Adera Mines Limited
2006 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
- 1 -
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| SECTION 1: BACKGROUND, PURPOSE AND DURATION | 1 |
| 1.1 Background and Effective Date | 1 |
| 1.2 Purpose of the Plan | 1 |
| 1.3 Duration of the Plan | 1 |
| SECTION 2 DEFINITIONS | 1 |
| 2.1 1934 Act | 1 |
| 2.2 Affiliate | 1 |
| 2.3 Affiliated SAR | 1 |
| 2.4 Applicable Laws | 2 |
| 2.5 Award | 2 |
| 2.6 Award Agreement | 2 |
| 2.7 Board or Board of Directors | 2 |
| 2.8 Code | 2 |
| 2.9 Committee | 2 |
| 2.10 Company | 2 |
| 2.11 Consultant | 2 |
| 2.12 Director | 2 |
| 2.13 Disability | 2 |
| 2.14 Employee | 2 |
| 2.15 ERISA | 2 |
| 2.16 Fair Market Value | 2 |
| 2.17 Freestanding SAR | 3 |
| 2.18 Incentive Stock Option | 3 |
| 2.19 Nonqualified Stock Option | 3 |
| 2.20 Option | 3 |
| 2.21 Option Price | 3 |
| 2.22 Participant | 3 |
| 2.23 Performance Share | 3 |
| 2.24 Performance Unit | 3 |
| 2.25 Period of Restriction | 3 |
| 2.26 Plan | 3 |
| 2.27 Restricted Stock | 3 |
| 2.28 Retirement | 3 |
| 2.29 Rule 16b-3 | 4 |
| 2.30 Section 16 Person | 4 |
| 2.31 Shares | 4 |
| 2.32 Stock Appreciation Right or SAR | 4 |
| 2.33 Subsidiary | 4 |
| 2.34 Tandem SAR | 4 |
| 2.35 Termination of Employment | 4 |
| SECTION 3 ADMINISTRATION | 4 |
| 3.1 The Committee | 4 |
| 3.2 Authority of the Committee | 4 |
| 3.3 Decisions Binding | 5 |
| SECTION 4 SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN | 5 |
| 4.1 Shares Available | 5 |
| 4.1.1 Maximum Shares Available Under Plan | 5 |
| 4.1.5 Adjustments | 5 |
| 4.2 Number of Shares | 5 |
| 4.2 Lapsed Awards | 6 |
- 2 -
| SECTION 5 STOCK OPTIONS | 6 |
| 5.1 Grant of Options | 6 |
| 5.2 Award Agreement | 6 |
| 5.3 Option Price | 6 |
| 5.3.1 Nonqualified Stock Options | 6 |
| 5.3.2 Incentive Stock Options | 6 |
| 5.3.3 Substitute Options | 6 |
| 5.4 Expiration of Options | 7 |
| 5.4.1 Expiration Dates | 7 |
| 5.4.2 Committee Discretion | 7 |
| 5.5 Exercise of Options | 7 |
| 5.6 Payment | 7 |
| 5.7 Restrictions on Share Transferability | 8 |
| 5.8 Certain Additional Provisions for Incentive Stock Options | 8 |
| 5.8.1 Exercisability | 8 |
| 5.8.2 Termination of Employment | 8 |
| 5.8.3 Company and Subsidiaries | 8 |
| 5.8.4 Expiration | 8 |
| 5.9 Nontransferability | 8 |
| SECTION 6 STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS | 9 |
| 6.1 Grant of SARs | 9 |
| 6.2 Exercise of Tandem SARs | 9 |
| 6.2.1 ISOs | 9 |
| 6.3 Exercise of Affiliated SARs | 9 |
| 6.4 Exercise of Freestanding SARs | 9 |
| 6.5 SAR Agreement | 9 |
| 6.6 Expiration of SARs | 9 |
| 6.7 Payment of SAR Amount | 9 |
| 6.8 Nontransferability of SARs | 10 |
| SECTION 7 RESTRICTED STOCK | 10 |
| 7.1 Grant of Restricted Stock | 10 |
| 7.2 Restricted Stock Agreement | 10 |
| 7.3 Transferability | 10 |
| 7.4 Other Restrictions | 10 |
| 7.5 Removal of Restrictions | 10 |
| 7.6 Voting Rights | 11 |
| 7.7 Dividends and Other Distributions | 11 |
| 7.8 Return of Restricted Stock to Company | 11 |
| 7.9 Repurchase Option | 11 |
| SECTION 8 PERFORMANCE UNITS AND PERFORMANCE SHARES | 11 |
| 8.1 Grant of Performance Units/Shares | 11 |
| 8.2 Value of Performance Units/Shares | 11 |
| 8.3 Earning of Performance Units/Shares | 11 |
| 8.4 Form and Timing of Performance Units/Shares | 12 |
| 8.5 Cancellation of Performance Units/Shares | 12 |
| 8.6 Nontransferability | 12 |
| SECTION 9 BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION | 12 |
- 3 -
| SECTION 10 DEFERRALS | 12 |
| SECTION 11 RIGHTS OF EMPLOYEES AND CONSULTANTS | 12 |
| 11.1 No Effect on Employment or Service | 12 |
| 11.2 Participation | 12 |
| SECTION 12 AMENDMENT, SUSPENSION, OR TERMINATION | 13 |
| SECTION 13 TAX WITHHOLDING | 13 |
| 13.1 Withholding Requirements | 13 |
| 13.2 Shares Withholding | 13 |
| SECTION 14 INDEMNIFICATION | 13 |
| SECTION 15 ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION, DISSOLUTION, MERGER OR ASSET SALE | 13 |
| 15.1 Changes in Capitalization | 13 |
| 15.2 Dissolution or Liquidation | 14 |
| 15.3 Merger or Asset Sale | 14 |
| SECTION 16 CONDITIONS UPON ISSUANCE OF SHARES | 15 |
| 16.1 Legal Compliance | 15 |
| 16.2 Investment Representations | 15 |
| SECTION 17 INABILITY TO OBTAIN AUTHORITY | 15 |
| SECTION 18 RESERVATION OF SHARES | 15 |
| SECTION 19 LEGAL CONSTRUCTION | 15 |
| 19.1 Gender and Number | 15 |
| 19.2 Severability | 15 |
| 19.3 Requirements of Law | 15 |
| 20.4 Securities Law Compliance | 15 |
| 19.5 Governing Law | 15 |
| 19.6 Captions | 16 |
- 4 -
Adera Mines Limited
2006 Equity Incentive Plan
Adera Mines Limited hereby adopts the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, effective as of September 14, 2006, as follows:
SECTION 1
BACKGROUND, PURPOSE AND DURATION
1.1 Background and Effective Date. The Plan provides for the granting of Nonqualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights (or SARs), Restricted Stock, Performance Units, and Performance Shares. The Plan is adopted and effective as of September 14, 2006, subject to approval by the stockholders of the Company within twelve (12) months. The Company will seek stockholder approval in the manner and to the degree required under Applicable Laws. Awards may be granted prior to the receipt of stockholder approval, but such grants shall be null and void if such approval is not in fact received within twelve (12) months.
1.2 Purpose of the Plan. The purpose of the Plan is to promote the success, and enhance the value, of the Company by aligning the interests of Participants with those of the Company’s shareholders, and by providing Participants with an incentive for outstanding performance. The Plan is further intended to provide flexibility to the Company in its ability to motivate, attract, and retain the services of outstanding individuals, upon whose judgment, interest, and special effort the success of the Company largely is dependent.
1.3 Duration of the Plan. The Plan shall commence on the date specified in Section 1.1 and subject to SECTION 12 (concerning the Board’s right to amend or terminate the Plan), shall remain in effect thereafter. However, without further stockholder approval, no Incentive Stock Option may be granted under the Plan on or after September 13, 2016.
SECTION 2
DEFINITIONS
The following words and phrases shall have the following meanings unless a different meaning is plainly required by the context:
2.1 “1934 Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Reference to a specific section of the Exchange Act or regulation thereunder shall include such section or regulation, any valid regulation promulgated under such section, and any comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing or superseding such section or regulation.
2.2 “Affiliate” means any corporation or any other entity (including, but not limited to, partnerships and joint ventures) controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company.
2.3 “Affiliated SAR” means an SAR that is granted in connection with a related Option, and which automatically will be deemed to be exercised at the same time that the related Option is exercised.
- 5 -
2.4 “Applicable Laws” means the requirements relating to the administration of equity plans under U. S. state corporate laws, U.S. federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Shares are is listed or quoted and the applicable laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction where Awards are, or will be, granted under the Plan.
2.5 “Award” means, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of Nonqualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Performance Units, or Performance Shares.
2.6 “Award Agreement” means the written agreement setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to each Award granted under the Plan.
2.7 “Board” or “Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.8 “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Reference to a specific section of the Code or regulation thereunder shall include such section or regulation, any valid regulation promulgated under such section, and any comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing or superseding such section or regulation.
2.9 “Committee” means the committee appointed by the Board to administer the Plan pursuant to Section 3.1.
2.10 “Company” means Adera Mines Limited, a Nevada corporation, or any successor thereto.
2.11 “Consultant” means an individual who provides significant services to the Company and/or an Affiliate, including a Director who is not an Employee.
2.12 “Director” means any individual who is a member of the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.13 “Disability” means a permanent and total disability within the meaning of Code Section 22(e)(3).
2.14 “Employee” means an employee of the Company or of an Affiliate, whether such employee is so employed at the time the Plan is adopted or becomes so employed subsequent to the adoption of the Plan.
2.15 “ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. Reference to a specific section of ERISA shall include such section, any valid regulation promulgated thereunder, and any comparable provision of any future legislation amending, supplementing or superseding such section.
2.16 “Fair Market Value” means as of any date, the value of a Share determined as follows:
- 6 -
(a) If the Shares are listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the Nasdaq National Market or The Nasdaq Capital Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for such Share (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system on the day of, or the last market trading day prior to, the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Committee deems reliable;
(b) If the Shares are regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, the Fair Market Value of the Share shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the Shares on the day of, or the last market trading day prior to, the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Committee deems reliable; or
(c) In the absence of an established market for the Shares, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the Committee.
2.17 “Freestanding SAR” means a SAR that is granted independently of any Option.
2.18 “Incentive Stock Option” or “ISO” means an option to purchase Shares, which is designated as an Incentive Stock Option and is intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code.
2.19 “Nonqualified Stock Option” means an option to purchase Shares which is not intended to be an Incentive Stock Option.
2.20 “Option” means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option.
2.21 “Option Price” means the price at which a Share may be purchased pursuant to an Option.
2.22 “Participant” means an Employee, Consultant or Director who has an outstanding Award.
2.23 “Performance Share” means an Award granted to an Employee pursuant to SECTION 8 having an initial value equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant.
2.24 “Performance Unit” means an Award granted to an Employee pursuant to SECTION 8 having an initial value (other than the Fair Market Value of a Share) that is established by the Committee at the time of grant.
2.25 “Period of Restriction” means the period during which the transfer of Shares of Restricted Stock are subject to restrictions.
2.26 “Plan” means the Adera Mines Limited 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, as set forth in this instrument and as hereafter amended from time to time.
2.27 “Restricted Stock” means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to SECTION 7.
2.28 “Retirement” means, in the case of an Employee, a Termination of Employment by reason of the Employee’s retirement at or after age 62.
- 7 -
2.29 “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the 1934 Act, and any future regulation amending, supplementing or superseding such regulation.
2.30 “Section 16 Person” means a person who, with respect to the Shares, is subject to Section 16 of the 1934 Act.
2.31 “Shares” means the shares of common stock of the Company.
2.32 “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means an Award, granted alone or in connection with a related Option, that pursuant to the terms of SECTION 7 is designated as an SAR.
2.33 “Subsidiary” means any “subsidiary corporation” (other than the Company) as defined in Code Section 424(f).
2.34 “Tandem SAR” means an SAR that is granted in connection with a related Option, the exercise of which shall require forfeiture of the right to purchase an equal number of Shares under the related Option (and when a Share is purchased under the Option, the SAR shall be canceled to the same extent).
2.35 “Termination of Employment” means a cessation of the employee-employer or director or other service arrangement relationship between an Employee, Consultant or Director and the Company or an Affiliate for any reason, including, but not by way of limitation, a termination by resignation, discharge, death, Disability, Retirement, or the disaffiliation of an Affiliate, but excluding any such termination where there is a simultaneous reemployment or re-engagement by the Company or an Affiliate.
SECTION 3
ADMINISTRATION
3.1 The Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Board of Directors or by a committee of the Board that meets the requirements of this Section 3.1 (hereinafter referred to as the “Committee”). The Committee shall consist of not less than two (2) Directors. The members of the Committee shall be appointed from time to time by, and shall serve at the pleasure of, the Board of Directors. At such time as the Company has independent directors, any Committee shall be comprised solely of Directors who are both “outside directors” under Rule 16b-3 and “independent directors” under the requirements of any national securities exchange or system upon which the Shares are then listed and/or traded.
3.2 Authority of the Committee. The Committee shall have all powers and discretion necessary or appropriate to administer the Plan and to control its operation, including, but not limited to, the power (a) to determine which Employees, Consultants and Directors shall be granted Awards, (b) to prescribe the terms and conditions of such Awards, (c) to interpret the Plan and the Awards, (d) to adopt rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan as are consistent therewith, and (e) to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules.
The Committee, in its sole discretion and on such terms and conditions as it may provide, may delegate all or any part of its authority and powers under the Plan to one or more directors and/or officers of the Company; provided, however, that the Committee may not delegate its authority and powers with respect to Section 16 Persons.
- 8 -
3.3 Decisions Binding. All determinations and decisions made by the Committee shall be final, conclusive, and binding on all persons, and shall be given the maximum deference permitted by law.
SECTION 4
SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN
4.1 Shares Available.
4.1.1 Maximum Shares Available under Plan. The aggregate number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan may not exceed Ten Million (10,000,000) Shares. Such shares may be authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares.
4.1.2 Adjustments. All Share numbers in this Section 4.1 are subject to adjustment as provided in SECTION 15.
4.2 Number of Shares. The following rules will apply for purposes of the determination of the number of Shares available for grant under the Plan:
(a) While an Award is outstanding, it shall be counted against the authorized pool of Shares, regardless of its vested status.
(b) The grant of an Option or Restricted Stock shall reduce the Shares available for grant under the Plan by the number of Shares subject to such Award.
(c) The grant of a Tandem SAR shall reduce the number of Shares available for grant by the number of Shares subject to the related Option (i.e., there is no double counting of Options and their related Tandem SARs); provided, however, that, upon the exercise of such Tandem SAR, the authorized Share pool shall be credited with the appropriate number of Shares representing the number of shares reserved for such Tandem SAR less the number of Shares actually delivered upon exercise thereof or the number of Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the cash payment made upon such exercise.
(d) The grant of an Affiliated SAR shall reduce the number of Shares available for grant by the number of Shares subject to the SAR, in addition to the number of Shares subject to the related Option; provided, however, that, upon the exercise of such Affiliated SAR, the authorized Share pool shall be credited with the appropriate number of Shares representing the number of shares reserved for such Affiliated SAR less the number of Shares actually delivered upon exercise thereof or the number of Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the cash payment made upon such exercise.
(e) The grant of a Freestanding SAR shall reduce the number of Shares available for grant by the number of Freestanding SARs granted; provided, however, that, upon the exercise of such Freestanding SAR, the authorized Share pool shall be credited with the appropriate number of Shares representing the number of shares reserved for such Freestanding SAR less the number of Shares actually delivered upon exercise thereof or the number of Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the cash payment made upon such exercise.
- 9 -
(f) The Committee shall in each case determine the appropriate number of Shares to deduct from the authorized pool in connection with the grant of Performance Units and/or Performance Shares.
(g) To the extent that an Award is settled in cash rather than in Shares, the authorized Share pool shall be credited with the appropriate number of Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the cash settlement of the Award.
4.3 Lapsed Awards. If an Award is cancelled, terminates, expires, or lapses for any reason (with the exception of the termination of a Tandem SAR upon exercise of the related Option, or the termination of a related Option upon exercise of the corresponding Tandem SAR), any Shares subject to such Award again shall be available to be the subject of an Award.
SECTION 5
STOCK OPTIONS
5.1 Grant of Options. Options may be granted to Employees, Consultants and Directors at any time and from time to time, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. The Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine the number of Shares subject to Options granted to each Participant. The Committee may grant ISOs, NQSOs, or a combination thereof.
5.2 Award Agreement. Each Option shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the Option Price, the expiration date of the Option, the number of Shares to which the Option pertains, any conditions to exercise of the Option, and such other terms and conditions as the Committee, in its discretion, shall determine. The Award Agreement also shall specify whether the Option is intended to be an ISO or a NQSO.
5.3 Option Price. Subject to the provisions of this Section 5.3, the Option Price for each Option shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.
5.3.1 Nonqualified Stock Options. In the case of a Nonqualified Stock Option, the Option Price shall be not less than Eighty Five Percent (85%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date that the Option is granted.
5.3.2 Incentive Stock Options. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the Option Price shall be not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date that the Option is granted; provided, however, that if at the time that the Option is granted, the Employee (together with persons whose stock ownership is attributed to the Employee pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the Option Price shall be not less than one hundred and ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date that the Option is granted.
5.3.3 Substitute Options. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 5.3.1 and 5.3.2, in the event that the Company or an Affiliate consummates a transaction described in Section 424(a) of the Code (e.g., the acquisition of property or stock from an unrelated corporation), persons who become Employees, Consultants or Directors on account of such transaction may be granted Options in substitution for options granted by their former employer. If such substitute Options are granted, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may determine that such substitute Options shall have an exercise price less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date the Option is granted.
- 10 -
5.4 Expiration of Options. Unless the applicable stock option agreement provides otherwise, each Option shall terminate upon the first to occur of the events listed in Section 5.4.1, subject to Section 5.4.2.
5.4.1 Expiration Dates.
(a) The date for termination of the Option set forth in the Award Agreement;
(b) The expiration of ten years from the date the Option was granted, or
(c) The expiration of three months from the date of the Participant’s Termination of Employment for a reason other than the Participant’s death, Disability or Retirement, or
(d) The expiration of twelve months from the date of the Participant’s Termination of Employment by reason of Disability, or
(e) The expiration of twelve months from the date of the Participant’s death, if such death occurs while the Participant is in the employ or service of the Company or an Affiliate.
5.4.2 Committee Discretion. The Committee shall provide, in the terms of each individual Option, when such Option expires and becomes unexercisable. After the Option is granted, the Committee, in its sole discretion may extend the maximum term of such Option. The foregoing discretionary authority is subject to the limitations and restrictions on Incentive Stock Options set forth in Section 5.8.
5.5 Exercise of Options. Options granted under the Plan shall be exercisable at such times, and subject to such restrictions and conditions, as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion. After an Option is granted, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may accelerate the exercisability of the Option.
5.6 Payment. The Committee shall determine the acceptable form of consideration for exercising an Option, including the method of payment. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the Committee shall determine the acceptable form of consideration at the time of grant. Such consideration may consist entirely of:
(a) cash;
(b) check;
(c) promissory note;
(d) other Shares which (i) in the case of Shares acquired upon exercise of an Option, have been owned by the Participant for more than six (6) months on the date of surrender, and (ii) have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which said Option shall be exercised;
- 11 -
(e) consideration received by the Company from a licensed broker under a cashless exercise program implemented by the Company to facilitate “same day” exercises and sales of Options;
(f) a reduction in the amount of any Company liability to the Participant, including any liability attributable to the Participant's participation in any Company-sponsored deferred compensation program or arrangement;
(g) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment; or
(h) such other consideration and method of payment for the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by applicable laws.
5.7 Restrictions on Share Transferability. The Committee may impose such restrictions on any Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Option, as it may deem advisable, including, but not limited to, restrictions related to Federal securities laws, the requirements of any national securities exchange or system upon which such Shares are then listed and/or traded, and/or any blue sky or state securities laws.
5.8 Certain Additional Provisions for Incentive Stock Options.
5.8.1 Exercisability. The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time the Option is granted) of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Employee during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and its Subsidiaries) shall not exceed $100,000.
5.8.2 Termination of Employment. No Incentive Stock Option may be exercised more than three months after the Participant’s termination of employment for any reason other than Disability or death, unless (a) the Participant dies during such three-month period, and (b) the Award Agreement and/or the Committee permits later exercise. No Incentive Stock Option may be exercised more than one year after the Participant’s termination of employment on account of Disability, unless (a) the Participant dies during such one-year period, and (b) the Award Agreement and/or the Committee permit later exercise.
5.8.3 Company and Subsidiaries Only. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to persons who are Employees of the Company and/or a Subsidiary at the time of grant.
5.8.4 Expiration. No Incentive Stock Option may be exercised after the expiration of 10 years from the date such Option was granted; provided, however, that if the Option is granted to an Employee who, together with persons whose stock ownership is attributed to the Employee pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code, owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of the stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the Option may not be exercised after the expiration of 5 years from the date that it was granted.
5.9 Nontransferability of Options. No Option granted under the Plan may be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will, the laws of descent and distribution, or as provided under SECTION 9. All Options granted to a Participant under the Plan shall be exercisable during his or her lifetime only by such Participant.
- 12 -
SECTION 6
STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
6.1 Grant of SARs. An SAR may be granted to an Employee, Consultant or Director at any time and from time to time as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion. The Committee may grant Affiliated SARs, Freestanding SARs, Tandem SARs, or any combination thereof. The Committee shall have complete discretion to determine the number of SARs granted to any Participant, and consistent with the provisions of the Plan, the terms and conditions pertaining to such SARs. However, the grant price of a Freestanding SAR shall be at least equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant. The grant price of Tandem or Affiliated SARs shall equal the Option Price of the related Option.
6.2 Exercise of Tandem SARs. Tandem SARs may be exercised for all or part of the Shares subject to the related Option upon the surrender of the right to exercise the equivalent portion of the related Option. A Tandem SAR may be exercised only with respect to the Shares for which its related Option is then exercisable.
6.2.1 ISOs. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of the Plan, with respect to a Tandem SAR granted in connection with an ISO: (i) the Tandem SAR shall expire no later than the expiration of the underlying ISO; (ii) the value of the payout with respect to the Tandem SAR shall be for no more than one hundred percent (100%) of the difference between the Option Price of the underlying ISO and the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the underlying ISO at the time the Tandem SAR is exercised; and (iii) the Tandem SAR shall be exercisable only when the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the ISO exceeds the Option Price of the ISO.
6.3 Exercise of Affiliated SARs. An Affiliated SAR shall be deemed to be exercised upon the exercise of the related Option. The deemed exercise of an Affiliated SAR shall not necessitate a reduction in the number of Shares subject to the related Option.
6.4 Exercise of Freestanding SARs. Freestanding SARs shall be exercisable on such terms and conditions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine.
6.5 SAR Agreement. Each SAR shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the grant price, the term of the SAR, the conditions of exercise, and such other terms and conditions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine.
6.6 Expiration of SARs. An SAR granted under the Plan shall expire upon the date determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, and set forth in the Award Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the rules of Section 5.4 (pertaining to Options) also shall apply to SARs.
6.7 Payment of SAR Amount. Upon exercise of an SAR, a Participant shall be entitled to receive payment from the Company in an amount determined by multiplying:
- 13 -
(a) The difference between the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise over the grant price; times
(b) The number of Shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised.
At the discretion of the Committee, the payment upon SAR exercise may be in cash, in Shares of equivalent value, or in some combination thereof.
6.8 Nontransferability of SARs. No SAR granted under the Plan may be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will, the laws of descent and distribution, or as permitted under SECTION 9. An SAR granted to a Participant shall be exercisable during the Participant’s lifetime only by such Participant.
SECTION 7
RESTRICTED STOCK
7.1 Grant of Restricted Stock. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Shares of Restricted Stock to Employees, Consultants or Directors in such amounts as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine.
7.2 Restricted Stock Agreement. Each Award of Restricted Stock shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the Period of Restriction, the number of Shares granted, and such other terms and conditions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, shares of Restricted Stock shall be held by the Company as escrow agent until the restrictions on such Shares have lapsed.
7.3 Transferability. Except as provided in this SECTION 7, Shares of Restricted Stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated until the end of the applicable Period of Restriction. All rights with respect to the Restricted Stock granted to a Participant under the Plan shall be available during his or her lifetime only to such Participant.
7.4 Other Restrictions. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may impose such other restrictions on any Shares of Restricted Stock as it may deem advisable including, without limitation, restrictions based upon the achievement of specific performance goals (Company-wide, divisional, and/or individual), and/or restrictions under applicable Federal or state securities laws; and may legend the certificates representing Restricted Stock to give appropriate notice of such restrictions. For example, the Committee may determine that some or all certificates representing Shares of Restricted Stock shall bear the following legend:
“The sale or other transfer of the shares of stock represented by this certificate, whether voluntary, involuntary, or by operation of law, is subject to certain restrictions on transfer as set forth in the Adera Mines Limited 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, and in a Restricted Stock Agreement. A copy of the Plan and such Restricted Stock Agreement may be obtained from the Secretary of Adera Mines Limited”
7.5 Removal of Restrictions. Except as otherwise provided in this SECTION 7, Shares of Restricted Stock covered by each Restricted Stock grant made under the Plan shall be released from escrow as soon as practicable after the last day of the Period of Restriction. The Committee, in its discretion, may accelerate the time at which any restrictions shall lapse, and/or remove any restrictions. After the restrictions have lapsed, the Participant shall be entitled to have any legend or legends under Section 7.4 removed from his or her Share certificate, and the Shares shall be freely transferable by the Participant.
- 14 -
7.6 Voting Rights. During the Period of Restriction, Participants holding Shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder may exercise full voting rights with respect to those Shares, unless the Committee determines otherwise.
7.7 Dividends and Other Distributions. During the Period of Restriction, Participants holding Shares of Restricted Stock shall be entitled to receive all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to such Shares, unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement. If any such dividends or distributions are paid in Shares, the Shares shall be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid.
7.8 Return of Restricted Stock to Company. Subject to the applicable Award Agreement and Section 7.5, upon the earlier of (a) the Participant’s Termination of Employment, or (b) the date set forth in the Award Agreement, the Restricted Stock for which restrictions have not lapsed shall revert to the Company and, subject to Section 4.3, again shall become available for grant under the Plan.
7.9 Repurchase Option. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall grant the Company a repurchase option exercisable upon the voluntary or involuntary termination of the Participant's service with the Company for any reason (including death or Disability). The purchase price for Shares repurchased pursuant to the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall be the original price paid by the Participant and may be paid by cancellation of any indebtedness of the Participant to the Company. The repurchase option shall lapse at a rate determined by the Committee.
SECTION 8
PERFORMANCE UNITS AND PERFORMANCE SHARES
8.1 Grant of Performance Units/Shares. Performance Units and Performance Shares may be granted to Employees, Consultants or Directors at any time and from time to time, as shall be determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion. The Committee shall have complete discretion in determining the number of Performance Units and Performance Shares granted to each Participant.
8.2 Value of Performance Units/Shares. Each Performance Unit shall have an initial value that is established by the Committee at the time of grant. Each Performance Share shall have an initial value equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant. The Committee shall set performance goals in its discretion which, depending on the extent to which they are met, will determine the number and/or value of Performance Units/Shares that will be paid out to the Participants. The time period during which the performance goals must be met shall be called the “Performance Period”.
8.3 Earning of Performance Units/Shares. After the applicable Performance Period has ended, the holder of Performance Units/Shares shall be entitled to receive a payout of the number of Performance Units/Shares earned by the Participant over the Performance Period, to be determined as a function of the extent to which the corresponding performance goals have been achieved. After the grant of a Performance Unit/Share, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may adjust and/or waive the achievement of any performance goals for such Performance Unit/Share.
- 15 -
8.4 Form and Timing of Payment of Performance Units/Shares. Payment of earned Performance Units/Shares shall be made as soon as practicable after the expiration of the applicable Performance Period. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may pay earned Performance Units/Shares in the form of cash, in Shares (which have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the value of the earned Performance Units/Shares at the close of the applicable Performance Period) or in a combination thereof.
8.5 Cancellation of Performance Units/Shares. Subject to the applicable Award Agreement, upon the earlier of (a) the Participant’s Termination of Employment, or (b) the date set forth in the Award Agreement, all remaining Performance Units/Shares shall be forfeited by the Participant to the Company, and subject to Section 4.3, the Shares subject thereto shall again be available for grant under the Plan.
8.6 Nontransferability. Performance Units/Shares may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will, the laws of descent and distribution, or as permitted under SECTION 9. A Participant’s rights under the Plan shall be exercisable during the Participant’s lifetime only by the Participant or the Participant’s legal representative.
SECTION 9
BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION
If permitted by the Committee, a Participant may name a beneficiary or beneficiaries to whom any unpaid vested Award shall be paid in event of the Participant’s death. Each such designation shall revoke all prior designations by the same Participant and shall be effective only if given in a form and manner acceptable to the Committee. In the absence of any such designation, benefits remaining unpaid at the Participant’s death shall be paid to the Participant’s estate and, subject to the terms of the Plan, any unexercised vested Award may be exercised by the Committee or executor of the Participant’s estate.
SECTION 10
DEFERRALS
The Committee, in its sole discretion, may permit a Participant to defer receipt of the payment of cash or the delivery of Shares that would otherwise be due to such Participant under an Award. Any such deferral elections shall be subject to such rules and procedures as shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.
SECTION 11
RIGHTS OF EMPLOYEES AND CONSULTANTS
11.1 No Effect on Employment or Service. Nothing in the Plan shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company to terminate any Participant’s employment or service at any time, with or without cause.
11.2 Participation. No Employee, Consultant or Director shall have the right to be selected to receive an Award under this Plan, or, having been so selected, to be selected to receive a future Award.
- 16 -
SECTION 12
AMENDMENT, SUSPENSION, OR TERMINATION
The Board, in its sole discretion, may alter, amend or terminate the Plan, or any part thereof, at any time and for any reason. However, as required by Applicable Laws, no alteration or amendment shall be effective without further stockholder approval. Neither the amendment, suspension, nor termination of the Plan shall, without the consent of the Participant, alter or impair any rights or obligations under any Award theretofore granted. No Award may be granted during any period of suspension nor after termination of the Plan.
SECTION 13
TAX WITHHOLDING
13.1 Withholding Requirements. Prior to the delivery of any Shares or cash pursuant to an Award, the Company shall have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy Federal, state, and local taxes required to be withheld with respect to such Award.
13.2 Shares Withholding. The Committee, in its sole discretion and pursuant to such procedures as it may specify from time to time, may permit a Participant to satisfy the minimum statutory tax withholding obligation, in whole or in part, by delivering to the Company Shares already owned for more than six (6) months having a value equal to the amount required to be withheld. The value of the Shares to be delivered will be based on their Fair Market Value on the date of delivery.
SECTION 14
INDEMNIFICATION
Each person who is or shall have been a member of the Committee, or of the Board, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with or resulting from any claim, notion, suit, or proceeding to which he or she may be a party or in which he or she may be involved by reason of any action taken or failure to act under the Plan or any Award Agreement and against and from any and all amounts paid by him or her in settlement thereof, with the Company’s approval, or paid by him or her in settlement thereof, with the Company’s approval, or paid by him or her in satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit, or proceeding against him or her, provided he or she shall give the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled under the Company’s Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.
SECTION 15
ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION, DISSOLUTION, MERGER OR ASSET SALE
15.1 Changes in Capitalization; No Award Repricing. Subject to any required action by the shareholders of the Company, the number of Shares covered by each outstanding Award, and the number of Shares which have been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to which no Awards have yet been granted or which have been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or expiration of an Award, as well as the price per Share covered by each such outstanding Award, shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued Shares resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of the Shares, or any other increase or decrease in the number of issued Shares effected without receipt of consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been “effected without receipt of consideration.” Such adjustment shall be made by the Board, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of Shares subject to an Award. Further, except for the adjustments provided herein, no Award may be amended to reduce its initial exercise price, and no Award may be cancelled and replaced with an Award with a lower price.
- 17 -
15.2 Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Committee shall notify each Participant as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed transaction. The Committee in its discretion may provide for a Participant to have the right to exercise his or her Award until ten (10) days prior to such transaction as to all of the Shares covered thereby, including Shares as to which the Award would not otherwise be exercisable. In addition, the Committee may provide that any Company repurchase option applicable to any Shares purchased upon exercise of an Award shall lapse as to all such Shares, provided the proposed dissolution or liquidation takes place at the time and in the manner contemplated. To the extent it has not been previously exercised, an Award will terminate immediately prior to the consum-mation of such proposed action.
15.3 Merger or Asset Sale. In the event of a merger of the Company with or into another corporation, or the sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company, each outstanding Award shall be assumed or an equivalent option or right substituted by the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation. In the event that the successor corporation refuses to assume or substitute for the Award, the Participant shall fully vest in and have the right to exercise the Award as to all of the Shares as to which it would not otherwise be vested or exercisable. If an Award becomes fully vested and exercisable in lieu of assumption or substitution in the event of a merger or sale of assets, the Committee shall notify the Participant in writing or electronically that the Award shall be fully vested and exercisable for a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of such notice, and the Award shall terminate upon the expiration of such period. For the purposes of this paragraph, the Award shall be considered assumed if, following the merger or sale of assets, the option or right confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share subject to the Award immediately prior to the merger or sale of assets, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) received in the merger or sale of assets by holders of Shares for each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the merger or sale of assets is not solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent, the Committee may, with the consent of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of the Award, for each Share subject to the Award, to be solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Shares in the merger or sale of assets.
- 18 -
CONDITIONS UPON ISSUANCE OF SHARES
15.4 Legal Compliance. Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Award unless the exercise of such Award and the issuance and delivery of Shares shall comply with Applicable Laws and shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.
15.5 Investment Representations. As a condition to the exercise of an Award, the Company may require the person exercising such Award to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required.
SECTION 16
INABILITY TO OBTAIN AUTHORITY
The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company's counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.
SECTION 17
RESERVATION OF SHARES
The Company, during the term of this Plan, will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.
SECTION 18
LEGAL CONSTRUCTION
18.1 Gender and Number. Except where otherwise indicated by the context, any masculine term used herein also shall include the feminine; the plural shall include the singular and the singular shall include the plural.
18.2 Severability. In the event any provision of the Plan shall be held illegal or invalid for any reason, such illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts of the Plan, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had not been included.
18.3 Requirements of Law. The granting of Awards and the issuance of Shares under the Plan shall be subject to all Applicable Laws.
18.4 Securities Law Compliance. With respect to Section 16 Persons, transactions under this Plan are intended to comply with all applicable conditions of Rule 16b-3. To the extent any provision of the Plan, Award Agreement or action by the Committee fails to so comply, it shall be deemed null and void, to the extent permitted by law and deemed advisable by the Committee.
18.5 Governing Law. The Plan and all Award Agreements shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of California.
- 19 -
18.6 Captions. Captions are provided herein for convenience only, and shall not serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of the Plan.
- 20 -