HOMESTAKE MINING CO /DE/
8-K, 1996-10-16
GOLD AND SILVER ORES
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                                 UNITED STATES

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549



                                    FORM 8-K

                                 Current Report

                        Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d)

                     of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


      Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 20, 1996


                            HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)




     Delaware                    1-8736                 94-2934609
    (State or other            (Commission             (I.R.S. Employer
     jurisdiction of            File Number)          Identification Number)
     incorporation)



        650 California Street, San Francisco, California   94108-2788
            (Address of principal executive offices)       (Zip Code)


       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (415) 981-8150



                                                           Page 1 of 2 Pages
<PAGE>


Item 5.    Other Events.

           This form 8-K is submitted to file the document  listed below in Item
           7.


Item 7.    Financial Statements and Exhibits.

           (c)    Exhibits.

Exhibit 10.1   Credit  Agreement  dated  as of  September  20,  1996  among  the
               Registrant,  the Lenders,  Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, as
               Documentation  Agent,  The  Chase  Manhattan  Bank of  Canada  as
               Canadian   Administrative   Agent,  Chase  Securities   Australia
               Limited,  as Australian  Administrative  Agent,  Chase Securities
               Inc.,   as   Arranger,   and  The  Chase   Manhattan   Bank,   as
               Administrative Agent.

                                   SIGNATURES


Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
Registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.




Dated:   September 20, 1996


                                           HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY
                                              (Registrant)



                                           By:  /s/ David W. Peat
                                                -----------------
                                                David W. Peat
                                                Vice President and Controller



                                                           Page 2 of 2 Pages

                                                           EXHIBIT 10.1



                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                         DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 20, 1996


                                      AMONG


                            HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY,
                      a Delaware corporation, as Guarantor,


                     HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY OF CALIFORNIA,
                   a California corporation, as U.S. Borrower,


                             HOMESTAKE CANADA INC.,
                  an Ontario corporation, as Canadian Borrower,


                      HOMESTAKE GOLD OF AUSTRALIA LIMITED,
             a South Australian corporation, as Australian Borrower,


                           THE LENDERS LISTED HEREIN,
                                   as Lenders,

                       CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE,
                             as Documentation Agent,

                       THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK OF CANADA,
                        as Canadian Administrative Agent,

                       CHASE SECURITIES AUSTRALIA LIMITED,
                       as Australian Administrative Agent,

                             CHASE SECURITIES INC.,
                                  as Arranger,

                                       and


                            THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
                             as Administrative Agent








                                                       

<PAGE>



                            HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY
                     HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY OF CALIFORNIA
                              HOMESTAKE CANADA INC.
                       HOMESTAKE GOLD OF AUSTRALIA LIMITED

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                                    Page

<S>      <C>          <C>                                                                                            <C>
Section 1.  DEFINITIONS..............................................................................................  2
         1.1          Certain Defined Terms..........................................................................  2
                      ---------------------
         1.2          Accounting Terms; Utilization of GAAP for Purposes
                      --------------------------------------------------
                      of Calculations Under Agreement................................................................ 37
                      -------------------------------
         1.3          Other Definitional Provisions.................................................................. 37
                      -----------------------------

Section 2.  AMOUNTS AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS AND LOANS............................................................... 37
         2.1          Commitments; Loans............................................................................. 37
                      ------------------
         2.2          Interest on the Loans.......................................................................... 47
                      ---------------------
         2.3          Fees........................................................................................... 53
                      ----
         2.4          Prepayments and Reductions in Commitments; General
                      --------------------------------------------------
                      Provisions Regarding Payments.................................................................. 54
                      -----------------------------
         2.5          Use of Proceeds................................................................................ 59
                      ---------------
         2.6          Special Provisions Governing Eurodollar Rate Loans,
                      ---------------------------------------------------
                      Bank Bill Swap Rate Loans and Gold Loans....................................................... 60
                      ----------------------------------------
         2.7          Letters of Credit.............................................................................. 64
                      -----------------
         2.8          Bankers' Acceptances........................................................................... 72
                      --------------------

Section 3.  CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS OF AGREEMENT AND LOANS,
            LETTERS OF CREDIT AND BANKERS' ACCEPTANCES............................................................... 77
         3.1          Conditions to Effectiveness.................................................................... 77
         3.2          Conditions to All Loans........................................................................ 82
         3.3          Conditions to All Letters of Credit............................................................ 83
         3.4          Conditions to All Bankers' Acceptances......................................................... 83

Section 4.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES........................................................................... 84
         4.1          Organization, Powers, Qualification, Good Standing,
                      Business and Subsidiaries...................................................................... 84
         4.2          Authorization of Borrowing and Guaranty, etc................................................... 85
                      ---------------------------------------------
         4.3          Valid Issuance of Stock and Subordinated
                      ----------------------------------------
                      Debentures..................................................................................... 86
                      ----------
         4.4          Financial Condition............................................................................ 86
                      -------------------
         4.5          No Material Adverse Effect; No Restricted Junior
                      ------------------------------------------------
                      Payments....................................................................................... 87
</TABLE>



                                       (i)

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                                    Page

<S>      <C>          <C>                                                                                            <C> 
         4.6          Title to Properties; Liens..................................................................... 87
                      --------------------------
         4.7          Litigation; Adverse Facts...................................................................... 88
                      -------------------------
         4.8          Payment of Taxes............................................................................... 88
                      ----------------
         4.9          Performance of Agreements; Materially Adverse
                      Agreements..................................................................................... 88
                      ----------
         4.10         Governmental Regulation........................................................................ 89
                      -----------------------
         4.11         Securities Activities.......................................................................... 89
                      ---------------------
         4.12         Employee Benefit Plans......................................................................... 89
                      ----------------------
         4.13         Certain Fees................................................................................... 90
                      ------------
         4.14         Environmental Protection....................................................................... 90
                      ------------------------
         4.15         Employee Matters............................................................................... 90
                      ----------------
         4.16         Solvency....................................................................................... 90
                      --------
         4.17         Compliance with Laws........................................................................... 90
                      --------------------
         4.18         Disclosure..................................................................................... 90
                      ----------

Section 5.  AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.................................................................................... 91
         5.1          Financial Statements and Other Reports......................................................... 91
         5.2          Corporate Existence, etc....................................................................... 95
         5.3          Payment of Taxes and Claims; Tax Consolidation................................................. 95
         5.4          Maintenance of Properties; Insurance........................................................... 95
         5.5          Inspection; Lender Meeting; Reports of
                      Subsidiaries................................................................................... 96
         5.6          Compliance with Laws, etc...................................................................... 96
                      --------------------------
         5.7          Environmental Disclosure and Inspection........................................................ 96
                      ---------------------------------------
         5.8          Company's Remedial Action Regarding Hazardous
                      Materials...................................................................................... 97
                      ---------
         5.9          Further Assurances............................................................................. 98
                      ------------------

Section 6.  NEGATIVE COVENANTS....................................................................................... 98
         6.1          Indebtedness................................................................................... 98
         6.2          Liens and Related Matters......................................................................100
         6.3          Investments; Joint Ventures....................................................................101
         6.4          Contingent Obligations.........................................................................102
         6.5          Restricted Junior Payments.....................................................................103
         6.6          Financial Covenants............................................................................103
         6.7          Restriction on Fundamental Changes; Asset Sales................................................104
         6.8          Transactions with Shareholders and Affiliates..................................................105
         6.9          Disposal of Material Subsidiary Stock..........................................................105
         6.10         Conduct of Business............................................................................105
         6.11         Prepayments and Amendments to Subordinated
                      Indebtedness...................................................................................106

</TABLE>


                                      (ii)

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                                    Page

<S>      <C>          <C>                                                                                            <C>
Section 7. EVENTS OF DEFAULT.........................................................................................106
         7.1          Failure to Make Payments When Due..............................................................106
         7.2          Default in Other Agreements....................................................................106
         7.3          Breach of Certain Covenants....................................................................107
         7.4          Breach of Warranty.............................................................................107
         7.5          Other Defaults Under Loan Documents............................................................107
         7.6          Involuntary Bankruptcy; Appointment of Receiver,
                      etc............................................................................................107
         7.7          Voluntary Bankruptcy; Appointment of Receiver,
                      etc............................................................................................108
                      ----
         7.8          Judgments and Attachments......................................................................109
                      -------------------------
         7.9          Dissolution....................................................................................109
                      -----------
         7.10         Employee Benefit Plans.........................................................................109
                      ----------------------
         7.11         Change in Control of Borrowers.................................................................109
                      ------------------------------

Section 8.  GUARANTIES OF COMPANY AND U.S. BORROWER OF
            OBLIGATIONS..............................................................................................111
         8.1          Guaranty by Company............................................................................111
         8.2          Guaranty by U.S. Borrower......................................................................115

Section 9.  AGENTS ..................................................................................................120
         9.1          Appointment....................................................................................120
                      -----------
         9.2          Powers; General Immunity.......................................................................120
                      ------------------------
         9.3          Representations and Warranties; No Responsibility
                      For Appraisal of Creditworthiness..............................................................122
                      ---------------------------------
         9.4          Right to Indemnity.............................................................................122
                      ------------------
         9.5          Registered Persons Treated as Owners...........................................................123
                      ------------------------------------
         9.6          Successor Agents...............................................................................123
                      ----------------

Section 10.  MISCELLANEOUS...........................................................................................124
         10.1         Assignments of and Participations in Commitments,
                      Loans and Letters of Credit; Fronting Banks....................................................124
                      -------------------------------------------
         10.2         Expenses.......................................................................................128
                      --------
         10.3         Indemnity......................................................................................129
                      ---------
         10.4         Set Off........................................................................................130
                      -------
         10.5         Ratable Sharing................................................................................131
                      ---------------
         10.6         Amendments and Waivers.........................................................................131
                      ----------------------
         10.7         Increased Costs; Taxes; Capital Adequacy.......................................................132
                      ----------------------------------------
         10.8         Lenders' Obligation to Mitigate; Replacement of
                      ----------------------------------------------- 
                      Lender.........................................................................................137
                      ------
         10.9         Independence of Covenants......................................................................137
                      -------------------------
         10.10        Notices........................................................................................138
                      -------
</TABLE>


                                      (iii)

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                                    Page
<S>      <C>          <C>                                                                                            <C>
                        
         10.11        Survival of Representations, Warranties and
                      Agreements.....................................................................................138
         10.12        Failure or Indulgence Not Waiver; Remedies
                      Cumulative.....................................................................................138
                      ----------
         10.13        Marshalling; Payments Set Aside................................................................139
                      -------------------------------
         10.14        Severability...................................................................................139
                      ------------
         10.15        Obligations Several; Independent Nature of Lenders'
                      Rights.........................................................................................139
                      ------
         10.16        Headings.......................................................................................140
                      --------
         10.17        Applicable Law.................................................................................140
                      --------------
         10.18        Successors and Assigns.........................................................................140
                      ----------------------
         10.19        Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of Process.................................................140
                      ----------------------------------------------
         10.20        Waiver of Jury Trial...........................................................................141
                      --------------------
         10.21        Confidentiality................................................................................142
                      ---------------
         10.22        Entire Agreement...............................................................................142
                      ----------------
         10.23        Counterparts; Effectiveness....................................................................142
                      ---------------------------
         10.24        Judgment Currency..............................................................................143
                      -----------------
         10.25        Change in Control..............................................................................143
                      -----------------

</TABLE>


                                      (iv)

<PAGE>




                                    EXHIBITS


I        FORM OF NOTICE OF BORROWING
II       FORM OF NOTICE OF CONVERSION/CONTINUATION
III-A    FORM OF DRAFT
III-B    FORM OF DRAWING NOTICE
IV-A     FORM OF CANADIAN BORROWER NOTE
IV-B     FORM OF AUSTRALIAN BORROWER NOTE
IV-C     FORM OF U.S. BORROWER NOTE
V        FORM OF GRID GOLD ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 
VI       FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
VII-A    FORM OF OPINION OF THELEN, MARRIN, JOHNSON & BRIDGES
VII-B    FORM OF OPINION OF WAYNE KIRK, ESQ.  
VIII-A   FORM OF OPINION OF OSLER,  HOSKIN & HARCOURT  
VIII-B   FORM OF OPINION OF PARKER & PARKER 
IX       FORM OF OPINION OF O'MELVENY & MYERS
X-A      FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE (CANADIAN LENDER)
X-B      FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE (U.S. LENDER)
X-C      FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE (AUSTRALIAN LENDER)
XI       FORM OF NOTICE OF ISSUANCE OF LETTER OF CREDIT
XII      FORM OF SUBORDINATION PROVISIONS
XIII     FORM OF NOTICE OF ALLOCATION


                                       (v)

<PAGE>



                                    SCHEDULES


1.1      CASH FLOW SCHEDULE
2.1      LENDERS' COMMITMENTS AND PRO RATA SHARES
4.1      LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES
4.4      CONTINGENT OBLIGATIONS AND FORWARD COMMITMENTS
4.7      LITIGATION
4.12     CERTAIN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
6.1      EXISTING INDEBTEDNESS
6.2      CERTAIN EXISTING LIENS
6.3      EXISTING INVESTMENTS
6.4      EXISTING CONTINGENT OBLIGATIONS
6.8      TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES





                                      (vi)

<PAGE>

                            


                            HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY
                     HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY OF CALIFORNIA
                              HOMESTAKE CANADA INC.
                       HOMESTAKE GOLD OF AUSTRALIA LIMITED

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT



                 This CREDIT  AGREEMENT  is dated as of  September  20, 1996 and
entered  into by and among  HOMESTAKE  MINING  COMPANY,  a Delaware  corporation
("Company"),  HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY OF CALIFORNIA,  a California  corporation
("U.S.  Borrower"),  HOMESTAKE  CANADA INC., an Ontario  corporation  ("Canadian
Borrower"),  HOMESTAKE  GOLD OF  AUSTRALIA  LIMITED,  ACN 008 143  137,  a South
Australia corporation ("Australian Borrower"), THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS LISTED
ON THE  SIGNATURE  PAGES  HEREOF  (each  individually  referred  to  herein as a
"Lender" and collectively as "Lenders"),  THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK OF CANADA, as
Canadian  Administrative  Agent for Lenders ("Canadian  Administrative  Agent"),
CHASE   SECURITIES   AUSTRALIA   LIMITED,   ACN  002  888  011,  as   Australian
Administrative  Agent for Lenders  ("Australian  Administrative  Agent"),  CHASE
SECURITIES  INC.,  as  Arranger  ("Arranger"),  THE  CHASE  MANHATTAN  BANK,  as
Administrative Agent for Lenders ("Administrative Agent"), and CANADIAN IMPERIAL
BANK OF COMMERCE,  as Documentation Agent for Lenders  ("Documentation  Agent").
Capitalized  terms  used  herein  and  not  otherwise  defined  shall  have  the
respective meanings set forth in subsection 1.1 of this Agreement.


                                 R E C I T A L S

                 WHEREAS,  pursuant to that certain  Amended and Restated Credit
Agreement dated as of September 30, 1994 (the "Existing Credit Agreement") among
Company, U.S. Borrower,  Canadian Borrower,  the lenders listed on the signature
pages thereof ("Existing  Lenders"),  managing agents and Canadian Imperial Bank
of Commerce,  as administrative agent, Existing Lenders have made certain credit
facilities  available to U.S.  Borrower and Canadian Borrower in accordance with
the terms thereof; and





                                        1

<PAGE>



                 WHEREAS, Company, U.S. Borrower and Canadian Borrower
desire to refinance the Existing Credit Agreement and, among
other things, add Australian Borrower and increase the aggregate
Commitments of Lenders to $275,000,000;

                 NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the  premises  and  the
agreements,  provisions  and covenants  herein  contained,  Company,  Borrowers,
Lenders, Agents and Arranger agree as follows:


Section 1.  DEFINITIONS

1.1      Certain Defined Terms.

                 The  following  terms  used in this  Agreement  shall  have the
following meanings:

                 "Adjusted   Eurodollar  Rate"  means,  for  any  Interest  Rate
Determination  Date with respect to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the rate obtained by
dividing (i) the  Eurodollar  Rate on such Interest Rate  Determination  Date by
(ii) a  percentage  equal to 100% minus the stated  maximum  rate of all reserve
requirements   (including,   without   limitation,   any  marginal,   emergency,
supplemental, special or other reserves) applicable generally to any member bank
of the  Federal  Reserve  System in respect  of  "Eurocurrency  liabilities"  as
defined  in  Regulation  D (or  any  successor  category  of  liabilities  under
Regulation D). The Administrative  Agent shall determine the Adjusted Eurodollar
Rate and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

                 "Administrative Agent" means Chase and any successor
thereto appointed pursuant to subsection 9.6.

                 "Affected Lender" has the meaning assigned to that term
in subsection 2.6C.

                 "Affected Loans" has the meaning assigned to that term
in subsection 2.6C.

                 "Affiliate",  as applied to any Person,  means any other Person
directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with,
that Person.  For the purposes of this definition,  "control"  (including,  with
correlative meanings, the




                                        2

<PAGE>



terms  "controlling",  "controlled  by" and "under  common  control  with"),  as
applied to any Person,  means the  possession,  directly or  indirectly,  of the
power to direct or cause the  direction of the  management  and policies of that
Person,  whether  through the  ownership of voting  securities or by contract or
otherwise.

                 "Agent" or "Agents" means  Administrative Agent and/or Canadian
Administrative Agent and/or Australian Administrative Agent and/or Documentation
Agent, or any of them.

                 "Agreement"  means this Credit  Agreement dated as of September
20, 1996, as it may be amended,  restated,  supplemented  or otherwise  modified
from time to time.

                 "Alternate  Base  Rate"  means,  for any day,  a rate per annum
(rounded  upwards,  if necessary,  to the next 1/16 of one percent) equal to the
greatest  of (a) the Prime  Rate in effect on such day,  (b) the Base CD Rate in
effect on such day plus 1% and (c) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on
such day plus 1/2 of 1%. For  purposes  hereof,  "Prime  Rate" means the rate of
interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by Administrative  Agent
as its prime  rate in  effect at its  principal  office in New York  City;  each
change in the Prime Rate shall be  effective on the date such change is publicly
announced as being effective. "Base CD Rate" means the sum of (a) the product of
(i) the  Three-Month  Secondary CD Rate and (ii) Statutory  Reserves and (b) the
Assessment  Rate.  "Three-Month  Secondary  CD Rate"  means,  for any  day,  the
secondary market rate for three-month  certificates of deposit reported as being
in effect on such day (or,  if such day shall not be a  Business  Day,  the next
preceding  Business Day) by the Board through the public  information  telephone
line of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (which rate will, under the current
practices  of the Board,  be published in Federal  Reserve  Statistical  Release
H.15(519)  during the week following such day), or, if such rate shall not be so
reported on such day or such next  preceding  Business  Day,  the average of the
secondary  market  quotations for three month  certificates  of deposit of major
money center banks in New York City received at  approximately  10:00 a.m.,  New
York City time, on such day (or, if such day shall not be a Business Day, on the
next preceding  Business Day) by  Administrative  Agent from three New York City
negotiable certificate of deposit dealers of recognized standing selected by it.
"Federal Funds Effective Rate" means, for any




                                        3

<PAGE>



day, the weighted average of the rates on overnight  Federal funds  transactions
with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as
published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New
York,  or, if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business Day,
the  average of the  quotations  for the day of such  transactions  received  by
Administrative  Agent from three Federal  funds  brokers of recognized  standing
selected by it. If for any reason  Administrative  Agent  shall have  determined
(which  determination  shall be  conclusive  absent  manifest  error) that it is
unable to ascertain the Base CD Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate or both
for any  reason,  including  the  inability  of  Administrative  Agent to obtain
sufficient  quotations in accordance with the terms thereof,  the Alternate Base
Rate shall be  determined  without  regard to clause (b) or (c), or both, of the
first  sentence of this  definition,  as  appropriate,  until the  circumstances
giving rise to such inability no longer exist.  Any change in the Alternate Base
Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the Three-Month Secondary CD Rate or the
Federal Funds  Effective  Rate shall be effective on the effective  date of such
change in the Prime Rate, the Three-Month Secondary CD Rate or the Federal Funds
Effective  Rate,  respectively.  If any U.S.  Base Rate  Loans are  outstanding,
Administrative  Agent  will give to U.S.  Borrower  notice  of any such  changes
promptly  after the Alternate  Base Rate changes;  provided,  however,  that the
failure to give such notice shall not limit or otherwise  affect the obligations
of Company or any Borrower under this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

                 As to any loan,  the  Alternate  Base Rate is a reference  rate
that varies from time to time and does not  necessarily  represent the lowest or
best rate actually charged to any customer by  Administrative  Agent or any U.S.
Lender for loans denominated in Dollars.  Administrative  Agent and U.S. Lenders
may make  commercial  loans or other  loans  denominated  in Dollars at rates of
interest at, above or below the Alternate  Base Rate.  The  Alternate  Base Rate
shall automatically change upon any date that Administrative Agent announces any
change in its  applicable  prime rate or determines  that the interest rates set
forth in  clauses  (b) and (c) in the first  sentence  of this  definition  have
changed, to the extent necessary to reflect any such change.





                                        4

<PAGE>



                 "Applicable  Administrative  Agent"  means  (i)  Administrative
Agent in the  case of U.S.  Loans  or U.S.  Letters  of  Credit,  (ii)  Canadian
Administrative  Agent in the case of Canadian Loans,  Canadian Letters of Credit
or Bankers' Acceptances and (iii) Australian Administrative Agent in the case of
Australian Loans or Australian Letters of Credit.

                 "Applicable Margin" means, with respect to any Loan or Bankers'
Acceptance,  the applicable  percentage set forth below based upon the actual or
stated senior  implied  ratings  established  by S&P and Moody's,  respectively,
applicable on such date to the senior, unsecured, non-credit enhanced, long-term
Indebtedness  for borrowed  money of Company (or, if no actual or stated  senior
implied  ratings are in effect,  the ratings one category higher than the actual
ratings for subordinated,  unsecured, non-credit enhanced long-term Indebtedness
for borrowed money):

Category         S&P/Moody's Rating                  Percentage

  1              A-/A3                               0.30%
                 or above

  2              BBB+/Baa1                           0.35%

  3              BBB/Baa2                            0.40%

  4              BBB-/Baa3                           0.45%

  5              BB+/Ba1                             0.625%
                 or below

                 For purposes of the foregoing,  (i) if neither  Moody's nor S&P
shall  have in  effect a  rating  for the  senior  or  subordinated,  unsecured,
non-credit enhanced, long-term Indebtedness for borrowed money of Company (other
than by reason of the  circumstances  referred  to in the last  sentence of this
definition),  then the  Applicable  Margin shall be based on Category 5; (ii) if
only one of  Moody's  and S&P shall  have in effect a rating  for the  senior or
subordinated,   unsecured,   non-credit  enhanced,  long-term  Indebtedness  for
borrowed money of Company, then the Applicable Margin shall be determined on the
basis of such rating; (iii) if the ratings established or deemed




                                        5

<PAGE>



to have been  established  by  Moody's  or S&P for the  senior or  subordinated,
unsecured,  long-term  Indebtedness  for  borrowed  money of Company  shall fall
within  different  Categories,  the  Applicable  Margin  shall  be  based on the
Category  corresponding to the higher rating; and (iv) if any rating established
or deemed to have been  established  by Moody's  or S&P shall be changed  (other
than as a result  of a change in the  rating  system of  Moody's  or S&P),  such
change shall be  effective as of the date on which it is first  announced by the
applicable  rating  agency.  Each change in the  Applicable  Margin  shall apply
during the period  commencing on the effective date of such change and ending on
the date  immediately  preceding the effective date of the next such change.  If
the rating system of Moody's or S&P shall  change,  or if any such rating agency
shall cease to be in the business of rating corporate debt obligations,  Company
and Lenders  shall  negotiate in good faith to amend the  references to specific
ratings  in this  definition  to  reflect  such  changed  rating  system  or the
non-availability   of  ratings  from  such  rating   agency,   and  pending  the
effectiveness  of any such  amendment,  the ratings of such  rating  agency most
recently  in effect  prior to such  change or  cessation  shall be  employed  in
determining the Applicable Margin.

                 "Applicable  Monthly  Determination Date" means, as of any date
of  determination,  the first  Business  Day of the month in which  such date of
determination occurs.

                 "Arranger" has the meaning assigned to that term in the
recitals to this Agreement.

                 "Assessment  Rate" means for any date the annual rate  (rounded
upwards,   if  necessary,   to  the  next  .01%)  most  recently   estimated  by
Administrative Agent as the then-current net annual assessment rate that will be
employed in determining  amounts payable by Administrative  Agent to the Federal
Deposit Insurance  Corporation (or any successor) for such date for insurance by
the Federal Deposit  Insurance  Corporation (or such successor) of time deposits
made in Dollars at Administrative Agent's domestic offices.

                 "Asset   Sale"  means  the  sale  by  Company  or  any  of  its
Subsidiaries to any Person other than Company or any of its  Subsidiaries of (i)
any of the stock of any of Company's




                                        6

<PAGE>



Subsidiaries,  (ii)  substantially  all of the assets of any division or line of
business  of  Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries,  or (iii) any  other  assets
(whether  tangible or intangible  and including  intercompany  Indebtedness)  of
Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  outside of the ordinary course of business;
provided that any sale of surplus assets  (including land and mineral  interests
but  excluding  intercompany  Indebtedness)  not  being  used in the  day-to-day
conduct of Company's  principal  businesses or worn or obsolete equipment in the
ordinary course of business or assets sold in the ordinary course of business in
connection with the routine  replacement of fixed or capital assets shall not be
deemed to be an "Asset Sale".

                 "Assignment and Acceptance"  means an Assignment and Acceptance
entered into by a Lender and an Eligible  Assignee,  and accepted by Agents,  in
substantially  the form of Exhibit  X-A,  Exhibit  X-B,  or Exhibit  X-C annexed
hereto, as applicable.

                 "Australian   Administrative   Agent"  means  Chase  Securities
Australia  Limited,  ACN  002 888  011,  a  company  incorporated  with  limited
liability in the  Australian  Capital  Territory,  Australia,  and any successor
thereto appointed pursuant to subsection 9.6.

                 "Australian  Allocation"  means the portion of the  Commitments
allocated to Australian Borrower in Schedule 2.1 or in the most recent Notice of
Allocation delivered by Borrowers and Company pursuant to subsection 2.1A.

                 "Australian Borrower" has the meaning assigned to that
term in the introduction of this Agreement.

                 "Australian Commitment" means the commitment of each Australian
Lender (i) to make or maintain Australian Loans pursuant to subsection 2.1A, and
(ii) to issue (in the case of the  applicable  Issuing  Lender) or acquire  risk
participations  (in the case of all  other  Australian  Lenders)  in  Australian
Letters of Credit pursuant to subsection 2.7 in an aggregate  amount,  valued in
Dollar Equivalents, at no time exceeding such Australian Lender's Pro Rata Share
of the Australian Allocation.

                 "Australian Commitment Usage" means, as of any date of
determination, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of




                                        7

<PAGE>



(i) the  Australian  Loans  denominated in Dollars,  (ii) the  Australian  Loans
denominated in Australian  Dollars (but valued in Dollar  Equivalents as of such
date of  determination),  and (iii) the  Australian  Loans  that are Gold  Loans
(valued  in  Dollar  Equivalents  based on the  Price of Gold as of such date of
determination) plus the Australian Letter of Credit Usage.

                 "Australian Dollar Loans" means Loans denominated in and
advanced to Australian Borrower in Australian Dollars.

                 "Australian Dollars" or "A$" means the lawful money of
Australia.

                 "Australian  Exposure"  means,  with respect to any  Australian
Lender  as of any date of  determination,  the  Australian  Commitments  of such
Australian  Lender or, if the Commitments have been  terminated,  the sum of (a)
the aggregate  outstanding  principal  amount of all Australian Loans (valued in
Dollar  Equivalents as of such date of  determination) of that Australian Lender
plus (b) in the event such  Australian  Lender (or a Lender in its Lending Unit)
is an Issuing  Lender,  the  aggregate  Letter of Credit Usage in respect of all
Australian Letters of Credit issued by such Australian Lender (or such Lender in
that Lending  Unit) (in each case net of any  participations  purchased by other
Australian  Lenders in such  Australian  Letters  of Credit or any  unreimbursed
drawings   thereunder   (valued  in  Dollar  Equivalents  as  of  such  date  of
determination)) plus (c) the aggregate amount of all participations purchased by
that Australian  Lender in any outstanding  Australian  Letters of Credit or any
unreimbursed  drawings under any  Australian  Letter of Credit (valued in Dollar
Equivalents as of such date of determination).

                 "Australian  Lenders"  means each of the Lenders  designated as
the  Australian  Lender for each of the  Lending  Units on the  signature  pages
hereof or in any applicable Assignment and Acceptance.

                 "Australian   Lending   Office"  means,   in  relation  to  any
Australian Lender, its Sydney,  Melbourne or Canberra  Australian lending office
as specified  under its  signature on the  signature  pages hereof or such other
office as is  specified  by such  Lender in a written  notice to  Administrative
Agent, Australian
Administrative Agent, and Australian Borrower.




                                        8

<PAGE>




                 "Australian Letter of Credit" or "Australian Letters of Credit"
means Standby  Letters of Credit  issued,  or deemed  issued,  by the applicable
Issuing  Lender for the account of  Australian  Borrower  pursuant to subsection
2.7.

                 "Australian  Letter of Credit Usage"  means,  as at any date of
determination,   the  sum  of  (i)  the  maximum  aggregate  amount  (in  Dollar
Equivalents)  which is available  for drawing  under all  Australian  Letters of
Credit then outstanding  plus (ii) the aggregate amount (in Dollar  Equivalents)
of all drawings under all Australian Letters of Credit honored by the applicable
Issuing Lender and not theretofore reimbursed by Australian Borrower.

                 "Australian  Loans" means the Australian  Dollar Loans,  Dollar
Loans  and/or  Gold Loans made by  Australian  Lenders  to  Australian  Borrower
pursuant to subsection 2.1A(ii).

                 "BA Discount Rate" means, in respect of a Bankers'  Acceptance,
the  rate  quoted  by  Canadian  Administrative  Agent at or  about  10:00  a.m.
(Toronto,  Canada time) on the date of acceptance  of such  Bankers'  Acceptance
(based on a year of 365 days),  as the discount rate at which it would  purchase
on such date its own bankers'  acceptances  having terms similar to the terms of
such Bankers' Acceptance.

                 "BA   Facility"   means  the   bankers'   acceptance   facility
established under subsection 2.8.

                 "BA Fee" means, in respect of a Bankers' Acceptance, a stamping
fee calculated on the Face Amount and maturity of such Bankers'  Acceptance at a
rate per annum equal to the Applicable  Margin,  payable on the date of creation
of such Bankers' Acceptance, calculated on the basis of a year of 365 days.

                 "BA  Usage"  means,  as  at  any  date  of  determination,  the
aggregate  Face  Amount  (in Dollar  Equivalents)  of all  Bankers'  Acceptances
created by  Canadian  Lenders  pursuant  to  subsection  2.8 which have not been
repaid by Canadian  Borrower,  whether or not due and whether or not held by any
Lender. For purposes of this definition,  any Bankers' Acceptance which has been
cash collateralized in full in a manner satisfactory to Canadian  Administrative
Agent shall not be deemed to be outstanding.




                                        9

<PAGE>




                 "Bank Bill Swap Rate" in relation to each Interest  Period with
respect to any Bank Bill Swap Rate Loan,  means the average  Bank Bill Swap Rate
(expressed as a percentage per annum) for a period  approximately  equal to that
Interest  Period,  as such average appears on page "BBSW" on the Reuters Monitor
System (or any page that can  reasonably be  considered a  replacement  page) at
approximately 10:10 A.M. (Sydney time) on the first day of that Interest Period.
If the rate set forth above is not available on page BBSW on the Reuters Monitor
System (or any page that can reasonably be considered a replacement  page),  the
Bank Bill  Swap Rate  means the rate  reasonably  determined  by the  Australian
Administrative Agent to be the arithmetic mean of the rates (rounded upwards, if
necessary,   to  the  next  1/16  of  one  percent)  at  which  Westpac  Banking
Corporation,  Australia and New Zealand  Banking Group Limited and  Commonwealth
Bank of Australia  are  purchasing  bills of exchange  accepted by an Australian
bank for a period  approximately  equal to that Interest  Period on such day. If
the Bank Bill Swap Rate cannot be determined in the manner set forth above,  the
Bank Bill Swap Rate  will be the rate most  nearly  approximating  the rate that
would otherwise have been determined by the Australian  Administrative  Agent in
the manner set forth above having regard to comparable indices then available in
the bill or other financial markets.  The Australian  Administrative Agent shall
determine  the Bank Bill Swap Rate and such  determination  shall be  conclusive
absent manifest error.

                 "Bank Bill Swap Rate Loan" means  Australian  Dollar Loans made
by Australian  Lenders  pursuant to subsection  2.1A(ii) and bearing interest at
rates  determined  by  reference  to the Bank  Bill  Swap  Rate as  provided  in
subsection 2.2A.

                 "Bankers' Acceptance" means a Draft that has been accepted by a
Canadian Lender as provided in subsection 2.8.

                 "Bankers'  Acceptance  Purchase Price" means, in respect of any
Bankers' Acceptance to be purchased by a Canadian Lender, the result (rounded to
the nearest whole cent,  with one-half of one cent being rounded up) obtained by
dividing the Face Amount of such Bankers'  Acceptance by the sum of one plus the
product of (x) the applicable BA Discount Rate multiplied by (y) a fraction, the
numerator of which is the term of maturity of such Bankers'  Acceptance  and the
denominator of which is 365.





                                       10

<PAGE>



                 "Bankruptcy  Code"  means  Title 11 of the United  States  Code
entitled "Bankruptcy", the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada), Part 5 of the
Corporations Law (Australia) or any similar statute of U.S. Canadian, Australian
or other laws as now and hereafter in effect, or any successor statute.

                 "Base Rate Loans" means Loans that bear  interest at a floating
rate of interest,  which shall be either the Canadian  Base Rate, in the case of
Canadian Dollar Loans, or the Alternate Base Rate or U.S. Base Rate (Canada), as
applicable, in the case of Dollar Loans.

                 "Board"  means the Board of  Governors  of the Federal  Reserve
System of the United States, together with its successors.

                 "Borrower" or "Borrowers" means U.S. Borrower and/or
Canadian Borrower and/or Australian Borrower.

                 "Business Day" means (i) for all purposes other than as covered
by clauses (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) below, any day excluding  Saturday,  Sunday
and any day which is a legal  holiday under the laws of the State of New York or
is a day on which banking  institutions  located in such state are authorized or
required by law or other governmental  action to close, (ii) with respect to all
notices,  determinations,  fundings and  payments in  connection  with  Canadian
Loans,  Canadian Letters of Credit and Bankers'  Acceptances,  any day that is a
Business Day  described in clause (i) above which is not a legal  holiday  under
the laws of the  Provinces of Ontario and British  Columbia,  Canada or a day on
which banking  institutions located in such Provinces are authorized or required
by law or other governmental action to close, (iii) with respect to all notices,
determinations,  fundings and payments in connection with  Australian  Loans and
Australian Letters of Credit, any day that is a Business Day described in clause
(i) above which is not a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday in Sydney, Melbourne
and Perth, Australia, (iv) with respect to all notices, determinations, fundings
and payments in  connection  with the  Eurodollar  Rate or any  Eurodollar  Rate
Loans,  any day that is a Business Day described in clause (i) above and that is
also a day for trading by and between banks in Dollar deposits in the applicable
interbank Eurodollar market, and (v) with respect to all notices,




                                       11

<PAGE>



determinations,  fundings and payments in  connection  with Gold Loans,  any day
that is a Business Day described in clause (i) above and that is also a day upon
which the Price of Gold is fixed by the London Bullion Market Association.

                 "Canadian  Administrative  Agent"  means  Chase  Canada and any
successor thereto appointed pursuant to subsection 9.6.

                 "Canadian  Allocation"  means the  portion  of the  Commitments
allocated to Canadian  Borrower in Schedule 2.1 or in the most recent  Notice of
Allocation delivered by Borrowers and Company pursuant to subsection 2.1A.

                 "Canadian Base Rate" means, with respect to any Canadian Dollar
Loan as of any  date  of  determination,  the  greater  of (A)  the  fluctuating
interest rate per annum which Canadian Administrative Agent has announced as its
reference rate for determining interest chargeable by it on loans denominated in
Canadian Dollars made in Canada, as in effect on such date of determination, and
(B) the BA Discount Rate for such day for bankers'  acceptances having a term of
30 days plus 0.625%.  As to any loan, the Canadian Base Rate is a reference rate
that varies from time to time and does not  necessarily  represent the lowest or
best rate actually charged to any customer by Canadian  Administrative  Agent or
any  Canadian  Lender  for  loans  denominated  in  Canadian  Dollars.  Canadian
Administrative  Agent and Canadian  Lenders may make  commercial  loans or other
loans  denominated  in Canadian  Dollars at rates of interest at, above or below
the Canadian  Base Rate.  The  Canadian  Base Rate shall  automatically  change,
without  notice  to  Company  or any  Borrower,  upon  any  date  that  Canadian
Administrative  Agent  announces any change in said reference rate or determines
that the prevailing BA Discount Rate for 30-day bankers' acceptances has changed
to the extent  necessary to reflect any such change.  If any Canadian  Base Rate
Loans are outstanding, Canadian Administrative Agent will give Canadian Borrower
notice of any such  change  promptly  after  the  Canadian  Base  Rate  changes;
provided,  however,  that the  failure  to give such  notice  shall not limit or
otherwise affect the obligations of Company or any Borrower under this Agreement
or any other Loan Document.

                 "Canadian Base Rate Loans" means Canadian Dollar Loans
made by Canadian Lenders pursuant to subsection 2.1A(i) and




                                       12

<PAGE>



bearing  interest at rates  determined by reference to the Canadian Base Rate as
provided in subsection 2.2A.

                 "Canadian Borrower" has the meaning assigned to that
term in the introduction of this Agreement.

                 "Canadian  Commitment"  means the  commitment  of each Canadian
Lender (i) to make or maintain  Canadian Loans pursuant to subsection 2.1A, (ii)
to  issue  (in the  case of the  applicable  Issuing  Lender)  or  acquire  risk
participations  (in the case of all other Canadian  Lenders) in Canadian Letters
of Credit pursuant to subsection 2.7, and (iii) to create and purchase  Bankers'
Acceptances pursuant to subsection 2.8 in an aggregate amount,  valued in Dollar
Equivalents,  at no time exceeding such Canadian  Lender's Pro Rata Share of the
Canadian Allocation.

                 "Canadian   Commitment   Usage"  means,   as  of  any  date  of
determination,  the aggregate  outstanding  principal amount of (i) the Canadian
Loans  denominated in Dollars,  (ii) the Canadian Loans  denominated in Canadian
Dollars (valued in Dollar Equivalents as of such date of  determination),  (iii)
the Canadian  Loans that are Gold Loans (valued in Dollar  Equivalents  based on
the Price of Gold as of such date of determination), (iv) the Canadian Letter of
Credit Usage, and (v) the BA Usage.

                 "Canadian Dollar Loans" means Loans denominated in and
advanced to Canadian Borrower in Canadian Dollars.

                 "Canadian Dollars" or "Cdn.$" means the lawful money of
Canada.

                 "Canadian  Exposure"  means with respect to any Canadian Lender
as of any date of  determination,  the  Canadian  Commitments  of such  Canadian
Lender or, if the Commitments have been terminated, the sum of (a) the aggregate
outstanding principal amount of all Canadian Loans (valued in Dollar Equivalents
as of such date of  determination) of that Canadian Lender plus (b) in the event
such Canadian Lender (or a Lender in its Lending Unit) is an Issuing Lender, the
aggregate  Letter of Credit Usage in respect of all  Canadian  Letters of Credit
issued by such  Canadian  Lender (or such Lender in that Lending  Unit) (in each
case net of any  participations  purchased  by other  Canadian  Lenders  in such
Canadian Letters of Credit or any unreimbursed drawings




                                       13

<PAGE>



thereunder (valued in Dollar Equivalents as of such date of determination)) plus
(c) the aggregate amount of all participations purchased by that Canadian Lender
in any outstanding Canadian Letters of Credit or any unreimbursed drawings under
any Canadian  Letter of Credit (valued in Dollar  Equivalents as of such date of
determination) plus (d) the BA Usage of that Canadian Lender.

                 "Canadian  Lending  Office" means,  in relation to any Canadian
Lender,  its Canadian  lending  office as specified  under its  signature on the
signature  pages hereof or such other office as is specified by such Lender in a
written  notice  to  Administrative  Agent,  Canadian  Administrative  Agent and
Canadian
Borrower.

                 "Canadian  Lenders" means each of the Lenders designated as the
Canadian  Lender for each of the Lending Units on the signature  pages hereof or
in any applicable Assignment and Acceptance.

                 "Canadian  Letter of  Credit" or  "Canadian  Letters of Credit"
means Standby  Letters of Credit  issued,  or deemed  issued,  by the applicable
Issuing Lender for the account of Canadian Borrower pursuant to subsection 2.7.

                 "Canadian  Letter of  Credit  Usage"  means,  as at any date of
determination,   the  sum  of  (i)  the  maximum  aggregate  amount  (in  Dollar
Equivalents) which is available for drawing under all Canadian Letters of Credit
then outstanding plus (ii) the aggre-

gate amount (in Dollar  Equivalents) of all drawings under all Canadian  Letters
of  Credit  honored  by  the  applicable  Issuing  Lender  and  not  theretofore
reimbursed by Canadian Borrower.

                 "Canadian Loans" means the Canadian Dollar Loans, Dollar
Loans and/or Gold Loans made by Canadian Lenders to Canadian
Borrower pursuant to subsection 2.1A(i).

                 "Capital Lease",  as applied to any Person,  means any lease of
any property (whether real, personal or mixed) by that Person as lessee that, in
conformity  with  GAAP,  is or  should  be  accounted  for as an  asset,  with a
corresponding liability, on the balance sheet of that Person.





                                       14

<PAGE>



                 "Cash" means money, currency or a credit balance in a
Deposit Account.

                 "Cash Flow Analysis"  means an analysis of projected cash flow,
substantially in the form of Schedule 1.1 annexed hereto.

                 "Chase" means The Chase Manhattan Bank.

                 "Chase Canada" means The Chase Manhattan Bank of Canada,
a bank named in Schedule II to the Bank Act (Canada).

                 "CIBC" means Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce.

                 "Commitments"  means the  commitments  of the Lender(s) of each
Lending Unit to make Canadian  Loans,  to make U.S.  Loans,  to make  Australian
Loans,  to  participate  in Letters of Credit,  and, in the case of the Canadian
Lender(s),  to  create  and  purchase  Bankers'  Acceptances,  initially  in  an
aggregate amount equal to $275,000,000.

                 "Commitment  Fee  Percentage"  means on any date the applicable
percentage  set forth  below  based  upon the  actual or stated  senior  implied
ratings established by S&P and Moody's, respectively, applicable on such date to
the senior, unsecured,  non-credit enhanced, long-term Indebtedness for borrowed
money of Company  (or,  if no actual or stated  senior  implied  ratings  are in
effect,  the ratings  one  category  higher  than the ratings for  subordinated,
unsecured, non-credit enhanced long-term Indebtedness for borrowed money):

Category                S&P/Moody's Rating                  Percentage

  1                         A-/A3                             0.10%
                           or above

  2                        BBB+/Baa1                          0.125%

  3                        BBB/Baa2                           0.15%

  4                        BBB-/Baa3                          0.1875%

  5                        BB+/Ba1                            0.225%
                           or below




                                       15

<PAGE>




                 For purposes of the foregoing,  (i) if neither  Moody's nor S&P
shall  have in  effect a  rating  for the  senior  or  subordinated,  unsecured,
non-credit enhanced, long-term Indebtedness for borrowed money of Company (other
than by reason of the  circumstances  referred  to in the last  sentence of this
definition),  then the Commitment  Fee Percentage  shall be based on Category 5;
(ii) if only one of Moody's  and S&P shall have in effect a rating for senior or
subordinated,   unsecured,   non-credit  enhanced,  long-term  Indebtedness  for
borrowed  money  of  Company,  then  the  Commitment  Fee  Percentage  shall  be
determined  on the basis of such  rating;  (iii) if the ratings  established  or
deemed  to  have  been   established  by  Moody's  or  S&P  for  the  senior  or
subordinated,   unsecured,   non-credit  enhanced,  long-term  Indebtedness  for
borrowed money of Company shall fall within different Categories, the Commitment
Fee  Percentage  shall be  based on the  Category  corresponding  to the  higher
rating; and (iv) if any rating established or deemed to have been established by
Moody's  or S&P  shall be  changed  (other  than as a result  of a change in the
rating system of Moody's or S&P),  such change shall be effective as of the date
on which it is first announced by the applicable  rating agency.  Each change in
the Commitment Fee  Percentage  shall apply during the period  commencing on the
effective date of such change and ending on the date  immediately  preceding the
effective  date of the next such change.  If the rating system of Moody's or S&P
shall  change,  or if either of such  rating  agencies  shall cease to be in the
business  of rating  corporate  debt  obligations,  Company  and  Lenders  shall
negotiate  in good faith to amend the  references  to  specific  ratings in this
definition  to reflect such changed  rating system or the non-  availability  of
ratings  from such rating  agency,  and pending  the  effectiveness  of any such
amendment,  the ratings of such rating  agency most  recently in effect prior to
such change or cessation  shall be employed in  determining  the  Commitment Fee
Percentage.

                 "Commitment Termination Date" means September 20, 2001.

                 "Company" has the meaning assigned to that term in the
introduction to this Agreement.

                 "Company Change of Control" has the meaning assigned to
that term in subsection 10.25A.



                                       16

<PAGE>



                 "Compliance  Certificate" means a certificate  substantially in
the form of Exhibit  VI  annexed  hereto  delivered  to  Lenders by Company  and
Borrowers pursuant to subsection 5.1(iii).

                 "Consolidated   Net   Worth"   means,   as  at  any   date   of
determination,  the sum of the capital stock and additional paid-in capital plus
retained   earnings  (or  minus   accumulated   deficits)  of  Company  and  its
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis determined in conformity with GAAP.

                 "Consolidated   Total   Debt"   means,   as  at  any   date  of
determination,  the  aggregate  amount of all  Indebtedness  of Company  and its
Subsidiaries  plus (without  duplication) the aggregate amount of all Contingent
Obligations of Company and its Subsidiaries  (other than Contingent  Obligations
in the form of  guarantees,  letters of credit and  surety  bonds,  in each case
securing reclamation and other performance obligations in the ordinary course of
business); provided that the obligations (contingent or otherwise) of Company or
any of its Subsidiaries under any Interest Rate Protection  Agreement,  Currency
Protection Agreement,  or any option, forward sales contract or futures contract
designed to protect Company and its Subsidiaries  from  fluctuations in interest
rates,  currency  values or the Price of Gold shall be valued  collectively on a
net aggregate  mark-to-market  basis where a net aggregate  mark-to-market value
for all  obligations  under such Interest Rate Protection  Agreements,  Currency
Protection  Agreements,  options and  contracts  greater  than zero shall not be
deducted from the sum of the aggregate  amounts of  Indebtedness  and Contingent
Obligation  used  to  calculate  Consolidated  Total  Debt  and a net  aggregate
mark-to-market  value for all  obligations  under such Interest Rate  Protection
Agreements,  Currency Protection Agreements,  options and contracts of less than
zero  shall be added to the sum of the  aggregate  amounts of  Indebtedness  and
Contingent Obligations to calculate Consolidated Total Debt.

                 "Contingent  Obligation",  as applied to any Person,  means any
direct or indirect liability,  contingent or otherwise,  of that Person (i) with
respect to any Indebtedness,  lease,  dividend or other obligation of another if
the primary  purpose or intent  thereof by the Person  incurring the  Contingent
Obligation is to provide assurance to the obligee of such obligation of another




                                       17

<PAGE>



that  such  obligation  of  another  will  be paid or  discharged,  or that  any
agreements  relating  thereto will be complied with, or that the holders of such
obligation  will be  protected  (in whole or in part)  against  loss in  respect
thereof,  (ii) with  respect to any letter of credit  issued for the  account of
that Person or as to which that Person is otherwise liable for  reimbursement of
drawings,  or  (iii)  under  Interest  Rate  Protection   Agreements,   Currency
Protection Agreements and options, forward sales contracts and futures contracts
designed to protect Company and its Subsidiaries  from  fluctuations in interest
rates,  currency  values  or the  Price of Gold.  Contingent  Obligations  shall
include,  without limitation,  (a) the direct or indirect guaranty,  endorsement
(otherwise  than for collection or deposit in the ordinary  course of business),
co-making, discounting with recourse or sale with recourse by such Person of the
obligation  of  another,  (b) the  obligation  to make  take-or-pay  or  similar
payments if required regardless of non-performance by any other party or parties
to an  agreement,  and (c) any  liability of such Person for the  obligation  of
another  through  any  agreement  (contingent  or  otherwise)  (X) to  purchase,
repurchase or otherwise acquire such obligation or any security therefor,  or to
provide  funds for the payment or discharge of such  obligation  (whether in the
form of loans, advances, stock purchases, capital contributions or otherwise) or
(Y) to  maintain  the  solvency or any  balance  sheet item,  level of income or
financial  condition of another if, in the case of any agreement described under
subclauses (X) or (Y) of this sentence, the primary purpose or intent thereof is
as described in the preceding sentence.  The amount of any Contingent Obligation
shall be equal to the  amount  of the  obligation  so  guaranteed  or  otherwise
supported  or,  if less,  the  amount to which  such  Contingent  Obligation  is
specifically limited.

                 "Contractual  Obligation",  as applied to any Person, means any
provision of any Securities issued by that Person or of any material  indenture,
mortgage, deed of trust, contract, undertaking, agreement or other instrument to
which that Person is a party or by which it or any of its properties is bound or
to which it or any of its properties is subject. "Contractual Obligations" shall
include the Subordinated Debentures.

                 "Covered Tax" means any Tax that is not an Excluded Tax.




                                       18

<PAGE>



                 "Currency  Protection  Agreement"  means any  foreign  exchange
contract,  currency swap agreement,  futures contract,  option contract or other
similar  agreement  or  arrangement  designed  to protect  Company or any of its
Subsidiaries against fluctuations in currency values.

                 "Delivered" or "Delivery" to a particular party means that such
party  receiving  Gold  hereunder  has  received  confirmation  from the bullion
depository  designated  hereunder by such party that it is holding Gold for such
party's account in an allocated or unallocated account.

                 "Deposit Account" means a demand,  time,  savings,  passbook or
like account  with a bank,  savings and loan  association,  credit union or like
organization,  other than an account  evidenced by a negotiable  certificate  of
deposit.

                 "Dollar  Equivalents"  means (i) with  respect to the amount of
any Loan  funded in Canadian  Dollars or with  respect to the  aggregate  amount
which is available for drawing,  or which is drawn under, any Canadian Letter of
Credit  denominated  in  Canadian  Dollars  or the Face  Amount of any  Bankers'
Acceptances,  the  amount  of  Dollars  which is  equivalent  to such  amount of
Canadian Dollars determined at the rate of exchange quoted by The Bank of Canada
at 12:00 Noon (New York time) on the date of determination for the spot purchase
in the foreign exchange market of Dollars with an equivalent  amount of Canadian
Dollars,  (ii)  with  respect  to the  amount of any Loan  funded in  Australian
Dollars or with respect to the aggregate  amount which is available for drawing,
or which is  drawn  under,  any  Australian  Letter  of  Credit  denominated  in
Australian Dollars,  the amount of Dollars which is equivalent to such amount of
Australian  Dollars  determined at the spot rate  calculated  by the  Australian
Administrative  Agent as the "United  States Dollar hedge  settlement  rate (vs.
Australian  Dollars)"  that appears on the HSRA page on the Reuters Screen under
the heading "US Dollar hedge  settlement  rate" (or any page that can reasonably
be  considered a  replacement  page) at 9:45 A.M.  (Sydney  time) on the date of
determination  for the spot purchase in the foreign  exchange  market of Dollars
with an  equivalent  amount of  Australian  Dollars or (iii) with respect to the
amount of any Loan funded in Gold, the amount in Dollars which is the product




                                       19

<PAGE>



of the number of Ounces of Gold  comprising such Loan multiplied by the Price of
Gold as in effect on the date of determination.

                 "Dollar Loans" means Loans denominated and advanced to
any Borrower in Dollars.

                 "Dollars" and the sign "$" mean the lawful money of the
United States of America.

                 "Draft" means, at any time, a bill of exchange in substantially
the  form  of  Exhibit  III-A  annexed  hereto,  or in  substantially  the  form
customarily  used by the  applicable  Canadian  Lender,  in each  case  drawn by
Canadian Borrower on a Canadian Lender and bearing such  distinguishing  letters
and  numbers  as such  Canadian  Lender may  determine,  but which at such time,
except as otherwise  provided  herein,  has not been  accepted by such  Canadian
Lender as a Bankers' Acceptance.

                 "Drawing  Date"  means  any  Business  Day  fixed  pursuant  to
subsection 2.8 for the creation of Bankers' Acceptances.

                 "Drawing Notice" has the meaning assigned to that term
in subsection 2.8B.

                 "Effective Date" means the date on or before September 30, 1996
on which the conditions set forth in subsection 3.1 are satisfied or waived.

                 "Eligible  Assignee"  means (A)(i) a  commercial  bank or trust
company organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof; (ii)
a savings and loan  association or savings bank organized  under the laws of the
United  States or any state  thereof;  (iii) a commercial  bank or trust company
organized  under  the  laws of any  other  country  or a  political  subdivision
thereof; provided that (x) such bank or trust company is acting through a branch
or agency  located  in the  United  States or (y) such bank or trust  company is
organized under the laws of a country that is a member of the  Organization  for
Economic Cooperation and Development or a political subdivision of such country;
and (iv) any other  entity  which is an  "accredited  investor"  (as  defined in
Regulation D under the Securities Act) which extends credit or buys loans funded
in  Dollars,  Canadian  Dollars,  Australian  Dollars  and  Gold  as  one of its
businesses, in each




                                       20

<PAGE>



case (under clauses (i) through (iv) above) that is reasonably acceptable to the
Applicable Administrative Agent and Administrative Agent; and (B) any Lender and
any  Affiliate of any Lender;  provided that no Affiliate of Company shall be an
Eligible Assignee; and provided further that such Eligible Assignee must have at
the time of  determination  unimpaired  capital  and  surplus  of not less  than
$100,000,000.

                 "Employee  Benefit Plan" means any  "employee  benefit plan" as
defined  in  Section  3(3) of ERISA that is subject to Title I of ERISA (a) that
is, or was within the past six years, maintained or contributed to by Company or
any of its ERISA  Affiliates and (b) with respect to which Company or any of its
ERISA Affiliates retains any liability.

                 "Environmental  Claim"  means any notice of  violation,  claim,
demand,  abatement order or other order or direction  (conditional or otherwise)
by any governmental authority or any Person for any damage,  including,  without
limitation,  personal injury (including sickness, disease or death), tangible or
intangible property damage, contribution,  indemnity,  indirect or consequential
damages, damage to the environment,  nuisance, pollution, contamination or other
adverse effects on the environment, or for fines, penalties or restrictions,  in
each case relating to, resulting from or in connection with Hazardous  Materials
and relating to Company,  any of its Subsidiaries,  any Affiliates of Company or
any Facility.

                 "Environmental Laws" means all statutes, ordinances,
orders,  rules,  regulations or decrees relating to (i)  environmental  matters,
including, without limitation, those relating to fines, injunctions,  penalties,
damages, contribution, cost recovery compensation,  losses or injuries resulting
from  the  Release  or  threatened  Release  of  Hazardous  Materials,  (ii) the
generation, use, storage,  transportation or disposal of Hazardous Materials, or
(iii)  occupational  safety  and  health,  industrial  hygiene,  land use or the
protection of human, plant or animal health or welfare, in any manner applicable
to Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any or their respective properties.

                 "ERISA" means the Employee  Retirement  Income  Security Act of
1974, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.




                                       21

<PAGE>




                 "ERISA  Affiliate",  as  applied to any  Person,  means (i) any
corporation  which is a member of a controlled group of corporations  within the
meaning of Section 414(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of which that Person is a
member;  (ii) any trade or  business  (whether or not  incorporated)  which is a
member  of a group of trades or  businesses  under  common  control  within  the
meaning of Section 414(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of which that Person is a
member;  and (iii) any member of an affiliated  service group within the meaning
of Section 414(m) or (o) of the Internal Revenue Code of which that Person,  any
corporation  described in clause (i) above or any trade or business described in
clause (ii) above is a member.

                 "ERISA Event" means (i) a "reportable event" within the meaning
of Section 4043 of ERISA and the regulations  issued  thereunder with respect to
any Pension Plan  (excluding  those for which the provision for 30-day notice to
the PBGC has been  waived by  regulation);  (ii) the failure to meet the minimum
funding standard of Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code with respect to any
Pension Plan  (whether or not waived in  accordance  with Section  412(d) of the
Internal  Revenue  Code)  or the  failure  to make by its  due  date a  material
required  installment  under  Section  412(m) of the Internal  Revenue Code with
respect  to any  Pension  Plan or the  failure  to make  any  material  required
contribution to a Multiemployer  Plan; (iii) the provision by the  administrator
of any  Pension  Plan  pursuant  to Section  4041(a)(2)  of ERISA of a notice of
intent to  terminate  such plan in a distress  termination  described in Section
4041(c) of ERISA;  (iv) the withdrawal by Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates
from any Pension Plan with two or more contributing  sponsors or the termination
of any such Pension Plan  resulting in material  liability  pursuant to Sections
4063  or 4064 of  ERISA;  (v) the  institution  by the  PBGC of  proceedings  to
terminate any Pension Plan,  or the  occurrence of any event or condition  which
would  reasonably  be  expected  to  constitute  grounds  under  ERISA  for  the
termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan;
(vi) the  imposition  of  material  liability  on  Company  or any of its  ERISA
Affiliates  pursuant  to  Section  4062(e)  or 4069 of ERISA or by reason of the
application  of  Section  4212(c)  of  ERISA;  (vii)  the  complete  or  partial
withdrawal  by Company or any of its ERISA  Affiliates  (within  the  meaning of
Sections 4203 and 4205 of ERISA) from any Multiemployer  Plan, or the receipt by
Company or any of its ERISA




                                       22

<PAGE>



Affiliates of notice from any Multiemployer Plan that it is in reorganization or
insolvency  pursuant  to  Section  4241 or 4245 of ERISA,  or that it intends to
terminate or has  terminated  under Section 4041A or 4042 of ERISA,  in any such
case if such event would reasonably be expected to result in material  liability
to Company or its ERISA Affiliates;  (viii) the occurrence of an act or omission
which  could  give  rise  to the  imposition  on  Company  or  any of its  ERISA
Affiliates of material fines, penalties,  taxes or related charges under Chapter
43 of the Internal  Revenue Code or under  Section 409 or 502(c),  (i) or (l) or
4071 of ERISA in respect of any Employee  Benefit Plan;  (ix) the assertion of a
material  claim (other than routine  claims for  benefits)  against any Employee
Benefit Plan other than a Multiemployer  Plan or the assets thereof,  or against
Company or any of its ERISA  Affiliates  in  connection  with any such  Employee
Benefit  Plan;  (x) receipt from the Internal  Revenue  Service of notice of the
failure of any Pension Plan (or any other  Employee  Benefit Plan intended to be
qualified  under Section  401(a) of the Internal  Revenue Code) to qualify under
Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the failure of any trust forming
part of any Pension Plan to qualify for exemption  from  taxation  under Section
501(a) of the Internal  Revenue Code; or (xi) the  imposition of a Lien pursuant
to Section  401(a)(29)  or 412(n) of the  Internal  Revenue  Code or pursuant to
ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan.

                 "Eurodollar  Rate" means,  for any Interest Rate  Determination
Date with respect to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the rate (expressed as a percentage
per annum) which is the arithmetic mean (rounded upwards,  if necessary,  to the
next 1/16 of one percent) of the offered rates for Dollar  deposits for a period
equal to the Interest  Period for such  Eurodollar Rate Loan that appears on the
LIBO page on the Reuters Screen (or any page that can reasonably be considered a
replacement  page) at  approximately  11:00 a.m.,  London time, on such Interest
Rate  Determination  Date.  If the rate set forth above is not  available on the
Reuters Screen, such rate shall be the rate (rounded upwards,  if necessary,  to
the next 1/16 of one percent)  equal to the  arithmetic  mean of the  respective
rates per annum at which Dollar deposits approximately equal in principal amount
to such  Eurodollar  Rate Loan and for a maturity  comparable  to such  Interest
Period are offered in immediately  available funds to the London branches of the
Reference  Lenders in the London interbank  market at approximately  11:00 a.m.,
London time, on such Interest




                                       23

<PAGE>



Rate  Determination  Date.  The  Administrative  Agent  shall  determine   the
Eurodollar  Rate and such  determination  shall be  conclusive  absent  manifest
error.

                 "Eurodollar  Rate Loans" means Dollar Loans bearing interest at
rates determined by reference to the Adjusted  Eurodollar Rate or the Eurodollar
Rate, as the case may be, as provided in subsection 2.2A.

                 "Event of Default" means each of the events set forth in
Section 7.

                 "Exchange  Act" means the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

                 "Excluded  Tax"  means  any of  the  following  taxes,  levies,
imposts, duties,  deductions,  withholdings or charges, and all liabilities with
respect  thereto:  taxes (without  regard to whether such taxes are collected by
withholding or otherwise)  imposed by a government or taxing  authority (and any
interest, additions to tax, penalties, fines or other charges in respect thereof
other  than  those  arising  from a breach by  Company  or any  Borrower  of its
obligations hereunder) on any Lender or any Agent that (i) are imposed on, based
on or  measured  by gross or net  income  or gross or net  receipts  (including,
without limitation,  capital gains taxes,  excess profits taxes,  minimum taxes,
alternative  minimum  taxes  and  taxes  on tax  preference  items)  or (ii) are
capital, net worth, intangible,  excise, franchise, doing business,  accumulated
earnings, personal holding company, or similar taxes other than franchise, doing
business  or  similar  taxes  imposed  solely  as a result  of the  transactions
contemplated hereby.

                 "Existing  Credit  Agreement" has the meaning  assigned to that
term in the recitals of this Agreement.

                 "Existing Lenders" has the meaning assigned to that term
in the recitals of this Agreement.

                 "Exposure" means the Australian Exposure, the Canadian
Exposure and/or the U.S. Exposure.





                                       24

<PAGE>



                 "Face  Amount"  means,  in  respect  of a Draft  or a  Bankers'
Acceptance,  as the case may be, the amount payable to the holder thereof on its
maturity.

                 "Federal  Funds  Rate"  means,  for any period,  a  fluctuating
interest  rate per annum equal for each day during  such period to the  weighted
average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the
Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers,  as published for such
day (or,  if such  day is not a  Business  Day,  for the  immediately  preceding
Business Day) by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or if such rate is not so
published for any day which is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for
such day on such  transactions  received  by  Administrative  Agent  from  three
Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.

                 "Fiscal  Year"  means  the  fiscal  year of  Company  ending on
December 31 of each calendar year.

                 "Funding Date" means the date of the funding of a Loan.

                 "GAAP" means, subject to the limitations on the appli-
cation  thereof  set forth in  subsection  1.2,  generally  accepted  accounting
principles set forth in opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles
Board of the American  Institute of Certified Public  Accountants and statements
and pronouncements of the Financial  Accounting Standards Board or in such other
state-

ments by such other  entity as may be approved by a  significant  segment of the
United States accounting profession,  in each case as the same are applicable to
the circumstances as of the date of determination.

                 "Gold" means  unallocated  or pool account gold or refined gold
in bar form  (which  bears  the  stamp of a smelter  and  assayer  from the good
delivery  list of the  London  Bullion  Market  Association,  as such  terms are
understood in the gold trade) of a purity (i.e. the ratio of fine gold per 1,000
parts of gold,  expressed to the fourth decimal place) of at least .9950 or such
other ratio as Borrowers and Lenders may agree with respect to any Gold Loan.

                 "Gold Advance Date" means, in relation to any outstanding Gold 
Loan (including any Gold Loan that has been




                                       25

<PAGE>



continued for successive  Interest Periods),  the date upon which such Gold Loan
initially was funded.

                 "Gold  Loan"  means  a loan  of Gold  made  by  Lenders  to any
Borrower hereunder and upon which interest shall accrue at the Gold Rate.

                 "Gold Rate" means,  with  respect to any Gold Loan  advanced by
any Lender for any Interest Period applicable thereto,  the rate of interest per
annum, calculated on the basis of a 360 day year (rounded upwards, if necessary,
to the next 1/16% of one  percent)  equal to the  greater of (i) the  Applicable
Margin,  and (ii) the Eurodollar  Rate plus the Applicable  Margin less the mean
rate quoted in the London  Interbank  Forward Bullion Market as set forth on the
Reuters GOFO page at 11:00 A.M.  (London  Time) two  Business  Days prior to the
first day of such Interest Period.  If the rate set forth above is not available
on the Reuters GOFO page, the Gold Rate shall be the rate of interest per annum,
calculated  on the  basis of a 360 day  year,  equal to the  arithmetic  average
(rounded upwards,  if necessary,  to the next 1/16% of one percent) of the rates
offered by the Gold Rate Reference  Lenders two Business Days prior to the first
day of the applicable Interest Period.

                 "Gold Rate Reference Lenders" means Chase and CIBC.

                 "Governmental   Authorization"   means  any  permit,   license,
authorization,  plan, directive,  consent order or consent decree of or from any
federal, state or local governmental authority, agency or court.

                 "Government Acts" has the meaning assigned to that term
in subsection 2.7H.

                 "Grid  Gold  Acknowledgement"  means  an  acknowledgement  by a
Borrower substantially in the form of Exhibit V annexed hereto.

                 "Hazardous Materials" means any pollutant,  contaminant,  toxic
or  hazardous  substance,  toxic  or  hazardous  material,  toxic  or  hazardous
constituent  or toxic or  hazardous  waste,  as such  terms  are  defined  in or
pursuant to any Environmental Law.



                                       26

<PAGE>



                 "Indebtedness",  as  applied  to  any  Person,  means  (i)  all
indebtedness for borrowed money or gold loans,  (ii) that portion of obligations
with respect to Capital  Leases that is properly  classified as a liability on a
balance sheet in conformity  with GAAP,  (iii) notes payable and drafts accepted
representing  extensions of credit whether or not  representing  obligations for
borrowed  money,  (iv) any  obligation  owed for all or any part of the deferred
purchase  price of property or services,  which  purchase  price is (A) due more
than 90 days from the date of incurrence of the obligation in respect thereof or
(B) evidenced by a note or similar written  instrument,  and (v) all obligations
of the type  described in clauses (i) through (iv) above  secured by any Lien on
any  property or asset owned or held by that  Person  regardless  of whether the
indebtedness  secured  thereby  shall  have been  assumed  by that  Person or is
nonrecourse  to the  credit of that  Person.  Obligations  under  Interest  Rate
Protection  Agreements,  Currency Protection  Agreements,  and options,  forward
sales  contracts  and  futures  contracts  designed  to protect  Company and its
Subsidiaries from  fluctuations in interest rates,  currency values or the Price
of Gold  (excluding any Gold Loans)  constitute  Contingent  Obligations and not
Indebtedness.

                 "Indemnitee" has the meaning assigned to that term in
subsection 10.3.

                 "Intellectual   Property"   means  all   patents,   trademarks,
tradenames,  copyrights, technology, know-how and processes used in or necessary
for the conduct of the  business of Company and its  Subsidiaries  as  currently
conducted that are material to the condition (financial or otherwise),  business
or operations of Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

                 "Interest Payment Date" means (i) with respect to any Base Rate
Loan, March 31, June 30,  September 30 and December 31 of each year,  commencing
on the first such date to occur after the Effective  Date, and (ii) with respect
to any Eurodollar Rate Loan, Bank Bill Swap Rate Loan or Gold Loan, the last day
of each Interest  Period  applicable to such Loan;  provided that in the case of
each Interest Period of longer than three months or 90 days, as the case may be,
"Interest  Payment  Date" shall also  include each three month or 90 day, as the
case may be, anniversary of the commencement of such Interest Period.



                                       27

<PAGE>



                 "Interest  Period"  means (i) with  respect to each  Eurodollar
Rate  Loan or Bank  Bill Swap Rate  Loan,  a period  of one,  two,  three or six
months,  and (ii) with  respect to each Gold Loan, a period of 30, 60, 90 or 180
days and any other period (subject to availability to each Lender), in each case
as selected by the  applicable  Borrower  pursuant to a Notice of Borrowing or a
Notice of  Conversion/Continuation;  provided that, subject to the provisions of
subsection  2.6C, no Interest Period in respect of any Gold Loan may be selected
by a Borrower if any Lender is for any reason  unable to fund a Gold Loan having
such Interest Period.

                 "Interest Rate  Protection  Agreement"  means any interest rate
swap  agreement,  interest rate cap agreement,  interest rate collar  agreement,
synthetic cap agreement or other similar  agreement or  arrangement  designed to
protect  Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  against  fluctuations  in interest
rates.

                 "Interest  Rate   Determination   Date"  means  each  date  for
calculating the Adjusted  Eurodollar  Rate, the Eurodollar Rate or the Gold Rate
for purposes of determining the interest rate in respect of an Interest  Period.
The Interest Rate  Determination  Date shall be the second Business Day prior to
the first day of the related Interest Period.

                 "Internal  Revenue  Code"  means  the  United  States  Internal
Revenue  Code of 1986,  as  amended  to the date  hereof  and from  time to time
hereafter.

                 "Investment" means (i) any direct or indirect purchase or other
acquisition  by  Company  or any  of its  Subsidiaries  of,  or of a  beneficial
interest in, stock or other  Securities of any other Person,  or (ii) any direct
or indirect loan, advance (other than advances to current or former employees or
directors   pursuant  to  employee   benefit   plans,   programs  or  employment
arrangements or otherwise for moving, entertainment and travel expenses, drawing
accounts  and  similar  expenditures  in each  case in the  ordinary  course  of
business) or capital  contribution by Company or any of its  Subsidiaries to any
other Person (other than a Subsidiary of Company) including all indebtedness and
accounts  receivable  from that other Person that are not current  assets or did
not arise from sales to that other Person in the ordinary course of business.  A
contribution of undeveloped real



                                       28

<PAGE>



property or other mineral interests to a Joint Venture shall not be deemed to be
a capital  contribution to any other Person.  The amount of any Investment shall
be the original cost of such Investment  plus the cost of all additions  thereto
less the amount of all cash  received as  repayment  of  principal  or return of
capital,  without any  adjustments  for  increases  or  decreases  in value,  or
write-ups, write-downs or write-offs with respect to such Investment.

                 "Issuing Lender" means (i) with respect to  any U.S  Letter of
Credit or any Australian Letter of Credit, Chase, and (ii) with respect to any
Canadian Letter of Credit, Chase Canada.

                 "Joint  Venture"  means a joint  venture,  partnership or other
similar arrangement, whether in corporate, partnership or other legal form.

                 "Lender"  and  "Lenders"   means  the  persons   identified  as
"Lenders" and listed on the  signature  pages of this  Agreement,  together with
their successors and permitted  assigns  pursuant to subsection  10.1;  provided
that the term  "Lenders",  when used in the context of a particular  Commitment,
shall mean Lenders having that Commitment.

                 "Lending  Office"  means,  in  relation to any Lender that is a
Canadian  Lender,  such Lender's  Canadian  Lending  Office;  in relation to any
Lender that is an Australian Lender, such Lender's Australian Lending Office; in
relation to any Lender that is a U.S. Lender, such Lender's U.S. Lending Office;
or in relation to any Lender  that is two or more of a U.S.  Lender,  a Canadian
Lender and/or an Australian Lender,  such Lender's U.S. Lending Office,  insofar
as borrowings and payments  relating to U.S. Loans or U.S. Letters of Credit are
concerned,  Canadian Lending Office, insofar as borrowings and payments relating
to  Canadian  Loans,  Canadian  Letters of Credit or  Bankers'  Acceptances  are
concerned,  or Australian  Lending  Office,  insofar as borrowings  and payments
relating to Australian Loans or Australian Letters of Credit are concerned.

                 "Lending Unit" means (i) any U.S.  Lender,  (ii) its affiliated
Canadian  Lender (if any) or the fronting bank which has entered into a fronting
bank  agreement to act as a Canadian  Lender for such U.S.  Lender (if any), and
(iii) its affiliated


                                       29

<PAGE>



Australian  Lender  (if any) or the  fronting  bank  which  has  entered  into a
fronting bank agreement to act as an Australian  Lender for such U.S. Lender (if
any), as set forth on the signature pages hereof or in any applicable Assignment
and Acceptance.

                 "Letter of Credit" or "Letters of Credit" means Standby Letters
of Credit  issued,  or deemed issued,  by the applicable  Issuing Lender for the
account of any Borrower pursuant to subsection 2.7A.

                 "Letter  of  Credit  Fee   Percentage"   means  the  applicable
percentage  set forth  below  based  upon the  actual or stated  senior  implied
ratings established by S&P and Moody's, respectively, applicable on such date to
the senior, unsecured,  non-credit enhanced, long-term Indebtedness for borrowed
money of Company  (or,  if no actual or stated  senior  implied  ratings  are in
effect,  the ratings  one  category  higher  than the ratings for  subordinated,
unsecured, non-credit enhanced long-term Indebtedness for borrowed money):

Category             S&P/Moody's Rating                     Percentage

  1                       A-/A3                               0.30%
                          or above

  2                       BBB+/Baa1                           0.35%

  3                       BBB/Baa2                            0.40%

  4                       BBB-/Baa3                           0.45%

  5                       BB+/Ba1                             0.625%
                          or below

                 For purposes of the foregoing,  (i) if neither  Moody's nor S&P
shall  have in  effect a  rating  for the  senior  or  subordinated,  unsecured,
non-credit enhanced, long-term Indebtedness for borrowed money of Company (other
than by reason of the  circumstances  referred  to in the last  sentence of this
definition), then the Letter of Credit Fee Percentage shall be based on Category
5; (ii) if only one of  Moody's  and S&P shall  have in effect a rating  for the
senior or subordinated,  unsecured,  non-credit enhanced, long-term Indebtedness
for



                                       30

<PAGE>



borrowed  money of Company,  then the Letter of Credit Fee  Percentage  shall be
determined  on the basis of such  rating;  (iii) if the ratings  established  or
deemed  to  have  been   established  by  Moody's  or  S&P  for  the  senior  or
subordinated,   unsecured,   non-credit  enhanced,  long-term  Indebtedness  for
borrowed money of Company, shall fall within different Categories, the Letter of
Credit Fee Percentage shall be based on the Category corresponding to the higher
rating; and (iv) if any rating established or deemed to have been established by
Moody's  or S&P  shall be  changed  (other  than as a result  of a change in the
rating system of Moody's or S&P),  such change shall be effective as of the date
on which it is first announced by the applicable  rating agency.  Each change in
the Letter of Credit Fee Percentage shall apply during the period  commencing on
the effective date of such change and ending on the date  immediately  preceding
the effective  date of the next such change.  If the rating system of Moody's or
S&P shall change, or if any such rating agency shall cease to be in the business
of rating  corporate debt  obligations,  Company and Lenders shall  negotiate in
good faith to amend the  references  to specific  ratings in this  definition to
reflect such changed rating system or the non- availability of ratings from such
rating agency, and pending the effectiveness of any such amendment,  the ratings
of such rating  agency most recently in effect prior to such change or cessation
shall be employed in determining the Letter of Credit Fee Percentage.

                 "Letter of Credit Usage" means the Australian Letter of
Credit Usage, the Canadian Letter of Credit Usage and/or the U.S.
Letter of Credit Usage.

                 "Lien" means any lien, mortgage, pledge,  assignment,  security
interest,  charge or encumbrance of any kind (including any conditional  sale or
other  title  retention  agreement,  any lease in the  nature  thereof,  and any
agreement  to give  any  security  interest)  and any  option,  trust  or  other
preferential  arrangement  having the practical  effect of any of the foregoing.
"Lien" shall not include any  arrangement  with respect to Joint  Ventures where
legal title to assets in which the  Company or  Borrower  or their  Subsidiaries
have a  beneficial  interest  is held in the  name of the  operator  or  another
participant  in such Joint  Venture or in the name of the Joint  Venture if such
arrangement is not for the purpose of securing Indebtedness (other than



                                       31

<PAGE>



Indebtedness that may arise in respect of a participant's  lien or an operator's
lien).

                 "Loan" or "Loans" means any Canadian Loans, any
Australian Loans or any U.S. Loans, or any combination thereof.

                 "Loan  Documents"  means  this  Agreement,   any  applications,
reimbursement  agreements and other documents or certificates  executed in favor
of any Issuing Lender relating to the Letters of Credit,  any Notes, any Drafts,
any Bankers' Acceptances and any Grid Gold Acknowledgements.

                 "Margin  Stock"  has  the  meaning  assigned  to  that  term in
Regulation U of the Board as in effect from time to time.

                 "Marketable Securities" means corporate cash investments with a
weighted  average  portfolio  maturity of two years or less,  consisting  of (i)
marketable direct obligations issued or unconditionally guaranteed by the United
States  Government or Canadian  Government or the  Commonwealth  of Australia or
issued by any  agency  thereof  and  backed by the full  faith and credit of the
United  States  or  Canada  or  the  Commonwealth  of  Australia  thereof;  (ii)
marketable  direct  obligations  issued  by any  state of the  United  States of
America or any Province of Canada or any state or territory of the  Commonwealth
of  Australia  or any  political  subdivision  of any such  state,  Province  or
territory  or any  public  instrumentality  thereof  at the time of  acquisition
having the highest rating  obtainable from S&P,  Moody's or Dominion Bond Rating
Service; (iii) commercial paper at the time of acquisition having a rating of at
least A-1 (or A-2,  provided such commercial  paper has a rating of at least P-1
from Moody's) from S&P, at least P-1 (or P-2, provided such commercial paper has
a rating  of at least  A-1 from S&P) from  Moody's  or least R-1  (Middle)  from
Dominion Bond Rating Service and, any of the preceding  ratings may be met by an
attached  letter  of  credit  from a bank  or  municipal  bond  insurance;  (iv)
certificates of deposit or bankers' acceptances issued by any commercial bank or
trust  company  organized  under the laws of the United States of America or any
state  thereof or the  District  of  Columbia or under the laws of Canada or any
Province thereof or under the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia or any state
or  territory  thereof  or any  non-U.S.  commercial  bank  which at the time of
acquisition is ranked among the 100 largest banks in the world (by assets as



                                       32

<PAGE>



ranked by the American Banker  Journal),  and rated B/C or better by IBCA or KBW
rating  service  and having at least one of the  credit  ratings  identified  in
clause (iii) above (or higher credit ratings)  obtainable  from S&P,  Moody's or
Dominion Bond Rating Service;  (v) Eurodollar time deposits  purchased  directly
from any commercial  bank or trust company  described in clause (iv) above;  and
(vi) repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements with any commercial
bank or trust  company  described  in clause  (iv)  above or with any  financial
institution whose commercial paper at the time of acquisition has a rating of at
least A-1 from S&P or whose  long-term  Indebtedness  at the time of acquisition
has a rating of at least Aa, relating to marketable direct obligations issued or
unconditionally  guarantied  by the United  States  Government  or Government of
Canada or the  Government  of the  Commonwealth  of  Australia  or issued by any
agency  thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United  States or
Canada  or  the  Commonwealth  of  Australia;  and  (vii)  indebtedness  of  any
corporation  at the  time of  acquisition  rated  A1 or AA by S&P or  equivalent
rating service.

                 "Material  Adverse Effect" means (i) a material  adverse effect
upon the  business,  operations,  properties,  assets,  condition  (financial or
otherwise)  or prospects of Company,  Company and its  Subsidiaries,  taken as a
whole, or any Borrower, and in the case of any ERISA Event, the ERISA Affiliates
of Company taken as a whole, or (ii) a material adverse effect on the ability of
Company or any Borrower to perform,  or of any Agent or Lenders to enforce,  the
Obligations.

                 "Material  Subsidiary" means any Borrower,  any Subsidiary that
owns any  assets  constituting  a  portion  of the  Mining  Group  and any other
Subsidiary  (i) whose total  assets at the end of any fiscal  quarter of Company
equal  more  than  10%  of  the  Consolidated  Net  Worth  of  Company  and  its
Subsidiaries  as at the end of such quarter or (ii) whose total  revenue for any
Fiscal Year of Company equals more than 10% of the consolidated  revenues of the
Company and its  Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Year determined in accordance with
GAAP. A Subsidiary that is or becomes a Material  Subsidiary  shall not cease to
be a Material  Subsidiary  if it  subsequently  fails to meet  either of the two
preceding  requirements  without  the  consent  of the  Requisite  Lenders.  The
Material  Subsidiaries  as of the Effective  Date are identified in Schedule 4.1
annexed hereto.



                                       33

<PAGE>




                 "Mining Group" means the currently producing mines, part or all
of which are owned by  Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries  or Joint  Ventures,
which are  listed in the form of Cash Flow  Analysis  annexed  as  Schedule  1.1
hereto,  as such Schedule 1.1 may be amended from time to time by Company to add
or delete any mines which are subsequently developed or acquired or exhausted or
disposed of.

                 "Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc.

                 "Multiemployer  Plan" means a "multiemployer  plan", as defined
in  Section  3(37)  of  ERISA,  (i)(a)  to  which  Company  or any of its  ERISA
Affiliates is contributing, or within the past six years has contributed, or (b)
to which  Company  or any of its ERISA  Affiliates  has,  or within the past six
years has had,  an  obligation  to  contribute,  and (ii) with  respect to which
Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates retains any liability.

                 "Non-Recourse  Debt" means  indebtedness  for borrowed money or
gold  loans the  repayment  of which,  by its  express  contract  terms,  may be
enforced only by  foreclosure or other  realization  on any collateral  security
therefor  and as to which  the  obligor  thereon  shall not  otherwise  have any
personal liability.

                 "Notes"  means  the  promissory  notes of  Borrowers  issued to
Lenders pursuant to subsection 2.1D,  substantially in the forms of Exhibit IV-A
(in the case of  Canadian  Borrower),  Exhibit  IV-B (in the case of  Australian
Borrower),  and Exhibit IV-C (in the case of U.S.  Borrower) annexed hereto, and
as they may be further amended,  supplemented or otherwise modified from time to
time.

                 "Notice of Allocation" means a notice substantially in the form
of Exhibit XIII annexed  hereto  delivered by Borrowers  pursuant to  subsection
2.1A  for  the  purpose  of  allocating  the  Commitments   among  the  Canadian
Allocation, the Australian Allocation and the U.S. Allocation.

                 "Notice of Borrowing" means a notice  substantially in the form
of  Exhibit  I  annexed  hereto  delivered  by the  applicable  Borrower  to the
Applicable  Administrative Agent and Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection
2.1B with respect to



                                       34

<PAGE>



a proposed borrowing of Loans.

                 "Notice    of    Conversion/Continuation"    means   a   notice
substantially  in the form of Exhibit II annexed hereto  delivered by a Borrower
to the  Applicable  Administrative  Agent and  Administrative  Agent pursuant to
subsection  2.2D with respect to a proposed  conversion or  continuation  of the
applicable  basis for  determining  the interest  rate with respect to the Loans
specified therein.

                 "Notice of Issuance of Letter of Credit"  means a notice in the
form of Exhibit XI annexed  hereto,  delivered  by a Borrower to the  Applicable
Administrative  Agent and Administrative  Agent pursuant to subsection 2.7B with
appropriate  insertions and deletions,  with respect to the proposed issuance or
amendment of
a Letter of Credit.

                 "Obligations"  means all obligations of every nature of Company
and each Borrower from time to time owed to Agents, Arranger,  Lenders or any of
them under the Loan Documents, whether for principal, interest, reimbursement of
amounts drawn under or cash  collateralization of Letters of Credit,  payment at
maturity or cash  collateralization  of Bankers'  Acceptances,  fees,  expenses,
indemnification or otherwise.

                 "Officers' Certificate" means, as applied to any corporation, a
certificate  executed on behalf of such corporation by its chairman of the board
(if an officer) or its president or one of its vice  presidents and by its chief
financial officer or its treasurer or, with respect to Australian Borrowers, any
director or secretary of  Australian  Borrower;  provided  that every  Officers'
Certificate  with respect to the  compliance  with a condition  precedent to the
making of any Loans or the  issuance of any Letter of Credit or the creation and
purchase of any Bankers' Acceptance hereunder shall include (i) a statement that
the officer or officers or directors making or giving such Officers' Certificate
have read such condition and any  definitions or other  provisions  contained in
this Agreement  relating  thereto,  (ii) a statement that, in the opinion of the
signers,  they  have  made  or  have  caused  to be  made  such  examination  or
investigation  as is necessary to enable them to express an informed  opinion as
to whether or not such condition has been complied with, and (iii) a



                                       35

<PAGE>



statement as to whether, in the opinion of the signers, such condition has been 
complied with.

                 "Operating  Lease" means,  as applied to any Person,  any lease
(including,  without limitation,  leases that may be terminated by the lessee at
any time) of any  property  (whether  real,  personal  or  mixed)  that is not a
Capital Lease other than any such lease under which that Person is the lessor.

                 "Ounce" or "Ounces" means a fine troy ounce or fine troy
ounces.

                 "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
(or any successor thereto).

                 "Pension  Plan" means any Employee  Benefit Plan,  other than a
Multiemployer Plan, which is subject to Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code
or Section 302 of ERISA.

                 "Permitted Encumbrances" means the following types of
Liens:

                 (i) Liens for taxes,  assessments  or  governmental  charges or
         claims the payment of which is not, at the time, required by subsection
         5.3,  other than any Lien  imposed  pursuant to Section  401(a)(29)  or
         412(n) of the Internal  Revenue  Code or pursuant to Section  302(f) or
         4068 of ERISA, or deposits or pledges to obtain the release of any such
         liens;

               (ii)  statutory   Liens  of  landlords  and  Liens  of  carriers,
         warehousemen,  mechanics and materialmen and other Liens imposed by law
         and Liens of smelters,  refiners and other processors of ore,  minerals
         and other products thereof, in each case where incurred in the ordinary
         course of business for sums not yet  delinquent  or being  contested in
         good  faith,  or  deposits or pledges to obtain the release of any such
         Liens if such reserve or other appropriate provision,  if any, as shall
         be required by GAAP shall have been made therefor;

             (iii) Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary
         course of business in connection with workers' compensation,



                                       36

<PAGE>



         unemployment insurance and other types of social security, or to secure
         the performance of tenders,  statutory  obligations,  surety and appeal
         bonds, bids, leases, government contracts, trade contracts, performance
         and return-of-money  bonds and other similar obligations  (exclusive of
         obligations for the payment of borrowed money);

               (iv) any attachment or judgment Lien not constituting an Event
         of Default under subsection 7.8;

                 (v)      leases or subleases granted to others not
         interfering in any material respect with the ordinary
         conduct of the business of Company or any of its
         Subsidiaries;

               (vi)  easements,  rights-of-way,   restrictions,  minor  defects,
         encroachments or  irregularities  in title and other similar charges or
         encumbrances  or defects in title to property  not  interfering  in any
         material  respect with the ordinary  conduct of the business of Company
         or any of its Subsidiaries;

             (vii) any interest or title of a lessor or sublessor
         under any lease not prohibited by this Agreement;

           (viii) precautionary filings relating solely to leases
         permitted by this Agreement;

               (ix) mineral, oil, gas, and geothermal leases, licenses,  grazing
         leases, timber cutting rights, easements,  minimum royalties and rents,
         delayed  rentals,  work  commitments,   production  royalties,   profit
         interests, surface owner interests,  extralateral rights, and rights of
         subadjacent and lateral support  burdening any properties of Company or
         any of its Subsidiaries;

                 (x) the paramount rights of the United States of America or any
         other  governmental  authority in and to any unpatented  mining or mill
         site claims or leases held by Company or any of its Subsidiaries;



                                       37

<PAGE>



               (xi) the reservations, limitations, provisos, and
         conditions, if any, expressed in any original grants from
         the Crown;

             (xii)  Liens  of  Joint  Venture   participants  and  operators  on
         properties  being developed or operated by Joint Ventures  securing the
         respective  obligations  of the  joint  venturers  or  participants  to
         advance funds or reimburse advances of funds or to perform  obligations
         under the applicable joint venture agreements;

           (xiii) Liens in favor of Company or Borrowers; and

             (xiv)  Liens or deposits  or pledges to secure the  performance  by
         Company, Borrowers or their Subsidiaries or Joint Ventures with respect
         to  the   remediation,   reclamation  or   stabilization  of  disturbed
         properties currently or formerly owned or leased by Company,  Borrowers
         or their  Subsidiaries or Joint Ventures;  provided that any such Liens
         attach only to the property to be remediated,  reclaimed or stabilized;
         and  provided  further  that  Company  shall  have  first used its best
         efforts  to cause a letter of credit to be issued or deliver a guaranty
         to assure  performance  in lieu of  granting  such Liens or making such
         deposits or  pledges;  and  provided  further  such Liens,  deposits or
         pledges are promptly  released upon  satisfaction of such  remediation,
         reclamation or stabilization obligation.

excluding, however, in any case, any such Liens granted or created by Company or
any of  its  Subsidiaries  (other  than  Prime)  on or  with  respect  to  their
properties  or  assets  to  secure  any  obligations  of Prime at any time  that
Indebtedness permitted under subsection 6.1(vi) is outstanding.

                 "Person" means and includes natural persons, corpora-
tions, limited partnerships,  general partnerships, joint stock companies, Joint
Ventures, associations,  companies, trusts, banks, trust companies, land trusts,
business  trusts or other  organizations,  whether  or not legal  entities,  and
governments and agencies and political subdivisions thereof.



                                       38

<PAGE>



                 "Potential  Event of Default"  means a condition or event that,
after notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

                 "Price of Gold"  means,  on any day,  and except as provided in
the next sentence,  the price per Ounce of Gold  collectively  set by the fixing
members of the London Bullion Market  Association in the afternoon (London time)
of such day,  (including an amount,  if any,  equal to the premium and any other
additional  amounts that would be payable in the applicable market in connection
with a purchase of Gold).  If there is no such  fixing,  then (a) if such day is
any day other than a Saturday,  Sunday or holiday in London, the "Price of Gold"
shall be the  publicly  quoted  price in Dollars per Ounce of Gold on such other
accessible  international  bullion  market as may be selected by  Administrative
Agent or (b) if no such  quotation is  available,  or such day is a Saturday,  a
Sunday or a holiday  in London,  the "Price of Gold"  shall be the last price so
set by the fixing members of the London Bullion Market Association.

                 "Prime" means Prime Resources  Group,  Inc., a British Columbia
corporation, approximately 50.6% of the capital stock of which is owned directly
or  indirectly  by Canadian  Borrower as of the date hereof,  together  with its
Subsidiaries.

                 "Pro Rata Share"  means,  with respect to any Lending Unit (and
of any Lender(s)  constituting  such Lending Unit),  the percentage  obtained by
dividing (x) the Exposure of that Lending Unit (or of any Lender(s) constituting
such Lending Unit) by (y) the  aggregate  amount of the Exposure for all Lending
Units (or of all such Lenders  constituting  such Lending Unit) in any such case
as the applicable  percentage may be adjusted by assignments  permitted pursuant
to subsection 10.1B. The initial Pro Rata Share of each Lending Unit (and of any
Lender(s) constituting such Lending Unit) is set forth opposite the name of that
Lending Unit in Schedule 2.1 annexed hereto.

                 "Purchase Money Security Interest" means any security interest,
however  denominated,  on any  property  created  or  retained  at the  time  of
acquisition  of  such  property  in  order  to  secure  all or any  part  of the
acquisition cost thereof or in order to secure all or any Indebtedness  incurred
for the purpose



                                       39

<PAGE>



of financing or refinancing (without increasing the then outstanding amount) 
such Indebtedness.

                 "Reference Lenders" means Chase and CIBC.

                 "Register" has the meaning assigned to that term in
subsection 10.1.F.

                 "Regulation  D" means  Regulation D of the Board,  as in effect
from time to time.

                 "Release" means any release, spill, emission, leaking, pumping,
pouring, injection, escaping, deposit, disposal, discharge,  dispersal, dumping,
leaching or migration of Hazardous  Materials into the  environment  (including,
without  limitation,  the abandonment or disposal of any barrels,  containers or
other closed receptacles containing any Hazardous Materials),  or into or out of
any Facility,  including the movement of any Hazardous Material through the air,
soil, surface water, groundwater or property.

                 "Requisite  Lenders"  means Lending Units having or holding 51%
or more of the sum of the aggregate Exposure of all Lending Units.

                 "Responsible  Officer" means,  with respect to any Person,  any
one of the chairman of the board (if an officer),  president,  vice  presidents,
chief  financial  officer  and  treasurer  of such  Person or,  with  respect to
Australian Borrower, any director or secretary of Australian Borrower.

                 "Restricted   Junior   Payment"   means  (i)  any   redemption,
retirement,  sinking fund or similar payment,  purchase or other acquisition for
value,  direct or  indirect,  of any shares of any class of  preferred  stock of
Company or any  Subsidiary  of Company,  and (ii) any payment or  prepayment  of
principal  of,  premium,  if any,  or  interest  on,  or  redemption,  purchase,
retirement,  defeasance  (including  in-substance or legal defeasance),  sinking
fund or similar payment with respect to any Subordinated Indebtedness.

                 "S&P"  means  Standard & Poor's  Ratings  Group - a McGraw Hill
Company.




                                       40

<PAGE>




                 "Securities" means any stock,  shares,  partnership  interests,
voting trust  certificates,  certificates  of interest or  participation  in any
profit-sharing agreement or arrangement,  options,  warrants, bonds, debentures,
notes, or other evidences of  indebtedness,  secured or unsecured,  convertible,
subordinated  or  otherwise,  or in general any  instruments  commonly  known as
"securities"  or any  certificates  of  interest,  shares or  participations  in
temporary or interim  certificates  for the purchase or  acquisition  of, or any
right to subscribe to, purchase or acquire, any of the foregoing.

                 "Securities  Act" means the  Securities Act of 1933, as amended
from time to time, and any successor statute.

                 "Solvent"  means,  with  respect to any Person,  that as of the
date of  determination  (i) the then fair saleable value of the property of such
Person as a going  concern is (y) greater than the total  amount of  liabilities
(including  anticipated  Contingent Obligations and other contingent liabilities
only to the extent of the probable  liability  with  respect to such  Contingent
Obligations  and other  contingent  liabilities)  of such Person and (z) greater
than the amount that will be required to pay the  probable  liabilities  of such
Person's  then  existing  debts as they become  absolute and matured;  (ii) such
Person's  capital is not  unreasonably  small in relation to its business or any
contemplated or undertaken transaction; and (iii) such Person does not intend to
incur, or believe that it will incur, debts beyond its ability to pay such debts
as they become due.

                 "Standby  Letter of Credit" means any standby  letter of credit
or similar  instrument  issued for the purpose of supporting (i) Indebtedness of
Company  or any  of  its  Subsidiaries  in  respect  of  industrial  revenue  or
development  bonds or  financings,  (ii) workers'  compensation  liabilities  of
Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries,  (iii)  the  obligations  of  third  party
insurers of Company or any of its Subsidiaries  arising by virtue of the laws of
any jurisdiction  requiring third party insurers,  (iv) obligations with respect
to Capital Leases or Operating Leases of Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (v)
performance,  payment,  deposit or surety  obligations  of Company or any of its
Subsidiaries,  in any case if required by law or governmental rule or regulation
or  agreement  in  accordance  with custom and  practice in the  industry,  (vi)
obligations of Company or any of its Subsidi-



                                       41

<PAGE>



aries imposed by statute or by a court of competent  jurisdiction to post appeal
bonds or other security in connection with litigation  appeals,  and (vii) other
obligations  of Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  approved by  Administrative
Agent in its sole discretion; provided that Standby Letters of Credit may not be
issued for the purpose of supporting trade payables.

                 "Statutory Reserves" means a fraction (expressed as a decimal),
the  numerator  of which is the number one and the  denominator  of which is the
number one minus the aggregate of the maximum reserve percentages (including any
marginal,  special,  emergency or supplemental  reserves) expressed as a decimal
established by the Board and any other banking authority to which Administrative
Agent is subject for new  negotiable  non-personal  time  deposits in Dollars of
over $100,000 with maturities  approximately equal to three months. Such reserve
percentages  shall include those  imposed  pursuant to such  Regulation D of the
Board.  Statutory  Reserves  shall be  adjusted  automatically  on and as of the
effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.

                 "Subordinated  Debentures"  means  Company's  5.5%  Convertible
Subordinated  Notes  due 2000 in the  aggregate  original  principal  amount  of
$150,000,000.

                 "Subordinated   Indebtedness"   means   (i)  the   Subordinated
Debentures,   and  (ii)  any  other  Indebtedness  of  Company  or  any  of  its
Subsidiaries that is subordinated to the Obligations  (including any guaranty of
the  Obligations)  on terms and  conditions  approved  in writing  by  Requisite
Lenders.

                 "Subsidiary"   means,   with   respect  to  any   Person,   any
corporation, partnership, association, Joint Venture or other business entity of
which  50% or more of the  total  voting  power  of  shares  of  stock  or other
ownership   interests   entitled  (without  regard  to  the  occurrence  of  any
contingency)  to  vote  in  the  election  of the  Person  or  Persons  (whether
directors,  managers,  trustees or other Persons  performing  similar functions)
having the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies
thereof is at the time owned or  controlled,  directly  or  indirectly,  by that
Person or one or more of the other  Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination
thereof.



                                       42

<PAGE>



                 "Tax" or "Taxes" means any present or future tax, levy, impost,
duty,  charge,  fee, deduction or withholding of any nature and whatever called,
by whomsoever, on whomsoever and wherever imposed, levied,  collected,  withheld
or assessed.

                 "Tax Transferee"  means any Person who acquires any interest in
the Loans  (whether or not by  operation of law) or the office to which a Lender
or any Agent has  transferred  its Loans for purposes of  determining  where the
Loans are made, accounted for or booked.

                 "Total  Utilization of  Commitments"  means,  as at any date of
determination,  the sum of (i) the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding
Loans (valued in Dollar Equivalents as of such date of determination), plus (ii)
the Canadian Letter of Credit Usage,  plus (iii) the Australian Letter of Credit
Usage, plus (iv) the U.S. Letter of Credit Usage, plus (v) the BA Usage.

                 "U.S. Allocation" means the portion of the Commitments
allocated  to U.S.  Borrower  in Schedule  2.1 or in the most  recent  Notice of
Allocation delivered by Borrowers and Company pursuant to subsection 2.1A.

                 "U.S.  Base Rate (Canada)" means the rate of interest per annum
equal to the greater of (i) the rate which the principal  office of the Canadian
Administrative  Agent in  Toronto,  Ontario  announces  from time to time as its
"base  rate"  and  which is its  reference  rate of  interest  for loans in U.S.
Dollars to its  Canadian  borrowers;  and (ii) 1/2 of 1% above the U.S.  Federal
Funds Rate, adjusted automatically with each change in such rate all without the
necessity of any notice to Canadian Borrower or any other Person.

                 "U.S. Base Rate (Canada) Loans" means Dollar Loans made
by Canadian Lenders pursuant to subsection 2.1A(i) and bearing
interest at rates determined by reference to the U.S. Base Rate
(Canada) as provided in subsection 2.2A.

                 "U.S. Base Rate Loans" means Dollar Loans made by U.S.
Lenders pursuant to subsection 2.1A(iii) and bearing interest at
rates determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate as
provided in subsection 2.2A.



                                       43

<PAGE>



                 "U.S. Borrower Account" means that certain account with
the Administrative Agent, care of Agent Bank Services Group, 140 E. 45th Street,
New York, New York,  10017,  Clearing  Account Number  323508308,  maintained at
Chase.

                 "U.S. Commitment" means the commitment of each U.S.
Lender (i) to make or maintain U.S. Loans pursuant to subsection  2.1A, and (ii)
to  issue  (in the  case of the  applicable  Issuing  Lender)  or  acquire  risk
participations in (in the case of all other U.S. Lenders) U.S. Letters of Credit
pursuant to subsection 2.7 in an aggregate amount, valued in Dollar Equivalents,
at no time exceeding such U.S. Lender's Pro Rata Share of the U.S. Allocation.

                 "U.S. Commitment Usage" means, as of any date of determination,
the aggregate outstanding principal amount of (i) the U.S. Loans that are Dollar
Loans, and (ii) the U.S. Loans that are Gold Loans (valued in Dollar Equivalents
based on the Price of Gold as of such date of determination) plus the U.S.
Letter of Credit Usage.

                 "U.S. Exposure" means with respect to any U.S. Lender as of any
date of  determination,  the U.S.  Commitments  of such U.S.  Lender  or, if the
Commitments  have  been  terminated,  the sum of (a) the  aggregate  outstanding
principal amount of all U.S. Loans (valued in Dollar Equivalents as of such date
of determination) of that U.S. Lender plus (b) in the event such U.S. Lender (or
a Lender in its Lending  Unit) is an Issuing  Lender,  the  aggregate  Letter of
Credit Usage in respect of all U.S. Letters of Credit issued by such U.S. Lender
(or such Lender in that  Lending  Unit) (in each case net of any  participations
purchased  by  other  U.S.  Lenders  in  such  U.S.  Letters  of  Credit  or any
unreimbursed  drawings  thereunder (valued in Dollar Equivalents as of such date
of determination)) plus (c) the aggregate amount of all participations purchased
by  that  U.S.  Lender  in  any  outstanding  U.S.  Letters  of  Credit  or  any
unreimbursed  drawings  under  any U.S.  Letter  of  Credit  (valued  in  Dollar
Equivalents as of such date of determination).

                 "U.S. Lending Office" means, in relation to any U.S.
Lender, its U.S. lending office as specified under its signature
on the signature pages hereof or such other office as is
specified by such Lender in a written notice to Administrative




                                       44

<PAGE>



Agent and U.S. Borrower.

                 "U.S. Lenders" means each of the Lenders of each Lending
Unit designated as the U.S. Lender for such Lending Unit on the
signature pages hereof or in any applicable Assignment and
Acceptance.

                 "U.S.Letter of Credit" or "U.S. Letters of Credit" means 
Standby Letters of Credit issued,  or deemed issued, by the  applicable Issuing
Lender for the account of U.S. Borrower pursuant to subsection 2.7.

                 "U.S.  Letter  of  Credit  Usage"  means,  as at  any  date  of
determination,  the sum of (i) the maximum  aggregate  amount which is available
for drawing  under all U.S.  Letters of Credit then  outstanding,  plus (ii) the
aggregate amount of all drawings under all U.S. Letters of Credit honored by the
applicable Issuing Lender and not theretofore reimbursed by Borrowers.

                 "U.S. Loans" means Dollar Loans and/or Gold Loans made
by U.S. Lenders to U.S. Borrower pursuant to subsection 2.1A(iii).

1.2      Accounting Terms; Utilization of GAAP for Purposes of
         Calculations Under Agreement.

                 Except as otherwise  expressly provided in this Agreement,  all
accounting terms not otherwise  defined herein shall have the meanings  assigned
to them in conformity  with GAAP.  Financial  statements  and other  information
required to be delivered by Company to Lenders pursuant to clauses (i), (ii) and
(xi) of subsection 5.1 shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP as in effect at
the time of such preparation. If any changes in accounting principles from those
used in the  preparation of the financial  statements  referred to in subsection
4.4  hereafter   occasioned   by  the   promulgation   of  rules,   regulations,
pronouncements and opinions by or required by the Financial Accounting Standards
Board or the American  Institute of Certified Public  Accountants (or successors
thereto or agencies with similar  functions) result in a change in the method of
calculation  of financial  covenants,  standards or terms found in Sections 1, 5
and 6 hereof,  the parties hereto agree to enter into  negotiations  in order to
amend such provisions so as to




                                       45

<PAGE>



equitably  reflect such  changes  with the desired  result that the criteria for
evaluating  Company's  consolidated  financial condition shall be the same after
such changes as if such changes had not been made.

1.3      Other Definitional Provisions.

                 References to "Sections" and "subsections" shall be to Sections
and subsections,  respectively,  of this Agreement unless otherwise specifically
provided.  Any of the terms  defined in subsection  1.1 may,  unless the context
otherwise  requires,  be used in the  singular or the plural,  depending  on the
reference.


Section 2.  AMOUNTS AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS AND LOANS

2.1      Commitments; Loans.

         A.  Commitments.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement
and in reliance upon the representations and warranties of Company and Borrowers
herein  set  forth,  each  Lender  hereby  severally  agrees  to make the  Loans
described  in this  subsection  2.1A  that  are,  pursuant  to the terms of this
subsection  2.1A, to be made by such Lender.  The  commitments of the Lenders to
make such Loans consist of the Canadian Commitments of the Canadian Lenders, the
Australian Commitments of the Australian Lenders and the U.S. Commitments of the
U.S. Lenders, such commitments being more fully described below. Initially,  the
amount of each Lending Unit's Commitment, and its Pro Rata Share of the Canadian
Allocation, Australian Allocation and U.S. Allocation are set forth opposite its
name on Schedule 2.1 annexed hereto and the aggregate  amount of the Commitments
of all Lending Units shall be $275,000,000. Company and Borrowers shall allocate
the  aggregate  amount  of the  Commitments  to  Canadian  Borrower,  Australian
Borrower  and U.S.  Borrower  so that the sum of the  Canadian  Allocation,  the
Australian Allocation and the U.S. Allocation equals the aggregate  Commitments.
The initial amounts of the Canadian  Allocation,  the Australian  Allocation and
the U.S.  Allocation  are set forth on Schedule 2.1.  Company and Borrowers may,
effective  as of the first day of each  month,  commencing  on November 1, 1996,
change the amount of the Commitments  allocated to the Canadian Allocation,  the
Australian Allocation and the U.S.




                                       46

<PAGE>



Allocation by delivering a Notice of Allocation to Administrative Agent at least
14 days prior to date upon which such  allocation is to be  effective;  provided
that (1) the sum of the Canadian Allocation plus the Australian  Allocation plus
the U.S.  Allocation  shall always equal the amount of the  Commitments  then in
effect, (2) the Canadian Allocation may not be reduced to an amount that is less
than the outstanding  Canadian  Commitment Usage, (3) the Australian  Allocation
may not be reduced  to an amount  that is less than the  outstanding  Australian
Commitment  Usage,  and (4) the U.S.  Allocation may not be reduced to an amount
that is less than the outstanding U.S.  Commitment Usage.  Administrative  Agent
shall  promptly  notify each Lender of any proposed  change in the allocation of
the Commitments and such Lender's Pro Rata Share of the new Canadian Allocation,
Australian Allocation or U.S. Allocation,  as appropriate.  The aggregate amount
of the  Commitments  may be permanently  reduced from time to time in accordance
with subsection 2.4.

                 (i)      Canadian  Borrower Loans.  The Canadian Lender of each
         Lending Unit severally  agrees,  subject to the  limitations  set forth
         below with respect to the maximum amount of Canadian Loans permitted to
         be  outstanding  from time to time,  to lend to Canadian  Borrower from
         time to time during the period from the Effective Date to but excluding
         the Commitment Termination Date Dollars,  Canadian Dollars and/or Gold,
         in an aggregate amount,  when valued in Dollar Equivalents and combined
         with the BA Usage of such Canadian Lender and its Pro Rata Share of the
         Canadian  Letter of Credit  Usage,  not exceeding the lesser of (a) its
         Pro Rata share of the  Canadian  Allocation  as in effect  from time to
         time and (b) the  Commitment  of its Lending  Unit,  to be used for the
         purposes identified in subsection 2.5A.

                  (ii)    Australian   Loans.  The  Australian  Lender  of  each
         Lending Unit severally  agrees,  subject to the  limitations  set forth
         below with respect to the maximum amount of Australian  Loans permitted
         to be  outstanding  from time to time, to lend to  Australian  Borrower
         from time to time  during the  period  from the  Effective  Date to but
         excluding the Commitment  Termination Date Dollars,  Australian Dollars
         and/or Gold, in an aggregate amount, when valued in Dollar Equivalents,
         and combined with its Pro Rata Share of the Australian Letter of Credit
         Usage, not




                                       47

<PAGE>



         exceeding  the  lesser  of (a) its Pro  Rata  Share  of the  Australian
         Allocation as in effect from time to time and (b) the Commitment of its
         Lending  Unit,  to be used for the purposes  identified  in  subsection
         2.5A.

           (iii) U.S.  Loans.  The U.S.  Lender of each Lending  Unit  severally
         agrees,  subject to the limitations set forth below with respect to the
         maximum amount of U.S. Loans  permitted to be outstanding  from time to
         time, to lend to U.S. Borrower from time to time during the period from
         the Effective  Date to but excluding the  Commitment  Termination  Date
         Dollars  and/or  Gold,  in an aggregate  amount,  when valued in Dollar
         Equivalents, and combined with its Pro Rata Share of the U.S. Letter of
         Credit Usage, not exceeding the lesser of (a) its Pro Rata Share of the
         U.S.  Allocation as in effect from time to time and (b) the  Commitment
         of its  Lending  Unit,  to be  used  for  the  purposes  identified  in
         subsection 2.5A.

            (iv) Additional  Limitations  on Loans.  The amounts of the Canadian
         Allocation,  Australian  Allocation and U.S. Allocation and Commitments
         shall be  reduced  from time to time by the  amount  of any  reductions
         thereto  made  pursuant  to  subsection   2.4A.   Each  Lending  Unit's
         Commitment and the Canadian Commitment,  the Australian  Commitment and
         U.S.  Commitment of such Lending  Unit's  Canadian  Lender,  Australian
         Lender and U.S.  Lender,  respectively,  shall expire on the Commitment
         Termination  Date and all Loans and all other  amounts  owed  hereunder
         with  respect  to Loans,  Bankers'  Acceptances,  Letters of Credit and
         Commitments  shall be paid in full no later  than  that  date.  Amounts
         borrowed under this subsection 2.1A may be repaid and reborrowed to but
         excluding the Commitment Termination Date.

                 Anything   contained   in  this   Agreement   to  the  contrary
         notwithstanding,  the Loans and the Commitments shall be subject to the
         following limitations:

                     (a)             Subject to the provisions of subsection 
         2.4A(iii),  the Total Utilization of Commitments shall not at any time
         exceed the Commitments then in effect;





                                       48

<PAGE>



                    (b)           Subject to the provisions of sub-
         section  2.4A(iii),  any  Lending  Unit's  Pro Rata  Share of the Total
         Utilization  of  Commitments  shall not at any time exceed such Lending
         Unit's Commitment then in effect;

                    (c)           Subject to the provisions of subsection
         2.4A(iii),  the  aggregate  amount  of the  Canadian  Exposure  and the
         Canadian  Commitments  shall not, in each case,  at any time exceed the
         Canadian Allocation then in effect;

                    (d)           Subject to the provisions of subsection
         2.4A(iii), the aggregate amount of the U.S. Exposure and the
         U.S. Commitments shall not, in each case, at any time exceed
         the U.S. Allocation then in effect;

                    (e)           Subject to the provisions of subsection
         2.4A(iii),  the  aggregate  amount of the  Australian  Exposure and the
         Australian  Commitments shall not, in each case, at any time exceed the
         Australian Allocation then in effect;

                    (f)           The amount otherwise available for borrowing
         under the Commitments as of any time of determination shall
         be reduced by the Total Utilization of Commitments;

                    (g)           Canadian Borrower shall not request or borrow
         Canadian  Dollar  Loans if,  immediately  after  giving  effect to such
         borrowing, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Canadian Loans
         and the Canadian  Letter of Credit Usage and the BA Usage,  when valued
         in Dollar Equivalents, would exceed 95% of the Canadian Allocation then
         in effect;

                    (h)            Australian Borrower shall not request or
         borrow Australian  Dollar Loans if,  immediately after giving effect to
         such  borrowing,   the  aggregate   outstanding   principal  amount  of
         Australian Loans and the Australian Letter of Credit Usage, when valued
         in Dollar  Equivalents,  would exceed 95% of the Australian  Allocation
         then in effect;

                    (i)            No Borrower shall request any Gold Loans if,
         immediately  after  giving  effect  to such  borrowing,  the  aggregate
         outstanding  amount of Gold Loans  advanced to  Borrowers  would exceed
         600,000 Ounces; and




                                       49

<PAGE>




                     (j)          For purposes of computing compliance with the
         foregoing  clauses (a) through (i), any  extension of credit  hereunder
         the  proceeds  of which  are  used on the  same  day to  repay  another
         extension  of credit  hereunder  shall not be treated as an increase in
         the utilization of the Commitments on such day.

         B.  Borrowing  Mechanics.  Loans made on any  Funding  Date (other than
Loans made  pursuant  to  subsection  2.7C for the  purpose of  reimbursing  any
Issuing Lender for the amount of a drawing under a Letter of Credit issued by it
or Loans made (or deemed made)  pursuant to  subsection  2.8F for the purpose of
reimbursing  any  Canadian  Lender for the Face Amount of any  matured  Bankers'
Acceptance)  shall be in an  aggregate  minimum  amount  of (i)  $5,000,000  and
integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess of that amount, in the case of Dollar
Loans, (ii) Cdn.$5,000,000 and integral multiples of Cdn.$1,000,000 in excess of
that  amount,  in the case of  Canadian  Dollar  Loans,  (iii)  A$5,000,000  and
integral  multiples  of  A$1,000,000  in  excess  of that  amount,  in the  case
Australian Dollar Loans, and (iv) 10,000 Ounces and integral  multiples of 2,000
Ounces in excess of that amount, in the case of Gold Loans.  Whenever a Borrower
desires that Lenders  make Loans it shall  deliver a Notice of Borrowing  (i) in
the case of U.S. Base Rate Loans,  to  Administrative  Agent no later than 11:00
A.M.  (New York  time) at least one  Business  Day in  advance  of the  proposed
Funding Date, (ii) in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans or Gold Loans to be made
to U.S.  Borrower,  to  Administrative  Agent no later than 11:00 A.M. (New York
time) at least three  Business  Days in advance of the  proposed  Funding  Date,
(iii) in the case of Eurodollar  Rate Loans or Gold Loans to be made to Canadian
Borrower,  to Canadian  Administrative  Agent and Administrative  Agent no later
than 11:00 A.M.  (Toronto  time) at least three  Business Days in advance of the
proposed  Funding Date,  (iv) in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans or Gold Loans
to be made to  Australian  Borrower,  to  Australian  Administrative  Agent  and
Administrative  Agent no later  than  12:00 Noon  (Sydney  time) at least  three
Business Days in advance of the proposed  Funding Date,  (v) in the case of U.S.
Base  Rate   (Canada)   Loans  and  Canadian   Base  Rate  Loans,   to  Canadian
Administrative  Agent and Administrative Agent no later than 11:00 A.M. (Toronto
time) at least one  Business Day in advance of the proposed  Funding  Date,  and
(vi) in the case of Bank Bill Swap Rate Loans, to Australian




                                       50

<PAGE>



Administrative  Agent and Administrative  Agent no later than 12:00 Noon (Sydney
time) at least two Business Days in advance of the proposed  Funding  Date.  The
Notice of  Borrowing  shall  specify (i) the  Borrower  requesting  the proposed
Loans,  (ii) the proposed  Funding Date (which shall be a Business  Day),  (iii)
whether such Loans will be denominated in Canadian Dollars,  Australian Dollars,
Dollars or Ounces of Gold, (iv) in the case of Dollar Loans, whether such Dollar
Loans  are to be U.S.  Base  Rate  Loans,  U.S.  Base  Rate  (Canada)  Loans  or
Eurodollar  Rate Loans,  (v) in the case of Gold Loans,  whether the  applicable
Borrower is  requesting  that the amount of such Loan be converted  into Dollars
(based on the Price of Gold as in effect two Business Days prior to the proposed
Funding Date) or that an amount of Gold constituting such Loan be Delivered, and
if so where,  (vi) in the case of Gold Loans to be funded in Gold,  whether  the
applicable  Borrower is requesting to pay interest  during the initial  Interest
Period on such Gold Loan in  Dollars or in Gold,  and if payable in Dollars  the
basis for calculating the amount according to one of the alternatives  specified
in subsection  2.2F, and (vii) in the case of Eurodollar  Rate Loans,  Bank Bill
Swap Rate Loans, or Gold Loans, the requested Interest Period.  Each such Notice
of Borrowing shall also show the calculation of the Canadian  Commitment  Usage,
the  Australian  Commitment  Usage,  the U.S.  Commitment  Usage  and the  Total
Utilization of Commitments after giving effect to the proposed borrowing,  which
calculation shall demonstrate compliance with the limitations on Loans set forth
in  subsection  2.1A(iv).  Loans may be  continued  as or  converted  into Loans
denominated in the same currency (or in the case of Gold Loans,  Ounces of Gold)
in  the  manner  provided  in  subsection   2.2D.  In  lieu  of  delivering  the
above-described  Notice  of  Borrowing,  the  applicable  Borrower  may give the
Applicable  Administrative  Agent and Administrative  Agent telephonic notice by
the required time of any proposed borrowing under this subsection 2.1B; provided
that such notice shall be promptly  confirmed in writing by delivery of a Notice
of Borrowing to the Applicable  Administrative Agent and Administrative Agent on
or before the applicable Funding Date.

                 Neither any Agent nor any Lender  shall incur any  liability to
any  Borrower  in acting  upon any  telephonic  notice  referred  to above  that
Administrative  Agent or the  Applicable  Administrative  Agent believes in good
faith to have been given by a duly authorized officer or other person authorized
to borrow on




                                       51

<PAGE>



behalf of such  Borrower  or for  otherwise  acting  in good  faith  under  this
subsection  2.1B,  and upon funding of Loans by Lenders in accordance  with this
Agreement  pursuant  to any such  telephonic  notice  such  Borrower  shall have
effected Loans hereunder to such Borrower.

                 Except as  otherwise  provided in  subsections  2.6B,  2.6C and
2.6G,  a Notice of Borrowing  for a Eurodollar  Rate Loan, a Bank Bill Swap Rate
Loan or a Gold Loan (or telephonic  notice in lieu thereof) shall be irrevocable
when given, and the Borrower  delivering such Notice of Borrowing shall be bound
to make a borrowing in accordance therewith.

         C.      Disbursement of Funds.

                 (i) Canadian  Borrower  Loans.  All Loans requested by Canadian
         Borrower  under  this  Agreement  shall  be  made by  Canadian  Lenders
         simultaneously and proportionately to their respective Pro Rata Shares.
         Promptly   after   receipt  by   Canadian   Administrative   Agent  and
         Administrative  Agent of a Notice of Borrowing  pursuant to  subsection
         2.1B (or  telephonic  notice in lieu thereof)  from Canadian  Borrower,
         Canadian  Administrative Agent shall notify each Canadian Lender of the
         proposed borrowing and the details thereof.  Each Canadian Lender shall
         make the amount of its Loan  (other  than any Gold Loan to be funded in
         Gold) available in the appropriate currency to Canadian  Administrative
         Agent,  in same day funds at Canadian  Administrative  Agent's  Lending
         Office  not  later  than 1:00 P.M.  (New York  time) on the  applicable
         Funding Date.  In the case of any Gold Loan to be funded in Gold,  each
         Canadian  Lender  shall make the amount of its Gold Loan  available  in
         Gold to  Canadian  Administrative  Agent by  Delivery  of such Gold not
         later than 11:00 A.M.  (London time) on the applicable  Funding Date to
         the Administrative Agent's account with J.P. Morgan,  London,  England,
         or such other London  bullion  account as may be designated by Canadian
         Administrative  Agent from time to time by notice to  Canadian  Lenders
         not later than three  Business  Days  prior to the  applicable  Funding
         Date. Upon satisfaction or waiver of the conditions precedent specified
         in  subsections  3.1 (in the case of the initial Loans) and 3.2 (in the
         case of all  Loans),  Canadian  Administrative  Agent  shall  make  the
         proceeds of such Canadian Loans, in the




                                       52

<PAGE>



         appropriate currency or Gold, as the case may be, available to Canadian
         Borrower on the applicable  Funding Date by (a) in the case of Loans in
         a currency,  causing an amount of same day funds equal to the  proceeds
         of all such  Loans  received  by  Canadian  Administrative  Agent  from
         Canadian Lenders to be credited to the account of Canadian  Borrower at
         Canadian  Administrative  Agent's  Lending Office or (b) in the case of
         Gold Loans,  either (1)  advancing  the Dollar  Equivalent  of the Gold
         Loans,  which  shall be  calculated  based  on the  Price of Gold as in
         effect on the second  Business Day  preceding  the  applicable  Funding
         Date,  and  causing an amount of same day funds equal to such amount of
         Dollars to be credited to the account of Canadian  Borrower at Canadian
         Administrative  Agent's Lending Office or (2) effecting the Delivery of
         Gold  comprising  such Gold Loan to a location  mutually agreed upon by
         Canadian  Borrower and Canadian  Administrative  Agent and set forth in
         the Notice of Borrowing.

                 (ii)  Australian   Borrower  Loans.   All  Loans  requested  by
         Australian  Borrower under this  Agreement  shall be made by Australian
         Lenders simultaneously and proportionately to their respective Pro Rata
         Shares.  Promptly after receipt by Australian  Administrative Agent and
         Administrative  Agent of a Notice of Borrowing  pursuant to  subsection
         2.1B (or telephonic  notice in lieu thereof) from Australian  Borrower,
         Australian  Administrative Agent shall notify each Australian Lender of
         the proposed borrowing and the details thereof.  Each Australian Lender
         shall  make the  amount  of its Loan  (other  than any Gold  Loan to be
         funded in Gold)  available in the  appropriate  currency to  Australian
         Administrative  Agent,  in same day funds at Australian  Administrative
         Agent's  Lending  Office not later than 12:00 Noon (Sydney time) on the
         applicable  Funding  Date. In the case of any Gold Loan to be funded in
         Gold,  each  Australian  Lender  shall make the amount of its Gold Loan
         available  in Gold to  Australian  Administrative  Agent by Delivery of
         such Gold not later  than 11:00 A.M.  (London  time) on the  applicable
         Funding Date to the  Administrative  Agent's account with J.P.  Morgan,
         London,  England,  or  such  other  London  bullion  account  as may be
         designated  by  Australian  Administrative  Agent  from time to time by
         notice to Australian  Lenders not later than three  Business Days prior
         to the applicable Funding Date. Upon




                                       53

<PAGE>



         satisfaction  or  waiver  of  the  conditions  precedent  specified  in
         subsections 3.1 (in the case of the initial Loans) and 3.2 (in the case
         of all Loans),  Australian Administrative Agent shall make the proceeds
         of such Australian  Loans, in the appropriate  currency or Gold, as the
         case may be, available to Australian Borrower on the applicable Funding
         Date by (a) in the case of Loans in a  currency,  causing  an amount of
         same day funds  equal to the  proceeds  of all such Loans  received  by
         Australian  Administrative Agent from Australian Lenders to be credited
         to the  account of  Australian  Borrower at  Australian  Administrative
         Agent's  Lending  Office or (b) in the case of Gold  Loans,  either (1)
         advancing  the Dollar  Equivalent  of the Gold  Loans,  which  shall be
         calculated  based  on the  Price  of Gold as in  effect  on the  second
         Business Day preceding  the  applicable  Funding  Date,  and causing an
         amount of same day funds equal to such amount of Dollars to be credited
         to the  account of  Australian  Borrower at  Australian  Administrative
         Agent's Lending Office or (2) effecting the Delivery of Gold comprising
         such  Gold  Loan to a  location  mutually  agreed  upon  by  Australian
         Borrower  and  Australian  Administrative  Agent  and set  forth in the
         Notice of Borrowing.

                 (iii) U.S. Borrower Loans. All Loans requested by U.S. Borrower
         under this Agreement shall be made by U.S. Lenders  simultaneously  and
         proportionately  to their  respective  Pro Rata Shares.  Promptly after
         receipt by  Administrative  Agent of a Notice of Borrowing  pursuant to
         subsection  2.1B (or  telephonic  notice  in lieu  thereof)  from  U.S.
         Borrower,  Administrative  Agent shall  notify each U.S.  Lender of the
         proposed borrowing and the details thereof. Each U.S. Lender shall make
         the amount of its Loan  (other than any Gold Loan to be funded in Gold)
         available  in  Dollars  to  Administrative  Agent in same day  funds at
         Administrative  Agent's  Lending  Office not later than 1:00 P.M.  (New
         York time) on the applicable Funding Date. In the case of any Gold Loan
         to be funded in Gold,  each U.S.  Lender  shall  make the amount of its
         Gold Loan available in Gold to Administrative Agent by Delivery of such
         Gold not later than 11:00 A.M. (London time) on the applicable  Funding
         Date to the  Administrative  Agent's account with J.P. Morgan,  London,
         England,  or such other London bullion  account as may be designated by
         Administrative Agent by notice to U.S. Lenders




                                       54

<PAGE>



         from time to time not  later  than  three  Business  Days  prior to the
         applicable  Funding Date. Upon satisfaction or waiver of the conditions
         precedent  specified  in  subsections  3.1 (in the case of the  initial
         Loans) and 3.2 (in the case of all Loans),  Administrative  Agent shall
         make the proceeds of such Loans in Dollars or Gold, as the case may be,
         available to U.S. Borrower on the applicable Funding Date by (a) in the
         case of Loans in Dollars,  causing an amount of same day funds equal to
         the proceeds of all such Loans  received by  Administrative  Agent from
         U.S. Lenders to be credited to the U.S.  Borrower Account or (b) in the
         case of Gold Loans,  either (1) advancing the Dollar Equivalent of such
         Gold Loans,  which shall be calculated based on the Price of Gold as in
         effect on the second  Business Day  preceding  the  applicable  Funding
         Date,  and  causing an amount of same day funds equal to such amount of
         Dollars to be credited to the U.S.  Borrower  Account or (2)  effecting
         the Delivery of Gold comprising such Gold Loans to a location  mutually
         agreed upon by U.S. Borrower and Administrative  Agent and set forth in
         the Notice of Borrowing.

             (iv) Failure to Fund Loans.  No Lender shall be responsible for any
         default by any other Lender in that other Lender's obligation to make a
         Loan requested hereunder nor shall the Commitment of any Lender to make
         the  particular  type of Loan  requested be increased or decreased as a
         result  of a  default  by any  other  Lender  in  that  other  Lender's
         obligation to make a Loan  requested  hereunder.  Unless the Applicable
         Administrative  Agent shall have been  notified by any Lender  prior to
         the  Funding  Date for any Loans to be funded by such  Lender that such
         Lender   does  not  intend  to  make   available   to  the   Applicable
         Administrative Agent the amount of such Lender's Loan requested on such
         Funding Date, the Applicable  Administrative Agent may assume that such
         Lender has made such amount available to the Applicable  Administrative
         Agent on such Funding Date and the Applicable Administrative Agent may,
         in its sole  discretion,  but shall not be obligated to, make available
         to the applicable Borrower a corresponding amount on such Funding Date.
         If such  corresponding  amount  is not in fact  made  available  to the
         Applicable   Administrative   Agent  by  such  Lender,  the  Applicable
         Administrative  Agent shall be entitled to recover  such  corresponding
         amount on demand from




                                       55

<PAGE>



         such Lender  together  with  interest  thereon,  for each day from such
         Funding  Date  until  the date such  amount  is paid to the  Applicable
         Administrative  Agent,  at the  customary  rate  set by the  Applicable
         Administrative Agent for the correction of errors among banks for three
         Business Days and  thereafter at the Canadian Base Rate, in the case of
         any  Canadian  Dollar  Loan,  the Bank  Bill  Swap Rate for a one month
         Interest  Period,  in the  case of any  Australian  Dollar  Loans,  the
         Alternate  Base Rate, in the case of any Dollar Loan, or the applicable
         Gold Rate,  in the case of any Gold Loan.  If such  Lender does not pay
         such corresponding amount forthwith upon the Applicable  Administrative
         Agent's  demand  therefor,  the Applicable  Administrative  Agent shall
         promptly  notify  the  applicable  Borrower  and  such  Borrower  shall
         immediately   pay  such   corresponding   amount   to  the   Applicable
         Administrative  Agent together with interest thereon, for each day from
         such Funding Date until the date such amount is paid to the  Applicable
         Administrative Agent, at the rate then applicable to Canadian Base Rate
         Loans in the case of any Canadian Dollar Loan, the rate then applicable
         to the Bank Bill Rate Swap Loans for a one month Interest Period in the
         case of any Australian  Dollar Loan,  the rate then  applicable to Base
         Rate Loans, in the case of any Dollar Loan or the applicable Gold Rate,
         in the case of any Gold Loan. In all of the foregoing  instances,  such
         interest  in respect  of any Gold Loan shall be payable in Dollars  and
         shall  be  calculated  daily  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of
         subsection  2.2F.  Nothing in this  subsection  2.1C shall be deemed to
         relieve  any Lender  from its  obligation  to fulfill  its  Commitments
         hereunder or to prejudice any rights that any Borrower may have against
         any Lender as a result of any default by such Lender hereunder.

                 (v) Confirmation of Delivery,  Risk of Loss,  Delivery Charges.
         Unless the Applicable  Administrative  Agent  receives  notice from the
         applicable  Borrower  within  seven  Business  Days of such  Borrower's
         receipt of any Gold,  the  quantity and quality of the Gold so received
         shall be  deemed to be as set  forth in the  Applicable  Administrative
         Agent's  delivery  order.  If there is any discrepancy in the amount or
         quality of Gold actually Delivered, the amount of such difference shall
         be settled in Dollars  (based on the Dollar  Equivalent  on the date of
         Delivery of the Gold required to




                                       56

<PAGE>



         be advanced hereunder and the Gold actually  Delivered)  promptly after
         the  Delivery  thereof.  Borrowers  assume  all risk of loss,  theft or
         detention of or damage to any Gold  Delivered  hereunder  from the date
         the applicable  Borrower  receives Delivery of such Gold until the date
         of its return by Delivery to the Applicable  Administrative  Agent. The
         applicable  Borrower shall pay all costs and charges  (including  costs
         and expenses of collection, shipment, cartage, warehousing,  packaging,
         refining, converting or insurance and any applicable location premiums)
         directly  relating to the  physical  Delivery of Gold  pursuant to this
         Agreement  incurred on and after  request for  Delivery of Gold by such
         Borrower  until  return  of  Gold  by  such  Borrower  at the  required
         location.

         D. Note Option.  If so requested by any Lender by written notice to the
applicable Borrower (with a copy to Administrative  Agent), the Borrower to whom
such  request is made shall  execute and deliver to such  Lender  (within  three
Business  Days of such  Borrower's  receipt of such  notice) a  promissory  note
substantially  in the form of Exhibit IV-A to this  Agreement  to evidence  such
Lender's  Canadian Loans (other than Gold Loans), in the form of Exhibit IV-B to
this  Agreement  to evidence  such  Lender's  Australian  Loans (other than Gold
Loans),  in the form of Exhibit IV-C to this Agreement to evidence such Lender's
U.S. Loans (other than Gold Loans), or a Grid Gold  Acknowledgement  in the form
of Exhibit V to this Agreement to evidence such Lender's Gold Loans.

2.2      Interest on the Loans.

         A. Rate of Interest.  Subject to the provisions of subsections  2.6 and
10.7, each Loan shall bear interest on the unpaid  principal amount thereof from
the date made through maturity  (whether by acceleration or otherwise) at a rate
determined  by reference  to: (i) the  Alternate  Base Rate,  the U.S. Base Rate
(Canada), the Eurodollar Rate or the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate in the case of any
Dollar  Loan;  (ii) the Canadian  Base Rate in the case of any  Canadian  Dollar
Loan; (iii) the Bank Bill Swap Rate in the case of an Australian Dollar Loan; or
(iv)  the Gold  Rate in the case of any Gold  Loan.  The  applicable  basis  for
determining  the rate of  interest  with  respect  to any  Dollar  Loan shall be
selected by the applicable Borrower




                                       57

<PAGE>



initially  at the time a Notice of  Borrowing is given with respect to such Loan
pursuant to subsection  2.1B. The basis for  determining  the interest rate with
respect  to any  Dollar  Loan  may be  changed  from  time to time  pursuant  to
subsection 2.2D.

                 Subject to the  provisions of  subsections  2.2E and 10.7,  the
Loans shall bear interest through maturity as follows:

                 (i)      if a U.S. Base Rate Loan, then at the Alternate
         Base Rate per annum;

               (ii) if a Canadian Base Rate Loan, then at the Canadian
         Base Rate per annum;

             (iii) if a U.S. Base Rate (Canada) Loan, then at the U.S.
         Base Rate (Canada) per annum;

               (iv) if a Bank Bill Swap Rate  Loan,  then at the sum of the Bank
         Bill Swap Rate plus the Applicable Margin per annum;

                 (v)      if a Eurodollar Rate Loan that is a U.S. Loan or an
         Australian Loan, then at the sum of the Adjusted Eurodollar
         Rate plus the Applicable Margin per annum;

               (vi) if a Eurodollar  Rate Loan that is a Canadian Loan,  then at
         the sum of the Eurodollar Rate plus the Applicable Margin per annum; or

             (vii) if a Gold Loan, then at the Gold Rate per annum;

         B.      Interest Periods.  In connection with each Eurodollar
Rate  Loan,  each Bank Bill Swap Rate Loan and each Gold  Loan,  the  applicable
Borrower  may,  pursuant  to the  applicable  Notice of  Borrowing  or Notice of
Conversion/Continuation,  as the case may be,  select an  Interest  Period to be
applicable to such Loan; provided that:

                 (i) the initial  Interest  Period for any Eurodollar Rate Loan,
         Bank Bill Swap Rate Loan,  or Gold Loan shall  commence  on the Funding
         Date of such Loan, in the case of a Loan initially made as a Eurodollar
         Rate Loan, a Bank Bill Swap Rate Loan,  or a Gold Loan,  or on the date
         specified in the




                                       58

<PAGE>



         applicable Notice of Conversion/Continuation, in the case of
         any Loan converted into a Eurodollar Rate Loan;

               (ii)  in the  case of  immediately  successive  Interest  Periods
         applicable to any  Eurodollar  Rate Loan,  Bank Bill Swap Rate Loan, or
         Gold   Loan    continued   as   such    pursuant   to   a   Notice   of
         Conversion/Continuation,  each such  successive  Interest  Period shall
         commence on the day on which the preceding Interest Period expires;

             (iii) if an Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day that is
         not a Business  Day,  such  Interest  Period  shall  expire on the next
         succeeding  Business  Day;  provided  that, in the case of a Eurodollar
         Rate Loan, if any Interest Period would otherwise  expire on a day that
         is not a Business  Day but is a day of the month after which no further
         Business Day occurs in such month, such Interest Period shall expire on
         the next preceding Business Day;

               (iv) any Interest  Period for a Eurodollar  Rate Loan that begins
         on the last  Business  Day of a  calendar  month (or on a day for which
         there is no numerically  corresponding day in the calendar month at the
         end of such  Interest  Period)  shall,  subject  to clause  (v) of this
         subsection 2.2B, end on the last Business Day of a calendar month;

                 (v)  no Interest Period with respect to any Loan shall extend
         beyond the Commitment Termination Date; and

               (vi) there shall be no more than five Interest  Periods  relating
         to Eurodollar  Rate Loans  outstanding  at any time,  there shall be no
         more than five Interest  Periods  relating to Bank Bill Swap Rate Loans
         outstanding  at any time and there shall be no more than five  Interest
         Periods relating to Gold Loans outstanding at any time.

         C.      Interest Payments; Currencies.  Subject to the
provisions of subsection 2.2E, interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears
on and to  each  Interest  Payment  Date  applicable  to  that  Loan,  upon  any
prepayment of that Loan (to the extent  accrued on the amount being prepaid) and
at  maturity.  All  payments  of  interest  shall  be  paid  to  the  Applicable
Administrative Agent in accordance with the provisions of 


                                                59

<PAGE>



subsection 2.4B.

                 Interest payable on any Loan denominated in a currency shall be
payable  in the  same  currency.  Interest  payable  on any Gold  Loan  shall be
payable,  at Borrowers' option, in (a) Gold or (b) Dollars in amounts determined
in  accordance   with  the  provisions  of  2.2F.  Each  Borrower  shall  advise
Administrative Agent and the Applicable Administrative Agent of its intention to
pay  interest on Gold Loans in Gold in the  applicable  Notice of  Borrowing  or
Notice of  Conversion/Continuation;  provided that the Applicable Administrative
Agent shall, notwithstanding any request of any Borrower to pay such interest in
Gold,  have the right to require that  interest with respect to any Gold Loan be
paid in Dollars by notice  given on or before the  related  Funding  Date in the
case of the initial Interest Period,  and prior to the date of continuation,  in
the  case  of  a   continuation.   If  any  Borrower   fails  timely  to  advise
Administrative  Agent and the Applicable  Administrative  Agent of its desire to
pay accrued  interest in Gold,  such Borrower shall be deemed to have elected to
pay such interest in Dollars.

         D. Conversion or Continuation.  Subject to the provisions of subsection
2.6, (i) each of U.S.  Borrower and Canadian  Borrower  shall have the option to
convert at any time all or any part of its  outstanding  Dollar  Loans  equal to
$5,000,000  and integral  multiples of  $1,000,000 in excess of that amount from
Dollar Loans bearing  interest at a rate determined by reference to one basis to
Dollar  Loans  bearing  interest  at  a  rate  determined  by  reference  to  an
alternative basis, (ii) each Borrower shall have the option, upon the expiration
of any Interest Period  applicable to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, to continue all or
any  portion of such  Eurodollar  Rate Loan  equal to  $5,000,000  and  integral
multiples  of  $1,000,000  in excess of that amount as a  Eurodollar  Rate Loan,
(iii)  Australian  Borrower  shall have the option,  upon the  expiration of any
Interest Period applicable to a Bank Bill Swap Rate Loan, to continue all or any
portion  of such Bank Bill Swap Rate  Loan  equal to  A$5,000,000  and  integral
multiples of A$1,000,000 in excess of that amount as a Bank Bill Swap Rate Loan,
(iv) each Borrower  shall have the option,  upon the  expiration of any Interest
Period  applicable  to a Gold Loan,  to continue all or any portion of such Gold
Loan equal to 10,000 Ounces and integral  multiples of 2,000 Ounces in excess of
that amount as a Gold Loan; provided, however, that a




                                       60

<PAGE>



Eurodollar  Rate Loan may only be converted into a U.S. Base Rate Loan or a U.S.
Base Rate (Canada)  Loan, as applicable,  on the expiration  date of an Interest
Period  applicable  thereto;  provided  further  that,  subject to the following
proviso,  no Loan may be made as or  converted  into a U.S.  Base Rate Loan or a
U.S.  Base Rate  (Canada) Loan during the period from December 24 of any year to
and including  January 7 of the  immediately  succeeding year for the purpose of
investing in securities  bearing  interest at a rate  determined by reference to
any other basis for the purpose of arbitrage or speculation;  and provided still
further that no Loan may be converted  into, or continued as, a Eurodollar  Rate
Loan (except that Australian  Borrower may continue Eurodollar Rate Loans with a
period of one  month),  or a Bank Bill Swap Rate Loan with a period in excess of
one month,  or a Gold Loan at any time that a  Potential  Event of Default or an
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

                 The   applicable   Borrower   shall   deliver   a   Notice   of
Conversion/Continuation  (i) in the case of a  conversion  to a U.S.  Base  Rate
Loan, to Administrative  Agent no later than 12:00 Noon (New York time) at least
one Business Day in advance of the proposed  conversion/continuation  date, (ii)
in the case of a conversion  to, or a  continuation  of, a Eurodollar  Rate Loan
made to U.S. Borrower or a continuation of a Gold Loan made to U.S. Borrower, to
Administrative  Agent,  no later than 12:00 Noon (New York time) at least  three
Business Days in advance of the proposed  conversion/continuation date, (iii) in
the case of a conversion to, or a continuation  of, a Eurodollar  Rate Loan made
to Canadian Borrower or a continuation of a Gold Loan made to Canadian Borrower,
to Canadian  Administrative  Agent and Administrative  Agent no later than 11:00
A.M.  (Toronto  time) at least three  Business  Days in advance of the  proposed
conversion/continuation  date,  (iv) in the case of a conversion  to a U.S. Base
Rate (Canada) Loan, to Canadian Administrative Agent and Administrative Agent no
later than 11:00 A.M. (Toronto time) at least one Business Day in advance of the
proposed  conversion/continuation  date, (v) in the case of a continuation  of a
Eurodollar  Rate Loan made to Australian  Borrower,  or a continuation of a Bank
Bill Swap Rate Loan or a Gold Loan made to  Australian  Borrower,  to Australian
Administrative  Agent and Administrative  Agent no later than 12:00 Noon (Sydney
time)   at   least   three   Business   Days   in   advance   of  the   proposed
conversion/continuation date. A Notice of Conversion/




                                       61

<PAGE>



Continuation  shall  specify  (i) the  applicable  Borrower,  (ii) the  proposed
conversion/continuation  date (which shall be a Business Day),  (iii) the amount
of  the  Loan  to be  converted/continued,  (iv)  the  nature  of  the  proposed
conversion/continuation, (v) in the case of a conversion to or a continuation of
a Eurodollar Rate Loan or a continuation of a Bank Bill Swap Rate Loan or a Gold
Loan, the requested  Interest Period,  (vi) in the case of the continuation of a
Gold Loan,  whether the Borrower is  requesting to pay interest in Dollars or in
Gold, and if payable in Dollars,  the basis for calculating the amount according
to one of the  alternatives  specified in subsection 2.2F, and (vii) in the case
of a  conversion  to or a  continuation  of a  Eurodollar  Rate Loan  (except by
Australian  Borrower) or a continuation  of a Gold Loan, that no Potential Event
of  Default or Event of  Default  has  occurred  and is  continuing.  In lieu of
delivering the above-described Notice of Conversion/Continuation, the applicable
Borrower may give Administrative  Agent and the Applicable  Administrative Agent
telephonic  notice by the required time of any proposed  conversion/continuation
under  this  subsection  2.2D;  provided  that  such  notice  shall be  promptly
confirmed  in  writing by  delivery  of a Notice of  Conversion/Continuation  to
Administrative  Agent and the Applicable  Administrative  Agent on or before the
proposed conversion/continuation date.

                 Neither any Agent nor any Lender  shall incur any  liability to
any  Borrower  in acting  upon any  telephonic  notice  referred  to above  that
Administrative  Agent or the  Applicable  Administrative  Agent believes in good
faith to have been given by a duly authorized officer or other person authorized
to act on behalf of such  Borrower or for  otherwise  acting in good faith under
this  subsection  2.2D, and upon  conversion or  continuation  of the applicable
basis for  determining the interest rate with respect to any Loans in accordance
with this Agreement pursuant to any such telephonic notice,  such Borrower shall
have effected a conversion or continuation, as the case may be, hereunder.

                 Except as  otherwise  provided in  subsections  2.6B,  2.6C and
2.6G, a Notice of Conversion/Continuation  for conversion to, or continuation of
a Eurodollar Rate Loan or a continuation of a Bank Bill Swap Rate Loan or a Gold
Loan (or telephonic notice in lieu thereof) shall be irrevocable when given, and
the Borrower delivering such Notice of Conversion/Continuation shall be bound to
effect a conversion or continuation in accordance therewith.




                                       62

<PAGE>




                 If any  Borrower  fails  to  submit  a  Notice  of  Conversion/
Continuation  with  respect to any maturing  Eurodollar  Rate Loans or Bank Bill
Swap Rate Loans in accordance  with the forgoing  provisions of this  subsection
2.2D,  then upon the expiration of the Interest  Period for such Eurodollar Rate
Loans or Bank Bill Swap Rate Loans,  as  applicable,  such Loans shall (i) if no
Event of  Default or  Potential  Event of Default  shall  have  occurred  and be
continuing,  automatically  continue as Eurodollar  Rate Loans or Bank Bill Swap
Rate Loans, as applicable, in each case with an Interest Period of one month and
(ii) if an Event of Default or Potential  Event of Default  shall have  occurred
and be continuing,  automatically be converted into U.S. Base Rate Loans or U.S.
Base Rate (Canada) Loans, as applicable,  in the case of U.S. Loans and Canadian
Loans, or continue as Eurodollar Rate Loans or Bank Bill Swap Rate Loans with an
Interest  Period of one month in the case of Australian  Loans.  If any Borrower
fails to submit a Notice of Conversion/Continuation with respect to any maturing
Gold Loans in accordance with the forgoing  provisions of this subsection  2.2D,
then upon the expiration of the Interest Period for such Gold Loans,  such Loans
shall  automatically be continued as Gold Loans having a 30-day Interest Period.
Upon the  continuation  (including  automatic  continuation)  of any  Loan,  the
Applicable Administrative Agent shall notify Company and the applicable Borrower
of such continuation;  provided,  however,  that the failure to give such notice
shall not limit or otherwise  affect the  obligations of Company or any Borrower
under this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

         E. Post-Maturity Interest. Any principal payments on the Loans not paid
when due and, to the extent  permitted by applicable law, any interest  payments
on the Loans owed  hereunder  not paid when due, in each case  whether at stated
maturity,  by  notice  of  prepayment,  by  acceleration  or  otherwise,   shall
thereafter  bear interest  (including  post-petition  interest in any proceeding
under the Bankruptcy Code or other applicable bankruptcy laws) payable on demand
at a rate which is 2% per annum in excess of the interest rate otherwise payable
under  this  Agreement  in  respect of such Loans (or in the case of any fees or
other  amounts,  a rate  which is 2% per annum in excess  of the  interest  rate
otherwise payable under this Agreement for U.S. Base Rate Loans); provided that,
in the case of Eurodollar  Rate Loans or Gold Loans,  upon the expiration of the
Interest Period in effect at the time any such increase in interest rate is




                                       63

<PAGE>



effective,  such Eurodollar Rate Loans or Gold Loans (in the case of Gold Loans,
by  converting  the  outstanding  amount of such Loans into Dollars based on the
Price of Gold as in effect on such expiration  date) shall thereupon become U.S.
Base Rate Loans or U.S.  Base Rate  (Canada)  Loans,  as  applicable,  and shall
thereafter bear interest  payable upon demand at a rate which is 2% per annum in
excess of the interest rate otherwise  payable under this Agreement at such time
for U.S.  Base  Rate  Loans or US Base Rate  (Canada)  Loans,  respectively,  as
applicable, except that in the case of Australian Borrower, such Eurodollar Rate
Loans shall be continued, and such Gold Loans shall be converted into Eurodollar
Rate Loans, in each instance with an Interest Period of one month,  and provided
further that in the case of Bank Bill Swap Rate Loans,  such Bank Bill Swap Rate
Loans shall continue as Bank Bill Swap Rate Loans with an Interest Period of one
month.  Payment or acceptance of the increased rates of interest provided for in
this subsection 2.2E is not a permitted  alternative to timely payment and shall
not constitute a waiver of any Event of Default or otherwise  prejudice or limit
any rights or remedies of any Agent or any Lender.

         F.  Computation  of  Interest.  Interest  on the Loans  denominated  in
currency  shall be  computed,  in the case of Base Rate Loans and Bank Bill Swap
Rate Loans,  on the basis of a 365- day or 366-day  year, as the case may be, or
in the case of  Eurodollar  Rate Loans,  on the basis of a 360-day year, in each
case for the  actual  number  of days  elapsed  in the  period  during  which it
accrues,  and shall be determined daily with respect to the amount of such Loans
outstanding  each day during  such  period.  Interest on each Gold Loan shall be
computed on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed in
the period during which it accrues and shall be determined daily (i) in the case
of  interest  to be paid in Gold,  with  respect to the number of Ounces of Gold
outstanding  under such Gold Loan on each day during such period, or (ii) in the
case of interest to be paid in Dollars, with respect to the average of the daily
values  (such  values  being  equal to the  number  of  Ounces of such Gold Loan
multiplied  by the  Price of Gold) of such  Gold  Loan,  in  Dollar  Equivalents
(determined  daily  unless the  applicable  Borrower  requests  in its Notice of
Borrowing or Notice of  Conversion/Continuation  that the Price of Gold be fixed
at the Price of Gold on the second  Business  Day prior to the related  Interest
Period for the purpose of determining accrued interest




                                       64

<PAGE>



during the applicable Interest Period and Requisite Lenders have not objected on
or before the commencement of such Interest Period, in their sole discretion, to
use such fixed price for such purpose  during such period),  for each day during
such period.  In computing  interest on any Loan, the date of the making of such
Loan or the first day of an  Interest  Period  applicable  to such Loan or, with
respect to a Loan  being  converted  from a  Eurodollar  Rate Loan,  the date of
conversion  of such  Eurodollar  Rate Loan,  shall be included,  and the date of
payment of such Loan or the expiration date of an Interest Period  applicable to
such Loan or, with respect to a Loan being  converted to a Eurodollar Rate Loan,
the date of conversion to such Eurodollar Rate Loan, shall be excluded; provided
that if a Loan is repaid on the same day on which it is made, one day's interest
shall be paid on that Loan.

                 For  the  purposes  of this  Agreement,  whenever  interest  is
calculated on the basis of a year of 360 days, each rate of interest  determined
pursuant to such calculation expressed as an annual rate for the purposes of the
Interest Act (Canada) is equivalent to such rate as so determined  multiplied by
the  actual  number  of days in the  calendar  year in  which  the same is to be
ascertained and divided by 360.

2.3      Fees.

         A.      Commitment Fees.  Borrowers jointly and severally agree
to pay to Administrative  Agent (i) for distribution to each Canadian Lender, in
proportion  to  that  Lender's  Pro  Rata  Share  of  the  Canadian  Allocation,
commitment  fees  for the  period  from  and  after  the  Effective  Date to and
excluding the Commitment Termination Date, equal to the quarterly average of the
daily excess of the Canadian  Allocation over the Canadian  Commitment Usage (in
Dollar Equivalents)  multiplied by the applicable  Commitment Fee Percentage per
annum,  (ii) for distribution to each Australian  Lender,  in proportion to that
Lender's Pro Rata Share of the Australian  Allocation,  commitment  fees for the
period  from and  after  the  Effective  Date to and  excluding  the  Commitment
Termination  Date  equal to the  quarterly  average  of the daily  excess of the
Australian   Allocation  over  the  Australian   Commitment   Usage  (in  Dollar
Equivalents)  multiplied by the applicable  Commitment Fee Percentage per annum,
and (iii) for distribution to each U.S. Lender, in proportion to that Lender's



                                       65

<PAGE>



Pro Rata Share of the U.S.  Allocation,  commitment fees for the period from and
after the Effective Date to and excluding the Commitment Termination Date, equal
to the  quarterly  average of the daily excess of the U.S.  Allocation  over the
U.S. Commitment Usage multiplied by the applicable Commitment Fee Percentage per
annum;  all such commitment fees to be payable in Dollars,  quarterly in arrears
on March  31,  June 30,  September  30 and  December  31 of each year and on the
Commitment  Termination Date and to be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year
and the actual number of days elapsed.  Reductions in the amounts  available for
borrowing  under the  Commitments  arising from the operation of the limitations
set forth in clauses (a),  (b),  (c),  (d),  (e), (g), (h) and (i) of subsection
2.1A(iv)  shall  not  constitute  usages of  Commitments  for  purposes  of this
subsection  2.3A and shall not reduce the amount of the commitment fees that are
payable under this subsection 2.3A.

         B.      Other Fees.  Company and Borrowers agree to pay to
Administrative  Agent,  Arranger and Issuing  Lenders the fees agreed to, and in
the amounts and at the times,  set forth in writing  among  Company,  Borrowers,
Administrative Agent, Arranger
and Issuing Lenders.

2.4      Prepayments and Reductions in Commitments; General
         Provisions Regarding Payments.

         A.      Prepayments; Reductions in Commitments; Cash
Collateralization of Standby Letters of Credit and Bankers'Acceptances.

                 (i)  Voluntary  Prepayments.  Each  Borrower may, upon not less
         than one Business Day's (in the case of Base Rate Loans),  two Business
         Days'  (in the case of Bank Bill  Swap  Rate  Loans) or three  Business
         Days'  (in the  case of  Eurodollar  Rate  Loans or Gold  Loans)  prior
         written   notice   to   the   Applicable   Administrative   Agent   and
         Administrative Agent (which notice the Applicable  Administrative Agent
         will  promptly  transmit by telecopy,  telegram,  telex or telephone to
         each  U.S.   Lender,   Canadian   Lender  or  Australian   Lender,   as
         appropriate),  at any time and from  time to time  prepay  any Loans in
         whole or in part on any Business Day (a) in an aggregate minimum amount
         of  $5,000,000  and integral  multiples of $1,000,000 in excess of that
         amount in the case




                                       66

<PAGE>



         of Dollar Loans, (b) in an aggregate  minimum amount of  Cdn.$5,000,000
         and integral  multiples of  Cdn.$1,000,000  in excess of that amount in
         the case of Canadian Dollar Loans,  (c) in an aggregate  minimum amount
         of A$5,000,000 and integral  multiples of A$1,000,000 in excess of that
         amount in the case of Australian  Dollar Loans,  or (d) in an aggregate
         minimum amount of 10,000 Ounces and integral  multiples of 2,000 Ounces
         in excess of that amount in the case of Gold Loans; provided,  however,
         that if a  Eurodollar  Rate Loan,  a Bank Bill Swap Rate Loan or a Gold
         Loan is  prepaid  on a date  other  than the  last day of the  Interest
         Period applicable thereto, the Borrower making such prepayment shall be
         liable  for  any  payments  required  by  subsection  2.6D.  Notice  of
         prepayment having been given as aforesaid,  the principal amount of the
         Loans  specified  in such  notice  shall  become due and payable on the
         prepayment date specified therein.  Any such voluntary prepayment shall
         be applied as specified in subsection 2.4A(iv).

               (ii) Voluntary Reductions of Commitments. Borrowers may, upon not
         less than three Business  Days' prior written notice to  Administrative
         Agent (which  notice  Administrative  Agent will  promptly  transmit by
         telecopy, telegram, telex or telephone to each Lender), at any time and
         from time to time  terminate  in whole or  permanently  reduce in part,
         without  premium or  penalty,  the  Commitments  in an amount up to the
         amount  by which  the  Commitments  exceed  the  Total  Utilization  of
         Commitments  at the time of such  proposed  termination  or  reduction;
         provided that any such partial reduction of the Commitments shall be in
         an aggregate  minimum  amount of $5,000,000  and integral  multiples of
         $1,000,000  in excess of that  amount;  and  provided  further  that no
         reduction  shall reduce the Canadian  Allocation  to any amount that is
         less than the Canadian  Commitment Usage, the Australian  Allocation to
         any amount  that is less than the  Australian  Commitment  Usage or the
         U.S.  Allocation  to an amount  that is less  than the U.S.  Commitment
         Usage.  Borrowers' notice to  Administrative  Agent shall designate the
         date (which shall be a Business Day) of such  termination or reduction,
         the amount of any partial reduction and the allocation of any reduction
         among the Canadian Allocation,  the Australian  Allocation and the U.S.
         Allocation,  and such termination or reduction of the Commitments shall
         be effective on the date




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<PAGE>



         specified in Borrowers'  notice and shall reduce the Commitment of each
         Lending Unit proportionately to its Pro Rata Share.

             (iii) Mandatory Prepayments of Loans.

                          (a) If on any date (A) the sum of (1) the  outstanding
                 amount of all Loans  denominated in currency  (valued in Dollar
                 Equivalents  as  of  the  later  of  the   Applicable   Monthly
                 Determination  Date or the date of the  making of such  Loans),
                 (2) the BA Usage  plus the  Canadian  Letter  of  Credit  Usage
                 (valued in Dollar Equivalents as of the later of the Applicable
                 Monthly  Determination Date or the date of issuance or drawing,
                 as  applicable),  (3) the  Australian  Letter of  Credit  Usage
                 (valued in Dollar Equivalents as of the later of the Applicable
                 Monthly  Determination Date or the date of issuance or drawing,
                 as applicable), (4) the U.S. Letter of Credit Usage and (5) the
                 outstanding   amount  of  all  Gold  Loans  (valued  in  Dollar
                 Equivalents based upon the Price of Gold as of such date) (such
                 sum  being  the  "Aggregate  Dollar  Equivalent  Loan  Amount")
                 exceeds the Commitments in effect on such date, (B) the portion
                 of the Aggregate Dollar  Equivalent Loan Amount relating to the
                 Canadian  Borrower  exceeds the  Canadian  Allocation,  (C) the
                 portion of the Aggregate Dollar Equivalent Loan Amount relating
                 to the Australian  Borrower exceeds the Australian  Allocation,
                 or (D) the  portion of the  Aggregate  Dollar  Equivalent  Loan
                 Amount  relating  to  the  U.S.   Borrower   exceeds  the  U.S.
                 Allocation,  then, subject to the provisions of the immediately
                 succeeding sentence, Borrowers shall prepay Loans and/or reduce
                 the  outstanding  BA Usage,  Canadian  Letter of Credit  Usage,
                 Australian  Letter of Credit  Usage,  or U.S.  Letter of Credit
                 Usage (it being agreed and understood that, for the purposes of
                 this subsection 2.4A(iii),  BA Usage, Canadian Letter of Credit
                 Usage,  Australian  Letter of Credit  Usage and U.S.  Letter of
                 Credit Usage shall be reduced to the extent that the applicable
                 Borrower has cash collateralized its reimbursement  obligations
                 under  outstanding  Bankers'  Acceptances  or Letters of Credit
                 pursuant to arrangements  satisfactory to Administrative  Agent
                 and the applicable Issuing Lender) in an amount




                                       68

<PAGE>



                 equal  to any such  excess;  provided  that if any such  excess
                 exists,  and to the extent that any such excess results from an
                 average net increase of less than 50% in the outstanding amount
                 of all Gold Loans (valued in Dollar  Equivalents based upon the
                 Price of Gold as of such date)  since the second  Business  Day
                 prior to the  related  Gold  Advance  Dates for such Gold Loans
                 because  of  changes  in the  Price of Gold,  until  the  Total
                 Utilization  of  Commitments  equals  150% of the  Commitments,
                 Borrowers  shall  not be so  required  to prepay  Loans  and/or
                 reduce  the  outstanding  BA Usage,  Canadian  Letter of Credit
                 Usage,  Australian  Letter  of Credit  Usage or U.S.  Letter of
                 Credit Usage to such  extent.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,
                 Borrowers  shall not be  required  to prepay  the Gold Loans if
                 Borrowers  pledge cash,  U.S.  Treasury  securities  or Gold as
                 collateral  to  Administrative  Agent  for the  benefit  of the
                 Lenders  in an amount  equal to the  amount of Gold  Loans that
                 would  otherwise be required to be prepaid in  accordance  with
                 this subsection  2.4A(iii) pursuant to arrangements in form and
                 substance   satisfactory  to  Administrative  Agent.  Any  such
                 mandatory   prepayments   shall  be  applied  as  specified  in
                 subsection 2.4A(iv)(c).

                          (b) Borrowers  shall also prepay the Loans as required
                 pursuant to subsection  10.25 upon the  occurrence of a Company
                 Change of Control.

               (iv) Application of Prepayments.

                          (a)     Application of Voluntary Prepayments.  Any
                 voluntary prepayments by Borrowers pursuant to
                 subsection 2.4A(i) shall be applied to the Loans of each
                 Borrower as specified by Borrowers;

                          (b)     Application of Mandatory Prepayments.  Any
                 mandatory prepayments by Borrowers pursuant to
                 subsection 2.4A(iii)(b) shall be applied to repay
                 outstanding Loans and to reduce permanently the
                 Commitments (allocated ratably to the Canadian
                 Allocation, the Australian Allocation and the U.S.
                 Allocation unless otherwise specified by Borrowers); and





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<PAGE>



                          (c)  Application  of  Prepayments  to Base Rate Loans,
                 Bank Bill  Swap  Rate  Loans and  Eurodollar  Rate  Loans.  Any
                 prepayment by or for the benefit of a Borrower shall be applied
                 first to Base Rate Loans of such  Borrower  to the full  extent
                 thereof  before  application  to Bank Bill Swap Rate  Loans and
                 Eurodollar  Rate  Loans  of such  Borrower,  in each  case in a
                 manner which  minimizes the amount of any payments  required to
                 be made by the applicable Borrower pursuant to subsection 2.6D.

         B.      General Provisions Regarding Payments.

                 (i)  Manner  and  Time of  Payment.  Borrowers  shall  make all
         payments in respect of any Loan denominated in any currency in the same
         currency,  and shall  make all  payments  in  respect  of Gold Loans in
         Dollars or, if a Borrower so elects and, with respect to interest,  the
         Applicable  Administrative  Agent does not require  payment in Dollars,
         Gold.  If  Borrowers  do not deliver to the  Applicable  Administrative
         Agent at  least  two  Business  Days'  prior  written  notice  of their
         intention  to repay a Gold Loan in Gold,  Borrowers  shall be deemed to
         have elected to repay such Loan in Dollars.  If the principal amount of
         any Gold Loan is to be repaid in Dollars,  the corresponding  amount of
         Dollars to be repaid shall equal the Dollar Equivalent of the amount of
         Gold  constituting  such Gold Loan determined as of the second Business
         Day preceding the repayment date.

                          (a) Currency Payments by U.S.  Borrower.  All currency
                 payments by U.S.  Borrower of principal and interest in respect
                 of (1) Dollar  Loans,  (2) Gold Loans to be repaid in  Dollars,
                 (3)  Letters  of  Credit,  and (4) fees and  other  Obligations
                 hereunder  and under  any  Notes or Grid Gold  Acknowledgements
                 shall  be made  in  Dollars,  in same  day  funds  and  without
                 defense,  setoff or  counterclaim,  free of any  restriction or
                 condition, and delivered to Administrative Agent not later than
                 12:00  Noon (New York  time) on the date due at  Administrative
                 Agent's Lending Office to the U.S.
                 Borrower Account.

                          (b)     Currency Payments by Canadian Borrower.  All
                 currency payments by Canadian Borrower of principal and




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                 interest  in respect of (1) Loans  (other than Gold Loans to be
                 repaid  in  Gold),   (2)  Letters  of  Credit,   (3)   Bankers'
                 Acceptances,  and (4) any other fees and Obligations  hereunder
                 and under any Notes or Grid Gold Acknowledgements shall be made
                 in the same currency as incurred, in same day funds and without
                 defense,  setoff or  counterclaim,  free of any  restriction or
                 condition,  and delivered to Canadian  Administrative Agent not
                 later  than  12:00  Noon  (Toronto  time)  on the  date  due at
                 Canadian Administrative Agent's Lending Office.

                          (c)     Currency Payments by Australian Borrower.  All
                 currency  payments by  Australian  Borrower of principal and
                 interest  in respect of (1) Loans  (other than Gold Loans to
                 be repaid in Gold), (2) Letters of Credit, and (3) any other
                 fees and  Obligations  hereunder and under any Notes or Grid
                 Gold Acknowledgements  shall be made in the same currency as
                 incurred,  in same day funds and without defense,  setoff or
                 counterclaim,  free of any  restriction  or  condition,  and
                 delivered to Australian  Administrative Agent not later than
                 12:00  Noon  (Sydney  time) on the  date  due at  Australian
                 Administrative Agent's Lending Office.

                          (d) Gold Payments. All payments of Gold shall be made
                 by  Delivery  of such Gold by the  applicable  Borrower  to the
                 Administrative   Agent's  account  with  J.P.  Morgan,  London,
                 England,  or such other bullion depository as may be designated
                 by the  Applicable  Administrative  Agent  from  time to  time,
                 before  12:00  Noon  (London  time)  on the day  specified  for
                 payment.

         Funds  or Gold  received  by the  Applicable  Administrative  Agent  or
         Administrative  Agent after the times  specified above on the due dates
         specified  above shall be deemed to have been paid by  Borrowers on the
         next succeeding Business Day.

               (ii)  Application  of Payments to  Principal  and  Interest.  All
         payments in respect of the  principal  amount of any Loan shall include
         payment of accrued  interest on the  principal  amount  being repaid or
         prepaid, and all such payments shall




                                       71

<PAGE>



         be applied to the payment of interest before application to
         principal.

             (iii)  Apportionment of Payments.  Aggregate principal and interest
         payments shall be apportioned among all outstanding Loans to which such
         payments relate,  in each case  proportionately  to each Lending Unit's
         respective  Pro Rata Share of such Loans.  Subject to the last sentence
         of   subsection   2.7D,   the   Applicable   Administrative   Agent  or
         Administrative  Agent, as the case may be, shall promptly distribute to
         each  Lender,  at its Lending  Office or at such other  address as such
         Lender  may  request,  its  proportionate  share of all  such  payments
         received by the Applicable Administrative Agent (or any Issuing Lender)
         or Administrative Agent, as the case may be, and the commitment fees of
         such Lender when  received by the  Applicable  Administrative  Agent or
         Administrative  Agent,  as the case may be, pursuant to subsection 2.3.
         Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this subsection  2.4B(iii),
         if,  pursuant  to the  provisions  of  subsection  2.6C,  any Notice of
         Conversion/Continuation  is withdrawn  as to any Affected  Lender or if
         any Affected  Lender makes U.S. Base Rate Loans in lieu of its Pro Rata
         Share of any Eurodollar Rate Loans, the Applicable Administrative Agent
         or Administrative  Agent, as the case may be, shall give effect thereto
         in apportioning payments received thereafter.

               (iv) Payments on Business  Days.  Whenever any payment to be made
         hereunder  shall be  stated  to be due on a day that is not a  Business
         Day,  such payment shall be made on the next  succeeding  Business Day,
         but not later than the Commitment  Termination Date, and such extension
         of time shall be included in the computation of the payment of interest
         hereunder or of the commitment fees hereunder, as the case may be.

                 (v)  Notation  of  Payment.  Each  Lender  agrees  that  before
         disposing of any Note or Grid Gold  Acknowledgement  held by it, or any
         part  thereof  (other than by granting  participations  therein),  that
         Lender will make a notation thereon of all Loans evidenced by that Note
         or Grid Gold Acknowledgement and all principal payments previously made
         thereon and of the date to which interest thereon has been




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<PAGE>



         paid; provided that the failure to make (or any error in the making of)
         a   notation   of  any  Loan  made   under   such  Note  or  Grid  Gold
         Acknowledgement  shall not  limit,  increase  or  otherwise  affect the
         obligations  of any Borrower  hereunder or under such Note or Grid Gold
         Acknowledgement  with  respect to any Loan or any payments of principal
         or interest on such Note or Grid Gold Acknowledgement.

2.5      Use of Proceeds.

         A.      Loans.  The proceeds of the Loans shall be used by
Borrowers to replace the Existing Credit  Agreement,  to provide for the working
capital requirements of Borrowers and their respective Subsidiaries,  to provide
for  general  corporate  purposes  and to pay fees and  expenses  related to the
transactions contemplated hereby.

         B.      Margin Regulations.  No portion of the proceeds of any
borrowing under this Agreement shall be used by any Borrower,  Company or any of
its Subsidiaries in any manner that might cause the borrowing or the application
of such  proceeds  to  violate  Regulation  G,  Regulation  T,  Regulation  U or
Regulation X of the Board or any other regulation of the Board or to violate the
Exchange  Act, in each case as in effect on the date or dates of such  borrowing
and such use of proceeds.

2.6      Special Provisions Governing Eurodollar Rate Loans, Bank
         Bill Swap Rate Loans and Gold Loans.

                 Notwithstanding  any other  provision of this  Agreement to the
contrary,  the  provisions  set forth in this  subsection  2.6 shall govern with
respect to Eurodollar Rate Loans, Bank Bill Swap Rate Loans and Gold Loans as to
the matters covered.

         A.      Determination of Eurodollar Rate, Bank Bill Swap Rate
and Gold Rate.

                 (i) Eurodollar Rate Loans.  As soon as practicable  after 10:00
         A.M.  (New York  time) on any  Interest  Rate  Determination  Date with
         respect  to  any  Eurodollar  Rate  Loan,  Administrative  Agent  shall
         determine (which  determination shall, absent manifest error, be final,
         conclusive  and binding upon all parties) the interest  rate that shall
         apply




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<PAGE>



         to such  Eurodollar  Rate Loan for which an interest rate is then being
         determined for the applicable  Interest  Period and shall promptly give
         notice thereof (in writing or by telephone confirmed in writing) to the
         applicable Borrower and each applicable Lender.

               (ii) Gold Loans.  As soon as  practicable  after 10:00 A.M.  (New
         York time) on the Interest Rate  Determination Date with respect to any
         Gold Loan,  Administrative  Agent shall determine (which  determination
         shall, absent manifest error, be final, conclusive and binding upon all
         parties) the interest rate that shall apply to such Gold Loan for which
         an interest rate is then being  determined for the applicable  Interest
         Period, and Administrative Agent shall promptly give notice thereof (in
         writing  or by  telephone  confirmed  in  writing)  to  the  applicable
         Borrower and each applicable Lender.

             (iii) Bank Bill Swap Rate Loans. As soon as practicable after 11:00
         A.M.   (Sydney   time)  on  any  proposed   Funding  Date  or  proposed
         continuation  date, as  applicable,  with respect to any Bank Bill Swap
         Rate Loan,  Australian  Administrative  Agent  shall  determine  (which
         determination  shall,  absent manifest error, be final,  conclusive and
         binding on all parties) the interest rate that shall apply to such Bank
         Bill Swap Rate Loan for which an interest rate is then being determined
         for the  applicable  Interest  Period and shall  promptly  give  notice
         thereof (in writing or by telephone confirmed in writing) to Australian
         Borrower and each applicable Lender.

         B.      Inability to Determine Applicable Interest Rate.  If the
Applicable Administrative Agent shall have determined (which determination shall
be final and  conclusive  and binding  upon all parties  hereto) on any Interest
Rate  Determination  Date that by reason of  circumstances  affecting the London
interbank market or because no Reference Lender is able to provide its quotation
of a rate, in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans, or affecting the  international
precious  metals  markets or because  no Gold Rate  Reference  Lender is able to
provide its  quotation of a rate,  in the case of Gold Loans,  adequate and fair
means do not exist for  ascertaining the interest rate applicable to such Loans,
the Applicable Administrative Agent shall on such date give notice


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<PAGE>



(by telecopy or by telephone  confirmed in writing) to Borrowers and each Lender
of such  determination,  whereupon  (i) no Loans may be made as, or continued or
converted  to,  Eurodollar  Rate Loans or made or  continued as Gold Loans until
such time as the Applicable  Administrative Agent notifies Borrowers and Lenders
that the circumstances  giving rise to such notice no longer exist, and (ii) any
Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/  Continuation given by any Borrower
with respect to the Loans in respect of which such  determination was made shall
be deemed to be rescinded by such Borrower.

         C. Illegality or  Impracticability  of Eurodollar Rate Loans, Bank Bill
Swap Rate Loans or Gold Loans.  If on any date any Lender shall have  determined
(which  determination shall be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties
hereto but shall be made only after consultation with Administrative Agent) that
the making,  maintaining or continuation of its Eurodollar Rate Loans, Bank Bill
Swap Rate Loans or Gold Loans,  as the case may be, (i) has become unlawful as a
result of compliance  by such Lender with any law,  treaty,  governmental  rule,
regulation,  guideline  or order  (or  would  conflict  with  any  such  treaty,
governmental  rule,  regulation,  guideline or order not having the force of law
even though the failure to comply  therewith  would not be unlawful) or (ii) has
become impracticable,  or would cause such Lender material hardship, as a result
of contingencies occurring after the date of this Agreement which materially and
adversely  affect the London  interbank  market (in the case of Eurodollar  Rate
Loans),  the international  precious metals markets (in the case of Gold Loans),
the bills of  exchange  market (in the case of Bank Bill Swap Rate Loans) or the
position of such Lender in any such market,  then,  and in any such event,  such
Lender  shall be an  "Affected  Lender" and it shall on that day give notice (by
telecopy or by telephone  confirmed in writing) to Borrowers and  Administrative
Agent of such determination  (which notice  Administrative  Agent shall promptly
transmit to each other Lender).  Thereafter,  (a) the obligation of the Affected
Lender to make Loans as, or to convert Loans to or continue Loans as, Eurodollar
Rate Loans,  Bank Bill Swap Rate Loans or Gold Loans,  as the case may be, shall
be suspended until such notice shall be withdrawn by the Affected Lender, (b) to
the extent such  determination  by the Affected  Lender  relates to a Eurodollar
Rate Loan,  a Bank Bill Swap Rate Loan or a Gold Loan then being  requested by a
Borrower pursuant to a Notice of Borrowing or a




                                       75

<PAGE>



Notice of  Conversion/Continuation,  the Affected Lender shall make such Loan as
(or convert  such Loan to, as the case may be) (i) a U.S.  Base Rate Loan if the
Borrower  is the U.S.  Borrower,  (ii) a U.S.  Base  Rate  (Canada)  Loan if the
Borrower  is Canadian  Borrower,  and (iii) if the  Borrower  is the  Australian
Borrower,  at the election of the  Australian  Borrower made within one Business
Day of receipt of notice from the  Affected  Lender,  a Bank Bill Swap Rate Loan
with a period of one month (if that  option is  available)  or a Loan in Dollars
bearing  interest  at the  Australian  Administrative  Agent's  cost of funds as
reasonably  determined by Administrative Agent, plus the Applicable Margin (such
Loan bearing interest at the Bank Bill Swap Rate if no timely election is made),
(c) the Affected Lender's obligation to maintain its outstanding Eurodollar Rate
Loans,  Bank  Bill  Swap  Rate  Loans  or Gold  Loans,  as the  case may be (the
"Affected Loans"), shall be terminated at the earlier to occur of the expiration
of the Interest  Period then in effect with respect to the Affected  Loans or if
earlier when  required by law, and (d) the  Affected  Loans shall  automatically
convert  on the date of such  termination  to (i) a U.S.  Base  Rate Loan if the
Borrower  is the U.S.  Borrower,  (ii) a U.S.  Base  Rate  (Canada)  Loan if the
Borrower  is Canadian  Borrower,  and (iii) if the  Borrower  is the  Australian
Borrower,  at the election of the  Australian  Borrower made within one Business
Day of receipt of notice from the  Affected  Lender,  a Bank Bill Swap Rate Loan
with a period of one month (if that  option is  available)  or a Loan in Dollars
bearing  interest at the Alternate Base Rate (such Loan bearing  interest at the
Alternate  Base  Rate  if no  timely  election  is  made).  Notwithstanding  the
foregoing,  to the extent a  determination  by an Affected  Lender as  described
above  relates to a  Eurodollar  Rate Loan, a Bank Bill Swap Rate Loan or a Gold
Loan then being requested by any Borrower pursuant to a Notice of Borrowing or a
Notice of Conversion/Continuation,  such Borrower shall have the option, subject
to the  provisions  of  subsection  2.6D, to rescind such Notice of Borrowing or
Notice  of  Conversion/Continuation  as to all  Lenders  by  giving  notice  (by
telecopy or by telephone  confirmed in writing) to Administrative  Agent and the
Applicable  Administrative  Agent of such  rescission  on the date on which  the
Affected  Lender gives  notice of its  determination  as described  above (which
notice of rescission the Applicable Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit
to  each  other  applicable  Lender).  Except  as  provided  in the  immediately
preceding sentence,  nothing in this subsection 2.6C shall affect the obligation
of any Lender




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other than an  Affected  Lender to make or  maintain  Loans as, or to convert or
continue  Loans as,  Eurodollar  Rate  Loans,  Bank Bill Swap Rate Loans or Gold
Loans in accordance with the terms of this  Agreement.  Borrowers shall have the
right upon 20 days'  notice to each  Lender and upon  consent by the  Applicable
Administrative  Agents, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, and so
long as no Potential  Event of Default or Event of Default shall have  occurred,
to substitute  Eligible  Assignees  for the Affected  Lender and any Lender that
belongs  to  the  Affected  Lender's  Lending  Unit  hereunder;   provided  such
substitute Lenders, taken together, will constitute a Lending Unit. If Borrowers
select such  substituted  Lenders,  the  Affected  Lender,  and any other Lender
belonging to the Affected  Lender's Lending Unit, shall assign their Notes, Grid
Gold Acknowledgements and rights under this Agreement to such substitute Lenders
in accordance with subsection  10.1B (but without the payment of any recordation
fee) for the amount due on prepayment pursuant to subsection  2.4(A)(i) together
with any amounts that may be due pursuant to subsection 2.6D.

         D. Compensation For Breakage or  Non-Commencement  of Interest Periods.
Any Borrower  having  borrowed,  or having  delivered a Notice of Borrowing or a
Notice of Conversion/  Continuation  to request to borrow,  convert or continue,
any Eurodollar Rate Loan, Bank Bill Swap Rate Loan or Gold Loan shall compensate
each Lender,  upon written request by that Lender (which request shall set forth
the basis for requesting such amounts), for all reasonable losses,  expenses and
liabilities (including,  without limitation, any interest paid by that Lender to
lenders of funds (or Gold in the case of Gold  Loans)  borrowed by it to make or
carry its Eurodollar Rate Loans, Bank Bill Swap Rate Loans or Gold Loans, as the
case may be) (including loss of anticipated profits) sustained by that Lender in
connection with the liquidation or re-employment of such funds (or Gold),  which
that  Lender may  sustain:  (i) if for any reason  (other than a default by that
Lender) the borrowing of the Eurodollar  Rate Loan,  Bank Bill Swap Rate Loan or
Gold Loan requested by such Borrower does not occur on a date specified therefor
in such  Notice of  Borrowing  or a  telephonic  request for  borrowing,  or the
conversion to or continuation  requested by such Borrower of any Eurodollar Rate
Loan,  Bank Bill Swap Rate Loan or Gold Loan does not occur on a date  specified
therefor in a Notice of  Conversion/  Continuation  or a telephonic  request for
conversion or




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continuation, (ii) if any prepayment or conversion of any Eurodollar Rate Loans,
Bank Bill Swap Rate  Loans or Gold Loans made to such  Borrower  by such  Lender
occurs on a date that is not the last day of an Interest  Period  applicable  to
that Loan, (iii) if any prepayment of any such Eurodollar Rate Loans,  Bank Bill
Swap Rate Loans or Gold Loans is not made on any date  specified  in a notice of
prepayment given by such Borrower, or (iv) as a consequence of any other default
by such Borrower to repay its Eurodollar  Rate Loans,  Bank Bill Swap Rate Loans
or Gold Loans when required by the terms of this Agreement.

         E.      Booking of Eurodollar Rate Loans.  Subject to the
provisions of subsection 10.8, any Lender may make, carry or transfer Eurodollar
Rate Loans at, to, or for the account of any of its branch offices or the office
of an Affiliate of that Lender.

         F. Assumptions Concerning Funding of Eurodollar Rate Loans. Calculation
of all  amounts  payable  to a  Lender  under  this  subsection  2.6  and  under
subsection 10.7A shall be made as though that Lender had actually funded each of
its relevant  Eurodollar Rate Loans through the purchase of a Eurodollar deposit
bearing  interest at the rate obtained  pursuant to the definition of Eurodollar
Rate in an amount equal to the amount of such  Eurodollar Rate Loan and having a
maturity  comparable to the relevant Interest Period and through the transfer of
such  Eurodollar  deposit  from an offshore  office of that Lender to a domestic
office of that  Lender in the United  States of  America,  Canada or  Australia;
provided,  however,  that each Lender may fund each of its Eurodollar Rate Loans
in any manner it sees fit and the foregoing  assumptions  shall be utilized only
for the purposes of calculating  amounts  payable under this  subsection 2.6 and
under subsection 10.7A.

         G.  Eurodollar  Rate  Loans,  Bank Bill Swap Rate  Loans and Gold Loans
After Default.  Except as provided in subsection  2.2D,  after the occurrence of
and  during  the  continuation  of a  Potential  Event of Default or an Event of
Default, (i) Borrowers may not elect to have a Loan be made or maintained as, or
converted  to, a  Eurodollar  Rate  Loan,  Bank Bill Swap Rate Loan or Gold Loan
after the  expiration  of any  Interest  Period then in effect for that Loan and
(ii) subject to the  provisions of subsection  2.6D,  any Notice of Borrowing or
Notice of Conversion/




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Continuation  given by a Borrower  with  respect  to a  requested  borrowing  or
conversion/continuation  that  has  not  yet  occurred  shall  be  deemed  to be
rescinded by such Borrower.

2.7      Letters of Credit

         A.  Letters of  Credit.  Subject  to the terms and  conditions  of this
Agreement and in reliance upon the representations and warranties of Company and
Borrowers set forth herein,  each Borrower may request,  in accordance  with the
provisions of this  subsection  2.7A,  that on and after the Effective  Date the
applicable  Issuing  Lender  issue  Letters  of Credit  for the  account of such
Borrower  denominated  in (i)  Dollars  (in the  case of  U.S.  Borrower),  (ii)
Canadian  Dollars  or  Dollars  (in the  case of  Canadian  Borrower)  or  (iii)
Australian Dollars or Dollars (in the case of Australian Borrower). Such Letters
of Credit shall be issued solely for the purpose of supporting  the  obligations
of Borrowers and their respective  Subsidiaries.  Issuances of Letters of Credit
shall be subject to the following limitations:

                 (i) No Borrower  shall  request any Letter of Credit if,  after
         giving  effect  to  such  issuance,   (a)  the  Total   Utilization  of
         Commitments would exceed the Commitments,  (b) the Canadian  Commitment
         Usage  would  exceed  the  Canadian  Allocation,   (c)  the  Australian
         Commitment Usage would exceed the Australian  Allocation,  (d) the U.S.
         Commitment  Usage would exceed the U.S.  Allocation,  (e) the Letter of
         Credit Usage would  exceed  $60,000,000  or (f) any Lending  Unit's Pro
         Rata Share of the Total  Utilization of Commitments after giving effect
         to such issuance  would exceed such Lending Unit's  Commitment  then in
         effect; and

               (ii) In no event shall any Issuing Lender issue,  reissue,  amend
         or  permit  the  extension  of:  (x) any  Letter  of  Credit  having an
         expiration date (including  after giving effect to any extension) later
         than the Commitment Termination Date in effect at the time of issuance,
         reissuance,  amendment or extension  (automatic or otherwise)  thereof;
         (y) subject to the foregoing clause (x), any Letter of Credit having an
         expiration date more than one year after its date of issuance; provided
         that  subject to the  foregoing  clause (x),  this clause (y) shall not
         prevent such Issuing Lender from agreeing that a Letter of Credit will




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<PAGE>



         automatically be extended  annually for a period not to exceed one year
         if such Issuing Lender does not cancel such extension.

         It shall be a  condition  precedent  to the  issuance  of any Letter of
Credit  in  accordance  with the  provisions  of this  subsection  2.7 that each
condition set forth in subsection 3.3 shall have been satisfied.

         Immediately  upon the issuance of each Letter of Credit,  each Canadian
Lender,  in the case of any Letter of Credit  issued for the account of Canadian
Borrower, each Australian Lender, in the case of any Letter of Credit issued for
the account of  Australian  Borrower,  or each U.S.  Lender,  in the case of any
Letter of Credit  issued for the account of U.S.  Borrower,  shall be deemed to,
and hereby agrees to, have  irrevocably  purchased from the  applicable  Issuing
Lender an undivided and  continuing  participation  in such Letter of Credit and
drawings  thereunder  in an amount equal to such  Lender's Pro Rata Share of the
maximum  amount  which  is or at any  time  may  become  available  to be  drawn
thereunder.

         The  applicable  Issuing  Lender may upon the occurrence of an Event of
Default  and the  acceleration  of the  maturity  of the Loans,  provide for the
deposit  of funds in an account to secure  payment  to the  beneficiary  and any
funds so deposited  shall be paid to the  beneficiary of the Letter of Credit if
conditions to such payment are satisfied or returned to the  applicable  Issuing
Lender for  distribution  to Lenders  (or,  if all  Obligations  shall have been
indefeasibly  paid in full,  to the  applicable  Borrower)  if no payment to the
beneficiary  has been  made and 30 days  after  the  final  date  available  for
drawings under the Letter of Credit has passed. Each payment or deposit of funds
by the applicable  Issuing Lender as provided in this paragraph shall be treated
for all purposes of this  Agreement as a drawing duly honored by the  applicable
Issuing Lender under the related Letter of Credit.

         B.      Notice of Issuance.  Whenever Canadian Borrower desires
the issuance of a Letter of Credit, it shall deliver to Canadian
Administrative Agent and Administrative Agent a Notice of
Issuance of Letter of Credit in the form of Exhibit XI hereto no
later than 1:00 P.M. (Toronto time) at least five Business Days
or such shorter period as may be agreed to by the applicable




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<PAGE>



Issuing  Lender in any particular  instance,  in advance of the proposed date of
issuance.  Whenever  Australian  Borrower  desires  the  issuance of a Letter of
Credit, it shall deliver to Australian  Administrative  Agent and Administrative
Agent a Notice of  Issuance of Letter of Credit in the form of Exhibit XI hereto
no later  than 1:00  P.M.  (Sydney  time) at least  five  Business  Days or such
shorter  period  as may be  agreed to by the  applicable  Issuing  Lender in any
particular instance, in advance of the proposed date of issuance.  Whenever U.S.
Borrower desires the issuance of a Letter of Credit, it shall deliver to Admin-
istrative  Agent a Notice of Issuance of Letter of Credit in the form of Exhibit
XI hereto no later than 1:00 P.M. (New York time) at least five Business Days or
such shorter period as may be agreed to by the applicable  Issuing Lender in any
particular instance, in advance of the proposed date of issuance. Each Notice of
Issuance of Letter of Credit shall specify (i) the  Borrower,  (ii) the proposed
date of issuance  (which shall be a Business Day),  (iii) the face amount of the
Letter of Credit, (iv) the expiration date of the Letter of Credit, (v) the name
and address of the  beneficiary,  (vi) a summary of the purpose and the verbatim
text of such Letter of Credit, and (vii) a precise  description of the documents
and the proposed  text of any  certificate  to be  presented by the  beneficiary
which,  if  presented by the  beneficiary  prior to the  expiration  date of the
Letter of Credit,  would require the  applicable  Issuing Lender to make payment
under the Letter of Credit;  provided that the applicable Issuing Lender, in its
sole  reasonable  judgment,  may  require  changes  in any  such  documents  and
certificates;  and  provided  further  that no Letter of  Credit  shall  require
payment  against a conforming  draft to be made  thereunder on the same Business
Day that such draft is presented if such  presentation  is made after 11:00 A.M.
(New York time,  Toronto time or Sydney time, as  applicable,)  on such Business
Day.  Promptly upon the issuance of a Letter of Credit,  the applicable  Issuing
Lender shall notify the applicable  Lenders of the  applicable  Borrower of such
issuance and the details thereof. In determining whether to pay under any Letter
of Credit,  the applicable Issuing Lender shall be responsible only to determine
that the documents and  certificates  required to be delivered under that Letter
of  Credit  have been  delivered  and that  they  comply on their  face with the
requirements of that Letter of Credit.





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<PAGE>



         C.      Payment of Amounts Drawn Under Letters of Credit.  In
the  event of  any  drawing  under  any  Letter of  Credit   by the  beneficiary
thereof,  the applicable  Issuing Lender shall promptly  notify the Borrower for
whose  account  such  Letter of  Credit  was  issued,  and such  Borrower  shall
reimburse  the  applicable  Issuing  Lender on the date on which such drawing is
honored in the same currency as the drawing in an amount in same day funds equal
to the  amount  of such  drawing;  provided  that,  anything  contained  in this
Agreement to the contrary  notwithstanding,  (i) unless such Borrower shall have
notified  the  Applicable  Administrative  Agent  prior to 11:00 A.M.  (New York
Toronto or Sydney time, as applicable,) on the Business Day immediately prior to
the date of such drawing that such Borrower  intends to reimburse the applicable
Issuing Lender for the amount of such drawing with funds other than the proceeds
of Loans,  such  Borrower  shall be  deemed to have (1) in the case of  Canadian
Borrower,  given a Notice of  Borrowing  to  Canadian  Administrative  Agent and
Administrative  Agent requesting  Canadian Lenders to make Canadian Loans (which
shall be U.S. Base Rate (Canada)  Loans or Canadian Base Rate Loans  denominated
in the same  currency  as the  drawing)  to the  extent of the  unused  Canadian
Allocation  on the date on which such  drawing is honored in an amount  equal to
the amount of such drawing or, (2) in the case of Australian  Borrower,  given a
Notice of Borrowing to Australian  Administrative Agent and Administrative Agent
requesting Australian Lenders to make Australian Loans (which shall be Bank Bill
Swap Rate Loans or Eurodollar  Rate Loans (with a one month interest  period) to
the extent of the unused Australian Allocation on the date on which such drawing
is honored in an amount  equal to the amount of such drawing and (3) in the case
of U.S. Borrower, given a Notice of Borrowing to Administrative Agent requesting
U.S.  Lenders to make U.S.  Loans (which  shall be U.S.  Base Rate Loans) to the
extent of the  unused  U.S.  Allocation  on the date on which  such  drawing  is
honored in an amount  equal to the amount of such  drawing,  and (ii) subject to
satisfaction  or waiver of the  conditions  specified in  subsection  3.2,  such
Lenders  shall,  on the date of such  drawing,  make such Loans in the aggregate
amount of such drawing,  the proceeds of which shall be applied  directly by the
Applicable  Administrative  Agent to reimburse the applicable Issuing Lender for
the amount of such drawing;  and provided further that, if Loans are required to
be made and for any reason  proceeds of Loans are not received by the applicable
Issuing Lender on such date in an amount equal to the amount of such


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<PAGE>



drawing,  the applicable Borrower shall reimburse the applicable Issuing Lender,
on the Business Day immediately following the date of such drawing, in an amount
in same day funds (and in the same currency as the  unreimbursed  drawing) equal
to the excess of the amount of such  drawing over the amount of such Loans which
are so received,  plus accrued  interest on such amount at the rate set forth in
subsection 2.7E(ii).

         D.  Payment by  Lenders  with  Respect  to  Letters  of Credit.  If any
Borrower  shall fail to reimburse the  applicable  Issuing Lender as provided in
subsection  2.7C in an amount equal to the amount of any drawing  honored by the
applicable  Issuing  Lender  under a Letter of Credit  issued by the  applicable
Issuing Lender for the account of such Borrower,  the applicable  Issuing Lender
shall  promptly  notify the Applicable  Administrative  Agent and the Applicable
Administrative  Agent  shall  promptly  notify  Administrative  Agent  and  each
applicable  Lender of the unreimbursed  amount of such drawing,  the currency in
which such drawing was funded,  and of such  Lender's  respective  participation
therein,  which  participation shall be equal to such Lender's Pro Rata Share of
the  unreimbursed  amount of such  drawing.  Each  applicable  Lender shall make
available to the  applicable  Issuing  Lender an amount equal to its  respective
participation in same day funds and in the same currency as the drawing,  at the
office of the applicable Issuing Lender specified in such notice, not later than
1:00 P.M.  (New York,  Toronto or Sydney time,  as  applicable)  on the day such
notice is given to such Lender by the Applicable  Administrative  Agent.  If any
applicable  Lender fails to make available to the applicable  Issuing Lender the
amount of such  Lender's  participation  in such Letter of Credit as provided in
this subsection 2.7D, the applicable Issuing Lender shall be entitled to recover
such amount on demand from such Lender  together  with interest at the customary
rate set by the  applicable  Issuing  Lender for the  correction of errors among
banks for three  Business Days and  thereafter at the Canadian Base Rate, in the
case of  Canadian  Dollar  drawings,  the Bank  Bill  Swap  Rate for a one month
Interest Period in the case of Australian  Dollar drawings or the Alternate Base
Rate, in the case of Dollar drawings by U.S.  Borrower and Australian  Borrower,
and U.S. Base Rate (Canada) in the case of Dollar drawings by Canadian Borrower.
Nothing in this  subsection  2.7 shall be deemed to  prejudice  the right of any
Lender to recover from the applicable  Issuing Lender any amounts made available
by such Lender to the




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<PAGE>



applicable  Issuing Lender  pursuant to this subsection 2.7D if the payment with
respect  to a Letter of Credit by the  applicable  Issuing  Lender in respect of
which payment was made by such Lender  constituted  gross  negligence or willful
misconduct on the part of the applicable  Issuing Lender, as finally  determined
by a court of  competent  jurisdiction.  The  applicable  Issuing  Lender  shall
distribute to the Applicable Administrative Agent for distribution to each other
Lender which has paid all amounts  payable by it under this subsection 2.7D with
respect to any Letter of Credit  issued by the  applicable  Issuing  Lender such
other Lender's Pro Rata Share of all payments received by the applicable Issuing
Lender from any Borrower in  reimbursement of drawings honored by the applicable
Issuing  Lender  under such Letter of Credit when such  payments  are  received.
Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary herein,  each Lender that has paid all
amounts  payable by it under this  subsection  2.7D shall have a direct right to
reimbursement  of such  amounts  from the  applicable  Borrower,  subject to the
procedures for reimbursing Lenders set forth in this subsection 2.7.

         E.      Compensation.  Each Borrower agrees to pay, without
duplication,  the following  amounts  to the  applicable  Issuing   Lender  with
respect to each Letter of Credit issued by the applicable Issuing Lender for the
account of such Borrower:

                 (i) with  respect to each Letter of Credit,  a letter of credit
         fee payable to the applicable Issuing Lender equal to applicable Letter
         of Credit Fee Percentage of the maximum  amount  available from time to
         time to be drawn under such Letter of Credit,  calculated  on the basis
         of a 360-day  year,  in the case of  Letters  of Credit  issued for the
         account of U.S.  Borrower or Australian  Borrower,  or a 365 or 366-day
         year (as  applicable)  in the case of Letters of Credit  issued for the
         account of Canadian  Borrower,  and, in each case, the actual number of
         days  elapsed  and payable  quarterly  in arrears on March 31, June 30,
         September  30 and  December  31 of each year in  immediately  available
         funds and in the same currency as the Letter of Credit;

               (ii) with  respect to  drawings  made under any Letter of Credit,
         interest,  payable on demand in immediately  available funds and in the
         same  currency as the  drawing,  on the amount  paid by the  applicable
         Issuing Lender in respect of each




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<PAGE>



         such drawing from the date of the drawing  through the date such amount
         is reimbursed by the  applicable  Borrower (but only if not  reimbursed
         when  due) at a rate  which is 2% per  annum in  excess  of the rate of
         interest  otherwise payable under this Agreement for Canadian Base Rate
         Loans, in the case of any Canadian Dollar drawings,  the Bank Bill Swap
         Rate for a one month Interest Period,  in the case of Australian Dollar
         drawings or U.S. Base Rate Loans, in the case of any Dollar drawings by
         U.S. Borrower and Australian Borrower, or U.S. Base Rate (Canada) Loans
         in the case of any Dollar drawings by Canadian Borrower; and

             (iii) with respect to the  issuance,  amendment or transfer of each
         Letter of Credit and each  drawing  made  thereunder,  documentary  and
         processing  charges in accordance with the applicable  Issuing Lender's
         standard  schedule  for  such  charges  in  effect  at the time of such
         issuance,  amendment,  transfer or  drawing,  as the case may be, or as
         otherwise agreed by Issuing Lender, Company and Borrowers.

         Promptly upon receipt by the  applicable  Issuing  Lender of any amount
described in  subdivision  (i) or (ii) of this  subsection  2.7E, the applicable
Issuing  Lender shall  distribute  to the  Applicable  Administrative  Agent for
distribution to each Canadian Lender,  Australian  Lender or U.S. Lender, as the
case may be, its Pro Rata Share of such amount.

         F.      Obligations Absolute.  The obligation of each Borrower
to reimburse  any Issuing  Lender for drawings  made under the Letters of Credit
issued  for  such  Borrower's  account  and the  obligations  of  Lenders  under
subsection  2.7D  shall  be  unconditional  and  irrevocable  and  shall be paid
strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under all circumstances,
including,  without  limitation,  the following  circumstances:  

               (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of 
         Credit;

               (ii) the existence of any claim, set-off,  defense or other right
         the  applicable  Borrower may have at any time against a beneficiary or
         any  transferee of any Letter of Credit (or any persons or entities for
         whom any such




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<PAGE>



         transferee may be acting), any Issuing Lender, any Agent, any Lender or
         any other  Person,  whether  in  connection  with this  Agreement,  the
         transactions   contemplated   herein  or  any   unrelated   transaction
         (including any underlying  transaction  between such Borrower or any of
         its Subsidiaries and the beneficiary for which the Letter of Credit was
         procured);

             (iii) any draft,  demand,  certificate or other document  presented
         under any Letter of Credit proving to be forged,  fraudulent or invalid
         in any respect or any  statement  therein being untrue or inaccurate in
         any respect;

               (iv)  payment by any Issuing  Lender  against a demand,  draft or
         certificate  or other  document which does not comply with the terms of
         such Letter of Credit  unless such  Issuing  Lender  failed to exercise
         reasonable care in ascertaining  whether such document  appeared on its
         face to comply in all material respects with such terms;

                 (v)      any other circumstance or happening whatsoever,
         which is similar to any of the foregoing; or

               (vi) the fact that an Event of  Default or a  Potential  Event of
         Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

         G.      Additional Payments.  If by reason of (a) any change in
applicable law, regulation, rule, decree or regulatory requirement or any change
in the interpretation or application by any judicial or regulatory  authority of
any law, regulation, rule, decree or regulatory requirement or (b) compliance by
any Issuing  Lender or any Lender  with any  direction,  request or  requirement
(whether  or not  having  the  force  of law) of any  governmental  or  monetary
authority including, without limitation, Regulation D:

                 (i) any reserve,  deposit or similar requirement is or shall be
         applicable,  imposed or  modified  in respect of any  Letters of Credit
         issued by any Issuing Lender or participations therein purchased by any
         Lender; or

               (ii) there shall be imposed on any  Issuing  Lender or any Lender
         any other condition regarding this subsection 2.7, any Letter of Credit
         or any participation therein;




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<PAGE>



and the result of the foregoing is to directly or  indirectly  increase the cost
to any Issuing Lender or any Lender of issuing, making or maintaining any Letter
of Credit or of purchasing  or  maintaining  any  participation  therein,  or to
reduce the amount  receivable  in respect  thereof by any Issuing  Lender or any
Lender,  then and in any such case such Issuing Lender or such Lender may notify
the  Borrower  for whose  account  such  Letter of Credit  was  issued  and such
Borrower  shall pay within ten days of  receipt of notice  such  amounts as such
Issuing Lender or such Lender may specify pursuant to the certificate  described
below to be necessary to compensate  such Issuing Lender or such Lender for such
additional cost or reduced  receipt,  together with interest on such amount from
the date of such  demand  until  payment in full  thereof at a rate equal at all
times to the Alternate  Base Rate per annum.  The  determination  by any Issuing
Lender or any  Lender,  as the case may be, of any amount due  pursuant  to this
subsection  2.7G as set forth in a  certificate  setting  forth the  calculation
thereof in reasonable detail,  shall, in the absence of manifest error, be final
and conclusive and binding on all of the parties hereto.

         H.      Indemnification; Nature of Issuing Lender's Duties.  In
addition to amounts  payable as elsewhere  provided in this subsection 2.7, each
Borrower hereby agrees to protect,  indemnify,  pay and save each Issuing Lender
harmless  from and against any and all claims,  demands,  liabilities,  damages,
losses, costs, charges and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) which
such  Issuing  Lender  may incur or be subject  to as a  consequence,  direct or
indirect,  of (i) the  issuance  of any Letter of Credit for the account of such
Borrower, or (ii) the failure of any Issuing Lender to honor a drawing under any
such Letter of Credit as a result of any act or  omission,  whether  rightful or
wrongful,  of  any  present  or  future  de  jure  or  de  facto  government  or
governmental  authority  (all such acts or omissions  herein called  "Government
Acts").

         As between any Issuing  Lender and any Borrower  for whose  account any
Issuing Lender issues any Letter of Credit,  such Borrower  assumes all risks of
the acts  and  omissions  of or  misuse  of any such  Letter  of  Credit  by the
beneficiary of any such Letter of Credit.  In furtherance  and not in limitation
of the  foregoing,  no Issuing  Lender shall be  responsible:  (i) for the form,
validity, sufficiency, accuracy, genuineness or legal




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<PAGE>



effect of any document submitted by any party in connection with the application
for and issuance of such  Letters of Credit,  even if it should in fact prove to
be in any or all  respects  invalid,  insufficient,  inaccurate,  fraudulent  or
forged;  (ii) for the validity or sufficiency of any instrument  transferring or
assigning or  purporting  to transfer or assign any such Letter of Credit or the
rights or benefits  thereunder or proceeds  thereof,  in whole or in part, which
may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason;  (iii) for failure of the
beneficiary  of any such  Letter of Credit to comply  fully with the  conditions
required  in order  to draw  upon  such  Letter  of  Credit;  (iv)  for  errors,
omissions,  interruptions or delays in transmission or delivery of any messages,
by mail, cable, telegraph, telex or otherwise, whether or not they be in cipher;
(v) for errors in  interpretation of technical terms; (vi) for any loss or delay
in the  transmission  or otherwise  of any document  required in order to make a
drawing  under any such Letter of Credit or of the proceeds  thereof;  (vii) for
the  misapplication  by the  beneficiary  of any such  Letter  of  Credit of the
proceeds  of any  drawing  under  such  Letter of  Credit;  and  (viii)  for any
consequences  arising  from causes  beyond the  control of any  Issuing  Lender,
including,  without  limitation,  any Government  Acts.  None of the above shall
affect,  impair, or prevent the vesting of any Issuing Lender's rights or powers
hereunder.

         In  furtherance  and  extension  and not in  limitation of the specific
provisions  hereinabove  set forth,  any action  taken or omitted by any Issuing
Lender  under or in  connection  with the Letters of Credit  issued by it or the
related  certificates,  if taken or  omitted  in good  faith and  without  gross
negligence or willful  misconduct as finally  determined by a court of competent
jurisdiction, shall not put such Issuing Lender under any resulting liability to
any Borrower or Company.

         Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary  contained in this subsection
2.7, no Borrower  shall have any  obligation to indemnify any Issuing  Lender in
respect of any  liability  incurred by such  Issuing  Lender  arising out of the
gross  negligence  or willful  misconduct  of such  Issuing  Lender,  as finally
determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, or out of the wrongful dishonor
by such  Issuing  Lender of proper  demand for payment made under the Letters of
Credit issued by it; provided that payment  against a draft or demand  presented
after the expiration date of




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any Letter of Credit shall be deemed to constitute gross negligence.

         I. Computation of Interest. Interest payable pursuant to subsection 2.7
shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day  year and the actual  number of days
elapsed  in the  period  during  which  it  accrues.  For the  purposes  of this
subsection 2.7I,  whenever  interest is calculated on the basis of a year of 360
days, each rate of interest determined pursuant to such calculation expressed as
an annual rate for the purposes of the Interest  Act (Canada) is  equivalent  to
such  rate as so  determined  multiplied  by the  actual  number  of days in the
calendar year in which the same is to be ascertained and divided by 360.

2.8      Bankers' Acceptances.

         A.  Bankers'  Acceptance  Commitment.  Canadian  Borrower  may  request
pursuant to this  subsection  2.8,  from time to time during the period from the
Effective  Date to but  excluding the  Commitment  Termination  Date,  that each
Canadian  Lender create Bankers'  Acceptances by accepting  Drafts from Canadian
Borrower in an aggregate  amount not exceeding  such Canadian  Lender's Pro Rata
Share of the aggregate Face Amount of the Bankers'  Acceptances to be created on
any Drawing Date; provided that Canadian Borrower shall not request the creation
of any  Bankers'  Acceptance  if,  after giving  effect  thereto,  (a) the Total
Utilization of Commitments  would exceed the Commitments then in effect,  or (b)
the  Canadian  Commitment  Usage would exceed the  Canadian  Allocation  then in
effect,  and no Canadian Lender shall have any obligation to create any Bankers'
Acceptance  if,  after  giving  effect  thereto,  (a) the Total  Utilization  of
Commitments of its Lending Unit would exceed such Lending Unit's Commitment,  or
(b) its Canadian  Commitment  Usage would exceed its Canadian  Commitment or its
Pro Rata Share of the  Canadian  Allocation.  Each  Canadian  Lender  shall also
purchase Bankers'  Acceptances  created by it as more particularly  specified in
this subsection 2.8.

                 The  aggregate  Face Amount of the Bankers'  Acceptances  to be
created on any Drawing Date shall be not less than Cdn.  $5,000,000 and shall be
in integral  multiples of Cdn.$1,000,000 in excess thereof.  If apportionment of
Bankers'  Acceptances  among the  Canadian  Lenders  cannot be made on a ratable
basis in




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<PAGE>



even multiples of Cdn.$100,000,  Canadian  Administrative  Agent shall round the
allocations among Canadian Lenders up or down to the nearest Cdn.$100,000.

         B.      Drawing Notice.

                 Bankers'  Acceptances  shall be created on two  Business  Days'
prior written notice given not later than 11:00 A.M. (Toronto time), by Canadian
Borrower to Canadian Administrative Agent, which shall give each Canadian Lender
prompt  notice  thereof and of such  Canadian  Lender's  ratable  portion of the
aggregate  Face  Amount of the Drafts to be  accepted  (and  purchased)  by such
Canadian Lender. Each such notice (a "Drawing Notice") shall be in substantially
the form of Exhibit III-B annexed hereto or by telephone  confirmed  promptly in
writing,  containing  the same  information  as would be  contained in a Drawing
Notice,  and shall specify therein (i) the Drawing Date; (ii) the aggregate Face
Amount of Drafts to be accepted (and purchased); and (iii) the maturity date for
such Drafts (it being agreed and  understood  that Canadian  Borrower  shall not
request a maturity date for Drafts which would be  subsequent to the  Commitment
Termination Date).

                 Neither Canadian  Administrative  Agent nor any Canadian Lender
shall incur any liability to Company or any Borrower in acting on any telephonic
notice  referred to above that  Canadian  Administrative  Agent or such Canadian
Lender believes in good faith to have been given by a duly authorized officer or
other  person  authorized  to  borrow  on behalf  of  Canadian  Borrower  or for
otherwise  acting in good faith under this subsection 2.8, and upon the creation
and purchase of Bankers'  Acceptances  pursuant to any such  telephonic  notice,
Canadian Borrower shall be liable with respect thereto as provided herein.

                 Each  Drawing  Notice  shall  be  irrevocable  and  binding  on
Canadian  Borrower.  Canadian  Borrower  shall  indemnify  each Canadian  Lender
against any loss or expense  incurred by such Canadian Lender as a result of any
failure by Canadian  Borrower to fulfill or honor before the applicable  Drawing
Date the applicable  conditions  set forth in this  subsection 2.8 or subsection
3.4 if as a result of such failure,  the requested Bankers'  Acceptances are not
created and/or purchased on such Drawing Date.




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<PAGE>




         C.      Form of Bankers' Acceptances.

                 Each  Draft  presented  by  Canadian  Borrower  shall (i) be an
integral multiple of Cdn.$100,000;  (ii) be dated the date of acceptance thereof
by the  applicable  Canadian  Lender;  (iii)  mature and be payable by  Canadian
Borrower  on a Business  Day which  occurs 30, 60, 90, 120 or 180 days after the
date thereof; (iv) be substantially in the form of Exhibit III-A annexed hereto;
and (iv) be otherwise  consistent with the provisions of this Agreement relating
to the amounts and maturity dates thereof. The acceptance endorsed by a Canadian
Lender on any Draft shall be  substantially  in the form of the  endorsement set
forth in  Exhibit  III-A  annexed  hereto or such other form as may be agreed by
Canadian Borrower and such Canadian Lender.

                 Canadian  Borrower hereby  renounces,  and shall not claim, any
days of grace for the payment of any Bankers' Acceptances.

         D.      Acceptance and Purchase of Drafts.

                 Not later  than  11:00  A.M.  (Toronto  time) on an  applicable
Drawing Date,  each Canadian  Lender shall complete  Drafts,  dated such Drawing
Date,  with the maturity  date and  denominations  specified  in the  applicable
Drawing Notice,  and following  fulfillment of any applicable  conditions and as
specified  in the  applicable  Drawing  Notice,  shall  accept  such  Drafts and
purchase the Bankers'  Acceptances  thereby created for the applicable  Bankers'
Acceptance Purchase Price.

                 Canadian  Borrower  hereby  authorizes  each Canadian Lender to
deduct from the amount to be remitted by it to the Canadian Administrative Agent
in respect of the Bankers'  Acceptance Purchase Price or other purchase price of
any  Bankers'  Acceptance  created by it the BA Fee in respect of such  Bankers'
Acceptance.

                 The failure of any  Canadian  Lender to create and  purchase or
deliver  Bankers'  Acceptances  shall not relieve  such  Canadian  Lender of its
obligation,  if any,  to create and  purchase  or deliver  Bankers'  Acceptances
hereunder, but a Canadian Lender shall not be responsible for the failure of any
other Canadian Lender to create and purchase or deliver Bankers'  Acceptances on
any Drawing Date.





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<PAGE>



         E.      Payment of the Banker's Acceptance Purchase Price and
Other Purchase Price.

                 Subject to subsection  2.8B and  satisfaction of the conditions
set forth in subsection 3.4, each Canadian  Lender shall,  (i) before 12:00 noon
(Toronto  time)  on the  applicable  Drawing  Date in the  case of the  Bankers'
Acceptance Purchase Price for each Bankers'  Acceptance  purchased by it or (ii)
upon receipt by it on the applicable  Drawing Date of the purchase price payable
by a third  party  in  respect  of any  Bankers'  Acceptance  created  by it and
purchased by such third party, pay or cause to be paid such amount by depositing
or causing to be deposited such amount (less the applicable BA Fee as aforesaid)
to such account maintained by Canadian  Administrative  Agent as shall have been
notified to such Canadian Lender by Canadian  Administrative  Agent, in Canadian
Dollars  in same day  funds.  Promptly  upon  receipt  of such  funds,  Canadian
Administrative  Agent shall make such funds  available  to Canadian  Borrower by
debiting  such  account  (or causing  such  account to be  debited),  and (a) by
crediting  Canadian  Borrower's  account,  as specified by Canadian  Borrower in
writing to Canadian Administrative Agent prior thereto, maintained with Canadian
Administrative Agent (or causing such account to be credited) with like funds in
the aggregate amount of such funds or (b) by wiring such funds in such amount to
the account of Canadian  Borrower with another financial  institution  specified
prior thereto by Canadian Borrower in writing to Canadian Administrative Agent.

                 Bankers'  Acceptances  purchased by a Canadian Lender hereunder
may be held by it for its own account  until  maturity or sold by it at any time
prior  thereto in any  relevant  market  therefor  in Canada,  in such  Canadian
Lender's sole discretion.

         F.      Payment at Maturity.

                 Canadian Borrower shall pay to the applicable  Canadian Lender,
and there shall  become due and  payable,  at 12:00 noon  (Toronto  time) on the
maturity date for each  Bankers'  Acceptance,  an amount in Canadian  Dollars in
same day  funds  equal to the  Face  Amount  of such  Bankers'  Acceptance.  The
obligation of Canadian  Borrower to make such payment shall not be prejudiced by
the fact that the holder of any such Bankers'  Acceptance is the Canadian Lender
that accepted such Bankers' Acceptance.




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<PAGE>




                 If Canadian  Borrower fails to pay to the  applicable  Canadian
Lender the Face Amount of any Bankers'  Acceptance  as required by the preceding
paragraph, Canadian Borrower shall be deemed to have given a Notice of Borrowing
to  Canadian  Administrative  Agent and  Administrative  Agent  requesting  such
Canadian  Lender to make a Canadian Base Rate Loan on the date that such payment
is due and payable,  and thereupon such Canadian  Lender shall, as of such date,
make such  Canadian Base Rate Loan to Canadian  Borrower,  the proceeds of which
shall be applied  directly to reimburse such Canadian Lender for the Face Amount
of such Bankers' Acceptance paid by it. Canadian  Administrative Agent will give
to Canadian  Borrower  notice of any such action promptly after any such action;
provided,  however,  that the  failure  to give such  notice  shall not limit or
otherwise affect the obligations of Company or any Borrower under this Agreement
or any other Loan Document.

         Bankers' Acceptances may not be prepaid.

         G.      Presigned Draft Forms.

                 To enable  Canadian  Lenders to complete  Drafts and create and
purchase  Bankers'  Acceptances in the manner  specified in this subsection 2.8,
Canadian  Borrower shall supply each Canadian  Lender with such number of Drafts
as such Canadian  Lender may reasonably  request,  duly endorsed and executed on
behalf of Canadian  Borrower.  Each Canadian  Lender shall exercise such care in
the custody and  safekeeping  of Drafts as it would  exercise in the custody and
safekeeping  of similar  property owned by it. Each Canadian  Lender will,  upon
request by Canadian  Borrower,  promptly advise Canadian  Borrower of the number
and  designations,  if any, of the Drafts then held by it. The signatures of any
officers of Canadian Borrower may be mechanically  reproduced in facsimile,  and
Drafts and Bankers'  Acceptances  bearing  such  facsimile  signatures  shall be
binding  upon  Canadian  Borrower  as if they had been  manually  signed by such
officers.  Notwithstanding that any of the individuals whose manual or facsimile
signature  appears on any Draft or Bankers'  Acceptance  as one of such officers
may no longer hold office at the date  thereof or at the date of its  acceptance
by a Canadian Lender hereunder or at any time thereafter,  any Draft or Bankers'
Acceptance so signed shall be valid and binding upon Canadian Borrower.




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<PAGE>




         H.      Circumstances Making Bankers' Acceptances Unavailable.

                 If  Canadian  Administrative  Agent  determines  in good faith,
which  determination  shall be  final,  conclusive  and  binding  upon  Canadian
Borrower,  and notifies  Canadian  Borrower and each  Canadian  Lender that,  by
reason of  circumstances  affecting  the money market (i) there is no market for
Bankers'   Acceptances;   or  (ii)  the  demand  for  Bankers'   Acceptances  is
insufficient  to allow the sale or trading of the Bankers'  Acceptances  created
and purchased hereunder; then:

                 (a) the right of  Canadian  Borrower to request  that  Bankers'
         Acceptances  be created  hereunder  shall be suspended  until  Canadian
         Administrative  Agent  determines that the  circumstances  causing such
         suspension  no  longer  exist  and  Canadian  Administrative  Agent  so
         notifies the Canadian Borrower; and

                 (b)      any Drawing Notice which is outstanding shall be
         cancelled and the Bankers' Acceptances requested therein
         shall not be created.

         I.      Use of Proceeds of Bankers' Acceptances.

                 The  proceeds of any  Bankers'  Acceptance  created  under this
subsection 2.8 shall be used by Canadian  Borrower for working capital  purposes
and general corporate purposes.


Section 3.  CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS OF AGREEMENT AND LOANS,
            LETTERS OF CREDIT AND BANKERS' ACCEPTANCES

3.1      Conditions to Effectiveness.

                 The  effectiveness of this Agreement is subject to the prior or
concurrent satisfaction of the following conditions:

         A.      Company Documents.  On or before the Effective Date,
Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to Lenders (or to
Administrative Agent for Lenders with sufficient originally
executed copies, where appropriate, for each Lender and its
counsel) the following, each, unless otherwise noted, dated the
Effective Date:




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<PAGE>




                 (i)  Certified  copies  of its  Certificate  of  Incorporation,
         together with a good standing  certificate  from the Secretary of State
         of the States of  Delaware  and  California,  each dated a recent  date
         prior to the Effective Date;

               (ii) Copies of its Bylaws, certified as of the Effective
         Date by its corporate secretary or an assistant secretary;

             (iii)   Resolutions  of  its  Board  of  Directors   approving  and
         authorizing  the execution,  delivery and performance of this Agreement
         and any other Loan  Documents  to which it is a party,  certified as of
         the Effective Date by its corporate secretary or an assistant secretary
         as being in full force and effect without modification or amendment;

               (iv) Signature and incumbency certificates of its
         officers executing this Agreement and any other Loan
         Documents to which it is a party;

                 (v)      Executed originals of this Agreement and any other
         Loan Documents to which it is a party; and

               (vi) Such other  documents as any Lender  through  Administrative
         Agent may reasonably request.

         B.      Canadian Borrower Documents.  On or before the Effective
Date, Canadian Borrower shall deliver or cause to be delivered to Lenders (or to
Administrative  Agent for Lenders with sufficient  originally  executed  copies,
where appropriate,  for each Lender and its counsel) the following, each, unless
otherwise noted, dated the Effective Date:

                 (i)  Certified  or  notarial  copies  of  Canadian   Borrower's
         Certificate of  Incorporation,  together with evidence of its corporate
         status in the Provinces of Ontario and British  Columbia,  each dated a
         recent date prior to the Effective Date;

               (ii) Copies of Canadian Borrower's Bylaws, certified as
         of the Effective Date by its corporate secretary or an
         assistant secretary;





                                       95

<PAGE>



             (iii)  Resolutions  of  Canadian   Borrower's  Board  of  Directors
         approving and  authorizing  the execution,  delivery and performance of
         this  Agreement  and any other Loan  Documents  to which it is a party,
         certified as of the  Effective  Date by its  corporate  secretary or an
         assistant   secretary  as  being  in  full  force  and  effect  without
         modification or amendment;

               (iv) Signature and incumbency certificates of Canadian Borrower's
         officers executing this Agreement and any other Loan Documents to which
         it is a party;

                 (v)  Executed  originals of this  Agreement,  any Notes and any
         Grid Gold  Acknowledgements  requested  by  Lenders  and any other Loan
         Documents to which Canadian Borrower is a party; and

               (vi) Such other  documents as any Lender  through  Administrative
         Agent may reasonably request.

         C.      Australian Borrower Documents.  On or before the
Effective  Date,  Australian  Borrower shall deliver or cause to be delivered to
Lenders (or to  Administrative  Agent for  Lenders  with  sufficient  originally
executed  copies,  where  appropriate,  for each  Lender  and its  counsel)  the
following, each, unless otherwise noted, dated the Effective Date:

                 (i)      Certified copies of Australian Borrower's
         Certificate of Incorporation and Articles of Association,
         each dated a recent date prior to the Effective Date;

               (ii)  Resolutions  of  Australian  Borrower's  Board of Directors
         approving and  authorizing  the execution,  delivery and performance of
         this  Agreement  and any other Loan  Documents  to which it is a party,
         certified as of the  Effective  Date by its  corporate  secretary or an
         assistant   secretary  as  being  in  full  force  and  effect  without
         modification or amendment;

             (iii)   Signature  and   incumbency   certificates   of  Australian
         Borrower's  officers  executing  this  Agreement  and  any  other  Loan
         Documents to which it is a party;



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<PAGE>



               (iv) Executed originals of this Agreement, any Notes and any Grid
         Gold Acknowledgements requested by Lenders and any other Loan Documents
         to which Australian Borrower is a party; and

                 (v)      Such other documents as any Lender through
         Administrative Agent may reasonably request.

         D.      U.S. Borrower Documents.  On or before the Effective
Date,  U.S.  Borrower  shall  deliver or cause to be delivered to Lenders (or to
Administrative  Agent for Lenders with sufficient  originally  executed  copies,
where appropriate,  for each Lender and its counsel) the following, each, unless
otherwise noted, dated the Effective Date:

                 (i)   Certified   copies  of  U.S.   Borrower's   Articles   of
         Incorporation,  together  with  good  standing  certificates  from  the
         Secretary  of State of the  States  of  California,  Nevada  and  South
         Dakota, each dated a recent date prior to the Effective Date;

               (ii) Copies of U.S. Borrower's Bylaws, certified as of
         the Effective Date by its corporate secretary or an
         assistant secretary;

             (iii) Resolutions of U.S.  Borrower's Board of Directors  approving
         and  authorizing  the  execution,  delivery  and  performance  of  this
         Agreement  and  any  other  Loan  Documents  to  which  it is a  party,
         certified as of the  Effective  Date by its  corporate  secretary or an
         assistant   secretary  as  being  in  full  force  and  effect  without
         modification or amendment;

               (iv) Signature and incumbency certificates of U.S.
         Borrower's officers executing this Agreement and any other
         Loan Documents to which it is a party;

                 (v)      Executed originals of this Agreement, any Notes and
         any Grid Gold Acknowledgements requested by Lenders and any
         other Loan Documents to which U.S. Borrower is a party; and

               (vi) Such other  documents as any Lender  through  Administrative
         Agent may reasonably request.




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<PAGE>




         E. Opinions of Company's and Borrowers' Counsel.  Administrative  Agent
on behalf of  Lenders,  with  sufficient  originally  executed  copies  for each
Lender,  shall  have  received  (i)  originally  executed  copies of one or more
favorable written opinions of (a) Thelen, Marrin, Johnson & Bridges, counsel for
Company  and U.S.  Borrower,  and (b) Wayne  Kirk,  Vice  President  and General
Counsel of Company  and U.S.  Borrower,  each in form and  substance  reasonably
satisfactory  to  Administrative  Agent and its  counsel,  each  dated as of the
Effective  Date and setting  forth  substantially  the  matters in the  opinions
designated in Exhibits VII-A and VII-B,  respectively,  annexed hereto and as to
such  other  matters  as  Administrative  Agent  may  reasonably  request,  (ii)
originally  executed copies of one or more favorable  written opinions of Osler,
Hoskin  &  Harcourt,  counsel  for  Canadian  Borrower,  in form  and  substance
reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent and its counsel, dated as of the
Effective Date and setting forth substantially the matters designated in Exhibit
VIII-A annexed hereto and as to such other matters as  Administrative  Agent may
reasonably  request,  and  (iii)  originally  executed  copies  of one  or  more
favorable written opinions of Parker & Parker,  counsel for Australian Borrower,
in form and substance  reasonably  satisfactory to Administrative  Agent and its
counsel,  dated as of the  Effective  Date and setting forth  substantially  the
matters designated in Exhibit VIII-B annexed hereto and as to such other matters
as Administrative Agent may reasonably request.

         F. Opinions of Administrative Agent's Counsel.  Administrative Agent on
behalf of Lenders,  with sufficient  originally executed copies for each Lender,
shall have received  originally executed copies of one or more favorable written
opinions of O'Melveny & Myers, counsel to Administrative  Agent, dated as of the
Effective Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit IX annexed hereto and as to
such other matters as Administrative Agent may reasonably request.

         G.      Fees.  Company shall have paid to Administrative Agent
for distribution (as appropriate) to Administrative Agent,
Arranger and Lenders the fees payable on the Effective Date
referred to in subsection 2.3.

         H.      No Material Adverse Effect; New Disclosures.  Since
December 31, 1995, there shall not have occurred any change, or




                                                        98

<PAGE>



development or event  involving a prospective  change,  which in either case, in
the  opinion of Lenders  has had or could have a Material  Adverse  Effect,  and
Administrative  Agent and Documentation Agent shall not have become aware of any
previously undisclosed  information that is material and adverse with respect to
(i) the  business,  assets,  operations,  condition  (financial or otherwise) or
prospects  of Company,  Company and its  Subsidiaries  taken as a whole,  or any
Borrower, or (ii) Company's or any Borrower's ability to perform, or the ability
of Lenders to enforce, any of the Obligations.

         I. Representations and Warranties;  Performance of Agreements.  Company
and each  Borrower  shall have  delivered to  Administrative  Agent an Officers'
Certificate,  in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent, to the
effect that the  representations  and  warranties  in Section 4 hereof are true,
correct and complete in all material respects on and as of the Effective Date to
the same extent as though made on and as of that date and that  Company and each
Borrower has performed in all material respects all agreements and satisfied all
conditions which each Loan Document  provides shall be performed or satisfied by
it on or before the Effective  Date except as otherwise  disclosed to and agreed
to in writing by Administrative Agent and Requisite Lenders.

         J. No  Disruption  of Financial  and Capital  Markets or Price of Gold.
There  shall have been no  material  adverse  change  since July 31, 1996 to the
syndication  markets  for  credit  facilities  similar  in nature to the  credit
facilities  provided herein, and there shall not have occurred and be continuing
a material  disruption of or material  adverse  change in financial,  banking or
capital markets that would have an adverse effect on such syndication market, in
each case as determined by Administrative Agent and Arranger in their reasonable
discretion.  Additionally,  there shall have been no material  adverse change in
the price of gold prevailing in international markets that would have a Material
Adverse Effect.

         K.      Company's Consolidated Net Worth.  Administrative Agent
shall have received evidence satisfactory to it that Company's
Consolidated Net Worth is not less than $500,000,000.





                                       99

<PAGE>



         L. Completion of Proceedings. All corporate and other proceedings taken
or to be taken in connection with the transactions  contemplated  hereby and all
documents  incidental  thereto not previously found acceptable by Administrative
Agent,  acting on behalf of Lenders,  and its counsel shall be  satisfactory  in
form and substance to Administrative  Agent and its counsel,  and Administrative
Agent and its counsel  shall have  received  all such  counterpart  originals or
certified copies of such documents as they may reasonably request.

         M.      Delivery of Form 10-K and Form 10-Q.  Administrative
Agent shall have  received  the  Company's  Report on Form 10-K for 1995 and the
Company's most recently filed Report on Form 10-Q.

         N.      Termination of the Existing Credit Agreement.
Administrative  Agent shall have received  evidence  satisfactory to it that the
Existing  Credit  Agreement  and all  commitments  thereunder  shall  have  been
terminated and all outstanding obligations thereunder repaid in full.

         O.      Delivery of Compliance Certificate.  Company shall have
delivered to  Administrative  Agent a Compliance  Certificate  demonstrating  in
reasonable  detail  compliance  during and at the end of  Company's  most recent
fiscal quarter with the  restrictions  contained in  subsections  6.1, 6.2, 6.3,
6.4, 6.6 and 6.7;

         P.      Other Documents.  Each of Company, Canadian Borrower,
Australian  Borrower and U.S.  Borrower shall have  delivered to  Administrative
Agent  such  other  documents  as any Lender  through  Administrative  Agent may
reasonably request.

3.2      Conditions to All Loans.

                 The  obligations  of Lenders to make Loans on each Funding Date
are subject to the following further conditions precedent:

         A. The Applicable  Administrative  Agent and Administrative Agent shall
have received  before that Funding Date,  in accordance  with the  provisions of
subsection 2.1B, an originally  executed Notice of Borrowing signed by the chief
executive  officer,  the  chief  financial  officer  or  the  treasurer  of  the
applicable  Borrower,  or by any executive  officer of the  applicable  Borrower
designated by any of the above-described officers on behalf of




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<PAGE>



the applicable Borrower, in a writing delivered to the Applicable Administrative
Agent and Administrative Agent.

         B.      As of that Funding Date:

                 (i) The representations and warranties  contained herein and in
         the other Loan  Documents  shall be true,  correct and  complete in all
         material  respects on and as of that Funding Date to the same extent as
         though made on and as of that date,  except to the extent that  changes
         in  the  facts  and  conditions  on  which  such   representations  and
         warranties are based are required or permitted under this Agreement;

               (ii) No event  shall have  occurred  and be  continuing  or would
         result from the  consummation  of the  borrowing  contemplated  by such
         Notice of  Borrowing  that  would  constitute  an Event of Default or a
         Potential Event of Default;

             (iii)  Company  and  each  Borrower  shall  have  performed  in all
         material  respects all agreements  and satisfied all  conditions  which
         this Agreement and the other Loan Documents  provide shall be performed
         or satisfied by it on or before that Funding Date;

               (iv) There shall not be pending or, to the  knowledge  of Company
         or any Borrower, threatened, any action, suit, proceeding, governmental
         investigation or arbitration against or affecting Company or any of its
         Subsidiaries or any property of Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and
         there shall have  occurred no  development  in any such  action,  suit,
         proceeding,  governmental investigation or arbitration, that, in either
         event,  in the  opinion  of  Requisite  Lenders,  would  reasonably  be
         expected to have a Material  Adverse  Effect,  unless  disclosed to and
         consented  to  by  Requisite  Lenders;   and  no  injunction  or  other
         restraining  order  shall  have been  issued and no hearing to cause an
         injunction or other  restraining order to be issued shall be pending or
         noticed  with  respect to any  action,  suit or  proceeding  seeking to
         enjoin or  otherwise  prevent  the  consummation  of, or to recover any
         damages or obtain relief as a result of, the transactions  contemplated
         by this  Agreement  or the making of Loans,  the issuance of Letters of
         Credit or the




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<PAGE>



         creation and purchase of Bankers' Acceptances hereunder; and

                 (v)      No Company Change of Control shall have occurred.

3.3      Conditions to All Letters of Credit.

                 The  obligation  of any  Issuing  Lender to issue any Letter of
Credit  hereunder is subject to prior or concurrent  satisfaction  of all of the
following conditions:

         A. On or before the date of issuance of any Letter of Credit hereunder,
the  applicable  Issuing  Lender shall have  received,  in  accordance  with the
provisions of subsection 2.7B, a Notice of Issuance of Letter of Credit relating
to the proposed Letter of Credit, all other information  specified in subsection
2.7B and such other  documents as the  applicable  Issuing Lender may reasonably
require in connection with the issuance of such Letter of Credit.

         B. On or before the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit,  each of
the  conditions  set forth in subsection 3.1 shall have been satisfied as of the
Effective  Date,  and,  on  such  date of  issuance,  all  conditions  precedent
described in subsection 3.2B shall be satisfied to the same extent as though the
issuance  of such  Letter  of Credit  were the  making of a Loan and the date of
issuance of such Letter of Credit were a Funding Date.

3.4      Conditions to All Bankers' Acceptances.

                 The creation of any Bankers' Acceptance hereunder is subject to
the following conditions precedent:

         A. On or before the date of the  creation of any  Bankers'  Acceptance,
Canadian  Administrative  Agent  shall have  received,  in  accordance  with the
provisions of subsection 2.8, an originally  executed Drawing Notice,  signed by
any executive officer or vice president of Canadian Borrower.

         B. On the date of the creation of any Bankers' Acceptance,  each of the
conditions  set forth in  subsection  3.1 shall  have been  satisfied  as of the
Effective  Date,  and,  on  such  date of  creation,  all  conditions  precedent
described  in  subsection  3.2B shall be  satisfied to the same extent as if the
creation of such




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<PAGE>



Bankers'  Acceptance  were the  making  of a Loan and the  Drawing  Date  were a
Funding Date.


Section 4.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

                 In order to induce  Lenders to enter into this Agreement and to
make the Loans, to induce Issuing Lenders to issue Letters of Credit,  to induce
Lenders to purchase  participations in Letters of Credit, and to induce Canadian
Lenders to create and purchase Bankers'  Acceptances,  Company and each Borrower
jointly and  severally  represent  and warrant to each Lender that the following
statements are true, correct and complete:

4.1      Organization, Powers, Qualification, Good Standing, Business
         and Subsidiaries.

         A.  Organization  and Powers.  Company is a corporation duly organized,
validly  existing and in good standing  under the laws of the State of Delaware.
Canadian Borrower is a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the
laws of the Province of Ontario.  U.S. Borrower is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of California.
Australian  Borrower is a corporation  duly organized and validly existing under
the laws of South Australia. Each of Company and each Borrower has all requisite
corporate power and authority to own and operate its properties, to carry on its
business as now  conducted  and as proposed to be  conducted,  to enter into the
Loan  Documents  to  which  it  is  a  party,  to  carry  out  the  transactions
contemplated  thereby  and to  issue  and  pay  any  Notes  and  any  Grid  Gold
Acknowledgements to be issued by it.

         B.  Qualification  and Good  Standing.  Each of Company and each of its
Subsidiaries  is  qualified  to do  business  and  in  good  standing  in  every
jurisdiction  where its assets are located and  wherever  necessary to carry out
its business and operations,  except in jurisdictions where the failure to be so
qualified or in good  standing has not had and will not have a Material  Adverse
Effect.





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<PAGE>



         C.      Conduct of Business.  Company and its Subsidiaries are
engaged only in the businesses permitted to be engaged in pursuant to subsection
6.10.

         D. Subsidiaries. All of the Subsidiaries of Company as of the Effective
Date  (other  than Joint  Ventures  that do not have an  interest  in any of the
currently  producing  mines in the Mining Group) are  identified in Schedule 4.1
annexed  hereto.  The  capital  stock of each of the  Material  Subsidiaries  of
Company that is a corporation  identified in Schedule 4.1 annexed hereto is duly
authorized,  validly  issued,  fully  paid  and  nonassessable  and none of such
capital stock  constitutes  Margin Stock.  Each of the Material  Subsidiaries of
Company  identified  in Schedule  4.1 annexed  hereto that is a  corporation  is
validly  existing  and in  good  standing  under  the  laws  of  its  respective
jurisdiction of  incorporation  set forth therein,  has full corporate power and
authority  to own its  assets and  properties  and to operate  its  business  as
presently  owned and  conducted,  and is  qualified  to do business  and in good
standing  in every  jurisdiction  where its  assets  are  located  and  wherever
necessary to carry out its business  and  operations,  in each case except where
failure to be so qualified or in good standing or a lack of such corporate power
and authority has not had and will not have a Material Adverse Effect.  Schedule
4.1 annexed  hereto  correctly  sets forth the ownership  interest of Company in
each of its Subsidiaries identified therein.

4.2      Authorization of Borrowing and Guaranty, etc.

         A. Authorization of Borrowing and Guaranty. The execution, delivery and
performance  of this  Agreement  and any other Loan  Documents and the issuance,
delivery and payment of the Notes and the Grid Gold  Acknowledgements  have been
duly  authorized  by all necessary  corporate  action on the part of Company and
each Borrower, as the case may be.

         B.      No Conflict.  The execution, delivery and performance by
Company  and  Borrowers  of this  Agreement  and any other Loan  Documents,  the
issuance,  delivery and payment of the Notes or any Grid Gold Acknowledgments by
Borrowers,  the issuance and sale of the Subordinated  Debentures by Company and
the  incurrence  and  repayment  of  extensions  of credit  pursuant to the Loan
Documents have not, do not and will not (i) violate any provision of any



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law or any governmental  rule or regulation  applicable to Company or any of its
Subsidiaries,  the Certificate or Articles of  Incorporation  or Bylaws or other
charter  documents of Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any order,  judgment
or decree of any court or other agency of  government  binding on Company or any
of its  Subsidiaries,  (ii)  conflict  with,  result in a material  breach of or
constitute  (with due notice or lapse of time or both) a material  default under
any Contractual  Obligation of Company or any of its Subsidiaries,  (iii) result
in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any of the  properties
or assets of Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  (other than any Liens  created
under any of the Loan  Documents in favor of  Administrative  Agent on behalf of
Lenders),  or (iv) require any approval of stockholders of Company or any of its
Subsidiaries  or any  approval  or consent of any Person  under any  Contractual
Obligation of Company or any of its  Subsidiaries,  except for consents obtained
on or before the Effective Date and disclosed in writing to Lenders.

         C.      Governmental Consents.  The execution, delivery and
performance  by  Company  and each  Borrower,  as the  case may be,  of the Loan
Documents,  the  issuance,  delivery  and  payment  of the  Notes  and Grid Gold
Acknowledgements  and the consummation of the  transactions  contemplated by the
Loan  Documents do not and will not require any  registration  with,  consent or
approval of, or notice to, or other action to, with or by, any federal, state or
other governmental authority or regulatory body.

         D.      Binding Obligation.  This Agreement and each other Loan
Document has been duly executed and delivered by Company and each Borrower,  and
each Note and each Grid Gold  Acknowledgement  delivered  to any Lender has been
duly  issued by the  applicable  Borrower,  and each such Loan  Document  is the
legally valid and binding  obligation of Company and each Borrower,  as the case
may be,  enforceable  against Company and each Borrower,  as the case may be, in
accordance  with  its  respective  terms,   except  as  limited  by  bankruptcy,
insolvency,  reorganization,  moratorium or similar laws relating to or limiting
creditors'   rights   generally   or  by   equitable   principles   relating  to
enforceability.




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4.3      Valid Issuance of Stock and Subordinated Debentures.

                 The Company Common Stock is duly and validly issued, fully paid
and  nonassessable.  Except  for  rights  under  Company's  Stockholders  Rights
Agreement  dated as of October 16,  1987,  as  amended,  and holders of employee
stock options and holders of delayed delivery agreements of Canadian Borrower or
the  Convertible  Debentures,  no  stockholder  of Company  has or will have any
preemptive  rights to subscribe for any additional equity Securities of Company.
The  Company  Common  Stock,  when  issued and sold,  was either  registered  or
qualified  under  applicable   federal  and  state  securities  laws  or  exempt
therefrom.  The  Subordinated  Debentures  have been duly authorized and validly
issued by Company and  constitute  the legally valid and binding  obligations of
Company  enforceable  against Company in accordance with their terms,  except as
limited by bankruptcy,  insolvency,  reorganization,  moratorium or similar laws
relating to or limiting  creditors' rights generally or by equitable  principles
relating to enforceability.  The Subordinated Debentures,  when issued and sold,
were  either  registered  or  qualified  under  applicable   federal  and  state
securities  laws  or  exempt  therefrom.  The  subordination  provisions  of the
Subordinated  Debentures are enforceable against the holders of the Subordinated
Debentures.  The  Obligations  constitute  "Senior  Debt"  under  the  indenture
pursuant to which the Subordinated Debentures have been issued.

4.4      Financial Condition.

                 Company  has  heretofore  delivered  to  Lenders,  at  Lenders'
request,  the following  financial  statements and information:  (i) the audited
consolidated  balance sheet of Company and its  Subsidiaries  as at December 31,
1995 and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity and
cash flows of Company and its  Subsidiaries  for the Fiscal Year then ended, and
(ii) the unaudited  consolidated and consolidating balance sheets of Company and
its Subsidiaries as at June 30, 1996 and the related unaudited  consolidated and
consolidating  statements of income and the unaudited  consolidated statement of
cash flows of Company and its  Subsidiaries  for the six months then ended.  All
such  statements  were prepared in conformity  with GAAP and fairly  present the
financial  position (on a consolidated  basis) of the entities described in such
financial  statements  as at the  respective  dates  thereof  and the results of
operations and cash




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<PAGE>



flows (on a consolidated  basis) of the entities  described  therein for each of
the periods then ended,  subject,  in the case of any such  unaudited  financial
statements,  to changes  resulting from audit and normal  year-end  adjustments.
Except as disclosed in Schedule  4.4 annexed  hereto,  Company does not have any
Contingent  Obligation,  or liability for any taxes,  long-term lease or unusual
forward or  long-term  financial  commitment  that is not  reflected in the most
recent financial  statements  delivered to Lenders or the notes thereto, if any,
or  otherwise  permitted  under  subsection  6.4 and  which in any such  case is
material  in  relation  to  the  business,  operations,  properties,  assets  or
condition  (financial or otherwise) of Company and its Subsidiaries,  taken as a
whole.

4.5      No Material Adverse Effect; No Restricted Junior Payments.

                 Since  December 31, 1995,  no event or change has occurred that
has  caused or  evidences,  either in any case or in the  aggregate,  a Material
Adverse  Effect.  Neither  Company nor any of its  Subsidiaries  has directly or
indirectly  declared,  ordered,  paid or made,  or set apart any sum or property
for,  any  Restricted  Junior  Payment or agreed to do so except as permitted by
subsection 6.5.

4.6      Title to Properties; Liens.

                 Company and its  Subsidiaries  have good,  sufficient and legal
title, subject to Permitted Encumbrances,  to all of their respective properties
and assets  reflected  in the most  recent  financial  statements  delivered  to
Lenders,  except for (a) assets  held in Joint  Ventures  where the  operator or
another participant or the Joint Venture may hold legal title but Company or one
of its Subsidiaries holds a beneficial  ownership  interest therein,  (b) assets
disposed of since the date of such financial  statements in the ordinary  course
of  business,  (c) as otherwise  permitted  under  subsection  6.7, and (d) such
defects that have not had, or would not  reasonably  be expected to result in, a
Material  Adverse  Effect.  Except  for  Permitted  Encumbrances  and  except as
otherwise  permitted by this Agreement,  all such properties and assets are free
and clear of Liens.




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<PAGE>



4.7      Litigation; Adverse Facts.

                 Except as described  in Schedule  4.7 annexed  hereto or in the
Company's  Annual  Report  on Form  10-K for  1995,  there is no  action,  suit,
proceeding,   arbitration  or   governmental   investigation   (whether  or  not
purportedly on behalf of Company or any of its Subsidiaries) at law or in equity
or before or by any federal, state, municipal or other governmental  department,
commission,  board,  bureau,  agency or  instrumentality,  domestic  or foreign,
pending or, to the knowledge of Company, threatened against or affecting Company
or any of its Subsidiaries or any property of Company or any of its Subsidiaries
(i) that has had,  or would  reasonably  be  expected  to result  in, a Material
Adverse  Effect or (ii) that seeks to enjoin or otherwise  challenge  any of the
transactions  contemplated  by  this  Agreement  or the  enforceability  of this
Agreement.  Neither  Company nor any of its  Subsidiaries is (i) in violation of
any applicable law that has had, or would reasonably be expected to result in, a
Material  Adverse  Effect,  or (ii) subject to or in default with respect to any
final judgment, writ, injunction, decree, rule or regulation of any court or any
federal, state, municipal or other governmental department,  commission,  board,
bureau,  agency or instrumentality,  domestic or foreign, that has had, or would
reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect.

4.8      Payment of Taxes.

                 Except to the extent  permitted by subsection 5.3, all material
taxes,  assessments,  fees and other  governmental  charges upon Company and its
Subsidiaries and upon their respective properties,  assets,  income,  businesses
and  franchises  which are due and payable have been paid.  Company  knows of no
proposed tax assessment  against Company or any of its Subsidiaries that has had
or would have a Material Adverse Effect,  which is not being actively  contested
by Company or such  Subsidiary  in good  faith and by  appropriate  proceedings;
provided that such reserves or other appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be
required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made or provided therefor.




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4.9      Performance of Agreements; Materially Adverse Agreements.

         A.  Neither  Company nor any of its  Subsidiaries  is in default in the
performance,  observance  or  fulfillment  of any of the  material  obligations,
covenants or conditions contained in any of its Contractual Obligations,  and no
condition  exists that,  with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both,
would  constitute  such a  default,  except  where the  consequences,  direct or
indirect,  of such default or defaults, if any, has not had and would not have a
Material Adverse Effect.

         B.  Neither  Company  nor any of its  Subsidiaries  is a party to or is
otherwise  subject  to any  agreement  or  instrument  or any  charter  or other
internal  restriction  which  has  had  or  will  have,  individually  or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

4.10     Governmental Regulation.

                 Neither  Company  nor any of its  Subsidiaries  is  subject  to
regulation  under the Public  Utility  Holding  Company Act of 1935, the Federal
Power Act, the Interstate  Commerce Act or the Investment Company Act of 1940 or
under any other  Canadian,  Commonwealth  of Australia or U.S.  federal or state
statute or  regulation  which may limit its  ability to incur  Indebtedness  for
borrowed money.

4.11     Securities Activities.

                 Neither  Company  nor  any  of  its   Subsidiaries  is  engaged
principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending
credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock.

4.12     Employee Benefit Plans.

         A. Company and each of its ERISA  Affiliates are in compliance with all
applicable  provisions  and  requirements  of  ERISA  and  the  regulations  and
published interpretations thereunder with respect to each Employee Benefit Plan,
and have performed all their obligations under each Employee Benefit Plan, where
failure to comply and perform such  obligations  would reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect.




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<PAGE>



         B. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.12 annexed hereto,  no ERISA Event
has  occurred or is  reasonably  expected to occur  which  would  reasonably  be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         C. Except to the extent  required under Section 601 of ERISA or Section
4980B of the  Internal  Revenue  Code or except as  described  on Schedule  4.12
annexed hereto,  no Employee  Benefit Plan of Company or any of its Subsidiaries
provides  health or welfare  benefits  (through  the  purchase of  insurance  or
otherwise)  for any retired or former  employees  of Company or any of its ERISA
Affiliates.

         D. As of the most  recent  valuation  date for any  Pension  Plan,  the
amount of unfunded  benefit  liabilities  (as defined in Section  4001(a)(18) of
ERISA),  individually  or in the aggregate for all Pension Plans  (excluding for
purposes of such  computation  any Pension  Plans with  respect to which  assets
exceed benefit  liabilities)  as set forth in the most recent  actuarial  report
prepared for such Pension Plan, does not exceed $20,000,000.

4.13     Certain Fees.

                 No broker's or finder's fee or commission  will be payable with
respect to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby.

4.14     Environmental Protection.

                 Except as heretofore disclosed in writing by Company to Lenders
or  otherwise  disclosed in  Company's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for its 1995
fiscal year,  no event or condition  has occurred with respect to Company or any
of its Subsidiaries  relating to any Environmental  Laws or Release of Hazardous
Materials  which,  individually,  or in the  aggregate,  has had or would have a
Material Adverse Effect.

4.15     Employee Matters.

                 There  is no  strike  or work  stoppage  in  existence  or,  to
Company's  knowledge,  threatened  involving  Company or any of its Subsidiaries
that has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.




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4.16     Solvency.

                 Company  and its  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole,  and each of
Borrowers are Solvent.

4.17     Compliance with Laws.

                 The businesses  and operations of Company and its  Subsidiaries
comply with the  requirements  of all applicable  laws,  rules,  regulations and
orders of any governmental  authority,  except to the extent that  noncompliance
would not reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Effect.

4.18     Disclosure.

                 No  representation  or  warranty  of  Company  or  any  of  its
Subsidiaries  contained  in  any  Loan  Document,  or  in  any  other  document,
certificate or written statement furnished to Lenders by or on behalf of Company
or  any  of  its  Subsidiaries  for  use in  connection  with  the  transactions
contemplated by this Agreement  contains any untrue statement of a material fact
or omits to state a material fact (known to Company or any Borrower, in the case
of any document not furnished by it)  necessary in order to make the  statements
contained  herein or therein not  misleading  in light of the  circumstances  in
which the same were made. Any projections  and pro forma  financial  information
contained in such materials are based upon good faith  estimates and assumptions
believed by Company and  Borrowers to be  reasonable  at the time made, it being
recognized  by Lenders that such  projections  as to future events are not to be
viewed as facts and that actual results during the period or periods  covered by
any such  projections  may differ from the projected  results.  There is no fact
known (or which  should upon the  reasonable  exercise of diligence be known) to
Company or any Borrower (other than matters of a general  economic  nature) that
has had, or would reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect
and that has not been disclosed herein or in such other documents,  certificates
and statements  furnished to Lenders for use in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby.




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Section 5.  AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

                 Company and each Borrower severally covenant and agree that, so
long as any of the  Commitments  hereunder  shall  remain  in  effect  and until
payment in full of all of the Loans and other  Obligations,  the cancellation or
expiration  of  all  Letters  of  Credit  and  Bankers'   Acceptances   and  the
reimbursement of all amounts drawn  thereunder,  Company and each Borrower shall
perform all  covenants in this Section 5 to be performed by it (including in the
case of any Borrower, covenants applicable to it in its capacity as a Subsidiary
of Company),  and Company and each Borrower shall cause each of their respective
Subsidiaries to perform, all covenants in this Section 5 applicable to each such
Subsidiary.

5.1      Financial Statements and Other Reports.

                 Company shall maintain,  and cause each of its  Subsidiaries to
maintain, a system of accounting established and administered in accordance with
sound  business  practices  to  permit  preparation  of  consolidated  financial
statements in conformity with GAAP. Company shall deliver to Lenders:

                 (i) Quarterly Financials: as soon as available and in any event
         within 50 days after the end of each fiscal quarter of each Fiscal Year
         (beginning  with the fiscal  quarter  ending  September 30, 1996),  the
         consolidated  balance sheets of Company and its  Subsidiaries as at the
         end of such fiscal quarter and the related  consolidated  statements of
         income and cash flows of Company and its  Subsidiaries  for such fiscal
         quarter  and for the  period  from the  beginning  of the then  current
         Fiscal Year to the end of such fiscal quarter, all in reasonable detail
         and  certified  by the  chief  financial  officer  or chief  accounting
         officer of Company that they fairly present the consolidated  financial
         condition of Company and its Subsidiaries as at the dates indicated and
         the results of their  operations  and the cash flows of Company and its
         Subsidiaries for the periods  indicated,  subject to changes  resulting
         from audit and normal year-end adjustments;

               (ii) Year-End Financials:  as soon as available and in
         any event within 90 days after the end of each Fiscal Year,



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<PAGE>



         the  consolidated  balance  sheets  of  Company  and its  Subsidiaries,
         Canadian Borrower and its Subsidiaries and Australian  Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries  as at  the  end of  such  Fiscal  Year  and  the  related
         consolidated statements of income,  stockholders' equity and cash flows
         of Company and its Subsidiaries, Canadian Borrower and its Subsidiaries
         and Australian  Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Year, all
         in reasonable  detail and certified by the chief  financial  officer or
         chief  accounting  officer of Company that they  present  fairly in all
         material respects the consolidated  financial  condition of Company and
         its Subsidiaries, Canadian Borrower and its Subsidiaries and Australian
         Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the dates indicated and the results
         of their operations and their cash flows for the periods indicated;

             (iii)  Officers' and  Compliance  Certificates:  together with each
         delivery  of  consolidated  financial  statements  of  Company  and its
         Subsidiaries  pursuant  to  subdivisions  (i) and  (ii)  above,  (a) an
         Officers'  Certificate  of Company and each  Borrower  stating that the
         signers have  reviewed the terms of this  Agreement  and have made,  or
         caused to be made  under  their  supervision,  a review  in  reasonable
         detail  of  the   transactions   and   condition  of  Company  and  its
         Subsidiaries  during the  accounting  period  covered by such financial
         statements and that such review has not disclosed the existence  during
         or at the end of such  accounting  period,  and that the signers do not
         have  knowledge  of the  existence  as at the  date of  such  Officers'
         Certificate,  of any  condition or event that  constitutes  an Event of
         Default or  Potential  Event of Default,  or, if any such  condition or
         event existed or exists,  specifying the nature and period of existence
         thereof and what action  Company or any Borrower  has taken,  is taking
         and  proposes  to take  with  respect  thereto;  and  (b) a  Compliance
         Certificate demonstrating in reasonable detail compliance during and at
         the end of the  applicable  accounting  periods  with the  restrictions
         contained in subsections 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.6 and 6.7;

               (iv)  Accountants' Reports:  promptly upon receipt
         thereof  (unless  restricted  by applicable  professional  standards),
         copies of  all reports  submitted to Company by  independent  certified
         public  accountants in connection with
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<PAGE>



         each annual,  interim or special audit of the  financial  statements of
         Company  and its  Subsidiaries  made by  such  accountants,  including,
         without limitation, any comment letter submitted by such accountants to
         management in connection with their annual audit;

                 (v)  Monthly  Business  Report:  promptly  upon their  becoming
         available  (but in no event  later  than 45 days  after the last day of
         each  month,  or 90 days,  in the case of the last month of each Fiscal
         Year),  the  monthly  business  report  relating to  Company's  and its
         Subsidiaries' operations prepared internally for Company's management;

               (vi) SEC Filings and Press Releases:  (a) promptly upon
         their becoming available, copies of (1) all financial state-

         ments,  reports,  notices and proxy  statements  sent or made available
         generally  by Company to its  security  holders,  (2) all  regular  and
         periodic  reports and all registration  statements  (other than on Form
         S-8 or a similar form) and  prospectuses,  if any,  filed by Company or
         any of its Subsidiaries with the Securities and Exchange  Commission or
         any  national  securities  exchange  (including,   without  limitation,
         Company's  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal  quarter ended
         September 30, 1996), and (b) concurrently with or immediately following
         their being made available to intended  recipients,  all press releases
         and other statements made available  generally by Company to the public
         concerning  material  developments in the business of Company or any of
         its Subsidiaries;

             (vii)  Events  of  Default,  etc.:  promptly  upon any  Responsible
         Officer of  Company  or any  Borrower  obtaining  knowledge  (a) of any
         condition  or event that  constitutes  an Event of Default or Potential
         Event of Default,  or becoming aware that any Lender,  or any Agent has
         given any notice or taken any other  action  with  respect to a claimed
         Event of Default or Potential Event of Default, (b) that any Person has
         given any  notice to Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries  or taken any
         other action with respect to a claimed default or event or condition of
         the type referred to in  subsection  7.2, (c) of any condition or event
         that would be required to be  disclosed  in a current  report  filed by
         Company with the Securities and Exchange  Commission on Form 8-K (Items
         1, 2,



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<PAGE>



         4 and 6 of such  Form as in  effect  on the date  hereof)  (information
         required to be disclosed on Form 8-K shall be sent to Lenders when sent
         for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission),  or (d) of the
         occurrence of any event or change that has caused or evidences,  either
         individually  or in  the  aggregate,  a  Material  Adverse  Effect,  an
         Officers' Certificate  specifying the nature and period of existence of
         such  condition,  event or change,  or  specifying  the notice given or
         action taken by any such Person and the nature of such claimed Event of
         Default,  Potential Event of Default,  default, event or condition, and
         what action Company and each Borrower has taken, is taking and proposes
         to take with respect thereto;

           (viii) Litigation:  promptly upon any Responsible  Officer of Company
         or any  Borrower  obtaining  knowledge  of (X) the  institution  of, or
         threat of, any action, suit, proceeding,  governmental investigation or
         arbitration  against or affecting Company or any of its Subsidiaries or
         any  property  of  Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries  (collectively,
         "Proceedings")  not  previously  disclosed  in  writing  by  Company to
         Lenders or (Y) any material  development in any Proceeding that, in the
         case of either clause (X) or (Y) could  reasonably be expected to cause
         a Material  Adverse  Effect,  written  notice  thereof  together with a
         summary of such Proceedings or material development;

               (ix) ERISA Events: promptly upon becoming aware of the occurrence
         of or forthcoming  occurrence of any ERISA Event which could reasonably
         be  expected  to cause a  Material  Adverse  Effect,  a written  notice
         specifying the nature thereof,  what action Company or any of its ERISA
         Affiliates  has  taken,  is taking  or  proposes  to take with  respect
         thereto and, when known, any action taken or threatened by the Internal
         Revenue  Service,  the  Department  of Labor or the PBGC  with  respect
         thereto;

                 (x) ERISA Notices:  with reasonable  promptness,  copies of (a)
         all notices  received by Company or any of its ERISA  Affiliates from a
         Multiemployer  Plan  sponsor  concerning  an ERISA  Event  which  could
         reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Effect; and (b) such
         other  documents  or  governmental  reports or filings  relating to any
         Employee



                                       115

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         Benefit Plan as Administrative Agent shall reasonably request;

               (xi) Financial  Plans: as soon as practicable and in any event no
         later than 90 days after the beginning of each Fiscal Year,  (a) a copy
         of Company's annual budget promptly after approval thereof by Company's
         Board  of   Directors,   (b)  a  forecast  of  the  amount  of  capital
         expenditures  anticipated  for such  Fiscal  Year,  and (c) such  other
         information and projections as any Lender may reasonably  request,  all
         in form and substance satisfactory to Requisite Lenders;

             (xii)  Environmental  Audits and Reports;  Cash Flow Analysis:  (a)
         promptly  after  completion  thereof  (or receipt  from an  independent
         consultant  in the case of an audit  conducted  by Persons  who are not
         employees of Company or any of its  Subsidiaries),  copies of all final
         environmental  audits and  reports,  whether  prepared by  personnel of
         Company or any of its Subsidiaries or by independent consultants,  with
         respect to significant  environmental  matters at any Facility or which
         relate to an Environmental  Claim which would reasonably be expected to
         result in a Material  Adverse Effect,  and (b) within 50 days after the
         end of the second  fiscal  quarter  of each  fiscal  year,  a Cash Flow
         Analysis  which shall be updated to reflect  the most  recent  life-of-
         mine operating plans of the currently producing mines within the Mining
         Group; and

           (xiii) Other Information:  with reasonable promptness,
         such other information and data with respect to Company or
         any of its Subsidiaries as from time to time may be
         reasonably requested by any Lender.

5.2      Corporate Existence, etc.

                 Except as permitted  under  subsection  6.7,  Company will, and
will cause each of its Material  Subsidiaries to, at all times preserve and keep
in full force and effect its corporate  existence and all rights and  franchises
material to the business of Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.





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5.3      Payment of Taxes and Claims; Tax Consolidation.

         A. Company will,  and will cause each of its  Subsidiaries  to, pay all
taxes,  assessments and other governmental charges imposed upon it or any of its
properties  or  assets  or in  respect  of  any  of its  income,  businesses  or
franchises  before any  penalty  accrues  thereon,  and all  claims  (including,
without limitation, claims for labor, services, materials and supplies) for sums
that have  become due and payable and that by law have or may become a Lien upon
any of its  properties  or  assets,  prior to the time when any  penalty or fine
shall be incurred  with  respect  thereto,  except for such taxes,  assessments,
governmental charges and claims which in the aggregate do not exceed $3,000,000;
provided  that no such charge or claim need be paid if being  contested  in good
faith by appropriate  proceedings  promptly instituted and diligently  conducted
and if such reserve or other appropriate provision, if any, as shall be required
in conformity with GAAP shall have been made therefor.

         B.  Company will not,  nor will it permit any of its  Subsidiaries  to,
file or  consent to the filing of any  consolidated  income tax return  with any
Person (other than Company or any of its  Subsidiaries) for any period ending on
or after the Effective Date.

5.4      Maintenance of Properties; Insurance.

                 Company  will,  and will  cause  each of its  Subsidiaries  to,
maintain or cause to be maintained in good repair,  working order and condition,
ordinary wear and tear excepted, all material properties used in the business of
Company and its  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole,  or any  Borrower  (including,
without  limitation,  Intellectual  Property) and from time to time will make or
cause to be made all appropriate  repairs,  renewals and  replacements  thereof.
Company will  maintain or cause to be  maintained,  with  financially  sound and
reputable  insurers,  insurance  with respect to its properties and business and
the properties and businesses of its Subsidiaries  against loss or damage of the
kinds  customarily   carried  or  maintained  under  similar   circumstances  by
corporations  of  established  reputation  engaged in similar  activities in the
countries where such properties or businesses are located.





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5.5      Inspection; Lender Meeting; Reports of Subsidiaries.

                 Company  and  Borrowers  shall,  and shall  cause each of their
respective Subsidiaries to, permit any authorized  representatives designated by
any  Lender,  at the  expense of such  Lender,  to visit and  inspect any of the
properties  of Company,  any Borrower or any of their  respective  Subsidiaries,
including its and their financial and accounting  records,  and,  subject to the
provisions of subsection 10.21, to make copies and take extracts therefrom,  and
to discuss  its and their  affairs,  finances  and  accounts  with its and their
officers,  all upon reasonable notice and at such reasonable times during normal
business hours and as often as may be reasonably  requested.  Without in any way
limiting the foregoing,  Company will, upon the request of Administrative  Agent
or Requisite Lenders, participate in a meeting of Agents and Lenders once during
each  Fiscal  Year to be held at  Company's  corporate  offices  (or such  other
location as may be agreed to by Company and  Administrative  Agent) at such time
as may be agreed to by Company and  Administrative  Agent.  Company  shall cause
Lenders  to be added to the lists  maintained  by Prime of  Persons  to  receive
reports of the type described in subsection 5.1(vi).

5.6      Compliance with Laws, etc.

                 Company  shall,  and shall cause each of its  Subsidiaries  to,
comply with the  requirements  of all applicable  laws,  rules,  regulations and
orders of any governmental authority, noncompliance with which in any case or in
the aggregate would reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Effect.

5.7      Environmental Disclosure and Inspection.

         A. Company shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, exercise
all due diligence in order to comply with all  Environmental  Laws where failure
to do so would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

         B. Company shall  promptly  advise Lenders in writing and in reasonable
detail of (i) any Release of any Hazardous  Materials  that would  reasonably be
expected  to result  in a  Material  Adverse  Effect,  (ii) any and all  written
communications with respect to any Environmental Claims that would reasonably be
expected to




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result in a Material  Adverse  Effect,  (iii) any remedial action taken by or at
the direction of Company in response to (x) any Hazardous Materials on, under or
about any  Facility,  the  existence  of which would  reasonably  be expected to
result in an Environmental  Claim having a Material  Adverse Effect,  or (y) any
Environmental  Claim that would  reasonably  be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Effect,  (iv) Company's  discovery of any occurrence or condition on any
real property adjoining or in the vicinity of any Facility that could cause such
Facility or any part thereof to be subject to any restrictions on the ownership,
occupancy, transferability or use thereof under any Environmental Laws and which
would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, and (v) any
request for information from any governmental  agency that indicates such agency
is  investigating  whether Company or any of its Subsidiaries may be potentially
responsible for a Release of Hazardous Materials, the remediation of which would
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         C. Company shall promptly notify Lenders of any proposed acquisition of
stock,  assets,  or  property by Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  that would
reasonably  be  expected  to expose  Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  to, or
result in, Environmental Claims that would reasonably be expected to result in a
Material  Adverse Effect or that would reasonably be expected to have an adverse
effect on any material Governmental Authorization then held by Company or any of
its Subsidiaries.

         D.      Company shall provide copies of such documents or
information as Administrative Agent may reasonably request in
relation to any matters disclosed pursuant to this
subsection 5.7.

5.8      Company's Remedial Action Regarding Hazardous Materials.

                 Company  shall  promptly  take,  and  shall  cause  each of its
Subsidiaries  promptly  to  take,  any  and all  necessary  remedial  action  in
connection with the presence, storage, use, disposal,  transportation or Release
of any  Hazardous  Materials  on, under or about any Facility in order to comply
with   all   applicable   Environmental   Laws   and   undisputed   Governmental
Authorizations where failure to comply would reasonably be expected to result in
a Material Adverse Effect. If Company or any of its Subsidiaries




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undertakes any remedial action with respect to any Hazardous Materials on, under
or about any  Facility,  Company or such  Subsidiary  shall conduct and complete
such  remedial  action  in  material  compliance  with all  applicable  material
Environmental  Laws, and in accordance with the policies,  orders and directives
of all federal,  state and local governmental  authorities except when, and only
to the extent that,  Company's or such  Subsidiary's  liability,  including with
respect to such presence, storage, use, disposal, transportation or discharge of
any Hazardous Materials, or the jurisdiction or the authority or the validity or
the  applicability  of  the  Environmental  Laws  or  the  policies,  orders  or
directions is being contested in good faith by Company or such Subsidiary.

5.9      Further Assurances.

                 At  any  time  or  from  time  to  time  upon  the  request  of
Administrative  Agent,  Company and  Borrowers  shall  execute and deliver  such
further documents and do such other acts and things as Administrative  Agent may
reasonably  request in order to effect fully the purposes of this  Agreement and
to provide for payment of the  Obligations in accordance  with the terms of this
Agreement, the Notes and the Grid Gold Acknowledgements.


Section 6.  NEGATIVE COVENANTS

                 Company and each Borrower severally covenant and agree that, so
long as any of the  Commitments  hereunder  shall  remain  in  effect  and until
payment in full of all of the Loans and other  Obligations,  the cancellation or
expiration  of  all  Letters  of  Credit  and  Bankers'   Acceptances   and  the
reimbursement of all amounts drawn  thereunder,  Company and each Borrower shall
perform all covenants in this Section 6 to be performed by it (including, in the
case of any Borrower, covenants applicable to it in its capacity as a Subsidiary
of Company),  and Company and each Borrower shall cause each of their respective
Subsidiaries  to perform all  covenants  in this  Section 6  applicable  to such
Subsidiary.





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6.1      Indebtedness.

                 Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries
to,  directly or indirectly,  create,  incur,  assume or guaranty,  or otherwise
become  or  remain   directly  or   indirectly   liable  with  respect  to,  any
Indebtedness, except:

                 (i)      Company and Borrowers may become and remain liable
         with respect to their respective Obligations;

               (ii) Company and its  Subsidiaries  may become and remain  liable
         with  respect  to   Indebtedness   arising  in  respect  of  Contingent
         Obligations permitted by subsection 6.4;

             (iii)  Company  may  become  and  remain  liable  with  respect  to
         Indebtedness to any of its Subsidiaries,  and any Subsidiary of Company
         (other  than  Prime)  may  become and  remain  liable  with  respect to
         Indebtedness  to Company or any other  Subsidiary  of Company and Prime
         may become and remain liable with respect to Indebtedness to Company or
         any  other  Subsidiary  of  Company  up  to a  maximum  of  $50,000,000
         aggregate  principal amount at any time outstanding;  provided that all
         such intercompany  Indebtedness shall be subordinated on the same terms
         as the subordination  provisions of subsection 8.1B in right of payment
         to the payment in full of the Obligations;

               (iv) Company and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, may
         remain liable with respect to Indebtedness described in
         Schedule 6.1 annexed hereto;

                 (v)      Company may become and remain liable with respect
         to the Subordinated Debentures;

               (vi)  Prime may  become and  remain  liable  with  respect to any
         amount of  Indebtedness  incurred in the  ordinary  course of business,
         which Indebtedness may be secured by Liens on the assets and properties
         of  Prime;  provided  that the  holders  of such  Indebtedness  have no
         recourse against Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  other than Prime,
         including,  without limitation, any recourse that would arise by reason
         of any direct financial guaranty or any letter of credit or performance
         or solvency guaranties, representa-





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<PAGE>



         tions or warranties made or entered into in connection with
         the incurrence or creation of such Indebtedness;

             (vii) (a) Prime,  Australian  Borrower,  Canadian  Borrower and any
         Subsidiary  of Company  (other  than U.S.  Borrower)  that does not own
         assets  included in the Mining Group may become and remain  liable with
         respect  to  Indebtedness   secured  solely  by  Liens  on  assets  and
         properties owned on the Effective Date that are undeveloped or that are
         acquired after the Effective Date by the Person  receiving the proceeds
         of such  Indebtedness  and not  adjacent  to or  relating to any Mining
         Group  properties  existing  as of the  Effective  Date  and  (b)  U.S.
         Borrower  may become and remain  liable  with  respect to  Indebtedness
         secured solely by Liens on assets and properties owned on the Effective
         Date that are undeveloped; provided that the aggregate principal amount
         of Indebtedness  outstanding  pursuant to clause (a) or (b) above shall
         not at any time exceed $400,000,000 in the aggregate;  provided further
         that  Requisite  Lenders  shall be  satisfied  that  such  Indebtedness
         outstanding pursuant to clause (a) or (b) above is Non-Recourse Debt;

           (viii) (a)  Subsidiaries  of Borrowers  may become and remain  liable
         with respect to  additional  Indebtedness  in an aggregate  outstanding
         principal  amount  not  at  any  time  exceeding  $50,000,000  and  (b)
         Borrowers  may become  and remain  liable  with  respect to  additional
         Indebtedness in an aggregate  outstanding  principal  amount not at any
         time exceeding  $100,000,000 less the then outstanding principal amount
         of Indebtedness  of  Subsidiaries  of Borrowers  pursuant to clause (a)
         above; and

               (ix) Company and its Subsidiaries may become and remain liable in
         respect of any refinancing or extension of any  Indebtedness  described
         in this subsection 6.1 (other than  subsection  6.1(v)) for amounts not
         exceeding  the  principal  amounts of the  Indebtedness  so refunded or
         extended and with maturities no earlier than such  Indebtedness  and if
         secured,  only by the property  theretofore securing such Indebtedness;
         provided that amounts  refinancing such Indebtedness  shall be included
         in the calculation of any numerical  limitations in the relevant clause
         of  this  subsection  6.1  pursuant  to  which  such  Indebtedness  was
         originally permitted.




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6.2      Liens and Related Matters.

         A. Prohibition on Liens. Company shall not, and shall not permit any of
its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly,  create, incur, assume or permit to
exist  any  Lien on or  with  respect  to any  property  or  asset  of any  kind
(including   any  document  or  instrument  in  respect  of  goods  or  accounts
receivable)  of  Company  or any of  its  Subsidiaries,  whether  now  owned  or
hereafter  acquired,  or any income or profits therefrom,  or file or permit the
filing  of, or permit to remain in  effect,  any  financing  statement  or other
similar notice of any Lien with respect to any such property,  asset,  income or
profits, except:

                 (i)      Permitted Encumbrances;

               (ii) Liens described in Schedule 6.2 annexed hereto;

             (iii) Purchase Money Security Interests securing up to an aggregate
         principal  amount of $50,000,000 at any time of Indebtedness  permitted
         to be outstanding under subsection 6.1(viii); and

               (iv) Liens  securing  Indebtedness  permitted  to be  outstanding
         under  subsections  6.1(vi) and (vii),  and as  provided in  subsection
         6.1(ix).

         B.  Equitable  Lien in  Favor  of  Lenders.  If  Company  or any of its
Subsidiaries  shall  create or assume  any Lien  upon any of its  properties  or
assets,  whether now owned or hereafter  acquired,  to secure Indebtedness other
than Liens excepted by the provisions of subsection 6.2A, it shall make or cause
to be made effective  provision  whereby the Obligations will be secured by such
Lien equally and ratably with any and all other Indebtedness  secured thereby as
long  as any  such  other  Indebtedness  shall  be so  secured;  provided  that,
notwithstanding the foregoing, this covenant shall not be construed as a consent
by  Requisite  Lenders  to the  creation  or  assumption  of any  such  Lien not
permitted by the provisions of subsection 6.2A.

         C.      No Restrictions on Subsidiary Distributions to Company
or Other Subsidiaries.  Except in respect of Indebtedness
permitted by subsections 6.1(vi) and (vii) and also, with respect
to clause (iv) below, except with respect to properties dedicated




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under Joint  Ventures and in respect of  Indebtedness  secured by Purchase Money
Security Interests,  and except for permitted refinancings of such Indebtedness,
and as  provided  herein,  Company  will  not,  and will not  permit  any of its
Subsidiaries  to,  create  or  otherwise  cause or  suffer  to  exist or  become
effective  any  consensual  prohibition  of any kind on the  ability of any such
Subsidiary to (i) pay dividends or make any other  distributions  on any of such
Subsidiary's  capital stock owned by Company or any other Subsidiary of Company,
(ii) repay or prepay any Indebtedness  owed by such Subsidiary to Company or any
other  Subsidiary  of  Company,  (iii) make loans or  advances to Company or any
other  Subsidiary of Company,  or (iv) transfer any of its property or assets to
Company or any other Subsidiary of Company; provided that any restrictions based
on financial or other tests (not effectively  acting as prohibitions)  shall not
be deemed prohibitions.

6.3      Investments; Joint Ventures.

                 Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries
to, directly or indirectly,  make or own any Investment in any Person, including
any Joint Venture, except:

                 (i)  Company and its Subsidiaries may make and own
         Investments in Marketable Securities;

               (ii) Company and its Subsidiaries may make intercompany
         loans to the extent permitted under subsection 6.1(iii);

           (iii) (Reserved);

               (iv)  Company  and  its  Subsidiaries  may  continue  to own  the
         Investments  owned by them and described in Schedule 6.3 annexed hereto
         or, if not  described in Schedule  6.3, in the  aggregate not exceeding
         $10,000,000;

                 (v) Borrowers and their respective Subsidiaries may continue to
         own  and  make  Investments  in  or  make  acquisitions  of  businesses
         substantially  similar to those  currently  conducted  by Company or in
         related  industries  and  Borrowers  and  their  Subsidiaries  may make
         Investments  in new and existing  Subsidiaries;  provided that any such
         Investments are permitted by the provisions of subsection 6.7(v);




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<PAGE>




               (vi) Borrowers and their respective  Subsidiaries may acquire and
         retain   ownership  of  Investments  in  connection  with  Asset  Sales
         permitted by subsection 6.7(iv); provided that the aggregate net amount
         of all such Investments  described in this subsection 6.3(vi) shall not
         at any time exceed $100,000,000;  and provided further,  however,  that
         for purposes of  compliance  with this  subsection  6.3(vi) Asset Sales
         involving the simultaneous receipt of notes and sale of such notes to a
         third party shall be excluded;

             (vii)  Company and its  Subsidiaries  may make and own  Investments
         received  in  connection  with  the  bankruptcy  or  reorganization  of
         suppliers and customers and in settlement of delinquent obligations of,
         and  other  disputes  with,  customers  and  suppliers  arising  in the
         ordinary course of business;

           (viii) Company and its Subsidiaries may make and own
         Investments with respect to Contingent Obligations which are
         permitted by subsection 6.4; and

               (ix)  Company and its  Subsidiaries  may make and continue to own
         Investments in, and may make and own Investments resulting from capital
         calls, buyout obligations or similar  requirements in respect of, Joint
         Ventures in the ordinary course of business.

6.4      Contingent Obligations.

                 Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries
to,  directly or  indirectly,  create or become or remain liable with respect to
any Contingent Obligation, except:

                 (i) Company and its  Subsidiaries  may become and remain liable
         with  respect to  Contingent  Obligations  (a) in respect of Letters of
         Credit, or (b) set forth in this Agreement;

               (ii) Company and its  Subsidiaries  may become and remain  liable
         with respect to Contingent  Obligations  under Interest Rate Protection
         Agreements   having  a  notional   principal   amount   not   exceeding
         $100,000,000  with respect to Indebtedness  permitted under  subsection
         6.1;




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<PAGE>



             (iii)  Company and its  Subsidiaries  may become and remain  liable
         with  respect  to  Contingent   Obligations  in  respect  of  customary
         indemnification and purchase price adjustment  obligations  incurred in
         connection with sales of assets permitted under subsection 6.7;

               (iv) Company and its  Subsidiaries  may guarantee any obligations
         of their respective  Subsidiaries  (including Joint Ventures)  provided
         that the aggregate amount guaranteed does not exceed $100,000,000;

                 (v) Company and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, may remain
         liable with respect to Contingent Obligations described in Schedule 6.4
         annexed hereto;

               (vi) Company and its  Subsidiaries  may become and remain  liable
         with respect to gold futures,  options or forward  sales  contracts and
         Currency  Protection  Agreements  or similar  arrangements  designed to
         protect Company or any of its Subsidiaries  against fluctuations in the
         price  of  Gold  or the  relative  exchange  rates  for  currencies  in
         accordance  with  current  industry  practice or the past  practices of
         Company and its  Subsidiaries  provided that the notional amount of the
         aggregate  contingent  liability of Company and its Subsidiaries  under
         all such futures,  options,  contracts agreements and arrangements does
         not at any time exceed $600,000,000; and

           (vii)Company  and its  Subsidiaries may become and remain liable with
         respect to (a)  standby  letters of credit  with  respect to  pollution
         control bonds identified on Schedule 6.4 and  refinancings  thereof and
         Contingent  Obligations  in respect  of  standby  letters of credit and
         surety bonds securing  reclamation  and other  performance  obligations
         under  contracts,  permits,  statutes and  regulations  and made in the
         ordinary  course  of  business,   but  not  including  Indebtedness  or
         Contingent  Obligations  of Company and its  Subsidiaries  for borrowed
         money or as described in subsection 6.4(vi), and (b) standby letters of
         credit and surety bonds securing Indebtedness or Contingent Obligations
         of  Company  and its  Subsidiaries  for  borrowed  money or to  support
         Contingent Obligations described in subsections 6.4(ii) through (vi) in
         an aggregate amount not exceeding $50,000,000 at any time,




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<PAGE>



         it being  understood  that all  letters of credit and surety  bonds for
         which Company and its  Subsidiaries  are liable shall be permitted only
         under subsection 6.4(i) or this subsection 6.4(vii).

6.5      Restricted Junior Payments.

                 Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries
to, directly or indirectly,  declare,  order, pay, make or set apart any sum for
any Restricted  Junior Payment;  provided that (i) Company and its  Subsidiaries
may pay dividends to their respective shareholders, (ii) so long as (a) no Event
of Default or (b) no Potential  Event of Default under  subsections  7.1 or 7.6,
shall have occurred and be continuing,  or result from such payment, Company may
make scheduled payments of interest on the Subordinated Debentures in accordance
with their  terms from all  available  sources  and (iii) so long as no Event of
Default or Potential  Event of Default  shall have  occurred and be  continuing,
Company may redeem the Subordinated Debentures.

6.6      Financial Covenants.

         A.      Minimum Consolidated Net Worth.  Company shall not
permit Consolidated Net Worth at any time to be less than
$500,000,000.

         B.      Leverage Ratio.  Company shall not permit the ratio of
(i) Consolidated Total Debt to (ii) the sum of Consolidated Net
Worth plus Consolidated Total Debt at any time to exceed 0.50 to
1.00.

6.7      Restriction on Fundamental Changes; Asset Sales.

                 Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries
to, enter into any transaction of merger or consolidation, or liquidate, wind-up
or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution),  or convey, sell,
lease,  sub-lease,  transfer or otherwise  dispose of, in one  transaction  or a
series of transactions, all or any substantial part of its business, property or
fixed assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or acquire by purchase or
otherwise all or substantially all the business, property or fixed assets of, or




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stock or other evidence of beneficial ownership of, any Person, except:

                 (i) any  Subsidiary of Company (other than any Borrower) may be
         merged,  consolidated  or amalgamated  with or into any Borrower or any
         Subsidiary of any Borrower, or be liquidated, wound up or dissolved, or
         all or any part of its  business,  property or assets may be  conveyed,
         sold, leased,  transferred or otherwise disposed of, in one transaction
         or a series of  transactions,  to any Borrower or any Subsidiary of any
         Borrower; provided that, in the case of such a merger, consolidation or
         amalgamation  with any Borrower,  such Borrower shall be the continuing
         or surviving  corporation and provided further that  immediately  after
         giving  effect  to  such  merger,  consolidation  or  amalgamation,  no
         Potential  Event of Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and
         be continuing;

             (ii) (Reserved);

             (iii) subject to subsection 6.10,  Company and its Subsidiaries may
         sell  or  otherwise  dispose  of  assets  in  transactions  that do not
         constitute Asset Sales;

               (iv) Company and its Subsidiaries may make Asset Sales;  provided
         that the  consideration  received for such assets shall be in an amount
         at least  equal to the fair  market  value  thereof and that such Asset
         Sales do not involve the sale or other disposition,  in one transaction
         or a series  of  transactions,  of all or any  substantial  part of the
         business, property or fixed assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries;
         and  provided,  further,  that after any such Asset Sales no  Potential
         Event of  Default  or Event  of  Default  shall  have  occurred  and be
         continuing; and

                 (v) Borrowers  and their  respective  Subsidiaries  may acquire
         Securities   or   assets  of   another   Person,   including   existing
         Subsidiaries,  or create additional  Subsidiaries;  provided that after
         giving effect to such acquisition, Company and its Subsidiaries will be
         in compliance with all covenants set forth in Sections 5 and 6.




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<PAGE>



6.8      Transactions with Shareholders and Affiliates.

                 Except as set forth in Schedule  6.8,  Company  shall not,  and
shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly,  enter into
or permit to exist any transaction (including, without limitation, the purchase,
sale,  lease or exchange of any property or the  rendering of any service)  with
any  holder of 5% or more of any class of equity  Securities  of Company or with
any Affiliate of Company or of any such holder, on terms that are less favorable
to  Company  or that  Subsidiary,  as the case may be,  than those that might be
obtained  at the time  from  Persons  who are not such a  holder  or  Affiliate;
provided that the foregoing  restriction  shall not apply to (i) any transaction
between Company and any of its  wholly-owned  Subsidiaries or between any of its
wholly-owned  Subsidiaries or (ii) reasonable and customary fees paid to members
of the Boards of Directors of Company and its Subsidiaries.

6.9      Disposal of Material Subsidiary Stock.

                 Except for any  disposition  or sale of capital  stock or other
equity  Securities of any of its Material  Subsidiaries  in compliance  with the
provisions of subsections 6.7(i) and (iv), Company shall not:

                 (i) directly or indirectly  sell,  assign,  pledge or otherwise
         encumber  or dispose of any  shares of  capital  stock or other  equity
         Securities  of any of its  Material  Subsidiaries,  except  to  qualify
         directors if required by applicable law; or

               (ii) permit any of its  Subsidiaries  directly or  indirectly  to
         sell, assign,  pledge or otherwise encumber or dispose of any shares of
         capital  stock  or  other  equity  Securities  of any  of its  Material
         Subsidiaries  (including such Subsidiary),  except to Company,  another
         Subsidiary  of  Company,   or  to  qualify  directors  if  required  by
         applicable law;

provided,  however,  that nothing contained in this Agreement shall (a) prohibit
or  otherwise  limit the ability of Prime to sell  securities  issued by it, (b)
permit  the  capital  stock of any  Borrower  (other  than  10% of the  Canadian
Borrower) to be sold or




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disposed of, or (c) prohibit Investments by venturers in Joint
Ventures permitted by subsection 6.3(ix).

6.10     Conduct of Business.

                 From and after the Effective Date, Company shall not, and shall
not permit any of its  Subsidiaries  to,  engage in any business  other than the
businesses  engaged in by Company and its Subsidiaries on the Effective Date and
similar or related businesses.

6.11     Prepayments and Amendments to Subordinated Indebtedness.

                 Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries
to, amend or otherwise  change the terms of any  Subordinated  Indebtedness,  or
make any payment consistent with an amendment thereof or change thereto,  if the
effect of such  amendment  or change is to increase  the  interest  rate on such
Subordinated  Indebtedness,  change  (to  earlier  dates)  any dates  upon which
payments of principal  or interest are due thereon,  change any event of default
or  condition  to an  event of  default  with  respect  thereto  (other  than to
eliminate  any such event of  default),  change the  redemption,  prepayment  or
defeasance provisions thereof,  change the subordination  provisions thereof (or
of any  guaranty  thereof),  or change any  collateral  therefor  (other than to
release such collateral), or if the effect of such amendment or change, together
with all other  amendments  or  changes  made,  is to  increase  materially  the
obligations of the obligor  thereunder or to confer any additional rights on the
holders of such Subordinated  Indebtedness (or a trustee or other representative
on their behalf) which would be adverse to Company, any Borrower or Lenders.


Section 7. EVENTS OF DEFAULT

                 IF  any of the  following  conditions  or  events  ("Events  of
Default") shall occur:




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7.1      Failure to Make Payments When Due.

                 (i) Failure to pay any  installment  of  principal  of any Loan
when due, whether at stated maturity,  by acceleration,  by notice of prepayment
or  otherwise;  (ii)  failure to pay when due any amount  payable to any Issuing
Lender  in  reimbursement  of any  drawing  under any  Letter  of Credit  issued
pursuant  to  subsection  2.7;  (iii)  failure  to pay  when  due  any  Bankers'
Acceptance  created  pursuant to subsection 2.8 at maturity;  or (iv) failure to
pay any interest on any Loan or any fee or any other Obligation within five days
after the date due; or

7.2      Default in Other Agreements.

                 (i) Failure of Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  to pay when
due  (a)  any  principal  of  or  interest  on  any  Indebtedness   (other  than
Indebtedness referred to in subsection 7.1) in an individual principal amount of
$5,000,000 or more or (b) any Contingent  Obligation in an individual  principal
or face amount of $5,000,000 or more or notional principal amount of $20,000,000
or more, in each case beyond the end of any grace period provided  therefor;  or
(ii)  the  occurrence  of  any  event  specified  in  (a)  any  evidence  of any
Indebtedness  in an  individual  principal  amount of  $5,000,000 or more or any
Contingent Obligation in an individual principal or face amount of $5,000,000 or
more or  notional  principal  amount  of  $20,000,000  or more,  or (b) any loan
agreement,  mortgage, indenture or other agreement relating to such Indebtedness
or  Contingent  Obligation(s),  in each case if the  effect of such  event is to
cause a default  that  would  cause,  or to permit the holder or holders of that
Indebtedness or Contingent  Obligation(s) (or a trustee on behalf of such holder
or holders) to cause, that Indebtedness or Contingent Obligation(s) to become or
be declared due and payable prior to its stated  maturity or the stated maturity
of any underlying obligation, as the case may be; or

7.3      Breach of Certain Covenants.

                 Failure  of  Company  or any  Borrower,  as the case may be, to
perform or comply with any term or condition contained in subsection 2.4, 2.5 or
5.2 or Section 6 of this Agreement; or



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7.4      Breach of Warranty.

                 Any representation,  warranty, certification or other statement
made by  Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries  in any  Loan  Document  or in any
statement or certificate at any time given by Company or any of its Subsidiaries
in writing  pursuant  hereto or thereto or in  connection  herewith or therewith
shall be false in any material respect on the date as of which made; or

7.5      Other Defaults Under Loan Documents.

                 Company or any  Borrower,  as the case may be, shall default in
the  performance  of or compliance  with any term contained in this Agreement or
any of the other Loan  Documents,  other than any such term  referred  to in any
other  subsection  of this  Section  7, and such  default  shall  not have  been
remedied or waived within 30 days after the earlier of (i) a Responsible Officer
of Company or any  Borrower  becoming  aware of such  default or (ii) receipt by
Company or any Borrower of notice from any Agent or any Lender of such  default;
or

7.6      Involuntary Bankruptcy; Appointment of Receiver, etc.

                 (i) A court having  jurisdiction  in the premises shall enter a
         decree or order for relief in respect of Company,  any  Borrower or any
         of Company's Subsidiaries (other than Subsidiaries operating outside of
         the United States,  Canada and Australia and not constituting  Material
         Subsidiaries  ("Minor Foreign  Subsidiaries"))  in an involuntary  case
         under the  Bankruptcy  Code or under any other  applicable  bankruptcy,
         insolvency  or similar law now or hereafter in effect,  which decree or
         order is not stayed; or any other similar relief shall be granted under
         any applicable federal or state law and not stayed; or

               (ii) an involuntary case shall be commenced against Company,  any
         Borrower or any of  Company's  Subsidiaries  (other than Minor  Foreign
         Subsidiaries)  under the Bankruptcy Code or under any other  applicable
         bankruptcy,  insolvency or similar law now or hereafter in effect; or a
         decree or order of a court having  jurisdiction in the premises for the
         appointment  of a receiver,  administrator,  liquidator,  sequestrator,
         trustee, custodian or other officer having




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         similar  powers  over  Company,   any  Borrower  or  any  of  Company's
         Subsidiaries (other than Minor Foreign Subsidiaries),  or over all or a
         substantial  part of its property,  shall have been  entered;  or there
         shall have occurred the involuntary appointment of an interim receiver,
         administrator,  trustee or other custodian of Company,  any Borrower or
         any of Company's  Subsidiaries (other than Minor Foreign  Subsidiaries)
         for  all  or a  substantial  part  of its  property;  or a  warrant  of
         attachment, execution or similar process shall have been issued against
         any substantial part of the property of Company, any Borrower or any of
         Company's Subsidiaries (other than Minor Foreign Subsidiaries), and any
         such event  described  in this clause (ii) shall  continue  for 60 days
         unless dismissed, bonded or discharged; or

7.7      Voluntary Bankruptcy; Appointment of Receiver, etc.

                 (i)  Company,  any  Borrower or any of  Company's  Subsidiaries
         (other than Minor Foreign  Subsidiaries) shall have an order for relief
         entered  with  respect  to it or  commence a  voluntary  case under the
         Bankruptcy Code or under any other applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or
         similar law now or hereafter in effect,  or shall  consent to the entry
         of an order for relief in an involuntary  case, or to the conversion of
         an involuntary  case to a voluntary case,  under any such law, or shall
         consent  to the  appointment  of or taking  possession  by a  receiver,
         administrator, trustee or other custodian for all or a substantial part
         of  its  property;  or  Company,  any  Borrower  or  any  of  Company's
         Subsidiaries  (other  than  Minor  Foreign  Subsidiaries)  shall make a
         general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or

               (ii)  Company,  any  Borrower  or any of  Company's  Subsidiaries
         (other than Minor Foreign  Subsidiaries) shall be unable or shall fail,
         or shall admit in writing its inability,  to generally pay its debts as
         such debts  become  due;  or the Board of  Directors  of  Company,  any
         Borrower or any of  Company's  Subsidiaries  (other than Minor  Foreign
         Subsidiaries) (or any committee  thereof) shall adopt any resolution or
         otherwise  authorize any action to approve any of the actions  referred
         to in clause (i) above or this clause (ii); or



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7.8      Judgments and Attachments.

                 Any money  judgment,  writ or warrant of  attachment or similar
process  involving (i) in any individual  case an amount in excess of $5,000,000
or (ii) in the  aggregate  at any time an amount in  excess of  $10,000,000  (in
either  case not  adequately  covered  by  insurance  as to which a solvent  and
unaffiliated  insurance  company has acknowledged  coverage) shall be entered or
filed against Company, any Borrower or any Material Subsidiaries or any of their
respective   assets  (or  shall  be  entered  against  any  of  Company's  other
Subsidiaries  and Company or any Material  Subsidiary  shall be or become liable
therefor) and shall remain undischarged,  unvacated,  unbonded or unstayed for a
period of 60 days (or in any event later than five days prior to the date of any
proposed sale thereunder); or

7.9      Dissolution.

                 Except as permitted by subsection  6.7, any order,  judgment or
decree shall be entered against Company, any Borrower or any Material Subsidiary
decreeing the  dissolution or split up of Company,  any Borrower or any Material
Subsidiary and such order shall remain  undischarged or unstayed for a period in
excess of 30 days; or

7.10     Employee Benefit Plans.

                 There shall occur one or more ERISA Events which  results in or
would  reasonably  be expected to result in  liability  of Company or any of its
ERISA  Affiliates  in an  individual  amount in excess of  $10,000,000  or in an
aggregate amount in excess of $20,000,000 during the term of this Agreement;  or
there  shall  exist an amount of  unfunded  benefit  liabilities  (as defined in
Section 4001(a)(18) of ERISA),  individually or in the aggregate for all Pension
Plans (excluding for purposes of such computation any Pension Plans with respect
to which  assets  exceed  benefit  liabilities)  as set forth in the most recent
actuarial report prepared for such Pension Plans, which exceeds $40,000,000; or





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7.11     Change in Control of Borrowers.

                 Company  shall fail to own all of the  issued  and  outstanding
capital stock of U.S. Borrower,  or U.S. Borrower shall fail to own at least 90%
of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Canadian Borrower, or Company and
U.S.  Borrower shall fail to collectively  own all of the issued and outstanding
capital stock of Australian Borrower:

THEN (i) upon the occurrence and during the  continuance of any Event of Default
described  in the  foregoing  subsections  7.6 or 7.7  each  of (w)  the  unpaid
principal  amount of and accrued  interest on the Loans,  (x) an amount equal to
the  maximum  amount  which may at any time be drawn under all Letters of Credit
then  outstanding  (whether  or not any  beneficiary  under any Letter of Credit
shall have presented,  or shall be entitled at such time to present,  the drafts
or other documents required to draw under such Letter of Credit),  (y) an amount
equal to the Face Amount of all outstanding  Bankers'  Acceptances,  and (z) all
other  Obligations  shall  automatically  become  immediately  due and  payable,
without presentment,  demand,  protest or other requirements of any kind, all of
which  are  hereby  expressly  waived  by  Company  and  each  Borrower  and the
obligation  of each  Lender to make any Loan,  the  obligation  of each  Issuing
Lender  to issue  any  Letter of Credit  hereunder  and the  obligation  of each
Canadian  Lender to create or  purchase  Bankers'  Acceptances  hereunder  shall
thereupon terminate, and (ii) upon the occurrence and during the continuation of
any other Event of Default, Administrative Agent shall, upon the written request
of Requisite  Lenders,  by written notice to Company and each Borrower,  declare
all of the Loans to be, and an amount equal to the amounts  described in clauses
(w)  through  (z) above to be,  and the same  shall  forthwith  become,  due and
payable,  together with accrued  interest  thereon,  and the  obligation of each
Lender to make any Loan,  the  obligation  of each  Issuing  Lender to issue any
Letter of Credit  hereunder and the obligation of each Canadian Lender to create
or purchase Bankers' Acceptances  hereunder shall thereupon terminate;  provided
that the  foregoing  shall not affect in any way the  obligations  of Lenders to
purchase from each Issuing Lender  participations in the unreimbursed  amount of
any drawings under any Letters of Credit as provided in subsection 2.7D.





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                 So long as any Letter of Credit shall remain  outstanding,  any
amounts  described  in clause (x) above with  respect to such  Letter of Credit,
when received by the applicable Issuing Lender,  shall be held by the applicable
Issuing Lender pursuant to such  documentation as the applicable  Issuing Lender
shall request,  as cash collateral for the obligation of the applicable Borrower
to reimburse  the  applicable  Issuing  Lender in the event of any drawing under
such Letter of Credit,  and so much of such funds  shall at all times  remain on
deposit as cash  collateral  as  aforesaid  as shall  equal the  maximum  amount
available  at any time for drawing  under all  Letters of Credit  (the  "Maximum
Available Amount"); provided that, in the event of cancellation or expiration of
any Letter of Credit or any  reduction  in the  Maximum  Available  Amount,  the
applicable  Issuing  Lender  shall  apply the  difference  between  the  Maximum
Available Amount immediately prior to such cancellation, expiration or reduction
and  the  Maximum  Available  Amount  immediately  after  such  cancellation  or
reduction,  first,  to the payment in full of the outstanding  Obligations,  and
second, to Company or the applicable Borrower or to such other Person who may be
lawfully entitled to receive such funds or as a court of competent  jurisdiction
may direct.

                 Any amounts  described  in clause (y) above,  when  received by
Canadian Administrative Agent, shall be held by Canadian Administrative Agent in
a collateral  account over which Canadian  Administrative  Agent shall have sole
dominion and control upon terms that are customary to cash  collateral  accounts
maintained  with  Canadian  Administrative  Agent,  as cash  collateral  for the
obligation of Canadian  Borrower to pay the amount of such Bankers'  Acceptances
at maturity,  and at the  maturity of each such  Bankers'  Acceptance,  Canadian
Administrative  Agent shall apply such amounts held pursuant to the terms of the
collateral  account  agreement to the payment thereof.  Canadian Borrower hereby
grants Canadian  Administrative Agent a security interest in any such collateral
account and all funds on deposit therein.

                 At any time  that an Event of  Default  is  continuing  and the
principal of any Gold Loan has been declared to be immediately  due and payable,
each Lender shall be entitled,  for and on behalf of the applicable Borrower, to
purchase in  accordance  with its normal  procedures  a number of Ounces of Gold
equal to the number of Ounces of Gold then comprising such Gold




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Loan, and to apply the Gold so purchased to pay such Gold Loan. The all-in costs
to any Lender of  purchasing  such Gold,  provided  that any costs  incurred are
reasonable in the circumstances,  shall be deemed to be a U.S. Base Rate Loan to
U.S.  Borrower,  a U.S.  Base Rate  (Canada)  Loan to  Canadian  Borrower  and a
Eurodollar  Rate  Loan  with an  Interest  Period  of one  month  to  Australian
Borrower.  A certificate  of a Lender as to any such all-in costs shall be prima
facie evidence of the costs to such Lender of making such purchase.


Section 8.  GUARANTIES OF COMPANY AND U.S. BORROWER OF
            OBLIGATIONS

                 In order to induce  Lenders to enter into this Agreement and to
make the Loans to  Borrowers  hereunder  and to issue  Letters of Credit for the
account of Borrowers  hereunder and, in the case of Canadian Lender,  create and
purchase Bankers'  Acceptances,  each of Company and U.S. Borrower hereby agrees
as follows:

8.1      Guaranty by Company

         A. Guaranty.  As consideration  for Lenders agreeing to enter into this
Agreement   and  to   extend   the   Commitments   hereunder,   Company   hereby
unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees, as primary obligor and not merely as
a surety,  and jointly  and  severally  with U.S.  Borrower as it relates to the
Obligations of Canadian Borrower and Australian  Borrower,  the due and punctual
payment  when due  (whether  by  required  prepayment,  declaration,  demand  or
otherwise) (including amounts that would become due but for the operation of the
automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C.  ss.362(a)
or operation of any such stay under applicable  Canadian and/or  Australian law)
of all Obligations of Borrowers (including, without limitation,  interest which,
but for the filing of a petition in bankruptcy with respect to U.S. Borrower, or
a similar action with respect to Canadian Borrower or Australian Borrower, would
accrue on such Obligations).  For purposes of this Section 8, the obligations of
Company under this subsection 8.1 are referred to as this "Company Guaranty."





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         B.      Terms of Company Guaranty

                 Company  agrees that the  Obligations  of any  Borrower  may be
extended or renewed,  and the Loans repaid and  reborrowed  in whole or in part,
without  notice or further  assent from it, and that it will  remain  bound upon
this Company Guaranty notwithstanding any extension, renewal or other alteration
of any such Obligation or repayment and reborrowing of the Loans.

                 Company  waives  presentation  of, demand of,  payment from and
protest of any  Obligation of any Borrower and also waives notice of protest for
nonpayment.  The obligations of Company under this Company Guaranty shall not be
affected by, and Company  hereby  waives its rights (to the extent  permitted by
law) in connection with:

                 (a) the  failure of any Agent or any Lender to assert any claim
         or demand or to enforce  any right or remedy  against  any  Borrower or
         Company under the provisions of this  Agreement or any other  agreement
         or otherwise,

                 (b)      any extension or renewal of any provision thereof,

                 (c)      any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification
         of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement or any
         instrument executed pursuant hereto,

                 (d)      the release of any security held by any Agent or
         any Lender for the Obligations of any Borrower,

                 (e)      the failure of any Agent or any Lender to exercise
         any right or remedy against any other guarantor of the
         Obligations of any Borrower,

                 (f) any Agent or any Lender  taking  and  holding  security  or
         collateral  for  the  payment  of  this  Company  Guaranty,  any  other
         guaranties of the Obligations or other  liabilities of any Borrower and
         the Obligations guarantied hereby, and exchanging,  enforcing,  waiving
         and releasing any such security or collateral,

                 (g)      any Agent or any Lender applying any such security
         or collateral and directing the order or manner of sale




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         thereof as such Agent or such Lender in its discretion may
         determine,

                 (h) any Agent or any Lender settling, releasing,  compromising,
         collecting or otherwise liquidating the Obligations and any security or
         collateral  therefor  in any  manner  determined  by such Agent or such
         Lender, or

                 (i) any  defenses  or  benefits  that  may be  derived  from or
         afforded by law which limit the liability of or exonerate guarantors or
         sureties,  or  which  may  conflict  with the  terms of this  guaranty,
         including without  limitation,  the provisions of California Civil Code
         Sections 2809, 2810, 2819, 2839, 2845, 2846, 2849, 2850, 2899 and 3433.

                 Without  limiting the  generality of the foregoing or any other
provision of this Company Guaranty,  Company hereby waives any rights,  defenses
and benefits  which might  otherwise be  available to Company  under  California
Civil Code Sections 2787 to 2855, inclusive, and any successor sections. Company
acknowledges and agrees that all waivers of defenses arising from any impairment
of   Company's   rights  of   subrogation,   reimbursement,   contribution   and
indemnification  and  waivers  of any  other  rights,  privileges,  defenses  or
protections available to Company by reasons of Sections 2787 to 2855, inclusive,
of the  California  Civil Code are  intended by Company to be  effective  to the
maximum extent  permitted by Section 2856 of the California Civil Code and other
applicable law.

                 Company further agrees that this Company Guaranty constitutes a
guaranty  of  payment  when due and not of  collection  and  waives any right to
require  that any resort be had by any Lender,  any Agent or any other Person to
any  security  held for  payment of the  Obligations  of any  Borrower or to any
balance of any deposit  account or credit on the books of any Lender,  any Agent
or any other Person in favor of any Borrower or any other Person.

                 The  obligations  of Company under this Company  Guaranty shall
not be subject to any reduction,  limitation,  impairment or termination for any
reason, including,  without limitation, any claim of waiver, release, surrender,
alteration  or  compromise,  and shall not be subject to any  defense or setoff,
counterclaim,



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recoupment or termination whatsoever by reason of the invalidity,  illegality or
unenforceability  of  the  Obligations,  discharge  of  any  Borrower  from  the
Obligations in a bankruptcy or similar proceeding or otherwise. Without limiting
the generality of the foregoing,  the  obligations of Company under this Company
Guaranty  shall not be  discharged  or  impaired  or  otherwise  affected by the
failure  of any Agent or any  Lender to assert any claim or demand or to enforce
any remedy under this Agreement,  any Loan Document or any other  agreement,  by
any waiver or modification of any provision thereof, by any default,  failure or
delay,  willful or  otherwise,  in the  performance  of the  Obligations  of any
Borrower,  or by any other act or thing or omission or delay to do any other act
or  thing  that may or might in any  manner  or to any  extent  vary the risk of
Company or would otherwise  operate as a discharge of Company as a matter of law
or equity other than indefeasible payment in full of all Obligations.

                 Any Agent and any Lender may, at their  election,  foreclose on
any  security  held by such  Agent or such  Lender  by one or more  judicial  or
nonjudicial sales, or exercise any other right or remedy any Agent or any Lender
may have against any Borrower or any security without  affecting or impairing in
any way the liability of Company  hereunder except to the extent the Obligations
have been  indefeasibly  paid.  Company  waives any defense  arising out of such
election by any Agent or any  Lender,  even  though  such  election  operates to
impair or extinguish any right of reimbursement or subrogation or other right or
remedy of Company against any Borrower or any security, so long as such Agent or
such Lender act in a commercially reasonable manner.

                 Company  further  agrees  that  this  Company   Guaranty  shall
continue to be  effective or be  reinstated,  as the case may be, if at any time
payment,  or any part thereof,  of principal of or interest on any Obligation of
any  Borrower is  rescinded  or must  otherwise  be restored by any Agent or any
Lender upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of any Borrower or otherwise.

                 Company further agrees, in furtherance of the foregoing and not
in limitation of any other right that any Agent or any Lender may have at law or
in equity against Company by virtue hereof,  upon the failure of any Borrower to
pay any of its  Obligations  when and as the same shall  become due  (whether by
required prepayment, declaration, demand or otherwise), Company




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will  forthwith  pay, or cause to be paid, in cash, to  Administrative  Agent an
amount  equal to the sum of the  unpaid  principal  amount of such  Obligations,
accrued and unpaid interest on such Obligations and all other unpaid Obligations
of such Borrower to any Agent or any Lender.

                 Company  hereby  irrevocably  waives any right of  subrogation,
contribution,  indemnity or otherwise against any Borrower that may arise out of
or be caused by this Company Guaranty,  all rights and/or claims which may arise
against any  Borrower by reason of this Company  Guaranty,  any right to enforce
any remedy that any Agent or any Lender now has or may  hereafter  have  against
any Borrower and any benefit of, and any right to  participate  in, any security
now or hereafter held by any Agent or any Lender.

                 Any  Indebtedness  of any of  Company's  Subsidiaries  held  by
Company is hereby  subordinated  in right of payment to the  Obligations  on the
terms of this paragraph.  Upon the occurrence and during the  continuation of an
Event of Default,  no distribution of assets in respect of any such Indebtedness
(including  any  payment  of  principal,  interest  or fees  or any  repurchase,
redemption or setoff of such Indebtedness  against other  Indebtedness  owing to
Company or payment received as a result of other Indebtedness being subordinated
to such Indebtedness) may be made until indefeasible  payment in full in cash of
all  Obligations.   If,   notwithstanding  the  preceding  sentence,   any  such
distribution  of assets  shall be  collected  or received  by Company  after the
occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, such distribution
of assets shall be paid over to Administrative  Agent for the benefit of Lenders
to be held as collateral and then or thereafter credited and applied against the
Obligations  but without  impairing  or limiting in any manner the  liability of
Company under any other provision of this Section 8.

                 In  addition  to any  rights  now or  hereafter  granted  under
applicable law and not by way of limitation of any such rights, upon any failure
of any Borrower to pay its Obligations when due (whether by required prepayment,
declaration, demand or otherwise) and consequent acceleration of the Obligations
pursuant to Section 7, any Agent and any Lender,  upon the consent of  Adminis-
trative  Agent and  Requisite Lenders, is hereby authorized




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by Company at any time or from time to time, without notice to Company or to any
other  Person,  any such  notice  being  hereby  expressly  waived to the extent
permitted by applicable  law, to set off and to appropriate and to apply any and
all deposits (general or special,  including,  but not limited to,  Indebtedness
evidenced by  certificates  of deposit,  whether  matured or unmatured,  but not
including trust  accounts) and any other  Indebtedness at any time owing by such
Agent or such Lender to or for the credit or the account of Company  against and
on account of the  obligations  and liabilities of Company to such Agent or such
Lender  under this  Company  Guaranty,  including,  but not limited to, all such
obligations  and  liabilities  with  respect  to all  claims  of any  nature  or
description  arising  out of or  connected  with this  Agreement,  this  Company
Guaranty or the Letters of Credit or  Bankers'  Acceptances  or any of the other
Loan  Documents,  irrespective  of whether  or not such Agent or such  Lender or
Administrative  Agent,  with respect to any Obligation owed under the Letters of
Credit,  Bankers'  Acceptances  or this  Agreement,  shall  have made any demand
hereunder.

8.2      Guaranty by U.S. Borrower

         A. Guaranty.  As consideration  for Lenders agreeing to enter into this
Agreement  and  to  extend  the  Commitments  hereunder,  U.S.  Borrower  hereby
unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees,  as a primary obligor and not merely
as a surety,  and  jointly  and  severally  with  Company  as it  relates to the
Obligations of Canadian Borrower and Australian  Borrower,  the due and punctual
payment  when due  (whether  by  required  prepayment,  declaration,  demand  or
otherwise) (including amounts that would become due but for the operation of the
automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C.  ss.362(a)
or operation of any such stay under applicable  Canadian and/or  Australian law)
of all  Obligations  of Canadian  Borrower and Australian  Borrower  (including,
without  limitation,  interest  which,  but  for the  filing  of a  petition  in
bankruptcy or a similar  action with respect to Canadian  Borrower or Australian
Borrower, would accrue on such Obligations). For purposes of this Section 8, the
obligations of U.S.  Borrower under this  subsection 8.2 are referred to as this
"U.S. Borrower Guaranty."





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         B.      Terms of U.S. Borrower Guaranty

                 U.S.  Borrower agrees that the Obligations of Canadian Borrower
and  Australian  Borrower  may be extended or renewed,  and the Loans repaid and
reborrowed in whole or in part,  without  notice or further  assent from it, and
that it will remain bound upon this U.S. Borrower Guaranty  notwithstanding  any
extension,  renewal or other  alteration of any such Obligation or repayment and
reborrowing of the Loans.

                 U.S.  Borrower waives  presentation of, demand of, payment from
and protest of any  Obligation of Canadian  Borrower or Australian  Borrower and
also waives notice of protest for nonpayment.  The obligations of U.S.  Borrower
under this U.S.  Borrower  Guaranty shall not be affected by, and U.S.  Borrower
hereby waives its rights (to the extent permitted by law) in connection with:

                 (a)      the failure of any Agent or any Lender to assert
         any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy
         against Canadian Borrower, Australian Borrower or U.S.
         Borrower under the provisions of this Agreement or any other
         agreement or otherwise,

                 (b)      any extension or renewal of any provision thereof,

                 (c)      any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification
         of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement or any
         instrument executed pursuant hereto,

                 (d)      the release of any security held by any Agent or
         any Lender for the Obligations of Canadian Borrower or
         Australian Borrower,

                 (e)      the failure of any Agent or any Lender to exercise
         any right or remedy against any other guarantor of the
         Obligations of Canadian Borrower or Australian Borrower,

                 (f)      any Agent or any Lender taking and holding security
         or collateral for the payment of this U.S. Borrower
         Guaranty, any other guaranties of the Obligations or other
         liabilities of Canadian Borrower or Australian Borrower and
         the Obligations guarantied hereby, and exchanging,




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         enforcing, waiving and releasing any such security or
         collateral,

                 (g) any  Agent or any  Lender  applying  any such  security  or
         collateral  and  directing  the order or manner of sale thereof as such
         Agent or such Lender in its discretion may determine,

                 (h) any Agent or any Lender settling, releasing,  compromising,
         collecting  or  otherwise   liquidating  the  Obligations  of  Canadian
         Borrower or Australian Borrower and any security or collateral therefor
         in any manner determined
         by such Agent or such Lender, or

                 (i) any  defenses  or  benefits  that  may be  derived  from or
         afforded by law which limit the liability of or exonerate guarantors or
         sureties,  or  which  may  conflict  with the  terms of this  guaranty,
         including without  limitation,  the provisions of California Civil Code
         Sections 2809, 2810, 2819, 2839, 2845, 2846, 2849, 2850, 2899 and 3433.

                 Without  limiting the  generality of the foregoing or any other
provision  of this U.S.  Borrower  Guaranty,  U.S.  Borrower  hereby  waives any
rights,  defenses  and  benefits  which might  otherwise  be  available  to U.S.
Borrower under California Civil Code Sections 2787 to 2855,  inclusive,  and any
successor  sections.  U.S. Borrower  acknowledges and agrees that all waivers of
defenses arising from any impairment of U.S.  Borrower's  rights of subrogation,
reimbursement, contribution and indemnification and waivers of any other rights,
privileges,  defenses or  protections  available to U.S.  Borrower by reasons of
Sections 2787 to 2855,  inclusive,  of the California Civil Code are intended by
U.S. Borrower to be effective to the maximum extent permitted by Section 2856 of
the California Civil Code and other applicable law.

                 U.S.  Borrower further agrees that this U.S.  Borrower Guaranty
constitutes a guaranty of payment when due and not of collection  and waives any
right to require  that any resort be had by any  Lender,  any Agent or any other
Person to any security held for payment of the Obligations of Canadian  Borrower
or Australian Borrower or to any balance of any deposit account or credit on




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the books of any  Lender,  any Agent or any  other  Person in favor of  Canadian
Borrower or Australian Borrower or any other Person.

                 The  obligations  of U.S.  Borrower  under  this U.S.  Borrower
Guaranty  shall not be  subject  to any  reduction,  limitation,  impairment  or
termination for any reason, including,  without limitation, any claim of waiver,
release,  surrender,  alteration or compromise,  and shall not be subject to any
defense or setoff, counterclaim,  recoupment or termination whatsoever by reason
of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of the Obligations,  discharge
of Canadian Borrower or Australian Borrower from the Obligations in a bankruptcy
or similar  proceeding  or  otherwise.  Without  limiting the  generality of the
foregoing,  the obligations of U.S.  Borrower under this U.S.  Borrower Guaranty
shall not be discharged or impaired or otherwise  affected by the failure of any
Agent or any Lender to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any remedy under
this  Agreement,  any Loan  Document  or any other  agreement,  by any waiver or
modification of any provision thereof, by any default, failure or delay, willful
or otherwise,  in the  performance of the  Obligations  of Canadian  Borrower or
Australian Borrower, or by any other act or thing or omission or delay to do any
other act or thing  that may or might in any  manner or to any  extent  vary the
risk of U.S. Borrower or would otherwise operate as a discharge of U.S. Borrower
as a matter of law or equity  other  than  indefeasible  payment  in full of all
Obligations.

                 Any Agent and any Lender may, at their  election,  foreclose on
any  security  held by such  Agent or such  Lender  by one or more  judicial  or
nonjudicial sales, or exercise any other right or remedy any Agent or any Lender
may have  against  Canadian  Borrower or  Australian  Borrower  or any  security
without  affecting  or  impairing  in any way  the  liability  of U.S.  Borrower
hereunder  except  to the  extent  the  Obligations  of  Canadian  Borrower  and
Australian  Borrower  have been  indefeasibly  paid.  U.S.  Borrower  waives any
defense  arising out of such  election  by any Agent or any Lender,  even though
such election  operates to impair or extinguish  any right of  reimbursement  or
subrogation or other right or remedy of U.S.  Borrower against Canadian Borrower
or Australian Borrower or any security,  so long as any Agent or such Lender act
in a commercially reasonable manner.





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                 U.S.  Borrower further agrees that this U.S.  Borrower Guaranty
shall continue to be effective or be  reinstated,  as the case may be, if at any
time payment, or any part thereof, of principal of or interest on any Obligation
of Canadian  Borrower or Australian  Borrower is rescinded or must  otherwise be
restored by any Agent or any Lender upon the  bankruptcy  or  reorganization  of
Canadian Borrower or Australian Borrower or otherwise.

                 U.S.  Borrower further agrees,  in furtherance of the foregoing
and not in  limitation  of any other right that any Agent or any Lender may have
at law or in equity  against  Company  by virtue  hereof,  upon the  failure  of
Canadian Borrower or Australian  Borrower to pay any of its Obligations when and
as the same shall  become due  (whether  by  required  prepayment,  declaration,
demand or otherwise),  U.S. Borrower will forthwith pay, or cause to be paid, in
cash, to Administrative Agent an amount equal to the sum of the unpaid principal
amount of such Obligations,  accrued and unpaid interest on such Obligations and
all other unpaid Obligations of Canadian Borrower and Australian Borrower to any
Agent or any Lender.

                 U.S.   Borrower   hereby   irrevocably   waives  any  right  of
subrogation,  contribution,  indemnity or otherwise against Canadian Borrower or
Australian  Borrower  that may arise  out of or be caused by this U.S.  Borrower
Guaranty,  all rights and/or claims which may arise against Canadian Borrower or
Australian  Borrower  by  reason of this U.S.  Borrower  Guaranty,  any right to
enforce  any remedy that any Agent or any Lender now has or may  hereafter  have
against  Canadian  Borrower or  Australian  Borrower and any benefit of, and any
right to participate  in, any security now or hereafter held by any Agent or any
Lender.

                 Any Indebtedness of Company or any of its Subsidiaries  held by
U.S.  Borrower is hereby  subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations on
the terms of this paragraph.  Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of
an  Event  of  Default,  no  distribution  of  assets  in  respect  of any  such
Indebtedness  (including  any  payment  of  principal,  interest  or fees or any
repurchase, redemption or setoff of such Indebtedness against other Indebtedness
owing to U.S.  Borrower or payment  received  as a result of other  Indebtedness
being subordinated to such Indebtedness) may be made until indefeasible  payment
in full in cash of all Obligations. If, notwithstanding the preceding




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<PAGE>



sentence, any such distribution of assets shall be collected or received by U.S.
Borrower  after  the  occurrence  and  during  the  continuation  of an Event of
Default,  such distribution of assets shall be paid over to Administrative Agent
for the  benefit  of  Lenders to be held as  collateral  and then or  thereafter
credited and applied against the  Obligations but without  impairing or limiting
in any manner the liability of U.S.  Borrower under any other  provision of this
Section 8.

                 In  addition  to any  rights  now or  hereafter  granted  under
applicable law and not by way of limitation of any such rights, upon any failure
of Canadian  Borrower or  Australian  Borrower to pay its  Obligations  when due
(whether  by  required  prepayment,   declaration,   demand  or  otherwise)  and
consequent  acceleration of the Obligations pursuant to Section 7, any Agent and
any Lender,  upon the consent of Administrative  Agent and Requisite Lenders, is
hereby  authorized  by U.S.  Borrower at any time or from time to time,  without
notice to U.S.  Borrower or to any other  Person,  any such notice  being hereby
expressly  waived to the extent  permitted by applicable  law, to set off and to
appropriate  and to apply any and all deposits  (general or special,  including,
but not limited to, Indebtedness  evidenced by certificates of deposit,  whether
matured  or  unmatured,   but  not  including  trust  accounts)  and  any  other
Indebtedness at any time owing by such Agent or such Lender to or for the credit
or the account of U.S.  Borrower  against and on account of the  obligations and
liabilities  of U.S.  Borrower  to such  Agent or such  Lender  under  this U.S.
Borrower  Guaranty,  including,  but not  limited to, all such  obligations  and
liabilities with respect to all claims of any nature or description  arising out
of or connected with this Agreement,  this U.S. Borrower Guaranty or the Letters
of  Credit  or  Bankers'  Acceptances  or  any  of  the  other  Loan  Documents,
irrespective  of  whether  or not such  Agent or such  Lender or  Administrative
Agent, with respect to any Obligation owed under the Letters of Credit, Bankers'
Acceptances or this Agreement, shall have made any demand hereunder.






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Section 9.  AGENTS

9.1      Appointment.

                 Chase is  hereby  appointed  Administrative  Agent  under  this
Agreement  and under the other Loan  Documents by each  Lender,  Chase Canada is
hereby appointed  Canadian  Administrative  Agent under this Agreement and under
the other Loan Documents by each Lender,  Chase Securities  Australia Limited is
hereby appointed Australian  Administrative Agent under this Agreement and under
the  other  Loan  Documents  by  each  Lender  and  CIBC  is  hereby   appointed
Documentation  Agent under this  Agreement and under the other Loan Documents by
each Lender.  Each Lender hereby  authorizes  each Agent to act as its agents in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan  Documents.  Each
Agent agrees to act upon the express conditions  contained in this Agreement and
the other Loan Documents,  as applicable.  Except as expressly set forth in this
Section 9, the provisions of this Section 9 are solely for the benefit of Agents
and Lenders,  and neither  Company nor any  Borrower  shall have any rights as a
third  party  beneficiary  of any of the  provisions  hereof,  but  Company  and
Borrowers shall have the rights expressly  granted to them in subsection 9.6. In
performing its functions and duties under this  Agreement,  each Agent shall act
solely as an agent of  Lenders  and does not  assume  and shall not be deemed to
have assumed any obligation  towards or  relationship of agency or trust with or
for Company or any Borrower or any of Company's Subsidiaries.

9.2      Powers; General Immunity.

         A. Duties Specified.  Each Lender irrevocably  authorizes each Agent to
take such action on such Lender's  behalf and to exercise such powers under this
Agreement and under the other Loan  Documents as are  specifically  delegated to
such Agent by the terms  hereof and  thereof,  together  with such powers as are
reasonably  incidental  thereto.  Each Agent  shall  have only those  duties and
responsibilities  that are expressly  specified in this  Agreement and the other
Loan  Documents  and each such Agent may  perform  such duties by or through its
agents or employees.  No Agent shall have, by reason of this Agreement or any of
the other Loan Documents, a fiduciary relationship in respect of any Lender; and
nothing in this Agreement or any of the other Loan




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Documents,  express or implied,  is intended to or shall be so  construed  as to
impose upon such Agent any  obligations  in respect of this  Agreement or any of
the other Loan Documents except as expressly set forth herein or therein.

         B. No Responsibility for Certain Matters. No Agent shall be responsible
to  any  Lender  for  the  execution,   effectiveness,   genuineness,  validity,
enforceability,  collectibility  or  sufficiency  of this Agreement or any other
Loan  Document or for any  representations,  warranties,  recitals or statements
made  herein or  therein  or made in any  written  or oral  statement  or in any
financial or other statements, instruments, reports or certificates or any other
documents furnished or made available by any Agent to Lenders or by or on behalf
of Company or Borrowers to such Agent or any Lender in connection  with the Loan
Documents  and  the  transactions  contemplated  thereby  or for  the  financial
condition  or business  affairs of  Company,  any  Borrower or any other  Person
liable for the  payment of any  Obligations,  nor shall any Agent be required to
ascertain or inquire as to the  performance  or  observance of any of the terms,
conditions,  provisions,  covenants or  agreements  contained in any of the Loan
Documents or as to the use of the proceeds of the Loans or Bankers'  Acceptances
or the use of Letters of Credit or as to the existence or possible  existence of
any Event of Default or Potential Event of Default.  Anything  contained in this
Agreement to the  contrary  notwithstanding,  no Agent shall have any  liability
arising from  confirmations  of the amount of outstanding  Loans or the Canadian
Letter of Credit Usage, the U.S. Letter of Credit Usage,  the Australian  Letter
of Credit Usage, the BA Usage or the component amounts thereof.

         C.  Exculpatory  Provisions.   No  Agent  and  none  of  its  officers,
directors,  employees  or agents shall be liable to Lenders for any action taken
or omitted by such  Agent  hereunder  or in  connection  herewith  except to the
extent caused by its or their gross negligence or willful misconduct, as finally
determined  by a court of  competent  jurisdiction.  If any Agent shall  request
instructions  from  Lenders  with  respect to any act or action  (including  the
failure to take an action) in connection with this Agreement or any of the other
Loan Documents,  such Agent shall be entitled to refrain from such act or taking
such action  unless and until such Agent shall have received  instructions  from
Requisite Lenders or all Lenders, as the case




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may be. Without  prejudice to the  generality of the  foregoing,  (i) each Agent
shall be entitled to rely,  and shall be fully  protected  in relying,  upon any
communication,  instrument or document believed to be genuine and correct and to
have been signed or sent by the proper person or persons,  and shall be entitled
to rely and shall be protected in relying on opinions and judgments of attorneys
(who may be  attorneys  for Company and Borrower  and  Company's  Subsidiaries),
accountants,  experts and other  professional  advisors selected by any of them;
and (ii) no Lender shall have any right of action  whatsoever  against any Agent
as a result of such Agent acting or (where so instructed) refraining from acting
under this Agreement or any of the other Loan  Documents in accordance  with the
instructions of Requisite Lenders or all Lenders, as the case may be. Each Agent
shall be entitled to refrain from exercising any power,  discretion or authority
vested in it under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents  unless and
until it has obtained the instructions of Requisite  Lenders or all Lenders,  as
the case may be.

         D. Agents  Entitled to Act as Lenders.  The agency hereby created shall
in no way impair or affect any of the rights and powers of, or impose any duties
or obligations upon, any Agent in its individual capacity as a Lender under this
Agreement. With respect to its participation in the Loans, Letters of Credit and
Bankers'  Acceptances,  each Agent shall have the same  rights and powers  under
this  Agreement  as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were
not performing the duties and functions delegated to it hereunder,  and the term
"Lender" or  "Lenders"  or any similar  term shall,  unless the context  clearly
otherwise indicates,  include each Agent in its individual capacity.  Each Agent
and each of its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally
engage in any kind of banking,  trust, financial advisory or other business with
Company,  any  Borrower  or  any  of  Company's  Affiliates  as if it  were  not
performing  the  duties  specified  herein,   and  may  accept  fees  and  other
consideration  from Company and Borrowers  for services in connection  with this
Agreement and otherwise without having to account for the same to Lenders.





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9.3      Representations and Warranties; No Responsibility For
         Appraisal of Creditworthiness.

                 Each Lender  represents  and warrants  that it has made its own
independent  investigation  of the  financial  condition and affairs of Company,
each Borrower and Company's  Subsidiaries  in connection  with the making of the
Loans  hereunder  and the  issuance  of  Letters  of Credit  hereunder  and such
Lender's purchasing of participations in such Letters of Credit and, in the case
of each Canadian Lender, the creation and purchase of Bankers' Acceptances,  and
that  it  has  made  and  shall  continue  to  make  its  own  appraisal  of the
creditworthiness of Company, each Borrower and Company's Subsidiaries.  No Agent
shall  have any duty or  responsibility,  either  initially  or on a  continuing
basis, to make any such investigation or any such appraisal on behalf of Lenders
or to provide  any  Lender  with any credit or other  information  with  respect
thereto,  whether coming into its  possession  before the making of the Loans or
the  issuance of the Letters of Credit or the  creation and purchase of Bankers'
Acceptances  or at any time or times  thereafter,  and no Agent  shall  have any
responsibility  with  respect  to the  accuracy  of or the  completeness  of any
information provided to Lenders.

9.4      Right to Indemnity.

                 The Lenders of each Lending Unit in proportion to their Lending
Unit's Pro Rata Share,  severally  with the Lenders of each other  Lending  Unit
agree to  indemnify  each  Agent  (and  their  respective  directors,  officers,
employees and agents), to the extent that such Agent (or any of their respective
directors,  officers,  employees and agents)  shall not have been  reimbursed by
Company or  Borrowers,  for and  against any and all  liabilities,  obligations,
losses,  damages,   penalties,   actions,   judgments,  suits,  costs,  expenses
(including, without limitation, counsel fees and disbursements) or disbursements
of any kind or  nature  whatsoever  which  may be  imposed  on,  incurred  by or
asserted against such Agent (or their respective directors,  officers, employees
and agents) in performing  its duties  hereunder or under this  Agreement or the
other Loan  Documents  or  otherwise  in its  capacity  as such Agent in any way
relating  to or  arising  out of this  Agreement  or the other  Loan  Documents;
provided  that no Lender  shall be liable for any  portion of such  liabilities,
obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments,




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suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting from such Agent's (or any such
director's,  officer's,  employee's  or  agent's)  gross  negligence  or willful
misconduct,  as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.  If any
indemnity  furnished to any Agent for any purpose shall,  in the opinion of such
Agent, be insufficient  or become  impaired,  such Agent may call for additional
indemnity and cease, or not commence,  to do the acts indemnified  against until
such additional indemnity is furnished.

9.5      Registered Persons Treated as Owners.

                 Each Agent may deem and treat the Persons  listed as Lenders in
the  Register  as the owners of the  corresponding  Loans or  participations  in
Letters of Credit or Bankers' Acceptances listed therein for all purposes hereof
unless and until an  Assignment  and  Acceptance  effecting  the  assignment  or
transfer thereof shall have been accepted by  Administrative  Agent and recorded
in the  Register as provided in  subsection  10.1B(ii)  of this  Agreement.  Any
request,  authority  or consent of any Person  who,  at the time of making  such
request or giving  such  authority  or consent,  is listed in the  Register as a
Lender shall be conclusive and binding on any subsequent  holder,  transferee or
assignee  of the  corresponding  Loan or  participation  in Letters of Credit or
Bankers' Acceptance.

9.6      Successor Agents.

                 Any  Agent may  resign  at any time by  giving  30 days'  prior
written notice thereof to Lenders,  Company and Borrowers, and such Agent may be
removed  at any time  with or  without  cause  by an  instrument  or  concurrent
instruments  in  writing  delivered  to  Company,   Borrowers,  such  Agent  and
Administrative  Agent as the case may be, and signed by Requisite Lenders.  Upon
any such notice of resignation or any such removal, Requisite Lenders shall have
the right, upon five Business Days' notice to Company and Borrowers,  to appoint
a successor  Agent;  provided  that if such  proposed  successor  Agent is not a
Lender,  Company and Borrowers shall have the right to approve such  appointment
(which  approval  may  not  be  unreasonably  withheld  or  delayed).  Upon  the
acceptance of any appointment as an Agent hereunder by a successor  Agent,  that
successor  Agent  shall  thereupon  succeed  to and become  vested  with all the
rights, powers, privileges and




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duties of the retiring or removed  Agent and the retiring or removed Agent shall
be discharged  from its duties and obligations  under this Agreement.  After any
retiring or removed Agent's  resignation or removal  hereunder as an Agent,  the
provisions of this  subsection  9.6 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions
taken or  omitted  to be taken  by it  while  it was  such an Agent  under  this
Agreement.


Section 10.  MISCELLANEOUS

10.1     Assignments of and Participations in Commitments, Loans
         and Letters of Credit; Fronting Banks.

         A.  General.  Each Lender shall have the right at any time to (i) sell,
assign,  transfer or negotiate to any Eligible Assignee which has (a) a Canadian
Lending  Office or a fronting bank  arrangement as provided below for borrowings
and  payments  relating  to  Canadian  Loans and  Bankers'  Acceptances,  (b) an
Australian  Lending Office or a fronting bank  arrangement as provided below for
borrowings  and payments  relating to  Australian  Loans and (c) a U.S.  Lending
Office  for  borrowings  and  payments  relating  to U.S.  Loans,  or (ii)  sell
participations to any Person in, all or any part of any Loan or Loans made by it
or its Commitments or its Letters of Credit or  participations  therein,  or any
other interest herein or in any other  Obligations  owed to it; provided that no
such  assignment  or  participation  shall,  without  the consent of Company and
Borrowers, require Company or any Borrower to file a registration statement with
the  Securities and Exchange  Commission or apply to qualify such  assignment or
participation  under the  securities  laws of any  jurisdiction;  and  provided,
further that for greater certainty, Bankers' Acceptances purchased by a Canadian
Lender  may be held or sold by it in its  absolute  discretion  as  provided  in
subsection 2.8E. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection 10.1, no Lender
shall,  as between  any  Borrower  and such  Lender,  be  relieved of any of its
obligations  hereunder  as  a  result  of  any  sale,  assignment,  transfer  or
negotiation  of, or any  granting of  participations  in, all or any part of the
Loans, the Commitments,  Letters of Credit or participations therein or Bankers'
Acceptances or the other Obligations owed to such Lender.





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                 Each U.S.  Lender or its Affiliates  also may from time to time
enter into  arrangements  with one or more fronting banks to act with respect to
all or any portion of the Commitment of the Australian Lender or Canadian Lender
for its Lending Unit, which fronting banks shall be parties to this Agreement as
Australian  Lender or  Canadian  Lender,  respectively,  for  purposes of making
applicable  Loans and receiving  payments with respect  thereto to the extent of
such portion of the Commitment.  Any arrangements between any U.S. Lender or its
Affiliates  and its  fronting  banks will not affect the rights and  obligations
under this  Agreement  as between  such  Lender,  on the one hand,  and Company,
Borrowers,  Agents and the other Lenders, on the other hand, including,  without
limitation,  any rights to consent to any amendment,  modification  or waiver of
this Agreement,  or result in any stamp taxes or additional costs or expenses to
Company or Borrowers  prior to the  occurrence of an Event of Default;  provided
that  notwithstanding  the foregoing such fronting banks and the U.S.  Lender or
its Affiliates  shall be entitled to the benefit of subsections  2.6, 10.2, 10.3
and 10.7. Any creation of or changes in any fronting bank  arrangement  shall be
effective upon receipt of notice by the Applicable Administrative Agent, Company
and Borrowers of such arrangement.

         B.      Assignments.

                 (i) Amounts and Terms of Assignments.  Each Loan, Commitment or
         other Obligation to be assigned pursuant to subsection 10.1A may (a) be
         assigned in any amount (of a constant and not a varying  percentage) to
         another Lender,  or to an Affiliate of the assigning  Lender or another
         Lender,   with  the  giving  of  notice  to  Company,   Borrowers   and
         Administrative Agent or (b) be assigned in an amount (of a constant and
         not a varying  percentage) of not less than  $5,000,000 (or such lesser
         amount  as  shall   constitute  the  aggregate  amount  of  all  Loans,
         Commitments,  Letters of Credit or  participations  therein,  and other
         Obligations  of the assigning  Lender) to any other  Eligible  Assignee
         with the giving of notice to Company,  Borrowers  and Agents and in the
         case of assignment to any other Eligible Assignee,  with the consent of
         Company, Borrowers and Administrative Agent for an assignment made by a
         Lender other than Administrative Agent, and with the consent of Company
         and Borrowers for an assignment  made by  Administrative  Agent,  which
         consent of




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         Company,  Borrowers and Administrative  Agent shall not be unreasonably
         withheld,  and which  consent of  Company  and  Borrowers  shall not be
         required upon the occurrence and during the  continuance of an Event of
         Default;  provided  that all such  assignments  by any Lender  shall be
         permitted  only if the  Canadian  Lender,  Australian  Lender  and U.S.
         Lender  of  each   Lending   Unit   simultaneously   assign   the  same
         proportionate shares of their outstanding Loans, partici-
         pations in Letters of Credit,  and  Commitments  to assignees that will
         constitute the Canadian Lender,  Australian  Lender and the U.S. Lender
         of a Lending Unit for the purposes of this Agreement.  To the extent of
         any such  assignment in accordance with either clause (a) or (b) above,
         the assigning  Lender shall be relieved of its obligations with respect
         to its Loans, Commitments,  Letters of Credit or participations therein
         or other Obligations or the portion thereof so assigned. The parties to
         each such assignment shall execute and deliver to Administrative Agent,
         for its  acceptance  and recording in the Register,  an Assignment  and
         Acceptance,  together with a processing and  recordation fee of $3,500,
         and such  certificates,  documents  or  other  evidence,  if any,  with
         respect to United States  federal,  Canadian and Australian  income tax
         withholding   matters  as  the  assignee  under  such   Assignment  and
         Acceptance may be required to deliver to Administrative  Agent pursuant
         to subsection 10.7B(iii). Upon such execution, delivery and acceptance,
         from and after the  effective  date  specified in such  Assignment  and
         Acceptance, (y) the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to
         the extent that rights and obligations  hereunder have been assigned to
         it pursuant to such  Assignment and  Acceptance,  shall have the rights
         and  obligations of a Lender  hereunder,  and (z) the assigning  Lender
         thereunder  shall, to the extent that rights and obligations  hereunder
         have been assigned by it pursuant to such  Assignment  and  Acceptance,
         relinquish its rights and be released from its  obligations  under this
         Agreement  (and, in the case of an Assignment and  Acceptance  covering
         all or the  remaining  portion  of an  assigning  Lender's  rights  and
         obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party
         hereto).  The  Commitments  hereunder  shall be modified to reflect the
         Commitment  of such  assignee  and  any  remaining  Commitment  of such
         assigning Lender and, if any such assignment  occurs after the issuance
         of a Note or a




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<PAGE>



         Grid  Gold  Acknowledgement  to  the  assigning  Lender  hereunder,  if
         requested  pursuant  to  subsection  2.1E,  new  Notes  and  Grid  Gold
         Acknowledgements  shall, upon surrender of the assigning Lender's Notes
         or Grid Gold  Acknowledgements,  be issued to the  assignee  and to the
         assigning Lender,  substantially in the forms of Exhibit IV-A,  Exhibit
         IV-B,  Exhibit  IV-C or Exhibit V annexed  hereto,  as the case may be,
         with  appropriate  insertions,  to reflect the new  Commitments  of the
         assignee and the assigning Lender.

               (ii) Acceptance by Administrative Agent; Recordation in Register.
         Upon  its  receipt  of an  Assignment  and  Acceptance  executed  by an
         assigning  Lender and an assignee  representing  that it is an Eligible
         Assignee  meeting the requirements of subsection  10.1A,  together with
         the processing and recordation  fee referred to in subsection  10.1B(i)
         and any  certificates,  documents  or other  evidence  with  respect to
         United States federal,  Canadian and Australian  income tax withholding
         matters that such assignee may be required to deliver to Administrative
         Agent pursuant to subsection 10.7B(iii), Administrative Agent shall, if
         such   Assignment   and   Acceptance  has  been  completed  and  is  in
         substantially  the form of Exhibit  X-A,  Exhibit  X-B,  or Exhibit X-C
         annexed hereto, as applicable and if Administrative  Agent, Company and
         Borrowers have consented to the assignment  evidenced  thereby (in each
         case to the extent  such  consent is required  pursuant  to  subsection
         10.1B(i)),  (a) accept such  Assignment  and  Acceptance by executing a
         counterpart   thereof  as  provided  therein  (which  acceptance  shall
         evidence  any  required  consent  of   Administrative   Agent  to  such
         assignment),  (b)  record  the  information  contained  therein  in the
         Register, and (c) give prompt notice thereof to Company,  Borrowers and
         the  Applicable   Administrative  Agent.   Administrative  Agent  shall
         maintain a copy of each  Assignment  and  Acceptance  delivered  to and
         accepted by it as provided in this subsection 10.1B(ii).

         C.      Participations.  The holder of any participation, other
than an  Affiliate  of the  Lender  granting  such  participation,  shall not be
entitled  to require  such  Lender to take or omit to take any action  hereunder
except action  directly  affecting (i) the extension of the regularly  scheduled
maturity  of any portion of the  principal  amount of or interest on any Loan or
any


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<PAGE>



commitment fees allocated to such participation,  (ii) the release of Company or
U.S.  Borrower from its obligations  under Section 8 or (iii) a reduction of the
principal  amount of or the rate of interest payable on any Loan, a reduction in
the Face  Amount,  amount of  discount  or fee on any  Bankers'  Acceptance,  or
payments  due in repayment  of draws under  Letters of Credit  allocated to such
participation,  and all amounts  payable by any  Borrower  or Company  hereunder
shall be determined as if such Lender had not sold such  participation.  Company
and each  Borrower  hereby  acknowledges  and agrees that,  only for purposes of
subsections  2.6D, 10.5 and 10.7, any  participation  will give rise to a direct
obligation of Borrowers and Company to the participant and the participant shall
be considered to be a "Lender";  provided that no participant  shall be entitled
to receive  any greater  amount  pursuant  to  subsection  2.6D or 10.7 than the
transferor  Lender would have been  entitled to receive in respect of the amount
of the participation  effected by such transferor Lender to such participant had
no such participation occurred. Company, Borrowers, Agents and the other Lenders
shall continue to deal solely with such Lender in connection  with such Lender's
rights and obligations under the Loan Documents.

         D.      Information.  Each Lender may furnish any information
concerning  Company and its  Subsidiaries  in the possession of that Lender from
time to time to assignees and participants  (including prospective assignees and
participants), subject to subsection 10.21.

         E.      Federal Reserve Bank.  Nothing in this subsection 10.1
shall  prevent or  prohibit  any Lender  from  pledging  its rights (but not its
obligations to make Loans and to issue or participate in Letters of Credit or to
create and purchase Bankers' Acceptances) under this Agreement and/or its Loans,
participations in Letters of Credit, Bankers' Acceptances and/or Notes hereunder
to a Federal Reserve Bank.

         F.      The Register.

                 (i)      Administrative Agent and the Applicable
         Administrative Agent shall maintain, at its Lending Office,
         a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of
         Lenders and the Commitments and Loans of each Lender from
         time to time (the "Register").  Borrowers, Agents and




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<PAGE>



         Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register as
         a Lender  hereunder  for all purposes of this  Agreement.  The Register
         shall be available for inspection by Company,  any Borrower,  any Agent
         or any  Lender  at any  reasonable  time  and  from  time to time  upon
         reasonable prior notice.

               (ii) Administrative Agent and the Applicable Administrative Agent
         shall record in the Register the Commitments and the Loans from time to
         time of each Lender and each  repayment or prepayment in respect of the
         principal  amount of the  Loans of each  Lender.  Any such  recordation
         shall be  conclusive  and  binding on Company and each  Lender,  absent
         manifest error; provided that failure to make any such recordation,  or
         any  error  in  such  recordation,  shall  not  affect  any  Borrower's
         Obligations in respect of the applicable Loans.

             (iii) Each Lender may record on its  internal  records  (including,
         without  limitation,  any promissory note described in subsection 2.1E)
         the amount of each Loan made by it and each payment in respect thereof;
         provided  that in the event of any  inconsistency  between the Register
         and any  Lender's  records,  the  recordations  in the  Register  shall
         govern, absent manifest error.

                 At the request of Company, Administrative Agent will provide to
         Company not more than once a month, a copy of the Register.

         G.      Stamp Taxes and Other Duties, Expenses.

         Notwithstanding  any other  provisions of this  Agreement,  Company and
Borrowers  shall have no liability  to pay stamp taxes,  duties and other costs,
taxes,  fees, charges or other expenses which may be assessed or incurred at the
time  of,  and  as a  result  of,  any  assignment,  participation  or  fronting
arrangement made pursuant to this subsection 10.1.





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<PAGE>



10.2     Expenses.

                 Whether or not the  transactions  contemplated  hereby shall be
consummated,  Company and Borrowers  jointly and severally agree to pay promptly
(i) all the actual and reasonable  costs and expenses of preparation of the Loan
Documents;  (ii) all the costs of furnishing all opinions by counsel for Company
or  any  Borrower  (including,   without  limitation,  any  opinions  reasonably
requested by Lenders as to any legal matters arising hereunder) and of Company's
or any  Borrower's  performance  of  and  compliance  with  all  agreements  and
conditions on its part to be performed or complied with under this Agreement and
the  other  Loan  Documents  including,  without  limitation,  with  respect  to
confirming compliance with environmental and insurance  requirements;  (iii) the
reasonable fees,  expenses and disbursements of counsel to any Agent or Arranger
in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution and administration of
the Loan  Documents,  the Letters of Credit,  the Bankers'  Acceptances  and the
Loans and any consents,  amendments,  waivers or other  modifications  hereto or
thereto and any other documents or matters requested by Company or any Borrower;
(iv) all other actual and reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Agent or
Arranger in connection  with the  negotiation,  preparation and execution of the
Loan Documents and the  transactions  contemplated  hereby and thereby;  and (v)
after the occurrence  and during the  continuation  of an Event of Default,  all
costs and expenses,  including  reasonable  attorneys' fees,  excluding in-house
counsel, and costs of settlement, incurred by any Agent, Arranger and Lenders in
enforcing any  Obligations  of or in collecting any payments due from Company or
any Borrower hereunder or under the other Loan Documents by reason of such Event
of Default or in connection with any refinancing or  restructuring of the credit
arrangements  provided  under this  Agreement in the nature of a  "work-out"  or
pursuant to any insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings.

10.3     Indemnity.

                 In addition to the payment of expenses  pursuant to  subsection
10.2, whether or not the transactions  contemplated hereby shall be consummated,
Company and Borrowers jointly and severally agree to defend,  indemnify, pay and
hold harmless  each Agent,  Arranger and Lenders,  and the officers,  directors,
employees, counsel, agents and affiliates of such Agent, Arranger




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<PAGE>



and Lenders (collectively called the "Indemnitees") from and against any and all
other liabilities,  obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments,
suits,  claims,  costs,  expenses  and  disbursements  of  any  kind  or  nature
whatsoever (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements
of  counsel  for  such   Indemnitees  in  connection  with  any   investigative,
administrative  or judicial  proceeding  commenced or  threatened by any Person,
whether or not any such Indemnitee shall be designated as a party or a potential
party thereto),  whether based on any federal,  state or foreign laws, statutes,
rules or regulations (including,  without limitation,  securities and commercial
laws,  statutes,  rules or regulations and Environmental Laws), on common law or
equitable  cause or on contract or otherwise,  that may be imposed on,  incurred
by, or  asserted  against  any such  Indemnitee,  in any manner  relating  to or
arising out of this  Agreement or the other Loan  Documents or the  transactions
contemplated  hereby  or  thereby  (including,   without  limitation,   Lenders'
agreement  to make  the  Loans  or  create  and  purchase  Bankers'  Acceptances
hereunder  or the use or  intended  use of the  proceeds  of any of the Loans or
Bankers' Acceptances or the issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder and Lenders'
agreement to purchase  participations therein as provided for herein, or the use
or intended  use of the Letters of Credit) or the  statements  contained  in any
commitment  letter  delivered  by any  Lender to Company  or any  Borrower  with
respect thereto  (collectively called the "Indemnified  Liabilities");  provided
that  neither  Company  nor  any  Borrower  shall  have  any  obligation  to any
Indemnitee  hereunder with respect to any Indemnified  Liabilities to the extent
such  Indemnified  Liabilities  arise  from  the  gross  negligence  or  willful
misconduct  of that  Indemnitee  as finally  determined  by a court of competent
jurisdiction; provided further, that, subject to the hold harmless provisions of
this  subsection  10.3,  Company shall be subrogated to all rights that any such
Indemnitee may have in respect of any person or persons whose acts or failure to
act resulted in the indemnified liability and the Indemnitee shall, upon receipt
of payment for all Indemnified Liabilities payable to such Indemnitee, assign to
Company the rights with respect to such Indemnified  Liabilities such Indemnitee
may have against any person or persons  whose acts or failure to act resulted in
the  indemnified  liability;  and  provided  still  further that any exercise of
rights of  subrogation  shall be  withheld  until  payment of all of the related
Indemnified Liabilities. To the extent that the undertaking to defend,




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<PAGE>



indemnify,  pay and hold  harmless  set forth in the  preceding  sentence may be
unenforceable  because it is violative of any law or public policy,  Company and
each Borrower shall  contribute the maximum  portion that it is permitted to pay
and  satisfy  under  applicable  law  to the  payment  and  satisfaction  of all
Indemnified  Liabilities  incurred by the  Indemnitees  or any of them,  subject
however  to the  limitations  contained  in the  last  clause  of the  preceding
sentence.

10.4     Set Off.

                 In  addition  to any  rights  now or  hereafter  granted  under
applicable  law  and not by way of  limitation  of any  such  rights,  upon  the
occurrence  of any  Event of  Default  each  Agent  and each  Lender  is  hereby
authorized  by  Company  and each  Borrower  at any  time or from  time to time,
without  notice to Company or such  Borrower  or to any other  Person,  any such
notice being hereby expressly waived, to set off and to appropriate and to apply
any and all  deposits  (general  or  special,  including,  but not  limited  to,
Indebtedness evidenced by certificates of deposit, whether matured or unmatured,
but not including trust accounts) and any other Indebtedness at any time held or
owing by such  Agent or such  Lender  to or for the  credit  or the  account  of
Company  or such  Borrower,  as the case may be,  against  and on account of the
obligations and liabilities then due and payable of Company or such Borrower, as
the case may be, to such  Agent or such  Lender  under this  Agreement,  and any
Notes, any Grid Gold Acknowledgements,  any Letters of Credit and participations
therein, and any Bankers' Acceptances, including, but not limited to, all claims
of any nature or description  arising out of or connected  with this  Agreement,
the  Notes,  the  Grid  Gold   Acknowledgements,   the  Letters  of  Credit  and
participations  therein,  any Bankers'  Acceptances  or any other Loan Document,
irrespective  of whether or not such  Agent or such  Lender  shall have made any
demand hereunder.

10.5     Ratable Sharing.

                 Lenders  hereby  agree  among  themselves  that  if any of them
shall,  whether by voluntary payment, by realization upon security,  through the
exercise  of any right of set-off or banker's  lien,  by  counterclaim  or cross
action or by the enforcement of any right under the Loan Documents or under




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<PAGE>



Letters  of  Credit  or  Banker's  Acceptances  or  otherwise,  or  as  adequate
protection of a deposit  treated as cash collateral  under the Bankruptcy  Code,
receive  payment  or  reduction  of a  proportion  of the  aggregate  amount  of
Obligations  then due and owing to that  Lender  (collectively,  the  "Aggregate
Amounts Due" to such Lender)  which is greater than the  proportion  received by
any other Lender in respect of the  Aggregate  Amounts Due to such other Lender,
then the Lender receiving such proportionately  greater payment shall (i) notify
Administrative  Agent and each other  Lender of the receipt of such  payment and
(ii) apply a portion of such payment to purchase  participations (which it shall
be deemed to have purchased from each seller of a  participation  simultaneously
upon the receipt by such seller of its portion of such payment) in the Aggregate
Amounts  Due to the  other  Lenders  so that all such  recoveries  of  Aggregate
Amounts  Due shall be shared  by all  Lenders  in  proportion  to the  Aggregate
Amounts  Due to  them;  provided  that if all or  part  of such  proportionately
greater payment received by such purchasing Lender is thereafter  recovered from
such Lender upon the bankruptcy or  reorganization  of Company,  any Borrower or
otherwise,  those  purchases shall be rescinded and the purchase prices paid for
such  participations  shall be returned to such purchasing Lender ratably to the
extent  of such  recovery,  but  without  interest.  Company  and each  Borrower
expressly consents to the foregoing  arrangement and agrees that any holder of a
participation  so purchased  may  exercise any and all rights of banker's  lien,
set-off or  counterclaim  with respect to any and all monies owing by Company or
such  Borrower to that holder  with  respect  thereto as fully as if that holder
were owed the amount of the participation held by that holder.

10.6     Amendments and Waivers.

                 No  amendment,  modification,  termination  or  waiver  of  any
provision  of this  Agreement  or of the Notes or  consent to any  departure  by
Company or any Borrower  therefrom,  shall in any event be effective without the
written   concurrence  of  Requisite  Lenders;   provided  that  any  amendment,
modification,  termination  or waiver of or with  respect  to: the amount of the
Commitments or the principal  amount of the Loans or interest  accrued  thereon;
each Lender's Pro Rata Share; the definitions of "Requisite  Lenders," "Bankers'
Acceptances  Purchase Price" (to the extent such change in definition results in
an increase of such purchase




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<PAGE>



price) and "Commitment  Termination Date"; any provision expressly requiring the
approval or  concurrence of all Lenders;  the scheduled  final maturity dates of
the Loans or the maturity dates of any Bankers' Acceptances;  the dates on which
interest or any fees are payable;  decreases in the interest  rate margins borne
by the  Loans;  decreases  in the  amount  or type  of any  fee on any  Bankers'
Acceptances;  decreases  of any  amounts  payable in  respect of the  Letters of
Credit  pursuant  to  subsections  2.7E(i) and (ii) or in the amount of any fees
payable to all Lenders hereunder;  the maximum duration of Interest Periods, the
provisions  of Section 8 or any  release of  Company or U.S.  Borrower  from its
guaranty obligations thereunder;  and the provisions contained in subsection 7.1
and this  subsection  10.6 shall be  effective  only if  evidenced  by a writing
signed  by or on  behalf  of  all  Lenders.  In  addition,  (i)  any  amendment,
modification,  termination  or  waiver  of any of the  provisions  contained  in
Section 3 shall be  effective  only if  evidenced  by a writing  signed by or on
behalf  of  Administrative  Agent  and  Requisite  Lenders,  (ii) no  amendment,
modification,  termination  or waiver  of any  provision  of any Note,  Bankers'
Acceptance or Grid Gold  Acknowledgement  shall be effective without the written
concurrence  of the  holder  of that  Note,  Bankers'  Acceptance  or Grid  Gold
Acknowledgement, and (iii) no amendment, modification,  termination or waiver of
any provision of Section 9 or of any other provision of this Agreement expressly
requiring the approval or  concurrence  of any Agent shall be effective  without
the written concurrence of such Agent.  Administrative Agent may, but shall have
no  obligation  to,  with the  concurrence  of any Lender,  execute  amendments,
modifications,  waivers  or  consents  on behalf of that  Lender.  Any waiver or
consent  shall be effective  only in the specific  instance and for the specific
purpose  for which it was  given.  No notice  to or  demand  on  Company  or any
Borrower  in any case  shall  entitle  Company or any  Borrower  to any other or
further  notice or demand in  similar  or other  circumstances.  Any  amendment,
modification,  termination,  waiver or consent  effected in accordance with this
subsection 10.6 shall be binding upon each Lender at the time outstanding,  each
future  Lender  and, if signed by Company or any  Borrower,  on Company and such
Borrower, as the case may be.





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<PAGE>



10.7     Increased Costs; Taxes; Capital Adequacy.

         A.  Compensation  for  Increased  Costs and Taxes.  If any Lender shall
determine  (which  determination  shall,  absent  manifest  error,  be final and
conclusive  and  binding  upon all  parties  hereto)  that any  law,  treaty  or
governmental  rule,  regulation  or  order,  or  any  change  therein  or in the
interpretation,   administration   or   application   thereof   (including   the
introduction of any new law, treaty or governmental rule,  regulation or order),
or any  determination of a court or governmental  authority in each case that is
adopted  after  the  Effective  Date or  compliance  by  such  Lender  with  any
guideline,  request or directive  issued or made after the Effective Date by any
central bank or other governmental or  quasi-governmental  authority (whether or
not having the force of law):

                 (i)  subjects  such  Lender  (or  its  Lending  Office)  to any
         additional  Tax (other than any  Excluded  Taxes) with  respect to this
         Agreement  or any of the Loans,  Letters  of Credit (or  participations
         therein), or Bankers' Acceptances or any of its obligations  hereunder,
         or changes  the basis of  taxation  of  payments to such Lender (or its
         Lending  Office) of any  Obligation  (except  for  changes in  Excluded
         Taxes);

               (ii) imposes, modifies or holds applicable any reserve (including
         without limitation any marginal,  emergency,  supplemental,  special or
         other reserve),  special  deposit,  compulsory  loan, FDIC insurance or
         similar  requirement  against  assets  held by,  or  deposits  or other
         liabilities in or for the account of, or advances or loans by, or other
         credit extended by, or any other acquisition of funds by, any office of
         such Lender  (other than any such  reserve or other  requirements  with
         respect to Eurodollar  Rate Loans that are reflected in the  definition
         of Adjusted Eurodollar Rate); or

             (iii) imposes any other  condition on or affecting  such Lender (or
         its  applicable  Lending  Office) or its  obligations  hereunder or the
         London interbank market,  precious metals market,  bankers' acceptances
         market or bills of exchange market;





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<PAGE>



and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender of
agreeing  to  make,  making  or  maintaining   Loans,   Letters  of  Credit  (or
participations  therein)  or  Bankers'  Acceptances  hereunder  or to reduce any
amount  received  or  receivable  by such Lender (or its  Lending  Office)  with
respect thereto;  then, in any such case, Borrowers and Company shall be jointly
and severally  obligated to promptly pay to such Lender, upon written demand and
receipt of the written  notice  referred  to below,  such  additional  amount or
amounts  (in the  form  of an  increased  rate  of,  or a  different  method  of
calculating,  interest or otherwise as such Lender in its sole discretion  shall
determine) as may be necessary to compensate  such Lender on an after-tax  basis
for any such  increased  cost or  reduction  in amounts  received or  receivable
hereunder.  Such Lender shall deliver to Company and Borrowers a written notice,
setting  forth in reasonable  detail the basis for  calculating  the  additional
amounts owed to such Lender under this subsection  10.7A,  which statement shall
be conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto absent manifest error.

                 Notwithstanding  anything contained in this subsection 10.7A or
subsection  10.7B,  if any Lender is unable to make any Loans in the  applicable
currency or in Gold and (i) such inability is not due to circumstances described
in  subsection  2.6A or 2.6B or any other  similar  circumstances  and (ii) such
Lender  has  not  entered  into   arrangements   with  a  fronting  bank  (which
arrangements  will not affect the rights and obligations under this Agreement as
between such Lender,  on the one hand,  and Company,  Borrowers,  Agents and the
other  Lenders,  on the other hand) which will make such Loans in the applicable
currency  or in Gold,  as the case may be, on behalf of such  Lender),  then any
withholding  taxes or any other costs  directly  resulting  from such  inability
shall be for the account of such Lender.

         B.      Withholding of Taxes.

                 (i)  Payments  to Be  Free  and  Clear.  All  sums  payable  by
         Borrowers and Company under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents
         to such  Lender  shall  be paid  free  and  clear  of and  without  any
         deduction or withholding on account of any Covered Tax imposed, levied,
         collected,  withheld  or  assessed  by or within the  United  States of
         America, Australia or Canada or any political subdivision in or of




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         the  United  States  of  America,  Australia  or  Canada  or any  other
         jurisdiction from which a payment is made by or on behalf of Company or
         any Borrower or by any federation or  organization  of which the United
         States of America,  Australia or Canada or any such  jurisdiction  is a
         member at the time of payment.

               (ii) Withholding in respect of Payments. If Company, any Borrower
         or any  other  Person  is  required  by law to make  any  deduction  or
         withholding  on account of any Covered Tax from any sum paid or payable
         by Company or such Borrower to any Agent,  Arranger or any Lender under
         any of the Loan Documents:

                          (a)     Company and Borrowers shall notify
                 Administrative Agent of any such requirement or any
                 change in any such requirement as soon as Company or any
                 Borrower becomes aware of it;

                          (b)  Company  or such  Borrower,  as the  case may be,
                 shall  pay any  such  Covered  Tax  before  the  date on  which
                 penalties  attach  thereto,  such  payment  to be made  (if the
                 liability  to pay is imposed on Company or such  Borrower)  for
                 its own account or (if that liability is imposed on such Agent,
                 Arranger or such  Lender,  as the case may be) on behalf of and
                 in the name of such Agent, Arranger or such Lender;

                          (c) the sum  payable by Company  or such  Borrower  in
                 respect of which the relevant deduction, withholding or payment
                 is  required  shall be  increased  to the extent  necessary  to
                 ensure that, after the making of that deduction, withholding or
                 payment,  such Agent,  Arranger or such Lender, as the case may
                 be,  receives  on the due  date  and  retains  (free  from  any
                 liability  in respect  of any such  deduction,  withholding  or
                 payment) a net sum equal to what it would have  received and so
                 retained  had no such  deduction,  withholding  or  payment  in
                 respect of Covered Taxes been required or made; and

                          (d)     within 30 days after paying any sum from which
                 it is required by law to make any deduction or
                 withholding, and within 30 days after the due date of




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<PAGE>



                 payment of any Tax which it is  required by clause (b) above to
                 pay,  Company and  Borrowers  shall  deliver to  Administrative
                 Agent evidence  reasonably  satisfactory  to the other affected
                 parties of such  deduction,  withholding  or payment and of the
                 remittance thereof to the relevant taxing or other authority;

           (iii) U.S. Tax Certificates.  Each Lender that is organized under the
          laws of any jurisdiction  other than the United States or any state or
          other political  subdivision  thereof shall deliver to  Administrative
          Agent for trans- mission to Company and Borrowers,  on or prior to the
          Effective  Date (in the case of each  Lender  listed on the  signature
          pages hereof) or on the date of the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant
          to which it becomes a Lender (in the case of each other  Lender),  and
          at such  other  times  as may be  necessary  in the  determination  of
          Company  or  any  Borrower  or  Administrative   Agent  (each  in  the
          reasonable exercise of its discretion),  such certificates,  documents
          or other evidence, properly and accurately completed and duly executed
          by  such  Lender  (including,  without  limitation,  Internal  Revenue
          Service Form 1001 or Form 4224 or any other  certificate  or statement
          of exemption required by Treasury  Regulations  Section 1.1441-4(a) or
          Section  1.1441-6(c) or any successor  thereto) to establish that such
          Lender is not subject to deduction  or  withholding  of United  States
          federal income tax under Section 1441 or 1442 of the Internal  Revenue
          Code or otherwise (or under any comparable provisions of any successor
          statute) and each Lender  shall  deliver to  Administrative  Agent for
          transmission   to   Company   and   Borrowers   any  such   additional
          certificates,  documents  or  other  evidence  as may at such  time be
          required by applicable  United States,  Australian or Canadian federal
          or state or provincial  law if required to establish  that such Lender
          is not  subject to  deduction  or  withholding  under  United  States,
          Australian  or Canadian  tax laws with respect to any payments to such
          Lender of principal, interest, fees or other amounts payable under any
          of the Loan  Documents.  Neither  Company  nor any  Borrower  shall be
          required to pay any additional  amount to any such Lender under clause
          (c) of  subsection  10.7B(ii)  if such  Lender  shall  have  failed to
          satisfy  the  requirements  of  the  immediately  preceding  sentence;
          provided that if such Lender shall have satisfied such requirements


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         on or prior to the Effective Date (in the case of each Lender listed on
         the  signature  pages  hereof)  or on the  date of the  Assignment  and
         Acceptance  pursuant  to which it became a Lender  (in the case of each
         other  Lender),  nothing in this  subsection  10.7B(iii)  shall relieve
         Company or any Borrower of any obligation to pay any additional amounts
         pursuant to clause (c) of subsection  10.7B(ii) in the event that, as a
         result of any change in applicable  law after the Effective Date or the
         date of the applicable  Assignment and Acceptance,  as the case may be,
         such Lender is no longer  properly  entitled  to deliver  certificates,
         documents or other evidence at a subsequent date  establishing the fact
         that such  Lender is not subject to  withholding  as  described  in the
         immediately preceding sentence.

         C.      Capital Adequacy Adjustment.  If any Lender shall have
determined  in  good  faith  that  the  adoption,  effectiveness,  phase-  in or
applicability (excluding any adoption, effectiveness,  phase-in or applicability
published as of the Effective Date and currently scheduled to take effect) after
the Effective  Date of any law, rule or  regulation  (or any provision  thereof)
regarding  capital adequacy,  or any change therein or in the  interpretation or
administration  thereof after the Effective Date by any governmental  authority,
central  bank  or  comparable   agency  charged  with  the   interpretation   or
administration  thereof,  or compliance by any Lender (or its applicable lending
office) with any  guideline,  request or directive  regarding  capital  adequacy
(whether  or not  having the force of law) of any such  governmental  authority,
central bank or comparable  agency, has or would have the effect of reducing the
rate of return on the capital of such Lender or any corporation controlling such
Lender as a  consequence  of,  or with  reference  to,  such  Lender's  Loans or
Commitments  or  Letters  of  Credit  or  participations   therein  or  Bankers'
Acceptances  or other  obligations  hereunder  to a level  below that which such
Lender  or such  controlling  corporation  could  have  achieved  but  for  such
adoption, effectiveness,  phase- in, applicability, change or compliance (taking
into  consideration the policies of such Lender or such controlling  corporation
with regard to capital  adequacy),  then from time to time,  within ten Business
Days  after  written  demand  by such  Lender  (with a copy  of such  demand  to
Administrative  Agent),  Company  and  Borrowers  shall pay to such  Lender such
additional


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amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such controlling corporation
for such reduction.

10.8     Lenders' Obligation to Mitigate; Replacement of Lender.

                 Each Lender agrees that, as promptly as  practicable  after the
officer  of such  Lender  responsible  for  administering  the Loans  under this
Agreement  becomes  aware of the  occurrence  of an event or the  existence of a
condition that would cause such Lender to become an Affected  Lender as provided
in subsection  2.6C or that would entitle such Lender to receive  payments under
subsection  10.7A or 10.7C,  it will, to the extent not  inconsistent  with such
Lender's internal policies, use reasonable efforts (i) to make, fund or maintain
the Commitments of such Lender or the affected Loans or Bankers'  Acceptances of
such Lender through another lending office of such Lender,  or (ii) to take such
other  measures as such Lender may deem  reasonable,  if as a result thereof the
circumstances which would cause such Lender to be an Affected Lender as provided
in subsection  2.6C would cease to exist or the  additional  amounts which would
otherwise be required to be paid to such Lender pursuant to subsection  10.7A or
10.7C would be  materially  reduced and if, as  determined by such Lender in its
sole discretion, the making, funding or maintaining of such Commitments or Loans
or Bankers'  Acceptances through such other lending office or in accordance with
such other measures,  as the case may be, would not otherwise  adversely  affect
such  Commitments  or Loans or Bankers'  Acceptances  or the  interests  of such
Lender;  provided  that such Lender will not be  obligated to utilize such other
lending office pursuant to this  subsection  10.8 unless  Borrowers agree to pay
all reasonable  expenses incurred by such Lender in utilizing such other lending
office. A certificate as to the amount of any such expenses payable by Borrowers
pursuant to this subsection  10.8 (setting forth in reasonable  detail the basis
for  requesting  such amount)  submitted  by such Lender to  Borrowers  shall be
conclusive absent manifest or demonstrable error.

                 If any  Lender  becomes  entitled  to  receive  payments  under
subsection  10.7A or 10.7C,  Borrowers  have the right at any time to treat such
Lender as an Affected  Lender and to substitute  one or more Eligible  Assignees
for such Lender as provided in subsection 2.6C.





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<PAGE>



10.9     Independence of Covenants.

                 All covenants  hereunder shall be given  independent  effect so
that  if a  particular  action  or  condition  is not  permitted  by any of such
covenants,  the fact that it would be  permitted  by an  exception  to, or would
otherwise be within the  limitations  of,  another  covenant shall not avoid the
occurrence  of an Event of Default or Potential  Event of Default if such action
is taken or condition exists.

10.10    Notices.

                 Unless otherwise  specifically  provided herein,  any notice or
other communication herein required or permitted to be given shall be in writing
and may be  personally  served,  telecopied,  telexed or sent by United  States,
Australian or Canadian mail or courier  service and shall be deemed to have been
given when delivered in person or by courier  service,  upon receipt of telecopy
or telex if delivered or received on a Business Day or on the first Business Day
after  delivery  or  receipt if  delivered  or  received  on a day that is not a
Business Day. For the purposes hereof, the address of each party hereto shall be
as set forth under such party's name on the signature  pages hereof or (i) as to
Company,  any Borrower,  any Agent and Arranger,  such other address as shall be
designated  by such Person in a written  notice  delivered to the other  parties
hereto  and  (ii) as to each  other  party,  such  other  address  as  shall  be
designated by such party in a written notice delivered to Administrative Agent.

10.11    Survival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements.

         A. All  representations,  warranties and agreements made herein,  shall
survive the  execution and delivery of this  Agreement,  the making of the Loans
hereunder,  the  issuance of the Letters of Credit and the creation and purchase
of Bankers' Acceptances.

         B. Notwithstanding  anything in this Agreement or implied by law to the
contrary,  the agreements of Company set forth in subsections  2.6D, 10.2, 10.3,
10.4,  10.7,  10.13  and  10.24  and the  agreements  of  Lenders  set  forth in
subsections 9.2C, 9.4, 10.4, 10.5, 10.7B(iii), and 10.24 shall survive, but this
Agreement




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<PAGE>



shall otherwise terminate,  upon the termination of the Commitments,  payment of
all Obligations  (other than contingent  amounts  pursuant to subsections  2.6D,
10.2,  10.3,  10.7 and 10.24 not at such time claimed or due and  payable),  the
cancellation  or  expiration  of the  Letters of  Credit,  the  cancellation  or
maturity of all Bankers'  Acceptances and the reimbursement of any amounts drawn
thereunder;  provided that this  Agreement  shall continue to be effective or be
reinstated,  as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of
any  Obligation  is rescinded or must  otherwise be restored by any Agent or any
Lender  upon the  bankruptcy  or  reorganization  of Company or any  Borrower or
otherwise.

10.12    Failure or Indulgence Not Waiver; Remedies Cumulative.

                 No failure  or delay on the part of any Lender in the  exercise
of any power,  right or  privilege  hereunder or under a Loan,  Note,  Letter of
Credit or Bankers' Acceptances shall impair such power, right or privilege or be
construed to be a waiver of any default or acquiescence  therein,  nor shall any
single or partial exercise of any such power,  right or privilege preclude other
or further  exercise  thereof or of any other  power,  right or  privilege.  All
rights and remedies  existing under this  Agreement,  the Notes,  the Letters of
Credit, the Bankers' Acceptances and the other Loan Documents are cumulative to,
and not exclusive of, any rights or remedies otherwise available.

10.13    Marshalling; Payments Set Aside.

                 Neither any Agent,  Arranger  nor any Lender shall be under any
obligation to marshal any assets in favor of Company,  any Borrower or any other
party or against or in payment of any or all of the  Obligations.  To the extent
that Company or any Borrower makes a payment or payments to any Agent,  Arranger
or Lenders,  or any Agent or Lenders enforce any security  interests or exercise
their  rights of setoff,  and such  payment or payments or the  proceeds of such
enforcement or setoff or any part thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared
to be fraudulent or  preferential,  set aside and/or  required to be repaid to a
trustee,  receiver or any other party under any bankruptcy  law, any other state
or federal law, common law or any equitable  cause,  then, to the extent of such
recovery,  the obligation or part thereof  originally  intended to be satisfied,
and all Liens,




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<PAGE>



rights and remedies therefor or related thereto,  shall be revived and continued
in full force and effect as if such  payment  or  payments  had not been made or
such enforcement or setoff had not occurred.

10.14    Severability.

                 In case any  provision in or obligation  under this  Agreement,
the Notes, the Bankers'  Acceptances or the Grid Gold  Acknowledgments  shall be
invalid,  illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction,  the validity,  legality
and  enforceability  of the  remaining  provisions  or  obligations,  or of such
provision  or  obligation  in any  other  jurisdiction,  shall not in any way be
affected or impaired thereby.

10.15    Obligations Several; Independent Nature of Lenders'Rights.

                 The obligations of Lenders  hereunder are several and no Lender
shall be  responsible  for the  obligations  or  Commitments of any other Lender
hereunder. Nothing contained herein or in any other Loan Document, and no action
taken by  Lenders  pursuant  hereto or  thereto,  shall be deemed to  constitute
Lenders as a partnership,  an association,  a joint venture or any other kind of
entity.  The amounts  payable at any time  hereunder  to each Lender  shall be a
separate and  independent  debt, and each Lender shall be, subject to Section 7,
entitled to protect and enforce its rights  arising out of this Agreement and it
shall not be necessary for any other Lender to be joined as an additional  party
in any proceeding for such purpose.

10.16    Headings.

                 Section and subsection  headings in this Agreement are included
herein for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part of this
Agreement for any other purpose or be given any substantive effect.

10.17    Applicable Law.

                 THIS AGREEMENT AND THE NOTES AND THE LEGAL RELATIONS
AMONG THE PARTIES  SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED  AND ENFORCED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE



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<PAGE>



OF NEW YORK.  EACH LETTER OF CREDIT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED
AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE  WITH, THE LAWS OR RULES DESIGNATED IN SUCH LETTER OF
CREDIT,  OR IF NO SUCH LAWS OR RULES ARE  DESIGNATED,  THE  UNIFORM  CUSTOMS AND
PRACTICES FOR  DOCUMENTARY  CREDITS (1993)  REVISION,  INTERNATIONAL  CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE,  PUBLICATION  NO. 500 (THE "UNIFORM  CUSTOMS")  AND, AS TO MATTERS NOT
GOVERNED  BY THE  UNIFORM  CUSTOMS,  THE  LAWS OF THE  STATE OF NEW  YORK.  EACH
BANKERS' ACCEPTANCE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF CANADA.

10.18    Successors and Assigns.

                 This  Agreement  shall be binding  upon the parties  hereto and
their  respective  successors  and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the
parties hereto and the  successors and assigns of Agents,  Arranger and Lenders.
The terms and  provisions  of this  Agreement  shall inure to the benefit of any
assignee or transferee of any of the  Obligations,  and in the event of any such
transfer or assignment the rights and privileges  herein  conferred upon Agents,
Arranger  and  Lenders  shall  automatically  extend  to and be  vested  in such
transferee or assignee,  all subject to the terms and conditions hereof. Neither
Company's nor any Borrower's  rights or  obligations  hereunder nor any interest
therein may be  assigned or  delegated  by Company or any  Borrower  without the
prior written consent of all Lenders.  Lenders' rights of assignment are subject
to subsection 10.1.

10.19    Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of Process.

                 ALL JUDICIAL  PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT AGAINST ANY PARTY ARISING OUT
OF OR RELATING TO THIS  AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN  DOCUMENT OR ANY  OBLIGATION
MAY BE BROUGHT IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL  COURT OF COMPETENT  JURISDICTION  IN THE
STATE OF NEW YORK,  AND BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS  AGREEMENT  EACH PARTY
ACCEPTS  FOR  ITSELF  AND IN  CONNECTION  WITH  ITS  PROPERTIES,  GENERALLY  AND
UNCONDITIONALLY,  THE  NONEXCLUSIVE  JURISDICTION  OF THE  AFORESAID  COURTS AND
WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS AND IRREVOCABLY AGREES TO BE BOUND BY
ANY JUDGMENT RENDERED THEREBY IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, SUCH OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENT OR SUCH OBLIGATION.  Company and each Borrower  designates and appoints
CT  Corporation  System,  and such other Persons as may hereafter be selected by
Company and each Borrower irrevocably




                                       173

<PAGE>



agreeing in writing to so serve,  as its agent to receive on its behalf  service
of all process in any such  proceedings  in any such court,  such service  being
hereby  acknowledged  by Company and each  Borrower to be effective  and binding
service in every  respect.  A copy of any such process so served shall be mailed
by registered  mail to Company at its address as provided in  subsection  10.10;
provided that, unless otherwise  provided by applicable law, any failure to mail
such copy shall not affect the validity of service of such process. If any agent
appointed by Company or any Borrower refuses to accept service, Company and each
Borrower   hereby  agree  that  service  of  process   sufficient  for  personal
jurisdiction  in any  action  against  Company  or any  Borrower  may be made by
registered  or  certified  mail,  return  receipt  requested,  to Company at its
address as provided in subsection  10.10,  and Company and each Borrower  hereby
acknowledge that such service shall be effective and binding in every respect if
timely  received.  Nothing herein shall affect the right to serve process in any
other  manner  permitted  by law or shall  limit the right of any party to bring
proceedings against any party in the courts of any other jurisdiction.

10.20    Waiver of Jury Trial.

                 EACH OF THE PARTIES TO THIS  AGREEMENT  HEREBY  AGREES TO WAIVE
ITS RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON
OR  ARISING  OUT OF THIS  AGREEMENT  OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN  DOCUMENTS  OR ANY
DEALINGS BETWEEN THEM RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS LOAN TRANSACTION OR
THE LENDER/ BORROWER  RELATIONSHIP THAT IS BEING ESTABLISHED.  The scope of this
waiver is intended to be  all-encompassing  of any and all disputes  that may be
filed in any court and that  relate to the subject  matter of this  transaction,
including,  without  limitation,  contract claims,  tort claims,  breach of duty
claims  and all  other  common  law and  statutory  claims.  Each  party  hereto
acknowledges that this waiver is a material  inducement to enter into a business
relationship,  that each has already relied on this waiver in entering into this
Agreement,  and that each will  continue to rely on this waiver in their related
future  dealings.  Each party hereto further warrants and represents that it has
reviewed  this  waiver  with  its  legal  counsel  and  that  it  knowingly  and
voluntarily  waives  its jury trial  rights  following  consultation  with legal
counsel. THIS WAIVER IS IRREVOCABLE,  MEANING THAT IT MAY NOT BE MODIFIED EITHER
ORALLY OR IN WRITING,




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<PAGE>



AND THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS,  RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS
OR  MODIFICATIONS TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR TO ANY
OTHER  DOCUMENTS  OR  AGREEMENTS  RELATING TO THE  OBLIGATIONS.  In the event of
litigation,  this Agreement may be filed as a written  consent to a trial by the
court.

10.21    Confidentiality.

                 Each  Lender  shall hold all  non-public  information  obtained
pursuant to the  requirements  of this  Agreement  which has been  identified as
confidential  by  Company  or any  Borrower  in  accordance  with such  Lender's
customary  procedures  for handling  its own  confidential  information  of this
nature  and in  accordance  with  safe and  sound  banking  practices,  it being
understood  and agreed by Company and  Borrowers  that Lenders may disclose such
information (i) to their  accountants and legal counsel in connection with their
ongoing review of the credit  extended under this Agreement and (ii) to any bona
fide or prospective  assignee,  transferee or participant in connection with the
contemplated  assignment  or  transfer  by such  Lender of any  Loans,  Bankers'
Acceptances,  participations in Letters of Credit or any partici- pation therein
or as required (provided that in each case of disclosure under (i) and (ii), the
disclosing  party shall  advise  such  persons of the  non-public  nature of the
information  and secure  from such  persons in advance of  disclosure  that such
persons  will treat the  information  as  confidential  in  accordance  with its
customary  procedures  for  handling  confidential  information,  subject to the
disclosure   provisions   herein),   (iii)  to  any   governmental   agency   or
representative  thereof upon its reasonable  request,  or (iv) pursuant to legal
process  (provided  that in the  case of  disclosure  under  (iii)  (other  than
regulatory  reviews in the ordinary course of business) and (iv), the disclosing
party shall  advise  Company  (unless  such  disclosure  is  prohibited  by such
governmental  agency or legal  process) of such  intended  disclosure as soon as
possible in advance if feasible and otherwise as soon as possible thereafter and
shall cooperate with Company,  at Company's expense, in any reasonable effort by
Company to prevent  disclosure of such  information);  provided that in no event
shall any Lender be obligated or required to return any  materials  furnished by
Company or any of its Subsidiaries.


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10.22    Entire Agreement.

                 This  Agreement,  taken  together  with all of the  other  Loan
Documents  and all  certificates  and other  documents  delivered  by Company to
Administrative Agent and Lenders pursuant to the Loan Documents, and any letters
among Company,  Borrowers,  any Agent and/or Arranger relating to fees, embodies
the entire  agreement and  supersedes  all prior  agreements,  written and oral,
relating to the subject matter hereof.

10.23    Counterparts; Effectiveness.

                 This  Agreement  and  any  amendments,   waivers,  consents  or
supplements  hereto or in  connection  herewith may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate  counterparts,  each of
which when so executed and delivered  shall be deemed an original,  but all such
counterparts  together  shall  constitute  but  one  and  the  same  instrument;
signature pages may be detached from multiple separate counterparts and attached
to a single  counterpart so that all signature pages are physically  attached to
the same document. This Agreement shall become effective upon the execution of a
counterpart  hereof by each of the  parties  hereto and  receipt by Company  and
Administrative Agent of written or telephonic notification of such execution and
authorization of delivery thereof.

10.24    Judgment Currency.

                 If for the  purposes of obtaining a judgment in any court it is
necessary to convert a sum due hereunder or under any other Loan Document in any
currency (the "Original Currency") into another currency (the "Other Currency"),
the parties hereto agree, to the fullest extent that they may effectively do so,
that the rate of exchange used shall be the rate of exchange used in calculating
Dollar Equivalents on the Business Day preceding that on which final judgment is
given.  The obligation of Company and each Borrower in respect of any sum due in
the Original  Currency from it to any Agent or any Lender hereunder or under any
other Loan Document shall,  notwithstanding  any judgment in any Other Currency,
be discharged  only to the extent that on the Business Day following  receipt by
such  Agent  or such  Lender  of any  sum  adjudged  to be so due in such  Other
Currency such Agent or such Lender may in accordance with normal banking proce-


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<PAGE>



dures purchase the Original Currency with such Other Currency;  if the amount of
the Original  Currency so purchased is less than the sum  originally due to such
Lender in the Original  Currency,  Company and  Borrowers  agree,  as a separate
obligation and  notwithstanding  any such  judgment,  to indemnify such Agent or
such Lender  against such loss,  and if the amount of the  Original  Currency so
purchased exceeds the sum originally due to any Lender in the Original Currency,
such Agent or such Lender agrees to remit to Company or the applicable Borrower,
as the case may be, such excess.

10.25    Change in Control.

         A.      If individuals who on the Effective Date were members of
the  board of  directors  of  Company  (together  with any new  directors  whose
election to such board of  directors  or whose  nomination  for  election by the
shareholders  of Company was  approved by a vote of a majority of the  directors
then still in office who were either  directors on the  Effective  Date or whose
election or nomination  for election was  previously so approved)  cease for any
reason to constitute a majority of such board of directors then in office; or if
a  "Change  of  Control"  as  defined  in the  indenture  pursuant  to which the
Subordinated  Debentures have been issued shall have occurred;  or if any Person
or any two or more  Persons  acting in concert  shall have  acquired  beneficial
ownership  (within  the  meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission  under the Exchange Act),  directly or  indirectly,  of Securities of
Company (or other Securities convertible into such Securities)  representing 30%
or more of the combined  voting power of all  Securities of Company  entitled to
vote in the  election of  directors,  there  shall be deemed to have  occurred a
"Company Change of Control."

         B.      If a Change of Control shall occur, automatically and
without any notice to Company and Borrowers,  all Commitments and obligations of
Lenders  hereunder  shall  terminate,  and two  Business  Days  thereafter,  all
Obligations  under this Agreement  shall become  payable in full,  including any
amounts  that  may be due  pursuant  to  subsection  2.6D.  Failure  to pay  all
Obligations  on the date due and  failure  to  secure  the  cancellation  of all
Letters of Credit and Bankers'  Acceptances then outstanding shall constitute an
Event of Default.





                                       177

<PAGE>



                 IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  hereto  have  caused  this
Agreement  to be duly  executed  and  delivered  by  their  respective  officers
thereunto duly authorized as of the date first written above.

                                    Company:

                                    HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY


                                    By:
                                    Title:

                                    Notice Address:

                                    Homestake Mining Company
                                    650 California Street
                                    San Francisco, California 94108-2788
                                    Attn: Treasurer
                                    Fax: (415) 397-5038


                                    U.S. Borrower:

                                    HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY OF CALIFORNIA


                                    By:
                                    Title:

                                    Notice Address:

                                    Homestake Mining Company of California
                                    650 California Street
                                    San Francisco, California 94108-2788
                                    Attn: Treasurer
                                    Fax: (415) 397-5038



                                       S-1

<PAGE>





                                    Canadian Borrower:

                                    HOMESTAKE CANADA INC.

                                    By:
                                    
                                    Title:

                                    Notice Address:

                                        Homestake Canada Inc.
                                        c/o Homestake Mining Company
                                        650 California Street
                                        San Francisco, California  94108-2788
                                        Attn:  Treasurer
                                        Fax:  (415) 397-5038


                                    Australian Borrower:

                                    HOMESTAKE GOLD OF AUSTRALIA LIMITED



                                    By:
                                    Title:


                                     Notice Address:

                                        Homestake Gold of Australia Limited
                                        c/o Homestake Mining Company
                                        650 California Street
                                        San Francisco, California  94108-2788
                                        Attn:  Treasurer
                                        Fax:  (415) 397-5038





                                       S-2

<PAGE>



                                     LENDERS:

                                     THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, individually, as 
                                     a U.S. Lender, as an Issuing Lender, and as
                                     Administrative Agent



                                     By:
                                     Title:

                                     Notice Address:

                                        The Chase Manhattan Bank
                                        1 Chase Manhattan Plaza
                                        New York, NY 10081
                                        Attention:  James Ramage
                                        Fax: (212) 552-5555

                                     With a copy to

                                        Agent Bank Services Group
                                        145 East 45th Street
                                        New York, NY 10017
                                        Attn:
                                        Fax: (212) 622-0002

                                     THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK OF CANADA,
                                     individually, as a Canadian Lender, as an 
                                     Issuing Lender, and as Canadian Administra-
                                     tive Agent

                                         By:
                                         Title:

                                     Notice Address:

                                         The Chase Manhattan Bank of Canada
                                         150 King Street West 16th Floor
                                         Box 68
                                         Toronto Ontario M5H 1J9 Canada




                                       S-3

<PAGE>




                                     CHASE SECURITIES AUSTRALIA LIMITED,
                                     as Australian Administrative Agent

                                     By:
                                     Title:

                                     Notice Address:

                                        Level 35, AAP Centre
                                        259 George Street
                                        Sydney 2000, Australia



                                     THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as an Australian
                                     Lender


                                     By:
                                     Title:


                                     Notice Address:

                                        Level 35, AAP Centre
                                        259 George Street
                                        Sydney 2000, Australia


                                     CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE,
                                     individually, as a U.S. Lender, and as 
                                     Documentation Agent



                                     By:
                                     Title:


                                     Notice Address:



                                       S-4

<PAGE>




                                     Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
                                     425 Lexington Avenue, 7th Floor
                                     New York, New York  10017


                                     CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE, as a
                                     Canadian Lender

                                     By:
                                     Title:


                                     Notice Address:

                                        Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
                                        Commerce Court West 3
                                        Toronto, Ontario M5L 1A2



                                     CIBC AUSTRALIA LIMITED, as an Australian 
                                     Lender

                                     By:
                                     Title:

                                     Notice Address:

                                        [TO COME]


                                     ARRANGER:




                                       S-5

<PAGE>



                                    CHASE SECURITIES INC., as Arranger


                                    By:
                                    Title:

                                    Notice Address:

                                       [TO COME]





                                       S-6

<PAGE>
                                    EXHIBIT I

                           FORM OF NOTICE OF BORROWING


                 Pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of September
20, 1996, as amended to the date hereof (said Credit  Agreement,  as so amended,
being the  "Credit  Agreement",  the terms  defined  therein  and not  otherwise
defined  herein being used herein as therein  defined),  by and among  Homestake
Mining Company, a Delaware corporation ("Company"),  Homestake Mining Company of
California, a California corporation ("U.S.  Borrower"),  Homestake Canada Inc.,
an  Ontario  corporation  ("Canadian  Borrower"),  Homestake  Gold of  Australia
Limited, a South Australia corporation  ("Australian  Borrower"),  the financial
institutions listed therein as Lenders ("Lenders"),  The Chase Manhattan Bank of
Canada, as Canadian  Administrative Agent for Lenders ("Canadian  Administrative
Agent"), Chase Manhattan Securities Limited, as Australian  Administrative Agent
for Lenders  ("Australian  Administrative  Agent"),  Chase  Securities  Inc., as
Arranger for Lenders  ("Arranger"),  The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Administrative
Agent for  Lenders  ("Administrative  Agent"),  and  Canadian  Imperial  Bank of
Commerce,  as  Documentation  Agent for Lenders  ("Documentation  Agent"),  this
represents the request of [U.S. Borrower/Canadian  Borrower/Australian Borrower]
(hereinafter the "Applicable  Borrower") to borrow on  _____________,  ____ (the
"Funding  Date") from  [U.S./Canadian/Australian]  Lenders,  in accordance  with
their    applicable    Pro   Rata    Shares,    Loans   in   the    amount    of
[$/Cdn.$/A.$____________/____  Ounces of Gold],  which Loans shall be [U.S. Base
Rate/U.S.  Base Rate (Canada)/Canadian Base Rate/Eurodollar  Rate/Bank Bill Swap
Rate/Gold] Loans.

                 [This further represents the Applicable Borrower's request that
[the amount of the Gold Loan hereby requested be converted into Dollars based on
the Price of Gold in effect  the  second  Business  Day  preceding  the  Funding
Date/Gold  constituting such Loan be delivered to the Applicable Borrower].  The
Applicable  Borrower  hereby  requests  that the  interest  on such Gold Loan be
payable in  [Dollars/Gold]  based on the  [average  of the daily  values of such
Loan,  in  Dollar  Equivalents/the  Price  of Gold on the  second  Business  Day
preceding the Funding Date.]

                 [The initial Interest Period for such Loans is requested to be 
a [one/two/three/six month] [30/60/90/180 day] period.]

                 The  proceeds  of  such  Loans  are  to  be  deposited  in  the
Applicable      Borrower's      [account     at      Administrative      Agent's
[Canadian/U.S./Australian]   Lending   Office/bullion  account  maintained  with
_________________, at its office located at________________].




                                       I-1

<PAGE>



                 The  undersigned  officer/director,  to the  best of his or her
knowledge, and the Applicable Borrower certify that:

                 (i) The representations and warranties  contained in the Credit
         Agreement and the other Loan  Documents are true,  correct and complete
         in all  material  respects  on and as of the  date  hereof  to the same
         extent  as  though  made on and as of the date  hereof,  except  to the
         extent  that  changes  in  the  facts  and  conditions  on  which  such
         representations  and  warranties  were based are  required or permitted
         under the Credit Agreement;

                 (ii) No event has  occurred and is  continuing  or would result
         from the consummation of the borrowing  contemplated  hereby that would
         constitute an Event of Default or a Potential Event of Default;

                 (iii) The  Company  and each  Borrower  have  performed  in all
         material respects all agreements and satisfied all conditions which the
         Credit Agreement and other Loan Documents provide shall be performed or
         satisfied by it on or before the date hereof;

                 (iv) There is no pending or, to the knowledge of Company or any
         Borrower,   threatened,   action,   suit,   proceeding,    governmental
         investigation or arbitration against or affecting Company or any of its
         Subsidiaries or any property of Company or any of its  Subsidiaries and
         there has occurred no development in any such action, suit, proceeding,
         governmental  investigation or arbitration that, in either event, would
         reasonably  be  expected  to have a  Material  Adverse  Effect,  unless
         disclosed to and consented to by Requisite  Lenders;  and no injunction
         or other  restraining  order has been issued and no hearing to cause an
         injunction  or other  restraining  order to be  issued  is  pending  or
         noticed  with  respect to any  action,  suit or  proceeding  seeking to
         enjoin or  otherwise  prevent  the  consummation  of, or to recover any
         damages or obtain relief as a result of, the transactions  contemplated
         by the Credit Agreement or the making of Loans, the issuance of Letters
         of  Credit  or  the  creation  and  purchase  of  Bankers'  Acceptances
         thereunder;

                 (v)      No Company Change of Control has occurred; and

                 (vi) After giving  effect to the proposed  Loan,  the Borrowers
         are in compliance with each of the clauses (a) through (i) set forth in
         subsection 2.1A.


DATED: __________         [HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY OF
                          CALIFORNIA/HOMESTAKE CANADA
                          INC./HOMESTAKE GOLD OF AUSTRALIA
                          LIMITED]



                                       I-2

<PAGE>





                                        By: __________________________
                                        Title: ________________________




                                       I-1

<PAGE>



                                   EXHIBIT II

                    FORM OF NOTICE OF CONVERSION/CONTINUATION


                 Pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of September
20, 1996, as amended to the date hereof (said Credit  Agreement,  as so amended,
being the  "Credit  Agreement",  the terms  defined  therein  and not  otherwise
defined  herein being used herein as therein  defined),  by and among  Homestake
Mining Company, a Delaware corporation ("Company"),  Homestake Mining Company of
California, a California corporation ("U.S.  Borrower"),  Homestake Canada Inc.,
an  Ontario  corporation  ("Canadian  Borrower"),  Homestake  Gold of  Australia
Limited, a South Australia corporation  ("Australian  Borrower"),  the financial
institutions listed therein as Lenders ("Lenders"),  The Chase Manhattan Bank of
Canada, as Canadian  Administrative Agent for Lenders ("Canadian  Administrative
Agent"), Chase Manhattan Securities Limited, as Australian  Administrative Agent
for Lenders  ("Australian  Administrative  Agent"),  Chase  Securities  Inc., as
Arranger for Lenders  ("Arranger"),  The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Administrative
Agent for  Lenders  ("Administrative  Agent"),  and  Canadian  Imperial  Bank of
Commerce,  as  Documentation  Agent for Lenders  ("Documentation  Agent"),  this
represents [U.S. Borrower's/Canadian  Borrower's/Australian  Borrower's] request
to [Select A or B: [A:  convert  $_________  in  principal  amount of  presently
outstanding   Loans   that   are   [U.S.   Base/U.S.    Base   (Canada)/Canadian
Base/Eurodollar]   Rate  Loans  to  [U.S.   Base/U.S.   Base   (Canada)/Canadian
Base/Eurodollar] Rate Loans on ____________,  ____. [The initial Interest Period
for such  Eurodollar Rate Loans is requested to be a  [one/two/three/six]  month
period.]]  [B:  continue  as  [Eurodollar/   Gold/Bank  Bill  Swap]  Rate  Loans
[$_________/________Ounces]  in principal amount of presently  outstanding Loans
with a final Interest  Payment Date of  ____________,  ____. The Interest Period
for such  [Eurodollar/Gold/Bank  Bill Swap] Rate Loans  commencing on such final
Interest   Payment  Date  is  requested  to  be  a   [one/two/three/six   month]
[30/60/90/180  day] period.]  [The  [U.S./Canadian/Australian]  Borrower  hereby
requests that the Interest on such Gold Loan be payable in [Dollars/Gold]  based
on the  [average  of the daily  values of such Loan,  in Dollar  Equivalents/the
Price of Gold on the second Business Day preceding the first day of the Interest
Period hereby requested].]

                 [For  Conversions to Eurodollar Rate Loans or  Continuations of
Eurodollar/Gold/Bank  Bill Swap Rate Loans (other than continuations of Loans by
Australian  Borrower) Only: The undersigned  officer,  to the best of his or her
knowledge,  and [U.S.  Borrower/Canadian  Borrower/Australian  Borrower] certify
that no Event of  Default or  Potential  Event of Default  has  occurred  and is
continuing under the Credit Agreement.]






                                      II-2

<PAGE>



DATED: __________             [HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY OF
                              CALIFORNIA/HOMESTAKE CANADA
                              INC./HOMESTAKE GOLD OF AUSTRALIA
                              LIMITED]


                                  By: __________________________
                                  Title: ________________________



                                      II-3

<PAGE>



                                  EXHIBIT III-A
                                 [FORM OF DRAFT]

BANKERS' ACCEPTANCE                                Due _______________ 19__
ACCEPTATION BANCAIRE                  Echeant le

NO. B.A. IL.0000
                                                   _____________, Canada

                                                   ____________________ 19__

On/Le  ___________________  19__ without grace,  for value received,  pay to the
order of the undersigned drawer the sum of/sans jours de grace et contra valeur,
payez a l'ordre du tireur  soussigne  la somme de  ____________________  dollars
($_____________)

To/A - [Name of Lender]
        ___________, Canada

                                                   HOMESTAKE CANADA INC.


                                                   Per:
                                                   par:_______________________
                                                       Authorized signature
                                                       Signature Autorisee

                              [FORM OF ACCEPTANCE]
                                ACCEPTED/ACCEPTE

date/le________________________________________________19__
       Payable at [INSERT LOCATION]/payable a ________

[Name of Lender]

Per:
par:____________________
    Authorized signature
    Signature Autorisee

Per:
par:____________________
    Authorized Signature
    Signature Autorisee




                                                     1

<PAGE>



                                  EXHIBIT III-B

                            [FORM OF DRAWING NOTICE]


                                              __________, _____



The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Administrative Agent
         Attention: _____________________________

and

The Chase Manhattan Bank of Canada, as Canadian Administrative Agent
         Attention: _____________________________


Ladies and Gentlemen:

                 Pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of September
20, 1996, as amended to the date hereof (said Credit  Agreement,  as so amended,
being the  "Credit  Agreement,"  the terms  defined  therein  and not  otherwise
defined  herein being used herein as therein  defined),  by and among  Homestake
Mining Company, a Delaware corporation ("Company"),  Homestake Mining Company of
California,  a  California  corporation,   Homestake  Canada  Inc.,  an  Ontario
corporation ("Canadian Borrower"),  Homestake Gold of Australia Limited, a South
Australia corporation, the financial institutions listed therein as Lenders, The
Chase Manhattan Bank of Canada,  as Canadian  Administrative  Agent for Lenders,
Chase  Manhattan  Securities  Limited,  as Australian  Administrative  Agent for
Lenders,  Chase  Securities  Inc., as Arranger for Lenders,  The Chase Manhattan
Bank,  as  Administrative  Agent for  Lenders,  and  Canadian  Imperial  Bank of
Commerce,  as Documentation  Agent for Lenders,  this represents the undersigned
Canadian  Borrower's  notice,  given  pursuant to subsection  2.8B of the Credit
Agreement,  requesting a Drawing under the Credit  Agreement on the date, in the
amount and having the term set forth below:

                 1.       The Drawing Date, which is a Business Day, is 
                          ___________, _____;

                 2.       The aggregate Face Amount of Drafts to be accepted is
                          Cdn. $_______________; and





                                                     1

<PAGE>



                 3.       The maturity date for such Drafts is ___________, 
                          ____, which represents a term to maturity of approxi-
                          mately [30/60/90/120/180] days.

                 The undersigned officers,  to the best of their knowledge,  and
the undersigned Canadian Borrower and Company, each hereby certifies that:

                 (i) The representations and warranties  contained in the Credit
         Agreement  and the other  Loan  Documents  (which  representations  and
         warranties  in the case of any  Canadian  Borrower  shall be limited to
         such  Canadian  Borrower and its  Subsidiaries)  are true,  correct and
         complete in all  material  respects on and as of the date hereof to the
         same extent as though made on and as of the date hereof,  except to the
         extent  that  changes  in  the  facts  and  conditions  on  which  such
         representations  and  warranties  were based are  required or permitted
         under the Credit Agreement;

                 (ii) No event has  occurred and is  continuing  or would result
         from the  consummation  of the drawing  contemplated  hereby that would
         constitute an Event of Default or a Potential Event of Default;

                 (iii) The  Company  and each  Borrower  have  performed  in all
         material respects all agreements and satisfied all conditions which the
         Credit Agreement and other Loan Documents provide shall be performed or
         satisfied by it on or before the date hereof;

                 (iv) There is no pending or, to the knowledge of Company or any
         Borrower,   threatened,   action,   suit,   proceeding,    governmental
         investigation or arbitration against or affecting Company or any of its
         Subsidiaries or any property of Company or any of its  Subsidiaries and
         there has occurred no development in any such action, suit, proceeding,
         governmental  investigation or arbitration that, in either event, would
         reasonably  be  expected  to have a  Material  Adverse  Effect,  unless
         disclosed to and consented to by Requisite  Lenders;  and no injunction
         or other  restraining  order to be issued is pending  or  noticed  with
         respect  to any  action,  suit  or  proceeding  seeking  to  enjoin  or
         otherwise  prevent  the  consummation  of, or to recover any damages to
         obtain  relief as a result of,  the  transactions  contemplated  by the
         Credit  Agreement  or the making of Loans,  the  issuance of Letters of
         Credit or the creation and purchase of Bankers' Acceptances thereunder;

                 (v)  No Company Change of Control has occurred;

                 (vi) After  giving  effect to the proposed  Drawing,  the Total
         Utilization  of  Commitments  does not exceed the  Commitments  then in
         effect and the Canadian  Commitment  Usage does not exceed the Canadian
         Allocation then in effect.





                                                     2

<PAGE>



                                                   HOMESTAKE CANADA INC.



                                                   By ________________________
                                                       Name:__________________
                                                       Title:_________________


Acknowledged and consented to as of the date hereof.

HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY



By __________________________
    Name:_____________________
    Title:____________________




                                                     3

<PAGE>



                                  EXHIBIT IV-A

                                  FORM OF NOTE

                              HOMESTAKE CANADA INC.

                     PROMISSORY NOTE DUE SEPTEMBER 20, 2001

$[1]                                                                    [2]
                                                                        [3]

                 FOR  VALUE   RECEIVED,   HOMESTAKE   CANADA  INC.,  an  Ontario
corporation  ("Canadian  Borrower"),  promises  to pay to the  order of [NAME OF
LENDER]  ("Payee"),  on or before September 20, 2001, the lesser of (x) 4 ($[1])
and (y) the unpaid  principal  amount of all advances  made by Payee to Canadian
Borrower as Loans under the Credit Agreement referred to below.

                 Canadian  Borrower  also promises to pay interest on the unpaid
principal  amount hereof,  from the date hereof until paid in full, at the rates
and at the times which shall be determined in accordance  with the provisions of
that  certain  Credit  Agreement  dated as of  September  20,  1996 by and among
Homestake Mining Company,  a Delaware  corporation,  Homestake Mining Company of
California,  a  California  corporation,   Homestake  Canada  Inc.,  an  Ontario
corporation, Homestake Gold of Australia Limited, a South Australia corporation,
the financial  institutions listed therein as Lenders,  The Chase Manhattan Bank
of  Canada,  as  Canadian  Administrative  Agent for  Lenders,  Chase  Manhattan
Securities  Limited,  as  Australian  Administrative  Agent for  Lenders,  Chase
Securities  Inc.  as  Arranger  for  Lenders,   The  Chase  Manhattan  Bank,  as
Administrative  Agent for Lenders,  and Canadian  Imperial Bank of Commerce,  as
Documentation  Agent for Lenders (said Credit  Agreement,  as it may be amended,
supplemented  or  otherwise  modified  from  time to  time,  being  the  "Credit
Agreement",  the terms defined  therein and not otherwise  defined  herein being
used herein as therein defined).

                 This Note is one of Canadian  Borrower's  "Notes"  which in the
aggregate  may  evidence  up to  $275,000,000  principal  amount of Loans and is
issued pursuant to and
- --------
[1] Insert amount of Lender's Commitment in numbers.
[2] Insert place of delivery of Note.
[3] Insert Effective Date.
[4] Insert amount of Lender's Commitment in words.




                                                     1

<PAGE>



entitled to the benefits of the Credit  Agreement,  to which reference is hereby
made for a more complete  statement of the terms and conditions  under which the
Loans evidenced hereby were made and are to be repaid.

                 All payments of principal  and interest in respect of this Note
shall be made in the same currency (which shall be Dollars or Canadian  Dollars)
as the Loans in respect  of which  such  payments  are being  made,  in same day
funds,  without  defense,  setoff or  counterclaim,  free of any  restriction or
condition,  and  shall be  delivered  to  Canadian  Administrative  Agent at the
Canadian Administrative Agent's Lending Office at such times as are provided for
in the Credit Agreement. Until notified in writing of the transfer of this Note,
Canadian Borrower, Canadian Administrative Agent, and Administrative Agent shall
be  entitled to deem Payee,  or such  Person who has been so  identified  by the
transferor in writing to Canadian Borrower,  Canadian  Administrative Agent, and
Administrative Agent as the holder of this Note, as the owner and holder of this
Note.  Each of Payee  and any  subsequent  holder of this  Note  agrees,  by its
acceptance hereof, that before disposing of this Note or any part hereof it will
make a notation  hereon of all Loans  evidenced  by this Note and all  principal
payments  previously made hereunder and of the date to which interest hereon has
been paid; provided, however, that the failure to make a notation of any payment
made on this  Note  shall not  limit or  otherwise  affect  the  obligations  of
Canadian Borrower hereunder with respect to payments of principal of or interest
on this Note.

                 Whenever  any payment on this Note shall be stated to be due on
a day  which  is not a  Business  Day,  such  payment  shall be made on the next
succeeding  Business  Day,  but not later  than  September  20,  2001,  and such
extension  of time  shall be  included  in the  computation  of the  payment  of
interest on this Note.

                 This Note is subject to mandatory  prepayment and to prepayment
at the option of Canadian  Borrower as provided in subsection 2.4A of the Credit
Agreement.

                 THE CREDIT  AGREEMENT  AND THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED  BY, AND
SHALL BE CONSTRUED  AND ENFORCED IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH,  THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK.

                 Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default,  the unpaid balance
of the  principal  amount of this Note,  together  with all  accrued  and unpaid
interest  thereon,  may become, or may be declared to be, due and payable in the
manner,  upon  the  conditions  and  with  the  effect  provided  in the  Credit
Agreement.

                 The terms of this Note are  subject  to  amendment  only in the
manner provided in the Credit Agreement.

                 This Note is subject to  restrictions on transfer or assignment
as provided in subsections 10.1 and 10.18 of the Credit Agreement.




                                                     2

<PAGE>




                 No reference herein to the Credit Agreement and no provision of
this Note or the  Credit  Agreement  shall  alter or impair the  obligations  of
Canadian Borrower, which are absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of
and  interest on this Note at the place,  at the  respective  times,  and in the
currency herein prescribed.

                 Canadian  Borrower  promises  to pay all  costs  and  expenses,
including reasonable  attorneys' fees, all as provided in subsection 10.2 of the
Credit  Agreement,  incurred in the  collection  and  enforcement  of this Note.
Canadian  Borrower and any endorsers of this Note hereby consent to renewals and
extensions of time at or after the maturity hereof,  without notice,  and hereby
waive diligence,  presentment,  protest, demand and notice of every kind and, to
the full extent  permitted by law, the right to plead any statute of limitations
as a defense to any demand hereunder.

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  Canadian  Borrower has caused this Note to
be duly executed and delivered by its officer  thereunto  duly  authorized as of
the date and at the place first written above.

                                                    HOMESTAKE CANADA INC.


                                                    By: ______________________
                                                   Title: ____________________





                                                     3

<PAGE>



                                  TRANSACTIONS
                                       ON
                                      NOTE







Date
____

 Type of Loan Made
   This Date
_____________

Amount of
Loan Made
  This Date
_____________

Amount of
Principal Paid
   This Date
_____________

Outstanding
Principal
Balance
   This Date
_____________


Notation
Made By
_________




                                                     4

<PAGE>



                                  EXHIBIT IV-B

                                  FORM OF NOTE

                       HOMESTAKE GOLD OF AUSTRALIA LIMITED

                     PROMISSORY NOTE DUE SEPTEMBER 20, 2001

$[1]                                                                    [2]
                                                                        [3]

                 FOR VALUE RECEIVED, HOMESTAKE GOLD OF AUSTRALIA
LIMITED, a South Australia corporation ("Australian Borrower"),  promises to pay
to the order of [NAME OF LENDER] ("Payee"), on or before September 20, 2001, the
lesser of (x) 4 ($[1]) and (y) the unpaid  principal amount of all advances made
by Payee to Australian  Borrower as Loans under the Credit Agreement referred to
below.

                 Australian Borrower also promises to pay interest on the unpaid
principal  amount hereof,  from the date hereof until paid in full, at the rates
and at the times which shall be determined in accordance  with the provisions of
that  certain  Credit  Agreement  dated as of  September  20,  1996 by and among
Homestake Mining Company,  a Delaware  corporation,  Homestake Mining Company of
California,  a  California  corporation,   Homestake  Canada  Inc.,  an  Ontario
corporation, Homestake Gold of Australia Limited, a South Australia corporation,
the financial  institutions listed therein as Lenders,  The Chase Manhattan Bank
of  Canada,  as  Canadian  Administrative  Agent for  Lenders,  Chase  Manhattan
Securities  Limited,  as  Australian  Administrative  Agent for  Lenders,  Chase
Securities  Inc.  as  Arranger  for  Lenders,   The  Chase  Manhattan  Bank,  as
Administrative  Agent for Lenders,  and Canadian  Imperial Bank of Commerce,  as
Documentation  Agent for Lenders (said Credit  Agreement,  as it may be amended,
supplemented  or  otherwise  modified  from  time to  time,  being  the  "Credit
Agreement",  the terms defined  therein and not otherwise  defined  herein being
used herein as therein defined).

                 This Note is one of Australian  Borrower's "Notes" which in the
aggregate  may  evidence  up to  $275,000,000  principal  amount of Loans and is
issued
- --------
[1] Insert amount of Lender's Commitment in numbers.
[2] Insert place of delivery of Note.
[3] Insert Effective Date.
[4] Insert amount of Lender's Commitment in words.




                                                     1

<PAGE>


pursuant to and  entitled  to the  benefits  of the Credit  Agreement,  to which
reference  is  hereby  made  for a more  complete  statement  of the  terms  and
conditions  under  which  the  Loans  evidenced  hereby  were made and are to be
repaid.

                 All payments of principal  and interest in respect of this Note
shall  be made in the  same  currency  (which  shall be  Dollars  or  Australian
Dollars) as the Loans in respect of which such  payments are being made, in same
day funds, without defense,  setoff or counterclaim,  free of any restriction or
condition,  and  shall  be  delivered  to  Australian  Administrative  Agent  at
Australian  Administrative  Agent's Lending Office at such times as are provided
for in the Credit  Agreement.  Until notified in writing of the transfer of this
Note, Australian Borrower,  Australian  Administrative Agent, and Administrative
Agent shall be entitled to deem Payee, or such Person who has been so identified
by the transferor in writing to Australian Borrower,  Australian  Administrative
Agent,  and  Administrative  Agent as the holder of this Note,  as the owner and
holder  of this  Note.  Each of Payee  and any  subsequent  holder  of this Note
agrees, by its acceptance hereof, that before disposing of this Note or any part
hereof it will make a notation  hereon of all Loans  evidenced  by this Note and
all  principal  payments  previously  made  hereunder  and of the  date to which
interest  hereon has been paid;  provided,  however,  that the failure to make a
notation of any payment  made on this Note shall not limit or  otherwise  affect
the  obligations  of Australian  Borrower  hereunder with respect to payments of
principal of or interest on this Note.

                 Whenever  any payment on this Note shall be stated to be due on
a day  which  is not a  Business  Day,  such  payment  shall be made on the next
succeeding  Business  Day,  but not later  than  September  20,  2001,  and such
extension  of time  shall be  included  in the  computation  of the  payment  of
interest on this Note.

                 This Note is subject to mandatory  prepayment and to prepayment
at the option of  Australian  Borrower  as provided  in  subsection  2.4A of the
Credit Agreement.

                 THE CREDIT  AGREEMENT  AND THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED  BY, AND
SHALL BE CONSTRUED  AND ENFORCED IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH,  THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK.

                 Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default,  the unpaid balance
of the  principal  amount of this Note,  together  with all  accrued  and unpaid
interest  thereon,  may become, or may be declared to be, due and payable in the
manner,  upon  the  conditions  and  with  the  effect  provided  in the  Credit
Agreement.

                 The terms of this Note are  subject  to  amendment  only in the
manner provided in the Credit Agreement.

                 This Note is subject to  restrictions on transfer or assignment
as provided in subsections 10.1 and 10.18 of the Credit Agreement.




                                                     2

<PAGE>


                 No reference herein to the Credit Agreement and no provision of
this Note or the  Credit  Agreement  shall  alter or impair the  obligations  of
Australian Borrower, which are absolute and unconditional,  to pay the principal
of and interest on this Note at the place, at the respective  times,  and in the
currency herein prescribed.

                 Australian  Borrower  promises  to pay all costs and  expenses,
including reasonable  attorneys' fees, all as provided in subsection 10.2 of the
Credit  Agreement,  incurred in the  collection  and  enforcement  of this Note.
Australian  Borrower and any  endorsers of this Note hereby  consent to renewals
and  extensions of time at or after the maturity  hereof,  without  notice,  and
hereby waive diligence,  presentment,  protest,  demand and notice of every kind
and,  to the full  extent  permitted  by law,  the right to plead any statute of
limitations as a defense to any demand hereunder.

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Australian Borrower has caused this Note to
be duly executed and delivered by its officer  thereunto  duly  authorized as of
the date and at the place first written above.

                                                    HOMESTAKE GOLD OF
                                                    AUSTRALIA LIMITED


                                                    By: _______________________
                                                    Title: ____________________




                                                     3

<PAGE>



                                  TRANSACTIONS
                                       ON
                                      NOTE









Date
____

 Type of
  Loan Made
   This Date
   ____________

Amount of
Loan Made
  This Date
  _____________

Amount of
Principal Paid
   This Date
   _________

Outstanding
Principal
Balance
   This Date
   _________


Notation
Made By
_______






                                                     4

<PAGE>



                                  EXHIBIT IV-C

                                  FORM OF NOTE

                     HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY OF CALIFORNIA

                     PROMISSORY NOTE DUE SEPTEMBER 20, 2001

$[1]                                                                     [2]
                                                                         [3]

                 FOR VALUE RECEIVED,  HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY OF CALIFORNIA,  a
California corporation ("U.S. Borrower"),  promises to pay to the order of [NAME
OF LENDER]  ("Payee"),  on or before  September  20,  2001,  the lesser of (x) 4
($[1]) and (y) the unpaid principal amount of all advances made by Payee to U.S.
Borrower as Loans under the Credit Agreement referred to below.

                 U.S.  Borrower  also  promises  to pay  interest  on the unpaid
principal  amount hereof,  from the date hereof until paid in full, at the rates
and at the times which shall be determined in accordance  with the provisions of
that  certain  Credit  Agreement  dated as of  September  20,  1996 by and among
Homestake Mining Company,  a Delaware  corporation,  Homestake Mining Company of
California,  a  California  corporation,   Homestake  Canada  Inc.,  an  Ontario
corporation, Homestake Gold of Australia Limited, a South Australia corporation,
the financial  institutions listed therein as Lenders,  The Chase Manhattan Bank
of  Canada,  as  Canadian  Administrative  Agent for  Lenders,  Chase  Manhattan
Securities  Limited,  as  Australian  Administrative  Agent for  Lenders,  Chase
Securities  Inc.  as  Arranger  for  Lenders,   The  Chase  Manhattan  Bank,  as
Administrative  Agent for Lenders,  and Canadian  Imperial Bank of Commerce,  as
Documentation  Agent for Lenders (said Credit  Agreement,  as it may be amended,
supplemented  or  otherwise  modified  from  time to  time,  being  the  "Credit
Agreement",  the terms defined  therein and not otherwise  defined  herein being
used herein as therein defined).

                 This Note is one of U.S. Borrower's "Notes" which in the 
aggregate  may  evidence  up to  $275,000,000  principal  amount of Loans and is
issued pursuant to and

- --------
[1] Insert amount of Lender's Commitment in numbers.
[2] Insert place of delivery of Note.
[3] Insert Effective Date.
[4] Insert amount of Lender's Commitment in words.




                                                     1

<PAGE>



entitled to the benefits of the Credit  Agreement,  to which reference is hereby
made for a more complete  statement of the terms and conditions  under which the
Loans evidenced hereby were made and are to be repaid.

                 All payments of principal  and interest in respect of this Note
shall  be  made in  Dollars  in same  day  funds,  without  defense,  setoff  or
counterclaim,  free of any  restriction or condition,  and shall be delivered to
Administrative Agent at Administrative Agent's U.S. Lending Office at such times
as are  provided  in the  Credit  Agreement.  Until  notified  in writing of the
transfer of this Note, U.S. Borrower and Administrative  Agent shall be entitled
to deem Payee,  or such Person who has been so identified  by the  transferor in
writing to U.S. Borrower and Administrative Agent as the holder of this Note, as
the owner and holder of this Note.  Each of Payee and any  subsequent  holder of
this Note agrees, by its acceptance  hereof,  that before disposing of this Note
or any part hereof it will make a notation hereon of all Loans evidenced by this
Note and all principal  payments  previously  made  hereunder and of the date to
which interest hereon has been paid; provided, however, that the failure to make
a notation of any payment made on this Note shall not limit or otherwise  affect
the obligations of U.S. Borrower hereunder with respect to payments of principal
of or interest on this Note.

                 Whenever  any payment on this Note shall be stated to be due on
a day  which  is not a  Business  Day,  such  payment  shall be made on the next
succeeding  Business  Day,  but not later  than  September  20,  2001,  and such
extension  of time  shall be  included  in the  computation  of the  payment  of
interest on this Note.

                 This Note is subject to mandatory  prepayment and to prepayment
at the option of U.S.  Borrower  as provided  in  subsection  2.4A of the Credit
Agreement.

                 THE CREDIT  AGREEMENT  AND THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED  BY, AND
SHALL BE CONSTRUED  AND ENFORCED IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH,  THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK.

                 Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default,  the unpaid balance
of the  principal  amount of this Note,  together  with all  accrued  and unpaid
interest  thereon,  may become, or may be declared to be, due and payable in the
manner,  upon  the  conditions  and  with  the  effect  provided  in the  Credit
Agreement.

                 The terms of this Note are  subject  to  amendment  only in the
manner provided in the Credit Agreement.

                 This Note is subject to  restrictions on transfer or assignment
as provided in subsections 10.1 and 10.18 of the Credit Agreement.





                                                     2

<PAGE>



                 No reference herein to the Credit Agreement and no provision of
this Note or the Credit  Agreement shall alter or impair the obligations of U.S.
Borrower,  which are absolute  and  unconditional,  to pay the  principal of and
interest on this Note at the place, at the respective times, and in the currency
herein prescribed.

                 U.S. Borrower promises to pay all costs and expenses, including
reasonable  attorneys'  fees,  all as provided in subsection  10.2 of the Credit
Agreement,  incurred  in the  collection  and  enforcement  of this  Note.  U.S.
Borrower  and  any  endorsers  of this  Note  hereby  consent  to  renewals  and
extensions of time at or after the maturity hereof,  without notice,  and hereby
waive diligence,  presentment,  protest, demand and notice of every kind and, to
the full extent  permitted by law, the right to plead any statute of limitations
as a defense to any demand hereunder.

                 IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  U.S.  Borrower has caused this Note to be
duly executed and delivered by its officer  thereunto duly  authorized as of the
date and at the place first written above.

                                                     HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY
                                                     OF CALIFORNIA


                                                     By: ______________________
                                                     Title: ___________________





                                                     3

<PAGE>



                                  TRANSACTIONS
                                       ON
                                      NOTE









Date
____

 Type of
  Loan Made
   This Date
   _________

Amount of
Loan Made
  This Date
  _________ 

Amount of
Principal Paid
   This Date
   _________

Outstanding
Principal
Balance
   This Date
   _________


Notation
Made By
_______





                                                     4

<PAGE>



                                    EXHIBIT V

                        FORM OF GRID GOLD ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

                               [NAME OF BORROWER]

                  CREDIT GOLD OBLIGATION DUE SEPTEMBER 20, 2001

                                                                        [5]
                                                                        [6]

                 FOR VALUE RECEIVED, [NAME OF BORROWER], a _________ corporation
("Borrower"),  promises to pay to the order of [NAME OF LENDER] ("Payee"), on or
before  September  20, 2001,  the number of Ounces of Gold advanced from time to
time by Payee to Borrower as Gold Loans under the Credit  Agreement  referred to
below.

                 Borrower also promises to pay interest on the unpaid  principal
amount hereof,  from the date hereof until paid in full, at the rates and at the
times  which shall be  determined  in  accordance  with the  provisions  of that
certain Credit  Agreement  dated as of September 20, 1996 by and among Homestake
Mining Company, a Delaware corporation,  Homestake Mining Company of California,
a  California  corporation,  Homestake  Canada  Inc.,  an  Ontario  corporation,
Homestake  Gold  of  Australia  Limited,  a  South  Australia  corporation,  the
financial  institutions  listed therein as Lenders,  The Chase Manhattan Bank of
Canada, as Canadian Administrative Agent for Lenders, Chase Manhattan Securities
Limited, as Australian  Administrative Agent for Lenders,  Chase Securities Inc.
as Arranger for Lenders,  The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Administrative  Agent for
Lenders,  and Canadian  Imperial Bank of Commerce,  as  Documentation  Agent for
Lenders (said Credit Agreement, as it may be amended,  supplemented or otherwise
modified  from time to time,  being the "Credit  Agreement",  the terms  defined
therein and not otherwise defined herein being used herein as therein defined).

                 This Grid Gold Acknowledgement (this  "Acknowledgement") is one
of Borrower's "Grid Gold  Acknowledgements"  which in the aggregate may evidence
up to  600,000  Ounces of Gold and is issued  pursuant  to and  entitled  to the
benefits of the Credit  Agreement,  to which reference is hereby made for a more
complete statement of the terms
- --------
[5] Insert place of delivery.
[6] Insert Effective Date.




                                                     1

<PAGE>



and conditions  under which the Gold Loans evidenced hereby were made and are to
be repaid.

                 All  payments  of  principal  and  interest  in respect of this
Acknowledgement  shall be made in accordance  with the  provisions of the Credit
Agreement,  in Gold or in Dollars, in same day funds, without defense, setoff or
counterclaim,  free of any restriction or condition,  and shall be delivered, if
paid in Dollars, to [Canadian/Australian]  Administrative Agent's Lending Office
or, if paid in Gold,  [Canadian/Australian]  Administrative Agent's account with
____________________,  London,  England, or such other bullion depository as may
be designated by  [Canadian/Australian]  Administrative Agent from time to time,
before 12:00 Noon (London time) on the day specified for payment. Until notified
in   writing   of   the    transfer    of   this    Acknowledgement,    Borrower
[Canadian/Australian]  Administrative Agent [and Administrative  Agent] shall be
entitled  to deem  Payee,  or such  Person  who has  been so  identified  by the
transferor in writing to Borrower and [Canadian/Australian] Administrative Agent
[and Administrative Agent] as the holder of this  Acknowledgement,  as the owner
and holder of this  Acknowledgment.  Each of Payee and any subsequent  holder of
this Acknowledgement  agrees, by its acceptance hereof, that before disposing of
this  Acknowledgement  or any part hereof it will make a notation  hereon of all
Loans evidenced by this  Acknowledgement  and all principal payments  previously
made hereunder and of the date to which interest hereon has been paid; provided,
however,  that  the  failure  to make a  notation  of any  payment  made on this
Acknowledgement  shall not limit or otherwise affect the obligations of Borrower
hereunder  with  respect  to  payments  of  principal  of or  interest  on  this
Acknowledgement.

                 Unless  [Canadian/Australian]   Administrative  Agent  receives
notice from Borrower  within seven  Business  Days of Borrower's  receipt of any
Gold,  the quantity and quality of the Gold so received shall be deemed to be as
set forth in  [Canadian/Australian]  Administrative  Agent's  delivery order. If
there is any  discrepancy  in the amount or quality of Gold actually  Delivered,
the amount of such  difference  shall be settled in Dollars (based on the Dollar
Equivalent on the date of Delivery of the Gold required to be advanced hereunder
and the Gold actually Delivered)  promptly after the Delivery thereof.  Borrower
assumes all risk of loss,  theft or detention of or damage to any Gold Delivered
hereunder from the date Borrower  receives  Delivery of such Gold until the date
of its return by Delivery to [Canadian/Australian] Administrative Agent.

                 Whenever any payment on this Acknowledgement shall be stated to
be due on a day which is not a Business  Day,  such payment shall be made on the
next  succeeding  Business  Day, but not later than  September 20, 2001 and such
extension  of time  shall be  included  in the  computation  of the  payment  of
interest on this Acknowledgement.

                 This  Acknowledgement is subject to mandatory prepayment and to
prepayment  at the option of  Borrower as  provided  in  subsection  2.4A of the
Credit Agreement.




                                                     2

<PAGE>




                 THE CREDIT AGREEMENT AND THIS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED
BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF
THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

                 Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default,  the unpaid balance
of the principal amount of this  Acknowledgement,  together with all accrued and
unpaid interest  thereon,  may become, or may be declared to be, due and payable
in the manner,  upon the conditions  and with the effect  provided in the Credit
Agreement.

                 The terms of this Acknowledgement are subject to amendment only
in the manner provided in the Credit Agreement.

                 This  Acknowledgement is subject to restrictions on transfer or
assignment as provided in subsections 10.1 and 10.18 of the Credit Agreement.

                 No reference herein to the Credit Agreement and no provision of
this  Acknowledgement  or  the  Credit  Agreement  shall  alter  or  impair  the
obligations  of  Borrower,  which are  absolute  and  unconditional,  to pay the
principal  of  and  interest  on  this  Acknowledgement  at  the  place,  at the
respective times, and in the currency herein prescribed.

                 Borrower  promises  to pay all  costs and  expenses,  including
reasonable  attorneys'  fees,  all as provided in subsection  10.2 of the Credit
Agreement,  incurred in the collection and enforcement of this  Acknowledgement.
Borrower and any endorsers of this  Acknowledgement  hereby  consent to renewals
and  extensions of time at or after the maturity  hereof,  without  notice,  and
hereby waive diligence,  presentment,  protest,  demand and notice of every kind
and,  to the full  extent  permitted  by law,  the right to plead any statute of
limitations as a defense to any demand hereunder.

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Borrower has caused this Acknowledgement to
be duly executed and delivered by its officer  thereunto  duly  authorized as of
the date and at the place first written above.

                                                  [NAME OF BORROWER]


                                                   By: _______________________
                                                   Title: ____________________





                                                     3

<PAGE>



                                  TRANSACTIONS
                                       ON
                            GRID GOLD ACKNOWLEDGEMENT







Date
____

Amount of
Loan Made
  This Date
  _________

Amount of
Gold Paid
   This Date
   _________

Outstanding
Principal
Balance
   This Date
   _________


Notation
Made By
_______




                                                     4

<PAGE>



                                   EXHIBIT VI

                         FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE


THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY CERTIFY THAT:

                 (1) We are the  duly  elected  [President/Vice  President]  and
         [Chief  Financial  Officer/Treasurer/Controller]  of each of  Homestake
         Mining Company, a Delaware  corporation  ("Company"),  Homestake Mining
         Company of California,  a California corporation ("U.S.  Borrower") and
         Homestake Canada Inc., an Ontario  corporation  ("Canadian  Borrower"),
         and  [Directors/Secretary]  of Homestake Gold of Australia  Limited,  a
         South Australia corporation ("Australian Borrower");

                 (2) We have reviewed the terms of that certain Credit Agreement
         dated as of  September  20,  1996,  as amended to the date hereof (said
         Credit  Agreement,  as so amended,  being the "Credit  Agreement",  the
         terms  defined  therein and not otherwise  defined in this  Certificate
         (including  Attachment  No. 1 annexed  hereto  and made a part  hereof)
         being  used in this  Certificate  as  therein  defined),  by and  among
         Homestake Mining Company, a Delaware corporation ("Company"), Homestake
         Mining  Company  of  California,   a  California   corporation   ("U.S.
         Borrower"),  Homestake Canada Inc., an Ontario  corporation  ("Canadian
         Borrower"),  Homestake  Gold of Australia  Limited,  a South  Australia
         corporation ("Australian Borrower"),  the financial institutions listed
         therein as Lenders ("Lenders"),  The Chase Manhattan Bank of Canada, as
         Canadian  Administrative  Agent for Lenders  ("Canadian  Administrative
         Agent"),    Chase   Manhattan   Securities   Limited,   as   Australian
         Administrative Agent for Lenders ("Australian  Administrative  Agent"),
         Chase Securities Inc., as Arranger for Lenders ("Arranger"),  The Chase
         Manhattan Bank, as  Administrative  Agent for Lenders  ("Administrative
         Agent"), and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, as Documentation Agent
         for Lenders ("Documentation Agent") and we have made, or have caused to
         be made under our  supervision,  a review in  reasonable  detail of the
         transactions and condition of Company, U.S. Borrower, Canadian Borrower
         and Australian  Borrower and their respective  Subsidiaries  during the
         accounting period covered by the attached financial statements;

                 (3) The  examination  described in paragraph  (2) above did not
         disclose,  and we have no knowledge  of, the existence of any condition
         or event which  constitutes  an Event of Default or Potential  Event of
         Default  during or at the end of the  accounting  period covered by the
         attached  financial  statements or as of the date of this Certificate[,
         except as set forth below];





                                                     1

<PAGE>



                 [Set  forth   [below]  [in  a  separate   attachment   to  this
Certificate] are all exceptions to paragraph (3) above listing,  in detail,  the
nature of the condition or event, the period during which it has existed and the
action  which  Company,  U.S.  Borrower,  Canadian  Borrower  and/or  Australian
Borrower  has taken,  is taking,  or proposes to take with  respect to each such
condition or event:
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________]
                                                                              
                  (4) Company, U.S. Borrower,  Canadian Borrower and Australian 
         Borrower  are  in  compliance  with  the  restrictions   contained  in
         subsections  6.1 through  6.11 of the Credit  Agreement  [except  that
         [describe any instances where not in compliance]];  and 

                   (5) There have been no changes to the Subsidiaries of Company
         and the Borrowers  identified in Schedule 4.1 during the period covered
         by this  Compliance  Certificate  [except  that  [describe  changes  to
         Schedule 4.1]].

                 The foregoing  certifications,  together with the  computations
set forth in  Attachment  No. 1 annexed  hereto  and made a part  hereof and the
financial statements delivered with this Certificate in support hereof, are made
and delivered this  __________  day of  __________,  ____ pursuant to subsection
5.1(iii) of the Credit Agreement.

                                           HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY


                                           By: _______________________________
                                           Title: ____________________________


                                           By: _______________________________
                                           Title: ____________________________



                                           HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY OF
                                           CALIFORNIA


                                           By: _______________________________




                                                     2

<PAGE>



                                           Title: ____________________________


                                           By: _______________________________
                                           Title: ____________________________



                                           HOMESTAKE CANADA INC.

                                           By: _______________________________
                                           Title: ____________________________


                                           By: _______________________________
                                           Title: ____________________________



                                           HOMESTAKE GOLD OF AUSTRALIA
                                           IMITED


                                           By: _______________________________
                                           Title: ____________________________


                                           By: _______________________________
                                           Title: ____________________________






                                                     3

<PAGE>



                                ATTACHMENT NO. 1
                            TO COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE


                 This  Attachment  No.  1 is  attached  to and  made a part of a
Compliance Certificate dated as of ____________, ____ and pertains to the period
from  ____________,  ____ to ____________,  ____.  Subsection  references herein
relate to subsections of the Credit Agreement.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>      <C>              <C>                                                            <C>  
A.       Indebtedness:

         1.               Aggregate principal amount of
                          Indebtedness of Prime to Company
                          or any other subsidiary of Company
                          under subsection 6.1(iii):                                     $_____________

         2.               Maximum aggregate principal amount of
                          Indebtedness of Prime to Company or
                          any other Subsidiary of Company
                          permitted under subsection 6.1(iii):                           $50,000,000

         3.               Nonrecourse Debt of (a) Prime, Australian
                          Borrower, Canadian Borrower and any
                          Subsidiary of Company (other than
                          U.S. Borrower) to the extent such Indebtedness
                          is secured solely by Liens on assets and
                          properties owned on the Effective Date that
                          are undeveloped or that are acquired after
                          the Effective Date by the Person receiving
                          the proceeds of such Indebtedness and not
                          adjacent to or relating to any Mining Group
                          properties existing as of the Effective Date,
                          and (b) U.S. Borrower secured solely by Liens
                          on assets and properties owned on the
                          Effective Date that are undeveloped
                          permitted under subsection 6.1(vii):                           $_____________

         4.               Maximum amount of Non-Recourse Debt
                          Indebtedness permitted under
                          subsection 6.1(vii):                                           $400,000,000

         5.               Additional Indebtedness of Subsidiaries
                          of Borrowers permitted under
</TABLE>




                                                     4

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>




<S>      <C>              <C>                                                            <C>    
                          subsection 6.1(viii)(a):                                       $______________
                                                 
         6.               Maximum amount of additional Indebtedness
                          of Subsidiaries of Borrowers permitted
                          under subsection 6.1(viii)(a):                                 $50,000,000

         7.               Additional Indebtedness of Borrowers
                          permitted under subsection 6.1(viii)(b):                       $______________

         8.               Maximum amount of additional Indebtedness
                          of Borrowers permitted under subsection
                          6.1(viii)(b):                                                  $75,000,000 less
                                                                                         the amount listed
                                                                                         in item 5 above.

B.       Liens:

         1.               Indebtedness secured by Purchase Money Security
                          Interests permitted under subsection 6.2(iii):                 $_____________

         2.               Maximum amount of Indebtedness secured by
                          Purchase Money Security Interests permitted
                          under subsection 6.2(iii):                                     $25,000,000


C.       Investments:

         1.               Investments (other than Investments described
                          in Schedule 6.3) Company and its
                          Subsidiaries are permitted to continue
                          to own under subsection 6.3(iv):                               $_____________

         2.               Maximum aggregate amount of all
                          Investments (other than Investments
                          described in Schedule 6.3) Company
                          and its Subsidiaries are permitted
                          to continue to own under subsection 6.3(iv):                   $10,000,000

         3.               Investments acquired in connection with
                          Asset Sales permitted under
                          subsection 6.3(vi):                                            $_____________

         4.               Maximum aggregate amount of


</TABLE>


                                                     5

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


<S>      <C>              <C>                                                            <C>
                          all Investments in connection
                          with Asset Sales permitted under
                          subsection 6.3(vi):                                            $50,000,000


D.       Contingent Obligations:

         1.               Aggregate notional principal amount of
                          Interest Rate Protection Agreements
                          permitted under subsection 6.4(ii):                            $_____________

         2.               Maximum notional principal amount of
                          Interest Rate Protection Agreements permitted
                          under subsection 6.4(ii):                                      $100,000,000

         3.               Aggregate amount guarantied by Company
                          and its Subsidiaries under guaranties
                          of any obligations of Company's Subsidiaries
                          (including Joint Ventures) permitted
                          under subsection 6.4(iv):                                      $_____________

         4.               Maximum aggregate amount permitted
                          to be guaranteed under subsection 6.4(iv):                     $100,000,000

         5.               Aggregate notional amount outstanding
                          under gold futures, options or forward
                          sales contracts, Currency Agreements and
                          similar arrangements designed to
                          protect against fluctuations in
                          price of Gold or relative exchange
                          rates for currencies permitted
                          under subsection 6.4(vi):                                      $_____________

         6.               Maximum notional amount of aggregate contingent
                          liability under all such futures, options,
                          contracts, agreements and arrangements
                          permitted under subsection 6.4(vi):                            $600,000,000

         7.               Aggregate amount outstanding
                          under standby letters of credit and
                          surety bonds securing Indebtedness or
                          Contingent Obligations of Company and its
                          Subsidiaries permitted under subsection 6.4(vii)(b):           $____________

</TABLE>


                                                     6

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>




<S>      <C>              <C>                                                            <C>        
         8.               Maximum amount of aggregate liability
                          under all such standby letters of credit and
                          surety bonds under subsection 6.4(vii)(b):                     $50,000,000


E.       Minimum Consolidated Net Worth (as of __________, ____)

         1.               Company's current Consolidated Net Worth:                      $_____________

         2.               Minimum Consolidated Net Worth required under
                          the Credit Agreement:
                                                                                         $500,000,000

F.       Maximum Leverage Ratio (as of __________, _____)

         1.               Consolidated Total Debt:                                       $_____________

         2.               Consolidated Net Worth:                                        $_____________

         3.               Ratio of F.1 to F.1 + F.2:                                     _____ to 1.00

         4.               Maximum Leverage Ratio permitted
                          under subsection 6.6B:                                         0.50 to 1.00


</TABLE>


                                                     7

<PAGE>



                                  EXHIBIT VII-A

              FORM OF OPINION OF THELEN, MARRIN, JOHNSON & BRIDGES


                                                            September __, 1996


The Chase Manhattan Bank of Canada,
  as Canadian Administrative Agent
150 King Street West 16th Floor
Box 68
Toronto Ontario
Canada MSH 1J9

         and

Chase Manhattan Securities Limited,
  as Australian Administrative Agent
Level 35 AAP Center
259 George Street
Sydney NSW Australia 2000

         and

Chase Securities Inc.,
  as Arranger
270 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017

         and

The Chase Manhattan Bank,
  as Administrative Agent
1 Chase Manhattan Plaza
New York, NY 10081

         and

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce,
  as Documentation Agent
Commerce Court West
Toronto, Ontario




                                                     1

<PAGE>



Canada M5L 1A2

         and the Lenders Listed
on Schedule I Hereto

              Re:   Credit  Agreement  dated  September 20, 1996 among Homestake
                    Mining  Company,  Homestake  Mining  Company of  California,
                    Homestake Canada Inc.,  Homestake Gold of Australia Limited,
                    the  Lenders  named  therein,  The Chase  Manhattan  Bank of
                    Canada, as Canadian  Administrative  Agent,  Chase Manhattan
                    Securities  Limited,  as  Australian  Administrative  Agent,
                    Chase  Securities  Inc.,  as Arranger,  The Chase  Manhattan
                    Bank, as Administrative Agent, and Canadian Imperial Bank of
                    Commerce, as Documentation Agent


Ladies and Gentlemen:

                 We have acted as special New York counsel to  Homestake  Mining
Company,  a Delaware  corporation (the  "Company"),  Homestake Mining Company of
California,  a California  corporation (the "U.S.  Borrower"),  Homestake Canada
Inc., an Ontario  corporation (the "Canadian  Borrower"),  and Homestake Gold of
Australia Limited, a South Australia corporation (the "Australian  Borrower") in
connection  with the  execution  and delivery of the Credit  Agreement  dated as
September 20, 1996, among the Company, the U.S. Borrower, the Canadian Borrower,
the Australian Borrower,  the Lenders named therein, The Chase Manhattan Bank of
Canada, as Canadian Administrative Agent, Chase Manhattan Securities Limited, as
Australian  Administrative Agent, Chase Securities Inc., as Arranger,  The Chase
Manhattan Bank, as Administrative  Agent and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce,
as  Documentation  Agent (the  "Credit  Agreement"),  and  certain  transactions
relating thereto. All terms used herein that are defined in the Credit Agreement
have the respective  meanings specified in the Credit Agreement.  This letter is
being  delivered to you in satisfaction of the condition set forth in subsection
3.1E of the Credit  Agreement and with the  understanding  that you are entering
into the Credit Agreement in reliance on the opinions expressed herein.

                 In  our  capacity  as  such  counsel,   we  have  examined  the
originals,  or copies  identified to our  satisfaction as being true copies,  of
such records, documents or other instruments as in our judgment are necessary or
appropriate to enable us to render the opinions  expressed below. These records,
documents and instruments include the following:


(a)      The Certificates or Articles of Incorporation of the Company and the 
         U.S.Borrower;





                                                     2

<PAGE>



 (b)      The By-Laws of the Company and the U.S. Borrower;

 (c)      Certain records of proceedings and actions of the Board of Directors
          of the Company and the U.S. Borrower;

 (d)      The Credit Agreement and the Exhibits and Schedules annexed
          thereto;

 (e)      The Notes and Grid Gold Acknowledgements; and

 (f)      The forms of Drafts.

                 We have relied with respect to certain  factual  matters,  upon
the  certificates  of  certain  officers  of each of the  Company  and the  U.S.
Borrower,  copies of which are being  delivered  to you  herewith,  and upon the
representations and warranties of the Company and the Borrowers contained in the
Credit Agreement.

                 We have  also  been  furnished  with,  and  have  relied  upon,
evidence or advice  satisfactory  to us from the offices of the  Secretaries  of
State of  California  and  Delaware  as  appropriate,  with  respect to the good
standing of the Company or the U.S. Borrower.  In addition, we have obtained and
relied upon such  certificates  and assurances from public  officials as we have
deemed necessary, desirable or appropriate to render the opinions herein.

                 We  have  assumed  the  genuineness  and  authenticity  of  all
documents  submitted to us as originals  and the  conformity to originals of all
documents submitted to us as copies,  drafts or forms. In making our examination
of documents executed or to be executed by Persons other than the Company or the
U.S.  Borrower we have assumed that such other  Persons had or have the power to
enter into and perform all obligations  thereunder and have also assumed the due
authorization  by all  requisite  action  and  execution  and  delivery  of such
documents  by such  Persons  and the  validity  and  binding  effect  thereof in
relation to such Persons.

                 We have  investigated  such questions of law for the purpose of
rendering  this  opinion  as  we  have  deemed  necessary,   including,  without
limitation,  Regulations  G,T, U and X of the Board of  Governors of the Federal
Reserve  System.  We  are  opining  herein  as to  the  effect  on  the  subject
transaction  of only the  federal  laws of the  United  States,  the laws of the
States of New York and California and the general  corporate law of the State of
Delaware.

                 On the basis of the  foregoing,  and in reliance  thereon,  and
subject to the  limitations,  qualifications  and exceptions set forth below, we
are of the opinion that:





                                                     3

<PAGE>




    1.   Each of the  Company  and  the  U.S.  Borrower  is a  corporation  duly
incorporated,  validly  existing  and in good  standing  under  the  laws of its
jurisdiction  of  incorporation  and  has  all  requisite  corporate  power  and
authority to own and operate its properties and to execute,  deliver and perform
the Credit  Agreement and, in the case of the U.S.  Borrower,  the Notes and the
Grid  Gold  Acknowledgements  and to  carry  out the  transactions  contemplated
thereby.

    2.   The execution, delivery and performance of the Credit Agreement by
each of the  Company  and the U.S.  Borrower  have been duly  authorized  by all
necessary  corporate action on the part of the Company or such Borrower,  as the
case may be. The issuance of the Notes and the Grid Gold Acknowledgements by the
U.S. Borrower has been duly authorized by all necessary  corporate action on the
part of such Borrower.

    3.   Assuming the due execution and delivery of the Credit Agreement by
the Company and each  Borrower,  the Credit  Agreement  constitutes  the legally
valid and  binding  obligation  of the  Company  and each  Borrower  enforceable
against the Company and each Borrower in accordance with its terms. Assuming the
due issuance of the Notes, Grid Gold  Acknowledgements  and Bankers' Acceptances
by each Borrower,  each of the Notes,  Grid Gold  Acknowledgements  and Bankers'
Acceptances constitutes the legally valid and binding obligation of the Borrower
issuing the same enforceable against such Borrower in accordance with its terms.

    4.  It is not necessary in connection with the execution and delivery of the
Credit  Agreement by the Company or the  Borrowers or the issuance of the Notes,
Grid Gold Acknowledgements and Bankers' Acceptances by the Borrowers to register
the Credit Agreement,  the Notes, the Grid Gold Acknowledgements or the Bankers'
Acceptances  under the  Securities  Act of 1933 or to  qualify an  indenture  in
respect of the Notes under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

    5.   None of the execution and delivery of the Credit Agreement by the
Company and the Borrowers, the issuance of the Notes, Grid Gold Acknowledgements
or Bankers'  Acceptances by the Borrowers,  the consummation of the transactions
contemplated  by the  Credit  Agreement,  or the  compliance  with the terms and
conditions  thereof  by the  Company  or the  Borrowers,  as the  case  may  be,
conflicts with,  results in a breach or a violation of, or constitutes a default
under,  any of the terms,  conditions or provisions  of (y) the  Certificate  or
Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws of the Company or the U.S. Borrower, or (z)
any present United States federal or New York statute,  rule or regulation  that
is binding on the Company or any Borrower.

    6.   No governmental consents, approvals, registrations, declarations or
filings are  required  to be obtained or made by the Company or any  Borrower in
connection  with the execution  and delivery of the Credit  Agreement or, in the
case of the Borrowers,




                                                     4

<PAGE>



the Notes, Grid Gold  Acknowledgements  or Bankers'  Acceptances  except as have
already been obtained.

     7.   The making of the Loans and the application of the proceeds thereof
as provided in the Credit  Agreement  do not  violate or require  filings  under
Regulation G, T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

     8.   All Obligations of Company under the Credit Agreement are within
the  definition  of  "Senior  Debt"  in the  indenture  pursuant  to  which  the
Subordinated Debentures have been issued.

                 Our opinion as to enforceability  of the Credit Agreement,  the
Notes, Grid Gold  Acknowledgements  and Bankers' Acceptances is qualified by and
subject to:

                 (a)      limitations   imposed   by   bankruptcy,   insolvency,
                          reorganization, moratorium or similar laws relating to
                          or affecting  the  enforcement  of  creditors'  rights
                          generally,  and laws relating to fraudulent  transfers
                          or    conveyances,     preferences    and    equitable
                          subordination;

                 (b)      general   principles  of  equity,   including  without
                          limitation,  concepts of materiality,  reasonableness,
                          good  faith  and  fair   dealing   and  the   possible
                          unavailability  of specific  performance or injunctive
                          relief  (regardless of whether such  enforceability is
                          considered in a proceeding in equity or at law);

                 (c)      the qualification that certain remedial  provisions of
                          the Credit  Agreement may be unenforceable in whole or
                          in  part,   but  such   document   contains   adequate
                          provisions  for practical  realization of the benefits
                          purported to be created thereby;

                 (d)      the  unenforceability  under certain  circumstances of
                          provisions  purporting  to  release or  exculpate  any
                          party from  liability  for its acts or  omissions,  or
                          purporting   to  impose  a  duty  upon  any  party  to
                          indemnify  any other  party when any  claimed  damages
                          result from the gross negligence or willful misconduct
                          of the party seeking such indemnity;

                 (e)      the  unenforceability  under certain  circumstances of
                          waivers,  and provisions  imposing liquidated damages,
                          late payment charges or  forfeitures,  if such amounts
                          are  determined to be penalties in light of the actual
                          damages incurred;





                                                     5

<PAGE>



                 (f)      the qualification  that any money judgment rendered by
                          a court in the State of New York or California will be
                          payable in United States dollars.

                 This opinion is being  delivered upon the express  instructions
of each of the Company and the  Borrowers  to the Agents,  the  Arranger and the
Lenders and their permitted  assignees and  participants and is solely for their
benefit in  connection  with the above  transactions.  This  opinion  may not be
relied upon for any other purpose,  or relied upon by any other person,  firm or
corporation  for any  purpose,  without  our prior  written  consent;  provided,
however,  that each of the  Agents,  the  Arranger  and the  Lenders,  and their
permitted  assigns  and  participants,  may  provide  this  opinion  (i) to bank
examiners  and  other  regulatory  authorities  should  they  so  request  or in
connection with their normal  examinations,  (ii) to its respective  independent
auditors and attorneys, (iii) pursuant to order or legal process of any court or
governmental  agency,  (iv) in connection with any action to which it is a party
arising out of the transactions  contemplated by the Credit Agreement, or (v) to
prospective  assignees of, or participants  in, all or any portion of its Loans,
Bankers'  Acceptances,  participations in Letters of Credit or Commitments under
the Credit Agreement.


                          Very truly yours,





                                                     6

<PAGE>




                                  EXHIBIT VII-B

                       FORM OF OPINION OF WAYNE KIRK, ESQ.


                                                          September __, 1996


The Chase Manhattan Bank of Canada,
  as Canadian Administrative Agent
150 King Street West 16th Floor
Box 68
Toronto Ontario
Canada MSH 1J9

         and

Chase Manhattan Securities Limited,
  as Australian Administrative Agent
Level 35 AAP Center
259 George Street
Sydney NSW Australia 2000

         and

Chase Securities Inc.,
  as Arranger
270 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017

         and

The Chase Manhattan Bank,
  as Administrative Agent
1 Chase Manhattan Plaza
New York, NY 10081

         and

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce,
  as Documentation Agent
Commerce Court West
Toronto Ontario




                                                     1

<PAGE>



Canada M5L 1A2

         and the Lenders Listed
on Schedule I Hereto

             Re:    Credit  Agreement  dated  September 20, 1996 among Homestake
                    Mining  Company,  Homestake  Mining  Company of  California,
                    Homestake Canada Inc.,  Homestake Gold of Australia Limited,
                    the  Lenders  named  therein,  The Chase  Manhattan  Bank of
                    Canada, as Canadian  Administrative  Agent,  Chase Manhattan
                    Securities  Limited,  as  Australian  Administrative  Agent,
                    Chase  Securities  Inc.,  as Arranger,  The Chase  Manhattan
                    Bank, as Administrative Agent, and Canadian Imperial Bank of
                    Commerce, as Documentation Agent

Ladies and Gentlemen:

                 I have acted as counsel to Homestake Mining Company, a Delaware
corporation  (the  "Company"),   Homestake  Mining  Company  of  California,   a
California corporation (the "U.S. Borrower"),  Homestake Canada Inc., an Ontario
corporation (the "Canadian Borrower"),  and Homestake Gold of Australia Limited,
a South Australia  corporation (the "Australian Borrower" and, together with the
U.S. Borrower and the Canadian  Borrower,  the "Borrowers"),  in connection with
the execution and delivery of the Credit  Agreement dated as September 20, 1996,
among the Company,  the U.S.  Borrower,  the Canadian  Borrower,  the Australian
Borrower,  the Lenders named therein,  The Chase  Manhattan  Bank of Canada,  as
Canadian Administrative Agent, Chase Manhattan Securities Limited, as Australian
Administrative  Agent,  Chase Securities Inc., as Arranger,  The Chase Manhattan
Bank,  as  Administrative  Agent,  and Canadian  Imperial  Bank of Commerce,  as
Documentation Agent (the "Credit Agreement"),  and certain transactions relating
thereto. All terms used herein that are defined in the Credit Agreement have the
respective  meanings  specified  in the Credit  Agreement.  This letter is being
delivered to you in  satisfaction  of the condition set forth in subsection 3.1E
of the Credit  Agreement and with the  understanding  that you are entering into
the Credit Agreement in reliance on the opinions expressed herein.

                 In my capacity as Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate
Secretary  of the Company and counsel to the Company and the  Borrowers,  I have
personally supervised the actions of the Company and the Borrowers in connection
with the  authorization,  execution and delivery of the Credit Agreement and the
Exhibits and Schedules thereto, the Notes and the Grid Gold Acknowledgements. In
my capacity as counsel to the Company and the  Borrowers,  I have  examined  the
originals, or copies identified to my satisfaction as being true copies, of such
records,  documents  or other  instruments  as in my judgment  are  necessary or
appropriate to enable me to render the




                                                     2

<PAGE>



opinions expressed below.  These records, documents and instruments include the
following:


(a)  The  Certificates  or  Articles  of  Incorporation   and  the  Articles  of
     Association of the Company,  the U.S.  Borrower,  the Canadian Borrower and
     the Australian Borrower;

(b)  The By-Laws of the Company,  the U.S.  Borrower,  the Canadian Borrower and
     the Australian Borrower;

(c)  Certain records of proceedings and actions of the Board of Directors of the
     Company,  the U.S.  Borrower,  the  Canadian  Borrower  and the  Australian
     Borrower;

(d)  The Credit Agreement and the Exhibits and Schedules annexed thereto;

(e)  The Notes and Grid Gold Acknowledgements;

(f)  The form of Drafts; and

(g)  The material indentures, mortgages, contracts and agreements of the Company
     and the Borrowers identified in the Opinion Certificates referred to below.

                 I  have  been  furnished   with,  and  have  relied  upon,  the
certificates of certain officers of each of the Company, the U.S. Borrower,  the
Canadian Borrower and Australian  Borrower (each an "Opinion  Certificate") with
respect to certain factual  matters,  copies of which are being delivered to you
herewith.  Attached  to such  Opinion  Certificates  are,  among  other  things,
listings certified by the Persons executing such Opinion  Certificates to be all
of the  indentures,  mortgages,  deeds of trust,  material  pledge and  security
agreements,  bank loans,  credit  agreements  and other  material  evidences  of
indebtedness of the Company, the U.S. Borrower,  the Canadian Borrower,  and the
Australian Borrower (collectively, the "Debt Agreements") and listings certified
by the  Persons  executing  such  Opinion  Certificates  to be all of the  other
agreements by which the Company, the U.S. Borrower, the Canadian Borrower or the
Australian Borrower is or will be, after the execution of the documents referred
to herein,  a party or by which the  Company,  the U.S.  Borrower,  the Canadian
Borrower or the Australian  Borrower or any of their  respective  properties are
bound or  affected  and which are  certified  to be  material  to the  business,
operations  or  properties  of the  Company,  the U.S.  Borrower,  the  Canadian
Borrower or the Australian Borrower (collectively, the "Material Agreements"). I
have no reason to believe that the Agents, the Arranger or the Lenders and I are
not  entitled  to  rely  upon  the  certificates  and  the  representations  and
warranties referred to above.




                                                     3

<PAGE>




                 I have also been furnished with, and have relied upon, evidence
or advice  satisfactory  to me from the offices of the  Secretaries  of State of
California and Delaware and the Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations of
Ontario, [need entity for Australian certification] as appropriate, with respect
to the good standing or corporate status of the Company, the U.S. Borrower,  the
Canadian Borrower and the Australian Borrower.  In addition, I have obtained and
relied upon such other  certificates  and assurances from public  officials as I
have deemed  necessary,  desirable or appropriate to render the opinions herein,
copies of which have been delivered to Administrative Agent.

                 I  have  assumed  the  genuineness  and   authenticity  of  all
documents  submitted to me as originals  and the  conformity to originals of all
documents  submitted to me as copies,  drafts or forms. In making my examination
of documents  executed or to be executed by Persons other than the Company,  the
U.S. Borrower,  the Canadian Borrower or the Australian Borrower, I have assumed
that such  other  Persons  had or have the power to enter into and  perform  all
obligations  thereunder  and have  also  assumed  the due  authorization  by all
requisite  action and execution  and delivery of such  documents by such Persons
and the validity and binding effect thereof in relation to such Persons.

                 I have  investigated  such  questions of law for the purpose of
rendering  this  opinion  as  I  have  deemed  necessary,   including,   without
limitation,  Regulations  G, T, U and X of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System. I am opining herein as to the effect on the subject  transaction
of the federal laws of the United  States,  the laws of the State of  California
and, in respect  only of the general  corporation  law, the laws of the State of
Delaware.

                 On the basis of the  foregoing,  and in reliance  thereon,  and
subject to the limitations,  qualifications and exceptions set forth below, I am
of the opinion that:


1.       Each  of  the  Company  and  the  Borrowers  is  a   corporation   duly
incorporated,  validly  existing  and in good  standing  under  the  laws of its
jurisdiction  of  incorporation  and  has  all  requisite  corporate  power  and
authority to own and operate its  properties and to carry on its business as now
conducted, to execute, deliver and perform the Credit Agreement and, in the case
of the Borrowers,  the Notes,  the Grid Gold  Acknowledgements  and the Bankers'
Acceptances, and to carry out the transactions contemplated thereby.

2.       Each of the Company and the Borrowers has not failed to qualify to
do  business  as a  foreign  corporation  in any  state or  province  where  the
consequence of failure to be so qualified  would have a material  adverse effect
on the Company's or any Borrower's business, operations or properties.

 3.      The execution, delivery and performance of the Credit Agreement by
each of the Company and the Borrowers have been duly authorized by all necessary




                                                     4

<PAGE>



corporate  action on the part of the Company and the Borrowers.  The issuance of
the Notes, the Grid Gold  Acknowledgements  and the Bankers' Acceptances by each
Borrower has been duly authorized by all necessary  corporate action on the part
of such Borrower.

4.     The Credit Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the
Company and each Borrower.  The Notes and Grid Gold  Acknowledgements  have been
duly issued by the Borrowers.

5.     It is not necessary in connection with the execution and delivery of the
Credit  Agreement by the Company or the  Borrowers or the issuance of the Notes,
the Grid Gold  Acknowledgements and the Bankers' Acceptances by the Borrowers to
register the Credit Agreement,  the Notes, the Grid Gold Acknowledgements or the
Bankers' Acceptances under the Securities Act of 1933 or to qualify an indenture
in respect of the Notes under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

6.     None of the execution and delivery of the Credit Agreement by the
Company and the Borrowers, the issuance of the Notes, Grid Gold Acknowledgements
and Bankers' Acceptances by the Borrowers,  the consummation of the transactions
contemplated  by the  Credit  Agreement,  or the  compliance  with the terms and
conditions  thereof  by the  Company or the  Borrowers,  as the case may be, (A)
conflicts with,  results in a breach or a violation of, or constitutes a default
under,  any of the terms,  conditions or provisions  of (w) the  Certificate  or
Articles of Incorporation,  Articles of Association or By-Laws of the Company or
the  Borrowers,  (x) any Debt  Agreement or Material  Agreement,  (y) any order,
writ, judgment or decree to which, to my knowledge,  the Company or any Borrower
is a party or by which, to my knowledge,  any of their respective  properties or
assets are bound and which is material to the  Company or any  Borrower,  or (z)
any present United States federal or California statute, rule or regulation that
is binding on the Company or any Borrower, or (B) results in the creation of any
Lien upon any of the  properties or assets of the Company or any Borrower  under
any agreement referred to in clause (x) above.

7.     To my knowledge, there is no action, suit or proceeding pending or
threatened  against or affecting the Company or any Borrower at law or in equity
before any court, arbitrator or administrative or governmental body (a) in which
an order has been  entered  preventing  the  making of any of the Loans or other
extensions  of credit  under the Credit  Agreement,  or (b) that  could,  either
individually or in the aggregate,  have a material adverse effect on the ability
of the  Company or any  Borrower  to perform  its  obligations  under the Credit
Agreement  or,  in  the  case  of  any  Borrower,   the  Notes,  the  Grid  Gold
Acknowledgements  or the  Bankers'  Acceptances  to  which  it is a party or the
financial  condition of the Company and its  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole, or
any Borrower.

8.      Neither the Company nor any Borrower is an "investment company"
or a company "controlled" by an "investment company" as such terms are defined 
in the




                                                     5

<PAGE>



Investment  Company Act of 1940, as amended,  or subject to regulation under the
Public Utility Holding  Company Act of 1935, as amended,  the Federal Power Act,
as amended,  the  Interstate  Commerce Act, as amended,  or any federal or state
statute or regulation limiting its ability to incur Indebtedness with respect to
money  borrowed or to create Liens on any of its  properties or assets to secure
such Indebtedness.

9.       No United States federal or California governmental consents,
approvals, registrations, declarations or filings are required to be obtained or
made by the  Company  or any  Borrower  in  connection  with the  execution  and
delivery of the Credit  Agreement or, in the case of the  Borrowers,  the Notes,
Grid Gold  Acknowledgements or Bankers'  Acceptances except as have already been
obtained.

10.      The making of the Loans and the application of the proceeds thereof
as provided in the Credit  Agreement  do not  violate or require  filings  under
Regulation G, T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

11.      All Obligations of Company under the Credit Agreement are within
the  definition  of  "Senior  Debt"  in the  indenture  pursuant  to  which  the
Subordinated Debentures have been issued.

                 This opinion is being  delivered upon the express  instructions
of each of the Company and the  Borrowers  to the Agents,  the  Arranger and the
Lenders, and their permitted assignees and participants, and is solely for their
benefit in  connection  with the above  transactions.  This  opinion  may not be
relied upon for any other purpose,  or relied upon by any other person,  firm or
corporation for any purpose, without prior written consent;  provided,  however,
that each of the Agents,  the  Arranger  and the  Lenders,  and their  permitted
assignees and  participants,  may provide this opinion (i) to bank examiners and
other regulatory  authorities should they so request or in connection with their
normal examinations,  (ii) to its respective independent auditors and attorneys,
(iii)  pursuant to order or legal process of any court or  governmental  agency,
(iv) in  connection  with any action to which it is a party  arising  out of the
transactions  contemplated  by the  Credit  Agreement,  or  (v)  to  prospective
assignees  of, or  participants  in, all or any  portion of its Loans,  Bankers'
Acceptances, participations in Letters of Credit or Commitments under the Credit
Agreement.


                          Very truly yours,




                                                     6

<PAGE>



                                 EXHIBIT VIII-A

                   FORM OF OPINION OF OSLER, HOSKIN & HARCOURT



                                                         September __, 1996

The Chase Manhattan Bank of Canada,
  as Canadian Administrative Agent
150 King Street West 16th Floor
Box 68
Toronto Ontario MSH 1J9 Canada

         and

Chase Securities Australia Limited,
  as Australian Administrative Agent
Level 35 AAP Center
259 George Street
Sydney NSW Australia 2000

         and

Chase Securities Inc.,
  as Arranger
270 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017

         and

The Chase Manhattan Bank,
  as Administrative Agent
1 Chase Manhattan Plaza
New York, NY 10081

         and

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce,
as Documentation Agent
Commerce Court West
Toronto, Ontario
Canada M5L 1A2




                                                     1

<PAGE>




         and the Lenders Listed
on Schedule I Hereto

         Re:   Credit  Agreement  dated as of September 20, 1996 among Homestake
               Mining Company, Homestake Mining Company of California, Homestake
               Canada Inc.,  Homestake  Gold of Australia  Limited,  the Lenders
               named therein,  The Chase  Manhattan Bank of Canada,  as Canadian
               Administrative  Agent,  Chase Securities  Australia  Limited,  as
               Australian   Administrative  Agent,  Chase  Securities  Inc.,  as
               Arranger,  The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Administrative Agent, and
               Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce,  as Documentation  Agent (the
               "Credit Agreement")


Dear Sirs/Mesdames:

                 We have acted as Canadian counsel to Homestake Canada Inc. (the
"Canadian  Borrower")  in  connection  with the  execution  and  delivery of the
above-noted  Credit Agreement and certain  transactions  relating  thereto.  All
terms used herein that are defined in the Credit  Agreement  have the respective
meanings  specified in the Credit  Agreement.  This letter is being delivered to
you in  satisfaction of the condition set forth in subsection 3.1E of the Credit
Agreement  and with the  understanding  that you are  entering  into the  Credit
Agreement in reliance on the opinions expressed herein.

                 In  our  capacity  as  such  counsel,   we  have  examined  the
originals,  or copies  identified to our  satisfaction as being true copies,  of
such records, documents or other instruments as in our judgment are necessary or
appropriate to enable us to render the opinions  expressed below. These records,
documents and instruments include the following:

         (a)   The Re-stated  Articles of Incorporation  and amendments  thereto
               (collectively,  the "Articles of  Incorporation") of the Canadian
               Borrower;

         (b)   The By-Laws of the Canadian Borrower;

         (c)   Certain  records  of  proceedings  and  actions  of the  Board of
               Directors of the Canadian Borrower;

         (d)   The Credit  Agreement  and the  Exhibits  and  Schedules  annexed
               thereto;

         (e)   The Notes and Grid Gold Acknowledgements; and





                                                     2

<PAGE>



         (f)   The form of Drafts.

                 We  have  been   furnished   with,  and  have  relied  upon,  a
certificate of incumbency of the Canadian  Borrower  setting forth the directors
and  officers  of  the  Canadian   Borrower  and  certain  of  their  respective
signatures.

                 We have also been furnished  with,  and have relied upon,  such
certificates  from public  officials as we have deemed  necessary,  desirable or
appropriate to render the opinions herein.

                 We  have  assumed  the  genuineness  and  authenticity  of  all
documents  submitted to us as originals  and the  conformity to originals of all
documents submitted to us as copies,  drafts or forms. In making our examination
of  documents  executed  or to be executed  by Persons  other than the  Canadian
Borrower we have assumed that such other  Persons had or have the power to enter
into and perform all their respective  obligations thereunder (including without
limitation the legal capacity of all such Persons who are  individuals) and have
also assumed the due  authorization  by all  requisite  action and execution and
delivery of such  documents by such Persons and the validity and binding  effect
thereof in relation to such Persons.

                 We have  investigated  such questions of law for the purpose of
rendering this opinion as we have deemed necessary.  We are solicitors qualified
to carry on the  practice  of law in the  Province  of Ontario and we express no
opinion as to any laws, or any matters governed by any laws, other than the laws
of the  Province  of Ontario and the federal  laws of Canada  applicable  in the
Province of Ontario.

                 On the basis of the foregoing and subject to the qualifications
set forth below, we are of the opinion that:

                 1. The Canadian Borrower is a corporation duly incorporated and
validly  existing  under the laws of the  Province  of  Ontario  and has all the
powers of a natural person including all requisite corporate power and authority
(i) to own and lease its properties and assets; (ii) to carry on its business as
presently  conducted;  and (iii) to  execute,  deliver  and  perform  the Credit
Agreement, the Notes issued by the Canadian Borrower (the "Canadian Notes"), the
Grid Gold  Acknowledgements  issued by the Canadian Borrower (the "Canadian Grid
Gold  Acknowledgements")  and all Bankers'  Acceptances  sold by it from time to
time and to carry out the transactions contemplated thereby.

                 2. The Canadian Borrower is registered as an extra-provincial
corporation in the Province of British Columbia.





                                                     3

<PAGE>



                 3.  The execution, delivery and performance of the Credit
Agreement  and the  issuance  of the  Canadian  Notes,  the  Canadian  Grid Gold
Acknowledgements  and from time to time  Banker's  Acceptances  by the  Canadian
Borrower have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part
of the Canadian Borrower,  and the Credit Agreement,  the Canadian Notes and the
Canadian Grid Gold Acknowledgements have been duly executed and delivered by the
Canadian Borrower.

                 4.  (a)  The choice of the law of the State of New York, 
without giving effect to the conflicts of laws rules  thereof,  as the governing
law of the  Credit  Agreement,  the  Canadian  Notes,  the  Canadian  Grid  Gold
Acknowledgements and the Bankers' Acceptances is a valid and effective choice of
law under the laws of the Province of Ontario.

                     (b)  In proceedings brought before a court of competent 
jurisdiction  in the  Province  of  Ontario,  the laws of the  State of New York
would, to the extent specifically  pleaded and proved with respect to the Credit
Agreement,  the Canadian Notes, the Canadian Grid Gold  Acknowledgements  or the
Bankers' Acceptances as a fact by expert evidence,  be recognized and applied by
such court to all issues  which are to be  determined  in  accordance  with such
laws, except that in any such proceedings,  such court (i) will apply those laws
of the Province of Ontario which it  characterizes  as  procedural  and will not
apply  those  laws of the  State  of New  York as such  court  characterizes  as
procedural;  and (ii) will not apply those laws of the State of New York which a
court of the Province of Ontario would  characterize as revenue,  expropriatory,
penal or similar laws or the  application  of which would be  inconsistent  with
public policy, as such term is applied by such court.

                      (c)  No provision of the Credit Agreement, the Canadian 
Notes, the Canadian Grid Gold  Acknowledgements  or the Bankers'  Acceptances is
inconsistent  with public  policy,  as such term is applied by the courts of the
Province of Ontario.

                      (d)  The submission in the Credit Agreement by the
Canadian Borrower to the  non-exclusive  jurisdiction of the courts of the State
of New York is binding and enforceable against the Canadian Borrower.

                 5.   None of the execution and delivery of the Credit
Agreement by the Canadian  Borrower,  the  issuance of the Canadian  Notes,  the
Canadian Grid Gold Acknowledgements and the Bankers' Acceptances by the Canadian
Borrower,  the  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  by the  Credit
Agreement,  or the  compliance  with the terms  and  conditions  thereof  by the
Canadian  Borrower  conflicts  with,  results in a breach or a violation  of, or
constitutes a default under,  any of the terms,  conditions or provisions of the
Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws of the Canadian  Borrower,  or any statute,
rule or  regulation  of the  Province  of Ontario or the federal  government  of
Canada applicable therein that is binding on the Canadian Borrower.



                                                     4

<PAGE>




                 6.    We have not been retained by the Canadian Borrower in 
connection with any action,  suit or proceeding pending or presently  threatened
against or affecting the Canadian Borrower at law or in equity before any court,
arbitrator or administrative or governmental body.

                 7.    No consent, approval, registration, declaration or filing
of the  Province  of  Ontario or the  federal  government  of Canada  applicable
therein  are  required  to be  obtained  or made  by the  Canadian  Borrower  in
connection with the execution, delivery and performance by the Canadian Borrower
or the enforceability against the Canadian Borrower of the Credit Agreement, the
Notes, the Grid Gold Acknowledgements or the Bankers' Acceptances.

                 8.  In any  bankruptcy  proceeding  under  the  Bankruptcy  and
Insolvency  Act (Canada),  the  obligation  of payment of the Canadian  Borrower
under  the  Credit  Agreement,  the  Canadian  Notes,  the  Canadian  Grid  Gold
Acknowledgement and the outstanding Bankers' Acceptances will rank at least pari
passu with the claims of all other creditors of the Canadian  Borrower which are
not secured or preferred  creditors of the Canadian  Borrower within the meaning
of that statute or which are not otherwise entitled to priority by statute.

                 9. The Canadian Borrower is not entitled to claim immunity from
legal  process  of the  enforcement  of any  judgement  of a court of  competent
jurisdiction, whether generally or in relation to any specific assets.

                 10. A final and conclusive  judgement in personam  granted by a
court of competent  jurisdiction  in the State of New York may be enforced in an
Ontario  court by an action  or  counterclaim  for the  amount  due  under  such
judgement, provided that:

          (a)  the judgement was obtained  after proper service of process under
               New  York  law  in  connection  with  the  action  in  which  the
               jurisdiction was obtained;

          (b)  the New York court acted within its  jurisdiction  under New York
               law;

          (c)  the judgement is final and  conclusive,  and no stay of execution
               has been ordered by the New York law;

          (d)  the judgement is not impeachable as void or voidable or otherwise
               ineffective under New York law;

          (e)  the judgement was not obtained by fraud or any manner contrary to
               the rules of natural  justice,  the judgement and the enforcement
               thereof are not inconsistent  with public policy (as such term is
               applied by the Ontario court);




                                                     5

<PAGE>


          (f)  the  judgement  is for a fixed  sum of  money  which is not to be
               determined at a future time, and the enforcement of the judgement
               in the  Province  of Ontario  does not  constitute,  directly  or
               indirectly,   the  enforcement  of  laws   characterized  by  the
               applicable  Ontario  court as being  of  revenue,  expropriatory,
               penal, or public law nature;

          (g)  no new admissible  evidence  relevant to the action which was the
               subject  matter of the judgement is discovered or arises prior to
               the enforcement of the judgement by the Ontario court;

          (h)  the action to enforce  the  judgment  is  commenced  against  the
               judgement  debtor in the  Ontario  court  within  the  applicable
               limitation period; and

          (i)  the Ontario court may give judgement in Canadian currency only.

                 This opinion is being  delivered upon the express  instructions
of the  Canadian  Borrower  to the  Agents,  Arranger  and the Lenders and their
permitted  assignees  and  participants  and is  solely  for  their  benefit  in
connection with the above transactions.  This opinion may not be relied upon for
any other purpose,  or relied upon by any other person,  firm or corporation for
any purpose, without our prior written consent; provided,  however, that each of
the  Agents,  Arranger  and  the  Lenders  and  their  permitted  assignees  and
participants may provide this opinion (i) to bank examiners and other regulatory
authorities   should  they  so  request  or  in  connection  with  their  normal
examinations,  (ii) to its respective independent auditors and attorneys,  (iii)
pursuant to order or legal process of any court or governmental  agency or other
binding statutory requirement, (iv) in connection with any action to which it is
a party arising out of the transactions contemplated by the Credit Agreement, or
(v) to prospective  assignees of, or participants  in, all or any portion of its
Loans, Bankers' Acceptances,  participations in Letters or Credit or Commitments
under the Credit Agreement.


                          Yours very truly,





                                                     6

<PAGE>



                                 EXHIBIT VIII-B

                       FORM OF OPINION OF PARKER & PARKER

                                                        September __, 1996



The Chase Manhattan Bank of Canada,
  as Canadian Administrative Agent
150 King Street West 16th Floor
Box 68
Toronto Ontario MSH 1J9 Canada

         and

Chase Manhattan Securities Limited,
  as Australian Administrative Agent
Level 35 AAP Center
259 George Street
Sydney NSW Australia 2000

         and

Chase Securities Inc.,
  as Arranger
270 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017

         and

The Chase Manhattan Bank,
  as Administrative Agent
1 Chase Manhattan Plaza
New York, NY 10081

         and

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce,
  as Documentation Agent
Commerce Court West
Toronto, Ontario
Canada M5L 1A2




                                                     1

<PAGE>




         and the Lenders Listed
on Schedule I Hereto

         Re:   Credit  Agreement  dated as of September 20, 1996 among Homestake
               Mining Company, Homestake Mining Company of California, Homestake
               Canada Inc.,  Homestake  Gold of Australia  Limited,  the Lenders
               named therein,  The Chase  Manhattan Bank of Canada,  as Canadian
               Administrative  Agent,  Chase Manhattan  Securities  Limited,  as
               Australian   Administrative  Agent,  Chase  Securities  Inc.,  as
               Arranger,  The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Administrative Agent, and
               Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce,  as Documentation  Agent (the
               "Credit Agreement")


Ladies and Gentlemen:

                 We have  acted  as  Australian  counsel  to  Homestake  Gold of
Australia  Limited (the "Australian  Borrower") in connection with the execution
and  delivery of the  above-noted  Credit  Agreement  and  certain  transactions
relating thereto. All terms used herein that are defined in the Credit Agreement
have the respective  meanings specified in the Credit Agreement.  This letter is
being  delivered to you in satisfaction of the condition set forth in subsection
3.1E of the Credit  Agreement and with the  understanding  that you are entering
into the Credit Agreement in reliance on the opinions expressed herein.

                 In  our  capacity  as  such  counsel,   we  have  examined  the
originals,  or copies  identified to our  satisfaction as being true copies,  of
such records, documents or other instruments as in our judgment are necessary or
appropriate to enable us to render the opinions  expressed below. These records,
documents and instruments include the following:

          (a)  The Certificate of Incorporation of the Australian Borrower;


          (b)  The  Memorandum  and Articles of  Association  of the  Australian
               Borrower;

          (c)  Certain  records  of  proceedings  and  actions  of the  Board of
               Directors of the Australian Borrower;

          (d)  The Credit  Agreement  and the  Exhibits  and  Schedules  annexed
               thereto; and

          (e)  The Notes and Grid Gold Acknowledgements.

                 We  have  been   furnished   with,  and  have  relied  upon,  a
certificate of incumbency of the Australian Borrower setting forth the directors
and officers of the




                                                     2

<PAGE>



Australian  Borrower  authorized to sign documents in connection with the Credit
Agreement and their respective signatures.

                 We have  conducted a search of the  Australian  Borrower at the
Australian  Securities Commission on [insert date] and relied on the correctness
of the results of that search.

                 We  have  assumed  the  genuineness  and  authenticity  of  all
documents  submitted to us as originals  and the  conformity to originals of all
documents submitted to us as copies,  drafts or forms. In making our examination
of  documents  executed or to be executed by Persons  other than the  Australian
Borrower we have assumed that such other  Persons had or have the power to enter
into and perform all obligations  thereunder  (including  without limitation the
legal  capacity of all such Persons who are  individuals)  and have also assumed
the due authorization by all requisite action and execution and delivery of such
documents  by such  Persons  and the  validity  and  binding  effect  thereof in
relation to such Persons.

                 We have  investigated  such questions of law for the purpose of
rendering  this  opinion  as we  have  deemed  necessary.  We  are  [solicitors]
qualified to carry on the practice of law in the  Commonwealth  of Australia and
we express no opinion as to any laws, or any matters governed by any laws, other
than the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and its States and Territories.

                 On the basis of the  foregoing,  and in reliance  thereon,  and
subject to the  limitations,  qualifications  and exceptions set forth below, we
are of the opinion that:

                 1.  The Australian Borrower is a corporation duly incorporated 
and validly  existing  under the laws of the  Commonwealth  of Australia and its
States and Territories and has all the powers of a natural person  including all
requisite  corporate power and authority (i) to own and lease its properties and
assets; (ii) to carry on its business; and (iii) to execute, deliver and perform
the Credit Agreement,  the Notes and the Grid Gold Acknowledgements and to carry
out the  transactions  contemplated  thereby.


                 2. The  execution,  delivery  and performance of the Credit
Agreement  and the issuance of the Notes and the Grid Gold  Acknowledgements  by
the  Australian  Borrower have been duly  authorized by all necessary  corporate
action on the part of the Australian  Borrower and have been validly executed by
the Australian Borrower.


                3.  The  Credit   Agreement,   the  Notes  and  the  Grid  Gold
Acknowledgements   constitute   valid  and  legally   binding  and   enforceable
obligations  of the  Australian  Borrower in  accordance  with their  respective
terms.





                                                     3

<PAGE>



                 4.  (a) The choice of the law of the State of New York, without
giving  effect to the conflicts of laws rules  thereof,  as the governing law of
the Credit Agreement,  the Notes and the Grid Gold  Acknowledgements  is a valid
and effective  choice of law under the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and
its States and Territories.

                     (b) In proceedings brought  before  a  court  of  competent
jurisdiction in the Commonwealth of Australia, the laws of the State of New York
would,  to the  extent  specifically  pleaded  and  proved  as a fact by  expert
evidence, be recognized and applied by such court to all issues which, under the
conflicts of laws rules of the  Commonwealth of Australia,  are to be determined
in accordance  with the proper or governing law of contract,  except that in any
such  proceedings,  [such court (i) will apply those laws of the Commonwealth of
Australia which it  characterizes as procedural and will not apply those laws of
the State of New York as such court  characterizes as procedural;  (ii) will not
apply those laws of the State of New York which a court of the  Commonwealth  of
Australia would characterize as revenue, expropriatory, penal or similar laws or
the application of which would be inconsistent  with public policy, as such term
is  applied  by such  court;  and  (iii) may only give  judgment  in  Australian
dollars.]

                     (c) No provision of the  Credit Agreement, the Notes or the
Grid Gold  Acknowledgements  is inconsistent with public policy, as such term is
applied by the courts of the Commonwealth of Australia.

                     (d) The submission in the  Credit  Agreement  by  the  
Australian  Borrowers  to the  non-exclusive  jurisdiction  of the courts of the
State of New York is legal, valid and binding.

                 5. None of the execution  and delivery of the Credit  Agreement
by the  Australian  Borrower,  the  issuance  of the  Notes  and the  Grid  Gold
Acknowledgements   by  the  Australian   Borrower,   the   consummation  of  the
transactions  contemplated by the Credit  Agreement,  or the compliance with the
terms and conditions thereof by the Australian  Borrower conflicts with, results
in a breach or a violation of, or constitutes a default under, any of the terms,
conditions or provisions of the  Memorandum  and Articles of  Association of the
Australian Borrower,  or any statute,  rule or regulation of the Commonwealth of
Australia  and its States  and  Territories  that is  binding on the  Australian
Borrower.

                 6. We have not been  retained  by the  Australian  Borrower  in
connection with any action,  suit or proceeding pending or threatened against or
affecting  the  Australian  Borrower  at  law or in  equity  before  any  court,
arbitrator or administrative or governmental body.





                                                     4

<PAGE>



                 7. No  federal  Australian  governmental  consents,  approvals,
registrations,  declarations  or filings are  required to be obtained or made by
the  Australian   Borrower  in  connection  with  the  execution,   delivery  or
performance of the Australian Borrower's obligations under the Credit Agreement,
the Notes or the Grid Gold  Acknowledgements  in order to ensure  the  legality,
enforceability or admissibility of the documents or for any reason whatsoever.

                 8. No ad valorem stamp duty or similar  documentary tax or duty
in or of any  State  or  Territory  of the  Commonwealth  of  Australia  will be
applicable  with respect to the execution and delivery of the Credit  Agreement,
the  Notes  or  the  Grid  Gold  Acknowledgements  and  the  performance  by the
Australian Borrower of its obligations under those documents.

                 9. The monetary  obligations of the  Australian  Borrower under
the Credit  Agreement,  the Notes and the Grid Gold  Acknowledgements  rank pari
passu with all other  unsecured,  unsubordinated  indebtedness of the Australian
Borrower, other than obligations preferred by law.

                 10.  Based only on searches  referred  to above,  no winding up
orders have been made or resolutions passed for the winding up of the Australian
Borrower.

                 11. The  Australian  Borrower  does not enjoy any immunity from
suit  in  the  Courts  of the  Commonwealth  of  Australia  or  its  States  and
Territories and its assets are not exempt from execution.

                 This opinion is being  delivered upon the express  instructions
of the  Australian  Borrower to the Agents,  Arranger  and the Lenders and their
permitted  assignees  and  participants  and is  solely  for  their  benefit  in
connection with the above transactions.  This opinion may not be relied upon for
any other purpose,  or relied upon by any other person,  firm or corporation for
any purpose, without our prior written consent; provided,  however, that each of
the  Agents,  Arranger  and  the  Lenders  and  their  permitted  assignees  and
participants may provide this opinion (i) to bank examiners and other regulatory
authorities   should  they  so  request  or  in  connection  with  their  normal
examinations,  (ii) to its respective independent auditors and attorneys,  (iii)
pursuant to order or legal process of any court or governmental  agency, (iv) in
connection  with  any  action  to  which  it  is a  party  arising  out  of  the
transactions  contemplated  by the  Credit  Agreement,  or  (v)  to  prospective
assignees  of, or  participants  in, all or any  portion of its Loans,  Bankers'
Acceptances, participations in Letters or Credit or Commitments under the Credit
Agreement.


                          Yours very truly,






                                                     5

<PAGE>



                                   EXHIBIT IX


                    FORM OF OPINION OF O'MELVENY & MYERS LLP
                               [O'M&M Letterhead]

                                    September
                                      -----
                                     1 9 9 6



                                                            133,020-036


The Chase Manhattan Bank of Canada,
  as Canadian Administrative Agent
150 King Street West 16th Floor
Box 68
Toronto Ontario
MSH 1J9 Canada

                                             and

Chase Manhattan Securities Limited,
  as Australian Administrative Agent
Level 35 AAP Center
259 George Street
Sydney NSW Australia 2000

                                             and

Chase Securities Inc.,
  as Arranger
270 Park Avenue
New York NY 10017

                                             and

The Chase Manhattan Bank
  as Administrative Agent
1 Chase Manhattan Plaza
New York, NY 10081




                                                     1

<PAGE>





                                             and

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce,
  as Documentation Agent
Commerce Court West
Toronto Ontario
M5L 1A2 Canada

and the Lenders Listed
on Schedule I Hereto

               Credit  Agreement  dated as of September 20, 1996 among Homestake
               Mining Company, Homestake Mining Company of California, Homestake
               Canada Inc.,  Homestake  Gold of Australia  Limited,  the Lenders
               named therein,  The Chase  Manhattan Bank of Canada,  as Canadian
               Administrative  Agent,  Chase Manhattan  Securities  Limited,  as
               Australian   Administrative  Agent,  Chase  Securities  Inc.,  as
               Arranger,  The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Administrative Agent, and
               Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, as Documentation Agent 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

                 We have  acted as  counsel  to The  Chase  Manhattan  Bank,  as
Administrative Agent (in such capacity,  "Administrative  Agent"), in connection
with the preparation  and delivery of that certain Credit  Agreement dated as of
September 20, 1996 (the "Credit  Agreement")  among Homestake Mining Company,  a
Delaware  corporation  ("Company"),  Homestake  Mining Company of California,  a
California  corporation  ("U.S.  Borrower"),  Homestake  Canada Inc., an Ontario
corporation ("Canadian Borrower"),  Homestake Gold of Australia Limited, a South
Australia corporation ("Australian Borrower"), the financial institutions listed
therein as the  Lenders  (collectively,  "Lenders"),  the Agents  named  therein
(including  the  Administrative  Agent) and the  Arranger  named  therein and in
connection with the preparation and delivery of certain related documents.

                 We   have    participated   in   various    conferences    with
representatives of the Company, U.S. Borrower, Canadian Borrower, and Australian
Borrower and with your  representatives and Blake,  Cassels & Graydon,  Canadian
counsel for the Agents, and Parker & Parker,  Australian counsel for the Agents,
during which the Credit  Agreement and related matters have been discussed,  and
we have also participated in the meeting held on the date hereof incident to the
occurrence of the Effective Date under the Credit Agreement.





                                                     2

<PAGE>



                 We have  reviewed  the forms of the  Credit  Agreement  and the
exhibits  thereto,  including the promissory  notes delivered by U.S.  Borrower,
Canadian Borrower, and Australian Borrower, which forms are annexed thereto, and
the Grid  Gold  Acknowledgements,  which  forms  are  annexed  thereto,  and the
opinions of Wayne Kirk, General Counsel of Company,  Thelen,  Marrin,  Johnson &
Bridges,  special New York  counsel to Company and  Borrowers,  Osler,  Hoskin &
Harcourt,  special Canadian counsel to Canadian  Borrower,  and Parker & Parker,
special Australian counsel to Australian Borrower (collectively, the "Opinions")
and the officers'  certificates  and other documents  delivered on the Effective
Date.

                 We  have  assumed  the  genuineness  of  all  signatures,   the
authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals or copies and the due
authority of all persons  executing  the same,  and we have relied as to factual
matters on the documents that we have reviewed.

                 Based on and  subject to the  foregoing,  we are of the opinion
that the Credit Agreement  constitutes the legally valid and binding  obligation
of the  Company  and the  Borrowers  enforceable  against  the  Company  and the
Borrowers in accordance with its terms,  except as may be limited by bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization,  moratorium or similar laws relating to or affecting
creditors'  rights  generally   (including,   without   limitation,   fraudulent
conveyance  laws)  and by  general  principles  of  equity,  including,  without
limitation, concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing
and the possible  unavailability of specific  performance or injunctive  relief,
regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

                 Our opinion in the preceding paragraph as to the enforceability
of the Credit Agreement is subject to:

                  (i)             public  policy  considerations,   statutes  or
                                  court decisions that may limit the rights of a
                                  party to obtain  indemnification  against  its
                                  own gross  negligence,  willful  misconduct or
                                  unlawful conduct;

                 (ii)             the     unenforceability     under     certain
                                  circumstances  of broadly  or  vaguely  stated
                                  waivers or  waivers  of rights  granted by law
                                  where the waivers are against public policy or
                                  prohibited by law;

                 (iii)            the unenforceability under certain 
                                  circumstances of provisions appointing one 
                                  party as attorney-in-fact for an adverse 
                                  party;

                 (iv)             the unenforceability under certain 
                                  circumstances of choice of law provisions; and




                                                     3

<PAGE>




                 (v)              the     unenforceability     under     certain
                                  circumstances  of rights of set-off granted to
                                  a Lender in  respect  of  amounts  owing by an
                                  Affiliate  of such  Lender or with  respect to
                                  loans  in  which   participations   have  been
                                  granted  purported  to be provided  for in the
                                  Credit Agreement.

                 We express no opinion as to the effect of non-compliance by you
with any state or federal laws or  regulations  applicable  to the  transactions
contemplated by the Credit Agreement because of the nature of your business.

                 We advise you that  provisions  of the Credit  Agreement  which
provide  for  jurisdiction  of the  courts of New York may not be binding on the
courts in the forum(s) selected or excluded.

                 In addition,  although we have not independently considered all
of the matters  covered by the Opinions to the extent  necessary to enable us to
express the  conclusions  therein  stated,  we believe that the Opinions and the
officers'  certificates  and other  documents  delivered in connection  with the
execution and delivery of, and as conditions to the effectiveness of, the Credit
Agreement  are  substantially  responsive  to the  requirements  of  the  Credit
Agreement.

                 The law  covered by this  opinion  is  limited  to the  present
federal law of the United States,  and the present law of the State of New York.
We express no  opinion as to the laws of any other  jurisdiction  and no opinion
regarding the statutes,  administrative  decisions,  rules or regulations of any
county,  municipality or special political subdivision or other local authority.
We  express  no  opinion   concerning   federal  or  state  securities  laws  or
regulations.

                 This   opinion  is   furnished   by  us  as  counsel   for  the
Administrative  Agent and may be relied upon by you only in connection  with the
Credit Agreement. It may not be used or relied upon by you for any other purpose
or by any other person for any purpose  whatsoever  without in each instance our
prior  written  consent.  You may,  however,  deliver a copy of this  opinion to
permitted   assignees  under  the  Credit  Agreement  in  connection  with  such
assignment,  and such assignees may rely on this opinion as if it were addressed
and had been delivered to them on the date hereof.



                                                   Respectfully submitted,








                                                     4

<PAGE>



                                   EXHIBIT X-A

                        FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE
                                (CANADIAN LENDER)

                            ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE


                 This ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE  (this  "Agreement") is dated as
of  ____________,  ____  and  entered  into  by and  between  [NAME  OF  LENDER]
("Assignor") and _____________________ ("Assignee").


                                    RECITALS

                 WHEREAS,  Assignor has entered into a Credit Agreement dated as
of  September  20, 1996 (said  Credit  Agreement,  as amended,  supplemented  or
otherwise  modified  to the date  hereof  and as it may  hereafter  be  amended,
supplemented  or  otherwise  modified  from  time to  time,  being  the  "Credit
Agreement",  the terms defined  therein and not otherwise  defined  herein being
used  herein as therein  defined)  with  Homestake  Mining  Company,  a Delaware
corporation  ("Company"),  Homestake Mining Company of California,  a California
corporation  ("U.S.  Borrower"),  Homestake Canada Inc., an Ontario  corporation
("Canadian  Borrower"),  Homestake Gold of Australia  Limited, a South Australia
corporation ("Australian  Borrower"),  the financial institutions listed therein
as  Lenders  ("Lenders"),  The  Chase  Manhattan  Bank of  Canada,  as  Canadian
Administrative  Agent  for  Lenders  ("Canadian  Administrative  Agent"),  Chase
Manhattan  Securities  Limited, as Australian  Administrative  Agent for Lenders
("Australian  Administrative  Agent"),  Chase  Securities  Inc., as Arranger for
Lenders  ("Arranger"),  The Chase  Manhattan Bank, as  Administrative  Agent for
Lenders  ("Administrative  Agent"),  and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce,  as
Documentation Agent for Lenders ("Documentation Agent");

                 WHEREAS,  Assignor  is  a  Canadian  Lender  under  the  Credit
Agreement and Assignee will, upon giving effect to this Agreement, likewise be a
Canadian Lender;

                 WHEREAS,  Assignor has a Commitment  under the Credit Agreement
pursuant to which  Assignor is required  (i) to make Loans to Canadian  Borrower
pursuant  to  subsection  2.1A(i)  of the  Credit  Agreement;  (ii) to  purchase
participations  in Canadian Letters of Credit pursuant to subsection 2.7D of the
Credit  Agreement  (any  such  participations  in any  such  Letters  of  Credit
outstanding  as of the date hereof  being the  "Assignor  Participations");  and
(iii) to create and accept Bankers'  Acceptances  pursuant to subsection 2.8A of
the Credit Agreement.





                                                     1

<PAGE>



                 [WHEREAS,  Assignor  has issued  certain  outstanding  Canadian
Letters of Credit (the "Assignor  Letters of Credit") pursuant to subsection 3.3
of the  Credit  Agreement;][INSERT  IF THE  CHASE  MANHATTAN  BANK OF  CANADA IS
ASSIGNOR AND CANADIAN LETTERS OF CREDIT ARE OUTSTANDING TO CANADIAN BORROWER]

                 WHEREAS,  Assignor desires to assign to Assignee its rights and
obligations as a Canadian  Lender under the Credit  Agreement and the other Loan
Documents  with respect to all or a portion of Assignor's  Canadian  Commitment,
including its  commitment  to create and accept  Bankers'  Acceptances,  and any
Canadian Loans and Bankers' Acceptances or Assignor  Participations  outstanding
thereunder [and to sell to Assignee a participation  in the Assignor  Letters of
Credit (the "Assignee  Participation") equal to the participation required to be
purchased  therein  pursuant to subsection  2.7D of the Credit  Agreement],  and
Assignee  has  agreed to  assume  the  obligations  of  Assignor  under the Loan
Documents  to the extent of the  rights  and  obligations  so  assigned  [and to
purchase the Assignee Participation]; and

                 [WHEREAS, Assignor is also the [U.S./Australian] Lender for its
Lending Unit, and Assignor is concurrently  herewith entering into an Assignment
and Acceptance with [Name of Assignee or Assignee's  U.S./Australian  affiliate]
(the  "[U.S./Australian]   Assignee")  whereby  Assignor  is  assigning  to  the
[U.S./Australian]  Assignee  that  portion of its rights  and  obligations  with
respect to its [U.S./Australian] Commitment which corresponds to the Percentage,
as defined below;]

                 [WHEREAS,  Assignor's Lending Unit consists of the Assignor and
[Name of U.S./Australian Lender of Assignor's Lending Unit] ("Assignor's Lending
Unit Affiliate"), and Assignor's Lending Unit Affiliate is concurrently herewith
entering into an Assignment and Acceptance  with [Name of Assignee or Assignee's
U.S./Australian affiliate] (the "[U.S./Australian] Assignee") whereby Assignor's
Lending  Unit  Affiliate is assigning  to the  [U.S./Australian]  Assignee  that
portion of its  rights and  obligations  with  respect to its  [U.S./Australian]
Commitment which corresponds to the Percentage, as defined below;]

                 NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the  premises  and  the
agreements, provisions and covenants herein contained, the parties hereto hereby
agree as follows:

                 SECTION 1.  Assignment and Assumption.

                 (a) Assignor  hereby  assigns to Assignee,  effective  upon the
receipt  of the  consideration  set  forth in  Section  1(c) and  Administrative
Agent's receipt of any processing and recordation fee required under  subsection
10.1B of the Credit  Agreement,  without  recourse,  representation  or warranty
(except as expressly  set forth  herein),  an  undivided  _____%  interest  (the
"Percentage") in all of Assignor's rights and obligations as a Lender




                                                     2

<PAGE>



arising  under the Credit  Agreement  and the other Loan  Documents  relating to
Assignor's  Canadian  Commitment,  including its commitment to create and accept
Bankers'  Acceptances,  and any  Canadian  Loans and  Bankers'  Acceptances  and
Assignor Participations outstanding thereunder [and concurrently therewith sells
to Assignee,  without recourse,  representation or warranty (except as expressly
set forth herein), the Assignee Participation].

                 (b)  Assignee  hereby  assumes from  Assignor,  and Assignor is
hereby  expressly  and  absolutely  released  from,  the  Percentage  of  all of
Assignor's  obligations  arising under the Loan Documents relating to Assignor's
Canadian  Commitment,  including its  commitment  to create and accept  Bankers'
Acceptances,  and any  Canadian  Loans and  Bankers'  Acceptances  and  Assignor
Participations  outstanding  thereunder,  including without  limitation all such
obligations with respect to any Canadian Loans to be made and any participations
in Canadian Letters of Credit to be purchased,  pursuant to the Credit Agreement
[, and Assignee hereby purchases from Assignor the Assignee Participation].

                 (c)  Notwithstanding  any  provisions of this  Agreement to the
contrary, each of the Assignor and Assignee hereby acknowledges and confirms its
understanding  and  agreement  that the  Canadian  Commitments  of the  Canadian
Lenders  under  the  Credit  Agreement  may from  time to time be  increased  or
decreased by the  Borrowers in  accordance  with  subsection  2.1A of the Credit
Agreement through changes in the Canadian Allocation, provided that the Canadian
Allocation may not at any time exceed the aggregate amount of the Commitments of
all Lending Units then in effect. Each of the Assignor and Assignee acknowledges
that the  Percentage  interest in the  Canadian  Commitment  being  assigned and
assumed hereunder equals the Assignee's Pro Rata Share, as set forth on Annex II
attached  hereto,  of the  Commitments  as in  effect on and after the date upon
which this Agreement becomes effective.

                 (d) Assignor  hereby  represents  and  warrants  that as of the
effective  date of this Agreement the  respective  amounts of unpaid  principal,
accrued but unpaid interest,  accrued but unpaid fees, and discounts and BA Fees
relating to Bankers' Acceptances, in each case with respect to the Percentage of
Assignor's  rights  under the Credit  Agreement  relating to  Assignor  Canadian
Commitment  and  any  Canadian  Loans  and  Bankers'  Acceptances  and  Assignor
Participations   outstanding  thereunder  [and  with  respect  to  the  Assignee
Participation]  are as set forth on Annex I attached hereto. In consideration of
Assignor's  assignment,  Assignee  hereby  agrees  to  pay to  Assignor,  on the
effective  date of this  Agreement,  the  amount(s) of  $_________________  [and
Cdn.$_______________]  in  immediately  available  funds  by  wire  transfer  to
Assignor's office at
_____________________.

                 (e) Assignor  and Assignee  hereby agree that Annex II attached
hereto sets forth the amount of the Canadian Commitment,  any Canadian Loans and
Bankers'  Acceptances and  participations by Assignee in any Canadian Letters of
Credit outstanding




                                                     3

<PAGE>



under the  Commitment  and the Pro Rata Share of Assignee after giving effect to
the assignment and assumption [and the sale and purchase] described above.

                 (f) Assignor and Assignee hereby agree that, upon giving effect
to the assignment and assumption  [and the sale and purchase]  described  above,
Assignee  shall  be a  party  to  the  Credit  Agreement  as a  Canadian  Lender
thereunder,  and shall  have all of the rights  and  obligations  under the Loan
Documents  of,  and  shall  be  deemed  to have  made all of the  covenants  and
agreements contained in the Loan Documents made by, a Canadian Lender having the
Canadian  Commitment,  the outstanding  Canadian Loans, the outstanding Bankers'
Acceptances,  the aggregate  participation  in outstanding  Canadian  Letters of
Credit and the Pro Rata Share of  Assignee  as  reflected  on Annex II  attached
hereto.  Assignee hereby acknowledges and agrees that the agreement set forth in
this  subsection  1(f) is expressly made for the benefit of Company,  Borrowers,
Canadian  Administrative  Agent,  Administrative  Agent,  Assignor and the other
Lenders and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

                 (g) Assignor and Assignee hereby  acknowledge and confirm their
understanding  and  intent  that (i)  this  Agreement  shall  effect  [(A)]  the
assignment  by Assignor  and the  assumption  by Assignee of the  Percentage  of
Assignor's   rights  and  obligations   with  respect  to  Assignor's   Canadian
Commitment,  including its commitment to create and accept Bankers' Acceptances,
and any Canadian  Loans and  Bankers'  Acceptances  and Assignor  Participations
outstanding  thereunder and all rights and obligations  under the Loan Documents
with respect  thereto [and (B) the sale by Assignor and the purchase by Assignee
of the  Assignee  Participation],  (ii) any other  assignments  by Assignor of a
portion of its rights  and  obligations  with  respect  to  Assignor's  Canadian
Commitment,  including its commitment to create and accept Bankers' Acceptances,
and any  Canadian  Loans and  Bankers'  Acceptances  or Assignor  Participations
outstanding  thereunder [, and any other sales by Assignor of  participations in
the  Assignor  Letters  of  Credit,]  shall  have  no  effect  on  the  Canadian
Commitment,  including its commitment to create and accept Bankers' Acceptances,
the outstanding  Canadian Loans, the outstanding  Bankers'  Acceptances,  or the
aggregate  participation  in outstanding  Canadian Letters of Credit or Pro Rata
Share of  Assignee  set forth on Annex II  attached  hereto,  and (iii) from and
after the effective date of this Agreement,  Administrative Agent shall make all
payments  under the  Credit  Agreement  in respect  of the  Percentage  interest
assigned hereby [and the Assignee  Participation]  (including without limitation
all payments of principal  and accrued but unpaid  interest and  commitment  and
letter of credit fees with respect  thereto) to  Assignee,  whether such amounts
(in the case of such interest and fees) have accrued prior to the effective date
of this Agreement or subsequent thereto.

                 SECTION 2.  Certain Representations, Warranties and Agreements.

                 (a)      Assignor represents and warrants that it is the legal 
and beneficial  owner of the Percentage  interest being assigned by it hereunder
[and of the Assignee



                                                     4

<PAGE>



Participation] and that such interest [is] [and the Assignee  Participation are]
free and clear of any adverse claim.

                 (b)  Assignor  shall not be  responsible  to  Assignee  for the
execution, effectiveness, genuineness, validity, enforceability,  collectibility
or  sufficiency  of any of  the  Loan  Documents  or  for  any  representations,
warranties,  recitals or statements  made therein or made in any written or oral
statement  or in any  financial  or other  statements,  instruments,  reports or
certificates or any other documents furnished or made by Assignor to Assignee or
by or on behalf of Company or any Borrower to Assignor or Assignee in connection
with the Loan  Documents and the  transactions  contemplated  thereby or for the
financial  condition  or business  affairs of the Company or any Borrower or any
other Person liable for the payment of any  Obligations,  nor shall  Assignor be
required to ascertain or inquire as to the  performance  or observance of any of
the terms, conditions,  provisions,  covenants or agreements contained in any of
the Loan  Documents  or as to the use of the proceeds of the Loans or the use of
the Letters of Credit or the use of Bankers'  Acceptances or as to the existence
or possible existence of any Event of Default or Potential Event of Default.

                 (c) Assignee  represents  and  warrants  that it is an Eligible
Assignee;  that it has  experience  and expertise in the making of loans such as
the Loans; that it has acquired its Percentage  interest for its own account and
not with any present  intention of selling all or any portion of such  interest;
and that it has received, reviewed and approved copies of all Loan Documents.

                 (d) Assignee  represents  and warrants that it has made its own
independent  investigation of the financial condition and affairs of Company and
each of the Borrowers and their  respective  Subsidiaries in connection with the
assignment  evidenced by this  Agreement and that it has made and shall continue
to  make  its own  appraisal  of the  creditworthiness  of the  Company  and the
Borrowers. Assignor shall not have any duty or responsibility,  either initially
or on a continuing  basis, to make any such  investigation or any such appraisal
on  behalf  of  Assignee  or to  provide  Assignee  with  any  credit  or  other
information with respect thereto,  whether coming into its possession before the
making of the initial  Loans or at any time or times  thereafter,  and  Assignor
shall  not  have any  responsibility  with  respect  to the  accuracy  of or the
completeness of any information provided to Assignee.

                 (e) Each party to this Agreement represents and warrants to the
other  party  hereto  that it has full  power and  authority  to enter into this
Agreement  and to perform  its  obligations  hereunder  in  accordance  with the
provisions  hereof,  that this Agreement has been duly authorized,  executed and
delivered by such party and that this Agreement  constitutes a legal,  valid and
binding obligation of such party,  enforceable  against such party in accordance
with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable




                                                     5

<PAGE>



bankruptcy,  insolvency,  reorganization,   moratorium  or  other  similar  laws
affecting creditors' rights generally and by general principles of equity.

                 SECTION 3.  Miscellaneous.

                 (a) Each party to this  Agreement  hereby  agrees  from time to
time, upon request of the other party hereto,  to take such  additional  actions
and to execute and deliver such  additional  documents and  instruments  as such
other party may reasonably  request to effect the transactions  contemplated by,
and to carry out the intent of, this Agreement.

                 (b) Neither this  Agreement nor any term hereof may be changed,
waived,  discharged or terminated,  except by an instrument in writing signed by
the  party  against  whom  enforcement  of such  change,  waiver,  discharge  or
termination is sought.

                 (c) Unless otherwise  specifically  provided herein, any notice
or other  communication  herein  required or  permitted  to be given shall be in
writing  and may be  personally  served,  telecopied,  telexed or sent by United
States mail or Canadian mail or courier service and shall be deemed to have been
given when delivered in person or by courier  service,  upon receipt of telecopy
or telex,  or four Business  Days after  depositing it in the United States mail
(or five Business Days after depositing it in the Canadian mail),  registered or
certified, with postage prepaid and properly addressed; provided that notices to
Administrative  Agent shall not be effective  until  received.  For the purposes
hereof,  the  address  of each  party  hereto  shall be as set forth  under such
party's name on the  signature  page hereof or, as to either  party,  such other
address as shall be  designated by such party in a written  notice  delivered to
the other party hereto. In addition, the address of Assignee set forth below its
name on the signature  page hereof shall serve as the initial  notice address of
Assignee for purposes of subsection 10.11 of the Credit Agreement.

                 (d) This Agreement shall not effect an assignment of any rights
or obligations  relating to the U.S. Commitment or Australian  Commitment of any
Lender.  Assignor and  Assignee  acknowledge  and confirm (i) that  concurrently
herewith U.S.  Assignee is entering into an Assignment and  Acceptance  with the
U.S. Lender of Assignor's  Lending Unit whereby U.S.  Assignee shall be assigned
and assume all rights and obligations of Assignor's Lending Unit with respect to
that portion of such Lending  Unit's U.S.  Commitment  which  corresponds to the
Percentage  hereunder,  (ii) that concurrently  herewith  Australian Assignee is
entering  into an  Assignment  and  Acceptance  with the  Australian  Lender  of
Assignor's Lending Unit whereby Australian Assignee shall be assigned and assume
all rights and  obligations  of  Assignor's  Lending  Unit with  respect to that
portion of such Lending Unit's  Australian  Commitment which  corresponds to the
Percentage  hereunder,  and (ii) that after giving effect to such assignment and
assumption and the assignment and assumption to be effected hereunder, Assignee,
U.S. Assignee, and Australian Assignee shall have the same Pro Rata Shares under
the Credit Agreement.  Assignee agrees that U.S. Assignee shall for all purposes
be the U.S. Lender of Assignee's




                                                     6

<PAGE>



Lending  Unit  and  that  Australian  Assignee  shall  for all  purposes  be the
Australian  Lender of  Assignee's  Lending Unit and that the  Commitment of such
Lending Unit shall equal the  Assignee's Pro Rata Share (as set forth on Annex 1
annexed  hereto) of the aggregate  Commitments of all Lending Units as in effect
at any time on and after the date this Amendment becomes effective.

                 (e) The parties hereto acknowledge the provisions of subsection
2.2F of the Credit  Agreement  relating to  disclosure  under the  Interest  Act
(Canada) and agree that the provisions thereof shall apply to the disclosure and
calculation of nominal and effective rates of interest  payable  hereunder as if
such provisions were set forth herein.

                 (f) In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement
shall be invalid,  illegal or unenforceable in any  jurisdiction,  the validity,
legality and  enforceability of the remaining  provisions or obligations,  or of
such provision or obligation in any other jurisdiction,  shall not in any way be
affected or impaired thereby.

                 (g)      THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL
BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF 
NEW YORK.

                 (h) This  Agreement  shall be binding upon,  and shall inure to
the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

                 (i) This Agreement may be executed in one or more  counterparts
and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts,  each of which when so
executed and delivered  shall be deemed an original,  but all such  counterparts
together shall constitute but one and the same  instrument;  signature pages may
be  detached  from  multiple  separate  counterparts  and  attached  to a single
counterpart  so that all  signature  pages are  physically  attached to the same
document.

                 (j) This Agreement shall become effective upon the execution of
a  counterpart  hereof by each of Assignor and  Assignee and the  execution of a
counterpart hereof by Company and Borrowers (as evidence of their consent hereto
in  accordance   with   subsection   10.1B(i)  of  the  Credit   Agreement)  and
Administrative  Agent (as evidence of its acceptance  hereof in accordance  with
subsection  10.1B(ii)  of the Credit  Agreement)  and the  receipt by  Assignor,
Assignee, Canadian Administrative Agent and Administrative Agent of originals or
telecopies of such counterparts and authorization of delivery thereof.

                 (k)  Assignee  hereby  appoints  The  Chase  Manhattan  Bank of
Canada, as Canadian Administrative Agent, Chase Manhattan Securities Limited, as
Australian  Administrative Agent, Chase Securities Inc., as Arranger,  The Chase
Manhattan Bank, as Administrative Agent, and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce,
as Documentation Agent, under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents,
to exercise such




                                                     7

<PAGE>



powers as are specified in Section 9 of the Credit  Agreement and to be entitled
to such protections and indemnities as are afforded thereunder.

                 [(l)  Assignee  hereby  agrees to deliver to Canadian  Borrower
upon request such  certificates,  documents or other evidence as may be required
from  time to  time,  properly  completed  and duly  executed  by  Assignee,  to
establish the basis for any  applicable  exemption  from or a reduction of Taxes
with  respect  to  any  payment  to  Assignee  of  principal,   interest,  fees,
commissions,  or any other  amount  payable  under  this  Agreement,  the Credit
Agreement or otherwise in respect of the Canadian Loans.] [INSERT IF ASSIGNEE IS
ORGANIZED UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY  JURISDICTION  OTHER THAN CANADA OR ANY PROVINCE
THEREOF OR IS NOT RESIDENT IN CANADA.]

                 (m) Each of the  parties to this  Agreement  hereby  waives its
rights to a jury trial of any claim or cause of action based upon or arising out
of this  Agreement or any dealings  between  them  relating to the  transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.




                  [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]




                                                     8

<PAGE>



                 IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  hereto  have  caused  this
Agreement  to be duly  executed  and  delivered  by  their  respective  officers
thereunto duly authorized as of the date first written above.

[NAME OF ASSIGNOR]                [NAME OF ASSIGNEE]


By:                                           By:
Title:                                       Title:

Notice Address:                            Notice Address:

      ---------------------------                ---------------------------
      ---------------------------                ---------------------------


Consented  to  in  accordance with          Accepted  in  accordance  with  
subsection 10.1B(i) of the Credit           subsection 10.1B(ii) of the
Agreement                                   Credit Agreement

HOMESTAKE MINING                              THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
                                              as Administrative Agent

By:  -----------------------                  By:------------------------
Title: ---------------------                  Title:--------------------- 

HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY
  OF CALIFORNIA



By:-----------------------
Title:--------------------


HOMESTAKE CANADA INC.


By:-----------------------
Title:--------------------





                                                     1

<PAGE>



HOMESTAKE GOLD OF AUSTRALIA LIMITED


By:-----------------------
Title:--------------------



Receipt Acknowledged:


THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK OF CANADA, as
Canadian Administrative Agent



By:-----------------------
Title:--------------------






                                                     2

<PAGE>



                                     ANNEX I


                               AMOUNTS OUTSTANDING



         Outstanding Principal Amount:

                 Loans:
                   Dollar Loans:                                 $_________
                   Canadian Dollar Loans:                        $_________
                   Gold Loans:                                   _____Ounces
                   (interest to be paid in [Gold][Dollars
                   based on [a Price of Gold equal to
                   $____ per Ounce/Average daily value, in
                   Dollar Equivalents]]).

                 Total:                                          $_________

         Accrued But Unpaid Interest:                            $_________

         Accrued But Unpaid Fees:                                $_________

         Total Principal, Interest and Fees:                     $_________

         Outstanding Bankers' Acceptance Face Amount:            $_________

         Discount:                                               $_________

         BA Fees:                                                $_________






<PAGE>



                                    ANNEX II


                         ASSIGNEE'S CANADIAN COMMITMENT,
                           OUTSTANDING CANADIAN LOANS,
                           AGGREGATE PARTICIPATION IN
                   OUTSTANDING CANADIAN LETTERS OF CREDIT AND
                         PRO RATA SHARE AFTER ASSIGNMENT






Canadian Commitment:

         Current Canadian Allocation                   $_________
         Aggregate Commitments                         $_________
         Pro Rata Share                                 _____%
         Current Canadian
           Commitment                                  $_________
         Maximum Canadian
           Commitment                                  $_________

Outstanding Loans:

         Dollar Loans                                  $_________
         Canadian Dollar Loans                         $_________
         Gold Loans                                    ______Ounces

Outstanding Bankers' Acceptance Face Amount:           $_________

Aggregate participation in outstanding Canadian Letters of Credit:

         Dollar Letters of Credit                      $_________
         Canadian Dollar Letters of Credit             $_________

Pro Rata Share                                          ______%






<PAGE>



                                   EXHIBIT X-B

                        FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE
                                  (U.S. LENDER)

                            ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE


                 This ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE  (this  "Agreement") is dated as
of  ____________,  ____  and  entered  into  by and  between  [NAME  OF  LENDER]
("Assignor") and _____________________ ("Assignee").


                                    RECITALS

                 WHEREAS,  Assignor has entered into a Credit Agreement dated as
of  September  20, 1996 (said  Credit  Agreement,  as amended,  supplemented  or
otherwise  modified  to the date  hereof  and as it may  hereafter  be  amended,
supplemented  or  otherwise  modified  from  time to  time,  being  the  "Credit
Agreement",  the terms defined  therein and not otherwise  defined  herein being
used  herein as therein  defined)  with  Homestake  Mining  Company,  a Delaware
corporation  ("Company"),  Homestake Mining Company of California,  a California
corporation  ("U.S.  Borrower"),  Homestake Canada Inc., an Ontario  corporation
("Canadian  Borrower"),  Homestake Gold of Australia  Limited, a South Australia
corporation ("Australian  Borrower"),  the financial institutions listed therein
as  Lenders  ("Lenders"),  The  Chase  Manhattan  Bank of  Canada,  as  Canadian
Administrative  Agent  for  Lenders  ("Canadian  Administrative  Agent"),  Chase
Manhattan  Securities  Limited, as Australian  Administrative  Agent for Lenders
("Australian  Administrative  Agent"),  Chase  Securities  Inc., as Arranger for
Lenders  ("Arranger"),  The Chase  Manhattan Bank, as  Administrative  Agent for
Lenders  ("Administrative  Agent"),  and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce,  as
Documentation Agent for Lenders ("Documentation Agent");

                 WHEREAS, Assignor is a U.S. Lender under the Credit Agreement 
and Assignee will, upon giving effect to this Agreement, likewise be a U.S. 
Lender;

                 WHEREAS,  Assignor has a Commitment  under the Credit Agreement
pursuant  to which  Assignor  is  required  (i) to make  Loans to U.S.  Borrower
pursuant to subsection  2.1A(iii) of the Credit Agreement;  and (ii) to purchase
participations  in U.S.  Letters of Credit  pursuant to  subsection  2.7D of the
Credit  Agreement  (any  such  participations  in any  such  Letters  of  Credit
outstanding as of the date hereof being the "Assignor Participations");





                                                     1

<PAGE>



                 [WHEREAS,  Assignor has issued certain outstanding U.S. Letters
of Credit (the "Assignor  Letters of Credit")  pursuant to subsection 3.3 of the
Credit  Agreement;]  [INSERT IF THE CHASE  MANHATTAN  BANK IS ASSIGNOR  AND U.S.
LETTERS OF CREDIT ARE OUTSTANDING TO U.S. BORROWER]

                 WHEREAS,  Assignor desires to assign to Assignee its rights and
obligations  as a U.S.  Lender  under the  Credit  Agreement  and the other Loan
Documents with respect to all or a portion of Assignor's U.S. Commitment and any
U.S. Loans or Assignor  Participations  outstanding  thereunder  [and to sell to
Assignee  a  participation  in the  Assignor  Letters of Credit  (the  "Assignee
Participation")  equal to the  participation  required to be  purchased  therein
pursuant to subsection 2.7D of the Credit Agreement], and Assignee has agreed to
assume the obligations of Assignor under the Loan Documents to the extent of the
rights and obligations so assigned [and to purchase the Assignee Participation];
and

                 [WHEREAS, Assignor is also the [Canadian/Australian] Lender for
its Lending  Unit,  and  Assignor is,  concurrently  herewith  entering  into an
Assignment   and    Acceptance    with   [Name   of   Assignee   or   Assignee's
Canadian/Australian  affiliate] (the  "[Canadian/Australian]  Assignee") whereby
Assignor is assigning to the [Canadian/Australian]  Assignee that portion of its
rights and  obligations  with  respect to its  [Canadian/Australian]  Commitment
which corresponds to the Percentage, as defined below;]

                 [WHEREAS,  Assignor's Lending Unit consists of the Assignor and
[Name of  Canadian/Australian  Lender of Assignor's  Lending Unit]  ("Assignor's
Lending Unit Affiliate"),  and Assignor's Lending Unit Affiliate is concurrently
herewith  entering into an Assignment and  Acceptance  with [Name of Assignee or
Assignee's Canadian/Australian affiliate] (the "[Canadian/Australian] Assignee")
whereby    Assignor's    Lending   Unit    Affiliate   is   assigning   to   the
[Canadian/Australian]  Assignee that portion of its rights and obligations  with
respect  to  its  [Canadian/Australian]  Commitment  which  corresponds  to  the
Percentage, as defined below;]

                 NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the  premises  and  the
agreements, provisions and covenants herein contained, the parties hereto hereby
agree as follows:

                 SECTION 1.  Assignment and Assumption.

                 (a) Assignor  hereby  assigns to Assignee,  effective  upon the
receipt  of the  consideration  set  forth in  Section  1(c) and  Administrative
Agent's receipt of any processing and recordation fee required under  subsection
10.1B of the Credit  Agreement,  without  recourse,  representation  or warranty
(except as expressly  set forth  herein),  an  undivided  _____%  interest  (the
"Percentage")  in all of Assignor's  rights and  obligations as a Lender arising
under the Credit  Agreement and the other Loan Documents  relating to Assignor's
U.S.  Commitment  and any U.S.  Loans and  Assignor  Participations  outstanding
thereunder




                                                     2

<PAGE>



[and concurrently therewith sells to Assignee, without recourse,  representation
or warranty (except as expressly set forth herein), the Assignee Participation].

                 (b)  Assignee  hereby  assumes from  Assignor,  and Assignor is
hereby  expressly  and  absolutely  released  from,  the  Percentage  of  all of
Assignor's  obligations  arising under the Loan Documents relating to Assignor's
U.S.  Commitment  and any U.S.  Loans and  Assignor  Participations  outstanding
thereunder,  including  without  limitation all such obligations with respect to
any U.S. Loans to be made and any participations in U.S. Letters of Credit to be
purchased,  pursuant to the Credit  Agreement [, and Assignee  hereby  purchases
from Assignor the Assignee Participation].

                 (c)  Notwithstanding  any  provisions of this  Agreement to the
contrary, each of the Assignor and Assignee hereby acknowledges and confirms its
understanding and agreement that the U.S.  Commitments of the U.S. Lenders under
the Credit  Agreement  may from time to time be  increased  or  decreased by the
Borrowers in accordance  with subsection  2.1A of the Credit  Agreement  through
changes in the U.S. Allocation, provided that the U.S. Allocation may not at any
time exceed the aggregate amount of the Commitments of all Lending Units then in
effect.  Each of the  Assignor  and Assignee  acknowledges  that the  Percentage
interest in the U.S.  Commitment being assigned and assumed hereunder equals the
Assignee's Pro Rata Share, as set forth on Annex II attached hereto, of the U.S.
Allocation of the Commitments as in effect on and after the date upon which this
Agreement becomes effective.

                 (d) Assignor  hereby  represents  and  warrants  that as of the
effective  date of this Agreement the  respective  amounts of unpaid  principal,
accrued but unpaid  interest  and  accrued  but unpaid fees with  respect to the
Percentage  of  Assignor's  rights  under  the  Credit  Agreement   relating  to
Assignor's  U.S.  Commitment  and any U.S.  Loans  and  Assignor  Participations
outstanding  thereunder [and with respect to the Assignee  Participation] are as
set forth on Annex I attached hereto. In consideration of Assignor's assignment,
Assignee  hereby  agrees  to pay to  Assignor,  on the  effective  date  of this
Agreement,  the amount of  $_________________  in immediately available funds by
wire transfer to Assignor's office at
_____________________.

                 (e) Assignor  and Assignee  hereby agree that Annex II attached
hereto  sets  forth  the  amount  of the U.S.  Commitment,  any U.S.  Loans  and
participations  by Assignee in any U.S. Letters of Credit  outstanding under the
Commitment  and the Pro Rata  Share  of  Assignee  after  giving  effect  to the
assignment and assumption [and the sale and purchase] described above.

                 (f) Assignor and Assignee hereby agree that, upon giving effect
to the assignment and assumption  [and the sale and purchase]  described  above,
Assignee shall be a party to the Credit  Agreement as a U.S. Lender  thereunder,
and shall have all of the




                                                     3

<PAGE>



rights and obligations  under the Loan Documents of, and shall be deemed to have
made all of the covenants and  agreements  contained in the Loan  Documents made
by, a U.S. Lender having the U.S.  Commitment,  the outstanding  U.S. Loans, the
aggregate  participation  in outstanding U.S. Letters of Credit and the Pro Rata
Share of Assignee as  reflected  on Annex II attached  hereto.  Assignee  hereby
acknowledges  and agrees that the agreement set forth in this subsection 1(f) is
expressly  made for the benefit of  Company,  Borrowers,  Administrative  Agent,
Assignor and the other  Lenders and their  respective  successors  and permitted
assigns.

                 (g) Assignor and Assignee hereby  acknowledge and confirm their
understanding  and  intent  that (i)  this  Agreement  shall  effect  [(A)]  the
assignment  by Assignor  and the  assumption  by Assignee of the  Percentage  of
Assignor's rights and obligations with respect to Assignor's U.S. Commitment and
any U.S. Loans and Assignor Participations outstanding thereunder and all rights
and obligations  under the Loan Documents with respect thereto [and (B) the sale
by Assignor and the purchase by Assignee of the  Assignee  Participation],  (ii)
any other  assignments  by Assignor  of a portion of its rights and  obligations
with  respect to  Assignor's  U.S.  Commitment  and any U.S.  Loans or  Assignor
Participations  outstanding  thereunder  [, and any other  sales by  Assignor of
participations  in the Assignor Letters of Credit,] shall have no effect on U.S.
Commitment,   the  outstanding  U.S.  Loans,  the  aggregate   participation  in
outstanding  U.S.  Letters of Credit or Pro Rata Share of Assignee  set forth on
Annex II attached  hereto,  and (iii) from and after the effective  date of this
Agreement,  Administrative  Agent  shall  make all  payments  under  the  Credit
Agreement  in  respect  of the  Percentage  interest  assigned  hereby  [and the
Assignee Participation]  (including without limitation all payments of principal
and accrued but unpaid  interest and  commitment  and letter of credit fees with
respect thereto) to Assignee, whether such amounts (in the case of such interest
and  fees)  have  accrued  prior  to the  effective  date of this  Agreement  or
subsequent thereto.

                 SECTION 2.  Certain Representations, Warranties and Agreements.

                 (a) Assignor  represents  and warrants that it is the legal and
beneficial owner of the Percentage  interest being assigned by it hereunder [and
of the Assignee  Participation]  and that such  interest  [is] [and the Assignee
Participation are] free and clear of any adverse claim.

                 (b)  Assignor  shall not be  responsible  to  Assignee  for the
execution, effectiveness, genuineness, validity, enforceability,  collectibility
or  sufficiency  of any of  the  Loan  Documents  or  for  any  representations,
warranties,  recitals or statements  made therein or made in any written or oral
statement  or in any  financial  or other  statements,  instruments,  reports or
certificates or any other documents furnished or made by Assignor to Assignee or
by or on behalf of Company or any Borrower to Assignor or Assignee in connection
with the Loan  Documents and the  transactions  contemplated  thereby or for the
financial  condition  or business  affairs of the Company or any Borrower or any
other Person




                                                     4

<PAGE>



liable for the  payment of any  Obligations,  nor shall  Assignor be required to
ascertain or inquire as to the  performance  or  observance of any of the terms,
conditions,  provisions,  covenants or  agreements  contained in any of the Loan
Documents  or as to the  use of the  proceeds  of the  Loans  or the  use of the
Letters of Credit or as to the  existence or possible  existence of any Event of
Default or Potential Event of Default.

                 (c) Assignee  represents  and  warrants  that it is an Eligible
Assignee;  that it has  experience  and expertise in the making of loans such as
the Loans; that it has acquired its Percentage  interest for its own account and
not with any present  intention of selling all or any portion of such  interest;
and that it has received, reviewed and approved copies of all Loan Documents.

                 (d) Assignee  represents  and warrants that it has made its own
independent  investigation of the financial condition and affairs of Company and
each of the Borrowers and their  respective  Subsidiaries in connection with the
assignment  evidenced by this  Agreement and that it has made and shall continue
to  make  its own  appraisal  of the  creditworthiness  of the  Company  and the
Borrowers. Assignor shall not have any duty or responsibility,  either initially
or on a continuing  basis, to make any such  investigation or any such appraisal
on  behalf  of  Assignee  or to  provide  Assignee  with  any  credit  or  other
information with respect thereto,  whether coming into its possession before the
making of the initial  Loans or at any time or times  thereafter,  and  Assignor
shall  not  have any  responsibility  with  respect  to the  accuracy  of or the
completeness of any information provided to Assignee.

                 (e) Each party to this Agreement represents and warrants to the
other  party  hereto  that it has full  power and  authority  to enter into this
Agreement  and to perform  its  obligations  hereunder  in  accordance  with the
provisions  hereof,  that this Agreement has been duly authorized,  executed and
delivered by such party and that this Agreement  constitutes a legal,  valid and
binding obligation of such party,  enforceable  against such party in accordance
with  its  terms,   except  as  enforceability  may  be  limited  by  applicable
bankruptcy,  insolvency,  reorganization,   moratorium  or  other  similar  laws
affecting creditors' rights generally and by general principles of equity.

                 SECTION 3.  Miscellaneous.

                 (a) Each party to this  Agreement  hereby  agrees  from time to
time, upon request of the other party hereto,  to take such  additional  actions
and to execute and deliver such  additional  documents and  instruments  as such
other party may reasonably  request to effect the transactions  contemplated by,
and to carry out the intent of, this Agreement.

                 (b) Neither this  Agreement nor any term hereof may be changed,
waived,  discharged or terminated,  except by an instrument in writing signed by
the  party  against  whom  enforcement  of such  change,  waiver,  discharge  or
termination is sought.




                                                     5

<PAGE>




                 (c) Unless otherwise  specifically  provided herein, any notice
or other  communication  herein  required or  permitted  to be given shall be in
writing  and may be  personally  served,  telecopied,  telexed or sent by United
States  mail or  courier  service  and shall be deemed to have been  given  when
delivered in person or by courier service, upon receipt of telecopy or telex, or
four Business Days after depositing it in the United States mail,  registered or
certified, with postage prepaid and properly addressed; provided that notices to
Administrative  Agent shall not be effective  until  received.  For the purposes
hereof,  the  address  of each  party  hereto  shall be as set forth  under such
party's name on the  signature  page hereof or, as to either  party,  such other
address as shall be  designated by such party in a written  notice  delivered to
the other party hereto. In addition, the address of Assignee set forth below its
name on the signature  page hereof shall serve as the initial  notice address of
Assignee for purposes of subsection 10.11 of the Credit Agreement.

                 (d) This Agreement shall not effect an assignment of any rights
or  obligations  relating to the U.S.  Commitment  of any Lender.  Assignor  and
Assignee  acknowledge  and  confirm  (i) that  concurrently  herewith,  Canadian
Assignee is entering into an Assignment and Acceptance  with the Canadian Lender
of  Assignor's  Lending Unit  whereby  Canadian  Assignee  shall be assigned and
assume all rights and  obligations  of  Assignor's  Lending Unit with respect to
that portion of such Lending Unit's Canadian Commitment which corresponds to the
Percentage hereunder,  (ii) that concurrently  herewith,  Australian Assignee is
entering  into an  Assignment  and  Acceptance  with the  Australian  Lender  of
Assignor's Lending Unit whereby Australian Assignee shall be assigned and assume
all rights and  obligations  of  Assignor's  Lending  Unit with  respect to that
portion of such Lending Unit's  Australian  Commitment which  corresponds to the
Percentage hereunder,  and (iii) that after giving effect to such assignment and
assumption and the assignment and assumption to be effected hereunder, Assignee,
Canadian Assignee,  and Australian  Assignee shall have the same Pro Rata Shares
under the Credit Agreement. Assignee agrees that Canadian Assignee shall for all
purposes be the Canadian Lender of Assignee's Lending Unit,  Australian Assignee
shall for all purposes be the Australian Lender of Assignee's  Lending Unit, and
that the  Commitment  of such Lending Unit shall equal the  Assignee's  Pro Rata
Share (as set forth on Annex 1 annexed  hereto) of the aggregate  Commitments of
all Lending Units as in effect at any time on and after the date this  Amendment
becomes effective.

                 (e) In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement
shall be invalid,  illegal or unenforceable in any  jurisdiction,  the validity,
legality and  enforceability of the remaining  provisions or obligations,  or of
such provision or obligation in any other jurisdiction,  shall not in any way be
affected or impaired thereby.

                 (f)      THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL
BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE  WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF
NEW YORK.




                                                     6

<PAGE>



                 (g) This  Agreement  shall be binding upon,  and shall inure to
the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

                 (h) This Agreement may be executed in one or more  counterparts
and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts,  each of which when so
executed and delivered  shall be deemed an original,  but all such  counterparts
together shall constitute but one and the same  instrument;  signature pages may
be  detached  from  multiple  separate  counterparts  and  attached  to a single
counterpart  so that all  signature  pages are  physically  attached to the same
document.

                 (i) This Agreement shall become effective upon the execution of
a  counterpart  hereof by each of Assignor and  Assignee and the  execution of a
counterpart hereof by Company and Borrowers (as evidence of their consent hereto
in  accordance   with   subsection   10.1B(i)  of  the  Credit   Agreement)  and
Administrative  Agent (as evidence of its acceptance  hereof in accordance  with
subsection  10.1B(ii)  of the Credit  Agreement),  and the receipt by  Assignor,
Assignee  and   Administrative   Agent  of  originals  or   telecopies  of  such
counterparts and authorization of delivery thereof.

                 (j)  Assignee  hereby  appoints  The  Chase  Manhattan  Bank of
Canada, as Canadian Administrative Agent, Chase Manhattan Securities Limited, as
Australian  Administrative Agent, Chase Securities Inc., as Arranger,  The Chase
Manhattan Bank as Administrative  Agent, and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce,
as Documentation Agent, under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents,
to exercise  such powers as are  specified in Section 9 of the Credit  Agreement
and  to be  entitled  to  such  protections  and  indemnities  as  are  afforded
thereunder.

                 [(k) Assignee  hereby  agrees to deliver to U.S.  Borrower such
certificates, documents or other evidence, properly and accurately completed and
duly  executed by Assignee  (including,  without  limitation,  Internal  Revenue
Service  Form  1001 or Form  4224  or any  other  certificate  or  statement  of
exemption  required  by  Treasury  Regulations  Section  1.1441-4(a)  or Section
1.1441-6(c) or any successor  thereto) to establish that Assignee is not subject
to deduction or  withholding  of United States  federal income tax under Section
1441 or 1442 of the Internal  Revenue Code or otherwise (or under any comparable
provisions of any successor  statute).]  [INSERT IF ASSIGNEE IS ORGANIZED  UNDER
THE LAWS OF ANY  JURISDICTION  OTHER THAN THE UNITED STATES OR ANY STATE THEREOF
OR IS NOT RESIDENT IN THE UNITED STATES.]

                 (l) Each of the  parties to this  Agreement  hereby  waives its
rights to a jury trial of any claim or cause of action based upon or arising out
of this  Agreement or any dealings  between  them  relating to the  transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.







                                                     7

<PAGE>




                  [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]


















                                                     8

<PAGE>



                 IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  hereto  have  caused  this
Agreement  to be duly  executed  and  delivered  by  their  respective  officers
thereunto duly authorized as of the date first written above.

[NAME OF ASSIGNOR]                  [NAME OF ASSIGNEE]


By:                                  By:
Title:                               Title:

Notice Address:                      Notice Address:

   ---------------------------           ---------------------------
   ---------------------------           ---------------------------


Consented  to  in  accordance        Accepted  in  accordance  with  subsection
with subsection 10.1B(ii) of the     10.1B(i) of the Credit Agreement
Credit Agreement             

HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY            THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
                                    as Administrative Agent


By: ----------------------          By:-------------------------
Title: -------------------          Title:----------------------


HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY
OF CALIFORNIA


By:---------------------- 
Title:-------------------


HOMESTAKE CANADA INC.


By:---------------------- 
Title:-------------------





                                                     1

<PAGE>



HOMESTAKE GOLD OF AUSTRALIA LIMITED


By:---------------------- 
Title:-------------------














                                                     2

<PAGE>



                                     ANNEX I


                               AMOUNTS OUTSTANDING



         Outstanding Principal Amount:

                  Loans:
                   Dollar Loans:                                 $_________
                   Gold Loans:                                    _____Ounces
                   (interest to be paid in [Gold][Dollars
                   based on [a Price of Gold  equal to $____  per  Ounce/Average
                   daily value, in Dollar Equivalents]]).

                 Total:                                          $_________

         Accrued But Unpaid Interest:                            $_________

         Accrued But Unpaid Fees:                                $_________

         Total Principal, Interest and Fees:                     $_________







<PAGE>



                                    ANNEX II


                                   ASSIGNEE'S
                                U.S. COMMITMENT,
                             OUTSTANDING U.S. LOANS,
                           AGGREGATE PARTICIPATION IN
                     OUTSTANDING U.S. LETTERS OF CREDIT AND
                         PRO RATA SHARE AFTER ASSIGNMENT





U.S. Commitment:

         Current U.S. Allocation           $_________
         Aggregate Commitments             $_________
         Pro Rata Share                     _____%
         Current U.S. Commitment           $_________
         Maximum U.S. Commitment           $_________

Outstanding Loans:

         Dollar Loans                      $_________
         Gold Loans                         ______Ounces

Aggregate participation in
outstanding U.S. Letters of Credit:        $_________

Pro Rata Share                              ______%






<PAGE>



                                   EXHIBIT X-C

                        FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE
                               (AUSTRALIAN LENDER)

                            ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE


                 This ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE  (this  "Agreement") is dated as
of  ____________,  ____  and  entered  into  by and  between  [NAME  OF  LENDER]
("Assignor") and _____________________ ("Assignee").


                                    RECITALS

                 WHEREAS,  Assignor has entered into a Credit Agreement dated as
of  September  20, 1996 (said  Credit  Agreement,  as amended,  supplemented  or
otherwise  modified  to the date  hereof  and as it may  hereafter  be  amended,
supplemented  or  otherwise  modified  from  time to  time,  being  the  "Credit
Agreement",  the terms defined  therein and not otherwise  defined  herein being
used  herein as therein  defined)  with  Homestake  Mining  Company,  a Delaware
corporation  ("Company"),  Homestake Mining Company of California,  a California
corporation  ("U.S.  Borrower"),  Homestake Canada Inc., an Ontario  corporation
("Canadian  Borrower"),  Homestake Gold of Australia  Limited, a South Australia
corporation ("Australian  Borrower"),  the financial institutions listed therein
as  Lenders  ("Lenders"),  The  Chase  Manhattan  Bank of  Canada,  as  Canadian
Administrative  Agent  for  Lenders  ("Canadian  Administrative  Agent"),  Chase
Manhattan  Securities  Limited, as Australian  Administrative  Agent for Lenders
("Australian  Administrative  Agent"),  Chase  Securities  Inc., as Arranger for
Lenders  ("Arranger"),  The Chase  Manhattan Bank, as  Administrative  Agent for
Lenders  ("Administrative  Agent"),  and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce,  as
Documentation Agent for Lenders ("Documentation Agent");

                 WHEREAS,  Assignor  is an  Australian  Lender  under the Credit
Agreement and Assignee will, upon giving effect to this  Agreement,  likewise be
an Australian Lender;

                 WHEREAS,  Assignor has a Commitment  under the Credit Agreement
pursuant to which Assignor is required (i) to make Loans to Australian  Borrower
pursuant to subsection  2.1A(ii) of the Credit  Agreement;  and (ii) to purchase
participations  in Australian  Letters of Credit  pursuant to subsection 2.7D of
the Credit  Agreement  (any such  participations  in any such  Letters of Credit
outstanding as of the date hereof being the "Assignor Participations");





                                                     1

<PAGE>



                 WHEREAS,  Assignor has issued  certain  outstanding  Australian
Letters of Credit (the "Assignor  Letters of Credit") pursuant to subsection 3.3
of the Credit  Agreement;  [INSERT IF THE CHASE  MANHATTAN  BANK IS ASSIGNOR AND
AUSTRALIAN LETTERS OF CREDIT ARE OUTSTANDING TO AUSTRALIAN BORROWER];

                 WHEREAS,  Assignor desires to assign to Assignee its rights and
obligations  as an  Australian  Lender under the Credit  Agreement and the other
Loan  Documents  with  respect  to all or a  portion  of  Assignor's  Australian
Commitment  and any  Australian  Loans or  Assignor  Participations  outstanding
thereunder [and to sell to Assignee a participation  in the Assignor  Letters of
Credit (the "Assignee  Participation") equal to the participation required to be
purchased  therein  pursuant to subsection  2.7D of the Credit  Agreement],  and
Assignee  has  agreed to  assume  the  obligations  of  Assignor  under the Loan
Documents  to the extent of the  rights  and  obligations  so  assigned  [and to
purchase the Assignee Participation]; and

                 [WHEREAS,  Assignor  is  both  the  Australian  Lender  and the
[U.S./Canadian]  Lender for its Lending  Unit,  and  Assignor  is,  concurrently
herewith  entering into an Assignment and  Acceptance  with [Name of Assignee or
Assignee's  U.S./Canadian  affiliate] (the  "[U.S./Canadian]  Assignee") whereby
Assignor is assigning to the [U.S./Canadian] Assignee that portion of its rights
and obligations with respect to its [U.S./Canadian] Commitment which corresponds
to the Percentage, as defined below;]

                 [WHEREAS,  Assignor's Lending Unit consists of the Assignor and
[Name of U.S./Canadian  Lender of Assignor's Lending Unit] ("Assignor's  Lending
Unit Affiliate"), and Assignor's Lending Unit Affiliate is concurrently herewith
entering into an Assignment and Acceptance  with [Name of Assignee or Assignee's
U.S./Canadian  affiliate] (the  "[U.S./Canadian]  Assignee")  whereby Assignor's
Lending Unit Affiliate is assigning to the [U.S./Canadian] Assignee that portion
of its rights and  obligations  with respect to its  [U.S./Canadian]  Commitment
which corresponds to the Percentage, as defined below;]

                 NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the  premises  and  the
agreements, provisions and covenants herein contained, the parties hereto hereby
agree as follows:

                 SECTION 1.  Assignment and Assumption.

                 (a) Assignor  hereby  assigns to Assignee,  effective  upon the
receipt  of the  consideration  set  forth in  Section  1(c) and  Administrative
Agent's receipt of any processing and recordation fee required under  subsection
10.1B of the Credit  Agreement,  without  recourse,  representation  or warranty
(except as expressly  set forth  herein),  an  undivided  _____%  interest  (the
"Percentage")  in all of Assignor's  rights and  obligations as a Lender arising
under the Credit  Agreement and the other Loan Documents  relating to Assignor's
Australian  Commitment  and any  Australian  Loans and  Assignor  Participations
outstanding




                                                     2

<PAGE>



thereunder  [and  concurrently  therewith sells to Assignee,  without  recourse,
representation or warranty (except as expressly set forth herein),  the Assignee
Participation].

                 (b)  Assignee  hereby  assumes from  Assignor,  and Assignor is
hereby  expressly  and  absolutely  released  from,  the  Percentage  of  all of
Assignor's  obligations  arising under the Loan Documents relating to Assignor's
Australian  Commitment  and any  Australian  Loans and  Assignor  Participations
outstanding  thereunder,  including without limitation all such obligations with
respect to any Australian Loans to be made and any  participations in Australian
Letters  of Credit to be  purchased,  pursuant  to the Credit  Agreement  [, and
Assignee hereby purchases from Assignor the Assignee Participation].

                 (c)  Notwithstanding  any  provisions of this  Agreement to the
contrary, each of the Assignor and Assignee hereby acknowledges and confirms its
understanding  and agreement that the  Australian  Commitments of the Australian
Lenders  under  the  Credit  Agreement  may from  time to time be  increased  or
decreased by the  Borrowers in  accordance  with  subsection  2.1A of the Credit
Agreement  through  changes  in the  Australian  Allocation,  provided  that the
Australian  Allocation  may not at any time exceed the  aggregate  amount of the
Commitments  of all  Lending  Units then in  effect.  Each of the  Assignor  and
Assignee  acknowledges that the Percentage interest in the Australian Commitment
being assigned and assumed  hereunder  equals the Assignee's Pro Rata Share,  as
set forth on Annex II  attached  hereto,  of the  Australian  Allocation  of the
Commitments as in effect on and after the date upon which this Agreement becomes
effective.

                 (d) Assignor  hereby  represents  and  warrants  that as of the
effective  date of this Agreement the  respective  amounts of unpaid  principal,
accrued but unpaid  interest  and  accrued  but unpaid fees with  respect to the
Percentage  of  Assignor's  rights  under  the  Credit  Agreement   relating  to
Assignor's   Australian   Commitment  and  any  Australian  Loans  and  Assignor
Participations   outstanding  thereunder  [and  with  respect  to  the  Assignee
Participation]  are as set forth on Annex I attached hereto. In consideration of
Assignor's  assignment,  Assignee  hereby  agrees  to  pay to  Assignor,  on the
effective  date  of  this  Agreement,   the  amount  of   $_________________  in
immediately available funds by wire transfer to Assignor's office at
_________________.

                 (e) Assignor  and Assignee  hereby agree that Annex II attached
hereto sets forth the amount of the Australian Commitment, any Australian Loans,
and  participations by Assignee in any Australian  Letters of Credit outstanding
under the  Commitment  and the Pro Rata Share of Assignee after giving effect to
the assignment and assumption [and the sale and purchase] described above.

                 (f) Assignor and Assignee hereby agree that, upon giving effect
to the assignment and assumption  [and the sale and purchase]  described  above,
Assignee  shall be a party  to the  Credit  Agreement  as an  Australian  Lender
thereunder, and shall have all of




                                                     3

<PAGE>



the rights and  obligations  under the Loan Documents of, and shall be deemed to
have made all of the covenants and  agreements  contained in the Loan  Documents
made by, an Australian Lender having the Australian Commitment,  the outstanding
Australian Loans, the aggregate  participation in outstanding Australian Letters
of Credit and the Pro Rata Share of Assignee as  reflected  on Annex II attached
hereto.  Assignee hereby acknowledges and agrees that the agreement set forth in
this  subsection  1(f) is expressly made for the benefit of Company,  Borrowers,
Australian  Administrative  Agent,  Administrative Agent, Assignor and the other
Lenders and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

                 (g) Assignor and Assignee hereby  acknowledge and confirm their
understanding  and  intent  that (i)  this  Agreement  shall  effect  [(A)]  the
assignment  by Assignor  and the  assumption  by Assignee of the  Percentage  of
Assignor's  rights  and  obligations  with  respect  to  Assignor's   Australian
Commitment  and any  Australian  Loans and Assignor  Participations  outstanding
thereunder and all rights and obligations  under the Loan Documents with respect
thereto  [and (B) the sale by  Assignor  and the  purchase  by  Assignee  of the
Assignee Participation],  (ii) any other assignments by Assignor of a portion of
its rights and obligations with respect to Assignor's  Australian Commitment and
any Australian Loans or Assignor  Participations  outstanding  thereunder [, and
any other  sales by  Assignor  of  participations  in the  Assignor  Letters  of
Credit,]  shall  have  no  effect  on  Australian  Commitment,  the  outstanding
Australian Loans, the aggregate  participation in outstanding Australian Letters
of Credit or Pro Rata Share of Assignee  set forth on Annex II attached  hereto,
and (iii) from and after the effective  date of this  Agreement,  Administrative
Agent  shall  make all  payments  under the Credit  Agreement  in respect of the
Percentage interest assigned hereby [and the Assignee Participation]  (including
without limitation all payments of principal and accrued but unpaid interest and
commitment and letter of credit fees with respect thereto) to Assignee,  whether
such amounts (in the case of such  interest and fees) have accrued  prior to the
effective date of this Agreement or subsequent thereto.

                 SECTION 2.  Certain Representations, Warranties and Agreements.

                 (a) Assignor  represents  and warrants that it is the legal and
beneficial owner of the Percentage  interest being assigned by it hereunder [and
of the Assignee  Participation]  and that such  interest  [is] [and the Assignee
Participation are] free and clear of any adverse claim.

                 (b)  Assignor  shall not be  responsible  to  Assignee  for the
execution, effectiveness, genuineness, validity, enforceability,  collectibility
or  sufficiency  of any of  the  Loan  Documents  or  for  any  representations,
warranties,  recitals or statements  made therein or made in any written or oral
statement  or in any  financial  or other  statements,  instruments,  reports or
certificates or any other documents furnished or made by Assignor to Assignee or
by or on behalf of Company or any Borrower to Assignor or Assignee in connection
with the Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby or for the




                                                     4

<PAGE>



financial  condition  or business  affairs of the Company or any Borrower or any
other Person liable for the payment of any  Obligations,  nor shall  Assignor be
required to ascertain or inquire as to the  performance  or observance of any of
the terms, conditions,  provisions,  covenants or agreements contained in any of
the Loan  Documents  or as to the use of the proceeds of the Loans or the use of
the Letters of Credit or as to the existence or possible  existence of any Event
of Default or Potential Event of Default.

                 (c) Assignee  represents  and  warrants  that it is an Eligible
Assignee;  that it has  experience  and expertise in the making of loans such as
the Loans; that it has acquired its Percentage  interest for its own account and
not with any present  intention of selling all or any portion of such  interest;
and that it has received, reviewed and approved copies of all Loan Documents.

                 (d) Assignee  represents  and warrants that it has made its own
independent  investigation of the financial condition and affairs of Company and
each of the Borrowers and their  respective  Subsidiaries in connection with the
assignment  evidenced by this  Agreement and that it has made and shall continue
to  make  its own  appraisal  of the  creditworthiness  of the  Company  and the
Borrowers. Assignor shall not have any duty or responsibility,  either initially
or on a continuing  basis, to make any such  investigation or any such appraisal
on  behalf  of  Assignee  or to  provide  Assignee  with  any  credit  or  other
information with respect thereto,  whether coming into its possession before the
making of the initial  Loans or at any time or times  thereafter,  and  Assignor
shall  not  have any  responsibility  with  respect  to the  accuracy  of or the
completeness of any information provided to Assignee.

                 (e) Each party to this Agreement represents and warrants to the
other  party  hereto  that it has full  power and  authority  to enter into this
Agreement  and to perform  its  obligations  hereunder  in  accordance  with the
provisions  hereof,  that this Agreement has been duly authorized,  executed and
delivered by such party and that this Agreement  constitutes a legal,  valid and
binding obligation of such party,  enforceable  against such party in accordance
with  its  terms,   except  as  enforceability  may  be  limited  by  applicable
bankruptcy,  insolvency,  reorganization,   moratorium  or  other  similar  laws
affecting creditors' rights generally and by general principles of equity.

                 SECTION 3.  Miscellaneous.

                 (a) Each party to this  Agreement  hereby  agrees  from time to
time, upon request of the other party hereto,  to take such  additional  actions
and to execute and deliver such  additional  documents and  instruments  as such
other party may reasonably  request to effect the transactions  contemplated by,
and to carry out the intent of, this Agreement.





                                                     5

<PAGE>



                 (b) Neither this  Agreement nor any term hereof may be changed,
waived,  discharged or terminated,  except by an instrument in writing signed by
the  party  against  whom  enforcement  of such  change,  waiver,  discharge  or
termination is sought.

                 (c) Unless otherwise  specifically  provided herein, any notice
or other  communication  herein  required or  permitted  to be given shall be in
writing  and may be  personally  served,  telecopied,  telexed or sent by United
States mail or  Australian  mail or courier  service and shall be deemed to have
been  given when  delivered  in person or by courier  service,  upon  receipt of
telecopy  or telex,  or four  Business  Days after  depositing  it in the United
States mail (or five Business Days after depositing it in the Australian  mail),
registered or certified,  with postage prepaid and properly addressed;  provided
that notices to Administrative Agent shall not be effective until received.  For
the  purposes  hereof,  the address of each party  hereto  shall be as set forth
under such party's  name on the  signature  page hereof or, as to either  party,
such other  address  as shall be  designated  by such party in a written  notice
delivered to the other party  hereto.  In addition,  the address of Assignee set
forth below its name on the  signature  page  hereof  shall serve as the initial
notice  address of  Assignee  for  purposes  of  subsection  10.11 of the Credit
Agreement.

                 (d) This Agreement shall not effect an assignment of any rights
or  obligations  relating to the U.S.  Commitment or Canadian  Commitment of any
Lender.  Assignor and  Assignee  acknowledge  and confirm (i) that  concurrently
herewith,  U.S.  Assignee is entering into an Assignment and Acceptance with the
U.S. Lender of Assignor's  Lending Unit whereby U.S.  Assignee shall be assigned
and assume all rights and obligations of Assignor's Lending Unit with respect to
that portion of such Lending  Unit's U.S.  Commitment  which  corresponds to the
Percentage hereunder, and (ii) that concurrently herewith,  Canadian Assignee is
entering  into  an  Assignment  and  Acceptance  with  the  Canadian  Lender  of
Assignor's  Lending Unit whereby Canadian  Assignee shall be assigned and assume
all rights and  obligations  of  Assignor's  Lending  Unit with  respect to that
portion of such Lending  Unit's  Canadian  Commitment  which  corresponds to the
Percentage hereunder,  and (iii) that after giving effect to such assignment and
assumption and the assignment and assumption to be effected hereunder, Assignee,
U.S. Assignee, and Australian Assignee shall have the same Pro Rata Shares under
the Credit Agreement.  Assignee agrees that U.S. Assignee shall for all purposes
be the U.S. Lender of Assignee's Lending Unit, Australian Assignee shall for all
purposes be the  Australian  Lender of  Assignee's  Lending  Unit,  and that the
Commitment  of such Lending Unit shall equal the  Assignee's  Pro Rata Share (as
set forth on Annex 1 annexed hereto) of the aggregate Commitments of all Lending
Units as in effect at any time on and  after  the date  this  Amendment  becomes
effective.

                 (e) In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement
shall be invalid,  illegal or unenforceable in any  jurisdiction,  the validity,
legality and  enforceability of the remaining  provisions or obligations,  or of
such provision or obligation in any other jurisdiction,  shall not in any way be
affected or impaired thereby.




                                                     6

<PAGE>




                 (f)      THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL
BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL
LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

                 (g) This  Agreement  shall be binding upon,  and shall inure to
the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

                 (h) This Agreement may be executed in one or more  counterparts
and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts,  each of which when so
executed and delivered  shall be deemed an original,  but all such  counterparts
together shall constitute but one and the same  instrument;  signature pages may
be  detached  from  multiple  separate  counterparts  and  attached  to a single
counterpart  so that all  signature  pages are  physically  attached to the same
document.

                 (i) This Agreement shall become effective upon the execution of
a  counterpart  hereof by each of Assignor and  Assignee and the  execution of a
counterpart hereof by Company and Borrowers (as evidence of their consent hereto
in  accordance   with   subsection   10.1B(i)  of  the  Credit   Agreement)  and
Administrative  Agent (as evidence of its acceptance  hereof in accordance  with
subsection  10.1B(ii)  of the Credit  Agreement),  and the receipt by  Assignor,
Assignee,  Australian Administrative Agent and Administrative Agent of originals
or telecopies of such counterparts and authorization of delivery thereof.

                 (j)  Assignee  hereby  appoints  The  Chase  Manhattan  Bank of
Canada, as Canadian Administrative Agent, Chase Manhattan Securities Limited, as
Australian  Administrative Agent, Chase Securities Inc., as Arranger,  The Chase
Manhattan Bank as Administrative  Agent, and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce,
as Documentation Agent, under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents,
to exercise  such powers as are  specified in Section 9 of the Credit  Agreement
and  to be  entitled  to  such  protections  and  indemnities  as  are  afforded
thereunder.

                 [(k) Assignee  hereby agrees to deliver to Australian  Borrower
such  certificates,   documents  or  other  evidence,  properly  and  accurately
completed  and duly  executed  by  Assignee,  to  establish  the  basis  for any
applicable exemption from or a reduction of Taxes with respect to any payment to
Assignee or principal,  interest, fees, commissions, or any other amount payable
under  this  Agreement,  the Credit  Agreement  or  otherwise  in respect of the
Australian  Loans.]  [INSERT  IF  ASSIGNEE  IS  ORGANIZED  UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY
JURISDICTION  OTHER THAN  AUSTRALIA  OR ANY STATE  THEREOF OR IS NOT RESIDENT IN
AUSTRALIA.]

                 (l) Each of the  parties to this  Agreement  hereby  waives its
rights to a jury trial of any claim or cause of action based upon or arising out
of this  Agreement or any dealings  between  them  relating to the  transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.





                                                     7

<PAGE>



                  [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

















                                                     8

<PAGE>



                 IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  hereto  have  caused  this
Agreement  to be duly  executed  and  delivered  by  their  respective  officers
thereunto duly authorized as of the date first written above.

[NAME OF ASSIGNOR]                           [NAME OF ASSIGNEE]


By: -----------------------                By:----------------------
Title: --------------------                Title:-------------------

Notice Address:                            Notice Address:

    ---------------------------              ---------------------------
    ---------------------------              ---------------------------


Consented  to  in  accordance with         Accepted  in  accordance  with  
subsection 10.1B(i) of the Credit          subsection 10.1B(ii) of the
Agreement                                  Credit Agreement

HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY                      THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
                                              as Administrative Agent


By: -----------------------                By:----------------------
Title: --------------------                Title:-------------------


HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY
OF CALIFORNIA


By:-----------------------
Title:--------------------


HOMESTAKE CANADA INC.


By:-----------------------
Title:--------------------






                                                     1

<PAGE>




HOMESTAKE GOLD OF AUSTRALIA LIMITED


By:-----------------------
Title:--------------------



Receipt Acknowledged:


CHASE MANHATTAN SECURITIES LIMITED, as
Australian Administrative Agent



By:-----------------------
Title:--------------------





                                                     2

<PAGE>



                                     ANNEX I


                               AMOUNTS OUTSTANDING



         Outstanding Principal Amount:

                  Loans:
                   Dollar Loans:                                 $_________
                   Australian Dollar Loans:                      $_________
                   Gold Loans:                                   _____Ounces
                   (interest to be paid in [Gold][Dollars
                   based on [a Price of Gold equal to
                   $____ per Ounce/Average daily value, in
                   Dollar Equivalents]]).

                 Total:                                          $_________

         Accrued But Unpaid Interest:                            $_________

         Accrued But Unpaid Fees:                                $_________

         Total Principal, Interest and Fees:                     $_________







<PAGE>



                                    ANNEX II


                                   ASSIGNEE'S
                             AUSTRALIAN COMMITMENT,
                          OUTSTANDING AUSTRALIAN LOANS,
                           AGGREGATE PARTICIPATION IN
                  OUTSTANDING AUSTRALIAN LETTERS OF CREDIT AND
                         PRO RATA SHARE AFTER ASSIGNMENT





Australian Commitment:

         Current Australian Allocation         $_________
         Aggregate Commitments                 $_________
         Pro Rata Share                         _____%
         Current Australian Commitment         $_________
         Maximum Australian Commitment         $_________

Outstanding Loans:

         Dollar Loans                          $_________
         Australian Dollar Loans               $_________
         Gold Loans                             ______Ounces

Aggregate participation in
outstanding Australian Letters of Credit:      $_________
outstanding U.S. Letters of Credit             $_________

Pro Rata Share                                  ______%






<PAGE>



                                   EXHIBIT XI


                 FORM OF NOTICE OF ISSUANCE OF LETTER OF CREDIT

                 Pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of September
20, 1996, as amended to the date hereof (said Credit  Agreement,  as so amended,
being the  "Credit  Agreement",  the terms  defined  therein  and not  otherwise
defined  herein being used herein as therein  defined),  by and among  Homestake
Mining Company, a Delaware corporation ("Company"),  Homestake Mining Company of
California, a California corporation ("U.S.  Borrower"),  Homestake Canada Inc.,
an  Ontario  corporation  ("Canadian  Borrower"),  Homestake  Gold of  Australia
Limited, a South Australia corporation  ("Australian  Borrower"),  the financial
institutions listed therein as Lenders ("Lenders"),  The Chase Manhattan Bank of
Canada, as Canadian  Administrative Agent for Lenders ("Canadian  Administrative
Agent"), Chase Manhattan Securities Limited, as Australian  Administrative Agent
for Lenders  ("Australian  Administrative  Agent"),  Chase  Securities  Inc., as
Arranger for Lenders  ("Arranger"),  The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Administrative
Agent for  Lenders  ("Administrative  Agent"),  and  Canadian  Imperial  Bank of
Commerce,  as  Documentation  Agent for Lenders  ("Documentation  Agent"),  this
represents [U.S. Borrower's/Canadian  Borrower's/Australian  Borrower's] request
that [The Chase  Manhattan  Bank/The  Chase  Manhattan  Bank of Canada]  issue a
Standby  Letter  of  Credit  on   ___________,   ____  in  the  face  amount  of
_________________   [Dollars/Canadian   Dollars/Australian   Dollars]   with  an
expiration date of  ____________,  ____. The beneficiary of such proposed Letter
of Credit  shall be [Name of  Beneficiary]  and such  beneficiary's  address  is
_________________________  ________________________________.  Attached hereto is
the verbatim text of such proposed Letter of Credit and a precise description of
the proposed text of any certificate to be presented by such beneficiary  which,
if presented by such  beneficiary  prior to the expiration date of the Letter of
Credit,  would require [The Chase  Manhattan  Bank/The  Chase  Manhattan Bank of
Canada] to make payment under the Letter of Credit.

                 The undersigned  officer,  to the best of his or her knowledge,
and [U.S. Borrower/Canadian Borrower/Australian Borrower] certify that:

                 (i) The representations and warranties  contained in the Credit
         Agreement and the other Loan  Documents are true,  correct and complete
         in all  material  respects  on and as of the  date  hereof  to the same
         extent  as  though  made on and as of the date  hereof,  except  to the
         extent  that  changes  in  the  facts  and  conditions  on  which  such
         representations  and  warranties  were based are  required or permitted
         under the Credit Agreement;




                                      XI-1

<PAGE>



                 (ii) No event has  occurred and is  continuing  or would result
         from the consummation of the borrowing  contemplated  hereby that would
         constitute an Event of Default or a Potential Event of Default;

                 (iii) The  Company  and each  Borrower  have  performed  in all
         material respects all agreements and satisfied all conditions which the
         Credit Agreement and other Loan Documents provide shall be performed or
         satisfied by it on or before the date hereof;

                 (iv) There is no pending or, to the knowledge of Company or any
         Borrower,   threatened,   action,   suit,   proceeding,    governmental
         investigation or arbitration against or affecting Company or any of its
         Subsidiaries or any property of Company or any of its  Subsidiaries and
         there has occurred no development in any such action, suit, proceeding,
         governmental  investigation or arbitration that, in either event, would
         reasonably  be  expected  to have a  Material  Adverse  Effect,  unless
         disclosed to and consented to by Requisite  Lenders;  and no injunction
         or other  restraining  order has been issued and no hearing to cause an
         injunction  or other  restraining  order to be  issued  is  pending  or
         noticed  with  respect to any  action,  suit or  proceeding  seeking to
         enjoin or  otherwise  prevent  the  consummation  of, or to recover any
         damages or obtain relief as a result of, the transactions  contemplated
         by the Credit Agreement or the making of Loans, the issuance of Letters
         of  Credit  or  the  creation  and  purchase  of  Bankers'  Acceptances
         thereunder;

                 (v)      No Company Change of Control has occurred; and

                 (vi) After giving effect to the issuance of the proposed Letter
of Credit,  the Borrowers are in compliance with each of the clauses (a) through
(f) set forth in subsection 2.7A(i).


DATED: __________            [HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY OF
                             CALIFORNIA/HOMESTAKE CANADA
                             INC./HOMESTAKE GOLD OF AUSTRALIA
                             LIMITED]

                                             By: __________________________
                                             Title: ________________________



                                      XI-2

<PAGE>



                                   EXHIBIT XII

                        FORM OF SUBORDINATION PROVISIONS


         All  obligations  of [Name of  Borrower]  under  this  Promissory  Note
("Note") are hereby  subordinated in right of payment to all  "Obligations,"  as
defined in that certain  Credit  Agreement  dated as of September __, 1996 among
Homestake Mining Company, a Delaware corporation, as Guarantor, Homestake Mining
Company of California, a California corporation, as U.S. Borrower, and Homestake
Canada Inc., an Ontario  corporation,  as Canadian  Borrower,  Homestake Gold of
Australia, an Australian corporation,  as Australian Borrower, the Lenders named
therein, as lenders, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, as Documentation Agent,
The Chase  Manhattan Bank of Canada,  as Canadian  Administration  Agent,  Chase
Securities  Australia  Limited,  as  Australian   Administrative   Agent,  Chase
Securities  Inc., as Arranger and The Chase  Manhattan  Bank, as  Administrative
Agent,  as that Credit  Agreement has been and may be amended from time to time,
and any successors, replacements or renewals thereof (the "Credit Agreement") on
the terms of this paragraph.

         Upon the  occurrence  and  during  the  continuation  of an  "Event  of
Default"  (as defined in the Credit  Agreement),  no  distribution  of assets in
respect of any such Indebtedness  (including any payment of principal,  interest
or fees or any  repurchase,  redemption  or setoff of such  Note  against  other
indebtedness  owing to [Name of  Borrower]  or payment  received  as a result of
other  indebtedness  being  subordinated to such Indebtedness) may be made until
indefeasible payment in full in cash of all Obligations. If, notwithstanding the
preceding  sentence,  any such  distribution  of assets  shall be  collected  or
received by [Name of Lender] after the occurrence and during the continuation of
an  Event  of  Default,  such  distribution  of  assets  shall  be paid  over to
"Administrative  Agent"  for the  benefit of  "Lenders"  (each as defined in the
Credit  Agreement) to he held as collateral and then or thereafter  credited and
applied against the Obligations but without  impairing or limiting in any manner
the liability of [Name of Borrower] under any provision of the Credit  Agreement
or of [Name of Lender] under this paragraph.

         [Name of  Creditor]  shall duly and  promptly  take such  action as the
Administrative Agent may reasonably request or permit the Administrative  Agent,
upon the  occurrence of an Event of Default,  (i) to collect on the Note for the
account  of the  Lenders  and to file  appropriate  claims or proofs of claim in
respect  of the Note,  (ii) to vote the  claims  represented  by the Note in any
insolvency proceeding involving [Name of Borrower], (iii) to execute and deliver
to the  Administrative  Agent such  powers of  attorney,  assignments,  or other
instruments  as it may  reasonably  request in order to enable it to enforce any
and all claims with respect to, and any security interests and other liens



                                      XII-1

<PAGE>



securing  payment  of, the Note,  and (iv) to collect  and  receive  any and all
payments  or  distributions  which may be  payable or  deliverable  upon or with
respect to the Note.


         Effective this _____ day of __________, 19__.


                                                   [NAME OF BORROWER]



                                                   By: ______________________
                                                   Title:


                                                   [NAME OF CREDITOR]



                                                   By: ______________________
                                                   Title:



                                      XII-2

<PAGE>



                                  EXHIBIT XIII

                          FORM OF NOTICE OF ALLOCATION

                       (To be delivered 14 days in advance
               and not to be effective prior to November 1, 1996)

                 Pursuant  to  that  certain  Credit  Agreement,   dated  as  of
September _____, 1996, as amended to the date hereof (said Credit Agreement,  as
so amended,  being the "Credit  Agreement,"  the terms  defined  therein and not
otherwise  defined  herein being used herein as therein  defined),  by and among
Homestake Mining Company, a Delaware corporation, as Guarantor, Homestake Mining
Company of California,  a California  corporation ("U.S.  Borrower"),  Homestake
Canada Inc., an Ontario  corporation  ("Canadian  Borrower"),  Homestake Gold of
Australia Limited, an Australia  corporation  ("Australian  Borrower";  together
with  U.S.  Borrower  and  Canadian   Borrower,   "Borrowers"),   the  financial
institutions listed therein, as Lenders,  The Chase Manhattan Bank of Canada, as
Canadian Administrative Agent, Chase Securities Australia Limited, as Australian
Administrative  Agent,  Chase Securities Inc., as Arranger,  The Chase Manhattan
Bank,  as  Administrative  Agent and  Canadian  Imperial  Bank of  Commerce,  as
Documentation  Agent,  this  represents  Borrowers'  request that the  aggregate
amount of the Commitments,  which is currently $_________________,  effective as
of  _______________  1, _____ be allocated  among the Canadian  Allocation,  the
Australian Allocation and the U.S. Allocation as follows:

                          Canadian Allocation  $_________________
                          Australian Allocation $_________________
                          U.S. Allocation   $_________________

such  allocations  to remain in effect  until such time as  Borrowers  deliver a
Notice of Allocation in accordance with the provisions of subsection 2.1A of the
Credit Agreement for the purpose of changing such allocations.

                 The  undersigned  officers and Borrowers  hereby  certify that,
after  giving  effect to the  allocation  requested  hereby,  (1) the sum of the
Canadian  Allocation  plus the Australian  Allocation  plus the U.S.  Allocation
shall equal the  aggregate  amount of the  Commitments  then in effect,  (2) the
Canadian  Allocation shall not be less than the outstanding  Canadian Commitment
Usage (which  currently  equals,  in Dollar  Equivalents  as of the date hereof,
$___________),  (3)  the  Australian  Allocation  shall  not be  less  than  the
outstanding  Australian  Commitment  Usage (which  currently  equals,  in Dollar
Equivalents as of the date hereof,  $_____________)  and (4) the U.S. Allocation
shall not be less than the outstanding  U.S.  Commitment  Usage (which currently
equals, in Dollar Equivalents as of the date hereof, $_____________).




                                     XIII-1

<PAGE>




DATED: ____________________



                                                   HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY
                                                     OF CALIFORNIA


                                                   By:_________________________
                                                   Name:_______________________
                                                   Title:______________________




                                                   HOMESTAKE CANADA INC.


                                                   By:_________________________
                                                   Name:_______________________
                                                   Title:______________________




                                                   HOMESTAKE GOLD OF AUSTRALIA
                                                     LIMITED


                                                   By:_________________________
                                                   Name:_______________________
                                                   Title:______________________



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