PROCESSING AND MARKETING
AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
FREEPORT SULPHUR COMPANY,
A Division of
Freeport-McMoRan Resource Partners,
Limited Partnership
AND
FELMONT OIL CORPORATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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PREAMBLE 1
I: DEFINITIONS 2
II: SCOPE OF AGREEMENT 12
III: QUANTITY 14
IV: TERM 15
V: SERVICES 16
VI: PRICE 19
VII: BLENDING 25
VIII: VATTING 29
IX: OPERATIONAL AND PROCESS LOSSES 30
X: ADDITIONAL CAPITAL 31
XI: ADDITIONAL CAPITAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION 43
XII: WARRANTIES 46
XIII: SALES AGENCY 47
XIV: TERMINATION PURCHASE REQUIREMENT 49
XV: TITLE; RISK OF LOSS 51
XVI: INSURANCE 51
XVII: AUDIT 54
XVIII: TAXES 55
XIX: ASSIGNMENT 55
XX: FORCE MAJEURE 56
XXI: NOTICES 58
XXII: GOVERNING LAW 59
XXIII: MISCELLANEOUS 59
PROCESSING AND MARKETING AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT, made as of the 19th day of June, 1990, between FREEPORT
SULPHUR COMPANY, a division of Freeport-McMoRan Resource Partners, Limited
Partnership ("Freeport"), a Delaware limited partnership, and Felmont Oil
Corporation ("Felmont") a Delaware corporation.
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, Freeport, Felmont and IMC Fertilizer, Inc. ("IMCF") are Lessees
under that certain Sulphur and Salt Lease, designated by Serial No. OCS-G
9372 granted effective as of May 1, 1988 by the United States Department of
the Interior, Minerals Management Service, as Lessor, covering all of Block
299, Main Pass Area, South and East Addition, OCS Leasing Map, Louisiana Map
No. 10A (the "Sulphur Lease"), and
WHEREAS, Freeport, Felmont and IMCF are parties to that certain Joint
Operating Agreement, made as of May 1, 1988 for the exploration, development
and production of sulphur from the Sulphur Lease (the "Joint Operating
Agreement"), and
WHEREAS, pursuant to operations under the Joint Operating Agreement a
deposit of sulphur has been discovered on the Sulphur Lease and plans are in
progress for the construction of a mine to produce such deposit (the "Main
Pass Mine"), and
WHEREAS, Felmont is desirous of entering into an agreement whereunder,
with respect to the sulphur produced for the account of Felmont from the Main
Pass Mine, Freeport would provide storage, filtration, blending,
purification, vatting, melting, loading into transportation equipment,
marketing and associated transportation services, and
WHEREAS, Freeport is desirous of rendering the aforesaid services to
Felmont,
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
set forth below, Felmont and Freeport agree as follows:
I. Definitions
1.1 "AGREEMENT" shall mean this Processing and Marketing Agreement and
all schedules attached to it, which schedules are incorporated into this
Agreement by this reference.
1.2 "AVERAGE SALES REALIZATION" means the average revenue per ton
realized by Freeport from Combined Sulphur sold to customers in arm's length
transactions during a month (excluding sales to Freeport and Freeport Related
Parties) less the per ton average of all appropriate adjustments
such as discounts, transfer-related taxes and bad debt losses and subsequent
bad debt loss recoveries (excluding sales to Freeport and Freeport Related
Parties).
1.3 "CLOSURE COST" means the total cost incurred by Freeport as the
result of the abandonment (by sale or otherwise) or permanent closure of a
facility utilized in the performance of this Agreement in order to comply
with all applicable environmental laws and regulations (including, for
example, and without limitation, dismantlement and/or removal of structures
and equipment, site restoration, reclamation, clean up and/or protection) and
in order to discharge all obligations to, and claims of, third parties
(including for example and without limitation, that portion of the direct
costs of employee terminations attributable to the period that this Agreement
was in effect prior to such terminations), and any other reasonable cost
incurred by Freeport for purposes of effecting such closure or abandonment.
In the event Freeport sells any Facility to a third party, Closure Cost
shall also include all obligations to, and claims of, such purchaser,
including for example, and without limitation, environmental-related claims
of, such purchaser; provided, however, in the event of the sale of an Initial
Facility, Freeport shall first apply the full proceeds received from the sale
to satisfy such obligation to or claim of a purchaser and only the excess
above such proceeds shall be included in Closure Cost. Closure Cost is
intended to include only those costs which a reasonable businessman in
similar circumstances would incur using his own funds and not taking into
account any reimbursement or indemnification such as those which may be owed
by Felmont to Freeport under this Agreement or by third parties to Freeport
under other agreements providing for similar reimbursement or indemnification.
1.4 "COMBINED SULPHUR" means with respect to any time period the total
commingled Freeport Sulphur and Felmont Sulphur sold during such time period
to customers other than Freeport or Freeport Related Parties.
1.5 "COMMENCEMENT DATE" means a date designated by Freeport, in a
written notice to Felmont, as being the date upon which production of sulphur
in commercial quantities (that is, quantities larger than those required for
purposes of sampling, analysis or evaluation) shall have commenced at the
Main Pass Mine.
1.6 "DAY" means a 24-hour period commencing at midnight and ending on
the next following midnight.
1.7 "EARLY TERMINATION FACILITY" means any Replacement Facility, New
Facility or any facility identified in the Facilities Improvement Schedule
for expansion or modification of an Existing Facility as contemplated therein
which, as of the date of termination of this Agreement under Section 4.2
(provided such date is prior to the tenth anniversary of the Commencement
Date), has been approved by Felmont for acquisition and for construction by
Freeport (if such approval is required), and which has been acquired and/or
constructed by Freeport, or with respect to which a binding contract or
contracts for acquisition and/or construction has been entered into by
Freeport, prior to Freeport's receipt of Felmont's notice of termination
given as provided in Section 4.2.
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1.8 "EXISTING FACILITIES" means Freeport's currently existing
facilities which shall be made available for use in performing its
obligations under the Agreement and which are listed on Schedule A hereto.
1.9 "FACILITIES" means any or all of the Existing Facilities. Initial
Facilities, New Facilities or Replacement Facilities provided for in this
Agreement, as the context may require.
1.10 "FACILITIES CHARGE" means the fee determined as provided in
Section 6.3 hereof, payable by Felmont to Freeport for the use of Freeport's
Facilities in rendering the services to be performed under this Agreement.
1.11 "FACILITIES FEE" shall have the meaning for such term set forth in
Article XIV hereof.
1.12 "FACILITIES IMPROVEMENT SCHEDULE" means expansions and
modifications to be made by Freeport, at Freeport's sole expense, in respect
of facilities set forth in the Existing Facilities Schedule, which such
expansions and modifications are set forth on Schedule B attached hereto.
1.13 "FELMONT BLENDING SULPHUR" means recovered Sulphur or other
high-quality sulphur used for blending purposes which is furnished by
Freeport and is credited to Felmont's account pursuant to Article VII.
1.14 "FELMONT MAIN PASS SULPHUR" means the sulphur produced for the
account of Felmont from the Main Pass Mine.
1.15 "FELMONT SULPHUR" means Felmont Main Pass Sulphur plus Felmont
Blending Sulphur after taking into account operational, process and other
gains and losses as provided in Article IX.
1.16 "FELMONT TONNAGE" means the quantity of Combined Sulphur which
from time to time constitutes Felmont Sulphur, which has been sold, such
quantity to be determined in a manner consistent with the principles of the
Sales Allocation Procedure in Schedule C hereof.
1.17 "FREEPORT EMPLOYEE" means an employee of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. or
any of Freeport's Related Parties.
1.18 "FREEPORT SULPHUR" means sulphur owned by Freeport which is
produced at the Main Pass Mine or at Freeport's other mines located in the
Gulf Coast area, or purchased by Freeport in the Gulf Coast area, or
purchased by Freeport outside the Gulf Coast area and delivered to a Freeport
facility in the Gulf coast area.
1.19 "G & A" means the portion of the corporate general and
administrative overhead costs of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. borne by Freeport.
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1.20 "GULF COAST AREA" means any of the land, littoral, state and
federal continental shelf and offshore waters in, of or adjacent to the
states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida and all other
areas within any of those states.
1.21 "INITIAL FACILITY OR FACILITIES" means any one of or the
collective capital facilities identified on the Existing Facilities Schedule
and the Facilities Improvements Schedule.
1.22 "MANAGEMENT FEE" means the fee specified in Section 6.2 hereof,
payable by Felmont to Freeport as a fee for performing certain services under
this Agreement.
1.23 "MARKETING FEE" means the fee specified in Section 6.4 hereof, for
performing certain marketing services under this Agreement.
1.24 "MONTH" means a calendar month.
1.25 "NEW FACILITY" means a facility or group of related facilities
that of itself will perform a function related to sulphur from the Main Pass
Mine not performable by the Initial Facilities; a facility or group of
related facilities which by its addition would cause a function performable
by the Initial Facilities related to sulphur from the Main Pass Mine to be
substantially enlarged; a facility or group of related facilities which is
different in kind from any of the Initial Facilities and which is required
primarily or exclusively to improve the economics of overall operations
related to sulphur from the Main Pass Mine; or a facility or group of
facilities which, in combination with other facilities, is required for the
conduct of a new function related to sulphur from the Main Pass Mine.
1.26 "OPERATING CHARGE" shall have the meaning for such term set forth
in Article XIV hereof.
1.27 "OPERATING COST REIMBURSEMENT" means a fee payable by Felmont to
Freeport, in the manner described in Section 6.1, equal to all actual
operating costs (including costs from Related Parties) incurred by Freeport
in rendering the services described in Article V hereof.
1.28 "PORT SULFUR TERMINAL" means Freeport's Terminal at Port Sulphur,
Louisiana.
1.29 "PURCHASE REQUIREMENT PERIOD" shall have the meaning for such term
set forth in Article XIV hereof.
1.30 "PURCHASE REQUIREMENT PRICE" shall have the meaning for such term
set forth in Article XIV hereof.
1.31 "QUARTER" means a calendar quarter.
1.32 "REASONABLE COST OF CAPITAL" means, regardless of the method of
conventional or alternative (e.g. sales/leaseback) financing or acquisition
actually chosen by Freeport to obtain a
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Facility, the costs, including interest at a fixed rate, fees and other
charges, if any, which are or would have been incurred in obtaining the funds
actually required to obtain the Facility from a third party in an
arm's-length transaction until such funds are repaid or recovered.
1.33 "RECEIVING POINT" means the Port Sulphur Terminal or such other
location as Freeport may designate from time to time for the first shoreside
receipt by Freeport of Felmont Main Pass Sulphur.
1.34 "RELATED PARTY" means when used in relation to one of the parties
to this Agreement, any corporation, partnership, joint venture or other
entity or form of enterprise other than a party hereto, that shall be
directly or indirectly under joint or common control of, controlled by or
controls that party.
1.35 "REPLACEMENT FACILITY" means a facility or group of related
facilities which replaces an Initial Facility (or a previously acquired
Replacement Facility) essentially in kind; a facility or group of facilities
which replaces an Initial Facility (or a previously acquired Replacement
Facility) and which, although different in kind from such Initial Facility
(or a previously acquired Replacement Facility), performs essentially the
same function as the Initial Facility (or a previously acquired Replacement
Facility) in respect of sulphur from the Main Pass Mine and involves some
improvement in the economics of overall operations; or a facility or group of
related facilities provided or modified to perform an existing work
requirement in respect of sulphur from the Main Pass Mine using a different
method where use of such different method is dictated by factors not within
the control of Freeport.
1.36 "REQUIREMENT DISCOUNT" shall have the meaning for such term set
forth in Article XIV hereof.
1.37 "REQUIREMENT PERIOD AVERAGE SALES REALIZATIONS" shall have the
meaning for such term set forth in Article XIV hereof.
1.38 "REQUIREMENT PERIOD CHARGE" shall have the meaning for such term
set forth in Article XIV hereof.
1.39 "REQUIREMENT PERIOD SALES TONNAGE" shall have the meaning for such
term set forth in Article XIV hereof.
1.40 "TAMPA TERMINAL" means Freeport's terminal at Tampa, Florida.
1.41 "TERMINATION PURCHASE REQUIREMENT" means the obligation of
Freeport to purchase and of Felmont to sell Felmont Sulphur in the event of
certain circumstances of termination as described in more detail in Article
XIV hereof.
1.42 "TON" means a ton of 2240 pounds.
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II. SCOPE OF AGREEMENT
2.1 GENERAL. Freeport will take receipt of the Felmont Sulphur at the
Receiving Point, commingle the same with Freeport Sulphur, and sell Felmont's
share of such commingled sulphur to purchasers. Freeport will perform, in
accordance with the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, all services
required between receipt and sale of such sulphur, including storage,
filtration, blending, purification (by means other than blending, if
required), vatting, melting, loading into transportation equipment, marketing
and associated transporting and terminalling services.
2.2 OTHER AGREEMENTS. Freeport's entry into this Agreement shall in no
way limit Freeport's right to enter into agreements with other parties to
perform for such parties any services of the kind to be rendered hereunder;
provided, however, Freeport shall not knowingly enter into any agreement that
would adversely affect performance of Freeport's obligations under this
Agreement, and further provided, that no such third party agreement shall
provide to any such third party any priority that is above that afforded to
Felmont or otherwise Consistent with the following:
(i) With respect to the use of Initial Facilities, no third party
shall have any priority that is above the priority afforded to Felmont;
(ii) With respect to the use of New and Replacement Facilities for
which Felmont pays any adjustment to the Facilities recharge pursuant to
Article 10, all such third party priorities shall be below the priority
afforded to Felmont unless such third party is obligated to pay a
proportionate share of the capital cost (including the Reasonable Cost of
Capital associated therewith) of such New or Replacement Facility in which
latter case such third party priority shall be equal to the priority afforded
Felmont.
2.3 SPARE CAPACITY. In the event Freeport enters into any agreement to
provide services to any third party utilizing the spare or idle capacity of
any Facility, the revenue received by Freeport for such services shall be
retained by Freeport. All operating costs for such services shall be for the
account of Freeport. For purposes of this Section 2.3, "operating costs" shall
have the same meaning as it has in Section 6.1(i). No reduction to the base
Facilities Charge or to any adjustment to the Facilities Charge shall be made
as a consequence of the use of such spare or idle capacity for provision of
such services to third parties unless such Facility is a New or Replacement
Facility that has incremental or surplus capacity in which case the
adjustment shall be made as provided in Section 10.3.
III. QUANTITY
This Agreement shall apply to 100% (one hundred percent) of the Felmont
Main Pass Sulphur produced during the term of this Agreement, including the
Purchase Requirement Period, and 100% (one hundred percent) of the Felmont
Blending Sulphur delivered to the Port Sulphur Terminal as provided in
Article VII.
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IV. TERM
4.1 The term of this Agreement will commence on the date of its
execution by the parties and shall remain in effect thereafter so long as
economically recoverable reserves of sulphur remain at the Main Pass Mine
unless sooner terminated as provided herein.
4.2 Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, Felmont
shall have the continuing right to terminate this Agreement at any time for
any reason or no reason effective on a date specified by Felmont in a notice
thereof to Freeport given not more than 25 days nor less than 20 days in
advance of the effective date of termination. Notwithstanding termination
pursuant to Section 4.2, this Agreement shall remain in effect during the
Purchase Requirement Period.
4.3 Each party hereto shall have the right to terminate this Agreement
for any reason or no reason on the tenth, fifteenth or twentieth
anniversaries of the Commencement Date by notice thereof to the other party
given not less than 3 years in advance of any such anniversary dates, and
absent exercise by Felmont of its continuing right to terminate under Section
4.2, this Agreement shall terminate as of the date specified in such notice
and the Termination Purchase Requirement shall not be applicable.
4.4 No termination of this Agreement, whether under Section 4.2 or 4.3,
shall affect any provision of this Agreement which by its terms or necessary
operation continues after termination.
V. SERVICES
From and after the Commencement Date Freeport shall provide the following
services, which services shall be rendered by Freeport as principal and
exclusively in Freeport's name:
5.1 Receipt at the Receiving Point of Felmont Main Pass Sulphur (such
sulphur to be transported from the Main Pass Mine to the Receiving Point
pursuant to the Joint Operating Agreement) and the short term storage thereof
at the Receiving Point to the extent required under normal operating
circumstances prior to its loading into transportation equipment.
5.2 Filtration of Felmont Main Pass Sulphur to reduce average ash
content to meet commercial specifications (currently 30 parts per million or
less).
5.3 Purification (currently anticipated to be accomplished by blending
with higher grade sulphur) of Felmont Main Pass Sulphur by reducing the
carbon content thereof to meet commercial specifications (currently 0.25% or
less).
5.4 As Freeport should deem necessary from time to time, the introduction
of liquid Felmont Sulphur into solid storage vats at the Receiving Point for
long term storage and the melting thereof upon withdrawal of such sulphur
from the solid storage vats. At any point in time,
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the proportionate solid storage capacity available for Felmont Sulphur shall
be (i) 134,000 tons at the Port Sulphur Terminal, plus (ii) in the event such
134,000 ton capacity at the Port Sulphur Terminal becomes insufficient for
the quantity of Felmont Sulphur then being vatted, such additional solid
storage capacity at the Port Sulphur Terminal or other storage capacity at
other storage facilities as Freeport shall arrange.
5.5 Identifying and obtaining purchasers for Felmont Sulphur commingled
in Combined Sulphur, negotiating, preparing and executing, solely in
Freeport's name, all sales contracts and administration of all sales
contracts (including all accounting, legal, credit analysis and collection
services, invoicing and technical service support required therefor and
providing to Felmont monthly sales and inventory reports related to all such
activities). Monthly sales reports provided to Felmont shall indicate the
total quantity sold in each market served by Freeport and the average sales
realization in each such market. All marketing information to be furnished by
Freeport hereunder is deemed by Freeport to be confidential and Felmont
agrees that it shall treat such information in the same manner Felmont treats
its own confidential information.
5.6 Arranging for all transportation equipment and labor required to
deliver Felmont Sulphur to customers, including use of Freeport's own
transportation equipment and labor and such equipment and labor as Freeport
may contract from Freeport's Related Parties and third parties.
5.7 Loading and delivery of Felmont Sulphur into transportation
equipment. In the event of a shortage in sulphur vessel capacity subject to
Freeport's control, first and equal priority shall be given to the transport
of Freeport's sales tonnage (including tonnage sold by Freeport on Felmont's
behalf and tonnage consumed by Freeport or Freeport's Related Parties),
sulphur produced at the Main Pass Mine, sulphur to be moved for others
pursuant to shared transportation equipment commitments, and sulphur used
for blending or vatting; second priority shall be given to all other Freeport
uses of its transportation equipment.
5.8 With respect to customers taking delivery of Felmont Sulphur at or
through the Tampa Terminal or another Freeport receiving facility as
designated by Freeport, unloading of Felmont Sulphur at such facility from
marine transportation equipment and short-term storage of such sulphur to the
extent required under normal operating circumstances prior to its delivery
Into transportation equipment for final shipment to customers.
VI. PRICE
From and after the Commencement Date, for the services rendered by
Freeport pursuant to Article V hereinabove and pursuant to Articles VII, VIII
and XVI hereinafter, Felmont shall pay Freeport the Operating Cost
Reimbursement plus the Management Fee plus the Facilities Charge plus the
Marketing Fee as described below:
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6.1 OPERATING COST REIMBURSEMENT.
(i) Freeport shall be entitled to reimbursement of its actual
operating costs incurred in rendering services under this
Agreement (except for the services described in Section 5.5
hereinabove for which Freeport shall be compensated by the
Marketing Fee described in Section 6.4 below) without
duplication of any item of cost incurred under this Agreement
and any other agreement between Freeport and Felmont. Charges
from Freeport's Related Parties which are included in
Operating Cost Reimbursement shall be no less favorable to
Felmont than would be the case if such services were purchased
in an arm's-length transaction; provided however, such charges
from Related Parties shall in any event fully reimburse
Freeport, without any profit, for any and all direct and indirect
costs incurred. Freeport shall keep accurate records of such
actual operating cost (including costs from Freeport's Related
Parties or other third parties, but excluding G & A
[subject to the provisions of Section 6.5 hereof] and
depreciation) incurred each month in rendering the services
described in Articles V, VII, VIII and XVI in respect of
Felmont Sulphur. In this regard Freeport shall cause cost
records to be kept for each activity center (e.g.
purification, vatting, etc.) so that an average cost incurred
per ton of all sulphur moved through such activity center
during a month may be determined and charged proportionally
to each quantity of sulphur moved through the activity center
during such month. Such actual operating cost shall include the
full cost of services rendered by any Freeport Employee
specifically for the performance of this Agreement, the
charges for such services shall reflect not only an allocation
of such Freeport Employee's wages (including bonuses), but
also a fair and equitable allocation of that Freeport
Employee's benefits and departmental overhead (as opposed to
G & A). Operating Cost Reimbursement shall include, at
Freeport's option, Felmont's estimated proportionate share of
Closure Costs of any Facility or Facilities, the amount of
such accrual to be determined on a net present value basis or
other basis which reflects Felmont's pre-payment of such
estimated proportionate share of Closure Costs.
(ii) Freeport shall invoice Felmont for reimbursement of such
actual cost, and for payment of the associated Management Fee
described in Section 6.2 below, during the following month.
6.2 MANAGEMENT FEE. Freeport shall be entitled to a Management Fee for
performing the services described in Articles V (other than those described
in Section 5.5), VII, VIII and XVI, which such fee shall be payable monthly
and shall be equal to 5% of the total Operating Cost Reimbursement applicable
tic such month; provided, however, that for the month during which
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the Commencement Date occurs and for each of the next succeeding 35 months
thereafter, the Management Fee shall in no event exceed sixty cents ($.60)
per ton of Felmont Main Pass Sulphur received at the Receiving Point during
any such month. The Management Fee shall not be applicable to any G & A for
which Freeport may become entitled to reimbursement through the Operating
Cost Reimbursement pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.5 hereof, nor to
the amount paid for purchased sulphur pursuant to Section 7.3 nor to
Felmont's share of Closure Costs.
6.3 FACILITIES CHARGE. Freeport shall be entitled to a fee for the use
of Freeport's facilities in rendering the services described in Articles V
(other than those described in Section 5.5), VII and VIII. Fifteen (15) days
after the beginning of each quarter after the Commencement Date, Freeport
shall estimate the quantity of Felmont Main Pass Sulphur to be received
during such quarter and shall invoice Felmont a Facilities Charge which shall
be $3.00 (three dollars) per ton of such estimated tonnage until and unless
such amount is adjusted as provided in Article X. The actual tonnage of
Felmont Main Pass Sulphur received in a current quarter will be indicated in
the Facilities Charge invoice for the next succeeding quarter, with
appropriate adjustment being made to the Facilities Charge for such
succeeding quarter to reflect the actual tonnage received in the current
quarter.
6.4 MARKETING FEE. For each ton of Felmont Tonnage determined to have
been sold during a month, Felmont shall pay Freeport a Marketing Fee equal to
a specified percentage of the Average Sales Realization for such month, which
such percentage shall be either 3% as proposed by Freeport or 2 1/4% as
proposed by Felmont, depending upon the outcome of the arbitration procedure
hereinafter described in this Section 6.4. On or before 30 days after the
date of execution of this Agreement the parties shall engage the services of
one arbitrator who shall be ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, retired Chairman of the
Sulphur Institute, or if he is unavailable, ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, President of
Battle Mountanin Gold, or if he is unavailable, Dr. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, Chairman
of the Potash and Phosphate Institute, or if he is unavailable, such other
person as the parties shall mutually agree. On or before 30 days after such
arbitrator is engaged each of the parties shall submit to such arbitrator a
statement, which shall be limited to 10 single spaced typewritten pages and
supporting documentation, setting forth such party's arguments in favor of
the percentage proposed by it. Within 10 days after the day upon which the
arbitrator is in receipt of the statements of both parties, the arbitrator
will choose either the 3% proposed by Freeport or the 2 1/4% proposed by
Felmont and not substitute his own judgment that a percentage different from
either of those would constitute a fair and equitable resolution. The
decision of the arbitrator will be final and binding upon both parties.
6.5 G & A. Freeport bears a portion of the G & A. Freeport has chosen
to allocate the G & A (not otherwise allocated to a specific project) by
dividing the G & A for a specific billing period by the total number of tons
produced during such period from Freeport's own mines and the Main Pass Mine
(disregarding purchased sulphur). The Main Pass Mine is treated as a special
project for G & A allocation during the pre-production phase. After the
Commencement Date all G & A not allocated to a specific project will be
allocated to sulphur production. Felmont agrees
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to bear its fair and equitable share of such G & A without duplication
through the Joint Operating Agreement and through charges under this
Agreement. If the method for allocation of Felmont's share of such G&A under
the Joint Operating Agreement should be changed by Freeport with the result
that Felmont ceases to bear its fair share of such G&A through charges under
the Joint Operating Agreement, Felmont agrees to bear its share of such G&A
without duplication though a combination of charges under the Joint Operating
Agreement and this Agreement.
6.6 PAYMENT. Felmont shall make payment for each of the Operating Cost
Reimbursement, the Management Fee and the Facilities Charge within thirty
days from the date of postmark of Freeport's invoice therefor and shall send
such payment to the address set out in such invoice for receipt of
remittances. Freeport shall be deemed to have received such payment on the
date it is received at such address; provided, however, that if the date of
post ▇▇▇▇ of a payment is a date 25 days or less from the date of postmark of
Freeport's invoice, such payment shall be deemed to have been timely received
hereunder. Felmont agrees to pay Freeport a service charge equal to the
lesser of (i) 0.05% per day (approximately one and one-half percent (1-1/2%)
per month), or (ii) the highest percentage interest rate then permitted by
law, on all payments due by Felmont not received by Freeport on or before the
date due. Payment of the Marketing Fee shall be made as provided in Section
13.2 hereof.
VII. BLENDING
Because of impurities which may be present in sulphur produced from the
Main Pass Mine, it may be necessary from time to time to blend higher quality
sulphur with Felmont Main Pass Sulphur in order for Felmont Main Pass Sulphur
to meet commercial specifications. Freeport agrees to use its best efforts,
and in the order of priority provided in Sections 7.1 through 7.3 below
(unless transportation charges can be reduced by altering the order of
priority), to obtain recovered sulphur or other higher quality sulphur for
purposes of such blending in a manner to minimize the cost thereof. The
following provisions shall apply from time to time in determining Operating
Cost Reimbursement under Article VI, the quality of Felmont Sulphur sold and
the quantity of Felmont Tonnage for the purposes of Schedule C. Freeport
agrees that in allocating blending sulphur Felmont Sulphur will be treated on
a parity with Freeport Sulphur in priority of allocation of sulphur under
Section 7.1 through 7.3.
7.1 WATERBORNE SULPHUR PROVIDED BY FREEPORT. Freeport currently
transports recovered sulphur by barge and by tanker for third parties and for
its own use at phosphoric acid plants which Freeport owns and operates in
Louisiana. Provided that Freeport (a) has the right to exchange recovered
sulphur being transported for third parties, and/or (b) can utilize less than
commercial grade sulphur in its phosphoric acid plants without operational
difficulties or increased operating costs, then Freeport agrees to exchange
(without charge to Felmont to reflect the differences in quality between the
tonnages exchanged) that quantity of recovered sulphur which is necessary for
blending with Felmont Main Pass Sulphur for an equal quantity Of Felmont Main
Pass Sulphur. The exchanges contemplated herein shall be on a ton per ton
basis and shall not result in
13
any increase or decrease in the total quantity of Felmont Sulphur then held
by Freeport. Risk of loss to each quantity of sulphur so exchanged shall pass
from one party to the other at the time the blending occurs. For each ton of
recovered sulphur so exchanged for a ton of Felmont Main Pass Sulphur,
Freeport shall be entitled to payment as provided in Article VI hereof for
performing the services utilized pursuant to Article V associated with such
Felmont Blending Sulphur, except that Operating Cost Reimbursement shall also
include one-half (but only one-half) of the transportation costs associated
with transporting such quantity of recovered sulphur from the place of
receipt at a port facility to the Port Sulphur Terminal. Felmont shall bear
no portion of any cost of shipment of Felmont Main Pass Sulphur so exchanged
from the Port Sulphur Terminal to another location.
7.2 SULPHUR PROVIDED BY FREEPORT FROM ITS PHOSPHORIC ACID PLANTS.
Freeport also currently transports recovered sulphur by rail and truck for
use at its phosphoric acid plants in Louisiana. Provided that Freeport (a)
can utilize less than commercial grade sulphur in its phosphoric acid plants
without operational difficulties or increased operating costs, and (b) has
recovered sulphur available, then Freeport agrees to exchange (without charge
to Felmont to reflect the differences in quality between the tonnages
exchanged) that quantity of recovered sulphur which is necessary for blending
with Felmont Main Pass Sulphur for an equal quantity of Felmont Main Pass
Sulphur. The exchanges contemplated herein shall be on a ton per ton basis
and shall not result in any increase or decrease in the total quantity of
Felmont Sulphur then held by Freeport. Risk of loss or damage to each
quantity of sulphur so exchanged shall pass from one party to the other at
the time the blending occurs. For each ton of liquid recovered sulphur so
exchanged for a ton of Felmont Main Pass Sulphur, Freeport shall be entitled
to payment as provided in Article VI hereof for performing the services
utilized pursuant to Article V associated with such Felmont Blending Sulphur,
except that Operating Cost Reimbursement shall also include the full cost of
loading such liquid recovered sulphur into a barge at Freeport's phosphoric
acid plant and transporting such recovered sulphur from the phosphoric acid
plant to the Port Sulphur Terminal, and transporting the exchanged Felmont
Main Pass Sulphur from such terminal to Freeport's phosphoric acid plant.
7.3 SULPHUR PURCHASED BY FREEPORT FOR BLENDING. If the quantity of
recovered sulphur available pursuant to Sections 7.1 and 7.2 above is less
than the quantity required for blending with Felmont Main Pass Sulphur,
Freeport shall consult with and obtain Felmont's approval (which shall not be
unreasonably withheld) before purchasing any sulphur for blending with
Felmont Main Pass Sulphur. If Freeport purchases recovered sulphur for
blending with Felmont Main Pass Sulphur, Freeport shall be entitled to
payment as provided in Article VI hereof for performing the services utilized
pursuant to Article V associated with such Felmont Blending Sulphur, except
that Operating Cost Reimbursement shall also include Felmont's proportionate
share of the full cost of purchasing and transporting such recovered sulphur
from the point of purchase to the Port Sulphur Terminal. All such Felmont
Blending Sulphur so purchased for Felmont's account shall be added to the
quantity of Felmont Sulphur then in the possession of Freeport and risk of
loss or damage to such Felmont Blending Sulphur so purchased shall pass to
Felmont at the shoreline
14
flange at the Port Sulphur Terminal as such Felmont Blending Sulphur is
progressively discharged into such Facility from the transportation equipment
transporting such sulphur to such terminal.
VIII. VATTING
In determining solid storage vatting costs attributable to Felmont
Sulfur, Freeport shall be entitled to reimbursement as an Operating Cost
Reimbursement for the full cost of the vatting and melting of such sulphur if
undertaken as the result of a decision by Freeport in its capacity as
marketing agent that it expects such vatting to benefit Average Sales
Realization, or if as the result of a force majeure affecting Freeport's
terminalling and/or transportation system. Should it become necessary,
because of anticipated future shortages of recovered sulphur or for other
reasons, to vat Felmont Blending Sulphur obtained for blending with Felmont
Main Pass Sulphur, Freeport shall consult with and obtain Felmont's approval
(which shall not be unreasonably withheld) before any such Felmont Blending
Sulphur is vatted. If Freeport vats any Felmont Blending Sulphur, Freeport
shall be entitled to reimbursement as an Operating Cost Reimbursement, for
the full cost of the vatting and melting of such Felmont Blending Sulphur.
Should Freeport elect to vat a quantity of Freeport Sulphur or sulphur of any
Freeport Related Party at the Port Sulphur Terminal principally for the
economic benefit of Freeport or such Related Party is a party, or principally
for purposes of maintenance of recovered sulphur purchase contracts to which
Freeport or any Freeport Related Party is a party, and not substantially for
the benefit of Felmont, Felmont shall bear no portion of the cost of services
specified in Articles V, VII, VIII and XVI with respect to such quantity of
sulphur.
IX. OPERATIONAL AND PROCESS LOSSES
The parties acknowledge that in the course of operations and processes
required for receiving, handling, storing, purifying, filtering,
transporting, loading and unloading Felmont Sulphur, some portion of such
sulphur will be lost and, from time to time, gained. The parties agree that
such operational and process losses and gains shall be estimated and
allocated among the particular processes in which such changes occur, by such
method or methods as Freeport shall from time to time determine, subject to
adjustment based on total loss or gain determinations made from time to time
by actual physical measurement. The quantity of Felmont Sulphur which is held
be Freeport from time to time shall be determined by totaling all receipts of
Felmont Main Pass Sulphur and Felmont Blending Sulphur and subtracting (or
adding in the case of the operational gains) therefrom (i) the operational
and process losses and gains) (ii) all deliveries of Felmont Sulphur made to
purchasers, and (iii) any Felmont Sulphur which is lost or destroyed due to
reasons beyond Freeport's reasonable control.
Freeport shall from time to time make analyses of sulphur in the course
of such operations and processes in order to establish the quantities and
characteristics of such sulphur. Freeport shall deliver to Felmont reports of
such analyses at least monthly. Felmont shall have the right at Felmont's
expense to have such records of such analyses audited by a chemist from time
to time
15
designated by Felmont and to take splits of such analyses for the purpose of
making Felmont's own determinations of such quantities and characteristics.
X. ADDITIONAL CAPITAL
10.1 FREEPORT'S COMMITMENT RELATED TO FACILITIES IMPROVEMENT, SCHEDULE.
Freeport represents, in good faith, that the expansions and modifications of
Existing Facilities set forth in the Facilities Improvement Schedule will
bring the processing and storage facilities at the Port Sulphur Terminal and
at the Tampa Terminal into a condition suitable for providing the services to
be rendered under the Agreement: but it is expressly understood that the
transgulf transportation facilities listed on Schedule A hereof may not be
sufficient to provide adequate reserve transportation capacity so that
additional capital expenditures in respect thereof may be required at some
future time. Freeport shall invest, at Freeport's sole expense, the
additional capital required to accomplish the expansions and modifications
indicated in the Facilities Improvements Schedule and shall notify Felmont in
writing of the date upon which such expansions and modifications have been
accomplished.
10.2 OTHER PRE-COMMENCEMENT DATE CAPITAL EXPENDITURES. Notwithstanding
the foregoing provisions of Section 10.1, if an additional capital
expenditure not shown on Schedule B is determined by Freeport to be required
prior to the Commencement Date:
(i) for Existing Facility expansion and modification as the
result of changes in applicable environmental or other laws
and/or regulations in effect as of December 31, 1989, or new
interpretations of such applicable environmental or other
laws and/or regulations in effect as of such date which are
made after such date, or other event beyond the reasonable
control of Freeport; or
(ii) for replacement of Initial Facilities as the result of loss
or damage beyond the reasonable control of Freeport and such
replacement, after taking into account salvage value and/or
insurance proceeds, requires additional capital to improve
the economics of overall operations or is dictated by
factors not within the control of Freeport (Freeport agrees
to maintain, from the date of execution of this Agreement
until the Commencement Date, insurance on the Initial
Facilities in an amount which it, in good faith, believes
will reflect in the case of vessels, adequate Hull insurance
coverage and, in the case of all other such Initial
Facilities, the replacement cost thereof);
such determination having been made on the basis that such capital
expenditure is substantially for the purpose of providing services in respect
of sulphur to be produced from the Main Pass Mine, Felmont shall bear its
proportionate share (determined on the same basis as provided in Section 10.3
below) of such additional capital expenditure (including the Reasonable Costs
of
16
Capital associated therewith) through an adjustment of the Facilities Charge
in the same manner as provided in Section 10.3 below with respect to a
Replacement Facility of a New Facility, except that any such expansion or
modification project undertaken or any replacement for a Facility constructed
or otherwise acquired prior to the Commencement Date with a cost in excess of
$500,000 (which amount is subject to adjustment as provided in Section 10.7)
shall be subject to Felmont's approval which shall not be unreasonably
withheld. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 10.2, any such
expansion or modification project undertaken as contemplated by this Section
10.2 shall for all other purposes of this Agreement be deemed to be a New
Facility and any such replacement for a Facility constructed or otherwise
acquired as contemplated by this Section 10.2 shall for all other purposes of
this Agreement be deemed to be a Replacement Facility.
10.3 NEW AND REPLACEMENT FACILITIES. From and after the Commencement
Date, a proportionate share of the cost of each capital expenditure made by
Freeport in respect of Facilities used by it to perform services under this
Agreement, whether made in respect of a Replacement Facility or in respect of
a New Facility, plus the Reasonable Cost of Capital associated therewith,
shall be borne by Felmont in the form of an adjustment to the basic $3.00 per
ton Facilities Charge specified in Section 6.3 hereof. If in determining the
size or capacity, of a New Facility or Replacement Facility, Freeport
includes in the size or capacity of such Facility incremental or surplus
capacity (in excess of that reasonably needed for contingencies) in order to
provide services to third parties, then the adjustment to the Facilities
Charge shall (i) be no greater than it would have been had such Facility been
sized not to exceed the reasonable service requirements of sulphur production
from the Main Pass Mine plus Freeport's other sulphur mines in the Gulf
Coast area, and (ii) reflect for the benefit of Felmont any reduction in the
Facilities Charge adjustment resulting from such incremental or surplus
capacity as compared to the Facilities Charge adjustment that would have
resulted from such a Facility without incremental or surplus capacity.
Felmont's proportionate share of such capital expenditure shall be
determined (and thereafter fixed) at the time of the capital expenditure is
made for such Facility based on the percentage of the capacity of such
Facility reasonably estimated to be for the benefit of Felmont Sulphur. The
adjustment to the Facilities Charge in accordance with the preceding
paragraph will reflect Felmont's proportionate share of the cost of the
Facility so constructed or acquired, plus the Reasonable Cost of Capital
associated therewith, as depreciated over the useful life of the Facility in
accordance with a schedule of depreciation to be provided at the time of
construction or acquisition. When Felmont has paid Freeport its full
proportionate share of a capital expenditure, plus the Reasonable Cost of
Capital associated therewith, which is attributable to Felmont Sulphur, the
adjustment to the basic $3.00 per ton Facilities Charge associated with such
capital expenditure shall no longer be applied. Any Freeport decision to
replace any of the Initial Facilities with a Replacement Facility requiring
an expenditure in excess of $3,000,000 (which amount is subject to adjustment
as provided in Section 10.7) or to add any New Facility requiring an
expenditure in excess of $500,000 (which amount is subject to adjustment as
provided if Section 10.7), shall be subject to Felmont's approval, with
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.
17
10.4 REFERRAL TO CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS. In the event that
representatives of Felmont and Freeport are unable to agree on the need to
add a Replacement Facility, or a New Facility, its the case may be, which
requires the approval of Felmont in accordance with Sections 10.2 or 10.3
above, the matter shall be referred to the chief executive officers of
Felmont's intimate parent company and Freeport's ultimate parent company for
their decision. If the parties remain unable to agree at the end of 30 days
after such referral, the matter shall be resolved in accordance with the
provisions of Article XI hereof entitled "Additional Capital Dispute
Resolution." Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement, or any decision
rendered pursuant to Article XI, to the contrary, Freeport reserves the right
at all times to proceed in its sole discretion with any capital expenditure
for its own use and for its own accounts, and the only effect of Felmont's
approval or disapproval of a capital expenditure will be whether such capital
expenditure shall be utilized by Freeport in performing services under this
Agreement and whether Felmont has an obligation to pay a Facilities Charge
associated therewith.
10.5 ENVIRONMENTAL AUDITS. Felmont shall have the right to conduct, at
Felmont's expense, an environmental audit prior to use of, and/or upon
abandonment of, and/or upon notice to Felmont pursuant to Section 10.6.3 of
Freeport's continued use of, and/or upon Felmont's termination of this
Agreement, any Facilities utilized by Freeport in the performance of this
Agreement (inclusive of the Initial Facilities plus all replacements and
additions thereto); provided, however, that in the conduct of any such
environmental audit no contact shall be made with any personnel of any federal,
state, local or other government, and none of the information obtained in the
conduct of such audit shall be released to any person other than a director,
officer, employee or consultant of Felmont or of a Felmont Related Party,
without the prior written consent of Freeport unless Felmont determines that
it is legally obligated to disclose such information and gives Freeport
reasonable advance written notice of its intention to make such a disclosure.
10.6 DISPOSITION OF FACILITIES. Subject to the further provisions of
this Section 10.6, the disposition of any Initial Facility, Replacement
Facility or New Facility (i) after this Agreement has terminated, or (ii) at
any time after Freeport has determined that any such Facility is no longer
appropriate for the performance of this Agreement, shall be made as Freeport
in its sole discretion shall decide.
10.6.1 Should Freeport in its discretion choose to scrap or sell a
Facility, Felmont shall bear a proportionate share of (i)
the Closure Coat of the Facility, and (ii) any remaining
unrecovered cost of the Facility (but excluding the
unrecovered cost of any Initial Facility identified on the
Existing Facilities Schedule), if any, after taking salvage
value (or sales proceeds, as the case may be) into account.
In the case of a Replacement Facility or a New Facility
such proportionate share shall be the proportionate share
determined to be Felmont's proportionate share for purposes
of adjusting the Facilities Charge to reflect the addition
of such Replacement Facility or New Facility. In the case
of an Initial Facility such proportionate share
18
shall be based upon the percentage of utilization of such
Initial Facility for the benefit of Felmont Sulphur during
the period this Agreement was in effect prior to scrapping
or sale, as the case may be; provided, however, that with
respect to the Closure Cost, if any, of an Initial
Facility, the parties recognize that a portion of such cost
may be the result of Freeport's use of the Initial Facility
prior to or after performing services under this Agreement
and will develop a fair and equitable method or methods for
relieving Felmont of responsibility for such portion of
such cost. If Freeport has elected to charge Felmont an
amount as an accrual for Closure Cost as provided in
Section 6.1(i) and Felmont's proportionate share of the
actual Closure Cost is more or less than Felmont's
proportionate share of the estimated Closure Cost on which
the accrual was calculated or the amount actually accrued,
then Freeport will develop a fair and equitable method for
reimbursing or crediting Felmont for such excess amount
accrued for Closure Cost and Felmont shall reimburse
Freeport for any under accrual for Closure Cost.
10.6.2 Should Freeport in its discretion sell a Facility (other
than an Initial Facility) and the sales proceeds therefrom
are greater than the depreciated book value (cost less
depreciation), Freeport will develop a fair and equitable
method for reimbursing Felmont for any overpayment of
Facilities Charges in a manner which takes into account the
extent that Felmont has contributed to the depreciation of
such Facility. Neither this Section 10.6.2 nor any other
provision of this Agreement shall be construed or is
intended to grant to Felmont any ownership right, lien,
encumbrance, equitable or beneficial interest in any
Facility (whether an Initial Facility or a Replacement
Facility or a New Facility) now or at any time in the
future or impose any liability or responsibility on Felmont
to third parties with respect thereto.
10.6.3 Should Freeport in its discretion choose to continue to use
or permit a Freeport Related Party to use a Facility
exclusively for purposes other than performing the services
to be rendered under this Agreement, either after having
determined that such Facility is no longer necessary or
appropriate for the performance of this Agreement or after
termination of this Agreement (provided such Facility does
not qualify as an Early Termination Facility subject to the
provisions of Section 10.6.4 below), Freeport shall so
notify Felmont and Felmont shall, except as otherwise
provided in the next following sentence, be relieved of all
further financial responsibility for and right to surplus
proceeds from such Facility as of the date of such notice
from Freeport. If after giving such notice of continued
use, Freeport should choose to scrap or sell such Facility,
as the case may be, and such
19
scrapping or sale entails a Closure Cost, Felmont shall
bear its proportionate share of such Closure Cost.
Felmont's proportionate share shall be determined in the
manner provided in Section 10.6.1 above for the period of
time when this Agreement was in effect, and Felmont shall
have no responsibility for any portion of such Closure Cost
relating to utilization of the Facility before or after
that period of time. Further, if the Facility so used
exclusively for purposes other than performing the services
to be rendered under this Agreement is a New Facility or a
Replacement Facility for which an adjustment to the
Facilities Charge is still being charged to Felmont, then
for the period of time that the Facility is so used for
other purposes, Felmont shall receive a credit for and be
forever relieved of the obligation to pay the Facilities
Charge adjustment associated with such Facility.
10.6.4 In the event this Agreement should terminate prior to the
tenth anniversary of the Commencement Date, and Freeport in
its discretion should choose to continue to use an Early
Termination Facility exclusively for purposes other than
performing the services to be rendered under this
Agreement, Freeport shall so notify Felmont and Felmont
shall, within 30 days after the date of Freeport's notice,
pay to Freeport an amount which shall be specified in such
notice from Freeport and equal to the difference between
(i) the total amount Freeport would otherwise have
recovered through the Facilities Charge in accordance with
the depreciation schedule applicable to such Early
Termination Facility) during the period beginning on the
Commencement Date and ending as of the tenth anniversary of
the Commencement Date, for Felmont's proportionate share
(determined as provided in Section 10.3) of the cost of
such Early Termination Facility after taking into account
amounts to be paid by Felmont as a Facilities Fee with
respect to such a Facility during the Purchase Requirement
Period (including the Reasonable Cost of Capital associated
therewith), and (ii) the portion, if any, of such total
amount which shall have been recovered by Freeport through
the Facilities Charge and any adjustments to the Facilities
Charge pursuant to Section 10.3 as of the date of
termination. Upon making such payment, Felmont shall,
except as provided in the next following sentence,
thereafter be relieved of all further financial
responsibility for and right to surplus proceeds from such
Early Termination Facility. If after having received such
payment from Felmont as aforesaid, Freeport should choose
to scrap or sell such Early Termination Facility, as the
case may be, and such scrapping or sale entails a Closure
Cost, Felmont shall bear its proportionate share of such
Closure Cost. Felmont's proportionate share of such Closure
Cost shall be determined in the manner provided in Section
10.6.1 above for the period of time when this Agreement was
in effect, and
20
Felmont shall have no responsibility for any portion of such
Closure Cost relating to utilization of such Early Termination
Facility before or after that period of time.
10.6.5 Should Freeport sell or otherwise permanently dispose of a
Facility to a Freeport Related Party, for all purposes of this
Agreement, Freeport shall be deemed to have received the fair
market value of such Facility after taking into account all
relevant matters as agreed by the parties or if they fail to
agree as determined by appraisal. If the parties fail to agree
and such value is to be fixed by appraisal, each party shall
select an appraiser who is familiar with the valuation of
similar assets and operations. The two appraisers so selected
shall choose a third similarly qualified appraiser. The three
appraisers shall simultaneously submit their appraisals with a
brief statement of the basis therefor. The appraised value
shall be the average of the two appraisals which are closest
to each other unless such value is determined to be clearly
unreasonable.
10.7 APPROVAL LEVEL ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURE. The dollar amounts associated
with Felmont's rights to approve capital expenditures specified in
Sections 10.2 and 10.3 hereof shall be adjusted annually commencing
on December 31, 1990 and on each December 31 thereafter by
multiplying such dollar amount by the percentage change in the
"Implicit Price Deflator for Gross National Product (Index number
1982 = 00)" as published by the Bureau of Economic Analysis of the
United States Department of Commerce in the monthly publication
"Survey of Current Business" for the second calendar quarter
(seasonally adjusted) if the year in which the adjustment is made
form a base of 125.9. For example, assuming an increase in the index
of 10% from the base of 125.9, each of the dollar amounts specified
in Sections 10.2 and 10.3 hereof shall be increased 10%. Should the
index specified above cease to be published at any time during the
term of this Agreement, the parties shall select a substitute index
which in their judgement as nearly as possible approximates the
results obtained by use of the index specified above.
10.8 ESTIMATE OF CLOSURE COST; PREPAYMENT. Should Freeport in its
direction choose to continue to use a Facility exclusively for
purposes other than performing the services pursuant to this
Agreement after termination of this Agreement, Freeport shall
promptly so notify Felmont. Felmont shall have the right to require
Freeport to prepare an estimate of Closure Cost for such Facility
and to calculate the present value of such Closure Cost using the
publicly announced fluctuating prime rate of interest then in effect
charged by Chase Manhattan Bank, New York, New York, on 90-day loans
to its most responsible and substantial customers, plus 2% (but in no
event in excess of the maximum rate of interest which it is permitted
to charge from time to time under applicable law), and shall
reimburse Freeport for the costs reasonably incurred by Freeport in
preparing such estimate (except that if a third party jointly with
Felmont directs the preparation of such estimate, reimbursement to
Freeport of such preparation costs shall be borne between Felmont and
such third party in the proportion the respective interests of Felmont
and such third
21
party in sulphur production from the Main Pass Mine bear to each other).
Within 90 days after receipt of such estimate, Felmont shall have the right
to pay Felmont's proportionate share of such present value of such estimated
Closure Cost and upon Freeport's receipt of such amount Felmont shall have no
further obligation, express or implied, to Freeport for Closure Cost for such
Facility.
XI. ADDITIONAL CAPITAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION
In then event of the failure of the chief executive officers of Felmont's
ultimate parent and Freeport's ultimate parent to ▇▇▇▇▇ a decision on a
matter referred to them pursuant to Section 10.4 hereof by the end of the 30
day period provided for therein, the matter shall be determined through the
"Baseball Arbitration" procedure described hereinafter in this Article XI and
such determination shall be binding on the parties
11.1 Within 20 days after the expiration of the 30 day period referred to
above, Felmont and Freeport shall simultaneously exchange a written
statement of their respective positions as to the matter in dispute,
which statement shall be limited to 10 single spaced typewritten
pages plus supporting documentation.
11.2 On or before the fifth day after the exchange of statements under
Section 11.1 above, each party must name its choice of an arbitrator.
Within 20 days thereafter, the two arbitrators so chosen shall name a
third arbitrator. If any of the three arbitrators has not been named
within the appointed time, then either party may apply to the
American Arbitration Association for appointment of the arbitrator(s)
necessary to complete the panel within 20 days thereafter. All
arbitrators shall be individuals who are not and never have been
officers, directors or employees of either party or of any Related
Party, and who are not currently officers, directors or employees of
any supplier which by reason of the volume of business between the
party appointing such arbitrator and that supplier can reasonably be
expected to have a conflict of interest. All arbitrators shall be
qualified by education, knowledge and experience to determine the
matters submitted to them. Each party shall each pay the compensation
and expenses of the arbitrators named by or for it, and both shall
share equally the compensation and expenses of the third arbitrator,
subject to reimbursement of the prevailing party as provided in
Section 11.3 below. Within 30 days following the date that a
three-person panel is established, the three arbitrators shall
evaluate the statements of each party and select a position which
must be either the Felmont position set forth in its statement or the
Freeport position set forth in its statement. The decision cannot be
one that creates an alternative position other than those set forth
in the parties' statements. The decision of the arbitration panel, or
a majority thereof, shall be final and binding as to the matters
submitted for arbitration by the parties. Notwithstanding anything in
this Agreement, or any decision rendered pursuant to this Article XI,
to the contrary, Freeport reserves the right at all times to proceed
in its sole discretion with any
22
capital expenditure for its own use and for its own account, and
the only effect of Felmont's approval or disapproval of a capital
expenditure will be whether such capital expenditure shall be
utilized by Freeport in performing services under this Agreement and
whether Felmont has an obligation to pay a Facilities Charge
associated therewith.
11.3 The party whose position is selected by the arbitration panel
pursuant to Section 11.2 above (the "prevailing party"), shall be
entitled to reimbursement from the other party of all costs and
expenses reasonably incurred by it as the result of preparing and
submitting the matter at issue to arbitration pursuant to this
Article XI (including but not limited to reasonable attorneys fees
and all amounts paid pursuant to Section 11.2 above) within 30 days
after its submission of a statement of such costs and expenses to the
other party for payment, and the other party shall pay all other
costs and expenses of such arbitration over and above those incurred
by the prevailing party.
11.4 Felmont understands that Freeport is also entering into a similar
agreement with IMCF concerning cervices to be performed by Freeport
in connection with Main Pass sulphur produced for IMCF's account.
In the event that Freeport proposes a capital expenditure that is
subject to the approval of both Felmont and IMCF and neither
approves, and the chief executive officers of Freeport, Felmont and
IMCF are unable to reach a decision on such capital expenditure,
then, in order to avoid the potential of inconsistent results,
Freeport and Felmont agree that the arbitration of such dispute
shall be conducted in a single proceeding with Freeport, Felmont and
IMCF all participating in that single proceeding. In the event of
such a three party arbitration, the procedures provided in Section
11.2 shall govern but Freeport, individually, and Felmont and IMCF,
collectively, shall have the right to name an arbitrator and the two
arbitrators so named shall name three additional arbitrators. If the
panel has not been completed within the time contemplated above, any
party may apply to the American Arbitration Association to complete
the panel. The arbitrators shall select the position of one of the
three parties. Each party of the arbitration shall simultaneously
exchange a written statement of its respective position as to the
matters in dispute. The prevailing party's expenses shall be borne
by the other two parties in the proportion that their respective
interests in sulphur production from the Main Pass Mine bear to each
other. Agreement by Freeport and IMCF or Felmont and IMCF on any
such matter shall not preclude the exercise by the other party
hereto of its right to arbitrate under Section 11.1 through Section
11.3.
23
XII. WARRANTIES
12.1 TITLE. Felmont warrants title to all Felmont Sulphur received by
Freeport from Felmont hereunder free from all liens encumbrances, taxes or
claims arising by, through or under Felmont. Freeport warrants title to all
Felmont Blending Sulphur.
12.2 WARRANTY OBLIGATION. Under current conditions in the sulphur
market, Freeport markets sulphur to purchasers on the basis that sulphur
delivered will confirm to written specifications agreed to between Freeport
and its sulphur purchasers with price allowances for sulphur not meeting such
specifications and on the basis that Freeport shall not be liable for
indirect or consequential damages including loss of revenues or loss of
profits. Freeport otherwise makes no express warranties nor does it disclaim
any warranties. Felmont warrants Felmont Sulphur to Freeport to the extent
required to permit Freeport to market Combined Sulphur on the basis above
described. Should Freeport find it necessary in order to market Combined
Sulphur at any time or from time to time during the term of this Agreement to
accept terms and conditions different than described above, Freeport shall so
notify Felmont and continue to market Combined Sulphur in accordance with
this Agreement unless Felmont should choose to terminate this Agreement as the
result of such notification. Felmont agrees that from and after any such
notification from Freeport, Felmont shall warrant Felmont Sulphur to the
extent necessary to permit Freeport to market Combined Sulphur on the basis
of such revised terms and conditions described in such notice.
XIII. SALES AGENCY
13.1 EXCLUSIVE AGENT. As sales agent for Felmont, Freeport will sell
the Felmont Sulphur in exclusively Freeport's name and will be the sole and
exclusive seller of Felmont Sulphur during the time this Agreement is in
force and effect but will have no actual or apparent authority to make
commitments on Felmont's behalf except with respect to Felmont Sulphur to
be sold and delivered under the terms of this Agreement.
13.2 DETERMINATION AND PAYMENT OF SALES PROCEEDS DUE FELMONT. Of the
Combined Sulphur determined by Freeport to have been sold during a month, the
portion thereof which is Felmont Tonnage shall be determined in the manner
prescribed in Schedule C hereof. Within 45 days after the end of a month
Freeport will remit to Felmont an amount equal to the Felmont Tonnage
multiplied by the per-ton Average Sales Realization for the month less the per
ton Marketing Fee applicable to such month, and Freeport agrees to pay
Felmont a service charge equal to the lesser of (i) 0.05% per day
(approximately one and one-half percent (1-1/2%) per month), or (ii) the
highest percentage interest rate then permitted by law, on all remittances
due from Freeport not received by Felmont on or before the date due.
13.3 INVENTORY REMAINING ON TERMINATION. In the event that this Agreement
terminates and Freeport has not remitted to Felmont the sales proceeds due
Felmont for any quantities of
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Felmont Sulphur previously received by Freeport other than Requirement Period
Sales Tonnage, the provisions of this Article XIII and the allocation
procedures of Schedule C shall continue to apply to such Felmont Sulphur until
Felmont has received payment: in full therefor.
XIV. TERMINATION PURCHASE REQUIREMENT
Should Felmont give notice of termination pursuant to Article IV hereof,
then upon and notwithstanding such termination, except as otherwise provided
in Section 4.3 hereof, Freeport shall be obligated to purchase from Felmont
and Felmont shall be obligated to sell to Freeport all Felmont Main Pass
Sulphur produced at the Main Pass Mine during the period beginning on the
date of termination of the sales agency and ending as of December 31 of the
year next following the year during which the sales agency terminated (such
purchase and sale obligations as described in more detail hereinafter in this
Article XIV being herein referred to as the "Termination Purchase
Requirement" and such period being hereinafter referred to as the "Purchase
Requirement Period"). For each month of the Purchase Requirement Period
Freeport shall determine the number of tons of Freeport Sulphur sold by
Freeport to all customers during the month (such tonnage hereinafter called
the "Requirement Period Sales Tonnage"). Freeport shall then calculate the
Requirement Period Average Sales Realization for the month which shall be the
average revenue per ton realized by Freeport from sale to customers
(excluding sales to Freeport and Freeport Related Parties) of the Requirement
Period Sales Tonnage (excluding sales to Freeport and Freeport Related
Parties) for such month, less the per ton average of all proper adjustments
such as discounts and transfer-related taxes paid (but excluding sales to
Freeport and Freeport Related Parties and excluding bad debt losses) in
respect of the Requirement Period Sales Tonnage for such month. The Purchase
Requirement Price payable for Felmont Main Pass Sulphur received by Freeport
during the month shall be the Reimbursement Period Average Sales Realization
for the month less the Requirement Period Charge for such month. As used
herein the term "Requirement Period Charge" means the sum of the Operating
Charge for the month plus the Facilities Fee plus the Requirement Discount
for the month as those terms are defined hereinafter:
(i) OPERATING CHARGE. For each month of the Purchase Requirement
Period Freeport shall determine an amount calculated in the
same manner as the Operating Cost Reimbursement but excluding
any vatting and melting costs. Such amount shall by multiplied
by 105% and the product thereof divided by the number of tons
of Felmont Main Pass Sulphur received by Freeport during such
month. The amount thus obtained shall be the Operating Charge
for such month.
(ii) FACILITIES FEE. The Facilities Fee shall be an amount per ton
equal to the Facilities Charge in effect at the time of
termination of the agreement. Appropriate credit shall be
made by Freeport for any pre-payment of the Facilities Charge
made prior to Termination.
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(iii) REQUIREMENT DISCOUNT. The Requirement Discount for any month
of the Purchase Requirement Period shall be an amount equal
to 5% of the Requirement Period Average Sales Realization
for such month.
Payment for the total tonnage of Felmont Main Pass Sulphur received by
Freeport during a particular month shall be made by Freeport to Felmont
within 45 days after the end of such month. Title and risk of loss shall pass
to Freeport at the Receiving Point.
XV. TITLE: RISK OF LOSS
Title to Felmont Sulphur shall pass to Freeport at the shoreline flange
at the Port Sulphur Terminal as the Felmont Sulphur is progressively
discharged into such Facility from the transportation equipment transporting
such sulphur from the Main Pass Mine to such terminal; provided, however,
that if the sulphur produced from the Main Pass Mine is transported to a
Receiving Point other than the Port Sulphur Terminal, the title to Felmont
Sulphur shall pass to Freeport at the flange of the vessel transporting such
sulphur from the Main Pass Mine to such other location. Risk of loss of
Felmont Sulphur shall remain in Felmont until delivery thereof to a purchaser,
except as may be otherwise provided in Article VII hereof.
XVI. INSURANCE
16.1 FREEPORT'S INSURANCE. At all times after the Commencement Date
(except as otherwise provided in Section 16.1.5 below) Freeport shall provide
or cause to be provided the following insurance and Felmont's proportionate
share of the cost thereof, including in the event of a loss Felmont's
proportionate share of any deductibles and self insured retentions, shall be
included in Operating Cost Reimbursement; provided however,the Management Fee
shall not be applied to any deductibles and self-insured retentions so
included in Operating Cost Reimbursement:
16.1.1 Worker's Compensation in accordance with the laws of the
state where the services will be performed and endorsed,
where applicable, to comply with the United States
Longshoreman and Harbor Worker's Compensation Act.
16.1.2 Employer's Liability with a limit of liability of $1,000,000
per occurrence.
16.1.3 Comprehensive General Liability, including a broad form
contractual provision, to cover the liability assumed by
Freeport under this Agreement. This insurance shall provide
a combined single limit for bodily injury and property damage
of $2,000,000 per occurrence.
16.1.4 Automobile Liability, covering all owned, non-owned and
hired vehicles, with a combined single limit of $2,000,000
per occurrence.
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16.1.5 At all times during the term of this Agreement, Freeport
shall at all times during such period maintain, or cause
to be maintained, property insurance, on all Facilities
subject to this Agreement in an amount which it, in good
faith, believes will reflect in the case of vessels, adequate
Hull insurance coverage, and in the case of all other
Facilities, the replacement cost thereof; provided, however,
that Freeport shall credit the amount of any recovery under
such property insurance to the cost of repair or replacement
of the Facility damaged.
16.1.16 With respect to all of the above insurance, Freeport shall
furnish Felmont with Certificates of Insurance evidencing
the issuing of the required policies and that they are in
force and stating such policies will not be canceled or
altered without giving Felmont 30 days' notice.
16.2 INSURANCE ON FELMONT SULPHUR. At least thirty days prior to the
annual renewal of Freeport's blanket All Risk Property Insurance and Cargo
Insurance programs, Freeport shall advise Felmont of the principal provisions
thereof, including deductibles and premium. Within fifteen days after receipt
of such information from Freeport, Felmont shall advise Freeport whether, for
the next annual period corresponding to the policy year off Freeport's
insurance, Felmont elects (i) to have Freeport provide insurance for Felmont
Sulphur under the terms quoted by Freeport (in which case Felmont's recovery
in the event of a loss involving Felmont Sulphur shall be limited to its
proportionate share of the actual amount recovered under Freeport's insurance
after any deductible has been proportionately applied, (ii) to carry its own
insurance on Felmont Sulphur, or (iii) to self insure Felmont Sulphur. In any
event Felmont hereby waives, on behalf of itself and any of its insurers, any
right of recovery or subrogation against Freeport in the event of a loss of
Felmont Sulphur, and each insurance policy shall be so endorsed.
16.3 INDEMNITY. Each party hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless
the other party, its Related Parties, and their officers, directors and
employees, from and against any claim for bodily injury or property damage
caused by or resulting from the negligence of the indemnifying party, its
Related Parties, or any of their officers, directors or employees.
XVII. AUDIT
Felmont shall have the right through such nationally recognized
independent firm of public accountants as it shall designate (other than any
such firm then serving as Freeport's auditor at the time of the audit) to
audit the records of Freeport for the purpose of verifying that fees charged
and capital additions made by Freeport have been accurately calculated and
are in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, and to audit the records
of Freeport-McMoRan, Inc. or any of its affiliates only to the extent
necessary to verify that costs charged to Freeport by Freeport-McMoRan Inc.
or any affiliate thereof in connection with Freeport's performance of this
Agreement have been accurately calculated and are in accordance with the
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terms of this Agreement. Such audit shall be conducted at a time mutually
agreed upon by Freeport and Felmont within the twenty-four (24) month period
following the end of each calendar year. The costs of such audit, including
Freeport's cost associated with the audit work, shall be borne by Felmont. It
is understood and agreed that information reviewed by the designated firm of
certified public accountants which is deemed to be confidential by Freeport
(including, but not limited to, corporate minutes and unitholder records)
shall not be disclosed to Felmont by such designated firm of certified public
accountants except in connection with those matters, if any, as to which the
findings of the accountants are at variance with the statements of Freeport.
XVIII. TAXES
Felmont shall be responsible for and shall indemnify Freeport for all
taxes (other than taxes on Freeport's net income), assessments, fees and
charges including any penalties and interest levied and imposed as a result of
this Agreement relating to the ownership of, and services performed in respect
of, Felmont Sulphur.
XIX. ASSIGNMENT
This Agreement and either Freeport or Felmont's rights and obligations
under it may be assigned to a financially responsible third party (one whose
net work, excluding assets related to this Agreement, is at least
$25,000,000) by either party without the consent of the other party as part
of or in connection with a merger, reorganization, amalgamation or sale or
other transfer of all or substantially all of such party's assets related to
this Agreement Except as provided above, neither party shall assign this
Agreement or any of its rights and obligations hereunder without the prior
written consent of the other party and any attempt to assign without such
consent shall be void.
XX. FORCE MAJEURE
20.1 EVENTS OF FORCE MAJEURE. Neither party shall be liable for any
failure or delay in performance hereunder (except with respect to payments of
amounts due) which may be due in whole or in part to fire, explosion,
earthquake, storm, flood, or other adverse weather condition, accident,
breakdown of machinery or facilities, explosions, breakage or accident to
machinery or equipment, the necessity for making repairs to or alterations of
machinery or equipment, any act or omission by parties not controlled by the
party claiming suspension, strikes, lockout, combination of workmen or other
labor difficulties, war, insurrection, riot, act of God or the public enemy,
law, act, order, proclamation, decree, regulation, ordinance, instruction or
request of Government or other public authorities, order, judgment or decree
of a court of competent jurisdiction, delay or failure of carriers or
contractors, labor shortage, or inability to obtain transportation equipment,
operating materials, plant equipment or materials required for maintenance or
repairs, or any other contingency or delay or failure or cause of any kind
whether or not herinabove specified beyond the reasonable control of the
party claiming suspension and
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which, by the exercise of due diligence, such party is unable to prevent or
overcome; provided, however, that the settlement of strikes, lockouts,
combination of workmen or other labor difficulties (from whatever cause
arising, and whether or not the demands are reasonable or within the power of
the party having the difficulty to grant) shall be entirely within the
discretion of the party whose performance is affected.
20.2 NOTIFICATION. No such causes or contingencies affecting
performance hereunder shall relieve any party hereto of liability unless the
party whose performance is affected thereby shall promptly notify the other
in writing of the full particulars thereof and shall take all reasonable
steps to remedy the force majeure.
20.3 ALTERNATE MEANS OF DELIVERY. In the event any such cause or
contingency should prevent Freeport from transporting Felmont Sulphur from
the Port Sulphur Terminal or other location, Felmont shall have the right to
take delivery of such sulphur at said terminal or other location in marine
transportation equipment and dispose of same as Felmont shall deem fit for so
long as Freeport is prevented from transporting as aforesaid by virtue of
such cause or contingency.
XXI. NOTICES
Any notice, election, payment or other correspondence required or
permitted under this Agreement shall be made in writing and shall be
sufficiently delivered if delivered personally to the party to whom directed
by courier or otherwise deposited in the United States certified or
registered mail, sent by Western Union telegram or mailgram, or sent by
telecopy if followed immediately by written notice by U.S. certified or
registered mail, with all necessary postage or charges fully prepaid, return
receipt requested (or in the case of a telecopy, telegram or mailgram,
confirmation of delivery), and addressed to the party to whom directed at its
below specified address, to wit:
As to Freeport:
Freeport Sulphur Company Division
Freeport-McMoRan Resource Partners,
Limited Partnership
▇.▇. ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: President
Telecopy: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
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As to Felmont:
Felmont Oil Corporation
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇. ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Executive Vice President
Telecopy: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Telephone: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
with copy to: Land Administrator
HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY OF CALIFORNIA
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Such notice, election payment or other correspondence shall be deemed to
have been properly given upon receipt by the party to whom directed. A party
may change its address for the purpose of notices or communications under
this Agreement by furnishing notice of the change to the other parties in
compliance with this Article XXI.
XXII. GOVERNING LAW
This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the
laws of the State of Louisiana.
XXIII. MISCELLANEOUS
23.1 WAIVER. No waiver by either party of any breach of any of the
terms or conditions herein contained shall be construed as a waiver of any
succeeding breach of the same or any other term condition.
23.2 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of
the parties, and there are no oral understandings, representations or
warranties affecting it, including that certain Preliminary Agreement between
Freeport and Felmont pertaining to the subject matter hereof and dated
December 1, 1990, which such Preliminary Agreement is superseded and canceled
by this Agreement as of the date first hereinabove written.
23.3 AMENDMENTS. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by due
agreement and execution of a written amendment(s) thereto.
23.4 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. In performance of this Agreement, the
parties shall comply with all applicable laws, regulations and orders of all
applicable governing authorities.
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23.5 ASSIGNS. Subject to the provisions of Article XIX above, the
terms, conditions, covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement shall
extend to, be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of the successors and
permitted assignees of the parties.
23.6 HARDSHIP. In entering into this long-term Agreement, the parties
hereto recognize that it is impracticable to make provision for every
contingency which may arise during the term of this Agreement and the parties
declare it to be their intention that this Agreement shall operate between
them with fairness. If during the term of this Agreement a situation arises
which is beyond the reasonable control of either party and which in not
covered by any of the provisions under this Agreement and if such situation
results in a material disadvantage to one party and a corresponding material
advantage to the other or results in substantial hardship to one party
without an advantage to the other party, the parties agree to promptly
negotiate in good faith towards reaching a mutually acceptable agreement
dealing with such situation.
23.7 HEADINGS. The headings used in this Agreement are for convenience
only and shall not be taken or construed to define or limit any of the terms
or provisions of this Agreement. Unless otherwise provided, or unless the
context shall otherwise require, words importing the singular shall include
the plural.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly
executed by their respective authorized officers.
WITNESSES: FELMONT OIL CORPORATION
/s/▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ By: /S/▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
------------------------------- --------------------------
President
FREEPORT SULPHUR COMPANY,
a division of FREEPORT-McMoRan
RESOURCE PARTNERS, LIMITED
PARTNERSHIP
/s/▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ By: /S/▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
------------------------------ --------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
-------------------------
Title: President
-------------------------
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