PLAN SUPPORT AGREEMENT

each Supporting Senior Lender; and

each Supporting Subordinated Noteholder.

EX-10.1 2 apex-8kex101_0113.htm

PLAN SUPPORT AGREEMENT

This Plan Support Agreement is made and entered into as of January 12, 2009 by and among (i) Apex Silver Mines Limited (“ASML”), (ii) Apex Silver Mines Corporation (“ASMC”, and together with ASML, the “Debtors”), (iii) Sumitomo Corporation (“Sumitomo”), (iv) the Senior Lenders identified on Schedule I hereto (the “Supporting Senior Lenders”), and (v) the holders of the Subordinated Notes (as defined below) identified on Schedule II hereto (the “Supporting Subordinated Noteholders”). Each of ASML, ASMC, Sumitomo, the Supporting Senior Lenders and the Supporting Subordinated Noteholders is referred to herein as a “Party,” and collectively, as the “Parties.” As used herein, the phrases “this Agreement,” “hereto,” “hereunder,” and phrases of like import shall mean this Plan Support Agreement.

RECITALS

WHEREAS:

A. Minera San Cristóbal, S.A. (“MSC”), an indirect subsidiary of ASML, is the borrower pursuant to (i) that certain Loan Agreement (as amended, supplemented or restated, the “Commercial Bank Senior Loan Agreement”), dated as of December 1, 2005, with BNP Paribas, Barclays Bank PLC, Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited, KfW, Natexis Banques Populaires, Caterpillar Financial Services (UK) Ltd., N M Rothschild & Sons Limited, Export Development Canada, Fortis Capital Corp., Nordkap Bank AG, and RMB International (Dublin) Limited (collectively, the “Commercial Bank Senior Lenders”), and (ii) that certain Senior Loan Agreement (the “CAF Senior Loan Agreement”, and together with the Commercial Bank Senior Loan Agreement, the “Senior Loan Facilities”), dated as of December 1, 2005, with Corporación Andina de Fomento (together with the Commercial Bank Senior Lenders, the “Senior Lenders”);

B. The aggregate principal amount outstanding under the Senior Loan Facilities is $225,000,000 (the “Senior Loans”), and ASML is the guarantor of 65% of the Senior Loans pursuant to that certain Completion Agreement, dated as of December 1, 2005 (as amended, the “Completion Agreement”), among itself and Barclays Capital, BNP Paribas and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., and ASML has secured its obligations under the Completion Agreement by pledging its equity interests in Apex Luxembourg S.á r.l. (“Apex Luxembourg”) and other assets as collateral pursuant to that certain Sponsor and Pledge Agreement, dated as of December 1, 2005 (as amended, the “Sponsor Pledge Agreement”), among itself and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.;

C. ASML, through certain of its subsidiaries, Apex Luxembourg and Apex Silver Mines Sweden AB (“Apex Sweden”, and together with Apex Luxembourg, the “Apex MSC Shareholders”), indirectly owns 65% of the equity interests in each of MSC, Apex Silver Finance Ltd. (“Apex Finance”) and Apex Metals Marketing GmbH (“AMM”);

D. Sumitomo directly owns 35% of the equity interests in Apex Finance, indirectly owns 35% of the equity interests in MSC through its subsidiary SC Minerals Aktiebolag (“SC

Minerals”), and indirectly owns 35% of the equity interests in AMM through its subsidiary Comercial Metals Blancos AB (“CMB”);

E. Pursuant to that certain Apex Guaranty, dated as of September 25, 2006, by and among ASML, Sumitomo, Gotlex Lageraktiebolag nr 451 (“New Sweden 1”) and CMB, ASML (i) issued a guaranty in favor of Sumitomo, New Sweden 1 and CMB of all obligations to be performed by certain ASML affiliates under the Transaction Documents (as defined in the Common Security Agreement) and (ii) covenanted to comply with its own obligations under the Financing Documents (as defined in the Common Security Agreement).

F. Pursuant to that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of January 12, 2009, by and among ASML, ASMC, the Apex MSC Shareholders, Sumitomo, SC Minerals and the other signatories thereto (the “Purchase Agreement”), among other things, the Apex MSC Shareholders intend to sell, and a Sumitomo affiliate or affiliates to be designated by Sumitomo, intend(s) to purchase, among other properties, the Apex MSC Shareholders’ equity interests in MSC and AMM and certain other assets identified in the Purchase Agreement, including assets held by ASML and ASMC, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Purchase Agreement;

G. In connection with the closing of the Sumitomo Transactions, ASMC, MSC and AMM intend to enter into a Management Services Agreement (the “MSA”) under which ASMC will, among other things, manage the operations of MSC, and as a condition to entering into the MSA, MSC and AMM have required ASML to guarantee the performance of ASMC under the MSA, and ASML has required Sumitomo to enter into a guaranty of the performance of MSC under the MSA (the “Sumitomo Guaranty”);

H. Pursuant to that certain Fifth Omnibus Amendment Agreement dated as of December 17, 2008 (the “Fifth Omnibus Amendment”) by and among MSC, ASML, the Apex MSC Shareholders, Sumitomo, SC Minerals, BNP Paribas, Barclays Capital, Corporación Andina de Fomento, the other Senior Lenders and the other signatories thereto, Sumitomo purchased, on a pro rata basis from each of the Senior Lenders all of their right, title and interest in certain Senior Loans in the aggregate principal amount of $202.5 million, which amount continues to be held by Sumitomo;

I. The Supporting Senior Lenders own, in the aggregate, Senior Loans in the principal amount of $22.5 million;

J. The Supporting Subordinated Noteholders own, or have investment management responsibility for accounts that own, approximately $189,467,000 in principal amount of convertible senior subordinated notes issued by ASML under (i) that Indenture, dated as of March 16, 2004, among ASML and Bank of New York relating to the issuance of the 2.875% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2024 (the “2.875% Subordinated Notes”), and (ii) that Indenture, dated as of October 15, 2004, among ASML and Bank of New York relating to the issuance of the 4.0% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2024 (the “4.0%

Subordinated Notes”, and together with the 2.875% Subordinated Notes, the “Subordinated Notes”);

K. ASML and ASMC intend to commence a restructuring of their financial obligations through the commencement of jointly administered cases (together, the “Chapter 11 Case”) under chapter 11 of title 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”) in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York (“Bankruptcy Court”);

L. The Parties have negotiated and agreed upon the principal terms of a consensual joint plan of reorganization for ASML and ASMC, the material terms of which are set forth on the term sheet attached as Exhibit A hereto (the “Plan Term Sheet”) which is incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth herein (the “Plan”);

M. The Plan shall provide for, among other things, the approval of the Purchase Agreement, certain proceeds of which shall be utilized to fund distributions under the Plan, capitalize the reorganized Debtors and effectuate the Plan;

N. To implement the restructuring, ASML and ASMC intend to prepare the Plan which will be consistent in all respects with the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan Term Sheet and a supporting disclosure statement relating to the Plan (the “Disclosure Statement”);

O. To implement the restructuring, ASML is prepared to enter into the DIP Financing Facility with Sumitomo or one of its affiliates;

P. Pursuant to the terms of this Agreement (and subject to the Bankruptcy Court’s approval of the Disclosure Statement), (i) Sumitomo is prepared to, or cause its subsidiaries to, vote to accept the Plan, and (ii) the Supporting Senior Lenders are prepared to vote the Senior Lender Claims to accept the Plan, and (iii) and Supporting Subordinated Noteholders are prepared to vote to the Subordinated Note Claims to accept the Plan; and

Q. In expressing such support and commitment, the Parties do not desire and do not intend in any way to derogate from or diminish the solicitation requirements of applicable securities and bankruptcy law, or the fiduciary duties of ASML, ASMC or any other Party having such duties.

AGREEMENT

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

1. Defined Terms. All capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan Term Sheet.

2. ASML and ASMC Obligations. ASML, ASMC, Sumitomo and the Supporting Subordinated Noteholders believe that prompt consummation of the Plan will best facilitate each of ASML’s and ASMC’s business and financial restructuring and is in the best interests of ASML’s and ASMC’s creditors and other parties in interest. Accordingly, ASML and ASMC hereby express their intention to seek approval of the Plan. Without limiting the foregoing, for so long as this Agreement remains in effect, and subject to each of the other Parties fulfilling its respective obligations as provided herein, each of ASML and ASMC agree:

a. to prepare and promptly file the Plan consistent in all material respects with the Plan Term Sheet and containing such other provisions as the Parties may mutually agree upon;

b. to use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain Bankruptcy Court approval to enter into the DIP Financing Facility;

c. to use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain approval of the Disclosure Statement, solicit the requisite votes in favor of, and to obtain confirmation by the Bankruptcy Court of, the Plan;

d. to use commercially reasonable efforts to support Bankruptcy Court approval of the releases in favor of Sumitomo and its affiliates under the Plan;

e. not to pursue, propose or support, or encourage the pursuit, proposal or support of, any plan of reorganization for ASML and ASMC that is inconsistent with the Plan; and

f. to otherwise use commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable laws and regulations to consummate and make effective the Plan and the transactions contemplated by the Plan, including the consummation of the Purchase Agreement and the MSA at the earliest practicable date in accordance with the deadlines set forth in the Purchase Agreement

in all events expressly subject to the exercise (after consultation with outside legal counsel) by ASML and ASMC of their fiduciary duties.

3. Sumitomo Obligations. For so long as this Agreement remains in effect and has not been terminated in accordance with the terms hereof, and subject to each of the other Parties fulfilling its respective obligations as provided herein, Sumitomo shall and shall cause its subsidiaries to:

a. timely vote any and all Sumitomo Senior Lender Claims and the Sumitomo General Unsecured Claim to accept the Plan consistent in all material respects with the Plan Term Sheet which Plan shall, among other things, include a release of Sumitomo and its

affiliates by the Debtors, and holders of Claims against, and interests in, the Debtors as outlined in the Plan Term Sheet, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Sumitomo;

b. take reasonable efforts to support confirmation of the Plan;

c. not pursue, propose, support, or encourage the pursuit, proposal or support of, any chapter 11 plan or other restructuring or reorganization for, or the liquidation of, ASML (directly or indirectly) that is inconsistent with the Plan;

d. not, nor encourage any other person or entity to, delay, impede, appeal or take any other negative action, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the acceptance or implementation of the Plan;

e. not commence any proceeding or prosecute, join in, or otherwise support any objection to oppose or object to the Plan;

f. not take any other action (including, without limitation, initiating any legal proceeding) that is inconsistent with, or that would delay consummation of, the Plan;

g. waive and release any Sumitomo Senior Lender Claims and the Sumitomo General Unsecured Claim, and any distributions in respect of such Sumitomo Senior Lender Claims and the Sumitomo General Unsecured Claim, on the Effective Date of the Plan that has been accepted by the class of Subordinated Noteholders in the Chapter 11 Case and under which the Sumitomo Transactions are consummated;

h. waive and release any Sumitomo Senior Lender Claims and the Sumitomo General Unsecured Claim, and any distributions in respect of such Sumitomo Senior Lender Claims and the Sumitomo General Unsecured Claim, against Apex Luxembourg, Apex Sweden, and Apex Finance on the Effective Date of the Plan that has been accepted by the class of Subordinated Noteholders in the Chapter 11 Case and under which the Sumitomo Transactions are consummated;

i. waive and release any rights to exercise remedies against any collateral of ASML or its affiliates (other than MSC or AMM) as applicable under the Senior Loans, the Common Security Agreement, the Sponsor and Pledge Agreement, the Completion Agreement, any other Financing Document and the Sumitomo Working Capital Facility on the Effective Date of the Plan under which the Sumitomo Transactions are consummated;

j. execute terminations and releases, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to ASML, evidencing the termination of all of ASML’s and any ASML affiliate’s (other than MSC’s or AMM’s) obligations under the Financing Documents on the Effective Date of the Plan under which the Sumitomo Transactions are consummated, other than any distributions to be made to Sumitomo under the Plan; and

k. forbear from exercising any rights or remedies, as applicable under the Senior Loans, the Common Security Agreement, the Sponsor and Pledge Agreement, the Completion Agreement, any other Financing Document, the Sumitomo Working Capital Facility and applicable non-bankruptcy law in respect of any defaults or events of default thereunder

provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall prevent or otherwise limit Sumitomo or its affiliates from (i) accelerating and sending a notice declaring that the Senior Loans have accelerated and are due and payable, making a written demand for payment of the Guaranteed Obligations (as such term is defined in the Completion Agreement) pursuant to the Completion Guaranty or filing and prosecuting the Sumitomo Senior Lender Claims in the Bankruptcy Court in a manner consistent with this Agreement; (ii) now and in the future taking such steps or actions as it or they deem necessary in order to exercise rights and remedies available to Sumitomo under the Senior Loans, the Common Security Agreement, the Sponsor and Pledge Agreement, the Completion Agreement, any other Financing Document, and the Sumitomo Working Capital Facility following the termination of this Agreement; or (iii) taking any and all steps or actions necessary to protect and preserve its or their security interest in any and all collateral pledged to secure the Senior Loans, the Working Capital Facility or DIP Financing Facility, including, without limitation the perfection or continuation of perfection of its or their liens therein.

4. Supporting Senior Lender Obligations. For so long as this Agreement remains in effect, and subject to each of the other Parties fulfilling its respective obligations as provided herein, each Supporting Senior Lender shall:

a. timely vote any and all Senior Lender Claims to accept the Plan consistent in all respects with the Plan Term Sheet, provided, however, that such Plan does not contain any provisions that (i) are not customary for transactions of this type and would be adverse to any of the Supporting Senior Lenders, (ii) reserve any right or cause of action of ASML and ASMC or their respective affiliates against the Supporting Senior Lenders following confirmation of the Plan, (iii) impact any Claim or other right of the Supporting Senior Lenders (other than the Senior Lender Claim) in any manner adverse to any of the Supporting Senior Lenders, or (iv) impose any liability of any kind on any Senior Supporting Lender;

b. not pursue, propose, support, or encourage the pursuit, proposal or support of, any chapter 11 plan or other restructuring or reorganization for, or the liquidation of, ASML (directly or indirectly) that is inconsistent with the Plan;

c. not, nor encourage any other person or entity to, delay, impede, appeal or take any other negative action, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the acceptance or implementation of the Plan;

d. not commence any proceeding or prosecute, join in, or otherwise support any objection to oppose or object to the Plan;

e. not take any other action (including, without limitation, initiating any legal proceeding) that is inconsistent with, or that would delay consummation of, the Plan;

f. support any motion filed by the Debtors pursuant to section 1121 of the Bankruptcy Code seeking to extend the period during which only the Debtors may solicit acceptances for the Plan;

g. waive and release any Senior Lender Claims, and any distributions in respect of such Senior Lender Claims, against ASML on the Effective Date of the Plan; provided, that, such Plan has been accepted by the class of Subordinated Noteholders in the Chapter 11 Case;

h. waive and release any Senior Lender Claims, and any distributions in respect of such Senior Lender Claims, against MSC, Apex Luxembourg, Apex Sweden, Apex Silver Finance and AMM on the Effective Date of the Plan;

i. waive and release any rights to exercise remedies against any collateral of ASML or its affiliates as applicable under the Senior Loans, the Common Security Agreement, the Sponsor and Pledge Agreement, the Completion Agreement and any other Financing Document on the Effective Date of the Plan;

j. not object to Sumitomo’s or its any of its affiliates’ purchase of the MSC Shareholders’ equity interests in MSC and AMM under the Purchase Agreement;

k. not object to the implementation of the DIP Financing Facility, including, without limitation, the administrative expense priority and lien priority provided thereunder;

l. contemporaneous with Sumitomo’s execution of such terminations and releases contemplated by Section 3.j. of this Agreement, execute terminations and releases, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to ASML, evidencing the termination of all of ASML’s and any ASML affiliate’s obligations under the Financing Documents on the Effective Date of the Plan, other than any distributions to be made to the Senior Lenders under the Plan; and

m. forbear from exercising any rights or remedies, as applicable under the Senior Loans, the Common Security Agreement, the Sponsor and Pledge Agreement, the Completion Agreement, any other Financing Document, and applicable non-bankruptcy law in respect of any defaults or events of default thereunder

provided, however, that the Supporting Lenders expressly acknowledge and agree that the Fifth Omnibus Agreement remains in full force and effect and enforceable against the Supporting Senior Lenders in accordance with the terms thereof.

5. Supporting Subordinated Noteholder Obligations. For so long as this Agreement remains in effect, and subject to each of the other Parties fulfilling their respective obligations as provided herein, each Supporting Subordinated Noteholder shall and shall cause its affiliates within its control to:

a. timely vote any and all Subordinated Noteholder Claims held by such Supporting Subordinated Noteholder to accept the Plan provided, however, that such Plan does not contain any provisions that (i) reserve any right or cause of action of ASML or its affiliates against the Supporting Subordinated Noteholders following confirmation of the Plan, or (ii) impose any liability of any kind on any Supporting Subordinated Noteholder;

b. take reasonable efforts to support confirmation of the Plan, including the releases to be furnished to ASML, Sumitomo and their respective affiliates thereunder;

d. not, nor encourage any other person or entity to, delay, impede, appeal or take any other negative action, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the acceptance or implementation of the Plan;

e. not commence any proceeding or prosecute, join in, or otherwise support any objection to oppose or object to the Plan;

f. not take any other action (including, without limitation, initiating any legal proceeding) that is inconsistent with, or that would delay consummation of, the Plan;

g. support any motion filed by ASML pursuant to section 1121 of the Bankruptcy Code seeking to extend the period during which only ASML may solicit acceptances for the Plan; provided, however, that any extension to the period during which only ASML may solicit acceptances for the Plan shall not exceed ninety (90) days without the prior written consent of the Supporting Subordinated Noteholders;

h. not object to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement;

i. not object to the implementation of the DIP Financing Facility including, without limitation, the administrative expense priority and lien priority provided thereunder; and

j. not object to, nor support any objection to, nor encourage any other person or entity to object to, any motion by the Debtors seeking approval of the Key Employee Incentive Plan

provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall prevent or otherwise limit the Supporting Subordinated Noteholders from now and in the future taking such steps or actions as they deem necessary in order to exercise rights and remedies available to the Supporting Subordinated Noteholders under the Indentures governing the Subordinated Notes following the termination of this Agreement.

6. Acknowledgement.

a. While the Parties agree herein to support approval of the Plan, this Agreement is not and shall not be deemed to be a solicitation for consent to the Plan in contravention of applicable non-bankruptcy law or section 1125(b) of the Bankruptcy Code. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any obligation to vote in favor of the Plan consistent in all material respects with the Plan Term Sheet as set forth above is expressly conditioned on the receipt of the Plan and a copy of the Disclosure Statement which shall have previously been approved by the Bankruptcy Court, after notice and a hearing, as containing adequate information as required by section 1125 of the Bankruptcy Code.

b. Each Party further acknowledges that no securities of any debtor are being offered or sold hereby and that this Agreement neither constitutes an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of any debtor.

7. Limitations on Transfer.

a. Each of Sumitomo, the Supporting Senior Lenders and the Supporting Subordinated Noteholders shall not, and shall cause any of their affiliates to not, (i) sell, transfer, assign, pledge, grant a participation interest in or otherwise dispose, directly or indirectly, of its right, title or interest in respect of any Claim, in whole or in part, or any interest therein, or (ii) grant any proxies, deposit any of its Claims into a voting trust, or enter into a voting agreement with respect to any of such Claims, in either case unless the transferee agrees in writing at the time of such transfer to be bound by this Agreement in its entirety without revision, and the transferor, within three (3) business days, provides written notice of such transfer to ASML and Sumitomo, together with a copy of the written agreement of the transferee to be bound by this Agreement in its entirety without revision.

b. Upon compliance with the foregoing, (i) any transferee of a Claim shall be deemed to be a signatory to this Agreement solely to the extent of such transferred rights and obligations, and (ii) the transferor shall be deemed to relinquish its rights (and be released from its obligations) under this Agreement to the extent of such transferred rights and obligations.

c. Each of Sumitomo, the Supporting Senior Lenders and the Supporting Subordinated Noteholders agrees that it shall not create any subsidiary or affiliate for the sole purpose of acquiring any Claims against or interests in ASML without first causing such subsidiary or affiliate to become a party to this Agreement.

8. Condition to each Party’s Obligations. This Agreement shall become effective upon execution by each of the following:

9. Termination Events Applicable to All Parties. This Agreement may be terminated upon the occurrence of any of the following events (each, a “Termination Event”):

a. By any Party, if any other Party shall have breached any of its material obligations under this Agreement;

b. By any Terminating Party other than the Debtors, if the Plan has been (i) amended, modified or supplemented such that the Plan is not consistent in all material respects with the Plan Term Sheet, or (ii) withdrawn by the Debtors without the prior written consent of all of the other Parties (unless prior to such withdrawal the Debtors have filed a plan of reorganization that is consistent in all material respects with the Plan Term Sheet);

c. By any Terminating Party, if the Chapter 11 Case shall have been dismissed or converted to a case under chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code, or an interim or permanent trustee, a responsible officer or an examiner with powers beyond the duty to investigate and report (as set forth in sections 1106(a)(3) and (4) of the Bankruptcy Code) shall be appointed to oversee or operate the Debtors in the Chapter 11 Case (it being understood that the appointment of joint provisional liquidators in the Cayman Proceeding shall not give rise to termination right under this provision), or if any Debtor files a motion seeking any of the foregoing relief;

d. By any Terminating Party, if any court (including the Bankruptcy Court) shall declare, in a final nonappealable order, this Agreement to be unenforceable;

e. By any Party, upon entry of an order by the Bankruptcy Court denying confirmation of the Plan;

f. By any Terminating Party, if the Bankruptcy Court shall have entered an order authorizing any Debtor to reject this Agreement;

g. By any Party other than the Debtors, if the Debtors publicly announce their intention not to pursue their financial restructuring in accordance with the Plan or Plan Term Sheet, as applicable; and

h. By any Terminating Party other than the Debtors, if the Debtors file any motion or pleading with the Bankruptcy Court that is not consistent in any material respect with this Agreement or the Plan Term Sheet.

10. Termination Events Applicable to Sumitomo. This Agreement may terminated by Sumitomo upon the occurrence of any of the following events (each, a “Sumitomo Termination Event”):

a. ASML shall not have filed its chapter 11 bankruptcy petition on or before January 12, 2009;

b. ASML shall have failed to commence a provisional liquidation in the Cayman Islands immediately following the commencement of the Chapter 11 Case;

c. ASML shall not have filed the Plan in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Sumitomo or before January 15, 2009;

d. ASML shall not have filed the Disclosure Statement in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Sumitomo on or before January 20, 2009;

e. The Bankruptcy Court shall have not approved the Disclosure Statement on or before February 9, 2009;

f. The Purchase Agreement shall have been terminated in accordance with its terms;

g. Occurrence of an Event of Default under the DIP Financing Facility; and

h. the Effective Date of the Plan shall not have occurred on or before March 26, 2009.

11. Termination of this Agreement.

a. Upon the occurrence of any of the Termination Events described in paragraphs 9(d), (e), (f), or (g) herein, this Agreement shall terminate automatically and without further notice or action by or to any Party.

b. Upon the occurrence of any other Termination Event set forth in Section 9, this Agreement shall terminate only upon written notice to the breaching Party from any non-breaching Party and a failure by the breaching Party to remedy such breach within five (5) business days, provided however, that the right to terminate hereunder shall not preclude any non-breaching Party from seeking specific performance or any other remedy available under applicable law for breach of this Agreement.

c. Upon the occurrence of any Sumitomo Termination event set forth in Section 10, Sumitomo may terminate this Agreement upon written notice to the other Parties; provided however, that the right to terminate hereunder shall not preclude Sumitomo from seeking specific performance or any other remedy available under applicable law for breach of this Agreement.

d. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Debtors shall not be entitled to terminate this Agreement solely on the basis that the Plan does not include the Board and Governance Provisions set forth in the Plan Term Sheet.

12. Specific Performance; Damages. This Agreement, including without limitation the Parties’ agreement herein to support confirmation of the Plan, is intended as a binding commitment enforceable in accordance with its terms. Each Party acknowledges and agrees that the exact nature and extent of damages resulting from a breach of this Agreement are uncertain at the time of entering into this Agreement and that breach of this Agreement would result in damages that would be difficult to determine with certainty. It is understood and agreed that money damages would not be a sufficient remedy for any breach of this Agreement and that the Parties shall each be entitled to specific performance and injunctive relief as remedies for any such breach. Such remedies shall not be deemed to be the exclusive remedies for the breach of this Agreement by any Party or its representatives, but shall be in addition to all other remedies available at law or in equity.

13. Effect of Termination. Upon termination of this Agreement, all obligations hereunder shall terminate and shall be of no further force and effect; provided, however, that any claim for breach of this Agreement shall survive termination and all rights and remedies with respect to such claims shall not be prejudiced in any way; but provided further, that the breach of this Agreement by one or more Parties shall not create any rights or remedies against any non-breaching Party. Except as set forth above in this paragraph, upon such termination, any obligations of the non-breaching Parties set forth in this Agreement shall be null and void ab initio and all claims, causes of action, remedies, defenses, setoffs, rights or other benefits of such non-breaching Parties shall be fully preserved without any estoppel, evidentiary or other effect of any kind or nature whatsoever.

14. Representations and Warranties. Each of ASML, ASMC, Sumitomo, the Supporting Senior Lenders and the Subordinated Noteholders represents and warrants to each other Party, severally but not jointly (and solely with respect to itself), that the following statements are true, correct and complete as of the date hereof:

a. Corporate Power and Authority. It is duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the state or country of its organization, and has all requisite corporate, partnership or other power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out the transactions contemplated by, and to perform its respective obligations under, this Agreement.

b. Authorization. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the performance of its obligations hereunder have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership or other action on its part.

c. Binding Obligation. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable in accordance with the terms hereof.

d. No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by it (when such performance is due) of this Agreement do not and shall not (i) violate any provision of law, rule or regulation applicable to it or any of its subsidiaries or its certificate of incorporation or bylaws or other organizational documents or those of any of its subsidiaries or (ii) conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute (with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any material contractual obligation to which it or any of its subsidiaries is a party.

15. Additional Representations.

a. Each Supporting Senior Lender represents that, as of the date hereof, it (i) is the owner or has investment management responsibility for accounts that own Senior Loans in the principal amount set forth on the schedule provided by such Supporting Senior Lender to counsel for ASML on the date hereof on a confidential basis, and (ii) is not aware of any event that, due to any fiduciary or similar duty to any other person, would prevent it from taking any action required of it under this Agreement. Unless required by applicable law or regulation, the Debtors shall not disclose any Supporting Senior Lenders’ holdings of Senior Loans without the prior written consent of such Supporting Senior Lender except to their advisors, agents, attorneys and representatives; and if such announcement or disclosure is so required by law or regulation, the Debtors shall afford the Supporting Senior Lender a reasonable opportunity to review and comment upon any such announcement or disclosure prior to the Debtors’ making such announcement or disclosure. The foregoing shall not prohibit the Debtors’ from disclosing the approximate aggregate holdings of the Supporting Senior Lenders as a group.

b. Each Supporting Subordinated Noteholder represents that, as of the date hereof, it (i) owns or has investment management responsibility for accounts that own Subordinated Notes in the principal amount set forth on the schedule provided by such Supporting Subordinated Noteholder to counsel for ASML on the date hereof on a confidential basis, and (ii) is not aware of any event that, due to any fiduciary or similar duty to any other person, would prevent it from taking any action required of it under this Agreement.

16. Additional Obligations of ASML.

a. So long as this Agreement shall continue to be in full force and effect and has not been terminated or otherwise expired by its terms, ASML shall be obligated to pay the reasonable and documented fees and expenses incurred by Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP as counsel to certain of the Supporting Subordinated Noteholders and the reasonable and

documented out-of-pocket expenses of the Supporting Subordinated Noteholders (excluding any fees and expenses of any professional engaged by a Supporting Subordinated Noteholder other than Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP), in each case solely to the extent that such fees and expenses are incurred at any time prior to the earlier of such termination or expiration date and the Effective Date.

b. During the Chapter 11 Case, and so long as this Agreement shall continue to be in full force and effect and has not been terminated or otherwise expired by its terms, ASML shall promptly provide to each of the Supporting Subordinated Noteholders (or counsel to such Supporting Subordinated Noteholder) a copy of the 13-week cash flow budget, and any amendments thereof, provided to Sumitomo or one of its affiliates under the DIP Financing Facility no later than one (1) business days after providing such materials to Sumitomo or its affiliate, as applicable. The Supporting Subordinated Noteholders acknowledge and agree that ASML shall be permitted to pay usual and customary operating expenses for mining, development and exploration projects prior to the Effective Date.

c. ASML shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain entry of an order of the Bankruptcy Court no later than fifteen (15) days after the Petition Date permitting ASML and ASMC to assume the obligations under this Agreement.

17. Additional Obligation of Sumitomo. Sumitomo shall reimburse the Senior Lenders for the reasonable expenses, fees and costs, including reasonable counsel fees and expenses, incurred by the Senior Lenders leading up to, in connection with, related to and/or during the Chapter 11 Case in accordance with a budget to be submitted to Sumitomo by the Senior Lenders and approved by Sumitomo in advance and no later than five (5) business days after submission and the Senior Lenders shall not be obliged to take any action leading up to, in connection with, related to and/or during the Chapter 11 case or any similar bankruptcy, insolvency, other proceeding or otherwise if Sumitomo does not approve the budget prior to the Senior Lenders taking such action. Sumitomo shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses submitted by Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP (“Milbank”) within fifteen (15) days of submission of an invoice to Sumitomo’s counsel, provided such fees and expenses are in accordance with the budget approved by Sumitomo. If an invoice is not paid within such period of time, the Senior Lenders shall not be obliged to take any action leading up to, in connection with, related to and/or during the Chapter 11 case or any similar bankruptcy, insolvency, other proceeding or otherwise until such time as Sumitomo pays Milbank’s invoice. In addition to the foregoing, Sumitomo shall have paid all outstanding Milbank invoices submitted in compliance with the budget approved by Sumitomo prior to the Effective Date of the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Sumitomo shall reimburse the Senior Lenders for the reasonable expenses, fees and costs, including reasonable counsel fees and expenses of Milbank, incurred by the Senior Lenders in connection with the Senior Lenders taking affirmative steps (with the prior approval of Sumitomo) to support the Senior Lender Claims. Sumitomo shall also pay the fees, and reimburse the reasonable out-of-pocket costs incurred by Natixis, New York Branch as posting agent as provided for in the Fifth Omnibus Amendment.

18. Good Faith Negotiation. Each of ASMC, AML, Sumitomo and the Supporting Subordinated Noteholders hereby agree to engage in good faith discussions with respect to the drafting of the Plan and Confirmation Order that are consistent in all material respects with the Plan Term Sheet and the Purchase Agreement. In addition, each of the Debtors and the Supporting Subordinated Noteholders agrees to engage in good faith discussions with respect to drafting of the organizational documents for Reorganized Apex that are consistent in all material respects with the Plan Term Sheet.

19. Further Acquisition of Claims. Subject to applicable securities laws or other applicable law, this Agreement shall not limit, abridge, or otherwise impair, or be construed to preclude, the right of any Supporting Subordinated Noteholders to acquire additional Subordinated Notes; provided, however, that any such additional Subordinated Notes so acquired shall be deemed to be subject to the terms of this Agreement.

20. Impact of Appointment to Creditors’ Committee. If an official committee of unsecured creditors is appointed by the United States Trustee in the Chapter 11 Case, and if so requested by a Supporting Subordinated Noteholder, the Debtors shall cooperate reasonably with such Supporting Subordinated Noteholder in seeking to become a member of such official committee pursuant to section 1102 of the Bankruptcy Code.

21. Disclosure of Holdings of Individual Supporting Subordinated Noteholders. Pursuant to a confidentiality agreement, each Supporting Subordinated Noteholder shall disclose to ASML the aggregate principal amount of Subordinated Notes held by such Supporting Subordinated Noteholder and shall promptly inform ASML of any changes with respect to such holdings. Unless required by applicable law or regulation, the Debtors shall not disclose any Supporting Subordinated Noteholder’s holdings of Subordinated Notes without the prior written consent of such Supporting Subordinated Noteholder except to their advisors, agents, attorneys and representatives; and if such announcement or disclosure is so required by law or regulation, the Debtors shall afford the Supporting Subordinated Noteholder a reasonable opportunity to review and comment upon any such announcement or disclosure prior to the Debtors’ making such announcement or disclosure. The foregoing shall not prohibit the Debtors’ from disclosing the approximate aggregate holdings of the Supporting Subordinated Noteholders as a group.

22. Right to be Heard. Sumitomo, the Supporting Senior Lenders, or the Supporting Subordinated Noteholders may raise and be heard on any issue arising in the Chapter 11 Case so long as such Party has, or is granted by the Bankruptcy Court, the requisite standing and where such effort does not constitute a breach of this Agreement.

23. Amendment or Waiver. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, this Agreement may not be modified, waived, amended or supplemented unless such modification, waiver, amendment or supplement is in writing and has been signed by each Party. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or constitute a waiver of any other provision of this Agreement, whether or not similar, nor shall any waiver be deemed a continuing waiver (unless such waiver expressly provides otherwise).

24. Notices. Any notice required or desired to be served, given or delivered under this Agreement shall be in writing, and shall be deemed to have been validly served, given or delivered if provided by personal delivery, or upon receipt of fax delivery, as follows:

a. if to ASML or ASMC, to Sean A. O’Neal, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, One Liberty Plaza, New York, New York 10006, fax: 212 ###-###-####;

b. if to Sumitomo, to Norman S. Rosenbaum, Morrison & Foerster LLP, 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10104, fax: 212 ###-###-####;

c. if to the Supporting Senior Lenders, to Matthew Barr, Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy LLP, One Chase Manhattan Plaza, New York, New York 10005, fax: 212 ###-###-####; and

d. if to the Supporting Subordinated Noteholders, to Lawrence V. Gelber, Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP, 919 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10022, fax: 212 ###-###-####.

25. Governing Law; Jurisdiction. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY CONFLICTS OF LAW PROVISION WHICH WOULD REQUIRE THE APPLICATION OF THE LAW OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. By its execution and delivery of this Agreement, each of the Parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees for itself that any legal action, suit or proceeding against it with respect to any matter under or arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment rendered in any such action, suit or proceeding, shall be brought in the Bankruptcy Court. By execution and delivery of this Agreement, each of the Parties irrevocably accepts and submits itself to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court, generally and unconditionally, with respect to any such action, suit or proceeding, and waives any objection it may have to venue or the convenience of the forum.

26. Termination Upon Effective Date of Plan. This Agreement shall terminate automatically without any further required action or notice on the Effective Date of the Plan.

27. Automatic Stay. The Debtors acknowledge that after the commencement of the Chapter 11 Case, the giving of notice of termination by any Party pursuant to this Agreement shall not be a violation of the automatic stay of section 362 of the Bankruptcy Code.

28. Headings. The headings of the sections, paragraphs and subsections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation hereof.

29. Interpretation. This Agreement is the product of negotiations of the Parties, and in the enforcement or interpretation hereof, is to be interpreted in a neutral manner, and any presumption with regard to interpretation for or against any Party by reason of that Party

having drafted or caused to be drafted this Agreement, or any portion hereof, shall not be effective in regard to the interpretation hereof.

30. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement is intended to bind and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors, assigns, heirs, transferees, executors, administrators and representatives.

31. No Third-Party Beneficiaries. Unless expressly stated herein, this Agreement shall be solely for the benefit of the Parties and no other person or entity shall be a third-party beneficiary hereof.

32. No Waiver of Participation and Reservation of Rights. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement and in any amendment among the Parties, nothing herein is intended to, or does, in any manner waive, limit, impair or restrict the ability of each of the Parties to protect and preserve its rights, remedies and interests, including without limitation, its claims against any of the other Parties (or their respective affiliates or subsidiaries) or its full participation in the Chapter 11 Case. If the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or in the Plan are not consummated, or if this Agreement is terminated for any reason, the Parties fully reserve any and all of their rights.

33. No Admissions. This Agreement shall in no event be construed as or be deemed to be evidence of an admission or concession on the part of any Party of any claim or fault or liability or damages whatsoever. Each of the Parties denies any and all wrongdoing or liability of any kind and does not concede any infirmity in the claims or defenses which it has asserted or could assert. No Party shall have, by reason of this Agreement, a fiduciary relationship in respect of any other Party or any party in interest in the Chapter 11 Case, and nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to or shall be so construed as to impose upon any Party any obligations in respect of this Agreement except as expressly set forth herein.

34. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Agreement by facsimile shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed signature page of this Agreement.

35. Representation by Counsel. Each Party acknowledges that it has been represented by counsel in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein. Accordingly, any rule of law or any legal decision that would provide any Party with a defense to the enforcement of the terms of this Agreement against such Party based upon lack of legal counsel shall have no application and is expressly waived.

36. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the Plan Term Sheet and the above-described schedules provided to counsel for ASML constitute the entire agreement between the Parties and supersede all prior and contemporaneous agreements, representations, warranties and understandings of the Parties, whether oral, written or implied, as to the subject matter hereof.

37. Several not Joint. The agreements, representations and obligations of the Parties under this Agreement are, in all respects, several and not joint. Any breach of this Agreement by any Party shall not result in liability for any other non-breaching Party.

[Remainder of page intentionally blank; remaining pages are signature pages]

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

	APEX SILVER MINES LIMITED
	By:	/s/ Robert P. Vogels Name: Robert P. Vogels Title: Vice President and Controller

	APEX SILVER MINES CORPORATION
	By:	/s/ Robert P. Vogels Name: Robert P. Vogels Title: Vice President and Controller