Ongoing communication with representatives of Venezuela to collect the Award, resulting in the signing on February 24, 2016, of a Memorandum of Understanding (the “MOU”) with Venezuela that contemplated payment and resolution of the Award, transfer of the mining data related to the Brisas Project (the “Mining Data”) previously compiled by the Company, as well as the joint development of the Brisas and the adjacent Cristinas gold-copper project; An announcement on August 8, 2016 regarding the execution of a settlement agreement (“Settlement Agreement”) with Venezuela which includes payment of the Award plus interest of approximately $770 million in respect of the Brisas project, an agreement whereby Venezuela will acquire the Company’s Mining Data for $240 million and the execution of an agreement (“Mixed Company Agreement”) for the formation of a jointly owned company (“Mixed Company”); An announcement on November 4, 2016, regarding an amendment to the settlement agreement (the “Settlement Agreement”) previously entered into with the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (“Venezuela”) whereby the parties agreed to a revised payment schedule under which Venezuela will make a first payment of US$300,000,000 on or before November 30, 2016, a second payment of US$469,681,823 on or before January 3, 2017, a third payment of US$50,000,000 on or before January 31, 2017, a fourth payment of US$100,000,000 on or before February 28, 2017 and a final payment of $90,000,000 on or before June 30, 2017. In addition, we have together with Venezuela taken steps to establish the mixed (joint venture) company Empresa Mixta Ecosocialista Siembra Minera, S.A. that will develop the Brisas-Cristinas gold copper project in Southeastern Venezuela; Completing a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $34.3 million; and Pursuing opportunities to dispose of the remaining Brisas Project related assets. |