DC 8-K
Dakota Gold Corp. (DC)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
___________________________
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b -2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
(e) Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers
On April 19, 2024, Dakota Gold Corp. or its wholly owned Canadian subsidiary Dakota Gold (Canada) Services Corp. (collectively, the "Company") entered into new employment agreements with Jonathan Awde, the Company's President & Chief Executive Officer, Gerald Aberle, the Company's Chief Operating Officer, Patrick Malone, the Company's Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, Shawn Campbell, the Company's Chief Financial Officer, and James Berry, the Company's Vice President of Exploration, all as more particularly described below.
CEO Employment Agreement
The Company entered into an employment agreement with its President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Awde, effective as of April 19, 2024 (the "Awde Agreement"), pursuant to which agreement he will receive an annual base salary of at least $310,000. Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Awde Agreement, Mr. Awde will be eligible (i) to receive an annual bonus based upon attaining certain performance criteria set by the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") with a target bonus opportunity of 60% of Mr. Awde's annual base salary and (ii) to participate in the Company's securities-based compensation plans, with the award of any grants being at the discretion of the Board. Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Awde Agreement, if the Company terminates Mr. Awde without cause or Mr. Awde resigns for good reason, then Mr. Awde will be entitled to receive: (i) any Accrued Benefits (as defined in the Awde Agreement) and, (ii) subject to Mr. Awde's continued compliance with certain obligations of the Awde Agreement, (A) a pro-rated estimated annual bonus payment for the year of termination earned up to the termination date and (B) a lump-sum payment in an amount equal to (1) two times (2x) Mr. Awde's then current annual base salary and (2) two times (2x) an annual bonus deemed to be 75% of Mr. Awde's then current annual base salary. Under the terms of the Awde Agreement, Mr. Awde may only terminate the agreement for "good reason" if one of the events specified in the agreement occurs within three months prior to, or within 12 months after, a change of control. If the Company terminates Mr. Awde for cause or Mr. Awde resigns without good reason, then Mr. Awde is only entitled to receive certain Accrued Benefits. Any other termination of the agreement by Mr. Awde will not trigger the severance payments described above. In addition, any stock options or other incentive equity awards held by Mr. Awde will fully vest as of the date of such termination.
The foregoing description is not a complete description of the Awde Agreement and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Awde Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1, and which is incorporated by reference in this Item 5.02.
COO Employment Agreement
The Company entered into an employment agreement with its Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Aberle, effective as of April 19, 2024 (the "Aberle Agreement"), pursuant to which agreement he will receive an annual base salary of at least $285,000. Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Aberle Agreement, Mr. Aberle will be eligible (i) to receive an annual bonus based upon attaining certain performance criteria set by the Board with a target bonus opportunity of 60% of Mr. Aberle's annual base salary and (ii) to participate in the Company's securities-based compensation plans, with the award of any grants being at the discretion of the Board. Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Aberle Agreement, if the Company terminates Mr. Aberle without cause or Mr. Aberle resigns for good reason, then Mr. Aberle will be entitled to receive: (i) any Accrued Benefits (as defined in the Aberle Agreement) and, (ii) subject to Mr. Aberle's continued compliance with certain obligations of the Aberle Agreement, (A) a pro-rated estimated annual bonus payment for the year of termination earned up to the termination date and (B) a lump-sum payment in an amount equal to (1) two times (2x) Mr. Aberle's then current annual base salary and (2) two times (2x) an annual bonus deemed to be 75% of Mr. Aberle's then current annual base salary. Under the terms of the Aberle Agreement, Mr. Aberle may only terminate the agreement for "good reason" if one of the events specified in the agreement occurs within three months prior to, or within 12 months after, a change of control. If the Company terminates Mr. Aberle for cause or Mr. Aberle resigns without good reason, then Mr. Aberle is only entitled to receive certain Accrued Benefits. Any other termination of the agreement by Mr. Aberle will not trigger the severance payments described above. In addition, any stock options or other incentive equity awards held by Mr. Aberle will fully vest as of the date of such termination.
The foregoing description is not a complete description of the Aberle Agreement and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Aberle Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.2, and which is incorporated by reference in this Item 5.02.
SVP & CAO Employment Agreement
The Company entered into an employment agreement with its Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, Mr. Malone, effective as of April 19, 2024 (the "Malone Agreement"), pursuant to which agreement he will receive an annual base salary of at least $275,000. Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Malone Agreement, Mr. Malone will be eligible (i) to receive an annual bonus based upon attaining certain performance criteria set by the Board with a target bonus opportunity of 50% of Mr. Malone's annual base salary and (ii) to participate in the Company's securities-based compensation plans, with the award of any grants being at the discretion of the Board. Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Malone Agreement, if the Company terminates Mr. Malone without cause or Mr. Malone resigns for good reason, then Mr. Malone will be entitled to receive: (i) any Accrued Benefits (as defined in the Malone Agreement) and, (ii) subject to Mr. Malone's continued compliance with certain obligations of the Malone Agreement, (A) a pro-rated estimated annual bonus payment for the year of termination earned up to the termination date and (B) a lump-sum payment in an amount equal to (1) one and a half times (1.5x) Mr. Malone's then current annual base salary and (2) one and a half times (1.5x) an annual bonus deemed to be 75% of Mr. Malone's then current annual base salary. Under the terms of the Malone Agreement, Mr. Malone may only terminate the agreement for "good reason" if one of the events specified in the agreement occurs within three months prior to, or within 12 months after, a change of control. If the Company terminates Mr. Malone for cause or Mr. Malone resigns without good reason, then Mr. Malone is only entitled to receive certain Accrued Benefits. Any other termination of the agreement by Mr. Malone will not trigger the severance payments described above. In addition, any stock options or other incentive equity awards held by Mr. Malone will fully vest as of the date of such termination.
The foregoing description is not a complete description of the Malone Agreement and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Malone Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.3, and which is incorporated by reference in this Item 5.02.
CFO Employment Agreement
The Company entered into an employment agreement with its Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Campbell, effective as of April 19, 2024 (the "Campbell Agreement"), pursuant to which agreement he will receive an annual base salary of at least $225,000. Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Campbell Agreement, Mr. Campbell will be eligible (i) to receive an annual bonus based upon attaining certain performance criteria set by the Board with a target bonus opportunity of 50% of Mr. Campbell's annual base salary and (ii) to participate in the Company's securities-based compensation plans, with the award of any grants being at the discretion of the Board. Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Campbell Agreement, if the Company terminates Mr. Campbell without cause or Mr. Campbell resigns for good reason, then Mr. Campbell will be entitled to receive: (i) any Accrued Benefits (as defined in the Campbell Agreement) and, (ii) subject to Mr. Campbell's continued compliance with certain obligations of the Campbell Agreement, (A) a pro-rated estimated annual bonus payment for the year of termination earned up to the termination date and (B) a lump-sum payment in an amount equal to (1) one and a half times (1.5x) Mr. Campbell's then current annual base salary and (2) one and a half times (1.5x) an annual bonus deemed to be 75% of Mr. Campbell's then current annual base salary. Under the terms of the Campbell Agreement, Mr. Campbell may only terminate the agreement for "good reason" if one of the events specified in the agreement occurs within three months prior to, or within 12 months after, a change of control. If the Company terminates Mr. Campbell for cause or Mr. Campbell resigns without good reason, then Mr. Campbell is only entitled to receive certain Accrued Benefits. Any other termination of the agreement by Mr. Campbell will not trigger the severance payments described above. In addition, any stock options or other incentive equity awards held by Mr. Campbell will fully vest as of the date of such termination.
The foregoing description is not a complete description of the Campbell Agreement and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Campbell Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.4, and which is incorporated by reference in this Item 5.02.
Vice President of Exploration Employment Agreement
The Company entered into an employment agreement with its Vice President of Exploration, Mr. Berry, effective as of April 19, 2024 (the "Berry Agreement"), pursuant to which agreement he will receive an annual base salary of at least $225,000. Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Berry Agreement, Mr. Berry will be eligible (i) to receive an annual bonus based upon attaining certain performance criteria set by the Board with a target bonus opportunity of 50% of Mr. Berry's annual base salary and (ii) to participate in the Company's securities-based compensation plans, with the award of any grants being at the discretion of the Board. Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Berry Agreement, if the Company terminates Mr. Berry without cause or Mr. Berry resigns for good reason, then Mr. Berry will be entitled to receive: (i) any Accrued Benefits (as defined in the Berry Agreement) and, (ii) subject to Mr. Berry's continued compliance with certain obligations of the Berry Agreement, (A) a pro-rated estimated annual bonus payment for the year of termination earned up to the termination date and (B) a lump-sum payment in an amount equal to (1) one and a half times (1.5x) Mr. Berry's then current annual base salary and (2) one and a half times (1.5x) an annual bonus deemed to be 75% of Mr. Berry's then current annual base salary. Under the terms of the Berry Agreement, Mr. Berry may only terminate the agreement for "good reason" if one of the events specified in the agreement occurs within three months prior to, or within 12 months after, a change of control. If the Company terminates Mr. Berry for cause or Mr. Berry resigns without good reason, then Mr. Berry is only entitled to receive certain Accrued Benefits. Any other termination of the agreement by Mr. Berry will not trigger the severance payments described above. In addition, any stock options or other incentive equity awards held by Mr. Berry will fully vest as of the date of such termination.
The foregoing description is not a complete description of the Berry Agreement and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Berry Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.5, and which is incorporated by reference in this Item 5.02.
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Item 9.01 |
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Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
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(d) Exhibits |
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Exhibit No. |
Description |
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Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
DAKOTA GOLD CORP.
/s/ Shawn Campbell
Name: Shawn Campbell
Title: Chief Financial Officer
Date: April 24, 2024
DAKOTA GOLD (CANADA) SERVICES CORP.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") dated as of April 19, 2024, between Dakota Gold (Canada) Services Corp., a British Columbia corporation (the "Company"), and Jonathan Awde (the "Employee").
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, the Company desires to continue to employ the Employee as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company; and
WHEREAS, the Company and the Employee desire to enter into this Agreement as to the terms of the Employee's continued employment with the Company.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises contained herein and of other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1. POSITION AND DUTIES.
(a) During the Employment Term (as defined in Section 2 hereof), the Employee shall serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. In addition, the Employee will provide Chief Executive Officer and other management services for Dakota Gold Corp. ("Dakota Gold"), a Nevada company, pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of a Management Services Agreement between the Company and Dakota Gold (the "Services Agreement"). In this capacity, the Employee shall have the duties, authorities and responsibilities commensurate with the duties, authorities and responsibilities of persons in similar capacities in similarly sized companies, and such other duties, authorities and responsibilities as may reasonably be assigned to the Employee that are not inconsistent with the Employee's position as Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The Employee acknowledges that they are a fiduciary of the Company and Dakota Gold and agrees to abide by and fulfill their fiduciary obligations both during and following the termination of their employment with the Company. The Employee's principal place of employment with the Company shall be in Vancouver, British Columbia, provided that the Employee understands and agrees that the Employee may be required to travel from time to time for business purposes. The Employee is permitted to work remotely on a schedule at the Employee's discretion, provided the Employee is able to complete his duties under this Agreement. The Employee shall report directly to the Board of Directors of Dakota Gold (the "Board").
(b) During the Employment Term, the Employee shall devote all of the Employee's business time, energy, business judgment, knowledge and skill and the Employee's best efforts to the performance of the Employee's duties with the Company, provided that the foregoing shall not prevent the Employee from (i) serving on the boards of directors of non-profit organizations and, with the prior written approval of the Board, other for profit companies, (ii) participating in charitable, civic, educational, professional, community or industry affairs, and (iii) managing the Employee's passive personal investments so long as such activities in the aggregate do not interfere or conflict with the Employee's duties hereunder or create a potential business or fiduciary conflict. Nothing in this Agreement shall be interpreted to prevent the Employee from providing executive services, exclusively on behalf of and through the Company, to Dakota Gold pursuant to the Services Agreement.
2. EMPLOYMENT TERM. The Company agrees to employ the Employee pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and the Employee agrees to be so employed, for an indefinite period commencing as of the date hereof (the "Effective Date"). The Company agrees to recognize the Employee's prior service with Dakota Territory Resource Corp. beginning on or about March 12, 2021 and that such prior service shall be recognized for all purposes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Employee's employment hereunder may be terminated in accordance with Section 7 hereof, subject to Section 8 hereof. The period of time between the Effective Date and the termination of the Employee's employment hereunder shall be referred to herein as the "Employment Term."
3. BASE SALARY. The Company agrees to pay the Employee a base salary at an annual rate of not less than US$310,000, payable in CDN dollars at the then prevailing exchange rate in accordance with the regular payroll practices of the Company, but not less frequently than monthly. The Employee's Base Salary shall be subject to annual review by the Board (or a committee thereof) and may be adjusted from time to time by the Board. The base salary as determined herein and adjusted from time to time shall constitute "Base Salary" for purposes of this Agreement.
4. ANNUAL BONUS. During the Employment Term, the Employee shall be eligible to receive an annual discretionary incentive payment under the Company's annual bonus plan as may be in effect from time to time (the "Annual Bonus") based on a target bonus opportunity of at least 60% of the Employee's Base Salary (the "Target Bonus"), upon the attainment of one or more pre-established performance goals established by the Board or Dakota Gold's Compensation Committee (the "Committee") in its sole discretion. The Employee acknowledges that (i) there is no expectation that there will be any guaranteed payment of an Annual Bonus; (ii) the amount the Employee may receive as an Annual Bonus may change from year to year; (iii) the terms of the Annual Bonus may change at the sole discretion of the Company; and (iv) any Annual Bonus payments are subject to applicable deductions and withholdings.
5. STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN. You will be eligible to participate in Dakota Gold's securities-based compensation plans, including its 2022 Stock Incentive Plan, and will receive long-term incentive compensation as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.
6. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.
(a) BENEFIT PLANS. During the Employment Term, the Employee shall be eligible to participate in any employee benefit plan that the Company has adopted or may adopt, maintain or contribute to for the benefit of its executives and employees generally, subject to satisfying the applicable eligibility requirements, except to the extent such plans are duplicative of the benefits otherwise provided to hereunder. The Employee's participation will be subject to the terms of the applicable plan documents and generally applicable Company policies. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may modify or terminate any employee benefit plan at any time.
(b) VACATIONS. During the Employment Term, the Employee shall be entitled to four weeks of paid vacation per calendar year (as prorated for partial years) in accordance with the Company's policy on accrual and use applicable to employees as in effect from time to time, without carryforward of unused vacation time from any calendar year to any future calendar year, except as required by applicable law. Vacation may be taken at such times and intervals as the Employee determines, subject to the business needs of the Company and prior approval of a Co-Chair of the Board.
(c) BUSINESS AND ENTERTAINMENT EXPENSES. Upon presentation of reasonable substantiation and documentation as the Company may specify from time to time, the Employee shall be reimbursed in accordance with the Company's expense reimbursement policy, for all reasonable out-of-pocket business and entertainment expenses incurred and paid by the Employee during the Employment Term and in connection with the performance of the Employee's duties hereunder, including all travel expenses, parking, cell phone, laptop, live feed services such as Stockwatch, certain club membership expenses and entertainment expenses.
7. TERMINATION. The Employee's employment and the Employment Term shall terminate on the first of the following to occur:
(a) DISABILITY. Upon 10 days' prior written notice by the Company to the Employee of termination due to Disability. For purposes of this Agreement, "Disability" shall be defined as the inability of the Employee to have performed the Employee's material duties hereunder due to a physical or mental injury, infirmity or incapacity for 180 days (including weekends and holidays) in any 365-day period, as determined by the Board in its reasonable discretion.
(b) DEATH. Automatically upon the date of death of the Employee.
(c) CAUSE. Immediately upon written notice by the Company to the Employee of a termination for Cause. "Cause" shall mean:
(i) the continued failure by the Employee to substantially perform his duties with the Company after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to the Employee by the Board, which demand specifically identifies the manner in which the Board believes that the Employee has not substantially performed his duties, and the Employee demonstrably fails to cure such failure within 30 days after receipt of such demand;
(ii) the engaging by employee in conduct which is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Company, monetarily or otherwise (including the Board's determination of conduct that constitutes a violation of any securities laws in the United States or Canada, whether federal, state or provincial);
(iii) the Employee's conviction for the commission of a felony;
(iv) action by the Employee toward the Company involving dishonesty; or
(v) the existence of just cause for termination of employment at common law.
(d) WITHOUT CAUSE. Immediately upon termination of the Employee by the Company without Cause (other than for death or Disability).
(e) GOOD REASON. Upon written notice by the Employee to the Company of a termination for Good Reason; provided, however, that the Employee may only terminate the Employee's employment with the Company for Good Reason to the extent that such Good Reason occurs within three months prior to, or within 12 months after, a Change in Control (as defined in Dakota Gold's incentive equity plan, as in effect from time to time) (such period, the "Change in Control Period"). "Good Reason" shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events, without the express written consent of the Employee, unless such events are fully corrected in all material respects by the Company within 30 days following written notification by the Employee to the Company of the occurrence of one of the reasons set forth below:
(i) material diminution in the Employee's Base Salary as a result of the Change in Control;
(ii) material diminution in the Employee's duties, authorities or responsibilities (other than temporarily while physically or mentally incapacitated or as required by applicable law) as a result of the Change in Control; or
(iii) requirement to relocate the Employee's primary work location by more than 50 miles from its then current location as a result of the Change in Control.
The Employee shall provide the Company with a written notice detailing the specific circumstances alleged to constitute Good Reason within 90 days after the first occurrence of such circumstances, and actually terminate employment within 30 days following the expiration of the Company's 30-day cure period described above. Otherwise, any claim of such circumstances as "Good Reason" shall be deemed irrevocably waived by the Employee.
(f) WITHOUT GOOD REASON. Upon four weeks' prior written notice by the Employee to the Company of the Employee's voluntary resignation of employment without Good Reason (which the Company may, in its sole discretion, make effective earlier than any notice date).
8. CONSEQUENCES OF TERMINATION.
(a) DEATH. In the event that the Employee's employment and the Employment Term ends on account of the Employee's death, the Employee or the Employee's estate, as the case may be, shall be entitled to the following (with the amounts due under Sections 8(a)(i) through 8(a)(iv) hereof to be paid within 60 days following termination of employment, or such earlier date as may be required by applicable law):
(i) any unpaid Base Salary through the date of termination;
(ii) any Annual Bonus earned but unpaid with respect to the fiscal year ending on or preceding the date of termination;
(iii) reimbursement for any unreimbursed business expenses incurred through the date of termination;
(iv) any accrued but unused vacation pay; and
(v) all other payments, benefits or fringe benefits to which the Employee shall be entitled under the terms of any applicable compensation arrangement or benefit, equity or fringe benefit plan or program or grant or this Agreement (collectively, Sections 8(a)(i) through 8(a)(v) hereof shall be hereafter referred to as the "Accrued Benefits").
(b) DISABILITY. In the event that the Employee's employment and/or Employment Term ends on account of the Employee's Disability, the Company shall pay or provide the Employee with the Accrued Benefits.
(c) TERMINATION FOR CAUSE OR WITHOUT GOOD REASON. If the Employee's employment is terminated (x) by the Company for Cause, or (y) by the Employee without Good Reason, the Company shall pay to the Employee the Accrued Benefits other than the benefit described in Section 8(a)(ii) hereof.
(d) TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE OR FOR GOOD REASON. If the Employee's employment by the Company is terminated (x) by the Company other than for Cause, or (y) by the Employee for Good Reason, the Company shall pay or provide the Employee with the following, subject to the provisions of Section 26 hereof:
(i) the Accrued Benefits;
(ii) subject to the Employee's continued compliance with the obligations in Sections 9, 10 and 11 hereof, a pro-rata portion of the Employee's Annual Bonus for the fiscal year in which the Employee's termination occurs based on the estimated actual results for such year (determined by multiplying the amount of such bonus which would be due for the full fiscal year by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days during the fiscal year of termination that the Employee is employed by the Company and the denominator of which is 365);
(iii) subject to the Employee's continued compliance with the obligations in Sections 9, 10 and 11 hereof, an amount equal to the sum of (A) two times (2x) the Employee's Base Salary and (B) two times (2x) the amount of the Employee's Annual Bonus deemed to equal 75% of the Base Salary; and
(iv) any stock options or any other equity or any other incentive units granted to the Employee by Dakota Gold, whether currently outstanding or granted in the future, as of the date of termination, shall become fully vested (with performance-based awards earned at "target") and notwithstanding any term of Dakota Gold's plans to the contrary, stock options shall remain exercisable for their original term granted and shall not terminate due to the Employee's termination. The terms of any stock option agreement or other equity incentive agreement between the Employee and Dakota Gold shall be deemed amended to reflect the terms of this section.
Except as set out in this Section 8(d), no further amounts, benefits or entitlements will be payable to the Employee whether pursuant to statute, the common law, or otherwise, in respect of the termination of the Employee's employment for any reason. For certainty, in no event will the Employee receive less than their minimum employment standards entitlements in connection with the termination of their employment.
(e) EXCLUSIVE REMEDY. The amounts payable to the Employee following termination of employment and the Employment Term hereunder pursuant to Sections 7 and 8 hereof shall be in full and complete satisfaction of the Employee's rights under this Agreement and any other claims that the Employee may have in respect of the Employee's employment with the Company or any of its affiliates, and the Employee acknowledges that such amounts are fair and reasonable, and are the Employee's sole and exclusive remedy, in lieu of all other remedies under statute or at common law with respect to the termination of the Employee's employment hereunder or any breach of this Agreement.
9. RELEASE; NO MITIGATION. Any and all amounts payable and benefits or additional rights provided pursuant to this Agreement beyond the Accrued Benefits (other than amounts described in Section 8(a)(iii) hereof) in excess of amounts required to be paid as required by the applicable employment standards legislation, shall only be payable if the Employee delivers to the Company a general release of claims in favor of the Company substantially in the form attached hereto as Schedule A. Such release shall be executed and delivered within 7 days following termination. In no event shall the Employee be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to the Employee under any of the provisions of this Agreement, nor shall the amount of any payment hereunder be reduced by any compensation earned by the Employee as a result of employment by a subsequent employer.
10. RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS.
(a) CONFIDENTIALITY. During the course of the Employee's employment with the Company, the Employee has had and will continue to have access to Confidential Information. For purposes of this Agreement, "Confidential Information" means all data, information, ideas, concepts, discoveries, trade secrets, inventions (whether or not patentable or reduced to practice), innovations, improvements, know-how, developments, techniques, methods, processes, treatments, drawings, sketches, specifications, designs, plans, patterns, models, plans and strategies, and all other confidential or proprietary information or trade secrets in any form or medium (whether merely remembered or embodied in a tangible or intangible form or medium) whether now or hereafter existing, relating to or arising from the past, current or potential business, activities and/or operations of the Company or any of its affiliates, including, without limitation, any such information relating to or concerning finances, sales, marketing, advertising, transition, promotions, pricing, personnel, customers, suppliers, vendors, raw partners and/or competitors. The Employee agrees that the Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, use, make available, sell, disclose or otherwise communicate to any person, other than in the course of the Employee's assigned duties and for the benefit of the Company, either during the period of the Employee's employment or at any time thereafter, any Confidential Information or other confidential or proprietary information received from third parties subject to a duty on the Company's and its subsidiaries' and affiliates' part to maintain the confidentiality of such information, and to use such information only for certain limited purposes, in each case, which shall have been obtained by the Employee during the Employee's employment by the Company (or any predecessor). The foregoing shall not apply to information that (i) was known to the public prior to its disclosure to the Employee; (ii) becomes generally known to the public subsequent to disclosure to the Employee through no wrongful act of the Employee or any representative of the Employee; or (iii) the Employee is required to disclose by applicable law, regulation or legal process (provided that the Employee provides the Company with prior notice of the contemplated disclosure and cooperates with the Company at its expense in seeking a protective order or other appropriate protection of such information).
(b) NONSOLICITATION; NONINTERFERENCE.
(i) During the Employee's employment with the Company and for a period of 1 year thereafter, the Employee agrees that the Employee shall not, except in the furtherance of the Employee's duties hereunder, directly or indirectly, individually or on behalf of any other person, firm, corporation or other entity, (A) solicit, aid or induce any employee, representative or agent of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates to leave such employment or retention or to accept employment with or render services to or with any other person, firm, corporation or other entity unaffiliated with the Company or take any action to materially assist or aid any other person, firm, corporation or other entity in identifying or soliciting any such employee, representative or agent, or (B) interfere, or aid or induce any other person or entity in interfering, with the relationship between the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates and any of their respective vendors, joint venturers or licensors. An employee, representative or agent shall be deemed covered by this Section 10(b)(i) while so employed or retained and for a period of 6 months thereafter.
(ii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this Section 10(b) shall not be violated by (A) general advertising or solicitation not specifically targeted at Company-related persons or entities, (B) the Employee serving as a reference, upon request, for any employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates so long as such reference is not for an entity that is employing or retaining the Employee, or (C) actions taken by any person or entity with which the Employee is associated if the Employee is not personally involved in any manner in the matter and has not identified such Company-related person or entity for soliciting.
(c) NONDISPARAGEMENT. The Employee agrees not to make negative comments or otherwise disparage the Company or its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, shareholders, agents or products other than in the good faith performance of the Employee's duties to the Company while the Employee is employed by the Company. The foregoing shall not be violated by truthful statements in response to legal process, required governmental testimony or filings, or administrative or arbitral proceedings (including, without limitation, examinations for discovery in connection with such proceedings).
(d) INVENTIONS. (i) The Employee acknowledges and agrees that all ideas, methods, inventions, discoveries, improvements, work products, developments, software, know-how, processes, techniques, works of authorship and other work product, whether patentable or unpatentable, (A) that are reduced to practice, created, invented, designed, developed, contributed to, or improved with the use of any Company resources and/or within the scope of the Employee's work with the Company or that relate to the business, operations or actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the Company, and that are made or conceived by the Employee, solely or jointly with others, during the Employment Term, or (B) suggested by any work that the Employee performs in connection with the Company, either while performing the Employee's duties with the Company or on the Employee's own time, shall belong exclusively to the Company (or its designee), whether or not patent or other applications for intellectual property protection are filed thereon (the "Inventions"). The Employee will keep full and complete written records (the "Records"), in the manner prescribed by the Company, of all Inventions, and will promptly disclose all Inventions completely and in writing to the Company. The Records shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company, and the Employee will surrender them upon the termination of the Employment Term, or upon the Company's request. The Employee irrevocably conveys, transfers, quit-claim and assigns to the Company the Inventions and all patents or other intellectual property rights that may issue thereon in any and all countries, whether during or subsequent to the Employment Term, together with the right to file, in the Employee's name or in the name of the Company (or its designee), applications for patents and equivalent rights (the "Applications"). The Employee will, at any time during and subsequent to the Employment Term, make such applications, sign such papers, take all rightful oaths, and perform all other acts as may be requested from time to time by the Company to perfect, record, enforce, protect, patent or register the Company's rights in the Inventions, all without additional compensation to the Employee from the Company. The Employee will also execute assignments to the Company (or its designee) of the Applications and give the Company and its attorneys all reasonable assistance (including the giving of testimony) to obtain the Inventions for the Company's benefit, all without additional compensation to the Employee from the Company, but entirely at the Company's expense.
(ii) In addition, the Inventions will be deemed "works made in the course of employment", as such term is defined under the Section 13(3) of the Canadian Copyright Act, on behalf of the Company and the Employee agrees that the Company will be deemed first owner of the Inventions, and all underlying rights therein, in all media now known or hereinafter devised, throughout the universe and in perpetuity without any further obligations to the Employee. If the Inventions, or any portion thereof, are deemed not to be "works made in the course of employment", or the rights in such Inventions do not otherwise automatically vest in the Company, the Employee hereby grants the Company an exclusive, fully paid up, royalty-free, transferable, irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide license (with rights to sublicence) to use, exploit and practice such non-assignable Inventions. The Employee irrevocably conveys, transfers and assigns to the Company, all rights, in all media now known or hereinafter devised, throughout the universe and in perpetuity, in and to the Inventions, including, without limitation, all of the Employee's right, title and interest in the copyrights (and all renewals, revivals and extensions thereof) to the Inventions, including, without limitation, all rights of any kind or any nature now or hereafter recognized, including, without limitation, the unrestricted right to make modifications, adaptations and revisions to the Inventions, to exploit and allow others to exploit the Inventions and all rights to sue at law or in equity for any infringement, or other unauthorized use or conduct in derogation of the Inventions, known or unknown, prior to the date hereof, including, without limitation, the right to receive all proceeds and damages therefrom. In addition, the Employee hereby waives any so-called "moral rights" with respect to the Inventions. To the extent that the Employee has any rights in the results and proceeds of the Employee's service to the Company that cannot be assigned in the manner described herein, the Employee agrees to unconditionally waive the enforcement of such rights. The Employee hereby waives any and all currently existing and future monetary rights in and to the Inventions and all patents and other registrations for intellectual property that may issue thereon, including, without limitation, any rights that would otherwise accrue to the Employee's benefit by virtue of the Employee being an employee of or other service provider to the Company.
(iii) The parties to this Agreement have the right to disclose in confidence trade secrets to federal, state, provincial, and local government officials, or to legal counsel, for the sole purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law. The parties also have the right to disclose trade secrets in a document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, but only if the filing is made under seal and protected from public disclosure.
(e) RETURN OF COMPANY PROPERTY. On the date of the Employee's termination of employment with the Company for any reason (or at any time prior thereto at the Company's request), the Employee shall return all property belonging to the Company or its affiliates (including, but not limited to, any Company-provided laptops, computers, cell phones, wireless electronic mail devices or other equipment, or documents and property belonging to the Company). The Employee may retain the Employee's rolodex and similar address books provided that such items only include contact information.
(f) REASONABLENESS OF COVENANTS. In signing this Agreement, the Employee gives the Company assurance that the Employee has carefully read and considered all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including the restraints imposed under this Section 10 hereof. The Employee agrees that these restraints are necessary for the reasonable and proper protection of the Company and its affiliates and their Confidential Information and that each and every one of the restraints is reasonable in respect to subject matter, length of time and geographic area, and that these restraints, individually or in the aggregate, will not prevent the Employee from obtaining other suitable employment during the period in which the Employee is bound by the restraints. The Employee acknowledges that each of these covenants has a unique, very substantial and immeasurable value to the Company and its affiliates and that the Employee has sufficient assets and skills to provide a livelihood while such covenants remain in force. The Employee further covenants that the Employee will not challenge the reasonableness or enforceability of any of the covenants set forth in this Section 10. It is also agreed that each of the Company's affiliates will have the right to enforce all of the Employee's obligations to that affiliate under this Agreement, including without limitation pursuant to this Section 10.
(g) REFORMATION. If it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that any restriction in this Section 10 is excessive in duration or scope or is unreasonable or unenforceable under applicable law, it is the intention of the parties that such restriction may be modified or amended by the court to render it enforceable to the maximum extent permitted.
(h) TOLLING. In the event of any violation of the provisions of this Section 10, the Employee acknowledges and agrees that the post-termination restrictions contained in this Section 10 shall be extended by a period of time equal to the period of such violation, it being the intention of the parties hereto that the running of the applicable post-termination restriction period shall be tolled during any period of such violation.
(i) SURVIVAL OF PROVISIONS. The obligations contained in Sections 10 and 11 hereof shall survive the termination or expiration of the Employment Term and the Employee's employment with the Company and shall be fully enforceable thereafter.
11. COOPERATION. Upon the receipt of reasonable notice from the Company (including outside counsel), the Employee agrees that while employed by the Company and thereafter, the Employee will respond and provide information with regard to matters in which the Employee has knowledge as a result of the Employee's employment with the Company, and will provide reasonable assistance to the Company, its affiliates and their respective representatives in defense of any claims that may be made against the Company or its affiliates, and will assist the Company and its affiliates in the prosecution of any claims that may be made by the Company or its affiliates, to the extent that such claims may relate to the period of the Employee's employment with the Company (collectively, the "Claims"). The Employee agrees to promptly inform the Company if the Employee becomes aware of any lawsuits involving Claims that may be filed or threatened against the Company or its affiliates. The Employee also agrees to promptly inform the Company (to the extent that the Employee is legally permitted to do so) if the Employee is asked to assist in any investigation of the Company or its affiliates (or their actions) or another party attempts to obtain information or documents from the Employee (other than in connection with any litigation or other proceeding in which the Employee is an adverse party) with respect to matters the Employee believes in good faith to relate to any investigation of the Company or its affiliates, in each case, regardless of whether a lawsuit or other proceeding has then been filed against the Company or its affiliates with respect to such investigation, and shall not do so unless legally required. During the pendency of any litigation or other proceeding involving Claims, the Employee shall not communicate with anyone (other than the Employee's legal counsel and tax and/or financial advisors and except to the extent that the Employee determines in good faith is necessary in connection with the performance of the Employee's duties hereunder) with respect to the facts or subject matter of any pending or potential litigation or regulatory or administrative proceeding involving the Company or any of its affiliates without giving prior written notice to the Company or the Company's counsel. Upon presentation of appropriate documentation, the Company shall pay or reimburse the Employee for all reasonable out-of-pocket travel, duplicating or telephonic expenses incurred by the Employee in complying with this Section 11.
12. WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted so as to impede the Employee (or any other individual) from reporting possible violations of federal, provincial or local law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity, or making other disclosures under the whistleblower provisions of federal, provincial, or local law or regulation. The Employee does not need the prior authorization of the Company or Dakota Gold to make any such reports or disclosures and the Employee shall not be not required to notify the Company or Dakota Gold that such reports or disclosures have been made.
13. EQUITABLE RELIEF AND OTHER REMEDIES. The Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Company's remedies at law for a breach or threatened breach of any of the provisions of Section 10 or Section 11 hereof would be inadequate and, in recognition of this fact, the Employee agrees that, in the event of such a breach or threatened breach, in addition to any remedies at law, the Company, without posting any bond or other security, shall be entitled to obtain equitable relief in the form of specific performance, a temporary restraining order, a temporary or permanent injunction or any other equitable remedy which may then be available, without the necessity of showing actual monetary damages. In the event of a violation by the Employee of Section 10 or Section 11 hereof, any amounts not yet paid pursuant to section 7(d) will not be paid except as required by applicable law.
14. NO ASSIGNMENTS. This Agreement is personal to each of the parties hereto. Except as provided in this Section 14 hereof, no party may assign or delegate any rights or obligations hereunder without first obtaining the written consent of the other party hereto. The Company may assign this Agreement to any successor to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company, provided that the Company shall require such successor to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, "Company" shall mean the Company and any successor to its business and/or assets, which assumes and agrees to perform the duties and obligations of the Company under this Agreement by operation of law or otherwise.
15. NOTICE. For purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (a) on the date of delivery, if delivered by hand, (b) on the date of transmission, if delivered by confirmed facsimile or electronic mail, (c) on the first business day following the date of deposit, if delivered by guaranteed overnight delivery service, or (d) on the fourth business day following the date delivered or mailed by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
If to the Employee:
At the address (or to the email address) shown
in the books and records of the Company.
If to the Company:
Dakota Gold (Canada) Services Corp.
106 Glendale Drive, Suite A
Lead, South Dakota 57754
Attention: Board of Directors
Email: [email protected]
or to such other address as either party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.
16. SECTION HEADINGS; INCONSISTENCY. The section headings used in this Agreement are included solely for convenience and shall not affect, or be used in connection with, the interpretation of this Agreement. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms of this Agreement and any form, award, plan or policy of the Company, the terms of this Agreement shall govern and control.
17. SEVERABILITY. The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in such jurisdiction or the validity, legality or enforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction, it being intended that all rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.
18. WAIVER. Failure to require compliance with any provision or condition provided under this Agreement at any one time, or several times, shall not be deemed a waiver or relinquishment of such provision of condition by either party at any other time.
19. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.
20. INDEMNIFICATION. The Company hereby agrees to indemnify the Employee and hold the Employee harmless to the extent provided under the By-Laws of the Company against and in respect of any and all actions, suits, proceedings, claims, demands, judgments, costs, expenses (including reasonable attorney's fees), losses, and damages resulting from the Employee's good faith performance of the Employee's duties and obligations with the Company. This obligation shall survive the termination of the Employee's employment with the Company.
21. LIABILITY INSURANCE. The Company shall cover the Employee under directors' and officers' liability insurance both during and, while potential liability exists, after the term of this Agreement in the same amount and to the same extent as the Company covers its other officers and directors.
22. RESIGNATION AS DIRECTOR AND/OR OFFICER: Upon termination of employment for any reason, the Employee shall cease to be and shall immediately resign as an officer or director of the Company and any of its affiliates.
23. GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION. This Agreement, the rights and obligations of the parties hereto, and any claims or disputes relating thereto, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of British Columbia and the laws of Canada applicable therein. Each of the parties agrees that any dispute between the parties shall be resolved only in the courts of the Province of British Columbia.
24. MISCELLANEOUS. No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by the Employee and such officer or director as may be designated by the Board or the Committee. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. This Agreement together with all exhibits hereto sets forth the entire agreement of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein and supersedes any and all prior agreements or understandings between the Employee and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof. No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either party which are not expressly set forth in this Agreement.
25. REPRESENTATIONS. The Employee represents and warrants to the Company that (a) the Employee has the legal right to enter into this Agreement and to perform all of the obligations on the Employee's part to be performed hereunder in accordance with its terms, and (b) the Employee is not a party to any agreement or understanding, written or oral, and is not subject to any restriction, which, in either case, could prevent the Employee from entering into this Agreement or performing all of the Employee's duties and obligations hereunder.
26. WITHHOLDING. The Company may withhold from any and all amounts payable under this Agreement or otherwise such statutory withholdings as may be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
27. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior communications, representations, understandings and agreements whether verbal or written between the parties with respect to the subject-matter hereof.
28. MODIFICATIONS. Any modifications of this Agreement will be effective only if it is in writing and signed by both parties.
29. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. The Employee acknowledges that they have had sufficient time to review this Agreement thoroughly, understands the terms of this Agreement and their obligations hereunder; and they have been given an opportunity to obtain independent advice concerning the interpretation and effect of this Agreement.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
| COMPANY | ||
| By: | "Shawn Campbell" | |
| Name: | Shawn Campbell | |
| Title: | Chief Financial Officer | |
| EMPLOYEE | ||
| "Jonathan Awde" | ||
| JONATHAN AWDE | ||
Schedule A
Form of General Release
1. RELEASE
In consideration of the payments made to me by Dakota Gold (Canada) Services Corp. pursuant to my Employment Agreement dated [⬤] in the amount of $⬤, less required withholdings], do for myself and my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, (hereinafter collectively referred to as "I"), forever release, remise and discharge Dakota Gold (Canada) Services Corp., its parent, successors, assigns, subsidiaries and affiliates and their officers, directors, employees, servants and agents (hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Company"), jointly and severally from any and all actions, causes of actions, contracts, (whether express or implied), claims and demands for damage, loss or injury, suits, debts, sums of money, indemnity, expenses, interest, costs and claims of any and every kind and nature whatsoever, at law, in equity, or pursuant to statute, which against the Company, I ever had, now have, or can hereafter have by reasons of or existing out of any causes whatsoever existing up to and inclusive of the date of this Release, including, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing:
(a) my employment agreement dated ⬤;
(b) my hiring by, or my employment with the Company and the termination thereof;
(c) any and all claims for damages, salary, wages, termination pay, severance pay, vacation pay, overtime pay, commissions, bonuses, interest, expenses, RSP, pension, performance warrants, stock options, allowances, incentive payments, or any other benefits arising out of my employment with the Company;
(d) loss of position, status, future job opportunity, or reputation; and,
(e) any and all claims arising out of or by virtue of the British Columbia Human Rights Code (having discussed or otherwise canvassed any and all human rights complaints, concerns or issues arising out of or with respect to my relationship with the Company).
2. NO ADMISSION
I acknowledge that the payment given to me pursuant to the above paragraph does not constitute any admission of liability by the Company, said liability in fact being denied.
3. INDEMNITY FOR TAXES, ETC.
I further agree that I will save harmless and indemnify the Company from and against all claims, charges, taxes, interest or penalties and demands which may be made by the appropriate taxing authorities in Canada and British Columbia requiring the Company to pay income tax, charges or penalties under the applicable statutes and regulations in respect of income tax payable by me for services that I rendered to the Company; and in respect of any and all claims, charges, taxes, interest, or penalties and demands which may be made on behalf of or related to governmentally regulated or other employment insurance or pension plan programs.
4. EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS ACT
I acknowledge that this settlement is intended to be inclusive of, and not in addition to, any benefits, allowances, obligations or claims prescribed by, arising out of or by virtue of the British Columbia Employment Standards Act. I further acknowledge receipt of all wages, damages, overtime pay, vacation pay, general and statutory holiday pay, and pay in place of notice of termination of employment that I am entitled to by virtue of the Employment Standards Act.
5. BENEFITS AND INSURANCE CLAIMS
I acknowledge and agree that the consideration paid to me includes full compensation and consideration for loss of employment benefits and that my short term and long term disability benefits have ceased effective [date], and all other benefits cease effective [date]. I expressly declare, that I have no claim of any nature or kind to any entitlement whatsoever arising under or from any group health or welfare insurance policy maintained by the Company for the benefit of its employees including disability or life insurance plans and hereby release the Company from any further obligations or liabilities arising from my employment benefits. I fully accept sole responsibility to replace those benefits that I wish to continue and to exercise conversion privileges where applicable with respect to benefits. In the event that I become disabled, I covenant not to sue the Company for insurance or other benefits, or for loss of benefits.
6. NON-DISCLOSURE
I agree that I will not divulge or disclose directly or indirectly the contents of this Release or the terms of settlement relating to the termination of my employment with the Company to any person, including but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to employees or former employees of the Company, except my legal and financial advisors, and my spouse, on the condition that they maintain the confidentiality thereof, or as required by law.
7. SOCIAL MEDIA
I will ensure that my employment status on all social media sites on which I hold an account or am a member, including without limitation LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, does not indicate or otherwise suggest that I am a current employee of the Company.
8. CONFIDENTIALITY
I recognize and acknowledge that during my employment with the Company I had access to certain confidential and proprietary information, the disclosure of which could be harmful to the interests of the Company. I acknowledge that I have taken and will in future take appropriate precautions to safeguard the confidential information of the Company.
I recognize and agree that all written and electronic drawings, manuals, letters, notebooks, reports records and similar collections of confidential and proprietary information of the Company (hereinafter collectively called "Documents"), are the property of the Company and I expressly acknowledge and it is a condition of the payment of the consideration, that I have delivered all such Documents to the Company.
9. UNDERSTANDING
And I hereby declare that I have had the opportunity to seek independent legal advice with respect to the matters addressed in this Release and the terms of settlement which have been agreed to by myself and the Company and I fully understand them. I hereby voluntarily accept the said terms for the purpose of making full and final compromise, adjustment and settlement of all claims as aforesaid.
10. NON-DISPARAGING
I agree that I will not make any statements, written or verbal, nor cause or encourage others to make any statements, written or verbal, that defame, disparage or in any way criticize the personal or business reputations, practices or conduct of the Company, its shareholders, officers, directors, employees, agents, advisors, partners, affiliates or consultants.
11. FURTHER CLAIMS
I agree not to make claim or take proceedings against any other person, corporation or entity, that might claim contribution or indemnity under the provisions of any statute or otherwise against the Company.
12. COMPLETE AGREEMENT
It is understood by the Company and I that this Release contains the entire agreement between us with respect to the subject matter hereof and that the terms of this Release are contractual and not a mere recital.
DATED at the City of __________, in the Province of British Columbia, this ____ day of _________________, 20___.
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DAKOTA GOLD CORP.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") dated as of April 19, 2024, between Dakota Gold Corp., a Nevada corporation (the "Company"), and Gerald Aberle (the "Employee").
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, the Company desires to continue to employ the Employee as the Chief Operating Officer of the Company; and
WHEREAS, the Company and the Employee desire to enter into this Agreement as to the terms of the Employee's employment with the Company.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, of the mutual promises contained herein and of other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1. POSITION AND DUTIES.
(a) During the Employment Term (as defined in Section 2 hereof), the Employee shall serve as the Chief Operating Officer of the Company. In this capacity, the Employee shall have the duties, authorities and responsibilities commensurate with the duties, authorities and responsibilities of persons in similar capacities in similarly sized companies, and such other duties, authorities and responsibilities as may reasonably be assigned to the Employee that are not inconsistent with the Employee's position as Chief Operating Officer of the Company. The Employee's principal place of employment with the Company shall be the Company's offices in Lead, South Dakota, provided that the Employee understands and agrees that the Employee may be required to travel from time to time for business purposes. The Employee is permitted to work remotely on a schedule at the Employee's discretion, provided the Employee is able to complete his duties under this Agreement. The Employee shall report directly to the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board").
(b) During the Employment Term, the Employee shall devote all of the Employee's business time, energy, business judgment, knowledge and skill and the Employee's best efforts to the performance of the Employee's duties with the Company, provided that the foregoing shall not prevent the Employee from (i) serving on the boards of directors of non-profit organizations and, with the prior written approval of the Board, other for profit companies, (ii) participating in charitable, civic, educational, professional, community or industry affairs, and (iii) managing the Employee's passive personal investments so long as such activities in the aggregate do not interfere or conflict with the Employee's duties hereunder or create a potential business or fiduciary conflict.
2. EMPLOYMENT TERM. The Company agrees to employ the Employee pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and the Employee agrees to be so employed, for an indefinite period commencing as of the date hereof (the "Effective Date"). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Employee's employment hereunder may be terminated in accordance with Section 6 hereof, subject to Section 7 hereof. The period of time between the Effective Date and the termination of the Employee's employment hereunder shall be referred to herein as the "Employment Term."
3. BASE SALARY. The Company agrees to pay the Employee a base salary at an annual rate of not less than $285,000.00, payable in accordance with the regular payroll practices of the Company, but not less frequently than monthly. The Employee's Base Salary shall be subject to annual review by the Board (or a committee thereof) and may be adjusted from time to time by the Board. The base salary as determined herein and adjusted from time to time shall constitute "Base Salary" for purposes of this Agreement.
4. BONUSES.
(a) ANNUAL BONUS. During the Employment Term, the Employee shall be eligible to receive an annual discretionary incentive payment under the Company's annual bonus plan as may be in effect from time to time (the "Annual Bonus") based on a target bonus opportunity of at least 60% of the Employee's Base Salary (the "Target Bonus"), upon the attainment of one or more pre-established performance goals established by the Board or the Company's Compensation Committee (the "Committee") in its sole discretion.
(b) STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN. You will be eligible to participate in the Company's securities-based compensation plans, including its 2022 Stock Incentive Plan, and will receive long-term incentive compensation as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.
5. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.
(a) BENEFIT PLANS. During the Employment Term, the Employee shall be eligible to participate in any employee benefit plan that the Company has adopted or may adopt, maintain or contribute to for the benefit of its employees generally, subject to satisfying the applicable eligibility requirements, except to the extent such plans are duplicative of the benefits otherwise provided to hereunder. The Employee's participation will be subject to the terms of the applicable plan documents and generally applicable Company policies. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may modify or terminate any employee benefit plan at any time.
(b) VACATIONS. During the Employment Term, the Employee shall be entitled to four weeks of paid vacation per calendar year (as prorated for partial years) in accordance with the Company's policy on accrual and use applicable to employees as in effect from time to time, without carryforward of unused vacation time from any calendar year to any future calendar year. Vacation may be taken at such times and intervals as the Employee determines, subject to the business needs of the Company and prior approval of one of the Co-Chairs of the Company.
(c) BUSINESS AND ENTERTAINMENT EXPENSES. Upon presentation of reasonable substantiation and documentation as the Company may specify from time to time, the Employee shall be reimbursed in accordance with the Company's expense reimbursement policy, for all reasonable out-of-pocket business and entertainment expenses incurred and paid by the Employee during the Employment Term and in connection with the performance of the Employee's duties hereunder, including all travel expenses, parking, cell phone, laptop and home office, and entertainment expenses. In addition, the Employee shall receive a reasonable vehicle allowance per month.
6. TERMINATION. The Employee's employment and the Employment Term shall terminate on the first of the following to occur:
(a) DISABILITY. Upon 10 days' prior written notice by the Company to the Employee of termination due to Disability. For purposes of this Agreement, "Disability" shall be defined as the inability of the Employee to have performed the Employee's material duties hereunder due to a physical or mental injury, infirmity or incapacity for 180 days (including weekends and holidays) in any 365-day period, as determined by the Board in its reasonable discretion.
(b) DEATH. Automatically upon the date of death of the Employee.
(c) CAUSE. Immediately upon written notice by the Company to the Employee of a termination for Cause. "Cause" shall mean:
(i) the continued failure by the Employee to substantially perform his duties with the Company after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to the Employee by the Board, which demand specifically identifies the manner in which the Board believes that the Employee has not substantially performed his duties, and the Employee demonstrably fails to cure such failure within thirty (30) days after receipt of such demand;
(ii) the engaging by employee in conduct which is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Company, monetarily or otherwise (including the Board's determination of conduct that constitutes a violation of any securities laws in the United States or Canada, whether federal, state or provincial);
(iii) the Employee's conviction for the commission of a felony; or
(iv) action by the Employee toward the Company involving dishonesty.
(d) WITHOUT CAUSE. Immediately upon written notice by the Company to the Employee of an involuntary termination without Cause (other than for death or Disability).
(e) GOOD REASON. Upon written notice by the Employee to the Company of a termination for Good Reason; provided, however, that the Employee may only terminate the Employee's employment with the Company for Good Reason to the extent that such Good Reason occurs within three months prior to, or within 12 months after, a Change in Control (as defined in the Company's incentive equity plan, as in effect from time to time) (such period, the "Change in Control Period"). "Good Reason" shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events, without the express written consent of the Employee, unless such events are fully corrected in all material respects by the Company within 30 days following written notification by the Employee to the Company of the occurrence of one of the reasons set forth below:
(i) material diminution in the Employee's Base Salary as a result of the Change in Control;
(ii) material diminution in the Employee's duties, authorities or responsibilities (other than temporarily while physically or mentally incapacitated or as required by applicable law) as a result of the Change in Control; or
(iii) requirement to relocate the Employee's primary work location by more than 50 miles from its then current location as a result of the Change in Control.
The Employee shall provide the Company with a written notice detailing the specific circumstances alleged to constitute Good Reason within 90 days after the first occurrence of such circumstances, and actually terminate employment within 30 days following the expiration of the Company's 30-day cure period described above. Otherwise, any claim of such circumstances as "Good Reason" shall be deemed irrevocably waived by the Employee.
(f) WITHOUT GOOD REASON. Upon four weeks' prior written notice by the Employee to the Company of the Employee's voluntary termination of employment without Good Reason (which the Company may, in its sole discretion, make effective earlier than any notice date).
7. CONSEQUENCES OF TERMINATION.
(a) DEATH. In the event that the Employee's employment and the Employment Term ends on account of the Employee's death, the Employee or the Employee's estate, as the case may be, shall be entitled to the following (with the amounts due under Sections 7(a)(i) through 7(a)(iv) hereof to be paid within 60 days following termination of employment, or such earlier date as may be required by applicable law):
(i) any unpaid Base Salary through the date of termination;
(ii) any Annual Bonus earned but unpaid with respect to the fiscal year ending on or preceding the date of termination;
(iii) reimbursement for any unreimbursed business expenses incurred through the date of termination;
(iv) any accrued but unused vacation time in accordance with Company policy; and
(v) all other payments, benefits or fringe benefits to which the Employee shall be entitled under the terms of any applicable compensation arrangement or benefit, equity or fringe benefit plan or program or grant or this Agreement (collectively, Sections 7(a)(i) through 7(a)(v) hereof shall be hereafter referred to as the "Accrued Benefits").
(b) DISABILITY. In the event that the Employee's employment and/or Employment Term ends on account of the Employee's Disability, the Company shall pay or provide the Employee with the Accrued Benefits.
(c) TERMINATION FOR CAUSE OR WITHOUT GOOD REASON. If the Employee's employment is terminated (x) by the Company for Cause, or (y) by the Employee without Good Reason, the Company shall pay to the Employee the Accrued Benefits other than the benefit described in Section 7(a)(ii) hereof.
(d) TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE OR FOR GOOD REASON. If the Employee's employment by the Company is terminated (x) by the Company other than for Cause, or (y) by the Employee for Good Reason, the Company shall pay or provide the Employee with the following, subject to the provisions of Section 23 hereof:
(i) the Accrued Benefits;
(ii) subject to the Employee's continued compliance with the obligations in Sections 8, 9 and 10 hereof, a pro-rata portion of the Employee's Annual Bonus for the fiscal year in which the Employee's termination occurs based on the estimated actual results for such year (determined by multiplying the amount of such bonus which would be due for the full fiscal year by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days during the fiscal year of termination that the Employee is employed by the Company and the denominator of which is 365), payable within 60 days following termination of employment;
(iii) subject to the Employee's continued compliance with the obligations in Sections 8, 9 and 10 hereof, an amount equal to the sum of (A) two times (2x) the Employee's annual Base Salary and (B) two times (2x) the amount of the Employee's Annual Bonus deemed to equal 75% of the Employee's then current Base Salary, paid in a lump sum no later than 60 days following termination of employment; and
(iv) any stock options or any other equity or any other incentive units (including without limitation unvested restricted stock units) granted to the Employee by the Company, whether currently outstanding or granted in the future, as of the date of termination, shall become fully vested (with performance-based awards earned at "target") and notwithstanding any term of the Company's plans to the contrary, stock options shall remain exercisable for their original term granted and shall not terminate due to the Employee's termination. The terms of any stock option agreement or other equity incentive agreement between the Employee and the Company shall be deemed amended to reflect the terms of this section.
Payments and benefits provided in this Section 7(d) shall be in lieu of any termination or severance payments or benefits for which the Employee may be eligible under any of the plans, policies or programs of the Company or under the Worker Adjustment Retraining Notification Act of 1988 or any similar state statute or regulation.
(e) EXCLUSIVE REMEDY. The amounts payable to the Employee following termination of employment and the Employment Term hereunder pursuant to Sections 6 and 7 hereof shall be in full and complete satisfaction of the Employee's rights under this Agreement and any other claims that the Employee may have in respect of the Employee's employment with the Company or any of its affiliates, and the Employee acknowledges that such amounts are fair and reasonable, and are the Employee's sole and exclusive remedy, in lieu of all other remedies at law or in equity, with respect to the termination of the Employee's employment hereunder or any breach of this Agreement.
8. RELEASE; NO MITIGATION. Any and all amounts payable and benefits or additional rights provided pursuant to this Agreement beyond the Accrued Benefits (other than amounts described in Section 7(a)(iii) hereof) shall only be payable if the Employee delivers to the Company and does not revoke a general release of claims in favor of the Company in the form attached hereto as Schedule A. Such release shall be executed and delivered (and no longer subject to revocation, if applicable) within 60 days following termination. In no event shall the Employee be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to the Employee under any of the provisions of this Agreement, nor shall the amount of any payment hereunder be reduced by any compensation earned by the Employee as a result of employment by a subsequent employer.
9. RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS.
(a) CONFIDENTIALITY. During the course of the Employee's employment with the Company, the Employee has had and will continue to have access to Confidential Information. For purposes of this Agreement, "Confidential Information" means all data, information, ideas, concepts, discoveries, trade secrets, inventions (whether or not patentable or reduced to practice), innovations, improvements, know-how, developments, techniques, methods, processes, treatments, drawings, sketches, specifications, designs, plans, patterns, models, plans and strategies, and all other confidential or proprietary information or trade secrets in any form or medium (whether merely remembered or embodied in a tangible or intangible form or medium) whether now or hereafter existing, relating to or arising from the past, current or potential business, activities and/or operations of the Company or any of its affiliates, including, without limitation, any such information relating to or concerning finances, sales, marketing, advertising, transition, promotions, pricing, personnel, customers, suppliers, vendors, raw partners and/or competitors. The Employee agrees that the Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, use, make available, sell, disclose or otherwise communicate to any person, other than in the course of the Employee's assigned duties and for the benefit of the Company, either during the period of the Employee's employment or at any time thereafter, any Confidential Information or other confidential or proprietary information received from third parties subject to a duty on the Company's and its subsidiaries' and affiliates' part to maintain the confidentiality of such information, and to use such information only for certain limited purposes, in each case, which shall have been obtained by the Employee during the Employee's employment by the Company (or any predecessor). The foregoing shall not apply to information that (i) was known to the public prior to its disclosure to the Employee; (ii) becomes generally known to the public subsequent to disclosure to the Employee through no wrongful act of the Employee or any representative of the Employee; or (iii) the Employee is required to disclose by applicable law, regulation or legal process (provided that the Employee provides the Company with prior notice of the contemplated disclosure and cooperates with the Company at its expense in seeking a protective order or other appropriate protection of such information).
(b) NONSOLICITATION; NONINTERFERENCE.
(i) During the Employee's employment with the Company and for a period of one year thereafter, the Employee agrees that the Employee shall not, except in the furtherance of the Employee's duties hereunder, directly or indirectly, individually or on behalf of any other person, firm, corporation or other entity, (A) solicit, aid or induce any employee, representative or agent of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates to leave such employment or retention or to accept employment with or render services to or with any other person, firm, corporation or other entity unaffiliated with the Company or hire or retain any such employee, representative or agent, or take any action to materially assist or aid any other person, firm, corporation or other entity in identifying, hiring or soliciting any such employee, representative or agent, or (B) interfere, or aid or induce any other person or entity in interfering, with the relationship between the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates and any of their respective vendors, joint venturers or licensors. An employee, representative or agent shall be deemed covered by this Section 9(b)(i) while so employed or retained and for a period of six months thereafter.
(ii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this Section 9(b) shall not be violated by (A) general advertising or solicitation not specifically targeted at Company-related persons or entities, (B) the Employee serving as a reference, upon request, for any employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates so long as such reference is not for an entity that is employing or retaining the Employee, or (C) actions taken by any person or entity with which the Employee is associated if the Employee is not personally involved in any manner in the matter and has not identified such Company-related person or entity for soliciting or hiring.
(c) NONDISPARAGEMENT. The Employee agrees not to make negative comments or otherwise disparage the Company or its officers, directors, employees, shareholders, agents or products other than in the good faith performance of the Employee's duties to the Company while the Employee is employed by the Company. The foregoing shall not be violated by truthful statements in response to legal process, required governmental testimony or filings, or administrative or arbitral proceedings (including, without limitation, depositions in connection with such proceedings).
(d) INVENTIONS. (i) The Employee acknowledges and agrees that all ideas, methods, inventions, discoveries, improvements, work products, developments, software, know-how, processes, techniques, works of authorship and other work product, whether patentable or unpatentable, (A) that are reduced to practice, created, invented, designed, developed, contributed to, or improved with the use of any Company resources and/or within the scope of the Employee's work with the Company or that relate to the business, operations or actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the Company, and that are made or conceived by the Employee, solely or jointly with others, during the Employment Term, or (B) suggested by any work that the Employee performs in connection with the Company, either while performing the Employee's duties with the Company or on the Employee's own time, shall belong exclusively to the Company (or its designee), whether or not patent or other applications for intellectual property protection are filed thereon (the "Inventions"). The Employee will keep full and complete written records (the "Records"), in the manner prescribed by the Company, of all Inventions, and will promptly disclose all Inventions completely and in writing to the Company. The Records shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company, and the Employee will surrender them upon the termination of the Employment Term, or upon the Company's request. The Employee irrevocably conveys, transfers and assigns to the Company the Inventions and all patents or other intellectual property rights that may issue thereon in any and all countries, whether during or subsequent to the Employment Term, together with the right to file, in the Employee's name or in the name of the Company (or its designee), applications for patents and equivalent rights (the "Applications"). The Employee will, at any time during and subsequent to the Employment Term, make such applications, sign such papers, take all rightful oaths, and perform all other acts as may be requested from time to time by the Company to perfect, record, enforce, protect, patent or register the Company's rights in the Inventions, all without additional compensation to the Employee from the Company. The Employee will also execute assignments to the Company (or its designee) of the Applications and give the Company and its attorneys all reasonable assistance (including the giving of testimony) to obtain the Inventions for the Company's benefit, all without additional compensation to the Employee from the Company, but entirely at the Company's expense.
(ii) In addition, the Inventions will be deemed Work for Hire, as such term is defined under the copyright laws of the United States, on behalf of the Company and the Employee agrees that the Company will be the sole owner of the Inventions, and all underlying rights therein, in all media now known or hereinafter devised, throughout the universe and in perpetuity without any further obligations to the Employee. If the Inventions, or any portion thereof, are deemed not to be Work for Hire, or the rights in such Inventions do not otherwise automatically vest in the Company, the Employee hereby irrevocably conveys, transfers and assigns to the Company, all rights, in all media now known or hereinafter devised, throughout the universe and in perpetuity, in and to the Inventions, including, without limitation, all of the Employee's right, title and interest in the copyrights (and all renewals, revivals and extensions thereof) to the Inventions, including, without limitation, all rights of any kind or any nature now or hereafter recognized, including, without limitation, the unrestricted right to make modifications, adaptations and revisions to the Inventions, to exploit and allow others to exploit the Inventions and all rights to sue at law or in equity for any infringement, or other unauthorized use or conduct in derogation of the Inventions, known or unknown, prior to the date hereof, including, without limitation, the right to receive all proceeds and damages therefrom. In addition, the Employee hereby waives any so-called "moral rights" with respect to the Inventions. To the extent that the Employee has any rights in the results and proceeds of the Employee's service to the Company that cannot be assigned in the manner described herein, the Employee agrees to unconditionally waive the enforcement of such rights. The Employee hereby waives any and all currently existing and future monetary rights in and to the Inventions and all patents and other registrations for intellectual property that may issue thereon, including, without limitation, any rights that would otherwise accrue to the Employee's benefit by virtue of the Employee being an employee of or other service provider to the Company.
(iii) The parties to this Agreement have the right to disclose in confidence trade secrets to federal, state, and local government officials, or to an attorney, for the sole purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law. The parties also have the right to disclose trade secrets in a document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, but only if the filing is made under seal and protected from public disclosure.
(iv) 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b) provides: "An individual shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any Federal or State trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that-(A) is made-(i) in confidence to a Federal, State, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (ii) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (B) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal." Nothing in this Agreement is intended to conflict with 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b) or create liability for disclosures of trade secrets that are expressly allowed by 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b). Accordingly, the parties to this Agreement have the right to disclose in confidence trade secrets to federal, state, and local government officials, or to an attorney, for the sole purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law. The parties also have the right to disclose trade secrets in a document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, but only if the filing is made under seal and protected from public disclosure.
(e) RETURN OF COMPANY PROPERTY. On the date of the Employee's termination of employment with the Company for any reason (or at any time prior thereto at the Company's request), the Employee shall return all property belonging to the Company or its affiliates (including, but not limited to, any Company-provided laptops, computers, cell phones, wireless electronic mail devices or other equipment, or documents and property belonging to the Company). The Employee may retain the Employee's rolodex and similar address books provided that such items only include contact information.
(f) REASONABLENESS OF COVENANTS. In signing this Agreement, the Employee gives the Company assurance that the Employee has carefully read and considered all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including the restraints imposed under this Section 9 hereof. The Employee agrees that these restraints are necessary for the reasonable and proper protection of the Company and its affiliates and their Confidential Information and that each and every one of the restraints is reasonable in respect to subject matter, length of time and geographic area, and that these restraints, individually or in the aggregate, will not prevent the Employee from obtaining other suitable employment during the period in which the Employee is bound by the restraints. The Employee acknowledges that each of these covenants has a unique, very substantial and immeasurable value to the Company and its affiliates and that the Employee has sufficient assets and skills to provide a livelihood while such covenants remain in force. The Employee further covenants that the Employee will not challenge the reasonableness or enforceability of any of the covenants set forth in this Section 9. It is also agreed that each of the Company's affiliates will have the right to enforce all of the Employee's obligations to that affiliate under this Agreement, including without limitation pursuant to this Section 9.
(g) REFORMATION. If it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in any state that any restriction in this Section 9 is excessive in duration or scope or is unreasonable or unenforceable under applicable law, it is the intention of the parties that such restriction may be modified or amended by the court to render it enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by the laws of that state.
(h) TOLLING. In the event of any violation of the provisions of this Section 9, the Employee acknowledges and agrees that the post-termination restrictions contained in this Section 9 shall be extended by a period of time equal to the period of such violation, it being the intention of the parties hereto that the running of the applicable post-termination restriction period shall be tolled during any period of such violation.
(i) SURVIVAL OF PROVISIONS. The obligations contained in Sections 9 and 10 hereof shall survive the termination or expiration of the Employment Term and the Employee's employment with the Company and shall be fully enforceable thereafter.
10. COOPERATION. Upon the receipt of reasonable notice from the Company (including outside counsel), the Employee agrees that while employed by the Company and thereafter, the Employee will respond and provide information with regard to matters in which the Employee has knowledge as a result of the Employee's employment with the Company, and will provide reasonable assistance to the Company, its affiliates and their respective representatives in defense of any claims that may be made against the Company or its affiliates, and will assist the Company and its affiliates in the prosecution of any claims that may be made by the Company or its affiliates, to the extent that such claims may relate to the period of the Employee's employment with the Company (collectively, the "Claims"). The Employee agrees to promptly inform the Company if the Employee becomes aware of any lawsuits involving Claims that may be filed or threatened against the Company or its affiliates. The Employee also agrees to promptly inform the Company (to the extent that the Employee is legally permitted to do so) if the Employee is asked to assist in any investigation of the Company or its affiliates (or their actions) or another party attempts to obtain information or documents from the Employee (other than in connection with any litigation or other proceeding in which the Employee is a party-in-opposition) with respect to matters the Employee believes in good faith to relate to any investigation of the Company or its affiliates, in each case, regardless of whether a lawsuit or other proceeding has then been filed against the Company or its affiliates with respect to such investigation, and shall not do so unless legally required. During the pendency of any litigation or other proceeding involving Claims, the Employee shall not communicate with anyone (other than the Employee's attorneys and tax and/or financial advisors and except to the extent that the Employee determines in good faith is necessary in connection with the performance of the Employee's duties hereunder) with respect to the facts or subject matter of any pending or potential litigation or regulatory or administrative proceeding involving the Company or any of its affiliates without giving prior written notice to the Company or the Company's counsel. Upon presentation of appropriate documentation, the Company shall pay or reimburse the Employee for all reasonable out-of-pocket travel, duplicating or telephonic expenses incurred by the Employee in complying with this Section 10.
11. WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted so as to impede the Employee (or any other individual) from reporting possible violations of federal law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity, including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Congress, and any agency Inspector General, or making other disclosures under the whistleblower provisions of federal law or regulation. The Employee does not need the prior authorization of the Company to make any such reports or disclosures and the Employee shall not be not required to notify the Company that such reports or disclosures have been made.
12. EQUITABLE RELIEF AND OTHER REMEDIES. The Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Company's remedies at law for a breach or threatened breach of any of the provisions of Section 9 or Section 10 hereof would be inadequate and, in recognition of this fact, the Employee agrees that, in the event of such a breach or threatened breach, in addition to any remedies at law, the Company, without posting any bond or other security, shall be entitled to obtain equitable relief in the form of specific performance, a temporary restraining order, a temporary or permanent injunction or any other equitable remedy which may then be available, without the necessity of showing actual monetary damages. In the event of a violation by the Employee of Section 9 or Section 10 hereof, any severance being paid to the Employee pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise shall immediately cease.
13. NO ASSIGNMENTS. This Agreement is personal to each of the parties hereto. Except as provided in this Section 13 hereof, no party may assign or delegate any rights or obligations hereunder without first obtaining the written consent of the other party hereto. The Company may assign this Agreement to any successor to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company, provided that the Company shall require such successor to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, "Company" shall mean the Company and any successor to its business and/or assets, which assumes and agrees to perform the duties and obligations of the Company under this Agreement by operation of law or otherwise.
14. NOTICE. For purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (a) on the date of delivery, if delivered by hand, (b) on the date of transmission, if delivered by confirmed facsimile or electronic mail, (c) on the first business day following the date of deposit, if delivered by guaranteed overnight delivery service, or (d) on the fourth business day following the date delivered or mailed by United States registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
| If to the Employee: At the address (or to the facsimile number) shown in the books and records of the Company. If to the Company: Dakota Gold Corp. 106 Glendale Drive, Suite A Lead, South Dakota 57754 Email: [email protected] |
or to such other address as either party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.
15. SECTION HEADINGS; INCONSISTENCY. The section headings used in this Agreement are included solely for convenience and shall not affect, or be used in connection with, the interpretation of this Agreement. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms of this Agreement and any form, award, plan or policy of the Company, the terms of this Agreement shall govern and control.
16. SEVERABILITY. The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in such jurisdiction or the validity, legality or enforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction, it being intended that all rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.
17. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.
18. INDEMNIFICATION. The Company hereby agrees to indemnify the Employee and hold the Employee harmless to the extent provided under the By-Laws of the Company against and in respect of any and all actions, suits, proceedings, claims, demands, judgments, costs, expenses (including reasonable attorney's fees), losses, and damages resulting from the Employee's good faith performance of the Employee's duties and obligations with the Company. This obligation shall survive the termination of the Employee's employment with the Company.
19. LIABILITY INSURANCE. The Company shall cover the Employee under directors' and officers' liability insurance both during and, while potential liability exists, after the term of this Agreement in the same amount and to the same extent as the Company covers its other officers and directors.
20. GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION. This Agreement, the rights and obligations of the parties hereto, and any claims or disputes relating thereto, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of South Dakota (without regard to its choice of law provisions). Each of the parties agrees that any dispute between the parties shall be resolved only in the courts of the State of South Dakota or the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota and the appellate courts having jurisdiction of appeals in such courts. In that context, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally (a) submits in any proceeding relating to this Agreement or the Employee's employment by the Company or any affiliate, or for the recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof (a "Proceeding"), to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of South Dakota, the court of the United States of America for the District of South Dakota, and appellate courts having jurisdiction of appeals from any of the foregoing, and agrees that all claims in respect of any such Proceeding shall be heard and determined in such South Dakota State court or, to the extent permitted by law, in such federal court, (b) consents that any such Proceeding may and shall be brought in such courts and waives any objection that the Employee or the Company may now or thereafter have to the venue or jurisdiction of any such Proceeding in any such court or that such Proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same, (c) waives all right to trial by jury in any Proceeding (whether based on contract, tort or otherwise) arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the Employee's employment by the Company or any affiliate of the Company, or the Employee's or the Company's performance under, or the enforcement of, this Agreement, (d) agrees that service of process in any such Proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy of such process by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to such party at the Employee's or the Company's address as provided in Section 14 hereof, and (e) agrees that nothing in this Agreement shall affect the right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by the laws of the State of South Dakota.
21. MISCELLANEOUS. No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by the Employee and such officer or director as may be designated by the Board or the Committee. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. This Agreement together with all exhibits hereto sets forth the entire agreement of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein and supersedes any and all prior agreements or understandings between the Employee and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof. No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either party which are not expressly set forth in this Agreement.
22. REPRESENTATIONS. The Employee represents and warrants to the Company that (a) the Employee has the legal right to enter into this Agreement and to perform all of the obligations on the Employee's part to be performed hereunder in accordance with its terms, and (b) the Employee is not a party to any agreement or understanding, written or oral, and is not subject to any restriction, which, in either case, could prevent the Employee from entering into this Agreement or performing all of the Employee's duties and obligations hereunder.
23. TAX MATTERS.
(a) WITHHOLDING. The Company may withhold from any and all amounts payable under this Agreement or otherwise such federal, state and local taxes as may be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
(b) SECTION 409A COMPLIANCE.
(i) The intent of the parties is that payments and benefits under this Agreement comply with Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder (collectively "Code Section 409A") and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Agreement shall be interpreted to be in compliance therewith. To the extent that any provision hereof is modified in order to comply with Code Section 409A, such modification shall be made in good faith and shall, to the maximum extent reasonably possible, maintain the original intent and economic benefit to the Employee and the Company of the applicable provision without violating the provisions of Code Section 409A. In no event whatsoever shall the Company be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalty that may be imposed on the Employee by Code Section 409A or damages for failing to comply with Code Section 409A.
(ii) A termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of any amounts or benefits upon or following a termination of employment unless such termination is also a "separation from service" within the meaning of Code Section 409A and, for purposes of any such provision of this Agreement, references to a "termination," "termination of employment" or like terms shall mean "separation from service." Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if the Employee is deemed on the date of termination to be a "specified employee" within the meaning of that term under Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B), then with regard to any payment or the provision of any benefit that is considered deferred compensation under Code Section 409A payable on account of a "separation from service," such payment or benefit shall not be made or provided until the date which is the earlier of (A) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of such "separation from service" of the Employee, and (B) the date of the Employee's death, to the extent required under Code Section 409A. Upon the expiration of the foregoing delay period, all payments and benefits delayed pursuant to this Section 23(b)(ii) (whether they would have otherwise been payable in a single sum or in installments in the absence of such delay) shall be paid or reimbursed to the Employee in a lump sum, and any remaining payments and benefits due under this Agreement shall be paid or provided in accordance with the normal payment dates specified for them herein.
(iii) To the extent that reimbursements or other in-kind benefits under this Agreement constitute "nonqualified deferred compensation" for purposes of Code Section 409A, (A) all expenses or other reimbursements hereunder shall be made on or prior to the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which such expenses were incurred by the Employee, (B) any right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit, and (C) no such reimbursement, expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided in any taxable year shall in any way affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other taxable year.
(iv) For purposes of Code Section 409A, the Employee's right to receive any installment payments pursuant to this Agreement shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate and distinct payments. Whenever a payment under this Agreement specifies a payment period with reference to a number of days, the actual date of payment within the specified period shall be within the sole discretion of the Company.
(v) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in no event shall any payment under this Agreement that constitutes "nonqualified deferred compensation" for purposes of Code Section 409A be subject to offset by any other amount unless otherwise permitted by Code Section 409A.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
| DAKOTA GOLD CORP. | |
| By: "Jonathan Awde" |
|
| Name: Jonathan Awde |
|
| Title: President & Chief Executive Officer | |
| "Gerald Aberle" GERALD ABERLE |
Schedule A
Form of General Release
Please see attached.
GENERAL RELEASE OF CLAIMS
This General Release (this "Release") is entered into as of this ____ day of ____________, 20__, by and between Dakota Gold Corp., a Nevada corporation (the "Company"), and _____________, an employee of the Company (the "Employee") (collectively, the "Parties").
WHEREAS, the Employee is a party to an employment agreement with the Company dated as of [•] (the "Employment Agreement"), which governs the terms and conditions applicable to the Employee's termination of employment under certain circumstances;
WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Employment Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide the Employee certain benefits and payments under the terms and conditions specified therein, provided that the Employee has executed and not revoked a general release of claims in favor of the Company;
WHEREAS, the Employee's employment with the Company is being terminated effective __________ __, 20__; and
WHEREAS, the Parties wish to terminate their relationship amicably and to resolve, fully and finally, all actual and potential claims and disputes relating to the Employee's employment with and termination from the Company and all other relationships between the Employee and the Company, up to and including the date of execution of this Release.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the promises and mutual covenants contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are expressly acknowledged, the Parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:
1. Termination of Employment. The Employee's employment with the Company shall terminate on __________ __, 20__ (the "Termination Date").
2. Severance Benefits. Pursuant to the terms of the Employment Agreement, and in consideration of the Employee's release of claims and the other covenants and agreements contained herein and therein, and provided that the Employee has signed this Release and delivered it to the Company and has not exercised any revocation rights as provided in Section 6 below, the Company shall provide the severance benefits described in Section 7(d) of the Employment Agreement (the "Benefits") in the time and manner provided therein; provided, however, that the Company's obligations will be excused if the Employee breaches the provisions of Section 9 of the Employment Agreement. The Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Benefits constitute consideration beyond that which the Company would be obligated to provide, or the Employee would be entitled to receive, but for the mutual covenants set forth in this Release and the covenants contained in the Employment Agreement.
3. Effective Date. Provided that it has not been revoked pursuant to Section 6 hereof, this Release will become effective on the eighth (8th) day after the date of its execution by the Employee (the "Effective Date").
4. Effect of Revocation. The Employee acknowledges and agrees that if the Employee revokes this Release pursuant to Section 6 hereof, the Employee will have no right to receive the Benefits.
5. General Release. In consideration of the Company's obligations, the Employee hereby releases, acquits and forever discharges the Company and each of its subsidiaries and affiliates and each of their respective officers, employees, directors, agents, successors and assigns (collectively, the "Released Parties") from any and all claims, actions or causes of action in any way related to Employee's employment with the Company or the termination thereof, whether arising from tort, statute or contract, including, but not limited to, claims of defamation, claims arising under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended by the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act of 1990, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the discrimination and wage payment laws of the state in which Employee is employed and any other federal, state or local statutes or ordinances of the United States, it being the Employee's intention and the intention of the Company to make this release as broad and as general as the law permits. The Employee understands that this Release does not waive any rights or claims that may arise after Employee's execution of it and does not apply to claims arising under the terms of the Plan with respect to payments the Employee may be owed pursuant to the terms thereof.
6. Review and Revocation Period. The Employee acknowledges that the Company has advised the Employee that the Employee may consult with an attorney of the Employee's own choosing (and at the Employee's expense) prior to signing this Release and that the Employee has been given at least forty-five (45) days during which to consider the provisions of this Release, although the Employee may sign and return it sooner. The Employee further acknowledges that the Employee has been advised by the Company that after executing this Release, the Employee will have seven (7) days to revoke this Release, and that this Release shall not become effective or enforceable until such seven (7) day revocation period has expired. The Employee acknowledges and agrees that if the Employee wishes to revoke this Release, the Employee must do so in writing, and that such revocation must be signed by the Employee and received by [_______________] no later than 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time on the seventh (7th) day after the Employee has executed this Release. The Employee further acknowledges and agrees that, in the event that the Employee revokes this Release, the Employee will have no right to receive any benefits hereunder, including the Benefits. The Employee represents that the Employee has read this Release and understands its terms and enters into this Release freely, voluntarily and without coercion.
7. Restrictive Covenants. The Employee reaffirms his/her commitments in Section 9 of the Employment Agreement.
8. Cooperation in Litigation. The Employee reaffirms his/her commitments in Section 10 of the Employment Agreement.
9. Warranties. Employee warrants and represents as follows:
i. Employee has read this Release in its entirety, and Employee agrees to the conditions and obligations set forth in it.
ii. Employee is voluntarily executing this Release without being pressured or influenced by any statement or representation or omission of any person acting on behalf of the Company or the other Released Parties.
iii. Employee has no knowledge of the existence of any lawsuit, charge, or proceeding against the Released Parties arising out of or otherwise connected with any of the matters herein released. In the event that any such lawsuit, charge, or proceeding has been filed, Employee immediately will take all actions necessary to withdraw or terminate that lawsuit, charge, or proceeding, unless the requirement for such withdrawal or termination is prohibited by applicable law.
iv. Employee understands that nothing contained in this Release limits Employee's ability to file a charge or complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other federal, state or local governmental agency or commission ("Government Agencies"). Employee further understands that this Release does not limit Employee's ability to communicate with any Government Agencies or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any Government Agency, including providing documents or other information, without notice to the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Employee waives any right to any monetary recovery or other relief should any party, including, without limitation, any federal, state or local governmental entity or administrative agency, pursue any claims on Employee's behalf arising out of, relating to, or in any way connected with the claims release pursuant to Section 5, above, provided, however, this Agreement does not limit Employee's right to receive a reward for information provided to any Government Agencies.
V. Employee has not previously disclosed any information, the disclosure of which would be a violation of the confidentiality commitments in Section 9(a) of the Employment Agreement.
vi. Employee has full and complete legal capacity to enter into this Agreement.
10. Non-Admission of Liability. Nothing in this Release will be construed as an admission of liability by the Employee or the Released Parties; rather, the Employee and the Released Parties are resolving all matters arising out of the employer-employee relationship between the Employee and the Company and all other relationships between the Employee and the Released Parties.
11. Statutory Disclosure. Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b), Employee will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any Federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates that (A) is made (x) in confidence to a Federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to Employee's attorney and (y) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (B) is made in a complaint or other document that is filed under seal in a lawsuit or other proceeding. If Employee files a lawsuit for retaliation by the Company for reporting a suspected violation of law, Employee may disclose the trade secret to Employee's attorney and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if Employee files any document containing the trade secret under seal, and does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to conflict with 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b) or create liability for disclosures of trade secrets that are expressly allowed by such section.
13. Binding Effect. This Release will be binding upon the Parties and their respective heirs, administrators, representatives, executors, successors and assigns, and will inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective heirs, administrators, representatives, executors, successors and assigns.
13. Governing Law. This Release will be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of South Dakota applicable to agreements negotiated, entered into and wholly to be performed therein, without regard to its conflicts of law or choice of law provisions which would result in the application of the law of any other jurisdiction.
14. Severability. Each of the respective rights and obligations of the Parties hereunder will be deemed independent and may be enforced independently irrespective of any of the other rights and obligations set forth herein. If any provision of this Release should be held illegal or invalid, such illegality or invalidity will not affect in any way other provisions hereof, all of which will continue, nevertheless, in full force and effect.
15. Counterparts. This Release may be signed in counterparts. Each counterpart will be deemed to be an original, but together all such counterparts will be deemed a single agreement.
16. Entire Agreement; Modification. This Release constitutes the entire understanding between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and may not be modified without the express written consent of both Parties. This Release supersedes all prior written and/or oral and all contemporaneous oral agreements, understandings and negotiations regarding its subject matter. This Release may not be modified or canceled in any manner except by a writing signed by both Parties.
17. Acceptance. The Employee may confirm acceptance of the terms and conditions of this Release by signing and returning two (2) original copies of this Release to [_____________________], no later than 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time forty five (45) days after the Employee's Termination Date.
THE EMPLOYEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND REPRESENTS THAT THE EMPLOYEE HAS FULLY AND CAREFULLY READ THIS RELEASE PRIOR TO SIGNING IT AND UNDERSTANDS ITS TERMS. THE EMPLOYEE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE EMPLOYEE HAS BEEN, OR HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE, ADVISED BY INDEPENDENT LEGAL COUNSEL OF THE EMPLOYEE'S OWN CHOICE AS TO THE LEGAL EFFECT AND MEANING OF EACH OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS RELEASE, AND IS ENTERING INTO THIS RELEASE FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY AND NOT IN RELIANCE ON ANY PROMISES OR REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH IN THIS RELEASE.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Employee have duly executed this Release as of the date first above written.
| DAKOTA GOLD CORP. | EMPLOYEE | |
| By:___________________________________ | ___________________________________ | |
| Name: |
DAKOTA GOLD CORP.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") dated as of April 19, 2024, between Dakota Gold Corp., a Nevada corporation (the "Company"), and Patrick Malone (the "Employee").
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ the Employee as the Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and External Affairs of the Company; and
WHEREAS, the Company and the Employee desire to enter into this Agreement as to the terms of the Employee's employment with the Company.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, of the mutual promises contained herein and of other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1. POSITION AND DUTIES.
(a) During the Employment Term (as defined in Section 2 hereof), the Employee shall serve as the Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and External Affairs of the Company. In this capacity, the Employee shall have the duties, authorities and responsibilities commensurate with the duties, authorities and responsibilities of persons in similar capacities in similarly sized companies, and such other duties, authorities and responsibilities as may reasonably be assigned to the Employee that are not inconsistent with the Employee's position as Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and External Affairs of the Company. The Employee's principal place of employment with the Company shall be the Company's offices in Lead, South Dakota, provided that the Employee understands and agrees that the Employee may be required to travel from time to time for business purposes. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 1(a) to the contrary, Company and Employee agree that Employee shall be allowed to work remotely at least 50% of the time. The Employee shall report directly to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
(b) During the Employment Term, the Employee shall devote all of the Employee's business time, energy, business judgment, knowledge and skill and the Employee's best efforts to the performance of the Employee's duties with the Company, provided that the foregoing shall not prevent the Employee from (i) serving on the boards of directors of non-profit organizations and, with the prior written approval of the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"), other for profit companies, (ii) participating in charitable, civic, educational, professional, community or industry affairs, and (iii) managing the Employee's passive personal investments so long as such activities in the aggregate do not interfere or conflict with the Employee's duties hereunder or create a potential business or fiduciary conflict.
2. EMPLOYMENT TERM. The Company agrees to employ the Employee pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and the Employee agrees to be so employed, for an indefinite period commencing as of the date hereof (the "Effective Date"). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Employee's employment hereunder may be terminated in accordance with Section 6 hereof, subject to Section 7 hereof. The period of time between the Effective Date and the termination of the Employee's employment hereunder shall be referred to herein as the "Employment Term."
3. BASE SALARY. The Company agrees to pay the Employee a base salary at an annual rate of not less than $275,000.00, payable in accordance with the regular payroll practices of the Company, but not less frequently than monthly. The Employee's Base Salary shall be subject to annual review by the Board (or a committee thereof) and may be adjusted from time to time by the Board. The base salary as determined herein and adjusted from time to time shall constitute "Base Salary" for purposes of this Agreement.
4. BONUSES.
(a) ANNUAL BONUS. During the Employment Term, the Employee shall be eligible to receive an annual discretionary incentive payment under the Company's annual bonus plan as may be in effect from time to time (the "Annual Bonus") based on a target bonus opportunity of at least 50% of the Employee's Base Salary (the "Target Bonus"), upon the attainment of one or more pre-established performance goals established by the Board or the Company's Compensation Committee (the "Committee") in its sole discretion.
(b) STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN. You will be eligible to participate in the Company's securities-based compensation plans, including its 2022 Stock Incentive Plan, and will receive long-term incentive compensation as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.
5. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.
(a) BENEFIT PLANS. During the Employment Term, the Employee shall be eligible to participate in any employee benefit plan that the Company has adopted or may adopt, maintain or contribute to for the benefit of its employees generally, subject to satisfying the applicable eligibility requirements, except to the extent such plans are duplicative of the benefits otherwise provided to hereunder. The Employee's participation will be subject to the terms of the applicable plan documents and generally applicable Company policies. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may modify or terminate any employee benefit plan at any time.
(b) VACATIONS. During the Employment Term, the Employee shall be entitled to four weeks of paid vacation per calendar year (as prorated for partial years) in accordance with the Company's policy on accrual and use applicable to employees as in effect from time to time, without carryforward of unused vacation time from any calendar year to any future calendar year. Vacation may be taken at such times and intervals as the Employee determines, subject to the business needs of the Company and prior approval of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
(c) BUSINESS AND ENTERTAINMENT EXPENSES. Upon presentation of reasonable substantiation and documentation as the Company may specify from time to time, the Employee shall be reimbursed in accordance with the Company's expense reimbursement policy, for all reasonable out-of-pocket business and entertainment expenses incurred and paid by the Employee during the Employment Term and in connection with the performance of the Employee's duties hereunder, including all travel expenses (including without limitation, transportation to and from and lodging while in South Dakota for business purposes as well as tax payments made to the extent any such expenses are taxable benefits), parking, cell phone, laptop and home office, and entertainment expenses.
6. TERMINATION. The Employee's employment and the Employment Term shall terminate on the first of the following to occur:
(a) DISABILITY. Upon 10 days' prior written notice by the Company to the Employee of termination due to Disability. For purposes of this Agreement, "Disability" shall be defined as the inability of the Employee to have performed the Employee's material duties hereunder due to a physical or mental injury, infirmity or incapacity for 180 days (including weekends and holidays) in any 365-day period, as determined by the Board in its reasonable discretion.
(b) DEATH. Automatically upon the date of death of the Employee.
(c) CAUSE. Immediately upon written notice by the Company to the Employee of a termination for Cause. "Cause" shall mean:
(i) the continued failure by the Employee to substantially perform his duties with the Company after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to the Employee by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, which demand specifically identifies the manner in which the Chief Executive Officer of the Company believes that the Employee has not substantially performed his duties, and the Employee demonstrably fails to cure such failure within thirty (30) days after receipt of such demand;
(ii) the engaging by employee in conduct which is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Company, monetarily or otherwise (including the Board's determination of conduct that constitutes a violation of any securities laws in the United States or Canada, whether federal, state or provincial);
(iii) the Employee's conviction for the commission of a felony; or
(iv) action by the Employee toward the Company involving dishonesty.
(d) WITHOUT CAUSE. Immediately upon written notice by the Company to the Employee of an involuntary termination without Cause (other than for death or Disability).
(e) GOOD REASON. Upon written notice by the Employee to the Company of a termination for Good Reason; provided, however, that the Employee may only terminate the Employee's employment with the Company for Good Reason to the extent that such Good Reason occurs within three months prior to, or within 12 months after, a Change in Control (as defined in the Company's incentive equity plan, as in effect from time to time) (such period, the "Change in Control Period"). "Good Reason" shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events, without the express written consent of the Employee, unless such events are fully corrected in all material respects by the Company within 30 days following written notification by the Employee to the Company of the occurrence of one of the reasons set forth below:
(i) material diminution in the Employee's Base Salary as a result of the Change in Control;
(ii) material diminution in the Employee's duties, authorities or responsibilities (other than temporarily while physically or mentally incapacitated or as required by applicable law) as a result of the Change in Control; or
(iii) requirement to relocate the Employee's primary work location by more than 50 miles from its then current location as a result of the Change in Control.
The Employee shall provide the Company with a written notice detailing the specific circumstances alleged to constitute Good Reason within 90 days after the first occurrence of such circumstances, and actually terminate employment within 30 days following the expiration of the Company's 30-day cure period described above. Otherwise, any claim of such circumstances as "Good Reason" shall be deemed irrevocably waived by the Employee.
(f) WITHOUT GOOD REASON. Upon four weeks' prior written notice by the Employee to the Company of the Employee's voluntary termination of employment without Good Reason (which the Company may, in its sole discretion, make effective earlier than any notice date).
7. CONSEQUENCES OF TERMINATION.
(a) DEATH. In the event that the Employee's employment and the Employment Term ends on account of the Employee's death, the Employee or the Employee's estate, as the case may be, shall be entitled to the following (with the amounts due under Sections 7(a)(i) through 7(a)(iv) hereof to be paid within 60 days following termination of employment, or such earlier date as may be required by applicable law):
(i) any unpaid Base Salary through the date of termination;
(ii) any Annual Bonus earned but unpaid with respect to the fiscal year ending on or preceding the date of termination;
(iii) reimbursement for any unreimbursed business expenses incurred through the date of termination;
(iv) any accrued but unused vacation time in accordance with Company policy; and
(v) all other payments, benefits or fringe benefits to which the Employee shall be entitled under the terms of any applicable compensation arrangement or benefit, equity or fringe benefit plan or program or grant or this Agreement (collectively, Sections 7(a)(i) through 7(a)(v) hereof shall be hereafter referred to as the "Accrued Benefits").
(b) DISABILITY. In the event that the Employee's employment and/or Employment Term ends on account of the Employee's Disability, the Company shall pay or provide the Employee with the Accrued Benefits.
(c) TERMINATION FOR CAUSE OR WITHOUT GOOD REASON. If the Employee's employment is terminated (x) by the Company for Cause, or (y) by the Employee without Good Reason, the Company shall pay to the Employee the Accrued Benefits other than the benefit described in Section 7(a)(ii) hereof.
(d) TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE OR FOR GOOD REASON. If the Employee's employment by the Company is terminated (x) by the Company other than for Cause, or (y) by the Employee for Good Reason, the Company shall pay or provide the Employee with the following, subject to the provisions of Section 23 hereof:
(i) the Accrued Benefits;
(ii) subject to the Employee's continued compliance with the obligations in Sections 8, 9 and 10 hereof, a pro-rata portion of the Employee's Annual Bonus for the fiscal year in which the Employee's termination occurs based on the estimated actual results for such year (determined by multiplying the amount of such bonus which would be due for the full fiscal year by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days during the fiscal year of termination that the Employee is employed by the Company and the denominator of which is 365), payable within 60 days following termination of employment;
(iii) subject to the Employee's continued compliance with the obligations in Sections 8, 9 and 10 hereof, an amount equal to the sum of (A) one and a half times (1.5x) the Employee's annual Base Salary and (B) one and a half times (1.5x) the amount of the Employee's Annual Bonus deemed to equal 75% of the Employee's then current Base Salary, paid in a lump sum no later than 60 days following termination of employment; and
(iv) any stock options or any other equity or any other incentive units (including without limitation unvested restricted stock units) granted to the Employee by the Company, whether currently outstanding or granted in the future, as of the date of termination, shall become fully vested (with performance-based awards earned at "target") and notwithstanding any term of the Company's plans to the contrary, stock options shall remain exercisable for their original term granted and shall not terminate due to the Employee's termination. The terms of any stock option agreement or other equity incentive agreement between the Employee and the Company shall be deemed amended to reflect the terms of this section.
Payments and benefits provided in this Section 7(d) shall be in lieu of any termination or severance payments or benefits for which the Employee may be eligible under any of the plans, policies or programs of the Company or under the Worker Adjustment Retraining Notification Act of 1988 or any similar state statute or regulation.
(e) EXCLUSIVE REMEDY. The amounts payable to the Employee following termination of employment and the Employment Term hereunder pursuant to Sections 6 and 7 hereof shall be in full and complete satisfaction of the Employee's rights under this Agreement and any other claims that the Employee may have in respect of the Employee's employment with the Company or any of its affiliates, and the Employee acknowledges that such amounts are fair and reasonable, and are the Employee's sole and exclusive remedy, in lieu of all other remedies at law or in equity, with respect to the termination of the Employee's employment hereunder or any breach of this Agreement.
8. RELEASE; NO MITIGATION. Any and all amounts payable and benefits or additional rights provided pursuant to this Agreement beyond the Accrued Benefits (other than amounts described in Section 7(a)(iii) hereof) shall only be payable if the Employee delivers to the Company and does not revoke a general release of claims in favor of the Company in the form attached hereto as Schedule A. Such release shall be executed and delivered (and no longer subject to revocation, if applicable) within 60 days following termination. In no event shall the Employee be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to the Employee under any of the provisions of this Agreement, nor shall the amount of any payment hereunder be reduced by any compensation earned by the Employee as a result of employment by a subsequent employer.
9. RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS.
(a) CONFIDENTIALITY. During the course of the Employee's employment with the Company, the Employee has had and will continue to have access to Confidential Information. For purposes of this Agreement, "Confidential Information" means all data, information, ideas, concepts, discoveries, trade secrets, inventions (whether or not patentable or reduced to practice), innovations, improvements, know-how, developments, techniques, methods, processes, treatments, drawings, sketches, specifications, designs, plans, patterns, models, plans and strategies, and all other confidential or proprietary information or trade secrets in any form or medium (whether merely remembered or embodied in a tangible or intangible form or medium) whether now or hereafter existing, relating to or arising from the past, current or potential business, activities and/or operations of the Company or any of its affiliates, including, without limitation, any such information relating to or concerning finances, sales, marketing, advertising, transition, promotions, pricing, personnel, customers, suppliers, vendors, raw partners and/or competitors. The Employee agrees that the Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, use, make available, sell, disclose or otherwise communicate to any person, other than in the course of the Employee's assigned duties and for the benefit of the Company, either during the period of the Employee's employment or at any time thereafter, any Confidential Information or other confidential or proprietary information received from third parties subject to a duty on the Company's and its subsidiaries' and affiliates' part to maintain the confidentiality of such information, and to use such information only for certain limited purposes, in each case, which shall have been obtained by the Employee during the Employee's employment by the Company (or any predecessor). The foregoing shall not apply to information that (i) was known to the public prior to its disclosure to the Employee; (ii) becomes generally known to the public subsequent to disclosure to the Employee through no wrongful act of the Employee or any representative of the Employee; or (iii) the Employee is required to disclose by applicable law, regulation or legal process (provided that the Employee provides the Company with prior notice of the contemplated disclosure and cooperates with the Company at its expense in seeking a protective order or other appropriate protection of such information).
(b) NONSOLICITATION; NONINTERFERENCE.
(i) During the Employee's employment with the Company and for a period of one year thereafter, the Employee agrees that the Employee shall not, except in the furtherance of the Employee's duties hereunder, directly or indirectly, individually or on behalf of any other person, firm, corporation or other entity, (A) solicit, aid or induce any employee, representative or agent of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates to leave such employment or retention or to accept employment with or render services to or with any other person, firm, corporation or other entity unaffiliated with the Company or hire or retain any such employee, representative or agent, or take any action to materially assist or aid any other person, firm, corporation or other entity in identifying, hiring or soliciting any such employee, representative or agent, or (B) interfere, or aid or induce any other person or entity in interfering, with the relationship between the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates and any of their respective vendors, joint venturers or licensors. An employee, representative or agent shall be deemed covered by this Section 9(b)(i) while so employed or retained and for a period of six months thereafter.
(ii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this Section 9(b) shall not be violated by (A) general advertising or solicitation not specifically targeted at Company-related persons or entities, (B) the Employee serving as a reference, upon request, for any employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates so long as such reference is not for an entity that is employing or retaining the Employee, or (C) actions taken by any person or entity with which the Employee is associated if the Employee is not personally involved in any manner in the matter and has not identified such Company-related person or entity for soliciting or hiring.
(c) NONDISPARAGEMENT. The Employee agrees not to make negative comments or otherwise disparage the Company or its officers, directors, employees, shareholders, agents or products other than in the good faith performance of the Employee's duties to the Company while the Employee is employed by the Company. The foregoing shall not be violated by truthful statements in response to legal process, required governmental testimony or filings, or administrative or arbitral proceedings (including, without limitation, depositions in connection with such proceedings).
(d) INVENTIONS. (i) The Employee acknowledges and agrees that all ideas, methods, inventions, discoveries, improvements, work products, developments, software, know-how, processes, techniques, works of authorship and other work product, whether patentable or unpatentable, (A) that are reduced to practice, created, invented, designed, developed, contributed to, or improved with the use of any Company resources and/or within the scope of the Employee's work with the Company or that relate to the business, operations or actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the Company, and that are made or conceived by the Employee, solely or jointly with others, during the Employment Term, or (B) suggested by any work that the Employee performs in connection with the Company, either while performing the Employee's duties with the Company or on the Employee's own time, shall belong exclusively to the Company (or its designee), whether or not patent or other applications for intellectual property protection are filed thereon (the "Inventions"). The Employee will keep full and complete written records (the "Records"), in the manner prescribed by the Company, of all Inventions, and will promptly disclose all Inventions completely and in writing to the Company. The Records shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company, and the Employee will surrender them upon the termination of the Employment Term, or upon the Company's request. The Employee irrevocably conveys, transfers and assigns to the Company the Inventions and all patents or other intellectual property rights that may issue thereon in any and all countries, whether during or subsequent to the Employment Term, together with the right to file, in the Employee's name or in the name of the Company (or its designee), applications for patents and equivalent rights (the "Applications"). The Employee will, at any time during and subsequent to the Employment Term, make such applications, sign such papers, take all rightful oaths, and perform all other acts as may be requested from time to time by the Company to perfect, record, enforce, protect, patent or register the Company's rights in the Inventions, all without additional compensation to the Employee from the Company. The Employee will also execute assignments to the Company (or its designee) of the Applications and give the Company and its attorneys all reasonable assistance (including the giving of testimony) to obtain the Inventions for the Company's benefit, all without additional compensation to the Employee from the Company, but entirely at the Company's expense.
(ii) In addition, the Inventions will be deemed Work for Hire, as such term is defined under the copyright laws of the United States, on behalf of the Company and the Employee agrees that the Company will be the sole owner of the Inventions, and all underlying rights therein, in all media now known or hereinafter devised, throughout the universe and in perpetuity without any further obligations to the Employee. If the Inventions, or any portion thereof, are deemed not to be Work for Hire, or the rights in such Inventions do not otherwise automatically vest in the Company, the Employee hereby irrevocably conveys, transfers and assigns to the Company, all rights, in all media now known or hereinafter devised, throughout the universe and in perpetuity, in and to the Inventions, including, without limitation, all of the Employee's right, title and interest in the copyrights (and all renewals, revivals and extensions thereof) to the Inventions, including, without limitation, all rights of any kind or any nature now or hereafter recognized, including, without limitation, the unrestricted right to make modifications, adaptations and revisions to the Inventions, to exploit and allow others to exploit the Inventions and all rights to sue at law or in equity for any infringement, or other unauthorized use or conduct in derogation of the Inventions, known or unknown, prior to the date hereof, including, without limitation, the right to receive all proceeds and damages therefrom. In addition, the Employee hereby waives any so-called "moral rights" with respect to the Inventions. To the extent that the Employee has any rights in the results and proceeds of the Employee's service to the Company that cannot be assigned in the manner described herein, the Employee agrees to unconditionally waive the enforcement of such rights. The Employee hereby waives any and all currently existing and future monetary rights in and to the Inventions and all patents and other registrations for intellectual property that may issue thereon, including, without limitation, any rights that would otherwise accrue to the Employee's benefit by virtue of the Employee being an employee of or other service provider to the Company.
(iii) The parties to this Agreement have the right to disclose in confidence trade secrets to federal, state, and local government officials, or to an attorney, for the sole purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law. The parties also have the right to disclose trade secrets in a document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, but only if the filing is made under seal and protected from public disclosure.
(iv) 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b) provides: "An individual shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any Federal or State trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that-(A) is made-(i) in confidence to a Federal, State, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (ii) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (B) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal." Nothing in this Agreement is intended to conflict with 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b) or create liability for disclosures of trade secrets that are expressly allowed by 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b). Accordingly, the parties to this Agreement have the right to disclose in confidence trade secrets to federal, state, and local government officials, or to an attorney, for the sole purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law. The parties also have the right to disclose trade secrets in a document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, but only if the filing is made under seal and protected from public disclosure.
(e) RETURN OF COMPANY PROPERTY. On the date of the Employee's termination of employment with the Company for any reason (or at any time prior thereto at the Company's request), the Employee shall return all property belonging to the Company or its affiliates (including, but not limited to, any Company-provided laptops, computers, cell phones, wireless electronic mail devices or other equipment, or documents and property belonging to the Company). The Employee may retain the Employee's rolodex and similar address books provided that such items only include contact information.
(f) REASONABLENESS OF COVENANTS. In signing this Agreement, the Employee gives the Company assurance that the Employee has carefully read and considered all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including the restraints imposed under this Section 9 hereof. The Employee agrees that these restraints are necessary for the reasonable and proper protection of the Company and its affiliates and their Confidential Information and that each and every one of the restraints is reasonable in respect to subject matter, length of time and geographic area, and that these restraints, individually or in the aggregate, will not prevent the Employee from obtaining other suitable employment during the period in which the Employee is bound by the restraints. The Employee acknowledges that each of these covenants has a unique, very substantial and immeasurable value to the Company and its affiliates and that the Employee has sufficient assets and skills to provide a livelihood while such covenants remain in force. The Employee further covenants that the Employee will not challenge the reasonableness or enforceability of any of the covenants set forth in this Section 9. It is also agreed that each of the Company's affiliates will have the right to enforce all of the Employee's obligations to that affiliate under this Agreement, including without limitation pursuant to this Section 9.
(g) REFORMATION. If it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in any state that any restriction in this Section 9 is excessive in duration or scope or is unreasonable or unenforceable under applicable law, it is the intention of the parties that such restriction may be modified or amended by the court to render it enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by the laws of that state.
(h) TOLLING. In the event of any violation of the provisions of this Section 9, the Employee acknowledges and agrees that the post-termination restrictions contained in this Section 9 shall be extended by a period of time equal to the period of such violation, it being the intention of the parties hereto that the running of the applicable post-termination restriction period shall be tolled during any period of such violation.
(i) SURVIVAL OF PROVISIONS. The obligations contained in Sections 9 and 10 hereof shall survive the termination or expiration of the Employment Term and the Employee's employment with the Company and shall be fully enforceable thereafter.
10. COOPERATION. Upon the receipt of reasonable notice from the Company (including outside counsel), the Employee agrees that while employed by the Company and thereafter, the Employee will respond and provide information with regard to matters in which the Employee has knowledge as a result of the Employee's employment with the Company, and will provide reasonable assistance to the Company, its affiliates and their respective representatives in defense of any claims that may be made against the Company or its affiliates, and will assist the Company and its affiliates in the prosecution of any claims that may be made by the Company or its affiliates, to the extent that such claims may relate to the period of the Employee's employment with the Company (collectively, the "Claims"). The Employee agrees to promptly inform the Company if the Employee becomes aware of any lawsuits involving Claims that may be filed or threatened against the Company or its affiliates. The Employee also agrees to promptly inform the Company (to the extent that the Employee is legally permitted to do so) if the Employee is asked to assist in any investigation of the Company or its affiliates (or their actions) or another party attempts to obtain information or documents from the Employee (other than in connection with any litigation or other proceeding in which the Employee is a party-in-opposition) with respect to matters the Employee believes in good faith to relate to any investigation of the Company or its affiliates, in each case, regardless of whether a lawsuit or other proceeding has then been filed against the Company or its affiliates with respect to such investigation, and shall not do so unless legally required. During the pendency of any litigation or other proceeding involving Claims, the Employee shall not communicate with anyone (other than the Employee's attorneys and tax and/or financial advisors and except to the extent that the Employee determines in good faith is necessary in connection with the performance of the Employee's duties hereunder) with respect to the facts or subject matter of any pending or potential litigation or regulatory or administrative proceeding involving the Company or any of its affiliates without giving prior written notice to the Company or the Company's counsel. Upon presentation of appropriate documentation, the Company shall pay or reimburse the Employee for all reasonable out-of-pocket travel, duplicating or telephonic expenses incurred by the Employee in complying with this Section 10.
11. WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted so as to impede the Employee (or any other individual) from reporting possible violations of federal law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity, including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Congress, and any agency Inspector General, or making other disclosures under the whistleblower provisions of federal law or regulation. The Employee does not need the prior authorization of the Company to make any such reports or disclosures and the Employee shall not be not required to notify the Company that such reports or disclosures have been made.
12. EQUITABLE RELIEF AND OTHER REMEDIES. The Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Company's remedies at law for a breach or threatened breach of any of the provisions of Section 9 or Section 10 hereof would be inadequate and, in recognition of this fact, the Employee agrees that, in the event of such a breach or threatened breach, in addition to any remedies at law, the Company, without posting any bond or other security, shall be entitled to obtain equitable relief in the form of specific performance, a temporary restraining order, a temporary or permanent injunction or any other equitable remedy which may then be available, without the necessity of showing actual monetary damages. In the event of a violation by the Employee of Section 9 or Section 10 hereof, any severance being paid to the Employee pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise shall immediately cease.
13. NO ASSIGNMENTS. This Agreement is personal to each of the parties hereto. Except as provided in this Section 13 hereof, no party may assign or delegate any rights or obligations hereunder without first obtaining the written consent of the other party hereto. The Company may assign this Agreement to any successor to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company, provided that the Company shall require such successor to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, "Company" shall mean the Company and any successor to its business and/or assets, which assumes and agrees to perform the duties and obligations of the Company under this Agreement by operation of law or otherwise.
14. NOTICE. For purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (a) on the date of delivery, if delivered by hand, (b) on the date of transmission, if delivered by confirmed facsimile or electronic mail, (c) on the first business day following the date of deposit, if delivered by guaranteed overnight delivery service, or (d) on the fourth business day following the date delivered or mailed by United States registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
| If to the Employee: At the address (or to the facsimile number) shown in the books and records of the Company. If to the Company: Dakota Gold Corp. 106 Glendale Drive, Suite A Lead, South Dakota 57754 Email: [email protected] |
or to such other address as either party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.
15. SECTION HEADINGS; INCONSISTENCY. The section headings used in this Agreement are included solely for convenience and shall not affect, or be used in connection with, the interpretation of this Agreement. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms of this Agreement and any form, award, plan or policy of the Company, the terms of this Agreement shall govern and control.
16. SEVERABILITY. The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in such jurisdiction or the validity, legality or enforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction, it being intended that all rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.
17. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.
18. INDEMNIFICATION. The Company hereby agrees to indemnify the Employee and hold the Employee harmless to the extent provided under the By-Laws of the Company against and in respect of any and all actions, suits, proceedings, claims, demands, judgments, costs, expenses (including reasonable attorney's fees), losses, and damages resulting from the Employee's good faith performance of the Employee's duties and obligations with the Company. This obligation shall survive the termination of the Employee's employment with the Company.
19. LIABILITY INSURANCE. The Company shall cover the Employee under directors' and officers' liability insurance both during and, while potential liability exists, after the term of this Agreement in the same amount and to the same extent as the Company covers its other officers and directors.
20. GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION. This Agreement, the rights and obligations of the parties hereto, and any claims or disputes relating thereto, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of South Dakota (without regard to its choice of law provisions). Each of the parties agrees that any dispute between the parties shall be resolved only in the courts of the State of South Dakota or the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota and the appellate courts having jurisdiction of appeals in such courts. In that context, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally (a) submits in any proceeding relating to this Agreement or the Employee's employment by the Company or any affiliate, or for the recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof (a "Proceeding"), to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of South Dakota, the court of the United States of America for the District of South Dakota, and appellate courts having jurisdiction of appeals from any of the foregoing, and agrees that all claims in respect of any such Proceeding shall be heard and determined in such South Dakota State court or, to the extent permitted by law, in such federal court, (b) consents that any such Proceeding may and shall be brought in such courts and waives any objection that the Employee or the Company may now or thereafter have to the venue or jurisdiction of any such Proceeding in any such court or that such Proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same, (c) waives all right to trial by jury in any Proceeding (whether based on contract, tort or otherwise) arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the Employee's employment by the Company or any affiliate of the Company, or the Employee's or the Company's performance under, or the enforcement of, this Agreement, (d) agrees that service of process in any such Proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy of such process by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to such party at the Employee's or the Company's address as provided in Section 14 hereof, and (e) agrees that nothing in this Agreement shall affect the right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by the laws of the State of South Dakota.
21. MISCELLANEOUS. No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by the Employee and such officer or director as may be designated by the Board or the Committee. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. This Agreement together with all exhibits hereto sets forth the entire agreement of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein and supersedes any and all prior agreements or understandings between the Employee and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof. No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either party which are not expressly set forth in this Agreement.
22. REPRESENTATIONS. The Employee represents and warrants to the Company that (a) the Employee has the legal right to enter into this Agreement and to perform all of the obligations on the Employee's part to be performed hereunder in accordance with its terms, and (b) the Employee is not a party to any agreement or understanding, written or oral, and is not subject to any restriction, which, in either case, could prevent the Employee from entering into this Agreement or performing all of the Employee's duties and obligations hereunder.
23. TAX MATTERS.
(a) WITHHOLDING. The Company may withhold from any and all amounts payable under this Agreement or otherwise such federal, state and local taxes as may be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
(b) SECTION 409A COMPLIANCE.
(i) The intent of the parties is that payments and benefits under this Agreement comply with Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder (collectively "Code Section 409A") and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Agreement shall be interpreted to be in compliance therewith. To the extent that any provision hereof is modified in order to comply with Code Section 409A, such modification shall be made in good faith and shall, to the maximum extent reasonably possible, maintain the original intent and economic benefit to the Employee and the Company of the applicable provision without violating the provisions of Code Section 409A. In no event whatsoever shall the Company be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalty that may be imposed on the Employee by Code Section 409A or damages for failing to comply with Code Section 409A.
(ii) A termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of any amounts or benefits upon or following a termination of employment unless such termination is also a "separation from service" within the meaning of Code Section 409A and, for purposes of any such provision of this Agreement, references to a "termination," "termination of employment" or like terms shall mean "separation from service." Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if the Employee is deemed on the date of termination to be a "specified employee" within the meaning of that term under Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B), then with regard to any payment or the provision of any benefit that is considered deferred compensation under Code Section 409A payable on account of a "separation from service," such payment or benefit shall not be made or provided until the date which is the earlier of (A) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of such "separation from service" of the Employee, and (B) the date of the Employee's death, to the extent required under Code Section 409A. Upon the expiration of the foregoing delay period, all payments and benefits delayed pursuant to this Section 23(b)(ii) (whether they would have otherwise been payable in a single sum or in installments in the absence of such delay) shall be paid or reimbursed to the Employee in a lump sum, and any remaining payments and benefits due under this Agreement shall be paid or provided in accordance with the normal payment dates specified for them herein.
(iii) To the extent that reimbursements or other in-kind benefits under this Agreement constitute "nonqualified deferred compensation" for purposes of Code Section 409A, (A) all expenses or other reimbursements hereunder shall be made on or prior to the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which such expenses were incurred by the Employee, (B) any right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit, and (C) no such reimbursement, expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided in any taxable year shall in any way affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other taxable year.
(iv) For purposes of Code Section 409A, the Employee's right to receive any installment payments pursuant to this Agreement shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate and distinct payments. Whenever a payment under this Agreement specifies a payment period with reference to a number of days, the actual date of payment within the specified period shall be within the sole discretion of the Company.
(v) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in no event shall any payment under this Agreement that constitutes "nonqualified deferred compensation" for purposes of Code Section 409A be subject to offset by any other amount unless otherwise permitted by Code Section 409A.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
| DAKOTA GOLD CORP. By: "Jonathan Awde" Name: Jonathan Awde Title: President & Chief Executive Officer |
|
| "Patrick Malone" PATRICK MALONE |
Schedule A
Form of General Release
Please see attached.
GENERAL RELEASE OF CLAIMS
This General Release (this "Release") is entered into as of this ____ day of ____________, 20__, by and between Dakota Gold Corp., a Nevada corporation (the "Company"), and _____________, an employee of the Company (the "Employee") (collectively, the "Parties").
WHEREAS, the Employee is a party to an employment agreement with the Company dated as of [•] (the "Employment Agreement"), which governs the terms and conditions applicable to the Employee's termination of employment under certain circumstances;
WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Employment Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide the Employee certain benefits and payments under the terms and conditions specified therein, provided that the Employee has executed and not revoked a general release of claims in favor of the Company;
WHEREAS, the Employee's employment with the Company is being terminated effective __________ __, 20__; and
WHEREAS, the Parties wish to terminate their relationship amicably and to resolve, fully and finally, all actual and potential claims and disputes relating to the Employee's employment with and termination from the Company and all other relationships between the Employee and the Company, up to and including the date of execution of this Release.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the promises and mutual covenants contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are expressly acknowledged, the Parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:
1. Termination of Employment. The Employee's employment with the Company shall terminate on __________ __, 20__ (the "Termination Date").
2. Severance Benefits. Pursuant to the terms of the Employment Agreement, and in consideration of the Employee's release of claims and the other covenants and agreements contained herein and therein, and provided that the Employee has signed this Release and delivered it to the Company and has not exercised any revocation rights as provided in Section 6 below, the Company shall provide the severance benefits described in Section 7(d) of the Employment Agreement (the "Benefits") in the time and manner provided therein; provided, however, that the Company's obligations will be excused if the Employee breaches the provisions of Section 9 of the Employment Agreement. The Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Benefits constitute consideration beyond that which the Company would be obligated to provide, or the Employee would be entitled to receive, but for the mutual covenants set forth in this Release and the covenants contained in the Employment Agreement.
3. Effective Date. Provided that it has not been revoked pursuant to Section 6 hereof, this Release will become effective on the eighth (8th) day after the date of its execution by the Employee (the "Effective Date").
4. Effect of Revocation. The Employee acknowledges and agrees that if the Employee revokes this Release pursuant to Section 6 hereof, the Employee will have no right to receive the Benefits.
5. General Release. In consideration of the Company's obligations, the Employee hereby releases, acquits and forever discharges the Company and each of its subsidiaries and affiliates and each of their respective officers, employees, directors, agents, successors and assigns (collectively, the "Released Parties") from any and all claims, actions or causes of action in any way related to Employee's employment with the Company or the termination thereof, whether arising from tort, statute or contract, including, but not limited to, claims of defamation, claims arising under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended by the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act of 1990, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the discrimination and wage payment laws of the state in which Employee is employed and any other federal, state or local statutes or ordinances of the United States, it being the Employee's intention and the intention of the Company to make this release as broad and as general as the law permits. The Employee understands that this Release does not waive any rights or claims that may arise after Employee's execution of it and does not apply to claims arising under the terms of the Plan with respect to payments the Employee may be owed pursuant to the terms thereof.
6. Review and Revocation Period. The Employee acknowledges that the Company has advised the Employee that the Employee may consult with an attorney of the Employee's own choosing (and at the Employee's expense) prior to signing this Release and that the Employee has been given at least forty-five (45) days during which to consider the provisions of this Release, although the Employee may sign and return it sooner. The Employee further acknowledges that the Employee has been advised by the Company that after executing this Release, the Employee will have seven (7) days to revoke this Release, and that this Release shall not become effective or enforceable until such seven (7) day revocation period has expired. The Employee acknowledges and agrees that if the Employee wishes to revoke this Release, the Employee must do so in writing, and that such revocation must be signed by the Employee and received by [_______________] no later than 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time on the seventh (7th) day after the Employee has executed this Release. The Employee further acknowledges and agrees that, in the event that the Employee revokes this Release, the Employee will have no right to receive any benefits hereunder, including the Benefits. The Employee represents that the Employee has read this Release and understands its terms and enters into this Release freely, voluntarily and without coercion.
7. Restrictive Covenants. The Employee reaffirms his/her commitments in Section 9 of the Employment Agreement.
8. Cooperation in Litigation. The Employee reaffirms his/her commitments in Section 10 of the Employment Agreement.
9. Warranties. Employee warrants and represents as follows:
i. Employee has read this Release in its entirety, and Employee agrees to the conditions and obligations set forth in it.
ii. Employee is voluntarily executing this Release without being pressured or influenced by any statement or representation or omission of any person acting on behalf of the Company or the other Released Parties.
iii. Employee has no knowledge of the existence of any lawsuit, charge, or proceeding against the Released Parties arising out of or otherwise connected with any of the matters herein released. In the event that any such lawsuit, charge, or proceeding has been filed, Employee immediately will take all actions necessary to withdraw or terminate that lawsuit, charge, or proceeding, unless the requirement for such withdrawal or termination is prohibited by applicable law.
iv. Employee understands that nothing contained in this Release limits Employee's ability to file a charge or complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other federal, state or local governmental agency or commission ("Government Agencies"). Employee further understands that this Release does not limit Employee's ability to communicate with any Government Agencies or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any Government Agency, including providing documents or other information, without notice to the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Employee waives any right to any monetary recovery or other relief should any party, including, without limitation, any federal, state or local governmental entity or administrative agency, pursue any claims on Employee's behalf arising out of, relating to, or in any way connected with the claims release pursuant to Section 5, above, provided, however, this Agreement does not limit Employee's right to receive a reward for information provided to any Government Agencies.
V. Employee has not previously disclosed any information, the disclosure of which would be a violation of the confidentiality commitments in Section 9(a) of the Employment Agreement.
vi. Employee has full and complete legal capacity to enter into this Agreement.
10. Non-Admission of Liability. Nothing in this Release will be construed as an admission of liability by the Employee or the Released Parties; rather, the Employee and the Released Parties are resolving all matters arising out of the employer-employee relationship between the Employee and the Company and all other relationships between the Employee and the Released Parties.
11. Statutory Disclosure. Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b), Employee will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any Federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates that (A) is made (x) in confidence to a Federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to Employee's attorney and (y) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (B) is made in a complaint or other document that is filed under seal in a lawsuit or other proceeding. If Employee files a lawsuit for retaliation by the Company for reporting a suspected violation of law, Employee may disclose the trade secret to Employee's attorney and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if Employee files any document containing the trade secret under seal, and does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to conflict with 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b) or create liability for disclosures of trade secrets that are expressly allowed by such section.
13. Binding Effect. This Release will be binding upon the Parties and their respective heirs, administrators, representatives, executors, successors and assigns, and will inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective heirs, administrators, representatives, executors, successors and assigns.
13. Governing Law. This Release will be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of South Dakota applicable to agreements negotiated, entered into and wholly to be performed therein, without regard to its conflicts of law or choice of law provisions which would result in the application of the law of any other jurisdiction.
14. Severability. Each of the respective rights and obligations of the Parties hereunder will be deemed independent and may be enforced independently irrespective of any of the other rights and obligations set forth herein. If any provision of this Release should be held illegal or invalid, such illegality or invalidity will not affect in any way other provisions hereof, all of which will continue, nevertheless, in full force and effect.
15. Counterparts. This Release may be signed in counterparts. Each counterpart will be deemed to be an original, but together all such counterparts will be deemed a single agreement.
16. Entire Agreement; Modification. This Release constitutes the entire understanding between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and may not be modified without the express written consent of both Parties. This Release supersedes all prior written and/or oral and all contemporaneous oral agreements, understandings and negotiations regarding its subject matter. This Release may not be modified or canceled in any manner except by a writing signed by both Parties.
17. Acceptance. The Employee may confirm acceptance of the terms and conditions of this Release by signing and returning two (2) original copies of this Release to [_____________________], no later than 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time forty five (45) days after the Employee's Termination Date.
THE EMPLOYEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND REPRESENTS THAT THE EMPLOYEE HAS FULLY AND CAREFULLY READ THIS RELEASE PRIOR TO SIGNING IT AND UNDERSTANDS ITS TERMS. THE EMPLOYEE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE EMPLOYEE HAS BEEN, OR HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE, ADVISED BY INDEPENDENT LEGAL COUNSEL OF THE EMPLOYEE'S OWN CHOICE AS TO THE LEGAL EFFECT AND MEANING OF EACH OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS RELEASE, AND IS ENTERING INTO THIS RELEASE FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY AND NOT IN RELIANCE ON ANY PROMISES OR REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH IN THIS RELEASE.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Employee have duly executed this Release as of the date first above written.
| DAKOTA GOLD CORP. | EMPLOYEE |
| By:___________________________________ | _________________________ |
| Name: |
DAKOTA GOLD (CANADA) SERVICES CORP.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") dated as of April 19, 2024, between Dakota Gold (Canada) Services Corp., a British Columbia corporation (the "Company"), and Shawn Campbell (the "Employee").
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, the Company desires to continue to employ the Employee as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company; and
WHEREAS, the Company and the Employee desire to enter into this Agreement as to the terms of the Employee's continued employment with the Company.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises contained herein and of other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1. POSITION AND DUTIES.
(a) During the Employment Term (as defined in Section 2 hereof), the Employee shall serve as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company. In addition, the Employee will provide Chief Financial Officer and other management services for Dakota Gold Corp. ("Dakota Gold"), a Nevada company, pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of a Management Services Agreement between the Company and Dakota Gold (the "Services Agreement"). In this capacity, the Employee shall have the duties, authorities and responsibilities commensurate with the duties, authorities and responsibilities of persons in similar capacities in similarly sized companies, and such other duties, authorities and responsibilities as may reasonably be assigned to the Employee that are not inconsistent with the Employee's position as Chief Financial Officer of the Company. The Employee acknowledges that they are a fiduciary of the Company and Dakota Gold and agrees to abide by and fulfill their fiduciary obligations both during and following the termination of their employment with the Company. The Employee's principal place of employment with the Company shall be in Vancouver, British Columbia, provided that the Employee understands and agrees that the Employee may be required to travel from time to time for business purposes. The Employee is permitted to work remotely on a schedule at the Employee's discretion, provided the Employee is able to complete his duties under this Agreement. The Employee shall report directly to Chief Executive Officer.
(b) During the Employment Term, the Employee shall devote all of the Employee's business time, energy, business judgment, knowledge and skill and the Employee's best efforts to the performance of the Employee's duties with the Company, provided that the foregoing shall not prevent the Employee from (i) serving on the boards of directors of non-profit organizations and, with the prior written approval of the Board of Directors of Dakota Gold (the "Board"), other for profit companies, (ii) participating in charitable, civic, educational, professional, community or industry affairs, and (iii) managing the Employee's passive personal investments so long as such activities in the aggregate do not interfere or conflict with the Employee's duties hereunder or create a potential business or fiduciary conflict. Nothing in this Agreement shall be interpreted to prevent the Employee from providing executive services, exclusively on behalf of and through the Company, to Dakota Gold pursuant to the Services Agreement.
2. EMPLOYMENT TERM. The Company agrees to employ the Employee pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and the Employee agrees to be so employed, for an indefinite period commencing as of the date hereof (the "Effective Date"). The Company agrees to recognize the Employee's prior service with Dakota Territory Resource Corp. beginning on or about June 1, 2021 and that such prior service shall be recognized for all purposes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Employee's employment hereunder may be terminated in accordance with Section 7 hereof, subject to Section 8 hereof. The period of time between the Effective Date and the termination of the Employee's employment hereunder shall be referred to herein as the "Employment Term."
3. BASE SALARY. The Company agrees to pay the Employee a base salary at an annual rate of not less than US$225,000, payable in CDN dollars at the then prevailing exchange rate in accordance with the regular payroll practices of the Company, but not less frequently than monthly. The Employee's Base Salary shall be subject to annual review by the Board (or a committee thereof) and may be adjusted from time to time by the Board. The base salary as determined herein and adjusted from time to time shall constitute "Base Salary" for purposes of this Agreement.
4. ANNUAL BONUS. During the Employment Term, the Employee shall be eligible to receive an annual discretionary incentive payment under the Company's annual bonus plan as may be in effect from time to time (the "Annual Bonus") based on a target bonus opportunity of at least 50% of the Employee's Base Salary (the "Target Bonus"), upon the attainment of one or more pre-established performance goals established by the Board or Dakota Gold's Compensation Committee (the "Committee") in its sole discretion. The Employee acknowledges that (i) there is no expectation that there will be any guaranteed payment of an Annual Bonus; (ii) the amount the Employee may receive as an Annual Bonus may change from year to year; (iii) the terms of the Annual Bonus may change at the sole discretion of the Company; and (iv) any Annual Bonus payments are subject to applicable deductions and withholdings.
5. STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN. You will be eligible to participate in Dakota Gold's securities-based compensation plans, including its 2022 Stock Incentive Plan, and will receive long-term incentive compensation as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.
6. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.
(a) BENEFIT PLANS. During the Employment Term, the Employee shall be eligible to participate in any employee benefit plan that the Company has adopted or may adopt, maintain or contribute to for the benefit of its executives and employees generally, subject to satisfying the applicable eligibility requirements, except to the extent such plans are duplicative of the benefits otherwise provided to hereunder. The Employee's participation will be subject to the terms of the applicable plan documents and generally applicable Company policies. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may modify or terminate any employee benefit plan at any time.
(b) VACATIONS. During the Employment Term, the Employee shall be entitled to four weeks of paid vacation per calendar year (as prorated for partial years) in accordance with the Company's policy on accrual and use applicable to employees as in effect from time to time, without carryforward of unused vacation time from any calendar year to any future calendar year, except as required by applicable law. Vacation may be taken at such times and intervals as the Employee determines, subject to the business needs of the Company and prior approval of the Chief Executive Officer.
(c) BUSINESS AND ENTERTAINMENT EXPENSES. Upon presentation of reasonable substantiation and documentation as the Company may specify from time to time, the Employee shall be reimbursed in accordance with the Company's expense reimbursement policy, for all reasonable out-of-pocket business and entertainment expenses incurred and paid by the Employee during the Employment Term and in connection with the performance of the Employee's duties hereunder, including all travel expenses, parking, cell phone, laptop, and entertainment expenses.
7. TERMINATION. The Employee's employment and the Employment Term shall terminate on the first of the following to occur:
(a) DISABILITY. Upon 10 days' prior written notice by the Company to the Employee of termination due to Disability. For purposes of this Agreement, "Disability" shall be defined as the inability of the Employee to have performed the Employee's material duties hereunder due to a physical or mental injury, infirmity or incapacity for 180 days (including weekends and holidays) in any 365-day period, as determined by the Board in its reasonable discretion.
(b) DEATH. Automatically upon the date of death of the Employee.
(c) CAUSE. Immediately upon written notice by the Company to the Employee of a termination for Cause. "Cause" shall mean:
(i) the continued failure by the Employee to substantially perform his duties with the Company after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to the Employee by the Chief Executive Officer, which demand specifically identifies the manner in which the Chief Executive Officer believes that the Employee has not substantially performed his duties, and the Employee demonstrably fails to cure such failure within 30 days after receipt of such demand;
(ii) the engaging by employee in conduct which is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Company, monetarily or otherwise (including the Board's determination of conduct that constitutes a violation of any securities laws in the United States or Canada, whether federal, state or provincial);
(iii) the Employee's conviction for the commission of a felony;
(iv) action by the Employee toward the Company involving dishonesty; or
(v) the existence of just cause for termination of employment at common law.
(d) WITHOUT CAUSE. Immediately upon termination of the Employee by the Company without Cause (other than for death or Disability).
(e) GOOD REASON. Upon written notice by the Employee to the Company of a termination for Good Reason; provided, however, that the Employee may only terminate the Employee's employment with the Company for Good Reason to the extent that such Good Reason occurs within three months prior to, or within 12 months after, a Change in Control (as defined in Dakota Gold's incentive equity plan, as in effect from time to time) (such period, the "Change in Control Period"). "Good Reason" shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events, without the express written consent of the Employee, unless such events are fully corrected in all material respects by the Company within 30 days following written notification by the Employee to the Company of the occurrence of one of the reasons set forth below:
(i) material diminution in the Employee's Base Salary as a result of the Change in Control;
(ii) material diminution in the Employee's duties, authorities or responsibilities (other than temporarily while physically or mentally incapacitated or as required by applicable law) as a result of the Change in Control; or
(iii) requirement to relocate the Employee's primary work location by more than 50 miles from its then current location as a result of the Change in Control.
The Employee shall provide the Company with a written notice detailing the specific circumstances alleged to constitute Good Reason within 90 days after the first occurrence of such circumstances, and actually terminate employment within 30 days following the expiration of the Company's 30-day cure period described above. Otherwise, any claim of such circumstances as "Good Reason" shall be deemed irrevocably waived by the Employee.
(f) WITHOUT GOOD REASON. Upon four weeks' prior written notice by the Employee to the Company of the Employee's voluntary resignation of employment without Good Reason (which the Company may, in its sole discretion, make effective earlier than any notice date).
8. CONSEQUENCES OF TERMINATION.
(a) DEATH. In the event that the Employee's employment and the Employment Term ends on account of the Employee's death, the Employee or the Employee's estate, as the case may be, shall be entitled to the following (with the amounts due under Sections 8(a)(i) through 8(a)(iv) hereof to be paid within 60 days following termination of employment, or such earlier date as may be required by applicable law):
(i) any unpaid Base Salary through the date of termination;
(ii) any Annual Bonus earned but unpaid with respect to the fiscal year ending on or preceding the date of termination;
(iii) reimbursement for any unreimbursed business expenses incurred through the date of termination;
(iv) any accrued but unused vacation pay; and
(v) all other payments, benefits or fringe benefits to which the Employee shall be entitled under the terms of any applicable compensation arrangement or benefit, equity or fringe benefit plan or program or grant or this Agreement (collectively, Sections 8(a)(i) through 8(a)(v) hereof shall be hereafter referred to as the "Accrued Benefits").
(b) DISABILITY. In the event that the Employee's employment and/or Employment Term ends on account of the Employee's Disability, the Company shall pay or provide the Employee with the Accrued Benefits.
(c) TERMINATION FOR CAUSE OR WITHOUT GOOD REASON. If the Employee's employment is terminated (x) by the Company for Cause, or (y) by the Employee without Good Reason, the Company shall pay to the Employee the Accrued Benefits other than the benefit described in Section 8(a)(ii) hereof.
(d) TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE OR FOR GOOD REASON. If the Employee's employment by the Company is terminated (x) by the Company other than for Cause, or (y) by the Employee for Good Reason, the Company shall pay or provide the Employee with the following, subject to the provisions of Section 26 hereof:
(i) the Accrued Benefits;
(ii) subject to the Employee's continued compliance with the obligations in Sections 9, 10 and 11 hereof, a pro-rata portion of the Employee's Annual Bonus for the fiscal year in which the Employee's termination occurs based on the estimated actual results for such year (determined by multiplying the amount of such bonus which would be due for the full fiscal year by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days during the fiscal year of termination that the Employee is employed by the Company and the denominator of which is 365);
(iii) subject to the Employee's continued compliance with the obligations in Sections 9, 10 and 11 hereof, an amount equal to the sum of (A) one and a half times (1.5x) the Employee's Base Salary and (B) one and a half times (1.5x) the amount of the Employee's Annual Bonus deemed to equal 75% of the Base Salary; and
(iv) any stock options or any other equity or any other incentive units granted to the Employee by Dakota Gold, whether currently outstanding or granted in the future, as of the date of termination, shall become fully vested (with performance-based awards earned at "target") and notwithstanding any term of Dakota Gold's plans to the contrary, stock options shall remain exercisable for their original term granted and shall not terminate due to the Employee's termination. The terms of any stock option agreement or other equity incentive agreement between the Employee and Dakota Gold shall be deemed amended to reflect the terms of this section.
Except as set out in this Section 8(d), no further amounts, benefits or entitlements will be payable to the Employee whether pursuant to statute, the common law, or otherwise, in respect of the termination of the Employee's employment for any reason. For certainty, in no event will the Employee receive less than their minimum employment standards entitlements in connection with the termination of their employment.
(e) EXCLUSIVE REMEDY. The amounts payable to the Employee following termination of employment and the Employment Term hereunder pursuant to Sections 7 and 8 hereof shall be in full and complete satisfaction of the Employee's rights under this Agreement and any other claims that the Employee may have in respect of the Employee's employment with the Company or any of its affiliates, and the Employee acknowledges that such amounts are fair and reasonable, and are the Employee's sole and exclusive remedy, in lieu of all other remedies under statute or at common law with respect to the termination of the Employee's employment hereunder or any breach of this Agreement.
9. RELEASE; NO MITIGATION. Any and all amounts payable and benefits or additional rights provided pursuant to this Agreement beyond the Accrued Benefits (other than amounts described in Section 8(a)(iii) hereof) in excess of amounts required to be paid as required by the applicable employment standards legislation, shall only be payable if the Employee delivers to the Company a general release of claims in favor of the Company substantially in the form attached hereto as Schedule A. Such release shall be executed and delivered within 7 days following termination. In no event shall the Employee be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to the Employee under any of the provisions of this Agreement, nor shall the amount of any payment hereunder be reduced by any compensation earned by the Employee as a result of employment by a subsequent employer.
10. RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS.
(a) CONFIDENTIALITY. During the course of the Employee's employment with the Company, the Employee has had and will continue to have access to Confidential Information. For purposes of this Agreement, "Confidential Information" means all data, information, ideas, concepts, discoveries, trade secrets, inventions (whether or not patentable or reduced to practice), innovations, improvements, know-how, developments, techniques, methods, processes, treatments, drawings, sketches, specifications, designs, plans, patterns, models, plans and strategies, and all other confidential or proprietary information or trade secrets in any form or medium (whether merely remembered or embodied in a tangible or intangible form or medium) whether now or hereafter existing, relating to or arising from the past, current or potential business, activities and/or operations of the Company or any of its affiliates, including, without limitation, any such information relating to or concerning finances, sales, marketing, advertising, transition, promotions, pricing, personnel, customers, suppliers, vendors, raw partners and/or competitors. The Employee agrees that the Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, use, make available, sell, disclose or otherwise communicate to any person, other than in the course of the Employee's assigned duties and for the benefit of the Company, either during the period of the Employee's employment or at any time thereafter, any Confidential Information or other confidential or proprietary information received from third parties subject to a duty on the Company's and its subsidiaries' and affiliates' part to maintain the confidentiality of such information, and to use such information only for certain limited purposes, in each case, which shall have been obtained by the Employee during the Employee's employment by the Company (or any predecessor). The foregoing shall not apply to information that (i) was known to the public prior to its disclosure to the Employee; (ii) becomes generally known to the public subsequent to disclosure to the Employee through no wrongful act of the Employee or any representative of the Employee; or (iii) the Employee is required to disclose by applicable law, regulation or legal process (provided that the Employee provides the Company with prior notice of the contemplated disclosure and cooperates with the Company at its expense in seeking a protective order or other appropriate protection of such information).
(b) NONSOLICITATION; NONINTERFERENCE.
(i) During the Employee's employment with the Company and for a period of 1 year thereafter, the Employee agrees that the Employee shall not, except in the furtherance of the Employee's duties hereunder, directly or indirectly, individually or on behalf of any other person, firm, corporation or other entity, (A) solicit, aid or induce any employee, representative or agent of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates to leave such employment or retention or to accept employment with or render services to or with any other person, firm, corporation or other entity unaffiliated with the Company or take any action to materially assist or aid any other person, firm, corporation or other entity in identifying or soliciting any such employee, representative or agent, or (B) interfere, or aid or induce any other person or entity in interfering, with the relationship between the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates and any of their respective vendors, joint venturers or licensors. An employee, representative or agent shall be deemed covered by this Section 10(b)(i) while so employed or retained and for a period of 6 months thereafter.
(ii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this Section 10(b) shall not be violated by (A) general advertising or solicitation not specifically targeted at Company-related persons or entities, (B) the Employee serving as a reference, upon request, for any employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates so long as such reference is not for an entity that is employing or retaining the Employee, or (C) actions taken by any person or entity with which the Employee is associated if the Employee is not personally involved in any manner in the matter and has not identified such Company-related person or entity for soliciting.
(c) NONDISPARAGEMENT. The Employee agrees not to make negative comments or otherwise disparage the Company or its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, shareholders, agents or products other than in the good faith performance of the Employee's duties to the Company while the Employee is employed by the Company. The foregoing shall not be violated by truthful statements in response to legal process, required governmental testimony or filings, or administrative or arbitral proceedings (including, without limitation, examinations for discovery in connection with such proceedings).
(d) INVENTIONS. (i) The Employee acknowledges and agrees that all ideas, methods, inventions, discoveries, improvements, work products, developments, software, know-how, processes, techniques, works of authorship and other work product, whether patentable or unpatentable, (A) that are reduced to practice, created, invented, designed, developed, contributed to, or improved with the use of any Company resources and/or within the scope of the Employee's work with the Company or that relate to the business, operations or actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the Company, and that are made or conceived by the Employee, solely or jointly with others, during the Employment Term, or (B) suggested by any work that the Employee performs in connection with the Company, either while performing the Employee's duties with the Company or on the Employee's own time, shall belong exclusively to the Company (or its designee), whether or not patent or other applications for intellectual property protection are filed thereon (the "Inventions"). The Employee will keep full and complete written records (the "Records"), in the manner prescribed by the Company, of all Inventions, and will promptly disclose all Inventions completely and in writing to the Company. The Records shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company, and the Employee will surrender them upon the termination of the Employment Term, or upon the Company's request. The Employee irrevocably conveys, transfers, quit-claim and assigns to the Company the Inventions and all patents or other intellectual property rights that may issue thereon in any and all countries, whether during or subsequent to the Employment Term, together with the right to file, in the Employee's name or in the name of the Company (or its designee), applications for patents and equivalent rights (the "Applications"). The Employee will, at any time during and subsequent to the Employment Term, make such applications, sign such papers, take all rightful oaths, and perform all other acts as may be requested from time to time by the Company to perfect, record, enforce, protect, patent or register the Company's rights in the Inventions, all without additional compensation to the Employee from the Company. The Employee will also execute assignments to the Company (or its designee) of the Applications and give the Company and its attorneys all reasonable assistance (including the giving of testimony) to obtain the Inventions for the Company's benefit, all without additional compensation to the Employee from the Company, but entirely at the Company's expense.
(ii) In addition, the Inventions will be deemed "works made in the course of employment", as such term is defined under the Section 13(3) of the Canadian Copyright Act, on behalf of the Company and the Employee agrees that the Company will be deemed first owner of the Inventions, and all underlying rights therein, in all media now known or hereinafter devised, throughout the universe and in perpetuity without any further obligations to the Employee. If the Inventions, or any portion thereof, are deemed not to be "works made in the course of employment", or the rights in such Inventions do not otherwise automatically vest in the Company, the Employee hereby grants the Company an exclusive, fully paid up, royalty-free, transferable, irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide license (with rights to sublicence) to use, exploit and practice such non-assignable Inventions. The Employee irrevocably conveys, transfers and assigns to the Company, all rights, in all media now known or hereinafter devised, throughout the universe and in perpetuity, in and to the Inventions, including, without limitation, all of the Employee's right, title and interest in the copyrights (and all renewals, revivals and extensions thereof) to the Inventions, including, without limitation, all rights of any kind or any nature now or hereafter recognized, including, without limitation, the unrestricted right to make modifications, adaptations and revisions to the Inventions, to exploit and allow others to exploit the Inventions and all rights to sue at law or in equity for any infringement, or other unauthorized use or conduct in derogation of the Inventions, known or unknown, prior to the date hereof, including, without limitation, the right to receive all proceeds and damages therefrom. In addition, the Employee hereby waives any so-called "moral rights" with respect to the Inventions. To the extent that the Employee has any rights in the results and proceeds of the Employee's service to the Company that cannot be assigned in the manner described herein, the Employee agrees to unconditionally waive the enforcement of such rights. The Employee hereby waives any and all currently existing and future monetary rights in and to the Inventions and all patents and other registrations for intellectual property that may issue thereon, including, without limitation, any rights that would otherwise accrue to the Employee's benefit by virtue of the Employee being an employee of or other service provider to the Company.
(iii) The parties to this Agreement have the right to disclose in confidence trade secrets to federal, state, provincial, and local government officials, or to legal counsel, for the sole purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law. The parties also have the right to disclose trade secrets in a document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, but only if the filing is made under seal and protected from public disclosure.
(e) RETURN OF COMPANY PROPERTY. On the date of the Employee's termination of employment with the Company for any reason (or at any time prior thereto at the Company's request), the Employee shall return all property belonging to the Company or its affiliates (including, but not limited to, any Company-provided laptops, computers, cell phones, wireless electronic mail devices or other equipment, or documents and property belonging to the Company). The Employee may retain the Employee's rolodex and similar address books provided that such items only include contact information.
(f) REASONABLENESS OF COVENANTS. In signing this Agreement, the Employee gives the Company assurance that the Employee has carefully read and considered all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including the restraints imposed under this Section 10 hereof. The Employee agrees that these restraints are necessary for the reasonable and proper protection of the Company and its affiliates and their Confidential Information and that each and every one of the restraints is reasonable in respect to subject matter, length of time and geographic area, and that these restraints, individually or in the aggregate, will not prevent the Employee from obtaining other suitable employment during the period in which the Employee is bound by the restraints. The Employee acknowledges that each of these covenants has a unique, very substantial and immeasurable value to the Company and its affiliates and that the Employee has sufficient assets and skills to provide a livelihood while such covenants remain in force. The Employee further covenants that the Employee will not challenge the reasonableness or enforceability of any of the covenants set forth in this Section 10. It is also agreed that each of the Company's affiliates will have the right to enforce all of the Employee's obligations to that affiliate under this Agreement, including without limitation pursuant to this Section 10.
(g) REFORMATION. If it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that any restriction in this Section 10 is excessive in duration or scope or is unreasonable or unenforceable under applicable law, it is the intention of the parties that such restriction may be modified or amended by the court to render it enforceable to the maximum extent permitted.
(h) TOLLING. In the event of any violation of the provisions of this Section 10, the Employee acknowledges and agrees that the post-termination restrictions contained in this Section 10 shall be extended by a period of time equal to the period of such violation, it being the intention of the parties hereto that the running of the applicable post-termination restriction period shall be tolled during any period of such violation.
(i) SURVIVAL OF PROVISIONS. The obligations contained in Sections 10 and 11 hereof shall survive the termination or expiration of the Employment Term and the Employee's employment with the Company and shall be fully enforceable thereafter.
11. COOPERATION. Upon the receipt of reasonable notice from the Company (including outside counsel), the Employee agrees that while employed by the Company and thereafter, the Employee will respond and provide information with regard to matters in which the Employee has knowledge as a result of the Employee's employment with the Company, and will provide reasonable assistance to the Company, its affiliates and their respective representatives in defense of any claims that may be made against the Company or its affiliates, and will assist the Company and its affiliates in the prosecution of any claims that may be made by the Company or its affiliates, to the extent that such claims may relate to the period of the Employee's employment with the Company (collectively, the "Claims"). The Employee agrees to promptly inform the Company if the Employee becomes aware of any lawsuits involving Claims that may be filed or threatened against the Company or its affiliates. The Employee also agrees to promptly inform the Company (to the extent that the Employee is legally permitted to do so) if the Employee is asked to assist in any investigation of the Company or its affiliates (or their actions) or another party attempts to obtain information or documents from the Employee (other than in connection with any litigation or other proceeding in which the Employee is an adverse party) with respect to matters the Employee believes in good faith to relate to any investigation of the Company or its affiliates, in each case, regardless of whether a lawsuit or other proceeding has then been filed against the Company or its affiliates with respect to such investigation, and shall not do so unless legally required. During the pendency of any litigation or other proceeding involving Claims, the Employee shall not communicate with anyone (other than the Employee's legal counsel and tax and/or financial advisors and except to the extent that the Employee determines in good faith is necessary in connection with the performance of the Employee's duties hereunder) with respect to the facts or subject matter of any pending or potential litigation or regulatory or administrative proceeding involving the Company or any of its affiliates without giving prior written notice to the Company or the Company's counsel. Upon presentation of appropriate documentation, the Company shall pay or reimburse the Employee for all reasonable out-of-pocket travel, duplicating or telephonic expenses incurred by the Employee in complying with this Section 11.
12. WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted so as to impede the Employee (or any other individual) from reporting possible violations of federal, provincial or local law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity, or making other disclosures under the whistleblower provisions of federal, provincial, or local law or regulation. The Employee does not need the prior authorization of the Company or Dakota Gold to make any such reports or disclosures and the Employee shall not be not required to notify the Company or Dakota Gold that such reports or disclosures have been made.
13. EQUITABLE RELIEF AND OTHER REMEDIES. The Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Company's remedies at law for a breach or threatened breach of any of the provisions of Section 10 or Section 11 hereof would be inadequate and, in recognition of this fact, the Employee agrees that, in the event of such a breach or threatened breach, in addition to any remedies at law, the Company, without posting any bond or other security, shall be entitled to obtain equitable relief in the form of specific performance, a temporary restraining order, a temporary or permanent injunction or any other equitable remedy which may then be available, without the necessity of showing actual monetary damages. In the event of a violation by the Employee of Section 10 or Section 11 hereof, any amounts not yet paid pursuant to section 7(d) will not be paid except as required by applicable law.
14. NO ASSIGNMENTS. This Agreement is personal to each of the parties hereto. Except as provided in this Section 14 hereof, no party may assign or delegate any rights or obligations hereunder without first obtaining the written consent of the other party hereto. The Company may assign this Agreement to any successor to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company, provided that the Company shall require such successor to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, "Company" shall mean the Company and any successor to its business and/or assets, which assumes and agrees to perform the duties and obligations of the Company under this Agreement by operation of law or otherwise.
15. NOTICE. For purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (a) on the date of delivery, if delivered by hand, (b) on the date of transmission, if delivered by confirmed facsimile or electronic mail, (c) on the first business day following the date of deposit, if delivered by guaranteed overnight delivery service, or (d) on the fourth business day following the date delivered or mailed by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
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If to the Employee:
At the address (or to the email address) shown
If to the Company: Dakota Gold (Canada) Services Corp. 106 Glendale Drive, Suite A Lead, South Dakota 57754 Attention: Chief Executive Officer Email: [email protected] |
or to such other address as either party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.
16. SECTION HEADINGS; INCONSISTENCY. The section headings used in this Agreement are included solely for convenience and shall not affect, or be used in connection with, the interpretation of this Agreement. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms of this Agreement and any form, award, plan or policy of the Company, the terms of this Agreement shall govern and control.
17. SEVERABILITY. The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in such jurisdiction or the validity, legality or enforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction, it being intended that all rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.
18. WAIVER. Failure to require compliance with any provision or condition provided under this Agreement at any one time, or several times, shall not be deemed a waiver or relinquishment of such provision of condition by either party at any other time.
19. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.
20. INDEMNIFICATION. The Company hereby agrees to indemnify the Employee and hold the Employee harmless to the extent provided under the By-Laws of the Company against and in respect of any and all actions, suits, proceedings, claims, demands, judgments, costs, expenses (including reasonable attorney's fees), losses, and damages resulting from the Employee's good faith performance of the Employee's duties and obligations with the Company. This obligation shall survive the termination of the Employee's employment with the Company.
21. LIABILITY INSURANCE. The Company shall cover the Employee under directors' and officers' liability insurance both during and, while potential liability exists, after the term of this Agreement in the same amount and to the same extent as the Company covers its other officers and directors.
22. RESIGNATION AS DIRECTOR AND/OR OFFICER: Upon termination of employment for any reason, the Employee shall cease to be and shall immediately resign as an officer or director of the Company and any of its affiliates.
23. GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION. This Agreement, the rights and obligations of the parties hereto, and any claims or disputes relating thereto, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of British Columbia and the laws of Canada applicable therein. Each of the parties agrees that any dispute between the parties shall be resolved only in the courts of the Province of British Columbia.
24. MISCELLANEOUS. No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by the Employee and such officer or director as may be designated by the Board or the Committee. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. This Agreement together with all exhibits hereto sets forth the entire agreement of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein and supersedes any and all prior agreements or understandings between the Employee and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof. No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either party which are not expressly set forth in this Agreement.
25. REPRESENTATIONS. The Employee represents and warrants to the Company that (a) the Employee has the legal right to enter into this Agreement and to perform all of the obligations on the Employee's part to be performed hereunder in accordance with its terms, and (b) the Employee is not a party to any agreement or understanding, written or oral, and is not subject to any restriction, which, in either case, could prevent the Employee from entering into this Agreement or performing all of the Employee's duties and obligations hereunder.
26. WITHHOLDING. The Company may withhold from any and all amounts payable under this Agreement or otherwise such statutory withholdings as may be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
27. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior communications, representations, understandings and agreements whether verbal or written between the parties with respect to the subject-matter hereof.
28. MODIFICATIONS. Any modifications of this Agreement will be effective only if it is in writing and signed by both parties.
29. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. The Employee acknowledges that they have had sufficient time to review this Agreement thoroughly, understands the terms of this Agreement and their obligations hereunder; and they have been given an opportunity to obtain independent advice concerning the interpretation and effect of this Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
| COMPANY By: "Jonathan Awde" Name: Jonathan Awde Title: President & Chief Executive Officer |
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| EMPLOYEE "Shawn Campbell" SHAWN CAMPBELL |
Schedule A
Form of General Release
1. RELEASE
In consideration of the payments made to me by Dakota Gold (Canada) Services Corp. pursuant to my Employment Agreement dated [⬤] in the amount of $⬤, less required withholdings], do for myself and my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, (hereinafter collectively referred to as "I"), forever release, remise and discharge Dakota Gold (Canada) Services Corp., its parent, successors, assigns, subsidiaries and affiliates and their officers, directors, employees, servants and agents (hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Company"), jointly and severally from any and all actions, causes of actions, contracts, (whether express or implied), claims and demands for damage, loss or injury, suits, debts, sums of money, indemnity, expenses, interest, costs and claims of any and every kind and nature whatsoever, at law, in equity, or pursuant to statute, which against the Company, I ever had, now have, or can hereafter have by reasons of or existing out of any causes whatsoever existing up to and inclusive of the date of this Release, including, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing:
(a) my employment agreement dated ⬤;
(b) my hiring by, or my employment with the Company and the termination thereof;
(c) any and all claims for damages, salary, wages, termination pay, severance pay, vacation pay, overtime pay, commissions, bonuses, interest, expenses, RSP, pension, performance warrants, stock options, allowances, incentive payments, or any other benefits arising out of my employment with the Company;
(d) loss of position, status, future job opportunity, or reputation; and,
(e) any and all claims arising out of or by virtue of the British Columbia Human Rights Code (having discussed or otherwise canvassed any and all human rights complaints, concerns or issues arising out of or with respect to my relationship with the Company).
2. NO ADMISSION
I acknowledge that the payment given to me pursuant to the above paragraph does not constitute any admission of liability by the Company, said liability in fact being denied.
3. INDEMNITY FOR TAXES, ETC.
I further agree that I will save harmless and indemnify the Company from and against all claims, charges, taxes, interest or penalties and demands which may be made by the appropriate taxing authorities in Canada and British Columbia requiring the Company to pay income tax, charges or penalties under the applicable statutes and regulations in respect of income tax payable by me for services that I rendered to the Company; and in respect of any and all claims, charges, taxes, interest, or penalties and demands which may be made on behalf of or related to governmentally regulated or other employment insurance or pension plan programs.
4. EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS ACT
I acknowledge that this settlement is intended to be inclusive of, and not in addition to, any benefits, allowances, obligations or claims prescribed by, arising out of or by virtue of the British Columbia Employment Standards Act. I further acknowledge receipt of all wages, damages, overtime pay, vacation pay, general and statutory holiday pay, and pay in place of notice of termination of employment that I am entitled to by virtue of the Employment Standards Act.
5. BENEFITS AND INSURANCE CLAIMS
I acknowledge and agree that the consideration paid to me includes full compensation and consideration for loss of employment benefits and that my short term and long term disability benefits have ceased effective [date], and all other benefits cease effective [date]. I expressly declare, that I have no claim of any nature or kind to any entitlement whatsoever arising under or from any group health or welfare insurance policy maintained by the Company for the benefit of its employees including disability or life insurance plans and hereby release the Company from any further obligations or liabilities arising from my employment benefits. I fully accept sole responsibility to replace those benefits that I wish to continue and to exercise conversion privileges where applicable with respect to benefits. In the event that I become disabled, I covenant not to sue the Company for insurance or other benefits, or for loss of benefits.
6. NON-DISCLOSURE
I agree that I will not divulge or disclose directly or indirectly the contents of this Release or the terms of settlement relating to the termination of my employment with the Company to any person, including but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to employees or former employees of the Company, except my legal and financial advisors, and my spouse, on the condition that they maintain the confidentiality thereof, or as required by law.
7. SOCIAL MEDIA
I will ensure that my employment status on all social media sites on which I hold an account or am a member, including without limitation LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, does not indicate or otherwise suggest that I am a current employee of the Company.
8. CONFIDENTIALITY
I recognize and acknowledge that during my employment with the Company I had access to certain confidential and proprietary information, the disclosure of which could be harmful to the interests of the Company. I acknowledge that I have taken and will in future take appropriate precautions to safeguard the confidential information of the Company.
I recognize and agree that all written and electronic drawings, manuals, letters, notebooks, reports records and similar collections of confidential and proprietary information of the Company (hereinafter collectively called "Documents"), are the property of the Company and I expressly acknowledge and it is a condition of the payment of the consideration, that I have delivered all such Documents to the Company.
9. UNDERSTANDING
And I hereby declare that I have had the opportunity to seek independent legal advice with respect to the matters addressed in this Release and the terms of settlement which have been agreed to by myself and the Company and I fully understand them. I hereby voluntarily accept the said terms for the purpose of making full and final compromise, adjustment and settlement of all claims as aforesaid.
10. NON-DISPARAGING
I agree that I will not make any statements, written or verbal, nor cause or encourage others to make any statements, written or verbal, that defame, disparage or in any way criticize the personal or business reputations, practices or conduct of the Company, its shareholders, officers, directors, employees, agents, advisors, partners, affiliates or consultants.
11. FURTHER CLAIMS
I agree not to make claim or take proceedings against any other person, corporation or entity, that might claim contribution or indemnity under the provisions of any statute or otherwise against the Company.
12. COMPLETE AGREEMENT
It is understood by the Company and I that this Release contains the entire agreement between us with respect to the subject matter hereof and that the terms of this Release are contractual and not a mere recital.
DATED at the City of __________, in the Province of British Columbia, this ____ day of _________________, 20___.
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[EMPLOYEE NAME] |
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DAKOTA GOLD CORP.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") dated as of April 19, 2024, between Dakota Gold Corp., a Nevada corporation (the "Company"), and James Berry (the "Employee").
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, the Company desires to continue to employ the Employee as the Vice President of Exploration of the Company; and
WHEREAS, the Company and the Employee desire to enter into this Agreement as to the terms of the Employee's continued employment with the Company.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, of the mutual promises contained herein and of other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1. POSITION AND DUTIES.
(a) During the Employment Term (as defined in Section 2 hereof), the Employee shall serve as the Vice President of Exploration of the Company. In this capacity, the Employee shall have the duties, authorities and responsibilities commensurate with the duties, authorities and responsibilities of persons in similar capacities in similarly sized companies, and such other duties, authorities and responsibilities as may reasonably be assigned to the Employee that are not inconsistent with the Employee's position as Vice President of Exploration of the Company. The Employee's principal place of employment with the Company shall be in Lead, South Dakota, provided that the Employee understands and agrees that the Employee may be required to travel from time to time for business purposes. The Employee is permitted to work remotely on a schedule at the Employee's discretion, provided the Employee is able to complete his duties under this Agreement. The Employee shall report directly to the Chief Executive Officer.
(b) During the Employment Term, the Employee shall devote all of the Employee's business time, energy, business judgment, knowledge and skill and the Employee's best efforts to the performance of the Employee's duties with the Company, provided that the foregoing shall not prevent the Employee from (i) serving on the boards of directors of non-profit organizations and, with the prior written approval of the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"), other for profit companies, (ii) participating in charitable, civic, educational, professional, community or industry affairs, and (iii) managing the Employee's passive personal investments so long as such activities in the aggregate do not interfere or conflict with the Employee's duties hereunder or create a potential business or fiduciary conflict.
2. EMPLOYMENT TERM. The Company agrees to employ the Employee pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and the Employee agrees to be so employed, for an indefinite period commencing as of the date hereof (the "Effective Date"). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Employee's employment hereunder may be terminated in accordance with Section 7 hereof, subject to Section 8 hereof. The period of time between the Effective Date and the termination of the Employee's employment hereunder shall be referred to herein as the "Employment Term."
3. BASE SALARY. The Company agrees to pay the Employee a base salary at an annual rate of not less than $225,000, payable in accordance with the regular payroll practices of the Company, but not less frequently than monthly. The Employee's Base Salary shall be subject to annual review by the Board (or a committee thereof) and may be adjusted from time to time by the Board. The base salary as determined herein and adjusted from time to time shall constitute "Base Salary" for purposes of this Agreement.
4. ANNUAL BONUS. During the Employment Term, the Employee shall be eligible to receive an annual discretionary incentive payment under the Company's annual bonus plan as may be in effect from time to time (the "Annual Bonus") based on a target bonus opportunity of at least 50% of the Employee's Base Salary (the "Target Bonus"), upon the attainment of one or more pre-established performance goals established by the Board or the Company's Compensation Committee (the "Committee") in its sole discretion.
5. STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN. You will be eligible to participate in the Company's securities-based compensation plans, including its 2022 Stock Incentive Plan, and will receive long-term incentive compensation as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.
6. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.
(a) BENEFIT PLANS. During the Employment Term, the Employee shall be eligible to participate in any employee benefit plan that the Company has adopted or may adopt, maintain or contribute to for the benefit of its executives and employees generally, subject to satisfying the applicable eligibility requirements, except to the extent such plans are duplicative of the benefits otherwise provided to hereunder. The Employee's participation will be subject to the terms of the applicable plan documents and generally applicable Company policies. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may modify or terminate any employee benefit plan at any time.
(b) VACATIONS. During the Employment Term, the Employee shall be entitled to four weeks of paid vacation per calendar year (as prorated for partial years) in accordance with the Company's policy on accrual and use applicable to employees as in effect from time to time, without carryforward of unused vacation time from any calendar year to any future calendar year. Vacation may be taken at such times and intervals as the Employee determines, subject to the business needs of the Company and prior approval of the Chief Executive Officer.
(c) BUSINESS AND ENTERTAINMENT EXPENSES. Upon presentation of reasonable substantiation and documentation as the Company may specify from time to time, the Employee shall be reimbursed in accordance with the Company's expense reimbursement policy, for all reasonable out-of-pocket business and entertainment expenses incurred and paid by the Employee during the Employment Term and in connection with the performance of the Employee's duties hereunder, including all travel expenses, parking, cell phone, laptop, and entertainment expenses.
7. TERMINATION. The Employee's employment and the Employment Term shall terminate on the first of the following to occur:
(a) DISABILITY. Upon 10 days' prior written notice by the Company to the Employee of termination due to Disability. For purposes of this Agreement, "Disability" shall be defined as the inability of the Employee to have performed the Employee's material duties hereunder due to a physical or mental injury, infirmity or incapacity for 180 days (including weekends and holidays) in any 365-day period, as determined by the Board in its reasonable discretion.
(b) DEATH. Automatically upon the date of death of the Employee.
(c) CAUSE. Immediately upon written notice by the Company to the Employee of a termination for Cause. "Cause" shall mean:
(i) the continued failure by the Employee to substantially perform his duties with the Company after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to the Employee by the Chief Executive Officer, which demand specifically identifies the manner in which the Chief Executive Officer believes that the Employee has not substantially performed his duties, and the Employee demonstrably fails to cure such failure within thirty (30) days after receipt of such demand;
(ii) the engaging by employee in conduct which is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Company, monetarily or otherwise (including the Board's determination of conduct that constitutes a violation of any securities laws in the United States or Canada, whether federal, state or provincial);
(iii) the Employee's conviction for the commission of a felony; or
(iv) action by the Employee toward the Company involving dishonesty.
(d) WITHOUT CAUSE. Immediately upon written notice by the Company to the Employee of an involuntary termination without Cause (other than for death or Disability).
(e) GOOD REASON. Upon written notice by the Employee to the Company of a termination for Good Reason; provided, however, that the Employee may only terminate the Employee's employment with the Company for Good Reason to the extent that such Good Reason occurs within three months prior to, or within 12 months after, a Change in Control (as defined in the Company's incentive equity plan, as in effect from time to time) (such period, the "Change in Control Period"). "Good Reason" shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events, without the express written consent of the Employee, unless such events are fully corrected in all material respects by the Company within 30 days following written notification by the Employee to the Company of the occurrence of one of the reasons set forth below:
(i) material diminution in the Employee's Base Salary as a result of the Change in Control;
(ii) material diminution in the Employee's duties, authorities or responsibilities (other than temporarily while physically or mentally incapacitated or as required by applicable law) as a result of the Change in Control; or
(iii) requirement to relocate the Employee's primary work location by more than 50 miles from its then current location as a result of the Change in Control.
The Employee shall provide the Company with a written notice detailing the specific circumstances alleged to constitute Good Reason within 90 days after the first occurrence of such circumstances, and actually terminate employment within 30 days following the expiration of the Company's 30-day cure period described above. Otherwise, any claim of such circumstances as "Good Reason" shall be deemed irrevocably waived by the Employee.
(f) WITHOUT GOOD REASON. Upon four weeks' prior written notice by the Employee to the Company of the Employee's voluntary termination of employment without Good Reason (which the Company may, in its sole discretion, make effective earlier than any notice date).
8. CONSEQUENCES OF TERMINATION.
(a) DEATH. In the event that the Employee's employment and the Employment Term ends on account of the Employee's death, the Employee or the Employee's estate, as the case may be, shall be entitled to the following (with the amounts due under Sections 8(a)(i) through 8(a)(iv) hereof to be paid within 60 days following termination of employment, or such earlier date as may be required by applicable law):
(i) any unpaid Base Salary through the date of termination;
(ii) any Annual Bonus earned but unpaid with respect to the fiscal year ending on or preceding the date of termination;
(iii) reimbursement for any unreimbursed business expenses incurred through the date of termination;
(iv) any accrued but unused vacation time in accordance with Company policy; and
(v) all other payments, benefits or fringe benefits to which the Employee shall be entitled under the terms of any applicable compensation arrangement or benefit, equity or fringe benefit plan or program or grant or this Agreement (collectively, Sections 8(a)(i) through 8(a)(v) hereof shall be hereafter referred to as the "Accrued Benefits").
(b) DISABILITY. In the event that the Employee's employment and/or Employment Term ends on account of the Employee's Disability, the Company shall pay or provide the Employee with the Accrued Benefits.
(c) TERMINATION FOR CAUSE OR WITHOUT GOOD REASON. If the Employee's employment is terminated (x) by the Company for Cause, or (y) by the Employee without Good Reason, the Company shall pay to the Employee the Accrued Benefits other than the benefit described in Section 8(a)(ii) hereof.
(d) TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE OR FOR GOOD REASON. If the Employee's employment by the Company is terminated (x) by the Company other than for Cause, or (y) by the Employee for Good Reason, the Company shall pay or provide the Employee with the following, subject to the provisions of Section 24 hereof:
(i) the Accrued Benefits;
(ii) subject to the Employee's continued compliance with the obligations in Sections 9, 10 and 11 hereof, a pro-rata portion of the Employee's Annual Bonus for the fiscal year in which the Employee's termination occurs based on the estimated actual results for such year (determined by multiplying the amount of such bonus which would be due for the full fiscal year by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days during the fiscal year of termination that the Employee is employed by the Company and the denominator of which is 365), payable within 60 days following termination of employment;
(iii) subject to the Employee's continued compliance with the obligations in Sections 9, 10 and 11 hereof, an amount equal to the sum of (A) one and a half times (1.5x) the Employee's annual Base Salary and (B) one and a half times (1.5x) the amount of the Employee's Annual Bonus deemed to equal 75% of the Employee's then current Base Salary, paid in a lump sum no later than 60 days following termination of employment; and
(iv) any stock options or any other equity or any other incentive units granted to the Employee by the Company, whether currently outstanding or granted in the future, as of the date of termination, shall become fully vested (with performance-based awards earned at "target") and notwithstanding any term of the Company's plans to the contrary, stock options shall remain exercisable for their original term granted and shall not terminate due to the Employee's termination. The terms of any stock option agreement or other equity incentive agreement between the Employee and the Company shall be deemed amended to reflect the terms of this section.
Payments and benefits provided in this Section 8(d) shall be in lieu of any termination or severance payments or benefits for which the Employee may be eligible under any of the plans, policies or programs of the Company or under the Worker Adjustment Retraining Notification Act of 1988 or any similar state statute or regulation.
(e) EXCLUSIVE REMEDY. The amounts payable to the Employee following termination of employment and the Employment Term hereunder pursuant to Sections 7 and 8 hereof shall be in full and complete satisfaction of the Employee's rights under this Agreement and any other claims that the Employee may have in respect of the Employee's employment with the Company or any of its affiliates, and the Employee acknowledges that such amounts are fair and reasonable, and are the Employee's sole and exclusive remedy, in lieu of all other remedies at law or in equity, with respect to the termination of the Employee's employment hereunder or any breach of this Agreement.
9. RELEASE; NO MITIGATION. Any and all amounts payable and benefits or additional rights provided pursuant to this Agreement beyond the Accrued Benefits (other than amounts described in Section 8(a)(iii) hereof) shall only be payable if the Employee delivers to the Company and does not revoke a general release of claims in favor of the Company in the form attached hereto as Schedule A. Such release shall be executed and delivered (and no longer subject to revocation, if applicable) within 60 days following termination. In no event shall the Employee be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to the Employee under any of the provisions of this Agreement, nor shall the amount of any payment hereunder be reduced by any compensation earned by the Employee as a result of employment by a subsequent employer.
10. RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS.
(a) CONFIDENTIALITY. During the course of the Employee's employment with the Company, the Employee has had and will continue to have access to Confidential Information. For purposes of this Agreement, "Confidential Information" means all data, information, ideas, concepts, discoveries, trade secrets, inventions (whether or not patentable or reduced to practice), innovations, improvements, know-how, developments, techniques, methods, processes, treatments, drawings, sketches, specifications, designs, plans, patterns, models, plans and strategies, and all other confidential or proprietary information or trade secrets in any form or medium (whether merely remembered or embodied in a tangible or intangible form or medium) whether now or hereafter existing, relating to or arising from the past, current or potential business, activities and/or operations of the Company or any of its affiliates, including, without limitation, any such information relating to or concerning finances, sales, marketing, advertising, transition, promotions, pricing, personnel, customers, suppliers, vendors, raw partners and/or competitors. The Employee agrees that the Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, use, make available, sell, disclose or otherwise communicate to any person, other than in the course of the Employee's assigned duties and for the benefit of the Company, either during the period of the Employee's employment or at any time thereafter, any Confidential Information or other confidential or proprietary information received from third parties subject to a duty on the Company's and its subsidiaries' and affiliates' part to maintain the confidentiality of such information, and to use such information only for certain limited purposes, in each case, which shall have been obtained by the Employee during the Employee's employment by the Company (or any predecessor). The foregoing shall not apply to information that (i) was known to the public prior to its disclosure to the Employee; (ii) becomes generally known to the public subsequent to disclosure to the Employee through no wrongful act of the Employee or any representative of the Employee; or (iii) the Employee is required to disclose by applicable law, regulation or legal process (provided that the Employee provides the Company with prior notice of the contemplated disclosure and cooperates with the Company at its expense in seeking a protective order or other appropriate protection of such information).
(b) NONSOLICITATION; NONINTERFERENCE.
(i) During the Employee's employment with the Company and for a period of one year thereafter, the Employee agrees that the Employee shall not, except in the furtherance of the Employee's duties hereunder, directly or indirectly, individually or on behalf of any other person, firm, corporation or other entity, (A) solicit, aid or induce any employee, representative or agent of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates to leave such employment or retention or to accept employment with or render services to or with any other person, firm, corporation or other entity unaffiliated with the Company or hire or retain any such employee, representative or agent, or take any action to materially assist or aid any other person, firm, corporation or other entity in identifying, hiring or soliciting any such employee, representative or agent, or (B) interfere, or aid or induce any other person or entity in interfering, with the relationship between the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates and any of their respective vendors, joint venturers or licensors. An employee, representative or agent shall be deemed covered by this Section 10(b)(i) while so employed or retained and for a period of six months thereafter.
(ii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this Section 10(b) shall not be violated by (A) general advertising or solicitation not specifically targeted at Company-related persons or entities, (B) the Employee serving as a reference, upon request, for any employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates so long as such reference is not for an entity that is employing or retaining the Employee, or (C) actions taken by any person or entity with which the Employee is associated if the Employee is not personally involved in any manner in the matter and has not identified such Company-related person or entity for soliciting or hiring.
(c) NONDISPARAGEMENT. The Employee agrees not to make negative comments or otherwise disparage the Company or its officers, directors, employees, shareholders, agents or products other than in the good faith performance of the Employee's duties to the Company while the Employee is employed by the Company. The foregoing shall not be violated by truthful statements in response to legal process, required governmental testimony or filings, or administrative or arbitral proceedings (including, without limitation, depositions in connection with such proceedings).
(d) INVENTIONS. (i) The Employee acknowledges and agrees that all ideas, methods, inventions, discoveries, improvements, work products, developments, software, know-how, processes, techniques, works of authorship and other work product, whether patentable or unpatentable, (A) that are reduced to practice, created, invented, designed, developed, contributed to, or improved with the use of any Company resources and/or within the scope of the Employee's work with the Company or that relate to the business, operations or actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the Company, and that are made or conceived by the Employee, solely or jointly with others, during the Employment Term, or (B) suggested by any work that the Employee performs in connection with the Company, either while performing the Employee's duties with the Company or on the Employee's own time, shall belong exclusively to the Company (or its designee), whether or not patent or other applications for intellectual property protection are filed thereon (the "Inventions"). The Employee will keep full and complete written records (the "Records"), in the manner prescribed by the Company, of all Inventions, and will promptly disclose all Inventions completely and in writing to the Company. The Records shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company, and the Employee will surrender them upon the termination of the Employment Term, or upon the Company's request. The Employee irrevocably conveys, transfers and assigns to the Company the Inventions and all patents or other intellectual property rights that may issue thereon in any and all countries, whether during or subsequent to the Employment Term, together with the right to file, in the Employee's name or in the name of the Company (or its designee), applications for patents and equivalent rights (the "Applications"). The Employee will, at any time during and subsequent to the Employment Term, make such applications, sign such papers, take all rightful oaths, and perform all other acts as may be requested from time to time by the Company to perfect, record, enforce, protect, patent or register the Company's rights in the Inventions, all without additional compensation to the Employee from the Company. The Employee will also execute assignments to the Company (or its designee) of the Applications and give the Company and its attorneys all reasonable assistance (including the giving of testimony) to obtain the Inventions for the Company's benefit, all without additional compensation to the Employee from the Company, but entirely at the Company's expense.
(ii) In addition, the Inventions will be deemed Work for Hire, as such term is defined under the copyright laws of the United States, on behalf of the Company and the Employee agrees that the Company will be the sole owner of the Inventions, and all underlying rights therein, in all media now known or hereinafter devised, throughout the universe and in perpetuity without any further obligations to the Employee. If the Inventions, or any portion thereof, are deemed not to be Work for Hire, or the rights in such Inventions do not otherwise automatically vest in the Company, the Employee hereby irrevocably conveys, transfers and assigns to the Company, all rights, in all media now known or hereinafter devised, throughout the universe and in perpetuity, in and to the Inventions, including, without limitation, all of the Employee's right, title and interest in the copyrights (and all renewals, revivals and extensions thereof) to the Inventions, including, without limitation, all rights of any kind or any nature now or hereafter recognized, including, without limitation, the unrestricted right to make modifications, adaptations and revisions to the Inventions, to exploit and allow others to exploit the Inventions and all rights to sue at law or in equity for any infringement, or other unauthorized use or conduct in derogation of the Inventions, known or unknown, prior to the date hereof, including, without limitation, the right to receive all proceeds and damages therefrom. In addition, the Employee hereby waives any so-called "moral rights" with respect to the Inventions. To the extent that the Employee has any rights in the results and proceeds of the Employee's service to the Company that cannot be assigned in the manner described herein, the Employee agrees to unconditionally waive the enforcement of such rights. The Employee hereby waives any and all currently existing and future monetary rights in and to the Inventions and all patents and other registrations for intellectual property that may issue thereon, including, without limitation, any rights that would otherwise accrue to the Employee's benefit by virtue of the Employee being an employee of or other service provider to the Company.
(iii) The parties to this Agreement have the right to disclose in confidence trade secrets to federal, state, and local government officials, or to an attorney, for the sole purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law. The parties also have the right to disclose trade secrets in a document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, but only if the filing is made under seal and protected from public disclosure.
(iv) 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b) provides: "An individual shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any Federal or State trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that-(A) is made-(i) in confidence to a Federal, State, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (ii) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (B) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal." Nothing in this Agreement is intended to conflict with 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b) or create liability for disclosures of trade secrets that are expressly allowed by 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b). Accordingly, the parties to this Agreement have the right to disclose in confidence trade secrets to federal, state, and local government officials, or to an attorney, for the sole purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law. The parties also have the right to disclose trade secrets in a document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, but only if the filing is made under seal and protected from public disclosure.
(e) RETURN OF COMPANY PROPERTY. On the date of the Employee's termination of employment with the Company for any reason (or at any time prior thereto at the Company's request), the Employee shall return all property belonging to the Company or its affiliates (including, but not limited to, any Company-provided laptops, computers, cell phones, wireless electronic mail devices or other equipment, or documents and property belonging to the Company). The Employee may retain the Employee's rolodex and similar address books provided that such items only include contact information.
(f) REASONABLENESS OF COVENANTS. In signing this Agreement, the Employee gives the Company assurance that the Employee has carefully read and considered all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including the restraints imposed under this Section 10 hereof. The Employee agrees that these restraints are necessary for the reasonable and proper protection of the Company and its affiliates and their Confidential Information and that each and every one of the restraints is reasonable in respect to subject matter, length of time and geographic area, and that these restraints, individually or in the aggregate, will not prevent the Employee from obtaining other suitable employment during the period in which the Employee is bound by the restraints. The Employee acknowledges that each of these covenants has a unique, very substantial and immeasurable value to the Company and its affiliates and that the Employee has sufficient assets and skills to provide a livelihood while such covenants remain in force. The Employee further covenants that the Employee will not challenge the reasonableness or enforceability of any of the covenants set forth in this Section 10. It is also agreed that each of the Company's affiliates will have the right to enforce all of the Employee's obligations to that affiliate under this Agreement, including without limitation pursuant to this Section 10.
(g) REFORMATION. If it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in any state that any restriction in this Section 10 is excessive in duration or scope or is unreasonable or unenforceable under applicable law, it is the intention of the parties that such restriction may be modified or amended by the court to render it enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by the laws of that state.
(h) TOLLING. In the event of any violation of the provisions of this Section 10, the Employee acknowledges and agrees that the post-termination restrictions contained in this Section 10 shall be extended by a period of time equal to the period of such violation, it being the intention of the parties hereto that the running of the applicable post-termination restriction period shall be tolled during any period of such violation.
(i) SURVIVAL OF PROVISIONS. The obligations contained in Sections 10 and 11 hereof shall survive the termination or expiration of the Employment Term and the Employee's employment with the Company and shall be fully enforceable thereafter.
11. COOPERATION. Upon the receipt of reasonable notice from the Company (including outside counsel), the Employee agrees that while employed by the Company and thereafter, the Employee will respond and provide information with regard to matters in which the Employee has knowledge as a result of the Employee's employment with the Company, and will provide reasonable assistance to the Company, its affiliates and their respective representatives in defense of any claims that may be made against the Company or its affiliates, and will assist the Company and its affiliates in the prosecution of any claims that may be made by the Company or its affiliates, to the extent that such claims may relate to the period of the Employee's employment with the Company (collectively, the "Claims"). The Employee agrees to promptly inform the Company if the Employee becomes aware of any lawsuits involving Claims that may be filed or threatened against the Company or its affiliates. The Employee also agrees to promptly inform the Company (to the extent that the Employee is legally permitted to do so) if the Employee is asked to assist in any investigation of the Company or its affiliates (or their actions) or another party attempts to obtain information or documents from the Employee (other than in connection with any litigation or other proceeding in which the Employee is a party-in-opposition) with respect to matters the Employee believes in good faith to relate to any investigation of the Company or its affiliates, in each case, regardless of whether a lawsuit or other proceeding has then been filed against the Company or its affiliates with respect to such investigation, and shall not do so unless legally required. During the pendency of any litigation or other proceeding involving Claims, the Employee shall not communicate with anyone (other than the Employee's attorneys and tax and/or financial advisors and except to the extent that the Employee determines in good faith is necessary in connection with the performance of the Employee's duties hereunder) with respect to the facts or subject matter of any pending or potential litigation or regulatory or administrative proceeding involving the Company or any of its affiliates without giving prior written notice to the Company or the Company's counsel. Upon presentation of appropriate documentation, the Company shall pay or reimburse the Employee for all reasonable out-of-pocket travel, duplicating or telephonic expenses incurred by the Employee in complying with this Section 11.
12. WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted so as to impede the Employee (or any other individual) from reporting possible violations of federal law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity, including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Congress, and any agency Inspector General, or making other disclosures under the whistleblower provisions of federal law or regulation. The Employee does not need the prior authorization of the Company to make any such reports or disclosures and the Employee shall not be not required to notify the Company that such reports or disclosures have been made.
13. EQUITABLE RELIEF AND OTHER REMEDIES. The Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Company's remedies at law for a breach or threatened breach of any of the provisions of Section 10 or Section 11 hereof would be inadequate and, in recognition of this fact, the Employee agrees that, in the event of such a breach or threatened breach, in addition to any remedies at law, the Company, without posting any bond or other security, shall be entitled to obtain equitable relief in the form of specific performance, a temporary restraining order, a temporary or permanent injunction or any other equitable remedy which may then be available, without the necessity of showing actual monetary damages. In the event of a violation by the Employee of Section 10 or Section 11 hereof, any severance being paid to the Employee pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise shall immediately cease.
14. NO ASSIGNMENTS. This Agreement is personal to each of the parties hereto. Except as provided in this Section 14 hereof, no party may assign or delegate any rights or obligations hereunder without first obtaining the written consent of the other party hereto. The Company may assign this Agreement to any successor to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company, provided that the Company shall require such successor to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, "Company" shall mean the Company and any successor to its business and/or assets, which assumes and agrees to perform the duties and obligations of the Company under this Agreement by operation of law or otherwise.
15. NOTICE. For purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (a) on the date of delivery, if delivered by hand, (b) on the date of transmission, if delivered by confirmed facsimile or electronic mail, (c) on the first business day following the date of deposit, if delivered by guaranteed overnight delivery service, or (d) on the fourth business day following the date delivered or mailed by United States registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
| If to the Employee: At the address (or to the email address) shown in the books and records of the Company. If to the Company: Dakota Gold Corp. 106 Glendale Drive, Suite A Lead, South Dakota 57754 Attention: Chief Executive Officer Email: [email protected] |
or to such other address as either party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.
16. SECTION HEADINGS; INCONSISTENCY. The section headings used in this Agreement are included solely for convenience and shall not affect, or be used in connection with, the interpretation of this Agreement. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms of this Agreement and any form, award, plan or policy of the Company, the terms of this Agreement shall govern and control.
17. SEVERABILITY. The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in such jurisdiction or the validity, legality or enforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction, it being intended that all rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.
18. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.
19. INDEMNIFICATION. The Company hereby agrees to indemnify the Employee and hold the Employee harmless to the extent provided under the By-Laws of the Company against and in respect of any and all actions, suits, proceedings, claims, demands, judgments, costs, expenses (including reasonable attorney's fees), losses, and damages resulting from the Employee's good faith performance of the Employee's duties and obligations with the Company. This obligation shall survive the termination of the Employee's employment with the Company.
20. LIABILITY INSURANCE. The Company shall cover the Employee under directors' and officers' liability insurance both during and, while potential liability exists, after the term of this Agreement in the same amount and to the same extent as the Company covers its other officers and directors.
21. GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION. This Agreement, the rights and obligations of the parties hereto, and any claims or disputes relating thereto, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of South Dakota (without regard to its choice of law provisions). Each of the parties agrees that any dispute between the parties shall be resolved only in the courts of the State of South Dakota or the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota and the appellate courts having jurisdiction of appeals in such courts. In that context, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally (a) submits in any proceeding relating to this Agreement or the Employee's employment by the Company or any affiliate, or for the recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof (a "Proceeding"), to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of South Dakota, the court of the United States of America for the District of South Dakota, and appellate courts having jurisdiction of appeals from any of the foregoing, and agrees that all claims in respect of any such Proceeding shall be heard and determined in such South Dakota State court or, to the extent permitted by law, in such federal court, (b) consents that any such Proceeding may and shall be brought in such courts and waives any objection that the Employee or the Company may now or thereafter have to the venue or jurisdiction of any such Proceeding in any such court or that such Proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same, (c) waives all right to trial by jury in any Proceeding (whether based on contract, tort or otherwise) arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the Employee's employment by the Company or any affiliate of the Company, or the Employee's or the Company's performance under, or the enforcement of, this Agreement, (d) agrees that service of process in any such Proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy of such process by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to such party at the Employee's or the Company's address as provided in Section 15 hereof, and (e) agrees that nothing in this Agreement shall affect the right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by the laws of the State of South Dakota.
22. MISCELLANEOUS. No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by the Employee and such officer or director as may be designated by the Board or the Committee. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. This Agreement together with all exhibits hereto sets forth the entire agreement of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein and supersedes any and all prior agreements or understandings between the Employee and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof. No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either party which are not expressly set forth in this Agreement.
23. REPRESENTATIONS. The Employee represents and warrants to the Company that (a) the Employee has the legal right to enter into this Agreement and to perform all of the obligations on the Employee's part to be performed hereunder in accordance with its terms, and (b) the Employee is not a party to any agreement or understanding, written or oral, and is not subject to any restriction, which, in either case, could prevent the Employee from entering into this Agreement or performing all of the Employee's duties and obligations hereunder.
24. TAX MATTERS.
(a) WITHHOLDING. The Company may withhold from any and all amounts payable under this Agreement or otherwise such federal, state and local taxes as may be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
(b) SECTION 409A COMPLIANCE.
(i) The intent of the parties is that payments and benefits under this Agreement comply with Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder (collectively "Code Section 409A") and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Agreement shall be interpreted to be in compliance therewith. To the extent that any provision hereof is modified in order to comply with Code Section 409A, such modification shall be made in good faith and shall, to the maximum extent reasonably possible, maintain the original intent and economic benefit to the Employee and the Company of the applicable provision without violating the provisions of Code Section 409A. In no event whatsoever shall the Company be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalty that may be imposed on the Employee by Code Section 409A or damages for failing to comply with Code Section 409A.
(ii) A termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of any amounts or benefits upon or following a termination of employment unless such termination is also a "separation from service" within the meaning of Code Section 409A and, for purposes of any such provision of this Agreement, references to a "termination," "termination of employment" or like terms shall mean "separation from service." Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if the Employee is deemed on the date of termination to be a "specified employee" within the meaning of that term under Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B), then with regard to any payment or the provision of any benefit that is considered deferred compensation under Code Section 409A payable on account of a "separation from service," such payment or benefit shall not be made or provided until the date which is the earlier of (A) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of such "separation from service" of the Employee, and (B) the date of the Employee's death, to the extent required under Code Section 409A. Upon the expiration of the foregoing delay period, all payments and benefits delayed pursuant to this Section 24(b)(ii) (whether they would have otherwise been payable in a single sum or in installments in the absence of such delay) shall be paid or reimbursed to the Employee in a lump sum, and any remaining payments and benefits due under this Agreement shall be paid or provided in accordance with the normal payment dates specified for them herein.
(iii) To the extent that reimbursements or other in-kind benefits under this Agreement constitute "nonqualified deferred compensation" for purposes of Code Section 409A, (A) all expenses or other reimbursements hereunder shall be made on or prior to the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which such expenses were incurred by the Employee, (B) any right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit, and (C) no such reimbursement, expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided in any taxable year shall in any way affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other taxable year.
(iv) For purposes of Code Section 409A, the Employee's right to receive any installment payments pursuant to this Agreement shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate and distinct payments. Whenever a payment under this Agreement specifies a payment period with reference to a number of days, the actual date of payment within the specified period shall be within the sole discretion of the Company.
(v) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in no event shall any payment under this Agreement that constitutes "nonqualified deferred compensation" for purposes of Code Section 409A be subject to offset by any other amount unless otherwise permitted by Code Section 409A.
25. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior communications, representations, understandings and agreements whether verbal or written between the parties with respect to the subject-matter hereof.
26. MODIFICATIONS. Any modifications of this Agreement will be effective only if it is in writing and signed by both parties.
27. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. The Employee acknowledges that they have had sufficient time to review this Agreement thoroughly, understands the terms of this Agreement and their obligations hereunder; and they have been given an opportunity to obtain independent advice concerning the interpretation and effect of this Agreement.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
| COMPANY By: "Jonathan Awde" Name: Jonathan Awde Title: President and Chief Executive Officer |
|
| EMPLOYEE "James Berry" JAMES BERRY |
Schedule A
GENERAL RELEASE OF CLAIMS
This General Release (this "Release") is entered into as of this ____ day of ____________, 20__, by and between Dakota Gold Corp., a Nevada corporation (the "Company"), and _____________, an employee of the Company (the "Employee") (collectively, the "Parties").
WHEREAS, the Employee is a party to an employment agreement with the Company dated as of [•] (the "Employment Agreement"), which governs the terms and conditions applicable to the Employee's termination of employment under certain circumstances;
WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Employment Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide the Employee certain benefits and payments under the terms and conditions specified therein, provided that the Employee has executed and not revoked a general release of claims in favor of the Company;
WHEREAS, the Employee's employment with the Company is being terminated effective __________ __, 20__; and
WHEREAS, the Parties wish to terminate their relationship amicably and to resolve, fully and finally, all actual and potential claims and disputes relating to the Employee's employment with and termination from the Company and all other relationships between the Employee and the Company, up to and including the date of execution of this Release.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the promises and mutual covenants contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are expressly acknowledged, the Parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:
1. Termination of Employment. The Employee's employment with the Company shall terminate on __________ __, 20__ (the "Termination Date").
2. Severance Benefits. Pursuant to the terms of the Employment Agreement, and in consideration of the Employee's release of claims and the other covenants and agreements contained herein and therein, and provided that the Employee has signed this Release and delivered it to the Company and has not exercised any revocation rights as provided in Section 6 below, the Company shall provide the severance benefits described in Section 7(d) of the Employment Agreement (the "Benefits") in the time and manner provided therein; provided, however, that the Company's obligations will be excused if the Employee breaches the provisions of Section 9 of the Employment Agreement. The Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Benefits constitute consideration beyond that which the Company would be obligated to provide, or the Employee would be entitled to receive, but for the mutual covenants set forth in this Release and the covenants contained in the Employment Agreement.
3. Effective Date. Provided that it has not been revoked pursuant to Section 6 hereof, this Release will become effective on the eighth (8th) day after the date of its execution by the Employee (the "Effective Date").
4. Effect of Revocation. The Employee acknowledges and agrees that if the Employee revokes this Release pursuant to Section 6 hereof, the Employee will have no right to receive the Benefits.
5. General Release. In consideration of the Company's obligations, the Employee hereby releases, acquits and forever discharges the Company and each of its subsidiaries and affiliates and each of their respective officers, employees, directors, agents, successors and assigns (collectively, the "Released Parties") from any and all claims, actions or causes of action in any way related to Employee's employment with the Company or the termination thereof, whether arising from tort, statute or contract, including, but not limited to, claims of defamation, claims arising under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended by the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act of 1990, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the discrimination and wage payment laws of the state in which Employee is employed and any other federal, state or local statutes or ordinances of the United States, it being the Employee's intention and the intention of the Company to make this release as broad and as general as the law permits. The Employee understands that this Release does not waive any rights or claims that may arise after Employee's execution of it and does not apply to claims arising under the terms of the Plan with respect to payments the Employee may be owed pursuant to the terms thereof.
6. Review and Revocation Period. The Employee acknowledges that the Company has advised the Employee that the Employee may consult with an attorney of the Employee's own choosing (and at the Employee's expense) prior to signing this Release and that the Employee has been given at least forty-five (45) days during which to consider the provisions of this Release, although the Employee may sign and return it sooner. The Employee further acknowledges that the Employee has been advised by the Company that after executing this Release, the Employee will have seven (7) days to revoke this Release, and that this Release shall not become effective or enforceable until such seven (7) day revocation period has expired. The Employee acknowledges and agrees that if the Employee wishes to revoke this Release, the Employee must do so in writing, and that such revocation must be signed by the Employee and received by [_______________] no later than 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time on the seventh (7th) day after the Employee has executed this Release. The Employee further acknowledges and agrees that, in the event that the Employee revokes this Release, the Employee will have no right to receive any benefits hereunder, including the Benefits. The Employee represents that the Employee has read this Release and understands its terms and enters into this Release freely, voluntarily and without coercion.
7. Restrictive Covenants. The Employee reaffirms his/her commitments in Section 9 of the Employment Agreement.
8. Cooperation in Litigation. The Employee reaffirms his/her commitments in Section 10 of the Employment Agreement.
9. Warranties. Employee warrants and represents as follows:
i. Employee has read this Release in its entirety, and Employee agrees to the conditions and obligations set forth in it.
ii. Employee is voluntarily executing this Release without being pressured or influenced by any statement or representation or omission of any person acting on behalf of the Company or the other Released Parties.
iii. Employee has no knowledge of the existence of any lawsuit, charge, or proceeding against the Released Parties arising out of or otherwise connected with any of the matters herein released. In the event that any such lawsuit, charge, or proceeding has been filed, Employee immediately will take all actions necessary to withdraw or terminate that lawsuit, charge, or proceeding, unless the requirement for such withdrawal or termination is prohibited by applicable law.
iv. Employee understands that nothing contained in this Release limits Employee's ability to file a charge or complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other federal, state or local governmental agency or commission ("Government Agencies"). Employee further understands that this Release does not limit Employee's ability to communicate with any Government Agencies or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any Government Agency, including providing documents or other information, without notice to the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Employee waives any right to any monetary recovery or other relief should any party, including, without limitation, any federal, state or local governmental entity or administrative agency, pursue any claims on Employee's behalf arising out of, relating to, or in any way connected with the claims release pursuant to Section 5, above, provided, however, this Agreement does not limit Employee's right to receive a reward for information provided to any Government Agencies.
V. Employee has not previously disclosed any information, the disclosure of which would be a violation of the confidentiality commitments in Section 9(a) of the Employment Agreement.
vi. Employee has full and complete legal capacity to enter into this Agreement.
10. Non-Admission of Liability. Nothing in this Release will be construed as an admission of liability by the Employee or the Released Parties; rather, the Employee and the Released Parties are resolving all matters arising out of the employer-employee relationship between the Employee and the Company and all other relationships between the Employee and the Released Parties.
11. Statutory Disclosure. Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b), Employee will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any Federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates that (A) is made (x) in confidence to a Federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to Employee's attorney and (y) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (B) is made in a complaint or other document that is filed under seal in a lawsuit or other proceeding. If Employee files a lawsuit for retaliation by the Company for reporting a suspected violation of law, Employee may disclose the trade secret to Employee's attorney and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if Employee files any document containing the trade secret under seal, and does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to conflict with 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b) or create liability for disclosures of trade secrets that are expressly allowed by such section.
13. Binding Effect. This Release will be binding upon the Parties and their respective heirs, administrators, representatives, executors, successors and assigns, and will inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective heirs, administrators, representatives, executors, successors and assigns.
13. Governing Law. This Release will be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of South Dakota applicable to agreements negotiated, entered into and wholly to be performed therein, without regard to its conflicts of law or choice of law provisions which would result in the application of the law of any other jurisdiction.
14. Severability. Each of the respective rights and obligations of the Parties hereunder will be deemed independent and may be enforced independently irrespective of any of the other rights and obligations set forth herein. If any provision of this Release should be held illegal or invalid, such illegality or invalidity will not affect in any way other provisions hereof, all of which will continue, nevertheless, in full force and effect.
15. Counterparts. This Release may be signed in counterparts. Each counterpart will be deemed to be an original, but together all such counterparts will be deemed a single agreement.
16. Entire Agreement; Modification. This Release constitutes the entire understanding between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and may not be modified without the express written consent of both Parties. This Release supersedes all prior written and/or oral and all contemporaneous oral agreements, understandings and negotiations regarding its subject matter. This Release may not be modified or canceled in any manner except by a writing signed by both Parties.
17. Acceptance. The Employee may confirm acceptance of the terms and conditions of this Release by signing and returning two (2) original copies of this Release to [_____________________], no later than 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time forty five (45) days after the Employee's Termination Date.
THE EMPLOYEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND REPRESENTS THAT THE EMPLOYEE HAS FULLY AND CAREFULLY READ THIS RELEASE PRIOR TO SIGNING IT AND UNDERSTANDS ITS TERMS. THE EMPLOYEE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE EMPLOYEE HAS BEEN, OR HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE, ADVISED BY INDEPENDENT LEGAL COUNSEL OF THE EMPLOYEE'S OWN CHOICE AS TO THE LEGAL EFFECT AND MEANING OF EACH OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS RELEASE, AND IS ENTERING INTO THIS RELEASE FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY AND NOT IN RELIANCE ON ANY PROMISES OR REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH IN THIS RELEASE.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Employee have duly executed this Release as of the date first above written.
| DAKOTA GOLD CORP. | EMPLOYEE |
| By:___________________________________ | _________________________ |
| Name: |