underlying Agreements": means the agreements between the OWNER and the Original Owners identified in Exhibit A under which the OWNER holds an interest in the Prospecting Licences covered thereby.




4



"Untransferred Prospecting Licences": Prospecting licences that are subject to Underlying Agreements but have not been transferred to the OWNER or BEAL by the Original Owner, including Prospecting licences as to which Applications have been filed and the new prospecting licences to be issued after such Applications have been approved by the Minister.


4.

INTERPRETATION


4.1

In this Agreement, the headings to the clauses shall be deemed to have been included for the purpose of convenience only and shall not govern the interpretation hereof.


4.2

In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following shall apply:


4.2.1

The singular shall be deemed to include the plural;


4.2.2

A natural person shall be deemed to include a body corporate and vice versa;


4.2.3

When any number of days is prescribed such number shall exclude the first and include the last day, unless the last day falls on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday in the United Republic of Tanzania, in which case the last day shall be the next succeeding day which is not a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday in the United Republic of Tanzania;


4.2.4

A reference to an enactment shall be a reference to that enactment as at the date of signature hereof and as amended or re-enacted from time to time; and


4.2.5

References to "clauses" and "Exhibits" refers to clauses and Exhibits of this Agreement unless otherwise specifically stated.


5.

INITIAL PAYMENTS; GRANT OF OPTION; TRANSFER OF LICENCES; REGISTRATIONS


5.1

Upon the execution of this Agreement BEAL shall pay the OWNER the sum of US$100.00.


5.2

Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the OWNER grants to BEAL the exclusive option ("Option") to acquire the entirety of the OWNER's rights, titles, and interests in and to the Prospecting Licences, whether held directly as Held Prospecting Licences or indirectly under the Underlying Agreements as Untransferred Prospecting Licences. The Option may be exercised by BEAL during the Option Period as provided in clause 6.6.


5.3

5.3.1

The OWNER shall forthwith after this Agreement is signed by the Parties execute and file with the Minister, or deliver to DEAL for filing with the Minister, documentation in form acceptable to DEAL by which the OWNER Transfers the Held Prospecting Licences to DEAL. DEAL shall pay the nominal fees required for filing the Transfers with the Minister.


5.3.2

The OWNER shall forthwith after delivery of a written request by BEAL execute and deliver to BEAL an assignment in the form attached hereto as Exhibits B-1 or B-2, as applicable, of all of the OWNER's interests in the Underlying Agreement or Agreements designated by BEAL in such request. Such requests may be made by BEAL from time to time in respect of any Prospecting Licences that remain subject to this Agreement when the request is made. A separate assignment shall be made in respect of each Prospecting Licence designated by BEAL in such a request. An assignments shall be a partial




5


                        assignment using the form attached as Exhibit B-2 if the applicable Underlying Agreement relates to a Prospecting Licence or to other prospecting licences in addition to the Prospecting Licence being assigned to BEAL by such assignment. The OWNER in cooperation with BEAL shall obtain consents of the Original Owners to such assignments as indicated in Exhibits B-1 and B-2 unless BEAL at its sole discretion waives the requirement for such consent as to any of such assignments.


5.4

Forthwith upon the request of BEAL, the OWNER shall register, or cause the registration of, all or any portion of the Underlying Agreements and prior assignments thereof or of the Prospecting Licences pursuant to Section 105(1)(a) of the Mining Act, 1998.


6.

MAINTENANCE OF OPTION RIGHTS; EXERCISE OF OPTION.


6.1

In order to retain its Option rights, and not as an obligation, BEAL must incur not less than the cumulative sum of US$250,000 in Expenditures in respect of the Properties during the first Anniversary Year. Such Expenditures may relate to exploration operations by BEAL at any location or locations within the Properties, as determined by BEAL in its sole discretion. If for any reason (other than force majeure) BEAL fails to incur the required cumulative US$250,000 in Expenditures during the first Anniversary Year, BEAL may nonetheless satisfy its obligation by paying the amount of any deficiency to the OWNER. BEAL shall provide a statement of its expenditures to the OWNER within 60 days after the First Anniversary Year ends and may make a payment to the OWNER of any deficiency within 30 days after the end of such 60-day period. If the OWNER objects to the amount of Expenditures claimed by BEAL in its reports of Expenditures pursuant to clause 8.1, then the time periods within which BEAL may pay any deficiency in respect of such Expenditures shall be determined in accordance with clause 8.1.


6.2

On or before the last day of each Anniversary Year until the year when the Option has been exercised pursuant to clause 6.6, BEAL will give notice to the OWNER ("Retention Notice") identifying each Prospecting Licence (among those Prospecting Licences that have not previously been relinquished by BEAL) as to which BEAL elects to maintain its Option ("Retained Prospecting Licence"). Each Prospecting Licence not identified by BEAL in a Retention Notice will no longer be subject to this Agreement ("Relinquished Prospecting Licence"). If BEAL fails to give such notice by the specified date, BEAL shall be deemed to have given the Retention Notice on such specified date and to have elected to maintain its Option as to all remaining Retained Prospecting Licences. BEAL shall re-assign the applicable Relinquished Prospecting Licences to the OWNER as provided in clause 9.4 promptly after giving each Retention Notice.


6.3

After BEAL gives, or is deemed to have given, the Retention Notice, BEAL must, as a condition for holding and retaining its Option, and not as an obligation, make the following payments to the OWNER as to each Retained Prospecting Licence when such payment becomes due until the Option has been exercised pursuant to clause 6.6:


(i)

US$10,000 for each Retained Prospecting Licence identified in the Retention Notice given on or before the last day of the first Anniversary Year payable on such last day.


(ii)

US$20,000 for each Retained Property identified in the Retention Notice given on or before the last day of the second Anniversary Year payable on such last day.


(iii)

US$30,000 for each Retained Property identified in the Retention Notice given on or before the last day of the third Anniversary Year payable on or before such last day.




6



(iv)

US$40,000 for each Retained Property identified in the Retention Notice given on or before the last day of the fourth Anniversary Year and on or before the last day of each Anniversary Year thereafter, payable on the last day of the fourth Anniversary Year and of each Anniversary Year thereafter, as applicable.


No additional payments otherwise required in accordance with items (i) through (iv) shall be owed by BEAL after the Option is exercised pursuant to clause 6.6.


Payments shall be forwarded to the address for the OWNER designated in clause 18 or to such other for the OWNER as may be established pursuant to clause 18.


6.4

After BEAL gives a Retention Notice, BEAL must, as a condition for holding and retaining its Option, and not as an obligation, incur US$50,000 in Expenditures during each Anniversary Year beginning with the second Anniversary Year and continuing through each Anniversary Year thereafter with respect to each Prospecting Licence that is a Retained Prospecting Licence during such Anniversary Year, provided, however, that no further Expenditures by BEAL shall be required in respect of the Anniversary Year in which the Option is exercised pursuant to clause 6.6 or thereafter. Any Expenditures in excess of the US$50,000 as to any Prospecting Licence during any Anniversary Year (including carry forward credits), except as to the initial US$250,000 in Expenditures required during the first Anniversary Year pursuant to clause 6.1, shall be carried forward as a credit to Expenditures required in respect of such Prospecting Licence in subsequent Anniversary Years. If for any reason (other than force majeure) BEAL fails to incur the required US$50,000 in Expenditures as to any Retained Prospecting Licence during any Anniversary Year (including carry forward credits), BEAL may nonetheless satisfy its obligation by paying the amount of any deficiency to the OWNER. BEAL shall provide a statement of its Expenditures to the OWNER within 60 days after each Anniversary Year ends and may make a payment to the OWNER of any deficiency within 30 days after the end of such 60-day period. If the OWNER objects to the amount of Expenditures claimed by BEAL in its reports of Expenditures pursuant to clause 8.1, then the time periods within which BEAL may pay any deficiency in respect of such Expenditures shall be determined in accordance with clause 8.1.


6.5

The obligations of BEAL to make payments and to incur Expenditures pursuant to clause 6.1, 6.3, and 6.4 are conditions solely for the purpose of maintaining and exercising the Option with respect to the Prospecting Licences directly affected thereby. BEAL shall have no mandatory obligation to make such payments or to incur such Expenditures, and the sole consequence to BEAL for failing to satisfy such obligations is as set forth in clauses 9.2 and 9.3.


6.6

BEAL shall be deemed to have exercised the Option as to all remaining Retained Prospecting Licences when a Production Decision is made with respect to the first mine to be constructed by BEAL at any location on the Properties covered by any Retained Prospecting Licence. Thereafter, all Prospecting Licences that are not relinquished by BEAL pursuant to Article 9 of this Agreement (excepting clauses 9.2 and 9.3 that would then no longer be applicable) shall be deemed to be Retained Prospecting Licences. The Option shall expire if exercise as above provided does not occur prior to expiration of the Option Period.


7.

PAYMENTS UPON PRODUCTION AND NET SMELTER RETURNS ROYALTY.


7.1

Within 30 days after the Commercial Production Date occurs with respect to the first mine constructed by BEAL at any location on the Properties covered by any of the Retained Prospecting Licences, BEAL shall pay the OWNER US$l,000,000. BEAL shall pay the OWNER




7


            an additional US$l,000,000 on or before each of the first two anniversaries of such Commercial Production Date for a one-time only total cumulative payment of US$3,000,000. BEAL shall have no obligation to make any such payments to the OWNER in respect of any other mine that BEAL might construct on the Properties covered by any of the Retained Prospecting Licences.


7.2

BEAL shall pay the OWNER a royalty of one and one half percent (1.5%) of Net Smelter Returns (determined as provided in Exhibit C) applicable to Minerals produced by BEAL from the Properties covered by Retained Prospecting Licences ("Royalty"). If the Original Owner retains an interest in a Property covered by a Retained Prospecting Licence pursuant to the applicable Underlying Agreement as of the date when a Production Decision is made with respect to a mine on such Property, then the 1.5% of Net Smelter Returns payable thereafter to the OWNER as to such mine shall be reduced pro rata in proportion to the Original Owner's percentage interest.


8.

REPORTING OBLIGATIONS AND ACCESS TO INFORMATION.


8.1

The amount of Expenditures claimed by BEAL in its reports of Expenditures provided pursuant to clauses 6.1 and 6.4 shall conclusively be deemed accepted by the OWNER unless the OWNER provides to BEAL written notice of objection within 30 days after the OWNER receives such report with a detailed explanation as to the basis for each objection. If BEAL accepts the OWNER's objection in whole or in part, BEAL may within 30 days after BEAL receives the notice of objection pay the accepted amount to the OWNER. If BEAL gives written notice to the OWNER within 30 days after BEAL receives such notice of objection disagreeing with the OWNER's objection in whole or in part, the matter shall be referred to KPMG Peat Marwick, or if such accounting firm is unavailable by another international accounting firm with an office in Dar es Salaam selected by BEAL, acting reasonably, for a determination as to whether the contested Expenditures were properly charged as such pursuant to clauses 6.1 or 6.4. It shall be unreasonable for BEAL to select an accounting firm that is currently providing accounting services for BEAL or any of its Affiliates without the prior consent of the OWNER. The decision of the accounting firm shall be in writing and shall be final and binding upon the Parties. If the accounting firm determines that any of the Expenditures claimed by BEAL were not properly charged, BEAL shall pay such amount to the OWNER within 30 days after the determination is made. The fees of the accounting firm will be paid by BEAL if the accounting firm determines that an overcharge of more than 3% of the total amount of Expenditures claimed by BEAL was made. Otherwise, the fees shall be paid by the OWNER.


8.2

Upon the reasonable request of the OWNER, representatives of the OWNER shall be given access to the Properties during normal business hours during the Option Period at their own risk and expense upon not less than five days written notice to BEAL. Such representatives of the OWNER shall comply with all of BEAL's safety procedures and the visits will be conducted in a manner that will not unreasonably interfere with BEAL's operations. All information provided to such representatives shall be kept strictly confidential and shall not be released to any other party without the express written consent of BEAL.


8.3

BEAL shall deliver copies of quarterly reports submitted by BEAL to the Minister in respect of Retained Prospecting Licences within 30 days after submission. Any failure of BEAL to deliver any such report may be remedied by delivering same to OWNER within 15 days after receiving notice from the OWNER.


9.

RELINQUISHMENT.


9.1

BEAL may at any time, irrespective of the procedure applicable to Relinquished Prospecting Licences pursuant to clause 6.2, elect to relinquish its interest in any Prospecting Licence subject




8


            to this Agreement by giving written notice to the OWNER. BEAL shall within 30 days after giving any such notice of relinquishment re-assign all of its interest in the affected Prospecting Licence back to the OWNER pursuant to clause 9.4.


9.2

If BEAL fails to make a payment to the OWNER with respect to a Retained Prospecting Licence by the payment due date as provided in clause 6.3, then the OWNER may give notice of default to BEAL. If BEAL fails to cure the default within 60 days after receipt of such notice from the OWNER, such Prospecting Licence shall be deemed to be a Relinquished Prospecting Licence and BEAL shall within 15 days after such failure re-assign all of its interest in the affected Retained Prospecting Licence back to the OWNER pursuant to clause 9.4.


9.3

If BEAL fails to incur the required Expenditures in respect of a Prospecting Licence pursuant to clause 6.1 or 6.4 and thereafter fails to make a payment to the OWNER in the amount of the deficiency within the periods provided in clauses 6.1 or 6.4, which periods shall include those provided for in clause 8.1 in the event the OWNER objects to any Expenditures claimed by BEAL pursuant to clause 8.1, then the OWNER may give notice of default to BEAL. If BEAL fails to cure the default by making the deficiency payment within 60 days after receipt of such notice from the OWNER, such Prospecting Licence shall be deemed to be a Relinquished Prospecting Licence and BEAL shall within 15 days after such failure re-assign all of its interest in the affected Prospecting Licence back to the OWNER pursuant to clause 9.4.


9.4

BEAL shall within 30 days thereafter take such actions as may be necessary to re- assign any Prospecting Licence relinquished, or deemed to have been relinquished, by BEAL pursuant to clauses 9.1, 9.2 or 9.3 to the OWNER for no additional consideration. Such re-assignment shall be in the form of a Transfer to the OWNER of any of the applicable Prospecting Licences that are Held Prospecting Licences and an assignment to the OWNER of BEAL's interest in any Underlying Agreement that is applicable to the relinquished Prospecting Licence irrespective of whether it is a Held Prospecting Licence or an Untransferred Prospecting Licence. BEAL shall pay the required mineral transfer fee and shall be required to obtain any required Government approvals of any Transfers to the OWNER if and to the extent it is within its power legally to do so. BEAL may give notice to the applicable Original Owner of any re-assignment to the OWNER of an Underlying Agreement.


9.5

BEAL shall, subject to applicable legal requirements, within 90 days after relinquishment occurs pursuant to clauses 9.1, 9.2, or 9.3, deliver to the OWNER all documents, maps, and data delivered to BEAL by the OWNER and all raw data, including assays and geochemical analyses but excluding interpretative materials, gathered by BEAL, in respect of the relinquished Prospecting Licence. BEAL shall also make available for pickup by the OWNER all drill cores and samples obtained by BEAL except those portions consumed in assaying, metallurgical testing, or geologic studies. BEAL shall have no liability to the OWNER or any third party for lack of availability or poor condition of any such cores or samples or for any deficiencies in the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of any data or cores and samples furnished to the OWNER. The OWNER shall assume all risks stemming from reliance upon such data and cores and samples by the OWNER or third parties after disclosure thereof by BEAL or its Affiliates and shall indemnify and hold BEAL and such Affiliates, and their respective officers, directors, employees, and agents harmless as to any claims made by third parties in respect of such data or cores and samples.


9.6

Except as provided in clauses 9.4 and 9.5, but subject to compliance with its obligations pursuant to clauses 10.1, 10.2, and 10.3 until a reassignment is made pursuant to clause 9.4, BEAL shall have no further obligations hereunder with respect to a Prospecting Licence or a related Underlying Agreement after it has been relinquished pursuant to clauses 9.1, 9.2, or 9.3. BEAL




9


            shall not acquire any prospecting licences for metalliferous minerals that cover any portion of the Properties covered by a Prospecting Licence relinquished pursuant to clauses 9.1, 9.2, or 9.3 for a period of one year after such relinquishment occurs without the prior written consent of the OWNER.


10.

PERMITS AND AUTHORISATIONS; MAINTENANCE OF PROSPECTING LICENCES; LICENCES FOR DIAMONDS AND GEMSTONES.


10.1

BEAL shall have the right to enter upon and to conduct exploration and mining operations upon the Properties, subject to the provisions of this Agreement. If and to the extent required as to any of the Properties, this Agreement shall serve as the OWNER's written consent to BEAL to obtain in BEAL's name, or in the name of an Affiliate of BEAL, such prospecting permits or other authority as may by law be required to permit it or its nominee to prospect on the Properties. BEAL shall indemnify the OWNER against liability arising from such BEAL's operations on the Properties unless such liability is caused in whole or in part by the actions or inactions of the OWNER.


10.2

Beginning on the Commencement Date, BEAL shall be responsible for making all payments and for performing all other obligations required to maintain the Prospecting Licences in good standing. Beginning on the Commencement Date, BEAL shall be responsible for satisfying payment obligations required under the Underlying Agreements with Tamo Geo-Consult Limited and Sigo Gems Limited. Beginning on the date when an assignment of a Prospecting Licence to BEAL has been made by the OWNER pursuant to clause 5.3.2 and the consent of the Original Owner thereto has been given or waived by BEAL pursuant to clause 5.3.2, BEAL shall be responsible for satisfying other ongoing obligations to the Original Owners in respect of the applicable Underlying Agreement as to such Prospecting Licence. Prior to such date, the OWNER shall not take any action or fail to take any action in respect of any Underlying Agreement that has not been assigned in whole or in part to BEAL that will interfere with or prevent the assignment to BEAL or adversely affect the validity and substance thereof. BEAL's obligations set forth in this clause shall cease as to any Prospecting Licence that remains subject to this Agreement upon the commencement of production from a mine on the lands subject thereto or upon earlier Transfer or re-assignment of such Prospecting Licence to the OWNER pursuant to clause 9.4.


10.3

BEAL shall, in accordance with, and subject to the limitations of, Section 29 of the Mining Act, 1998, apply for, in its own name or in the name of the Original Owner if necessary and BEAL has the legal authority to do so, renewals of any of the Retained Prospecting Licences that will otherwise expire. The OWNER shall cooperate with BEAL if and as necessary to enable BEAL to obtain the renewals. BEAL shall have no liability to the OWNER if through no fault of BEAL such renewals are not granted. If continuation of a Retained Prospecting Licence is dependent upon obtaining a renewal pursuant to Section 29(1)(d) of the Mining Act, 1998, conversion to a retention licence pursuant to Section 34 of the Mining Act, 1998, or conversion to a special mining licence pursuant to Section 36 of the Mining Act, 1998, and BEAL applies for same in a timely manner in its own name or in the name of the Original Owner and makes a good faith effort to obtain such renewal, retention licence, or special mining licence, BEAL shall have no liability to the OWNER if the application is denied. BEAL may at its discretion determine areas covered by the applicable Prospecting Licences that must be relinquished as a condition for obtaining such renewals or conversions. BEAL shall have no further obligations to the OWNER under this clause after a special mining licence has been granted to BEAL, and/or to the Original Owner if necessary, in respect of any Retained Prospecting Licence.




10



10.4

BEAL may at any time without the need for the consent of the OWNER acquire all of the rights of the Original Owner in any Prospecting Licence, or enter into an amendment of or addendum to the applicable Underlying Agreement that causes the retained interest of the Original Owner to be zero. In such event, the applicable Prospecting Licence shall remain subject to this Agreement unless relinquished pursuant to clauses 9.1, 9.2, or 9.3. BEAL may enter into other amendments of or addendums to the Underlying Agreements with the prior written consent of the OWNER, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. BEAL shall have no obligation to obtain the consent of the OWNER to any amendment of or addendum to an Underlying Agreement after a special mining licence has been granted to BEAL, and/or the Original Owner if necessary, in respect of any retained Prospecting Licence.


The OWNER shall not enter into, or propose to the Original Owners, any amendments or other modifications of any Underlying Agreement prior to the time an assignment of such Underlying Agreement has been made to BEAL, or a partial assignment or partial assignments have been made with respect to the Prospecting Licence or Licences subject to an Underlying Agreement have been made to BEAL, pursuant to clause 5.3.2. The OWNER shall not acquire, and shall not permit any Affiliate of the OWNER to acquire, all or any portion of the interest of the Original Owner or any successor to the Original Owner as to any Prospecting Licence that remains subject to this Agreement.


10.5

The OWNER shall be responsible for all costs of maintaining and complying with the terms of any Prospecting Licence or Underlying Agreement relinquished by BEAL from and after the time BEAL has Transferred or re-assigned same to the OWNER as provided in clause 9.4.


10.6

10.6.1

The OWNER shall reserve the right to apply for and accept the issuance to the OWNER of prospecting licences for diamonds and gemstones under the Mining Act, 1998, covering lands that are included in the Properties. The OWNER shall not conduct any field operations on the Properties in respect of such diamond and gemstone prospecting licences ("Gemstone Licences") unless it has given BEAL not less than 60 days advance written notice. The OWNER shall not conduct such operations if BEAL gives notice back to the OWNER within the 60-day notice period that such operations will interfere with planned or potential operations of BEAL pursuant to the Prospecting Licences on or in the vicinity of the same area. The OWNER shall not conduct such operations without complying with the conditions imposed by BEAL if BEAL gives notice back to the OWNER within the 30-day notice period requiring that the operations proposed by the OWNER be conducted in compliance with conditions set forth by BEAL. The OWNER shall indemnify and hold BEAL harmless in respect of any claims, liabilities, and damages incurred by BEAL, including without limitation costs and expenses, as a result of the OWNER's operations under such Gemstone Licences. The rights reserved by the OWNER to obtain Gemstone Licences as above provided shall not extend to Mfiliates of the OWNER.


10.6.2

If the OWNER discovers any deposits of diamonds or gemstones that have apparent commercial value sufficient to justify a mining operation, the OWNER shall give written notice thereof to BEAL and shall thereafter provide BEAL with access to the area involved for field investigations and to all pertinent information and data held by or available to the OWNER. BEAL may, at its sole discretion, give notice to the OWNER within 90 days after the receipt of such notice that BEAL elects to take over the prospect area involved in order to do further evaluation and if justified to engage in exploitation of the diamonds and gemstones within the prospect area. If BEAL makes such election, the OWNER will promptly Transfer the applicable Gemstone Licence to BEAL and BEAL




11


                        will be bound to pay a royalty of 1.5% of the gross revenues received by BEAL from the sale of diamonds recovered from the Properties to the OWNER or such Affiliate in respect of any production of diamonds or gemstones by BEAL within the area covered by the transferred Gemstone Licence. If BEAL does not elect to take over the prospect area, any further operations by the OWNER shall be subject to the provisions of clause 10.6.1. The rights of BEAL under this clause to receive notice and to elect to take over a prospect area identified in such notice as above provided shall expire on the twentieth anniversary of the Commencement Date.


10.6.3

BEAL shall not independently apply for diamond and gemstone prospecting licences in respect of areas within the Properties without the prior written consent of the OWNER, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. The OWNER shall be entitled to a royalty of 1.5% of the gross revenues received by BEAL or its successors or assigns in title from the sale of diamonds recovered pursuant to any such diamond and gemstone prospecting licence obtained by BEAL.


11.

BEAL PREFERENTIAL PURCHASE RIGHTS.


11.1

If the OWNER desires to sell all or any portion of the rights of the OWNER under this Agreement to receive the payments provided for in clause 7.1 ("Production Payments") or the Royalty provided for in clause 7.2, the OWNER shall first deliver to BEAL a notice stating the proposed terms of the sale and identifying the proposed buyer. The proposed sale must be bona fide and the consideration to be paid must be cash in Tanzanian Schillings or U.S. or Canadian Dollars or shares or other consideration with a determinable cash value. In the event a change of ownership occurs in connection with a merger, amalgamation, or corporate reorganization, the consideration will be the fair market value of the affected rights of the OWNER. The said delivery shall constitute an offer by the OWNER to sell such rights or portion thereof ("Offered Interest") to BEAL at the price and upon the terms set out in the offer. BEAL shall have 60 days after receipt of the offer within which to give notice to the OWNER of BEAL's acceptance of the offer. If BEAL accepts the offer within the 60-day period, BEAL and the OWNER will promptly complete the purchase and sale of the Offered Interest to BEAL in accordance with the terms of the offer. If BEAL does not accept the OWNER's offer within such 60-day period, the OWNER may sell the Offered Interest to the identified buyer upon terms that are no less favorable to the OWNER than the terms set forth in the offer made to BEAL. The OWNER shall provide BEAL with a copy of the agreement with such buyer or other evidence satisfactory to BEAL verifying the terms thereof. The OWNER and any successors shall cause any buyer to agree to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement including without limitation this clause 11.1. If the OWNER does not close the transaction with such buyer within 60 days after expiration of the 60-day notice period to BEAL referred to above, then the OWNER shall once again be obligated to comply with the provisions of this clause prior to selling the Offered Interest. A transfer by the OWNER of the Reserve Payment Rights or the Royalty or any portion thereof or interest therein in violation of the requirements set forth in this clause shall relieve BEAL from the obligation to pay the Production Payments or the Royalty, as the case may be. Any transfer by the OWNER of any interest in this Agreement prior to exercise of the Option by BEAL shall be subject to the restrictions set forth in clause 21.


12.

ARBITRATION.


12.1

In the event of any dispute, claim, or difference arising between the Parties in respect of the subject matter, the interpretation, or the effect of this Agreement, the Parties shall use their best endeavors to settle successfully such dispute, question, or difference. To this effect, they shall consult and negotiate with each other, in good faith and understanding of their mutual interests, to




12


            reach an equitable solution satisfactory to the Parties. If the Parties do not reach a solution within a period of 30 days of notice being delivered from one Party to the other declaring the dispute, claim, or difference, or such longer period as the Parties may agree in writing, then either party may refer the dispute, claim, or difference to arbitration, which shall be dealt with in terms of, and shall be governed by, the Arbitration Ordinance Cap. 15.


12.2

There shall be one arbitrator if the Parties mutually agree on the selection of such arbitrator within 30 days following receipt of the written request from the Party requesting arbitration. If the Parties do not reach agreement on a single arbitrator within such period, there shall be three arbitrators, two of whom shall be designated individually by each Party and the two arbitrators so designated shall appoint the third arbitrator who shall preside over the arbitration tribunal. All arbitrators shall be neutral.


12.3

If a Party fails to appoint an arbitrator within 15 days following the expiration of the 30-day period provided above for selection of a single arbitrator, or if each party has designated an arbitrator and the two arbitrators fail to designate a third arbitrator within another 15 days after they both have been designated, then the procedure for selecting arbitrators laid down in the Arbitration Ordinance Cap. 15 will apply.


12.4

The arbitrators shall be instructed that time is of the essence in proceeding with their determination of any dispute, claim, question or difference, and in any event, the arbitration award must be rendered within 30 days of the completion of selection of the arbitrators.


12.5

The arbitration shall take place in Dar es Salaam at a time and place set by the arbitrators and shall be conducted in the English language.


12.6

The arbitration award shall be given in writing and shall be final and binding on the Parties, not subject to any appeal, and shall deal with the question of costs of arbitration and all matters related thereto.


12.7

Judgment upon the award rendered may be entered in any court having jurisdiction, or, application may be made to such court for a judicial recognition of the award or an order of enforcement thereof, as the case may be.


12.8

Pending settlement of any dispute, the Parties shall abide by their obligations under this Agreement without prejudice to a final adjustment in accordance with an award rendered in an arbitration settling such dispute.


13.

CONFIDENTIALITY AND PUBLICITY.


13.1

The terms of this Agreement and information and data relating to operations of BEAL in relation to the Property, to the extent they have not become public knowledge through no fault of the OWNER, are strictly confidential and shall not be disclosed by the OWNER to any third parties without the express written consent of BEAL, provided, however, that the OWNER may reveal this contract on a confidential basis and with notice to BEAL in connection with a prospective sale of the OWNER's right to the Production Payment or the Royalty interest in this Agreement as provided in clause 11.1 or a prospective sale of it interest in this Agreement permitted with the consent of BEAL pursuant to clause 21. In addition, the OWNER shall not issue any public announcements or statements with respect to this Agreement or its terms without the express written consent of BEAL.


14.

FORCE MAJEURE.




13




14.1

The obligations of BEAL under this Agreement, including non-binding obligations to take or complete actions or to make Expenditures within a specified time period, shall be suspended and the Option Period shall be extended to the extent and for the period that performance is prevented by any cause, whether foreseeable or unforeseeable, beyond the reasonable control of BEAL, including without limitation, labour disputes (howsoever arising and whether or not employee demands are reasonable or within the power of the Party concerned to grant), acts of God, laws, regulations, orders, proclamations, instructions or requests of any government entity, inability to obtain on reasonably acceptable terms any mining licence or other necessary authorisations, curtailment or suspension of activities to remedy or avoid an actual or alleged, present or prospective violation of any environmental requirements, acts of war or conditions arising out of or attributable to war whether declared or undeclared, riot, civil strike, insurrection or rebellion, fire, explosion, natural disaster or other adverse conditions, or any other cause whether similar or dissimilar to the foregoing.


14.2

BEAL shall promptly give notice to the OWNER of the suspension of performance stating therein the nature of the suspension, the reason therefor and the expected duration thereof. BEAL shall resume performance as soon as reasonably possible.


15.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.


15.1

The OWNER represents and warrants to BEAL and BEAL represents and warrants to the OWNER as follows:


15.1.1

It is a company duly incorporated and in good standing in the jurisdiction of incorporation and is qualified to do business and is in good standing in the United Republic of Tanzania;


15.1.2

It has the capacity to enter into and perform this Agreement and all transactions contemplated herein and all corporate and other actions required to authorise it to enter into and perform this Agreement have been properly taken;


15.1.3

It will not breach any other agreement or arrangement by entering into or performing this Agreement; and


15.1.4

This Agreement, and all other agreements and instruments to be executed and delivered in connection herewith, when executed and delivered by it shall have been duly executed and delivered on behalf of it and constitute valid and binding obligations of it enforceable against it in accordance with their respective terms.


15.2

In addition to the representations and warranties set forth above, the OWNER represents and warrants to BEAL as follows:


15.2.1

The OWNER owns good title to the Held Prospecting Licences free and clear of any Encumbrances or other burdens or third party interests whatsoever except obligations under the applicable Underlying Agreement, if any, and obligations to the Government;


15.2.2

Each Prospecting Licence is valid and in good standing and all conditions relating to the issue and continued existence thereof have been fulfilled;




14



15.2.3

No claim, demand, or other liability is pending or, to the knowledge of the OWNER, threatened that would have any material adverse impact on the Prospecting Licences or the Underlying Agreements, or the OWNER's interest therein, or the ability of the OWNER to complete the obligations contemplated herein or of BEAL to conduct operations on the Properties;


15.2.4

The OWNER has disclosed to BEAL all technical information and data related to the Prospecting Licence and the Property, and all material contractual and legal requirements related to the Prospecting Licence and the Property and the OWNER's interest therein;


15.2.5

With respect to each Underlying Agreement, and without limitation of other provisions of this clause 15.2, (i) the OWNER has provided complete copies of such Underlying Agreement together with any addendums, amendments, changes, or modifications or agreed interpretations or clarifications thereof; (ii) the OWNER owns good title to its interest therein free of any Encumbrances or other burdens or third-party interests or defects in title; (iii) the OWNER and the Original Owner are in full compliance with all of their obligations thereunder and there are no acts or omissions or which could be considered or construed as a default thereunder; (iv) all required payments thereunder have been timely made and all required work or expenditures thereunder have been performed or made; (iv) the OWNER has the authority thereunder to perform its obligations under this Agreement in respect thereof; including the right to assignment such Underlying Agreement in whole or in part to BEAL as provided herein without the consent of the Original Owner; (vi) each Underlying Agreement is valid and in good standing and enforceable in accordance with its terms; and (vii) the title of the Original Owner to the Prospecting Licences that are subject thereto is free and clear of any Encumbrances or other burdens or third party interests;


15.2.6

There have been no past unremedied violations by the OWNER or its Affiliates or any of its predecessors in title of any environmental laws or other laws affecting or pertaining to the Properties, nor any past creation of environmental damages, and all reclamation required under law or contract in respect of operations on the Properties prior to the Commencement Date has been completed in compliance with such requirements;


15.2.7

Neither the OWNER nor any of its Affiliates has entered into any presently binding contract, agreement, or commitment with respect to the Properties that would interfere with the rights herein granted to BEA; and


15.2.8

The OWNER is unaware of any material facts or circumstances which have not been disclosed in this Agreement, that should be disclosed to BEAL in order to prevent the representations and warranties in this Agreement from being materially misleading.


12.3

The OWNER shall indemnify and hold BEAL harmless from any damages incurred as a result of a breach by the OWNER of any of the foregoing representations and warranties. BEAL shall indemnify and hold the OWNER harmless from any damages incurred by the OWNER as a result of a breach by BEAL of any of the foregoing representations and warranties.


16.

TAXES.


Each of the OWNER and BEAL shall bear its own income taxes and any other taxes assessed against it with respect to any of the transactions contemplated herein. The OWNER shall pay any stamp, transfer




15


and other similar levies and taxes, including capital gains taxes, if any, with respect to the transfer of any mineral rights to it or its designee pursuant to this Agreement.


17.

DEFAULT.


If a Party ("Defaulting Party") has defaulted in the performance of any of its obligations hereunder, the other Party ("Non-Defaulting Party") may give the Defaulting Party notice of same describing with particularity the nature of the default and the actions necessary for the Defaulting Party to correct such default. The Defaulting Party shall have 60 days after receipt of the notice in which to correct such default or to commence correction if additional time is required to complete the correction, or 30 days in which to make a defaulted payment (other than payments by BEAL to the OWNER pursuant to clauses 6.1, 6.3, or 6.4 as provided below). Upon failure of the Defaulting Party to correct, or to commence correcting, the default within the times provided, the Non-Defaulting Party may assert its legal and equitable remedies in respect thereof. Any failure of BEAL to make the payments prescribed in clause 6.3 or to incur the Expenditures prescribed in clauses 6.1 and 6.4 shall be governed exclusively by clauses 9.2 and 9.3, and the OWNER shall have no right to terminate BEAL's rights under this Agreement in whole or in part for any default by BEAL hereunder except pursuant to clauses 9.2 and 9.3. The OWNER shall have no right to terminate BEAL's interest in any Retained Prospecting Licence after the Option has been exercised pursuant to clause 6.6.


18.

NOTICES.


To be effective, a notice or other communication required or permitted under this Agreement must be in writing. A notice shall be considered effectively given when delivered to the address shown below for a Party. Notices may be sent by facsimile transmission to a telephone number provided by a Party to the other Party, confirmed by an answer back, and shall be deemed given when so delivered. A Party may change its address by notice given as provided above. Until otherwise specified the addresses for notices shall be:


If to Barrick Exploration Africa Limited or an Affiliate (BEAL in either case):


Barrick Exploration Africa Limited

Level 2, International House

Garden Avenue

P. O. Box 1081

Dar es Salaam

United Republic of Tanzania


Telephone:  255-22-2123181

Fax:  255-22-2123180


Attention:  Director




16



If to OWNER


Tanzam 2000 Limited

8th Floor, PPF House

Samora A venue/Morogoro Road

P.O. Box 33407

Dar es Salaam

United Republic of Tanzania


Telephone:  2123048

Fax: 2122805


19.

BINDING AGREEMENT.


Subject to clause 21, this Agreement shall be binding upon the Parties and their respective successors and assigns.


20.

ENTIRE AGREEMENT.


This Agreement, together with the Exhibits hereto, and the other documents delivered in connection herewith, constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties relating to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes any prior agreements and understandings between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.


21.

ASSIGNMENT.


The OWNER shall not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or duties hereunder with respect to any Prospecting Licence prior to exercise of the Option by BEAL pursuant to clause 6.6 without the prior written consent of BEAL. Any assignment or other transfer of the Production Payment or the Royalty by the OWNER with respect to any Retained Prospecting Licence after BEAL has exercised the Option pursuant to clause 6.6 shall be subject to BEAL's preferential purchase right established pursuant to clause 11.1. BEAL may assign its interest in this Agreement in its entirety while the Option Period remains in effect as to any Prospecting Licence and may assign all or any portion of its interest in any Retained Prospecting Licence after the Option has been exercised. BEAL shall give notice of any such assignment or other transfer to the OWNER. BEAL shall be relieved of its obligations hereunder (to the extent of the transferred interest) arising after any such assignment or other transfer is made provided that the assignee assumes all further obligations of BEAL hereunder with respect to the transferred interest.


22.

SEVERABILITY.


If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect.


23.

AMENDMENTS.


Any amendment of this Agreement shall become effective only if it is in writing and executed by BEAL and the OWNER.


24.

COUNTERPARTS.




17



This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument, and it shall not be necessary in making proof of this Agreement to produce or account for more than one original.


25.

FURTHER ASSURANCES.


Each of the Parties hereto agrees that from time to time, at the request of any other Party hereto and without further consideration, it will execute and deliver such other documents and take such other actions as such other Party or its counsel reasonably requests in order to consummate more effectively the transactions contemplated hereby.


26.

SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.


The representations and warranties made or undertaken by each Party under this Agreement shall survive termination of this Agreement.


27.

GOVERNING LAW.


This Agreement shall be governed by the Laws of the United Republic of Tanzania.


28.

TERM.


Unless sooner terminated as provided herein, this Agreement shall terminate upon the expiration of the Option Period without the Option having been exercised pursuant to clause 6.6. This Agreement shall remain in effect indefinitely as to continuing rights and obligations of the Parties as to any Retained Prospecting Licences after the Option is exercised in accordance with the terms hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term of this Agreement and the period for the vesting of any rights and interests hereunder shall not exceed any maximum period permitted by applicable law.


29.

TERMINATION OF PRIOR AGREEMENTS.


With effect from the date both Parties have executed this Agreement, the valid Memorandum shall be deemed to have terminated and to have been superseded by this Agreement, and the Parties shall be relieved of all their respective rights and obligations thereunder.


IN WITNESS whereof this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the respective representatives duly authorized on the date appearing above.


“BEAL”


BARRICK EXPLORATION AFRICA LIMITED.


By: “Marc Boisvert”



Name:   Marc Boisvert



Title:   Vice President


“OWNER”


TANZAM 2000 LIMITED


By: “Joseph Kulwa Kahama”



Name:   Joseph Kulwa Kahama



Title:   President







18


EXHIBIT A

to Option Agreement between Tanzam 2000 Limited and Barrick Exploration Africa Limited


Description of Prospecting Licences and Underlying Agreements



 

PLs

AGREEMENT

Original

New

PL 1253/99

1795/01

Prospecting and Mining Option Agreement dated March 17, 1999 between Martedo Investment Limited and Tanzam 2000.

PL 1401/99
PL 1402/99

Same
Same

Prospecting and Mining Option Agreement dated November 25, 1999 between Tamo Geo-Consult Limited and Tanzam 2000.

PL 751/97
PL 752/97

1749/01
1846/01

Prospecting and Mining Option Agreement dated January 22, 1999 between Wazawa Limited and Tanzam 2000.

PL 1192/98

1762/01

Prospecting and Mining Option Agreement dated June 29, 1999 between Mr. Charles S. Shumbi and Tanzam 2000 and Addendum dated March 15,2000.

PL 1222/99

1798/01

Prospecting and Mining Option Agreement dated May 14, 1999 between Afrigold(T) Limited and Tanzam 2000.

PL 1221/99

1797/01

Prospecting and Mining Option Agreement dated January 22, 1999 between Afrigold Limited and Tanzam 2000 and Addendum dated January 10, 2000.

PL 66/92

1853/01

Prospecting and Mining Option Agreement dated June 27, 1999 between Sigo Gems Limited and Tanzam 2000 and Addendum dated February 15, 2000.

PL 936/98

Offer dated April 9, 2001

Prospecting and Mining Option Agreement between Tese Mining Company Limited and Addendum dated March 30, 2000.

1300/99

Same

Tanzam 2000 Limited

1308/99

Same

Tanzam 2000 Limited





































 

 


 


 

















 

                 

 

 

March 18, 2003


Northern Mining Explorations Ltd.

Place du Canada

1010, de la Gauchetiere Street West

Suite M-110

Montreal, Quebec

Canada H3B 2N2


Attn:  Mr. Carlos H. Bertoni, CEO


Dear Sirs:


RE:    Amendment to Letter of Intent dated January 20, 2003


This will confirm that the Letter of Intent between Northern Mining Explorations Ltd. (the "Optionee") and Tan Range Exploration Corporation for an Option to acquire from Tanzanian American International Development Corporation 2000 ("Tanzam 2000"), Kabahelele Mining Company Limited ("Kabahelele") and Tancan Mining Company Limited ("Tancan") (collectively the "Optionors") dated January 20, 2003 is hereby amended as follows:


(a)

By adding the interest of the Optionors in Prospecting License PL 1319/99 ("PL 1319/99"), located in Tanzania, a copy of which is attached hereto as Schedule "A".   We confirm that Tanzam 2000 holds an option to acquire a 70% undivided interest in PL 1319/99 pursuant to a Prospecting and Mining Option Agreement with Zahabu Investment Limited ("Zahabu") dated June 25, 1999, a copy of which is attached hereto as Schedule "B";


(b)

By amending paragraph 3.2 to read:  "In consideration of the grant of the Option, the Optionee agrees to pay to the Optionor the sum of Seventy Thousand Dollars ($70,000) immediately upon execution of the Letter of Intent by the Optionee and in consideration of the grant of the Option of PL 1319/99, the Optionee agrees to pay to the Optionor the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) immediately upon execution of the Amendment to Letter of Intent by the Optionee.";


(c)

By amending paragraph 4.1.4 table as attached hereto;




(d)

By amending PL Appl. No. 590 ("PL 590") to correctly read PL Appl. No. 594 ("Appl. 594").


1.

This Amendment to the Letter of Intent shall be deemed to be incorporated in and to form part of the said Letter of Intent dated January 20, 2003 and which said PL 1319/99 shall be included in and referred to under the same terms and conditions as the Letter of Intent, which, except as amended by this Amendment, shall continue in full force and effect.


Kindly indicate your acceptance of the foregoing by signing and returning one copy of this Amendment to Letter of Intent together with your payment of $10,000 in consideration of the grant of the option of PL 1319/99.


TAN RANGE EXPLORATION CORPORATION




Per:

Signed by Marek Kreczmer


MAREK J. KRECZMER

President



AGREED AND ACCEPTED THIS   16th

 DAY OF   April    , 2003.



NORTHERN MINING EXPLORATIONS LTD.




Per:

Signed by Paul A. Girard for:


CARLOS BERTONI, C.E.O.





4.1.4


Date of Completion

Payment to Optionors

Re:

PL 1319/99

Payment to

Optionors Re:

PL 427/96

Payment to

Optionors Re:

 PL 1452/00

Payment  to Optionors Re:

PL 1946/02

Payment to Optionors Re:

Appl. 594

Payment to

Optionors Re:

PL 1269/99

Payment to

Optionors

Re:

PL 1275/99

Payment to

Optionors

Re:

PL 1218/99

Payment to

Optionors

Re:

 PL 1947/02

Exploration and Development Expenditures

Drilling Requirement

December 31,2003

$20,000

$20,000

$20,000

$20,000

$20,000

$20,000

$20,000

$20,000

$20,000

$200,000+

 

December 31,2004

$30,000

$30,000

$30,000

$30,000

$30,000

$30,000

$30,000

$30,000

$30,000

$250,000+

 

December 31,2005

$40,000

$40,000

$40,000

$40,000

$40,000

$40,000

$40,000

$40,000

$40,000

$300,000+

17,000m RAB or 7,000m RC or 3,500m DD

December 31,2006

$50,000

$50,000

$50,000

$50,000

$50,000

$50,000

$50,000

$50,000

$50,000

$350,000+

20,000m RAB or 8,500m RC or   4,600m DD

December 31,2007

$60,000

$60,000

$60,000

$60,000

$60,000

$60,000

$60,000

$60,000

$60,000

$400,000+

23,000m RAB or 10,000m RC or 5,400m DD


TOTAL


$200,000


$200,000


$200,000


$200,000


$200,000


$200,000


$200,000


$200,000


$200,000


$1,500,000

 





 


Michael J. Michaud

43 Eastlawn Street

Oshawa, Ontario, Canada L1H 7J7



May 30, 2004


Tan Range Exploration Corporation

93 Benton Hill Road

Sharon, Connecticut

06069, USA



Dear Sirs:


RE:

Tan Range Exploration Corporation (the "Issuer") and

Technical Report dated May 2, 2001 on the Itetemia

Project (the "Report")                                                                                                                    


 

I am the author of the Report referred to in the Form 20-F of the Issuer (the "Form 20-F") filed with the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission under File No. 0-50634 on March 15, 2004.


I have read the Form 20-F and confirm that the section in the Form 20-F headed "Property, Plant and Equipment" fairly and accurately summarizes the Report.  I hereby consent to the use of the Report by the Issuer for the purposes of the Form 20-F, as well as the summary of the Report contained in therein, and any reference to the Report in the Form 20-F.


Yours truly,


[MICHAELMICHAUDCONSENT001.JPG]

Michael Michaud, P.Geo.



 



Stephen R. McMullan, P.Geo.

21140/K18 Hippopotamus Rd.

Eaborone, Botswana





June 7, 2004




Tan Range Exploration Corporation

93 Benton Hill Road

Sharon, Connecticut

06069, USA


Dear Sirs:


RE:

Tan Range Exploration Corporation (the "Issuer") and

Technical Report dated March 21, 2002 on the Lake Victoria Goldfields Project

(the "Report")                                                                                                                     

 

 

 

 

 

I am the author of the Report referred to in the Form 20-F of the Issuer (the "Form 20-F") filed with the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission under File No. 0-50634 on March 15, 2004.


I have read the Form 20-F and confirm that the section in the Form 20-F headed "Property, Plant and Equipment" fairly and accurately summarizes the Report.  I hereby consent to the use of the Report by the Issuer for the purposes of the Form 20-F, as well as the summary of the Report contained in therein, and any reference to the Report in the Form 20-F.


Yours truly,



s/ "Stephen R. McMullan"


Stephen R. McMullan



OLIVER GEOSCIENCE INTERNATIONAL LTD.

Jim L. Oliver, Ph.D., P. Geo.

 

4377 Karindale Road

Kamloops, BC  CANADA V2B 8N1

Phone (250) 579-9633

Fax (250) 579-3332

E-mail: jlolive@attglobal.net




June 15, 2004



Tan Range Exploration Corporation

93 Benton Hill Road

Sharon, Connecticut

06069, USA


Dear Sirs:


RE:

Tan Range Exploration Corporation (the "Issuer") and Technical Report

Dated February 28, 2003 on the Luhala and Lunguya Properties (the "Report").


I am the author of the Report referred to in the Form 20-F of the Issuer (the "Form 20-F") filed with the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission under File No. 0-50634 on March 15, 2004.


I have read the Form 20-F and confirm that the section in the Form 20-F headed "Property, Plant and Equipment" fairly and accurately summarizes relevant information on the Luhala and Lunguya properties.  I hereby consent to the use of the Report by the Issuer for the purposes of the Form 20-F, as well as the summary of the Report contained in therein, and any reference to the Report in the Form 20-F.


Yours truly,



(signed) "Jim L. Oliver"


Jim L. Oliver, Ph.D., P.Geo.









Exhibit (10)(b)


List of Subsidiaries



Name of Subsidiary

Jurisdiction of Incorporation

Percentage &Type of Securities Owned or Controlled by Company

Voting Securities Held

Non-Voting Securities

Dia Consult Limited

Republic of Tanzania, Africa

100% (common)

n/a

Itetemia Mining Company Limited (1)

Republic of Tanzania, Africa

90% (common)

n/a

Lunguya Mining Company Ltd. (2)

Republic of Tanzania, Africa

60% (common

n/a

Kabahelele Mining Company Limited (3)

Republic of Tanzania, Africa

80% (common)

n/a

Tancan Mining Company Limited (“Tancan”)

Republic of Tanzania, Africa

100% (common)

n/a

Tanzania American International Development Corporation 2000 Limited

Republic of Tanzania, Africa

100% (common)

n/a

(1)

The remaining 10% interest is held by Stamico.

(2)

The remaining 40% interest is held by Northern Mining Consulting Ltd.

(3)

The remaining 20% interest is held by Bungu Minerals Ltd.