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It is common in mining operations and in the development, construction or expansion of existing facilities to experience unexpected problems and delays during such activities, which may cause delays in the commencement or expansion of mineral production. Such delays could have unforeseen impacts on disclosed project economics. Accordingly, there is no assurance that the current or future development, construction or expansion activities will be successfully completed within cost estimates, on schedule or at all and, if completed, there is no assurance that such activities will result in profitable mining operations.
A substantial portion of Turquoise Hill’s receivables and liquid asset deposits are with or managed by affiliates of Rio Tinto.
On December 15, 2015, the Corporation entered into the Cash Management Services Agreement with 9539549 Canada Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rio Tinto, pursuant to which the net proceeds from the Project Finance Facility are to be placed with and managed by 9539549 Canada Inc. until they are returned to Turquoise Hill for purposes of funding the underground at Oyu Tolgoi. Although RTIH has guaranteed the obligations of 9539549 Canada Inc. under the Cash Management Services Agreement, a delay in the return of such funds when requested by Turquoise Hill, or the unavailability of such funds for any reason, could result in a material adverse effect on the Corporation.
In May 2016, the Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Movele S.à r.l., entered into the Movele Deposit Agreement, pursuant to which Movele S.à r.l. deposited funds with RTF, which are invested or deposited by RTF for fixed terms. The inability of Movele S.à r.l. to access cash and cash equivalent investments on deposit with RTF under the Movele Deposit Agreement, in a timely manner or at all due to circumstances which limit RTF’s ability to return such funds to Movele S.à r.l. could have a material adverse impact on Turquoise Hill and its business.
Changes in laws and regulations, whether actual or the interpretation thereof, could adversely impact the Corporation’s activities.
Mining operations, exploration and related financing activities are subject to extensive laws and regulations. These relate to production, development, exploration, exports, imports, taxes and royalties, labour standards, occupational health, waste disposal, protection and remediation of the environment, access to water, mine decommissioning and reclamation, mine safety, toxic substances, transportation safety and emergency response and other matters.
Compliance with these laws and regulations increases the costs of exploring, drilling, financing, developing, constructing, operating and closing mines and other facilities. It is possible that the costs, delays and other effects associated with these laws and regulations may impact the Corporation’s decision as to whether to continue to operate in a particular jurisdiction or whether to proceed with exploration or development of properties and the nature of related investing and financing arrangements.
Since legal requirements change frequently, are subject to interpretation and may be enforced to varying degrees in practice, the Corporation is unable to predict the ultimate cost of compliance with these changes and their effect on operations or other business activities. Furthermore, changes in governments, regulations, interpretations, policies or practices could have an adverse impact on the Corporation’s future cash flows, earnings or results of operations and financial condition, which may have a material adverse impact on the Corporation and its share price.