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Joint Venture Agreements
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011
Joint Venture Agreements
3.             Joint Venture Agreements

 
(a)
Samba Minerals Limited

In May 2008, the Company signed an agreement with Samba Minerals Limited (“Samba”), which was subsequently amended in August 2008, whereby Samba can earn up to an 80% participating interest in the São João and/or the Commandante Araras projects by funding exploration expenditures on each of the projects to completion of a feasibility study on each property. The Company is currently negotiating with Samba a Supplement and Amendment to the Farm-in Agreement amending the terms of the agreement. The properties are located in the Municipality of Itaituba, State of Pará, Brazil. Upon completion of a feasibility study on either property, the Company will immediately transfer an 80% participation interest in the relevant property to Samba and enter into a formal joint venture agreement to govern the development and production of minerals from the property. Samba can terminate its participation in either of the projects by providing the Company 30 days notice in writing. Upon withdrawal from its participation in either property, Samba would forfeit to the Company all of its rights in relation to the projects and would be free of any and all payment commitments yet to be due. Samba will be the manager of the São João and the Commandante Araras projects. The Company has also granted Samba a right of first refusal to acquire an interest in, or enter into a joint venture or farm-in agreement on the Company’s São Domingos and Bigode (since dropped) projects.

Samba did not exercise the right of first refusal and the term of the first right of refusal expired on August 1, 2010. Feasibility studies have not been completed as of June 30, 2011, and thus no joint venture has been formed as of that date.

 
(b)
Front Range Gold Property Joint Venture
 
 On June 15, 2010, pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement between Global Minerals Ltd. (“GML”)  and Mount Royale Ventures, LLC (“MRV”), as Sellers, and the Company and AGC Resources LLC, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary(“AGC”), as Buyers, AGC acquired 50% interest in the Front Range Gold Project joint venture (“JV”), and  title to the Gold Hill Mill, and became a joint venture partner with Gold Reef Mining Company, Mi Vida Enterprises, Inc., Gold Hill Mines, Inc. and Southern Cross Prospecting Company (“Property Owners”).
 
On March 10, 2011, Mi Vida Enterprises, Inc., Gold Hill Mines, Inc. and Southern Cross Prospecting Company intervened in a preexisting lawsuit commenced by MRV against Gold Reef Mining Company in Boulder County District Court (the “Action”).  Among other things, they have alleged that GML was in material default of the JV agreement prior to the assignment by GML of its rights in the JV to AGC in June of 2010, that GML wrongfully assigned its rights in the JV without permission of the Property Owners, and have asked the court to declare the JV terminated. The Property Owners also alleged that the transfer of title to the Gold Hill Mill was subject to a right of first refusal in favor of Gold Hill Mines, Inc., and that MRV conveyed its title to the Gold Hill Mill to AGC without giving proper notice to Gold Hill Mines Inc. and in violation of a right of first refusal in favor of Gold Hill Mines, Inc., and requested the court to enter an order granting Gold Hill Mines Inc. an option to purchase the Gold Hill Mill for $10,000, the amount set in the right of first refusal.

A court decision in favor of the Property Owners may have a material adverse affect on the Company’s ability to collect the purchase price, plus royalty from the sale of AGC to Devtec Management Ltd. since an unfavorable court decision may result in AGC losing its 50% interest in the JV as well as its interest in and to the Gold Hill Mill.