Exhibit 10.14

 

OPTION GRANT NOTICE

Capitalized terms not specifically defined in this Option Grant Notice (the “Grant Notice”) have the meanings given to them in the Amended and Restated 2026 Equity Incentive Plan (as amended from time to time, the “Plan”) of WhiteHawk Minerals Corp. (the “Company”). The Company hereby grants to the participant listed below (“Participant”) the stock option described in this Grant Notice (the “Option”), subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the Stock Option Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Agreement”), each of which are incorporated into this Grant Notice by reference.

 

Participant:		[Insert Participant Name]
Grant Date:		[Insert Grant Date]
Exercise Price per Share:		[Insert Exercise Price]
Shares Subject to the Option:		[Insert Number of Options]
Final Expiration Date:		[Insert Expiration Date]
Vesting Commencement Date:		[Insert Vesting Commencement Date]
Vesting Schedule:		[To be specified in individual agreements]
Type of Option		☐  Incentive Stock Option  ☐  Nonqualified Stock Option

By Participant’s signature below or electronic acceptance or authentication in a form authorized by the Company, Participant agrees to be bound by the terms of this Grant Notice, the Plan and the Agreement, as applicable. Participant has reviewed the Plan, this Grant Notice and the Agreement in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Grant Notice and fully understands all provisions of the Plan, this Grant Notice and the Agreement. Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Committee upon any questions arising under the Plan or relating to the Option.

 

WHITEHAWK MINERALS CORP.						PARTICIPANT
By:						By:
Print Name:						Print Name:
Title:

 

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EXHIBIT A

STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

ARTICLE I.

GENERAL

1.1 Incorporation of Terms of Plan. The Option is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference. In the event of any inconsistency between the Plan and this Agreement, the terms of the Plan will control.

1.2 Defined Terms. Capitalized terms not specifically defined herein shall have the meanings specified in the Plan or the Grant Notice. For purposes of this Agreement,

(a) “Cessation Date” shall mean the date of Participant’s Termination (regardless of the reason for such termination).

(b) “Participating Company” shall mean the Company or any of its parents or Subsidiaries.

ARTICLE II.

GRANT OF OPTION

2.1 Grant of Option. In consideration of Participant’s past and/or continued employment with or service to a Participating Company and for other good and valuable consideration, effective as of the grant date set forth in the Grant Notice (the “Grant Date”), the Company has granted to the Participant the Option to purchase any part or all of an aggregate number of Shares set forth in the Grant Notice, upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Grant Notice, the Plan and this Agreement, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 13 of the Plan.

2.2 Exercise Price. The exercise price per Share of the Shares subject to the Option (the “Exercise Price”) shall be as set forth in the Grant Notice.

2.3 Consideration to the Company. In consideration of the grant of the Option by the Company, Participant agrees to render faithful and efficient services to any Participating Company.

ARTICLE III.

PERIOD OF EXERCISABILITY

3.1 Commencement of Exercisability.

(a) Subject to Participant’s continued employment with or service to a Participating Company on each applicable vesting date and subject to Sections 3.1(c), 3.1(d), 3.2, 3.3, 5.9 and 5.14 hereof, the Option shall become vested and exercisable in such amounts and at such times as are set forth in the Grant Notice.

(b) Unless otherwise determined by the Committee or as set forth in a written agreement between Participant and the Company, any portion of the Option that has not become vested and exercisable on or prior to the Cessation Date (including, without limitation, pursuant to any employment or similar agreement by and between Participant and the Company) shall be forfeited on the Cessation Date and shall not thereafter become vested or exercisable.

 

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(c) In the event of Participant’s Termination by the Participating Companies other than for Cause and other than as a result of such Participant’s death or Disability on or within 12 months following the occurrence of a Change in Control, such Participant’s remaining unvested Option shall accelerate and vest and become exercisable in full on the date of such Termination.

(d) In the event of Participant’s Termination due to Participant’s death or Disability , any unvested Options will become fully vested and exercisable as of the date of such Termination.

3.2 Duration of Exercisability. The installments provided for in the vesting schedule set forth in the Grant Notice are cumulative. Each such installment that becomes vested and exercisable pursuant to the vesting schedule set forth in the Grant Notice shall remain vested and exercisable until it becomes unexercisable under Section 3.3 hereof. Once the Option becomes unexercisable, it shall be forfeited immediately.

3.3 Expiration of Option. The Option may not be exercised to any extent by anyone after the first to occur of the following events:

(a) The expiration date set forth in the Grant Notice; provided that such expiration date shall not be later than the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Grant Date;

(b) Except as the Committee may otherwise approve, the ninetieth (90th) day following the Cessation Date by reason of Participant’s Termination for any reason other than due to death, Disability or by a Participating Company for Cause;

(c) Except as the Committee may otherwise approve, immediately upon the Cessation Date by reason of Participant’s Termination by a Participating Company for Cause; and

(d) The expiration of twelve (12) months from the Cessation Date by reason of Participant’s Termination due to death or Disability.

3.4 Tax Withholding.

(a) As set forth in Section 15(d) of the Plan, the Participating Companies shall have the authority to deduct or withhold, or require Participant to remit to the applicable Participating Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy any applicable federal, state, local and foreign taxes (including the employee portion of any FICA obligation) required by Applicable Law to be withheld with respect to any taxable event arising pursuant to this Agreement. The Participating Companies may withhold or Participant may make such payment in one or more of the forms specified below:

(i) by cash or check made payable to the Participating Company with respect to which the withholding obligation arises;

(ii) by the deduction of such amount from other compensation payable to Participant;

(iii) with respect to any withholding taxes arising in connection with the exercise of the Option, with the consent of the Committee, by requesting that the Participating Companies withhold a net number of vested Shares otherwise issuable upon the exercise of the Option having a then current Fair Market Value not exceeding the amount necessary to satisfy the withholding obligation of the Participating Companies based on up to the maximum statutory

 

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withholding rates in Participant’s applicable jurisdictions for federal, state, local and foreign income tax and payroll tax purposes that are applicable to such taxable income;

(iv) with respect to any withholding taxes arising in connection with the exercise of the Option, with the consent of the Committee, by tendering to the Company vested Shares held for such period of time as may be required by the Committee in order to avoid adverse accounting consequences and having a then current Fair Market Value not exceeding the amount necessary to satisfy the withholding obligation of the Participating Companies based on up to the maximum statutory withholding rates in Participant’s applicable jurisdictions for federal, state, local and foreign income tax and payroll tax purposes that are applicable to such taxable income;

(v) with respect to any withholding taxes arising in connection with the exercise of the Option, through the delivery of a notice that Participant has placed a market sell order with a broker acceptable to the Company with respect to Shares then issuable to Participant pursuant to the Option, and that the broker has been directed to pay a sufficient portion of the net proceeds of the sale to the Participating Company with respect to which the withholding obligation arises in satisfaction of such withholding taxes; provided that payment of such proceeds is then made to the applicable Participating Company at such time as may be required by the Committee, but in any event not later than the settlement of such sale; or

(vi) in any combination of the foregoing.

(b) The Company shall not be obligated to deliver any certificate representing Shares issuable with respect to the exercise of the Option to, or to cause any such Shares to be held in book-entry form by, Participant or his or her legal representative unless and until Participant or his or her legal representative shall have paid or otherwise satisfied in full the amount of all federal, state, local and foreign taxes applicable with respect to the taxable income of Participant resulting from the exercise of the Option or any other taxable event related to the Option.

(c) Participant is ultimately liable and responsible for all taxes owed in connection with the Option, regardless of any action any Participating Company takes with respect to any tax withholding obligations that arise in connection with the Option. No Participating Company makes any representation or undertaking regarding the treatment of any tax withholding in connection with the awarding, vesting or exercise of the Option or the subsequent sale of Shares. The Participating Companies do not commit and are under no obligation to structure the Option to reduce or eliminate Participant’s tax liability.

ARTICLE IV.

EXERCISE OF OPTION

4.1 Person Eligible to Exercise. During the lifetime of Participant, only Participant may exercise the Option or any portion thereof. After the death of Participant, any exercisable portion of the Option may, prior to the time when the Option becomes unexercisable under Section 3.3 hereof, be exercised by Participant’s personal representative or by any Person empowered to do so under the deceased Participant’s will or under the then Applicable Laws of descent and distribution.

4.2 Partial Exercise. Subject to Section 5.2, any exercisable portion of the Option or the entire Option, if then wholly exercisable, may be exercised in whole or in part at any time prior to the time when the Option or portion thereof becomes unexercisable under Section 3.3 hereof.

 

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4.3 Manner of Exercise. The Option, or any exercisable portion thereof, may be exercised solely by delivery to the Secretary of the Company (or any third party administrator or other Person designated by the Company), during regular business hours, of all of the following prior to the time when the Option or such portion thereof becomes unexercisable under Section 3.3 hereof.

(a) An exercise notice in a form specified by the Committee, stating that the Option or portion thereof is thereby exercised, such notice complying with all applicable rules established by the Committee;

(b) The receipt by the Company of full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option or portion thereof is exercised, in such form of consideration permitted under Section 4.4 that is acceptable to the Committee;

(c) The payment of any applicable withholding tax in accordance with Section 3.4;

(d) Any other written representations or documents as may be required in the Committee’s sole discretion to effect compliance with Applicable Law; and

(e) In the event the Option or portion thereof shall be exercised pursuant to Section 4.1 by any Person or Persons other than Participant, appropriate proof of the right of such Person or Persons to exercise the Option.

Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, the Committee shall have the right to specify all conditions of the manner of exercise, which conditions may vary by country and which may be subject to change from time to time.

4.4 Method of Payment. Payment of the Exercise Price shall be by any of the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of Participant:

(a) Cash or check;

(b) With the consent of the Committee, surrender of vested Shares (including, without limitation, Shares otherwise issuable upon exercise of the Option) held for such period of time as may be required by the Committee in order to avoid adverse accounting consequences and having a Fair Market Value on the date of delivery equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of the Option or exercised portion thereof;

(c) Through the delivery of a notice that Participant has placed a market sell order with a broker acceptable to the Company with respect to Shares then issuable upon exercise of the Option, and that the broker has been directed to pay a sufficient portion of the net proceeds of the sale to the Company in satisfaction of the Exercise Price; provided that payment of such proceeds is then made to the Company at such time as may be required by the Committee, but in any event not later than the settlement of such sale; or

(d) Any other form of legal consideration acceptable to the Committee.

4.5 Conditions to Issuance of Shares. The Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificate or certificates for any Shares or to cause any Shares to be held in book-entry form prior to the fulfillment of all of the following conditions: (a) the admission of the Shares to listing on all stock exchanges on which such Shares are then listed, (b) the completion of any registration or other qualification of the Shares under any state or federal law or under rulings or regulations of the Securities and Exchange

 

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Commission or other governmental regulatory body, which the Committee shall, in its absolute discretion, deem necessary or advisable, (c) the obtaining of any approval or other clearance from any state or federal governmental agency that the Committee shall, in its absolute discretion, determine to be necessary or advisable, (d) the receipt by the Company of full payment for such Shares, which may be in one or more of the forms of consideration permitted under Section 4.4, and (e) the receipt of full payment of any applicable withholding tax in accordance with Section 3.4 by the Participating Company with respect to which the applicable withholding obligation arises.

4.6 Rights as Shareholder. Neither Participant nor any Person claiming under or through Participant will have any of the rights or privileges of a stockholder of the Company in respect of any Shares purchasable upon the exercise of any part of the Option unless and until certificates representing such Shares (which may be in book-entry form) will have been issued and recorded on the records of the Company or its transfer agents or registrars and delivered to Participant (including through electronic delivery to a brokerage account). No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date of such issuance, recordation and delivery, except as provided in Section 13 of the Plan. Except as otherwise provided herein, after such issuance, recordation and delivery, Participant will have all the rights of a stockholder of the Company with respect to such Shares, including, without limitation, the right to receipt of dividends and distributions on such Shares.

ARTICLE V.

OTHER PROVISIONS

5.1 Administration. The Committee shall have the power to interpret the Plan, the Grant Notice and this Agreement and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan, the Grant Notice and this Agreement as are consistent therewith and to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules. All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Committee will be final and binding upon Participant, the Company and all other interested Persons. To the extent allowable pursuant to Applicable Law, no member of the Committee or the Board will be personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation made with respect to the Plan, the Grant Notice or this Agreement.

5.2 Whole Shares. The Option may only be exercised for whole Shares.

5.3 Option Not Transferable. The Option shall be subject to the restrictions on transferability set forth in Section 15(b) of the Plan.

5.4 Adjustments. The Committee may accelerate the vesting of all or a portion of the Option in such circumstances as it, in its sole discretion, may determine. Participant acknowledges that the Option is subject to adjustment, modification and termination in certain events as provided in this Agreement and the Plan, including Section 13 of the Plan.

5.5 Notices. Any notice to be given under the terms of this Agreement to the Company shall be addressed to the Company in care of the Secretary of the Company at the Company’s principal office, and any notice to be given to Participant shall be addressed to Participant at Participant’s last email or physical address reflected on the Company’s records. By a notice given pursuant to this Section 5.5, either party may hereafter designate a different address for notices to be given to that party. Any notice shall be deemed duly given when sent via email (to Participant only) or when sent by certified mail (return receipt requested) and deposited (with postage prepaid) in a post office or branch post office regularly maintained by the United States Postal Service.

5.6 Titles. Titles are provided herein for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of this Agreement.

 

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5.7 Governing Law. The laws of the State of Delaware shall govern the interpretation, validity, administration, enforcement and performance of the terms of this Agreement regardless of the law that might be applied under principles of conflicts of laws.

5.8 Conformity to Securities Laws. Participant acknowledges that the Plan, the Grant Notice and this Agreement are intended to conform to the extent necessary with all Applicable Laws, including, without limitation, the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, and any and all regulations and rules promulgated thereunder by the Securities and Exchange Commission and state securities laws and regulations. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Plan shall be administered, and the Option is granted and may be exercised, only in such a manner as to conform to Applicable Law. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Plan, the Grant Notice and this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to Applicable Law.

5.9 Amendment, Suspension and Termination. To the extent permitted by the Plan, this Agreement may be wholly or partially amended or otherwise modified, suspended or terminated at any time or from time to time by the Committee or the Board, provided that, except as may otherwise be provided by the Plan, no amendment, modification, suspension or termination of this Agreement shall adversely affect the Option in any material respect without the prior written consent of Participant.

5.10 Successors and Assigns. The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in Section 5.3 and the Plan, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs, legatees, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the parties hereto.

5.11 Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, if Participant is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Plan, the Option, the Grant Notice and this Agreement shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.

5.12 Not a Contract of Service Relationship. Nothing in this Agreement or in the Plan shall confer upon Participant any right to continue to serve as an employee or other service provider of any Participating Company or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of any Participating Company, which rights are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge or terminate the services of Participant at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause, except to the extent (i) expressly provided otherwise in a written agreement between a Participating Company and Participant or (ii) where such provisions are not consistent with applicable foreign or local laws, in which case such applicable foreign or local laws shall control.

5.13 Entire Agreement. The Plan, the Grant Notice and this Agreement (including any exhibit hereto) constitute the entire agreement of the parties and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Participant with respect to the subject matter hereof.

5.14 Section 409A. This Option is not intended to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A. However, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Grant Notice or this Agreement, if at any time the Committee determines that this Option (or any portion thereof) may be subject to Section 409A, the Committee shall have the right in its sole discretion (without any obligation to do so or to indemnify Participant or any other Person for failure to do so) to

 

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adopt such amendments to the Plan, the Grant Notice or this Agreement, or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, as the Committee determines are necessary or appropriate for this Option either to be exempt from the application of Section 409A or to comply with the requirements of Section 409A.

5.15 Agreement Severable. In the event that any provision of the Grant Notice or this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, such provision will be severable from, and such invalidity or unenforceability will not be construed to have any effect on, the remaining provisions of the Grant Notice or this Agreement.

5.16 Limitation on Participant’s Rights. Participation in the Plan confers no rights or interests other than as herein provided. This Agreement creates only a contractual obligation on the part of the Company as to amounts payable and shall not be construed as creating a trust. Neither the Plan nor any underlying program, in and of itself, has any assets. Participant shall have only the right to receive Shares as a general unsecured creditor with respect to the Option, as and when exercised pursuant to the terms hereof.

5.17 Counterparts. The Grant Notice may be executed in one or more counterparts, including by way of any electronic signature, subject to Applicable Law, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.

5.18 Electronic Delivery. By accepting this Award, whether electronically or otherwise, Participant hereby (i) consents to receive such documents by electronic means, (ii) consents to the use of electronic signatures, and (iii) agrees to participate in the Plan and/or receive any such documents through an online or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or a third party designated by the Company, including but not limited to the use of electronic signatures or click through electronic acceptance of terms and conditions.

5.19 Clawback. The Option (including any proceeds, gains or other economic benefit actually or constructively received by the Participant upon any receipt or exercise of the Option or upon the receipt or resale of any Shares underlying the Option) will be subject to any Company clawback policy as in effect from time to time, including any clawback policy adopted to comply with Applicable Laws (including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder).

5.20 Incentive Stock Options. Participant acknowledges that to the extent the aggregate Fair Market Value of Shares (determined as of the time the option with respect to the Shares is granted) with respect to which Incentive Stock Options, including this Option (if applicable), are exercisable for the first time by Participant during any calendar year exceeds $100,000 or if for any other reason such Incentive Stock Options do not qualify or cease to qualify for treatment as “incentive stock options” under Section 422 of the Code, such Incentive Stock Options shall be treated as Nonqualified Stock Options. Participant further acknowledges that the rule set forth in the preceding sentence shall be applied by taking the Option and other stock options into account in the order in which they were granted, as determined under Section 422(d) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder. Participant also acknowledges that an Incentive Stock Option exercised more than three (3) months after Participant’s Termination, other than by reason of death or disability, will be taxed as a Nonqualified Stock Option.

5.21 Notification of Disposition. If this Option is designated as an Incentive Stock Option, Participant shall give prompt written notice to the Company of any disposition or other transfer of any Shares acquired under this Agreement if such disposition or transfer is made (a) within two (2) years from the Grant Date or (b) within one (1) year after the transfer of such Shares to Participant. Such notice shall specify the date of such disposition or other transfer and the amount realized, in cash, other property, assumption of indebtedness or other consideration, by Participant in such disposition or other transfer.

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