Robert P. Vogels

The Group's principal activity is that of a mining development and exploration company. It currently focuses its resources primarily on the development of San Cristobal Project in Bolivia. San Cristobal is an open-pit silver-zinc-lead deposit, containing approximately 450 million ounces of silver, eight billion pounds of zinc and three billion pounds of lead in proven and probable reserves. San Cristobal is expected to produce approximately 17 million ounces of silver, 225,000 tonnes of zinc and 82,000 tonnes of lead per year on a payable basis in the first five years of operation. The project currently has sufficient reserves to operate for approximately 16 years with a current design capacity of 40,000 tonnes of ore per day. The Group also holds an extensive portfolio of highly prospective exploration properties located primarily in the traditional precious metals-producing regions of Argentina, Peru, Mexico and Bolivia.

Meridian Gold, Inc. provided gold, silver and metal mining services. It was engaged in the mining and exploration of gold and other precious metals. The firm developed and processed gold from three properties in the United States and one in Peru. The company was founded in 1996 and was headquartered in Reno, NV.

Inco LLC provides recyclable materials. The firm deals with whole sale scrap, waste material scrap, food and tobacco waste, and non metallic waste. The company is headquartered in Rochelle Park, NJ.

Vale Inco Ltd. manufactures nickel materials for manufacturing stainless steel and batteries. It also mines and processes copper, gold, cobalt and platinum metals. The company also manufactures flakes and powders for use in catalysts, electronics and paints. Its mining and processing operations are in Canada, Indonesia and the UK. Vale Inco was founded in 1901 and is located in Toronto, Canada.

Part of Freeport-McMoRan, Inc., Cyprus Amax Minerals Co. is a company that engages in the production of molybdenum, lithium, copper, and coals. The company is based in Phoenix, AZ. Cyprus Amax Minerals was acquired by Phelps Dodge Corp. on December 02, 1999 for $1,816.19 million.