[s. 2]
[Heading amended: No. 19 of 2010 s. 4.]
THIS AGREEMENT made this 17th day of November, 1981, BETWEEN THE HONOURABLE
SIR CHARLES WALTER MICHAEL COURT, K.C.M.G., O.B.E., M.L.A., Premier of the
State of Western Australia, acting for and on behalf of the said State and its
instrumentalities from time to time (hereinafter called “the
State”) of the first part CRA EXPLORATION PTY. LIMITED a company
incorporated in the State of New South Wales and having its principal place of
business in the State of Western Australia at 21 Wynyard Street, Belmont,
(hereinafter called “CRAE”) ASHTON MINING LIMITED a company
incorporated in the State of Victoria and having its principal place of
business in the State of Western Australia at 6th Floor, 189 St.
George’s Terrace, Perth, TANAUST PROPRIETARY LIMITED a company
incorporated in the State of Victoria and having its principal place of
business in the State of Western Australia at 2nd Floor, Cecil Building, 6
Sherwood Court, Perth, A.O. (AUSTRALIA) PTY. LIMITED a company incorporated in
the State of New South Wales and having its principal place of business in the
State of Western Australia at 6th Floor, 189 St. George’s Terrace, Perth
and NORTHERN MINING CORPORATION N.L. a company incorporated in the State of
Victoria and having its principal place of business in the State of Western
Australia at Homeric House, 442 Murray Street, Perth (the said CRAE, Ashton
Mining Limited, Tanaust Proprietary Limited, A.O. (Australia) Pty. Limited and
Northern Mining Corporation N.L. being hereinafter collectively called
“the Joint Venturers” in which term shall be included their
respective successors and permitted assigns and appointees) of the second part
and CRA Limited a company incorporated in the State of Victoria and having its
principal place of business in the State of Western Australia at 191 St.
George’s Terrace, Perth, (hereinafter called “the
Guarantor”) of the third part.
W H E R E A S:
(a) the Joint Venturers have established the
existence of diamond bearing ore bodies (including kimberlite pipes and
alluvial deposits) within the Argyle mining area and the Ellendale mining area
defined in Clause 1 and have carried out certain investigations relating inter
alia to the mining and treatment of that ore and the sale of diamonds;
(b) the Joint Venturers intend to mine such ore
bodies and recover and market diamonds and investigate the economic
feasibility of and promote the processing of diamonds in the said State;
(c) the Joint Venturers intend to provide such
facilities and services as may be necessary for their operations under this
Agreement and for the accommodation and welfare of their workforce at or in
the vicinity of the said mining areas or elsewhere within the Kimberley
region.
NOW THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSETH:
Definitions 6
1. In this Agreement subject to the context
—
“advise”, “apply”,
“approve”, “approval”, “consent”,
“certify”, “direct”, “notify”,
“request”, or “require”, means advise, apply, approve,
approval, consent, certify, direct, notify, request, or require in writing as
the case may be and any inflexion or derivation of any of those words has a
corresponding meaning;
“approved proposal” means any proposal
approved under this Agreement;
“Argyle mining area” means the area
defined as “the temporarily reserved land” in the Bill referred to
in Clause 3 which area is for the purposes of identification coloured red on
the plan marked “A” (initialled by or on behalf of the parties
hereto for the purposes of identification) (hereinafter called “the red
area”) and the area defined as “the subject land” in the
said Bill which area is for the purposes of identification coloured blue on
the said plan (hereinafter called “the blue area”);
“associated company” means —
(a) any
company or corporation having a paid up capital of not less than $2,000,000
which is incorporated or formed within the United Kingdom the United States of
America or Australia or such other country as the Minister may approve and
which —
(i)
is promoted by the Joint Venturers or any of them for all
or any of the purposes of this Agreement and in which the Joint Venturers or
any of them or some other company or corporation acceptable to the Minister
hold not less than a 25% interest or some lesser interest acceptable to the
Minister; or
(ii)
is related within the meaning of that term as used in
section 6 of the Companies Act 1961 , to one or more of the Joint Venturers or
to any company or corporation in which the Joint Venturers or any of them or
some other company or corporation acceptable to the Minister hold not less
than 25% of the issued ordinary share capital; and
(iii)
is notified to the Minister by the Joint Venturers or any
of them as being such a company;
(b) any
company or corporation approved in writing by the Minister.
“Clause” means a clause of this
Agreement;
“commencement date” means the date the
Bill referred to in Clause 3 comes into operation as an Act;
“Commonwealth” means the Commonwealth
of Australia and includes the Government for the time being thereof;
“Ellendale mining area” means the area
bordered green on the plan marked “B” (initialled by or on behalf
of the parties hereto for the purposes of identification);
“Land Act” means the Land Act 1933 ;
“local authority” means the council of
a municipality that is a city, town or shire constituted under the Local
Government Act 1960 ;
“ Mining Act 1904 ” means (unless the
context otherwise requires) the Mining Act 1904 and the amendments thereto and
the regulations made thereunder as in force on 31st December, 1981;
“ Mining Act 1978 ” means the Mining
Act 1978 ;
“mining leases” subject to the context
means the mining lease or mining leases granted pursuant to Clauses 15 and 18
and includes any renewal thereof and according to the requirements of the
context shall describe the area of land demised as well as the instrument by
which it is demised and any area or areas added thereto pursuant to the
provisions of Clause 15;
“Minister” means the Minister in the
Government of the State for the time being responsible (under whatsoever
title) for the administration of the Act to ratify this Agreement and pending
the passing of that Act means the Minister for the time being designated in a
notice from the State to the Joint Venturers and includes the successors in
office of the Minister;
“Minister for Mines” means the
Minister in the Government of the State for the time being responsible for the
administration of the Mining Act 1904 or the Mining Act 1978 ;
“month” means calendar month;
“notice” means notice in writing;
“ore” means any rock soil or alluvium
bearing diamonds mined from mining leases granted pursuant to this Agreement;
“person” or “persons”
includes bodies corporate;
“private road” means a road (not being
a public road) which is either constructed by the Joint Venturers in
accordance with their proposals as approved by the Minister hereunder or
agreed by the parties to be a private road for the purposes of this Agreement;
“public road” means a road as defined
by the Road Traffic Act 1974 ;
“relevant town” in relation to the
Argyle mining area means the town or towns to be developed in the Kimberley
region with the approval of the State by the Joint Venturers as the principal
housing area for their mine workforce serving the Argyle mining area and in
relation to the Ellendale mining area means the town or towns to be developed
in the Kimberley region with the approval of the State by the Joint Venturers
as the principal housing area for their mine workforce associated with the
Ellendale mining area and may in either case with the approval of the State
include an existing town;
“relevant townsite” means the site on
which the relevant town is or is to be situated;
“said State” means the State of
Western Australia;
“sorting” means the classification of
diamonds after any necessary cleaning into categories in relation to their
size, shape, colour or value and “sorted” has a corresponding
meaning;
“State Energy Commission” means The
State Energy Commission of Western Australia as described in section 7 of the
State Energy Commission Act 1979 ;
“this Agreement” “hereof”
and “hereunder” refer to this Agreement whether in its original
form or as from time to time added to varied or amended.
Interpretation 6
2. In this Agreement —
(a)
monetary references are references to Australian currency unless otherwise
specifically expressed;
(b)
power given under any clause other than Clause 40 to extend any period or date
shall be without prejudice to the power of the Minister under Clause 40;
(c)
marginal notes do not affect the interpretation or construction 6 ; and
(d)
reference to an Act (other than the Mining Act 1904 ) includes the amendments
to that Act for the time being in force and also any Act passed in
substitution therefor or in lieu thereof and the regulations for the time
being in force thereunder.
Initial obligations of the State 6
3. The State shall —
(a)
introduce and sponsor a Bill in the Parliament of Western Australia to ratify
this Agreement and endeavour to secure its passage as an Act prior to 31st
December, 1981; and
(b) to
the extent reasonably necessary for the purposes of this Agreement allow the
Joint Venturers to enter upon Crown Lands (including, if applicable, land the
subject of a pastoral lease).
Ratification and operation 6
4. (1) The provisions
of this Agreement other than this Clause and Clauses 1, 2 and 3 shall not come
into operation until the Bill referred to in Clause 3 has been passed by the
Parliament of Western Australia and comes into operation as an Act.
(2) If before 31st
December, 1981 the said Bill has not commenced to operate as an Act then
unless the parties hereto otherwise agree this Agreement shall then cease and
determine and no party hereto shall have any claim against any other party
hereto with respect to any matter or thing arising out of, done, performed, or
omitted to be done or performed under this Agreement.
(3) On the said Bill
commencing to operate as an Act all the provisions of this Agreement shall
operate and take effect notwithstanding the provisions of any Act or law.
Initial obligations of the Joint Venturers 6
5. (1) The Joint
Venturers shall continue their field and office engineering, environmental,
market and finance studies and other matters necessary to enable them to
finalise and to submit to the Minister the detailed proposals referred to in
Clause 7 and their proposed marketing arrangements pursuant to Clause 6.
(2) The Joint Venturer
shall keep the State fully informed in writing quarterly as to the progress
and results of their operations under subclause (1) of this Clause. The first
quarterly report shall be lodged during the month of April, 1982 and shall be
in respect of the quarter ending on the last day of March, 1982 and thereafter
the quarterly reports shall be in respect of the quarter ending on the last
day of the month preceding the month in which they are lodged.
(3) The Joint
Venturers shall co-operate with the State and consult with the representatives
or officers of the State regarding matters referred to in subclause (1) of
this Clause and any other relevant studies in relation to that subclause that
the Minister may wish to undertake;
Marketing arrangements 6
6. (1) Prior to or at
the time of the submission of the proposals required pursuant to subclause
1(A) of Clause 7 the Joint Venturers shall also submit to the Minister for his
approval their proposed arrangements for the marketing of diamonds to be
produced pursuant to this Agreement.
(2) The Minister shall
within 2 months after receipt of any such submission notify the Joint
Venturers of his approval or otherwise of the proposed arrangements.
(3) In the event that
the Minister does not approve the said submission (which approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld) the Minister shall give reasons and shall afford the
Joint Venturers full opportunity to consult with him and should they so desire
to submit new or revised arrangements for his approval.
(4) The
Minister’s determination in respect of any submission by the Joint
Venturers pursuant to this Clause shall be final and shall not be referable to
arbitration hereunder.
(5) The Joint
Venturers shall submit a report to the Minister at half yearly intervals
unless the Minister otherwise requires commencing from the date the said
proposed arrangements are approved concerning their implementation of those
arrangements.
(6) If the Joint
Venturers at any time during the continuance of this Agreement desire to
significantly modify, expand or otherwise vary the approved marketing
arrangements, they shall inform the Minister and submit their revised
marketing arrangements for his approval pursuant to this Clause.
Joint Venturers to submit proposals for the Argyle mining area 6
7. (1) The Joint
Venturers shall, subject to the provisions of this Agreement, submit to the
Minister to the fullest extent reasonably practicable their detailed proposals
—
(A) on or before 31st December, 1982 for
the mining and recovery of diamonds from not less than 500,000 tonnes per
annum of diamond bearing alluvium from the Argyle mining area to commence not
later than 6 months from the date of approval of such proposals; and
(B) on or before 31st December, 1983 for
the mining and recovery of diamonds from not less than 2 million tonnes per
annum of kimberlite ore from the Argyle mining area such plant to be in
operation not later that 31st December, 1986
which proposals shall
include plans where practicable and specifications where reasonably required
by the Minister and shall make provision where appropriate for the necessary
workforce and associated population required to enable the Joint Ventures to
mine and recover diamonds from ore from the area the subject of the proposals
and shall include the location, area, lay-out, design, quantities, materials
and time programme for the commencement completion of construction or the
provision (as the case may be) of each of the following matters, namely
—
(a) the
mining and recovery of diamonds from ore including plant facilities and
security measures;
(b)
roads;
(c)
relevant townsite and relevant town including housing, provision of utilities
and services and associated facilities including, subject to the provisions of
Clause 26, transitional arrangements;
(d)
water supply;
(e)
power supply;
(f)
airstrip in or adjacent to the mining areas and other airport facilities and
services;
(g) any
other works, services or facilities desired by the Joint Venturers;
(h) use
of local professional services labour and materials and measures to be taken
with respect to the engagement and training of employees by the Joint
Venturers, their agents and contractors;
(i)
any leases (other than mining leases), licences or other
tenures of land required from the State; and
(j) an
environmental management programme as to measures to be taken, in respect of
the Joint Venturers’ activities under this Agreement, for the protection
and management of the environment.
Order of proposals 6
(2) Each of the
proposals pursuant to subclause (1) of this Clause may with the approval of
the Minister or if so required by him be submitted separately and in any order
as to the matter or matters mentioned in one or more of paragraphs (a) to (j)
of subclause (1) of this Clause.
Use of existing infrastructure 6
(3) Each of the
proposals pursuant to subclause (1) of this Clause may with the approval of
the Minister and that of any third parties concerned instead of providing for
the construction of new facilities of the kind therein mentioned provide for
the use by the Joint Venturers of any existing facilities of such kind
belonging to the Joint Venturers or upon reasonable terms and conditions of
any other existing facilities of such kind.
Financial arrangements 6
(4) At the time when
the Joint Venturers submit each of the proposals pursuant to subclause (1) of
this Clause they shall furnish to the State’s satisfaction evidence of
—
(a) the
availability of finance necessary for the fulfilment of the operations to
which the said proposals refer; and
(b) the
readiness of the Joint Venturers to embark upon and proceed to carry out the
operations referred to in the said proposals.
Consideration of proposals 6
8. (1) On receipt of
each of the proposals pursuant to subclause (1) of Clause 7 the Minister shall
—
(a)
approve of the said proposals either wholly or in part without qualification
or reservation; or
(b)
defer consideration of or decision upon the same until such time as the Joint
Venturers submit a further proposal or proposals in respect of some other of
the matters mentioned in subclause (1) of Clause 7 not covered by the said
proposals; or
(c)
require as a condition precedent to the giving of his approval to the said
proposals that the Joint Venturers make such alteration there to or comply
with such conditions in respect thereto as he (having regard to the
circumstances including the overall development of and the use by others as
well as the Joint Venturers of all or any of the facilities proposed to be
provided) thinks reasonable and in such a case the Minister shall disclose his
reasons for such conditions.
Advice of Minister’s decision 6
(2) The Minister shall
within two months after receipt of each of the said proposals pursuant to
subclause (1) of this Clause give notice to the Joint Venturers of his
decision in respect to the same.
Consultation with Minister 6
(3) If the decision of
the Minister is as mentioned in either of paragraphs (b) or (c) of subclause
(1) of this Clause the Minister shall afford the Joint Venturers full
opportunity to consult with him and should they so desire to submit new or
revised proposals either generally or in respect to some particular matter.
Minister’s decision subject to arbitration 6
(4) If the decision of
the Minister is as mentioned in either of paragraphs (b) or (c) of subclause
(1) of this Clause and the Joint Venturers consider that the decision is
unreasonable the Joint Venturers within two months after receipt of the notice
mentioned in subclause (2) of this Clause may elect to refer to arbitration in
the manner hereinafter provided the question of the reasonableness of the
decision.
Arbitration award 6
(5) An award made on
an arbitration pursuant to subclause (4) of this Clause shall have force and
effect as follows —
(i)
if by the award the dispute is decided against the Joint
Venturers then unless the Joint Venturers within 3 months after delivery of
the award give notice to the Minister of their acceptance of the award this
Agreement shall on the expiration of that period of 3 months cease and
determine; or
(ii)
if by the award the dispute is decided in favour of the
Joint Venturers the decision shall take effect as a notice by the Minister
that he is so satisfied with and approves the matter or matters the subject of
the arbitration.
Effect of non-approval of proposals 6
(6) Notwithstanding
that under subclause (1) of this Clause any detailed proposals of the Company
are approved by the Minister or determined by arbitration award, unless each
and every such proposal and matter is so approved or determined by —
(i)
31st December, 1983 in respect of the proposals made
pursuant to paragraph (A) of subclause (1) of Clause 7; and
(ii)
31st December, 1984 in respect of the proposals made
pursuant to paragraph (B) of subclause (1) of Clause 7
or in each case by
such extended date or period if any as the Joint Venturers shall be granted
pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement then the Minister may give to the
Joint Venturers 12 months notice of intention to determine this Agreement and
unless before the expiration of the said 12 months period all the detailed
proposals and matters are so approved or determined this Agreement shall cease
and determine subject however to the provisions of Clause 42.
Implementation of proposals 6
(7) The Joint
Venturers shall implement the approved proposals in accordance with the terms
thereof.
Further proposals — Ellendale mining area 6
9. (1) On or before
31st December, 1990 the Joint Venturers shall submit to the Minister detailed
proposals for the development of the Ellendale mining area and as to such of
the matters mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (j) of subclause (1) of Clause 7 as
the Minister may require.
(2) The provisions of
Clauses 6, 7 and 8 (other than subclauses (5) and (6) of Clause 8) shall
mutatis mutandis apply to detailed proposals submitted pursuant to this
Clause.
Additional proposals 6
10. If the Joint Venturers at any time during the
continuance of this Agreement desire to significantly modify expand or
otherwise vary their activities carried on pursuant to this Agreement beyond
those specified in any approved proposals or desire to mine minerals other
than diamonds they shall give notice of such desire to the Minister and within
2 months thereafter shall submit to the Minister detailed proposals in respect
of all matters covered by such notice and such of the other matters mentioned
in paragraphs (a) to (j) of subclause (1) of Clause 7 as the Minister may
require. The provisions of Clause 7 and Clause 8 (other than subclauses (5)
and (6)) shall mutatis mutandis apply to detailed proposals submitted pursuant
to this subclause. The Joint Venturers shall implement the approved proposals
in accordance with the terms thereof.
Protection and management of the environment 6
11. (1) The Joint
Venturers shall in respect of the matters referred to in paragraph (j) of
subclause (1) of Clause 7 and which are the subject of approved proposals
under this Agreement, carry out a continuous programme of investigation and
research including monitoring and the study of sample areas to ascertain the
effectiveness of the measures they are taking pursuant to such approved
proposals for rehabilitation and the protection and management of the
environment.
(2) The Joint
Venturers shall during the currency of this Agreement at yearly intervals
commencing from the respective dates when the Joint Venturers’ proposals
are approved submit an interim report to the Minister concerning
investigations and research carried out pursuant to subclause (1) of this
Clause and at 3 yearly intervals commencing from such date submit a detailed
report to the Minister on the result of the investigations and research during
the previous 3 years.
(3) The Minister may
within 2 months of the receipt of the detailed report pursuant to subclause
(2) of this Clause notify the Joint Venturers that he requires additional
detailed proposals to be submitted in respect of all or any of the matters the
subject of the detailed report.
(4) The Joint
Venturers shall within 2 months of the receipt of a notice given pursuant to
subclause (3) of this Clause submit to the Minister additional detailed
proposals as required and the provisions of Clause 7 and Clause 8 (other than
subclauses (5) and (6)) where applicable shall mutatis mutandis apply in
respect of such proposals.
(5) The Joint
Venturers shall implement the decision of the Minister or an award made on
arbitration as the case may be in accordance with the terms thereof.
Use of local professional services labour and materials 6
12. (1) The Joint
Venturers shall, for the purposes of this Agreement, as far as it is
reasonable and economically practicable so to do —
(a) use
the services of engineers, surveyors, architects and other professional
consultants resident and available within the said State;
(b) use
labour available within the said State;
(c) when
preparing specifications calling for tenders and letting contracts for works
materials plant equipment and supplies ensure that Western Australian
suppliers manufacturers and contractors are given fair and reasonable
opportunity to tender or quote; and
(d) give
proper consideration and where possible preference to Western Australian
suppliers manufacturers and contractors when letting contracts or placing
orders for works, materials plant, equipment and supplies where price quality
delivery and service are equal to or better than that obtainable elsewhere.
(2) The Joint
Venturers shall in every contract entered into with a third party for the
supply of services labour works materials plant equipment and supplies for the
purposes of this Agreement require as a condition thereof that such third
party shall undertake the same obligations as are referred to in subclause (1)
of this Clause and shall report to the Joint Venturers concerning such third
party’s implementation of that condition.
(3) The Joint
Venturers shall submit a report to the Minister at quarterly intervals or such
longer period as the Minister determines commencing from the date of this
Agreement concerning their implementation of the provisions of this Clause
together with a copy of any report received by the Joint Venturers pursuant to
subclause (2) of this Clause during that quarter.
Roads — Private roads 6
13. (1) The Joint
Venturers shall —
(a) be
responsible for the cost of the construction and maintenance of all private
roads which shall be used in their operations hereunder;
(b) at
their own cost make such provision as shall ensure that all persons and
vehicles (other than those engaged upon the Joint Venturers’ operations
and their invitees and licencees) are excluded from use of any such private
roads; and
(c) at
any place where such private roads are constructed by the Joint Venturers so
as to cross any railways or public roads provide at their cost such reasonable
protection as may be required by the Commissioner of Main Roads or the
Railways Commission as the case may be.
Public roads — construction 6
(2) The State shall
construct or cause to be constructed by either the Joint Venturers or others
after consultation with the Joint Venturers within such period of time as the
parties shall agree public roads in accordance with the requirements of the
Commissioner of Main Roads to connect the relevant town and the mining areas
with existing public roads. The cost of such construction shall be borne by
the Joint Venturers subject to the State contributing such amount as the State
considers to be a reasonable proportion thereof.
Maintenance of public roads 6
(3) The State shall
maintain or cause to be maintained those public roads under the control of the
Commissioner of Main Roads or a local authority which may be used by the Joint
Venturers to a standard similar to comparable public roads maintained by the
Commissioner of Main Roads or a local authority as the case may be.
Upgrading of public roads 6
(4) In the event that
the Joint Venturers’ operations hereunder require the use of a public
road referred to in subclause (3) of this Clause which is inadequate for the
purpose, or result in excessive damage to or deterioration of any such public
road (other than fair wear and tear) the Joint Venturers shall pay to the
State the whole or an equitable part of the total cost of any upgrading
required or of making good the damage or deterioration as may be reasonably
required by the Commissioner of Main Roads having regard to the use of such
public road by others.
Acquisition of private roads 6
(5) Where a road
constructed by the Joint Venturers for their own use is subsequently required
for public use, the State may, after consultation with the Joint Venturers and
so long as resumption thereof shall not unduly prejudice or interfere with the
operations of the Joint Venturers under this Agreement, resume and dedicate
such road as a public road. Upon any such resumption the State shall pay to
the Joint Venturers such amount as the State considers to be reasonable.
Liability 6
(6) The parties hereto
further covenant and agree with each other that —
(a) for
the purposes of determining whether and if so the extent to which —
(i)
the Joint Venturers are liable to any person or body
corporate (other than the State); or
(ii)
an action is maintainable by any such person or body
corporate
in respect of the
death or injury of any person or damage to any property arising out of the use
of any of the roads for the maintenance of which the Joint Venturers are
responsible hereunder and for no other purpose the Joint Venturers shall be
deemed to be a municipality and the said roads shall be deemed to be streets
under the care control and management of the Joint Venturers; and
(b) for
the purposes of this Clause the terms “municipality”
“street” and “care control and management” shall have
the meaning which they respectively have in the Local Government Act 1960 .
Airport 6
14. The Joint Venturers shall confer with the
Minister with a view to reaching agreement on any upgrading of existing
airport facilities and services in the Kimberley region that may be necessary
for or result from the Joint Venturers’ operations hereunder.
Mining lease Argyle mining area 6
15. (1) On application
made by the Joint Venturers, not later than 3 months after all their proposals
submitted pursuant to paragraph (A) of subclause (1) of Clause 7 have been
approved or determined and the Joint Venturers have complied with the
provisions of Clause 6 and subclause (4) of Clause 7, for a mining lease of
the blue area and in respect of which CRAE then holds mineral claims, the
State shall upon the surrender by CRAE of all such mineral claims cause to be
granted to the Joint Venturers at the rental specified from time to time in
the Mining Act 1978 a mining lease of such land (notwithstanding that the
survey in respect thereof has not been completed but subject to such
corrections to accord with the survey when completed at the Joint
Venturers’ expense) such mining lease to be granted under and, except as
otherwise provided in this Agreement, subject to the Mining Act 1978 but in
the form of the Schedule hereto for all minerals and subject to such of the
conditions of the surrendered mineral claims as the Minister for Mines
determines.
Term and renewal 6
(2) Subject to the
performance by the Joint Venturers of their obligations under this Agreement
and the Mining Act 1978 and notwithstanding any provisions of the
Mining Act 1978 to the contrary the term of the mining lease shall be for a
period of 21 years commencing from the date of receipt of the application
therefor under subclause (1) of this Clause with the right during the currency
of this Agreement to take successive renewals of the said term each for a
further period of 21 years upon the same terms and conditions, subject to the
sooner determination of the said term upon cessation or determination of this
Agreement, such right to be exercisable by the Joint Venturers making written
application for any such renewal not later than 1 month before the expiration
of the current term of the mining lease.
Exemption from expenditure conditions 6
(3) The State shall
ensure that during the currency of this Agreement and subject to compliance
with their obligations hereunder the Joint Venturers shall not be required to
comply with the expenditure conditions imposed by or under the Mining Act 1978
in regard to the mining lease.
Access over mining lease 6
(4) The Joint
Venturers shall at all times permit the State and third parties with the
consent of the State (with or without stock vehicles and rolling stock) to
have access to and to pass over the mining lease (by separate route, road or
railway) so long as that access and passage does not unduly prejudice or
interfere with the operations of the Joint Venturers under this Agreement and
subject at all times to any law of the State relating to security within any
area or areas on which the Joint Venturers’ operations are carried on.
Surrender of part of mining lease 6
(5) Notwithstanding
the provisions of this Clause and the Mining Act 1978 the Joint Venturers may
from time to time (with abatement of future rent in respect to the area
surrendered but without any abatement of rent already paid or any rent which
has become due and has been paid in advance) surrender to the State all or any
portion or portions of the mining lease.
Incorporation of additional areas in the mining lease 6
(6) Notwithstanding
the provisions of the Mining Act 1978 the Joint Venturers may, once within 5
years from the date of this Agreement, apply to the Minister for Mines for
inclusion in the mining lease of such part or parts of the red area as the
Joint Venturers nominate and in respect of which CRAE or the Joint Venturers
or any of them then hold mining tenements under the Mining Act 1904 or mining
leases under the Mining Act 1978 . The Minister for Mines may at his election
include the whole or any part of the land applied for in the mining lease upon
the surrender by the holder of the relevant mining tenements or mining leases
subject to such of the conditions of the surrendered mining tenements and
mining leases as the Minister for Mines determines but otherwise subject to
the same terms covenants and conditions as apply to the mining lease (with
such apportionment of rents as is necessary), notwithstanding that the survey
of such additional land has not been completed (but subject to correction to
accord with the survey when completed at the Joint Venturers’ expense).
Mineral claims in the Argyle mining area — blue area 6
16. (1)
Notwithstanding the provisions of the Mining Act 1978 any mineral claims in
respect of the blue area held by CRAE on the commencement date shall subject
to the provisions of subclauses (4) and (5) of this Clause be held under the
provisions of the Mining Act 1904 for a period of 2 years (or until such
earlier time as such mineral claims are surrendered for the purposes of
subclause (1) of Clause 15 or such longer period as may be obtained pursuant
to subclause (2) of this Clause) from the commencement date and shall then
expire.
(2) The Minister shall
at the request of the Joint Venturers extend the period referred to in
subclause (1) of this Clause by additional periods each of 1 year but such
extensions shall not exceed in total 3 years.
Red area 6
(3) Notwithstanding
the provisions of the Mining Act 1978 any mining tenements in respect of the
red area held by CRAE on the commencement date or subsequently granted to CRAE
or to the Joint Venturers or any of them under the Mining Act 1904 , shall
subject to the provisions of subclauses (4) and (5) of this Clause be held
under the provisions of the Mining Act 1904 for a period ending 5 years (or
such earlier time as such mining tenements are surrendered for the purposes of
subclause (6) of Clause 15 or otherwise) from the commencement date and shall
them expire.
Exemption from labour conditions and other conditions of work 6
(4) The mining
tenements referred to in subclauses (1) and (3) of this Clause shall be exempt
from the labour conditions and other conditions of work imposed by or under
the Mining Act 1904 subject to compliance by the holder thereof with its other
obligations thereunder.
Rent 6
(5) The rent payable
in respect of the mining tenements referred to in subclauses (1) and (3) of
this Clause shall as from 1st January, 1984 be at the rate applicable to a
mining lease from time to time pursuant to the Mining Act 1978 .
Mining leases in the Argyle mining area — red area 6
(6) Any mining leases
under the Mining Act 1978 in respect of the red area held by CRAE at the
commencement date or subsequently granted to CRAE or to the Joint Venturers or
any of then shall, subject to compliance with the obligations thereunder,
remain in force for a period of 5 years (or such earlier time as such mining
leases are surrendered for the purposes of subclause (6) of Clause 15 or
otherwise) from the commencement date and shall then expire.
Exemption from expenditure conditions 6
(7) During such time
as the mining leases referred to in subclause (6) of this Clause remain in
force and subject to compliance with the other obligations thereunder the
holder shall not be required to comply with the expenditure conditions imposed
by or under the Mining Act 1978 .
Continuation of Temporary Reserves and rights of occupancy 6
17. (1) Subject to the
provisions of this Clause and notwithstanding the provisions of the Mining Act
1904 or the Mining Act 1978 Temporary Reserves numbered 7216H 7217H 7311H and
7323H as they exist immediately after the commencement date and the rights of
occupancy held by CRAE in respect thereto shall, subject to compliance by CRAE
with the terms thereof (other than the requirement of relinquishment),
continue for a period of 5 years from the commencement date and then be
cancelled.
(2) Notwithstanding
the provisions of subclause (1) of this Clause the Minister may from time to
time cancel such portions of the said Temporary Reserves and the rights of
occupancy as may be included in any mining tenement granted pursuant to the
Mining Act 1904 or the Mining Act 1978 .
Mining lease Ellendale mining area 6
18. On application made by the Joint Venturers,
not later than 3 months after all their proposals submitted pursuant to Clause
9 have been approved or determined for a mining lease of such part or parts of
the Ellendale mining area as the Joint Venturers nominate and in respect of
which CRAE or the Joint Venturers or any of them then holds mineral claims,
the State shall upon the surrender of all such mineral claims cause to he
granted to the Joint Venturers a mining lease of such land on the same terms
covenants and conditions mutatis mutandis that apply to the mining lease
granted pursuant to Clause 15 but excluding the provisions of subclause (6) of
that Clause.
Mineral claims in the Ellendale mining area 6
19. (1)
Notwithstanding the provisions of the Mining Act 1978 any mineral claims in
respect of the Ellendale mining area held by CRAE or the Joint Venturers or
any of them at the date of this Agreement or subsequently granted to CRAE or
the Joint Venturers or any of them subject to the provisions of this Clause,
shall be held under the provisions of the Mining Act 1904 for a period of 10
years (or such earlier time as such mineral claims are surrendered for the
purposes of Clause 18 or otherwise) from the commencement date and shall then
expire.
Exemption from labour conditions and programme of work 6
(2) The State shall
ensure that subject to the holder undertaking annually a programme of work in
respect of such mineral claims which shall first be approved by the Minister
after consultation with the Minister for Mines, such holder shall not be
required to comply with the labour conditions imposed by the Mining Act 1904
in respect of such mineral claims.
Rent 6
(3) The rent payable
in respect of mineral claims held by CRAE or the Joint Venturers or any of
them in the Ellendale mining area shall as from 1st January, 1984 be at the
rate applicable to a mining lease from time to time pursuant to the
Mining Act 1978 .
Right to remove stone, sand, clay and gravel 6
20. The Joint Venturers may for the purposes of
this Agreement and without payment of royalty, remove stone sand clay or
gravel from the mining leases or from any other mining tenement held from time
to time by CRAE or the Joint Venturers or any of them in the Argyle mining
area or the Ellendale mining area under the Mining Act 1904 or the Mining Act
1978 .
Electricity — Argyle 6
21. (1)
(a) For the purposes of the provision of
electricity to the Argyle mining area and the relevant town to be constructed
for the Joint Venturers’ operations at the Argyle mining area, the Joint
Venturers shall undertake studies with the State Energy Commission with a view
to the establishment, on terms and conditions to be agreed between the State
Energy Commission and the Joint Venturers, of hydro electric generation works
on the Ord River and distribution works to supply inter alia the Argyle mining
area and the relevant town at the Argyle mining area.
(b)
Subject to paragraph (d) of this subclause, the Joint Venturers shall
following completion of the studies referred to in paragraph (a) of this
subclause enter into an agreement with the State Energy Commission for the
purchase by the Joint Venturers of electricity required for the Argyle mining
area and the relevant town at the Argyle mining area from the hydro electric
generation works referred to in paragraph (a) of this subclause.
(c) The
Joint Venturers in accordance with their approved proposals hereunder may,
pending agreement being reached with the State Energy Commission pursuant to
paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subclause and the commencement of the supply of
electricity from the said hydro electric generation works, install and operate
equipment to generate electricity for the Argyle mining area and the relevant
town at the Argyle mining area and the provisions of paragraphs (a) (b) and
(c) of subclause (3) of this Clause shall apply to any such installation and
operation.
(d) In
the event of the Joint Venturers demonstrating to the satisfaction of the
Minister that the terms of the proposed agreements between the State Energy
Commission and the Joint Venturers for the establishment of the said
generation and distribution works and the supply of electricity to the Joint
Venturers pursuant to paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subclause would result in
an overall cost to the Joint Venturers which would be greater than the overall
cost (including capital and operating costs) of supplying electricity to the
Argyle mining area and the relevant town at the Argyle mining area from a
power station constructed by the Joint Venturers at the Argyle mining area,
the provisions of subclauses (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) and (9) of this Clause
shall apply to the supply of such electricity to the Argyle mining area and
the relevant town at the Argyle mining area.
Ellendale 6
(2) (a)
For the purposes of the provision of electricity
to the Ellendale mining area and the relevant town constructed for the Joint
Venturers’ operations at the Ellendale mining area and for the purposes
of facilitating integration of electricity generation and transmission
facilities in the Ellendale mining area the Joint Venturers shall purchase
electricity if available from the State Energy Commission, or, negotiate with
the State Energy Commission for the payment by the Joint Venturers of an
equitable contribution towards the augmentation of the facilities of the State
Energy Commission to enable it to supply electricity to the Joint Venturers.
Electricity supplied to the Joint Venturers pursuant to this subclause shall
be at rates to be agreed between the State Energy Commission and the Joint
Venturers from time to time.
(b) In
the event of the Joint Venturers demonstrating to the satisfaction of the
Minister that the provisions of paragraph (a) of this subclause would be
unduly prejudicial to their operations, the provisions of subclauses (3) (4)
(5) (6) (7) and (8) of this Clause shall apply to the supply of electricity to
the Ellendale mining area and the relevant town.
(3) Subject to
subclauses (1) and (2) of this Clause the Joint Venturers may —
(a) in
accordance with their approved proposals hereunder and subject to the
provisions of the Electricity Act 1945 and the approval and requirements of
the State Energy Commission, install and operate without cost to the State, at
an appropriate location equipment to generate electricity of sufficient
capacity for their operations hereunder;
(b)
transmit power within the mining areas and from the mining areas to the
relevant town or elsewhere subject to the provisions of the Electricity Act
1945 and the approval and requirements of the State Energy Commission; and
(c)
subject to the provisions of the Electricity Act 1945 and the requirements of
the State Energy Commission sell power transmitted pursuant to paragraph (b)
of this subclause to third parties within the mining areas and to third
parties elsewhere.
(4) In the event that
the Joint Venturers are unable to procure easements or other rights over land
required for the purposes of subclause (3) of this Clause on reasonable terms
the State shall assist the Joint Venturers to such extent as may be reasonably
necessary to enable them to procure the said easements or other rights over
land.
(5) Should the Joint
Venturers’ relevant approved proposal provide for the State Energy
Commission to reticulate electricity to houses occupied by the Joint
Venturers’ workforce and by any other persons connected directly with
the Joint Venturers’ operations whether employees or not and to
commercial establishments directly connected with such operations, the Joint
Venturers shall sell to the State Energy Commission in bulk electricity in
sufficient quantities to meet the needs of such workforce persons and
establishments on terms and conditions to be negotiated between the State
Energy Commission and the Joint Venturers.
(6) If the State
Energy Commission desires to purchase power for its own use and the Joint
Venturers have the ability to supply such power, the Joint Venturers shall use
their best endeavours to supply on terms and conditions to be negotiated
between the State Energy Commission and the Joint Venturers, and the Joint
Venturers shall in that event be empowered to supply such power.
Acquisition of facilities 6
(7) Notwithstanding
the provisions of the State Energy Commission Act the State may at any time
give to the Joint Venturers 12 months’ notice of its intention to
acquire and may thereafter acquire the Joint Venturers’ electricity
facilities or any part thereof up to the first point of voltage breakdown or
such other appropriate point as may be agreed, at a price to be agreed between
the parties and the Joint Venturers shall take all such steps as may be
necessary to effect the acquisitions. The State undertakes that in such event
the Joint Venturers shall for their purposes hereunder have first call on the
power generated and transmitted by such electricity facilities so acquired at
levels of supply from time to time agreed between the State and the Joint
Venturers and the State undertakes subject only to its inability to supply
power for any of the reasons set forth in Clause 39 to supply the Joint
Venturers with power for their purposes hereunder at the said levels of supply
and that in the event of such inability to supply power occurring the State
shall take all possible steps to restore such supply regardless of the time or
day when such inability arises.
Charges for electricity 6
(8) In the event of
the State acquiring the Joint Venturers’ electricity facilities the
Joint Venturers shall pay to the State Energy Commission the cost of all
electricity supplied to the Joint Venturers by the State Energy Commission at
rates to be agreed between the State Energy Commission and the Joint Venturers
from time to time. Should the Joint Venturers desire to expand their
operations hereunder and for that purpose require power beyond the level
agreed pursuant to subclause (7) of this Clause the Joint Venturers shall give
to the State 1 years notice of their additional power requirements and the
State shall thereupon cause the State Energy Commission to negotiate with the
Joint Venturers the terms and conditions under which the additional generating
capacity required to meet the needs of such expansion is to be provided.
Alternative power — Argyle 6
(9) Notwithstanding
that the Joint Venturers have installed equipment to generate electricity at
the Argyle mining area pursuant to the provisions of subclause (3) of this
Clause the Joint Venturers may during the continuance of this Agreement enter
into negotiations with the State Energy Commission with a view to obtaining
further or alternative electricity for the Argyle mining area and the relevant
town from hydro electric generation works on the Ord River.
Water — Argyle 6
22. (1) The State and
the Joint Venturers shall agree upon the amount of the Joint Venturers’
annual and maximum daily water requirements for their purposes hereunder at
the Argyle mining area and the relevant town constructed for the Joint
Venturers’ operations at the Argyle mining area (which amount or such
other amounts as shall from time to time be agreed between the parties to be
reasonable are hereinafter called “the Argyle water
requirements”).
Lake Argyle 6
(2) The Joint
Venturers may, subject to the relevant approved proposal and their entering
into an agreement with the State or a statutory body designated by the State
with respect to the construction operation and maintenance of facilities to
take water from Lake Argyle and supply it to the Argyle mining area obtain
subject to that agreement all or part of the Argyle water requirements from
Lake Argyle.
Search in Argyle mining area 6
(3) The Joint
Venturers may at their cost and in collaboration with the State continue to
search for underground water within the Argyle mining area. Where appropriate
the Joint Venturers shall employ and retain experienced groundwater
consultants. The Joint Venturers shall furnish to the Minister details of the
results of their investigations and copies of the reports of such consultants
as they become available.
Grant of licence 6
(4) If the
investigations referred to in subclause (3) of this Clause prove to the
satisfaction of the Minister the availability of any suitable underground
water source in the Argyle mining area which can continue to be drawn on by
the Joint Venturers without seriously affecting the water level in that water
source beneath the Argyle mining area or adjacent areas the State shall on the
request of the Joint Venturers grant to the Joint Venturers a licence to
develop and draw from that source, at the Joint Venturers’ cost but
without fee, so much of the Argyle water requirements as shall be agreed
between the parties on such terms and conditions as are necessary to ensure
good water resource management as the Minister may from time to time require
and during the continuance of this Agreement grant renewals of any such
licence PROVIDED HOWEVER that should that source prove hydrologically
inadequate to meet the agreed amount of Argyle water requirements, the State
may on at least 6 months prior notice to the Joint Venturers (or on at least
48 hours prior notice if in the opinion of the Minister an emergency situation
exists) limit the amount of water which may be taken from that source at any
one time or from time to time to the maximum which that source is
hydrologically capable of meeting as aforesaid.
Alternative water source 6
(5) Should the State
at any time pursuant to the proviso to subclause (4) of this Clause limit the
amount of water to be taken from any underground water source or if otherwise
the Argyle water requirements cannot be met from any water source on a
continuous basis the State shall with all reasonable expedition and in
conjunction with and upon the request of the Joint Venturers search for new or
additional water sources with a view to restoring or ensuring the full
quantity of the Argyle water requirements. The Joint Venturers shall pay to
the State a fair and reasonable proportion of the cost of investigating and
developing such new and additional water sources as agreed between the Joint
Venturers and the State.
Development of water sources 6
(6) The Joint
Venturers shall provide at their cost or with finance arranged by them and
construct to standards and in accordance with designs approved by the State
and operate and maintain in accordance with the relevant approved proposals
all necessary bores, valves, pipelines, meters, tanks, equipment and
appurtenances necessary to draw transport use and dispose of water obtained by
the Joint Venturers pursuant to this Clause.
State’s acquisition of water facilities 6
(7) If during the
currency of this Agreement the Minister is of the opinion that it would be
desirable for water conservation purposes or water management purposes that
sources of water utilised by the Joint Venturers be controlled and operated by
the State as part of a regional water supply scheme, the Minister may, on
giving 6 months prior notice to the Joint Venturers of his intention to do so,
acquire the Joint Venturers’ water supply facilities for a monetary
consideration to be determined by the Minister. Immediately thereafter the
State shall, subject only to the continued hydrological availability of water
from such sources commence and thereafter continue to supply water up to an
amount and at a rate required by the Joint Venturers being the amount and rate
to which the Joint Venturers were previously entitled and the proviso to
subclause (4) of this Clause and the provisions of subclause (5) of this
Clause shall in like manner apply to this subclause.
Enlarged water capacity 6
(8) The State, after
first having due regard to the Argyle water requirements and to the
hydrological adequacy of existing water sources, may in its discretion develop
all or any of the surface and/or underground water resources referred to in
this Clause or construct any works in connection therewith to a greater
capacity than that required to supply the Argyle water requirements but in
that event the Joint Venturers shall pay to the State a share of the cost of
the system as so enlarged as may be agreed between the parties to be fair in
all the circumstances.
Third party use 6
(9) The State may
after first having due regard to the Argyle water requirements and to the
hydrological adequacy of the applicable water source, upon not less than 3
months prior notice to the Joint Venturers specifying the identity of the
third party including where applicable the State and the estimated maximum
daily and total quantity of water to be drawn by that third party and the
period over which such drawing is to occur, grant to a third party rights to
draw water or itself draw water from that source PROVIDED HOWEVER that —
(a)
where the Joint Venturers have paid (in whole or in part) any moneys in
respect of the investigation development and utilisation of that water source
the State shall require as a condition of the grant that where the third party
is or will be a substantial drawer of water from that water source within 5
years of the commencement date the third party (but not the State) shall
reimburse to the Joint Venturers prior to the third party exercising its
rights to draw water, such proportion of those moneys as the Minister
determines is fair and reasonable; and
(b)
where the Joint Venturers draw water from that water source the State shall
ensure that it is a condition of the grant to third parties that in the event
that the capacity of that water source is reduced, such reduction shall be
first applied to the third parties and thereafter if further reduction is
necessary the State’s and the Joint Venturers’ requirements shall
be reduced in such proportion as may be agreed.
Payment for water 6
(10) The Joint
Venturers shall pay to the State for water supplied by the State pursuant to
subclauses (2) and (7) of this Clause a fair price to be agreed between the
parties hereto having regard to the actual cost of establishing operating and
maintaining the supply and provision for replacement of the water supply
facilities. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this subclause in
respect of water supplied by the State to the Joint Venturers as aforesaid for
domestic purposes the Joint Venturers shall pay to the State therefor charges
as levied from time to time pursuant to the provisions of the
Country Areas Water Supply Act 1947 .
Design of plant 6
(11) The Joint
Venturers shall to the extent that it is practical and economical design
construct and operate all plant required under this Clause so as to ensure the
most efficient use of the available water resources including if required by
the Minister the use of brackish or saline water.
State to restrict adverse grants 6
(12) The State shall
ensure that no rights to mine minerals petroleum or other substances are
granted over the area of any water source from which the Joint Venturers are
drawing water or from time to time have the right to draw water hereunder
unless the Minister reasonably determines that such grant is not likely to
unduly prejudice or to interfere with the operations of the Joint Venturers
hereunder and is not likely to render the water source incapable of supplying
the Argyle water requirements on a continuous basis.
Charges for supply of water to third parties 6
(13) The Joint
Venturers may supply water to third parties including the State at a charge to
be approved by the Minister after consultation with the Joint Venturers. The
Joint Venturers shall have all the powers and authorities with respect to such
water as are determined by the Minister which may include all or any of the
powers of a water board under the Water Boards Act 1904 and, with the consent
of the Minister for Local Government, a local authority.
Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 6
(14) Any reference in
the foregoing provisions of this Clause to a licence is a reference to a
licence under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914 and the provisions
of that Act relating to water rights and licences shall except where
inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement apply to any water source
developed for the Joint Venturers’ purposes under this Agreement.
Water — Ellendale 6
23. (1) The State and
the Joint Venturers shall agree upon the amount of the Joint Venturers’
annual and maximum daily water requirements for their purposes hereunder at
the Ellendale mining area and the relevant town constructed for the Joint
Venturers’ operations at the Ellendale mining area (which amount or such
other amounts as shall from time to time be agreed between the parties to be
reasonable are hereinafter called “the Ellendale water
requirements”).
Search in Ellendale mining area 6
(2) The Joint
Venturers shall at their cost and in collaboration with the State search for
underground water within the Ellendale mining area. Where appropriate the
Joint Venturers shall employ and retain experienced groundwater consultants.
The Joint Venturers shall furnish to the Minister details of the results of
their investigations and copies of the reports of such consultants as they
become available.
Search outside Ellendale mining area 6
(3) If in the opinion
of the Minister, the details and reports of the consultants pursuant to
subclause (2) of this Clause indicate that any source of underground water in
the Ellendale mining area is likely to be inadequate or unsuitable to supply
the Ellendale water requirements the parties hereto shall collaborate and
agree on a programme which shall be carried out by the State at the cost of
the Joint Venturers to search for water inside and outside the Ellendale
mining area.
Grant of licence 6
(4) If the
investigations referred to in subclauses (2) and (3) of this Clause prove to
the satisfaction of the Minister the availability of any suitable underground
water source in or near the Ellendale mining area which can continue to be
drawn on by the Joint Venturers without seriously affecting the water level in
that water source beneath the Ellendale mining area or adjacent areas or the
availability of water in the adjacent areas the State shall grant to the Joint
Venturers a licence to develop and draw from that source at the Joint
Venturers’ cost but without fee, the Ellendale water requirements on
such terms and conditions as are necessary to ensure good water resource
management as the Minister may from time to time require and during the
continuance of this Agreement grant renewals of any such licence PROVIDED
HOWEVER that should that source prove hydrologically inadequate to meet the
Ellendale water requirements, the State may on at least 6 months prior notice
to the Joint Venturers (or on at least 48 hours prior notice if in the opinion
of the Minister an emergency situation exists) limit the amount of water which
may be taken from that source at any one time or from time to time to the
maximum which that source is hydrologically capable of meeting as aforesaid.
Investigation of surface water 6
(5) In the event of
water supplies from available underground sources proving insufficient to meet
the Ellendale water requirements the Joint Venturers shall notwithstanding the
provisions of subclause (4) of this Clause collaborate with the State in an
investigation of surface water, water catchments and storage dams. The Joint
Venturers shall if they propose to utilise such surface water, water
catchments and storage dams pay to the State a sum or sums to be agreed
towards the cost of such investigation and towards the cost of constructing
any water storage dam or dams and reticulation facilities required.
(6) The provisions of
Clause 22 subclauses (5) to (14) inclusive (but with the deletion in subclause
(10) of “subclauses (2) and (7) of this Clause” and the
substitution therefor of “subclause (5) of Clause 23 and subclause (7)
of this Clause”) shall mutatis mutandis apply to the Ellendale mining
area and the Ellendale water requirements.
Lands 6
24. (1) For the
purposes of the Joint Venturers’ operations and associated works at the
relevant town the State shall grant to the Joint Venturers for residential
agricultural professional business commercial and industrial purposes and the
provision of communal or other facilities at the relevant townsite a special
lease or special leases under the provisions of the Land Act or occupancy
rights on terms and conditions to be determined by the Minister for Lands of
the said State for an area or areas of land in the relevant townsite in
accordance with the Joint Venturers’ proposals as finally approved. Such
lease or leases or occupancy rights as the case may be shall be for a term not
exceeding 21 years from the date of such grant and shall be at reasonable
rentals subject to periodic review. The Joint Venturers may at any time during
the currency of such lease or leases or occupancy rights purchase the fee
simple of any relevant townsite lot on which buildings or structures of a type
and to a value to be approved by the Minister have been erected and at such
reasonable price and on and subject to such terms and conditions not
inconsistent with this Agreement as the Minister for Lands considers
applicable in the circumstances and including a right for the State
notwithstanding the provisions of Clause 36 at any time and from time to time
to exclude from such lease or leases or occupancy rights or to resume without
compensation any part or parts of such land on which no building or structure
or any substantial improvements have been erected as the State may require for
public purposes.
(2) The State shall in
accordance with the Joint Venturers’ approved proposals grant to the
Joint Venturers, or arrange to have the appropriate authority or other
interested instrumentality of the State grant, for such periods and on such
terms and conditions (including rental and renewal rights) as shall be
reasonable having regard to the requirements of the Joint Venturers, leases
and where applicable licences easements and rights of way for all or any of
the purposes of the Joint Venturers’ operations hereunder including any
of the following namely — private roads, tailing areas, water pipelines,
pumping installations and reservoirs, airstrip, power transmission lines and
plant site areas and borrow pits for sand gravel and aggregate.
Modification of Land Act 6
(3) For the purpose of
this Agreement in respect of any land sold or leased to the Joint Venturers by
the State the Land Act shall be deemed to be modified by —
(a) the
substitution for subsection (2) of section 45A of the following subsection
—
“(2) Upon the
Governor signifying approval pursuant to subsection (1) of this section in
respect of any such land the same may subject to this section be sold or
leased.”;
(b) the
deletion of the proviso to section 116;
(c) the
deletion of section 135;
(d) the
deletion of section 143;
(e) the
inclusion of a power to grant occupancy rights over land on such terms and
conditions as the Minister for Lands may determine;
(f) the
inclusion of a power to offer for sale or leasing land within or in the
vicinity of the relevant townsite notwithstanding that the relevant townsite
has not been constituted a townsite under section 10; and
(g) the
inclusion of a power to offer for sale or grant leases or licences for terms
or periods and on such terms and conditions (including renewal rights) and in
forms consistent with the provisions of this Agreement in lieu of the terms or
periods, the terms and conditions and the forms referred to in the Land Act ;
The provisions of this
subclause shall not operate so as to prejudice the rights of the State to
determine any lease licence or other right or title in accordance with the
other provisions of this Agreement.
Sale of Land Act 6
(4) Notwithstanding
the provisions of the Sale of Land Act 1970 , the Joint Venturers shall,
subject to the prior consent of the Minister, have the right during the
currency of any lease or leases or occupancy rights granted to them under
subclause (1) of this Clause to enter into an agreement to sell any lot the
subject of such lease or leases or occupancy rights on condition that the
purchaser erects on such lot within 2 years from the date of such agreement,
buildings or structures of a type and to a value to be approved by the
Minister.
Townsite and town development 6
25. (1)
(a) Should the approved proposals provide for the
establishment of a new town or new towns the Joint Venturers shall at their
cost or with finance arranged by them and in accordance with the approved
proposals —
(i)
Provide at the relevant townsite such housing
accommodation services and works (including sewerage reticulation and
treatment works water supply works and drainage works and also social cultural
and civic facilities) as may be necessary in order to provide for the needs of
persons (and the dependants of those persons) connected directly with the
Joint Venturers operations under this Agreement, whether or not such persons
are employed by the Joint Venturers;
(ii)
provide at the relevant townsite all necessary public
roads and buildings required for educational, hospital, medical, police,
recreation, fire and other services;
(iii)
provide all equipment required for the operation and
proper functioning of the services and works referred to in subparagraphs (i)
and (ii) of this paragraph;
(iv)
service maintain and where necessary repair and renovate
the housing accommodation services and works mentioned in subparagraphs (i)
and (ii) of this paragraph;
(v)
(subject to and in accordance with by-laws from time to
time to be made and altered by the Joint Venturers which include provisions
for fair and reasonable prices rentals or charges or if no such by-laws are
made or in force then at such prices rentals or charges and upon and subject
to such terms and conditions as are fair and reasonable) ensure that the said
housing accommodation services and works are at all times readily available to
persons requiring the same being employees licencees or agents of the Joint
Venturers or persons engaged in providing a legitimate and normal service to
or for the Joint Venturers or their employees licencees or agents including
the dependants of such persons; and
(vi)
ensure that the roads buildings and other works mentioned
in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph and the equipment mentioned in
subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph are readily available free of charge to
the State.
Limitation on Joint Venturers’ obligations 6
(b)
Nothing contained in paragraph (a) of this subclause shall be construed as
placing on the Joint Venturers an obligation to provide and pay for personnel
required to operate the educational hospital medical or police services
(except as provided in Clause 31) mentioned in that paragraph.
Equipment 6
(2) The Joint
Venturers shall at their cost or with finance arranged by them equip all the
buildings mentioned in paragraph (a) of subclause (1) of this Clause to the
extent and of a standard at least equal to that normally adopted by the State
in similar types of buildings used for similar purposes in comparable
townsites.
Staff housing 6
(3) The Joint
Venturers shall at their cost or with finance arranged by them provide
adequate housing accommodation for married and single staff directly connected
with the educational hospital medical and police services mentioned in
subparagraphs (i) and (ii) of paragraph (a) of subclause (1) of this Clause.
Existing towns 6
(4) If the approved
proposals provide for the assimilation into any existing town of the whole or
part of the Joint Venturers’ workforce (including their dependants) and
any other persons (including their dependants) connected directly with the
Joint Venturers’ operations (whether employees of the Joint Venturers or
not) whereby the normal population of such existing town is significantly
increased then the Joint Venturers to the extent necessary to provide for the
needs of the said increase in population of such existing town shall bear the
cost of the provision at that existing town of the matters mentioned in
subparagraphs (i) (ii) and (iii) of paragraph (a) of subclause (1) of this
Clause. The said additional housing services works and equipment may be
provided by the State, or, after consultation by the Minister with the Joint
Venturers, by another party under an agreement with the State and in either
case shall be to the extent and of a standard at least equal to that normally
adopted by the State in similar types of buildings used for similar purposes
in comparable towns. The Joint Venturers shall pay to the State or such other
party such proportion of the cost of such additional housing services works
and equipment as is fair and reasonable having regard to the extent of the
said increase in the population of such existing town.
State services 6
(5) Should the
approved proposals place an obligation on the State to provide for any of the
matters mentioned in subparagraphs (i) (ii) and (iii) of paragraph (a) of
subclause (1) of this Clause or require the State to procure and accept the
responsibility of the provision of any services and facilities the State shall
provide or procure the provision of the same but (unless the approved
proposals otherwise provide) subject to the following conditions namely
—
(a) that
the State is satisfied that the need to provide such services and facilities
results from or is reasonably attributed to the Joint Venturers’
operations under this Agreement; and
(b) the
Joint Venturers agree to bear the capital cost involved and thereafter to pay
reasonable charges for the maintenance and operation of the said services or
facilities other than the operation charges in respect of education hospital
medical and police services.
By-laws 6
(6) Unless and until
the relevant townsite is declared a townsite pursuant to section 10 of the
Land Act or otherwise with the consent of the Minister, the Governor in
Executive Council may upon the recommendation of the Joint Venturers make
alter and repeal by-laws for the purpose of enabling the Joint Venturers to
fulfil their obligations under this Clause upon terms and subject to
conditions (including terms and conditions as to user charging and limitation
of the liability of the Joint Venturers) consistent with the provisions
hereof. If at any time it appears that any by-law made hereunder has as a
result of altered circumstances become unreasonable or inapplicable then the
Joint Venturers shall recommend to the Governor that he makes such alteration
or repeal thereof as the State may reasonably require or (in the event of
there being any dispute as to the reasonableness of such requirement) as may
be decided by arbitration as herein provided.
Transitional arrangements — Town 6
26. The Minister may in lieu of requiring the
Joint Venturers to comply with all of the provisions of Clause 25 for the
establishment of a new town or towns, or for the assimilation into any
existing town, permit the Joint Venturers to enter into such transitional
arrangements as he may approve, provided that such arrangements continue only
until such time as the quantity of kimberlite ore from the Argyle mining area
treated for the recovery of diamonds exceeds 3 million tonnes in any calendar
year, or 31st December, 1987, whichever occurs first.
Sewerage facilities 6
27. (1) The Joint
Venturers shall unless the Minister otherwise determines and subject to such
conditions as the Minister may from time to time approve at their cost or with
finance arranged by them construct or cause to be constructed and operate
sewerage facilities at the relevant town and charge for such services. The
Joint Venturers shall have all such powers and authorities with respect to
such facilities as are determined by the Minister which may include, with the
consent of the Minister for Local Government, all or any of the powers of a
local authority.
(2) If at any time the
Minister is of the opinion that it would be desirable that the sewerage
facilities operated by the Joint Venturers under subclause (1) of this Clause
be controlled and operated by the State, the Minister may (after first
affording the Joint Venturers a reasonable opportunity to consult with him) on
giving 6 months prior notice to the Joint Venturers of his intention, acquire
the Joint Venturers’ sewerage facilities for a monetary consideration to
be determined by the Minister.
Thereafter in respect
of sewerage facilities operated by or on behalf of the State within the
relevant town, rates and charges as levied from time to time pursuant to the
provisions of the Country Towns Sewerage Act 1948 shall apply.
Appointment of Administrator 6
28. The State may after consultation with the
Joint Venturers appoint an administrator to administer (at the cost of the
Joint Venturers) any new relevant town established by the Joint Venturers for
the purposes of this Agreement and in so doing to exercise all or any of the
functions and powers of a local authority under the Local Government Act 1960
until such time as agreement may be reached between the Joint Venturers, the
State and the relevant local authority as to the transfer of those functions
and powers to the relevant local authority.
Royalties — Diamonds 6
29. (1) For the
purpose of this Clause —
(a)
“above zero profit” means in relation to a year the amount (if
any) by which the sales value for that year exceeds the allowable deductions
for that year;
“allowable
deductions” means —
(i)
operating costs properly incurred by the Joint Venturers
(but excluding those cost provisions not allowed under the
Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 ) and directly attributable to the mining,
recovery and sorting of rough diamonds from the areas the subject of this
Agreement and such other costs as the Joint Venturers demonstrate to the
reasonable satisfaction of the Minister are reasonably and necessarily
incurred by the Joint Venturers in connection with the mining, recovery and
sorting of rough diamonds from the areas the subject of this Agreement;
(ii)
such apportionment of costs as are reasonably
attributable to or reasonably and necessarily incurred by the Joint Venturers
but which are not wholly incurred in connection with or applicable to the
mining, recovery, sorting and marketing of rough diamonds from the areas the
subject of this Agreement as the Minister may approve;
(iii)
direct marketing and selling expenses properly incurred
by the Joint Venturers in connection with and prior to the sale of sorted
rough diamonds from the areas the subject of this Agreement and such other
expenses which the Joint Venturers demonstrate to the reasonable satisfaction
of the Minister are reasonable and necessary in connection with the sale of
sorted rough diamonds from the areas the subject of this Agreement;
(iv)
transport and insurance costs relating to rough diamonds
from the areas the subject of this Agreement properly incurred by the Joint
Venturers prior to the sale, transfer, disposal or processing thereof;
(v)
expenditure on exploration for diamonds within the areas
the subject of this Agreement reasonably incurred by the Joint Venturers after
the 31st December, 1981;
(vi)
the value of unsold sorted rough diamonds from the areas
the subject of this Agreement which the Joint Venturers had on hand at the
beginning of a year less the value of unsold sorted rough diamonds from the
areas the subject of this Agreement which the Joint Venturers have on hand at
the end of that year. For the purpose of this paragraph (vi) the value of the
diamonds to be taken into account shall be deemed to be the direct cost of
production (excluding depreciation, overheads, interest and financing costs)
thereof;
(vii)
depreciation of allowable capital expenditure;
(viii)
expenditure which the Joint Venturers demonstrate to the
reasonable satisfaction of the Minister was reasonably incurred by the Joint
Venturers or any of them (or any corporation related within the meaning of
that term as used in subsection (5) of section 6 of the Companies Act 1961 to
one or more of the Joint Venturers) prior to 1st January, 1982 in the
exploration for and evaluation of diamonds in the Kimberley region amortised
on the basis and over the period hereinafter provided for the calculation of
depreciation of allowable capital expenditure;
(ix)
actual interest costs and borrowing expenses incurred by
the Joint Venturers on borrowings, not exceeding in amount 80% of the total
investment proposed by the Joint Venturers to be incurred in their activities
hereunder prior to 31st December, 1986, the repayment provisions of which are
approved by the Minister and thereafter actual interest costs and borrowing
expenses incurred by the Joint Venturers on such borrowings as the Minister
(on the basis of proposals submitted by the Joint Venturers with respect to
the financing of their operations under this Agreement and repayment of loans)
may allow for the purposes of this paragraph (ix)
but does not include
—
(I) royalties except where payable pursuant
to an Act of the State (other than the Act to ratify this Agreement);
(II) taxes on or
affecting income or profits; and
(III) any investment
allowance permitted under the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 ;
“allowable
f.o.b. revenue costs” means the following costs directly incurred in
connection with the sale transfer or disposal of sorted rough diamonds from
the areas the subject of this Agreement to the extent that they are reasonably
and necessarily incurred and paid by the Joint Venturers —
(i)
insurance and freight ex Perth;
(ii)
selling and marketing expenses;
(iii)
such other costs and charges as the Minister may in his
discretion consider reasonable in respect of any shipment or sale;
“allowable
capital expenditure” means expenditure of a capital nature properly
incurred by the Joint Venturers being —
(i)
expenditure on plant and equipment owned by the Joint
Venturers and used by them for diamond mining and recovery within the mining
areas the subject of this Agreement;
(ii)
expenditure on buildings plant and equipment owned by the
Joint Venturers and used by then for sorting rough diamonds in the said State;
(iii)
expenditure on site preparation, mine development and
buildings and other improvements located within the areas the subject of this
Agreement;
(iv)
expenditure on housing, educational, hospital, medical,
police, recreation, fire and other services pursuant to the relevant approved
proposal for employees and associated workforce, which facilities and services
are located within the Kimberley region;
(v)
expenditure in providing, or contributing to the cost of
providing, water, electricity, sewerage, radio and telephone communications,
roads and airstrips pursuant to the relevant approved proposals and used for
the diamond mining and recovery and associated relevant townsite operations of
the Joint Venturers;
(vi)
such other capital expenditure as the Minister may
determine to be reasonable and necessary for the Joint Venturers’
diamond mining recovery and sorting operations under this Agreement;
“depreciated
value” means the cost to the Joint Venturers of the assets on which
allowable capital expenditure is incurred less the total amount deducted
therefrom by way of depreciation pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (b)
of this subclause;
“f.o.b.
revenue” means in relation to a year the sales value for that year less
the allowable f.o.b. revenue costs for that year;
“offset
amount” means the amount or amounts which the Joint Venturers may be
entitled to offset against future royalty payments pursuant to subclause (3)
of this Clause;
“processing” means all or any of the following activities carried
out in relation to sorted rough diamonds —
(i)
the physical and chemical treatment of diamonds;
(ii)
the cutting and polishing of diamonds; and
(iii)
all other processes and treatment of diamonds which
increase their market value
but does not include
the sorting of rough diamonds;
“sales
value” means —
(i)
the greater of the gross sales revenue from the sale
transfer or disposal by the Joint Venturers of sorted rough diamonds on an
arms length basis or the fair and reasonable market value on an arms length
basis of sorted rough diamonds sold transferred or disposed of by the Joint
Venturers as determined by the Minister after consultation with the Joint
Venturers; and
(ii)
in respect of sorted rough diamonds processed by the
Joint Venturers the fair and reasonable market value prior to processing as
determined by the Minister (having regard to any current sales on an arms
length basis by the Joint Venturers of comparable categories of sorted rough
diamonds and where sorted rough diamonds are processed in the said State by
the Joint Venturers, having regard to the allowable f.o.b. revenue costs)
after consultation with the Joint Venturers; and
“year”
means the period from the commencement date to the 31st December, 1981 and
thereafter a calendar year beginning on the 1st day of January;
(b)
depreciation of allowable capital expenditure shall be calculated as follows
—
(i)
where at the end of a year the estimated remaining life
of the mine at which the Joint Venturers are carrying on diamond mining
operations under this Agreement (or, where there is more than one such mine
the estimated remaining life of the mine with the largest production) exceeds
five years, by applying a rate of 20% to the depreciated value of allowable
capital expenditure; and
(ii)
where at the end of a year the mine with the largest
production has an estimated life of 5 years or less by dividing, each year
thereafter, the depreciated value of allowable capital expenditure by the
remaining estimated life of that mine.
For the purposes of
this paragraph (b) —
(I) the total amount of depreciation
claimed in respect of any asset shall not exceed the cost of that asset; and
(II) the depreciated
value of allowable capital expenditure shall be reduced in respect of any
asset sold or otherwise disposed of by the proceeds of sale or disposal (if
any);
(c)
where in relation to a year the allowable deductions exceed the sales value a
loss shall be deemed to have been incurred by the Joint Venturers in respect
of that year and the amount of the loss shall be deemed to be the amount by
which the allowable deductions for that year exceed the sales value for that
year. So much of the losses incurred in any one of the 7 years next preceding
a particular year as has not been allowed as a deduction from sales value in
any one of those years shall be allowed as a deduction from sales value in
calculating above zero profit for that year. The ageing of the balance on
losses carried forward shall be determined on a first in first out basis;
(d)
where the Minister is required to be satisfied as to or to approve any costs
or expenses or the calculation or apportionment thereof in connection with
allowable deductions or sales value as defined in this Clause, the Minister
shall consult with the Joint Venturers and have regard to any relevant
provisions of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 .
Profit based royalty 6
(2) The Joint
Venturers shall each year during the continuance of this Agreement pay to the
State in respect of diamonds from the areas the subject of this Agreement
(whether produced before or after the commencement date) royalty at the rate
of 22.5% of the above zero profit for that year PROVIDED HOWEVER that whenever
in respect of a year the royalty payable at the rate aforesaid is less than
7.5% of the f.o.b. revenue for that year or there is no above zero profit the
Joint Venturers shall pay to the State in respect of that year by way of a
minimum royalty payment an amount equal to 7.5% of the f.o.b. revenue for that
year.
Royalty offset 6
(3) (a)
Where a minimum royalty payment has been made by
the Joint Venturers pursuant to the proviso to subclause (2) of this Clause
the Joint Venturers may offset against future royalties payable, in the manner
set forth in subparagraphs (b) and (c) of this subclause, an amount equal to
the amount by which that minimum royalty payment exceeds 22.5% of the above
zero profit for the year in respect of which that minimum royalty payment was
made or if there is no above zero profit for that year the amount of the
minimum royalty payment.
(b) In
any year in which three quarters of 22.5% of the above zero profit for that
year is equal to or greater than 7.5% of the f.o.b. revenue for that year, one
quarter of 22.5% of the above zero profit for that year or such lesser amount
as shall be equal to the offset amount shall be retained by the Joint
Venturers and the amount so retained shall be applied in reduction or
retirement as the case may be of the offset amount.
(c) In
any year in which 22.5% of the above zero profit for that year exceeds 7.5% of
the f.o.b. revenue for that year and three quarters of 22.5% of the above zero
profit is less than 7.5% of the f.o.b. revenue, the amount by which 22.5% of
the above zero profit for that year exceeds 7.5% of the f.o.b. revenue for
that year or such lesser amount as shall be equal to the offset amount shall
be retained by the Joint Venturers and the amount so retained shall be applied
in reduction or retirement as the case may be of the offset amount.
Review of method of calculation 6
(4) (a)
The method of calculation of the profit based
royalty referred to in subclause (2) of this Clause shall during the currency
of this Agreement be subject to review by the Joint Venturers and the State in
the event that either party gives notice to the other that in its opinion the
method of calculation is unfair, inequitable or unworkable.
(b) In
the event of any dispute between the parties arising from any review under
paragraph (a) of this subclause the matter shall be referred to arbitration
hereunder.
Quarterly royalty returns 6
(5) (a)
The Joint Venturers shall during the continuance
of this Agreement within 14 days after the following quarter days (which
quarter days are referred to in this paragraph as “the due date”)
namely the last days of March, June, September and December in each year
(commencing on 31st March, 1982) furnish to the Minister for Mines a return in
a form approved by the Minister for Mines showing the quantity, value,
allowable f.o.b. revenue costs and such other details (including estimated
costs of production and claimed deductions itemised) as the Minister for Mines
may require of diamonds on which royalty has accrued payable hereunder during,
in respect of the return for the quarter ending 31st March, 1982, the period
from the commencement date to 31st March, 1982 and thereafter, during the
quarter immediately preceding the due date of the return and on such return
shall state the opening and closing balance of stocks on hand and estimate the
amount of royalty paid and payable in respect of the diamonds the subject of
the return. The Joint Venturers, if required by the Minister for Mines, shall
consult with him with respect to such estimates and revise such estimates if
required on the basis of actual quarterly sales. Royalty at the rate aforesaid
shall be payable on the due date and shall be paid by the Joint Venturers on
the amount of the estimate or other amount agreed between the Joint Venturers
and the Minister for Mines within 45 days of the due date.
Annual royalty returns 6
(b) The
Joint Venturers shall during the continuance of this Agreement within 4 months
after the 31st December in each year (other than 31st December, 1981)
(hereinafter called the annual return date) furnish to the Minister for Mines
a return, audited by registered auditors, showing full details of all income
derived and expenditure and all other details required to enable the
calculation of the royalty payable thereon and the quantity and value of all
diamonds sold transferred or otherwise disposed of during the year of return.
Returns shall be in a form approved from time to time by the Minister and
shall itemise the basis of apportionment of any indirect costs that may be
approved by the Minister as allowable deductions. The return for the year
ending 31st December, 1982 shall be in respect of the period from the
commencement date to the 31st December, 1982.
(c)
Where a return furnished pursuant to paragraph (b) of this subclause shows
that the estimated royalty paid in respect of the period to which the return
relates is —
(i)
less than the royalty payable for that period the
difference shall be paid on lodgement of the annual return;
(ii)
greater than the royalty payable for that period the
amount overpaid may be deducted by the Joint Venturers from the next quarterly
payment.
Royalty on cessation of this Agreement 6
(6) On the cessation
or determination of this Agreement and notwithstanding any other provision of
this Agreement, unless the Minister otherwise determines, the provisions of
this Clause shall continue to apply until royalty has been paid in accordance
with the provisions of this Clause on all rough diamonds produced by or on
behalf of the Joint Venturers from the areas the subject of this Agreement.
Inspections 6
(7) (a)
The Joint Venturers shall permit the Minister for
Mines or his nominee —
(i)
at all reasonable times to inspect all books of accounts,
records and documents of the Joint Venturers or any of them or of any person
acting on their behalf relative to the operations of the Joint Venturers
hereunder and to any shipment or sale of diamonds including sales contracts
and to take extracts and copies therefrom. The information obtained by the
Minister for Mines or his nominee as a result of any such inspection shall be
used only for the purposes of verifying the amount of royalty payable by the
Joint Venturers and for no other purpose and shall be confidential and shall
not be disclosed by the State, the Minister or the Minister for Mines or his
nominee to any other party for any other purpose;
(ii)
at all reasonable times, notwithstanding any law of the
State relating to security at areas on which the operations of the Joint
Venturers are carried on, to have access to the areas the subject of this
Agreement and all other areas and facilities at which diamonds are stored or
sorted and to inspect all diamonds held by or on behalf of the Joint Venturers
and to value such diamonds.
(b) A
valuer appointed by the Minister for Mines for the purpose of this paragraph
shall be appointed after consultation with the Joint Venturers.
Lodgement of returns 6
(8) Returns pursuant
to this Clause may, with the prior consent of the Minister, be lodged by the
Joint Venturers individually.
Other minerals 6
(9) Subject to the
provisions of Clause 20, the Joint Venturers shall pay to the State in respect
of all minerals other than diamonds produced or obtained from the areas the
subject of this Agreement royalties at the rates from time to time prescribed
under or pursuant to the Mining Act 1904 or the Mining Act 1978 as the case
may be.
Valuation and auditing procedures 6
(10) (a)
The Joint Venturers shall for the purposes of this
Clause take all reasonable steps to satisfy the Minister for Mines as to the
adequacy of its valuation and auditing procedures.
(b)
Nothing in this subclause shall limit the power of the Minister for Mines to
appoint independent valuers and auditors after consultation with the Joint
Venturers to carry out further valuations and audits.
Further processing 6
30. (1) For the
purposes of this Clause “further processing” means all or any of
the following activities carried out in the said State by or on behalf of the
Joint Venturers or any of them in relation to cleaned, but unsorted diamonds
from the areas the subject of this Agreement, namely:
(a) the
classification and sorting of diamonds,
(b) the
physical and chemical treatment of diamonds,
(c) the
cutting and polishing of diamonds, and
(d) all
other processes and treatment of diamonds which increase their market value.
Establishment of sorting facilities 6
(2) (a)
Within one year after the commencement of
production of diamonds under this Agreement, the Joint Venturers shall
establish facilities in the said State for the sorting of diamonds from the
areas the subject of this Agreement and shall thereafter during the
continuance of this Agreement operate the said facilities.
(b) The
nature and extent of the facilities provided by the Joint Venturers pursuant
to this subclause and the operation of those facilities shall be compatible
with the Joint Venturers’ marketing arrangements as approved from time
to time by the Minister.
Investigation of further processing 6
(3) (a)
During the continuance of this Agreement, the
Joint Venturers shall investigate the technical and economic feasibility of
appropriate further processing of diamonds and shall use their best endeavours
to promote the establishment and operation of facilities to achieve the
maximum further processing of diamonds in the said State, whether by
themselves or in association with others.
(b) The
Joint Venturers shall when required by the Minister, but not more frequently
than once in every 2 years, submit to the Minister detailed reports of their
investigations and endeavours to promote further processing carried out
pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subclause.
Establishment of other facilities for further processing 6
(4) Subject to the
provisions of subclauses (6) and (7) of this Clause and in addition to their
obligations under subclauses (2) and (3) of this Clause, the Joint Venturers
shall, within 5 years after the commencement of production of diamonds
pursuant to subclause (1)(B) of Clause 7, establish and thereafter during the
continuance of this Agreement operate, or cause to be established and
operated, facilities in the said State for the further processing of diamonds
which shall result in increasing the value for sales purposes of diamonds
produced from the areas the subject of this Agreement (or from elsewhere in
exchange for diamonds produced from the areas the subject of this Agreement)
in any year by an amount equivalent to 20% of the above zero profit (as
defined in Clause 29) for that year less the amount of royalty payable to the
said State for that year. For the purposes of this subclause not more than one
half of the increase in the said value for sales purposes may accrue from
sorting.
Effect of non-compliance with subclause (4)
6
(5) Notwithstanding
anything contained in this Clause the failure by the Joint Venturers to
establish or operate the facilities as required by the provisions of subclause
(4) of this Clause shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement by the
Joint Venturers but subject as otherwise provided in this Clause the only
consequence arising from such failure will be that set out in subclauses (6)
and (9) of this Clause.
Additional royalty 6
(6) If the Joint
Venturers fail to observe and perform their obligations under subclause (4) of
this Clause, then in respect of each year in which they so fail the royalty
payable for such year pursuant to Clause 29 shall, subject to subclause (7) of
this Clause, be increased in accordance with the following formula —
where
R 1 is the royalty
payable pursuant to this subclause.
R is the royalty
payable pursuant to Clause 29 for that year.
D is the increase in
sales revenue from further processing for that year expressed as a percentage
of the above zero profit (as defined in Clause 29) for that year less the
amount of royalty payable to the said State for that year.
PROVIDED ALWAYS that
the operation of this subclause shall not in any event reduce the royalty
payable for any year below that payable in accordance with Clause 29.
Waiver of additional royalty 6
(7) (a)
If the Joint Venturers at any time during the
currency of this Agreement are able to demonstrate to the reasonable
satisfaction of the Minister that further processing at the level provided for
in subclause (4) of this Clause does not or would not be likely to result in a
projected after tax internal rate of return of 10% on funds employed by the
Joint Venturers in the further processing of diamonds to fulfil their
obligations under this Clause the Minister shall release the Joint Venturers
from their obligation to pay the increase in royalty provided for in subclause
(6) of this Clause.
(b) For
the purposes of this subclause —
(i)
the internal rate of return shall be measured using the
discounted cash flow internal rate of return method on the basis of a ten year
project life and cash flow estimates at current exchange rates expressed in
constant dollar terms and disregarding current and projected general or
particular inflation rates and all aspects of project financing (including
loans, loan guarantees, and principal repayments);
(ii)
in determining annual net project cash flows such
indirect costs and working capital as the Joint Venturers are able to
demonstrate to the reasonable satisfaction of the Minister as attributable to
the project shall be included in the calculation;
(iii)
the expression “the discounted cash flow internal
rate of return” shall mean the discount rate that equates the present
value of expected cash outflows with the present value of expected cash
inflows.
(c) Any
release by the Minister pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subclause shall
remain in force for a period of 3 years but shall not during that period limit
or affect the other obligations of the Joint Venturers under this Clause.
Supply to third parties 6
(8) If the Joint
Venturers —
(a)
supply diamonds produced from the areas the subject of this Agreement; or
(b) are
instrumental in causing or arranging sales of diamonds produced from areas
other than the areas the subject of this Agreement
to third parties for
further processing by such third parties in the said State, the Minister after
consultation with the Joint Venturers shall, in the circumstances referred to
in paragraph (a) of this subclause, and may, in the circumstances referred to
in paragraph (b) of this subclause, allow all or part of the increase in value
arising from the further processing of such diamonds by that third party as a
credit to the Joint Venturers in the measurement of the compliance by the
Joint Venturers of their further processing obligations pursuant to subclause
(4) of this Clause.
Obligations to supply to third parties 6
(9) If the Joint
Venturers fail to establish the facilities referred to in subclause (4) of
this Clause or, having established such facilities, cease at any time to
operate them for a continuous period of 2 years, the Minister may, having
regard to the approved marketing proposals require the Joint Venturers to make
available and continue to make available during the currency of this Agreement
to third parties, on fair and reasonable commercial terms, diamonds from the
areas the subject of this Agreement for further processing by such third
parties in the said State.
Additional royalty returns 6
(10) (a)
To enable the Minister for Mines to determine
whether any additional royalty is payable pursuant to subclause (6) of this
Clause, the Joint Venturers shall furnish to the Minister such returns
accompanied by audited accounts and other relevant information as the Minister
may require from time to time.
(b) Any
additional royalty payable pursuant to subclause (6) of this Clause shall be
paid to the State within 45 days of the determination of the amount thereof.
Security 6
31. (1) The State
recognises the need for the Joint Venturers to have adequate security
arrangements for their operations under this Agreement and shall include in
the Bill to be introduced in the Parliament of Western Australia referred to
in Clause 3 provisions for that purpose.
(2) The Minister shall
during the currency of this Agreement, and after consultation with the
Minister for Police and the Joint Venturers, take such reasonable measures
(consistent with the Joint Venturers’ approved proposals) as may be
necessary and, at the Joint Venturers’ expense, to provide adequate
security.
Zoning 6
32. The State shall ensure after consultation with
the relevant local authority that the mining leases and any lands the subject
of any Crown Grant lease licence or easement granted to the Joint Venturers
under this Agreement shall be and remain zoned for use or otherwise protected
during the currency of this Agreement so that the operations of the Joint
Venturers hereunder may be undertaken and carried out thereon without any
interference or interruption by the State or by any State agency or
instrumentality or by any local or other authority of the State on the ground
that such operations are contrary to any zoning by-law regulation or order.
Rating 6
33. The State shall ensure that notwithstanding
the provisions of any Act or anything done or purported to be done under any
Act the valuation of all lands (whether of a freehold or leasehold nature) the
subject of this Agreement (except as to any part upon which a permanent
residence shall be erected or which is occupied in connection with that
residence and except as to any part upon which there stands any improvements
that are used in connection with a commercial undertaking not directly related
to the mining and treatment of diamonds) shall for rating purposes under the
Local Government Act 1960 , be deemed to be on the unimproved value thereof
and no such lands shall be subject to any discriminatory rate PROVIDED THAT
nothing in this Clause shall prevent the Joint Venturers making the election
provided for by section 533B of the Local Government Act 1960 .
No discriminatory rates 6
34. Except as provided in this Agreement the State
shall not impose, nor shall it permit or authorise any of its agencies or
instrumentalities or any local or other authority of the State to impose
discriminatory taxes rates or charges of any nature whatsoever on or in
respect of the titles property or other assets products materials or services
used or produced by or through the operations of the Joint Venturers in the
conduct of their business hereunder nor will the State take or permit to be
taken by any such State authority any other discriminatory action which would
deprive the Joint Venturers of full enjoyment of the rights granted and
intended to be granted under this Agreement.
Resumption for the purposes of this Agreement 6
35. The State may as and for a public work under
the Public Works Act 1902 , resume any land required for the purposes of this
Agreement and notwithstanding any other provisions of that Act may sell lease
or otherwise dispose of that land to the Joint Venturers and the provisions of
subsections (2) to (7) inclusive of section 17 and 17A of that Act shall not
apply to or in respect of that land or the resumption thereof. The Joint
Venturers shall pay to the State on demand the costs of and incidental to any
land resumed at the request of and on behalf of the Joint Venturers.
No resumption 6
36. Subject to the performance by the Joint
Venturers of their obligations under this Agreement the State shall not during
the currency hereof without the consent of the Joint Venturers resume nor
suffer nor permit to be resumed by any State instrumentality or by any local
or other authority of the State any of the works installations plant equipment
or other property for the time being belonging to the Joint Venturers and the
subject of or used for the purpose of this Agreement or any of the works on
the lands the subject of any lease or licence granted to the Joint Venturers
in terms of this Agreement AND without such consent (which shall not be
unreasonably withheld) the State shall not create or grant or permit or suffer
to be created or granted by any instrumentality or authority of the State as
aforesaid any road right-of-way water right or easement of any nature or kind
whatsoever over or in respect of any such lands which may unduly prejudice or
interfere with the Joint Venturers’ operations hereunder or which may
conflict with any law of the State relating to security within any area or
areas on which the Joint Venturers’ operations are carried on.
Assignment 6
37. (1) Subject to the
provisions of this Clause the Joint Venturers or any of them may at any time
—
(a)
assign mortgage charge sublet or dispose of to each other or to an associated
company as of right, or to any other company or persons with the consent of
the Minister the whole or any part of the rights of the Joint Venturers
hereunder (including their rights to or as the holder of the mining leases or
any other lease licence easement grant or other title) and of the obligations
of the Joint Venturers hereunder; and
(b)
appoint as of right an associated company or with the consent of the Minister
any other company or person to exercise all or any of the powers functions and
authorities which are or may be conferred on the Joint Venturers hereunder;
subject however in the
case of an assignment subletting disposition or appointment to the assignee
sublessee disponee or the appointee (as the case may be) executing in favour
of the State (unless the Minister otherwise determines) a deed of covenant in
a form to be approved by the Minister to comply with observe and perform the
provisions hereof on the part of the Joint Venturers to be complied with
observed or performed in regard to the matter or matters the subject of such
assignment subletting disposition or appointment.
(2) Notwithstanding
anything contained in or anything done under or pursuant to subclause (1) of
this Clause the Joint Venturers shall at all times during the currency of this
Agreement be and remain liable for the due and punctual performance and
observance of all the covenants and agreements on their part contained herein
and in the mining leases or any other lease licence easement grant or other
title the subject of an assignment mortgage subletting disposition or
appointment under subclause (1) of this Clause PROVIDED THAT the Minister may
agree to release the Joint Venturers or any of them from such liability where
he considers such release will not be contrary to the interests of the State.
(3) Notwithstanding
the provisions of the Mining Act 1904 , the Mining Act 1978 , the
Transfer of Land Act 1893 and the Land Act, insofar as the same or any of them
may apply —
(a) no
assignment mortgage charge sublease or disposition made or given pursuant to
this Clause of or over the mining leases or any other lease licence easement
grant or other title granted hereunder or pursuant hereto by the Joint
Venturers or any assignee sublessee disponee or appointee who has executed and
is for the time being bound by deed of covenant made pursuant to this Clause;
and
(b) no
transfer assignment mortgage or sublease made or given in exercise of any
power contained in any such mortgage or charge
shall require any
approval or consent other than such consent as may be necessary under this
Clause and no equitable mortgage or charge shall be rendered ineffectual by
the absence of any approval or consent (otherwise than as required by this
Clause) or because the same is not registered under the provisions of the
Mining Act 1904 or the Mining Act 1978 as the case may be.
(4) The provisions of
this Clause shall not apply to any sale by the Joint Venturers of a townsite
lot to any employee engaged in their operations hereunder.
Variation 6
38. (1) The parties
hereto may from time to time by agreement in writing add to substitute for
cancel or vary all or any of the provisions of this Agreement or of any lease
licence easement grant or other title granted hereunder or pursuant hereto for
the purpose of more efficiently or satisfactorily implementing or facilitating
any of the objects of this Agreement.
(2) The Minister shall
cause any agreement made pursuant to subclause (1) of this Clause in respect
of any addition substitution cancellation or variation of the provisions of
this Agreement to be laid on the Table of each House of Parliament within 12
sitting days next following its execution.
(3) Either House may,
within 12 sitting days of that House after the agreement has been laid before
it pass a resolution disallowing the agreement, but if after the last day on
which the agreement might have been disallowed neither House has passed such a
resolution the agreement shall have effect from and after that last day.
Force majeure 6
39. This Agreement shall be deemed to be made
subject to any delays in the performance of the obligations hereunder and to
the temporary suspension of continuing obligations hereunder that may be
caused by or arise from circumstances beyond the power and control of the
party responsible for the performance of those obligations including without
limiting the generality of the foregoing delays or any such temporary
suspension as aforesaid caused by or arising from act of God force majeure
earthquakes floods storms tempest washaways fire (unless caused by the actual
fault or privity of the party responsible for such performance) act of war act
of public enemies riots civil commotions strikes lockouts stoppages restraint
of labour or other similar acts (whether partial or general) acts or omissions
of the Commonwealth shortages of labour or essential materials reasonable
failure to secure contractors delays of contractors and inability to sell
diamonds profitably or factors due to overall world economic conditions or
factors due to action taken by or on behalf of any government or governmental
authority (other than the State or any authority of the State) or factors that
could not reasonably have been foreseen PROVIDED ALWAYS that the party whose
performance of obligations is affected by any of the said causes shall
promptly give notice to the other party of the event or events and shall use
its best endeavours to minimise the effects of such causes as soon as possible
after the occurrence.
Power to extend periods 6
40. Notwithstanding any provision of this
Agreement the Minister may at the request of the Joint Venturers from time to
time extend or further extend any period or vary or further vary any date
referred to in this Agreement or in any approved proposal hereunder for such
period or to such later date as the Minister thinks fit whether or not the
period to be extended has expired or the date to be varied has passed.
Determination of Agreement 6
41. (1) In any of the
following events namely if —
(a)
(i) the Joint Venturers make
default which the State considers material in the due performance or
observance of any of the covenants or obligations to the State herein or in
the mining leases or any other lease licence easement grant or other title or
document granted or assigned under this Agreement on their part to be
performed or observed; or
(ii)
the Joint Venturers abandon or repudiate this Agreement
or their operations under this Agreement
and such default is
not remedied or such operations resumed within a period of 180 days after
notice is given by the State as provided in subclause (2) of this Clause or,
if the default or abandonment is referred to arbitration, then within the
period mentioned in subclause (3) of this Clause; or
(b) the
Joint Venturers or any of them go into liquidation (other than a voluntary
liquidation for the purpose of reconstruction) and unless within 3 months from
the date of such liquidation the interest of that Joint Venturer is assigned
to another Joint Venturer or to an assignee approved by the Minister under
Clause 37
the State may by
notice to the Joint Venturers determine this Agreement.
(2) The notice to be
given by the State in terms of subclause (1) of this Clause shall specify the
nature of the default or other ground so entitling the State to exercise such
right of determination and where appropriate and known to the State the party
or parties responsible therefor and shall be given to the Joint Venturers and
all such assignees mortgagees chargees and disponees for the time being of the
Joint Venturers’ said rights to or in favour of whom or by whom an
assignment mortgage charge or disposition has been effected in terms of Clause
37 whose name and address for service of notice has previously been notified
to the State by the Joint Venturers or any such assignee mortgagee chargee or
disponee.
(3) (a)
If the Joint Venturers contest the alleged default
abandonment or repudiation referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) of subclause
(1) of this Clause the Joint Venturers shall within 60 days after notice given
by the State as provided in subclause (2) of this Clause refer the matter in
dispute to arbitration.
(b) If
the question is decided against the Joint Venturers, the Joint Venturers shall
comply with the arbitration award within a reasonable time to be fixed by that
award PROVIDED THAT if the arbitrator finds that there was a bona fide dispute
and that the Joint Venturers were not dilatory in pursuing the arbitration,
the time for compliance with the arbitration award shall not be less than 90
days from the date of such award.
(4) If the default
referred to in subclause (1) of this Clause shall not have been remedied after
receipt of the notice referred to in subclause (1) of this Clause or within
the time fixed by the arbitration award as aforesaid the State instead of
determining this Agreement as aforesaid because of such default may itself
remedy such default or cause the same to be remedied (for which purpose the
State by agents workmen or otherwise shall have full power to enter upon lands
occupied by the Joint Venturers and to make use of all plant machinery
equipment and installations thereon) and the actual costs and expenses
incurred by the State in remedying or causing to be remedied such default
shall be a debt payable by the Joint Venturers to the State on demand.
Effect of cessation or determination of Agreement 6
42. (1) Subject to the
provisions of Clause 29 on the cessation or determination of this Agreement
—
(a)
except as otherwise agreed by the Minister the rights of the Joint Venturers
to in or under this Agreement and the rights of the Joint Venturers or of any
assignee of theirs or any mortgagee to in or under the mining leases and any
other lease licence easement grant or other title or right granted hereunder
or pursuant hereto (but excluding townsite lots which have been granted to or
acquired by the Joint Venturers and which are no longer owned by them) shall
thereupon cease and determine but without prejudice to the liability of either
of the parties hereto in respect of any antecedent breach or default under
this Agreement or in respect of any indemnity given hereunder;
(b) the
Joint Venturers shall forthwith pay to the State all moneys which may then
have become payable or accrued due;
(c) save
as aforesaid and as otherwise provided in this Agreement neither of the
parties hereto shall have any claim against the other of them with respect to
any matter or thing in or arising out of this Agreement.
(2) Subject to the
provisions of subclause (3) of this Clause upon the cessation or determination
of this Agreement except as otherwise determined by the Minister all buildings
erections and other improvements erected on any land then occupied by the
Joint Venturers under the mining leases or any other lease, licence, easement
grant or other title made hereunder for the purpose hereof shall become and
remain the absolute property of the State without the payment of any
compensation or consideration to the Joint Venturers or any other party and
freed and discharged from all mortgages and other encumbrances and the Joint
Venturers shall do and execute all such deeds documents and other acts matters
and things (including surrenders) as the State may reasonably require to give
effect to the provisions of this subclause.
(3) In the event of
the Joint Venturers immediately prior to the cessation or determination of
this Agreement or subsequently thereto desiring to remove any of their fixed
or moveable plant and equipment or any part thereof from any part of the land
occupied by them at the date of such cessation or determination they shall
give to the State notice of such desire and thereby shall grant to the State
the right or option exercisable within 3 months thereafter to purchase in situ
such fixed or moveable plant and equipment at a fair valuation to be agreed
between the parties or failing agreement determined by arbitration hereunder.
Provision of finance 6
43. (1) Where under
any provision of this Agreement the Joint Venturers are liable to make
payments to the State the Joint Venturers may, subject to the prior consent of
the Minister, in lieu of such payments otherwise provide finance or cause
finance to be provided to an equal amount to the particular liability in such
manner as may be determined by the Minister.
(2) Where under any
provision of this Agreement or any approved proposal hereunder the Joint
Venturers are liable to make payments to the State for services and facilities
to be provided by the State the parties shall subject to the relevant
provision or approved proposal enter into an agreement regarding the nature
and extent of such payments prior to the commencement of any such work or
expenditure.
Environmental protection 6
44. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed
to exempt the Joint Venturers from compliance with any requirement in
connection with the protection of the environment arising out of or incidental
to their activities hereunder that may be made by the State or by any State
agency or instrumentality or any local or other authority or statutory body of
the State pursuant to any Act from time to time in force.
Indemnity 6
45. The Joint Venturers shall indemnify and keep
indemnified the State and its servants agents and contractors in respect of
all actions suits claims demands or costs of third parties arising out of or
in connection with any work carried out by or on behalf of the Joint Venturers
pursuant to this Agreement or relating to their operations hereunder or
arising out of or in connection with the construction maintenance or use by
the Joint Venturers or their servants agents contractors or assignees of the
Joint Venturers’ works or services the subject of this Agreement or the
plant apparatus or equipment installed in connection therewith PROVIDED THAT
subject to the provisions of any other relevant Act such indemnity shall not
apply in circumstances where the State, its servants, agents, or contractors
are negligent in carrying out work for the Joint Venturers pursuant to this
Agreement.
Commonwealth licences and consents 6
46. (1) The Joint
Venturers shall from time to time make application to the Commonwealth or to
the Commonwealth constituted agency, authority or instrumentality concerned
for the grant to them of any licence or consent under the laws of the
Commonwealth necessary to enable or permit the Joint Venturers to enter into
this Agreement and to perform any of their obligations hereunder.
(2) On request by the
Joint Venturers the State shall make representations to the Commonwealth or to
the Commonwealth constituted agency authority or instrumentality concerned for
the grant to the Joint Venturers of any licence or consent mentioned in
subclause (1) of this Clause.
Sub-contracting 6
47. The State shall ensure that without affecting
the liabilities of the parties under this Agreement either party shall have
the right from time to time to entrust to third parties the carrying out of
any portions of the operations which it is authorised or obliged to carry out
hereunder.
Stamp duty exemption 6
48. (1) The State
shall exempt from any stamp duty which but for the operation of this Clause
would or might be assessed and chargeable on —
(a) this
Agreement;
(b) any
instrument executed by the State pursuant to this Agreement granting to or in
favour of the Joint Venturers or any of them or any permitted assignee any
tenement lease licence easement or other right or rights;
(c) any
assignment sublease or disposition and any appointment to or in favour of the
Joint Venturers or any of them or an associated company of any interest right
obligation power function or authority made pursuant to the provisions of this
Agreement;
(d) any
instrument securing a charge (or in respect of any such charge, any statement
note or memorandum evidencing or showing the amount or containing particulars
of the loan the subject of such charge) over the assets of the Joint Venturers
or any of them or an associated company for the purposes of this Agreement;
and
(e) any
insurance policy in the name of the Joint Venturers or any of them or an
associated company for the purposes of this Agreement
PROVIDED THAT this
subclause shall not apply to any instrument or other document executed or made
more than 7 years from the date hereof.
(2) If prior to the
date on which the Bill referred to in Clause 3 to ratify this Agreement is
passed as an Act stamp duty has been assessed and paid on any instrument or
other document referred to in subclause (1) of this Clause the State when such
a Bill is passed as an Act shall on demand refund any stamp duty paid on any
such instrument or other document to the person who paid the same.
Arbitration 6
49. (1) Any dispute or
difference between the parties arising out of or in connection with this
Agreement the construction of this Agreement or as to the rights duties or
liabilities of either party hereunder or as to any matter to be agreed upon
between the parties under this Agreement shall in default of agreement between
the parties and in the absence of any provision in this Agreement to the
contrary be referred to the arbitration of two arbitrators one to be appointed
by each party the arbitrators to appoint their umpire before proceeding in the
reference and every such arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the
provisions of the Arbitration Act 1895 .
(2) Except where
otherwise provided in this Agreement, the provisions of this Clause shall not
apply to any case where the State the Minister or any other Minister in the
Government of the said State is by this Agreement given a discretionary power.
(3) The arbitrators or
umpire (as the case may be) of any submission to arbitration hereunder are
hereby empowered upon the application of either of the parties to grant in the
name of the Minister any interim extension of any period or variation of any
date referred to herein which having regard to the circumstances may
reasonably be required in order to preserve the rights of that party or of the
parties hereunder and an award may in the name of the Minister grant any
further extension or variation for that purpose.
Consultation 6
50. The Joint Venturers shall during the currency
of this Agreement consult with and keep the State fully informed on a
confidential basis concerning any action that the Joint Venturers propose to
take with any third party (including the Commonwealth or any Commonwealth
constituted agency authority instrumentality or other body) which might
significantly affect the overall interest of the State under this Agreement.
Notices 6
51. Any notice consent or other writing authorised
or required by this Agreement to be given or sent shall be deemed to have been
duly given or sent by the State if signed by the Minister or by any senior
officer of the Civil Service of the said State acting by the direction of the
Minister and forwarded by prepaid post or handed to the Joint Venturers at
their respective nominated offices for the time being in the said State and by
the Joint Venturers if signed on their behalf by any person or persons
authorised by the Joint Venturers or by their solicitors as notified to the
State from time to time and forwarded by prepaid post or handed to the
Minister and except in the case of personal service any such notice consent or
writing shall be deemed to have been duly given or sent on the day on which it
would be delivered in the ordinary course of post.
Guarantee 6
52. Notwithstanding any addition to or deletion or
variation of the provisions of this Agreement or any time or other indulgence
granted by the State to the Joint Venturers whether or not notice thereof is
given, to the Guarantor by the State, the Guarantor hereby guarantees to the
State the due performance by CRA Exploration Pty. Limited of all its
obligations to be performed hereunder.
Applicable law 6
53. This Agreement shall be interpreted according
to the law for the time being in force in the State of Western Australia.
THE SCHEDULE
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
DIAMOND (ASHTON JOINT VENTURE) AGREEMENT ACT 1981
MINING LEASE
MINING LEASE NO.
The Minister for Mines a corporation sole established by the Mining Act 1978
with power to grant leases of land for the purposes of mining in consideration
of the rents hereinafter reserved and of the covenants on the part of the
Lessee described in the First Schedule to this lease and of the conditions
hereinafter contained and pursuant to the Mining Act 1978 (except as
otherwise provided by the Agreement described in the Second Schedule to this
lease) hereby leases to the Lessee the land more particularly delineated and
described in the Third Schedule to this lease for all minerals subject however
to the exceptions and reservations set out in the Fourth Schedule to this
lease and to any other exceptions and reservations which subject to the
Agreement are by the Mining Act 1978 and by any Act for the time being in
force deemed to be contained herein to hold to the Lessee this lease for a
term of twenty-one years commencing on the date set out in the Fifth Schedule
to this lease upon and subject to such of the provisions of the
Mining Act 1978 except as otherwise provided by the Agreement as are
applicable to mining leases granted thereunder and to the covenants and
conditions herein contained or implied and any further conditions or
stipulations set out in the Sixth Schedule to this lease the Lessee paying
therefor the rents for the time being and from time to time prescribed
pursuant to the provisions of the Mining Act 1978 at the times and in the
manner so prescribed and the royalties as provided in the Agreement with the
right during the currency of the Agreement and in accordance with the
provisions of the Agreement to take successive renewals of the term each for a
further period of 21 years upon the same terms and conditions subject to the
sooner determination of the said term upon cessation or determination of the
Agreement PROVIDED ALWAYS that this lease and any renewal thereof shall not be
determined or forfeited otherwise than in accordance with the Agreement.
In this Lease —
—
“Lessee” includes the respective successors and permitted assigns
of each Lessee.
— The liability
of the Lessee hereunder shall be joint and several.
— Reference to
an Act includes all amendments to that Act and to any Act passed in
substitution therefor or in lieu thereof and to the regulations and by-laws
for the time being in force thereunder.
FIRST SCHEDULE
(name address and description of the Lessee)
CRA EXPLORATION PTY. LIMITED a company incorporated in the State of New South
Wales and having its principal place of business in the State of Western
Australia at 21 Wynyard Street, Belmont, ASHTON MINING LIMITED a company
Incorporated in the State of Victoria and having its principal place of
business in the State of Western Australia at 6th Floor, 189 St.
George’s Terrace, Perth, TANAUST PROPRIETARY LIMITED a company
incorporated in the State of Victoria and having its principal place of
business in the State of Western Australia at 2nd Floor, Cecil Building, 6
Sherwood Court, Perth, A.O. (AUSTRALIA) PTY. LIMITED a company incorporated in
the State of New South Wales and having its principal place of business in the
State of Western Australia at 6th Floor, 189 St. George’s Terrace, Perth
and NORTHERN MINING CORPORATION N.L. a company incorporated in the State of
Victoria and having its principal place of business in the State of Western
Australia at Homeric House, 442 Murray Street, Perth.
SECOND SCHEDULE
(the Agreement)
An Agreement made between the State of Western Australia and the Lessee and
ratified by the Diamond (Ashton Joint Venture) Agreement Act 1981 .
THIRD SCHEDULE
(Description of land:)
Locality:
Mineral Field: Area, etc.:
and
Being the land delineated on Survey Diagram
No.
recorded in the Department of Mines, Perth.
FOURTH SCHEDULE
All petroleum as defined in the Petroleum Act 1967 on or below the surface of
the land the subject of this lease is reserved to the Crown in right of the
State of Western Australia with the right of the Crown in right of the State
of Western Australia and any person lawfully claiming thereunder or otherwise
authorised to do so to have access to the land the subject of this lease for
the purpose of searching for and for the operations of obtaining petroleum (as
so defined) in any part of the land.
FIFTH SCHEDULE
(Date of commencement of the lease).
SIXTH SCHEDULE
(Any further conditions or stipulations).
IN witness whereof the Minister for Mines has affixed his seal and set his
hand hereto
this . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . day of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 . .
. . .
IN WITNESS WHEREOF this Agreement has been executed by or on behalf of the
parties hereto the day and year first hereinbefore mentioned.
SIGNED by the said THE HONOURABLE SIR CHARLES WALTER MICHAEL COURT, K.C.M.G.,
O.B.E., M.L.A. in the presence of: |
) |
CHARLES COURT |
PETER JONES MINISTER FOR RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT |
SIGNED SEALED AND DELIVERED for and on behalf of CRA EXPLORATION PTY. LIMITED
by its duly authorised attorney LEO JOHN CARDEN under Power of Attorney dated
the 12th day of November, 1981 in the presence of: M. A. O’LEARY |
) |
[L.S.] JOHN CARDEN |
SIGNED for and on behalf of ASHTON MINING LIMITED by its duly appointed
Attorney EWEN WILLIAM JOHN TYLER under Power of Attorney dated the 28th day of
October, 1981 in the presence of: IAN K. WARNER |
) |
E. W. J. TYLER |
SIGNED for and on behalf of TANAUST PROPRIETARY LIMITED by its duly appointed
Attorney EWEN WILLIAM JOHN TYLER under Power of Attorney dated the 28th day of
October, 1981 in the presence of: IAN K. WARNER |
) |
E. W. J. TYLER |
SIGNED for and on behalf of A.O. (AUSTRALIA) PTY. LIMITED by its duly
appointed Attorney EWEN WILLIAM JOHN TYLER under Power of Attorney dated the
28th day of October, 1981 in the presence of: IAN K. WARNER |
) |
E. W. J. TYLER |
THE COMMON SEAL of NORTHERN MINING CORPORATION N.L. was hereunto affixed by
authority of the Board of Directors in the presence of: N. R. TOWIE BARRY D. MORGAN |
) |
[C.S.] |
SIGNED SEALED AND DELIVERED for and on behalf of CRA LIMITED by its duly
authorised attorney LEO JOHN CARDEN under Power of Attorney dated the 12th day
of November, 1981 in the presence of: M. A. O’LEARY |
) |
[L.S.] JOHN CARDEN |