NRP FINANCE CORPORATION 10.500% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2022 INDENTURE Dated as of March 2, 2017 WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

Exhibit 4.3

Execution Version

NATURAL RESOURCE PARTNERS L.P.

NRP FINANCE CORPORATION

____________________________

10.500% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2022

____________________________

INDENTURE

Dated as of March 2, 2017

____________________________

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

As Trustee

CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*



Trust Indenture Act Section		Indenture Section
310(a)(1)		7.10
(a)(2)		7.10
(a)(3)		N/A
(a)(4)		N/A
(a)(5)		7.10
(b)		7.10
(c)		N/A
311(a)		7.11
(b)		7.11
(c)		N/A
312(a)		2.05
(b)		11.03
(c)		11.03
313(a)		7.06
(b)(1)		7.06
(b)(2)		7.06, 7.07
(c)		7.06, 11.02
(d)		7.06
314(a)		4.03, 4.04, 11.02
(b)		N/A
(c)(1)		11.04
(c)(2)		11.04
(c)(3)		N/A
(d)		N/A
(e)		11.05
(f)		N/A
315(a)		7.01
(b)		7.05, 11.02
(c)		7.01
(d)		7.01
(e)		6.11
316(a)(last sentence)		2.08
(a)(1)(A)		6.05
(a)(1)(B)		6.04
(a)(2)		N/A
(b)		6.07
(c)		9.04
317(a)(1)		6.08
(a)(2)		6.09
(b)		2.04
318(a)		11.01
(b)		N/A
(c)		11.01

________________

N/A means not applicable.

*This Cross-Reference Table is not part of the Indenture.



TABLE OF CONTENTS

		Page

ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE		1

Section 1.01.	Definitions	1
Section 1.02.	Other Definitions	30
Section 1.03.	Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act	30
Section 1.04.	Rules of Construction	30

ARTICLE 2 THE NOTES		31

Section 2.01.	Form and Dating	31
Section 2.02.	Execution and Authentication	31
Section 2.03.	Registrar and Paying Agent	32
Section 2.04.	Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust	33
Section 2.05.	Noteholder Lists	33
Section 2.06.	Transfer and Exchange	33
Section 2.07.	Replacement Notes	33
Section 2.08.	Outstanding Notes	34
Section 2.09.	Temporary Notes	34
Section 2.10.	Cancellation	34
Section 2.11.	Defaulted Interest	35
Section 2.12.	CUSIP Numbers	35
Section 2.13.	Issuance of Additional Notes	35

ARTICLE 3 REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT		36

Section 3.01.	Notices to Trustee	36
Section 3.02.	Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed	36
Section 3.03.	Notice of Redemption	37
Section 3.04.	Effect of Notice of Redemption	38
Section 3.05.	Deposit of Redemption Price	38
Section 3.06.	Notes Redeemed in Part	38
Section 3.07.	Optional Redemption	39
Section 3.08.	Mandatory Redemption	40
Section 3.09.	Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds	40

ARTICLE 4 COVENANTS		42

Section 4.01.	Payment of Notes	42
Section 4.02.	Maintenance of Office or Agency	42
Section 4.03.	Reports and other Information Rights	43
Section 4.04.	Compliance Certificate	44
Section 4.05.	Taxes	44
Section 4.06.	Stay, Extension and Usury Laws	45



Section 4.07.	Limitation on Restricted Payments	45
Section 4.08.	Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries	49
Section 4.09.	Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Equity Interests	52
Section 4.10.	Limitation on Asset Sales	56
Section 4.11.	Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates	57
Section 4.12.	Limitation on Liens	59
Section 4.13.	Additional Subsidiary Guarantees	59
Section 4.14.	Corporate Existence	60
Section 4.15.	Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control	60
Section 4.16.	Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries	63
Section 4.17.	Business Activities	63
Section 4.18.	Covenant Suspension	64
Section 4.19.	Ratings	65
Section 4.20.	Redemption of Remaining 2013 Notes and Use of Proceeds.	65

ARTICLE 5 SUCCESSORS		65

Section 5.01.	Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets	65
Section 5.02.	Successor Substituted	67

ARTICLE 6 DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES		67

Section 6.01.	Events of Default	67
Section 6.02.	Acceleration	70
Section 6.03.	Other Remedies	70
Section 6.04.	Waiver of Past Defaults	70
Section 6.05.	Control by Majority	71
Section 6.06.	Limitation on Suits	71
Section 6.07.	Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment	72
Section 6.08.	Collection Suit by Trustee	72
Section 6.09.	Trustee May File Proofs of Claim	72
Section 6.10.	Priorities	72
Section 6.11.	Undertaking for Costs	73

ARTICLE 7 TRUSTEE		73

Section 7.01.	Duties of Trustee	73
Section 7.02.	Rights of Trustee	74
Section 7.03.	Individual Rights of Trustee	76
Section 7.04.	Trustee’s Disclaimer	77
Section 7.05.	Notice of Defaults	77
Section 7.06.	Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes	77
Section 7.07.	Compensation and Indemnity	77

iii



Section 7.08.	Replacement of Trustee	79
Section 7.09.	Successor Trustee by ▇▇▇▇▇▇, etc.	80
Section 7.10.	Eligibility; Disqualification	80
Section 7.11.	Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuers	80

ARTICLE 8 LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE		80

Section 8.01.	Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance	80
Section 8.02.	Legal Defeasance and Discharge	80
Section 8.03.	Covenant Defeasance	81
Section 8.04.	Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance	82
Section 8.05.	Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions	83
Section 8.06.	Repayment to Issuers	84
Section 8.07.	Reinstatement	84
Section 8.08.	Discharge	84

ARTICLE 9 AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER		85

Section 9.01.	Without Consent of Holders of Notes	85
Section 9.02.	With Consent of Holders of Notes	86
Section 9.03.	Compliance with Trust Indenture Act	88
Section 9.04.	Effect of Consents	88
Section 9.05.	Notation on or Exchange of Notes	88
Section 9.06.	Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.	88

ARTICLE 10 GUARANTEES OF NOTES		89

Section 10.01.	Subsidiary Guarantees	89
Section 10.02.	Execution and Delivery of Subsidiary Guarantee	90
Section 10.03.	Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms	90
Section 10.04.	Releases of Subsidiary Guarantees	91
Section 10.05.	Limitation on Guarantor Liability	91
Section 10.06.	“Trustee” to Include Paying Agent	91

ARTICLE 11 MISCELLANEOUS		92

Section 11.01.	Trust Indenture Act Controls	92
Section 11.02.	Notices	92
Section 11.03.	Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes	93
Section 11.04.	Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent	93
Section 11.05.	Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion	93
Section 11.06.	Rules by Trustee and Agents	94
Section 11.07.	No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Unitholders and No Recourse to General Partner	94
Section 11.08.	Governing Law	94
Section 11.09.	No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements	94



Section 11.10.	Successors	95
Section 11.11.	Severability	95
Section 11.12.	Table of Contents, Headings, etc.	95
Section 11.13.	Counterparts	95
Section 11.14.	Acts of Holders	96
Section 11.15.	Patriot Act	96



APPENDIX AND ANNEXES

RULE 144A/REGULATION S APPENDIX		App. - 1

EXHIBIT 1 Form of Initial Note

ANNEX A Form of Supplemental Indenture		A - 1

This Indenture, dated as of March 2, 2017, is among Natural Resource Partners L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Company”), NRP Finance Corporation., a Delaware corporation (“Finance Corp.” and, together with the Company, the “Issuers”) and Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national banking association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

The Issuers, the Guarantors (as defined below), if any, and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Issuers’ Initial Notes, Exchange Notes and Additional Notes:

ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION
BY REFERENCE

Section 1.01. Definitions.

“2013 Indenture” means the indenture, dated as of September 18, 2013, among the Issuers and the Trustee.

“2013 Notes” means the 9.125% Senior Notes due 2018 issued under the 2013 Indenture.

“Acquired Debt” means, with respect to any specified Person:

(1) Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person was merged with or into or became a Subsidiary of such specified Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging with or into, or becoming a Subsidiary of, such specified Person, but excluding Indebtedness which is extinguished, retired or repaid in connection with such Person merging with or into or becoming a Subsidiary of such specified Person; and

(2) Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person.

“Additional Interest” means all additional interest then owing pursuant to Section 2(d) of the Registration Rights Agreement referred to in clause (1) of the definition of “Registration Rights Agreement” in the Appendix. Unless the context indicates otherwise, all references to “interest” in this Indenture or the Notes shall be deemed to include any Additional Interest to the extent then applicable.

“Additional Notes” means, subject to the Company’s compliance with Section 4.09, 10.500% Senior Notes due 2022 issued from time to time after the Initial Issuance Date under the terms of this Indenture (other than pursuant to Section 2.06, 2.07, 2.09 or 3.06 of this Indenture and other than Exchange Notes issued pursuant to a Registered Exchange Offer for other Notes outstanding under this Indenture).

“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control,” as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise; provided, however, that beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the Voting Stock of a Person will deem such Person to be controlled by the other Person; and provided, further, that any third Person which also beneficially owns 10% or more of the Voting Stock of a specified Person shall not be deemed to be an Affiliate of either the specified Person or the other Person merely because of such common ownership in such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with” have correlative meanings.

“Agent” means any Registrar or Paying Agent.

“Agent Members” has the meaning provided in the Appendix.

“Applicable Law,” except as the context may otherwise require, means all applicable laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, judgments, decrees, injunctions, writs and orders of any court or governmental or congressional agency or authority and rules, regulations, orders, licenses and permits of any United States federal, state, municipal, regional or other governmental body, instrumentality, agency or authority.

“Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in a Global Note, the rules and procedures of the Depository that apply to such transfer and exchange.

“Asset Sale” means:

(1) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of any properties or assets (including by way of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction); provided that the disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole will be governed by the provisions of Section 4.15 and/or the provisions of Section 5.01 and not by the provisions of Section 4.10; and

(2) the issuance of Equity Interests in any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries or the sale of Equity Interests in any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

Notwithstanding the preceding, the following items will not be deemed to be Asset Sales:

(1) any single transaction or series of related transactions that involves properties or assets having a fair market value of less than $20.0 million;

(2) a transfer of assets between or among any of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(3) an issuance or sale of Equity Interests by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or to another Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

(4) the disposition of equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, Hydrocarbons or other assets in the ordinary course of business;

(5) the disposition of cash or Cash Equivalents, Hedging Obligations or other financial instruments in the ordinary course of business;

(6) a Restricted Payment that is permitted by Section 4.07 or a Permitted Investment;

(7) any trade or exchange by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of properties or assets for properties or assets owned or held by another Person, provided that the fair market value of the properties or assets traded or exchanged by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary (together with any cash) is reasonably equivalent to the fair market value of the properties or assets (together with any cash) to be received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, and provided further that any cash received must be applied in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.10;

(8) the creation or perfection of a Lien that is not prohibited by Section 4.12;

(9) dispositions in connection with Permitted Liens;

(10) surrender or waiver of contract rights or the settlement, release or surrender of contract, tort or other claims of any kind;

(11) the abandonment, farmout, lease or sublease of developed or undeveloped coal or other Hydrocarbon or mineral reserves or properties in the ordinary course of business;

(12) the sale or transfer (whether or not in the ordinary course of business) of any coal, oil and gas or mineral property or interest to which no proven and probable reserves are attributable at the time of such sale or transfer; and

(13) the grant in the ordinary course of business of any non-exclusive license or sublicense of patents, trademarks, registrations therefor and other similar intellectual property.

“Attributable Debt” in respect of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction means, at the time of determination, the present value of the obligation of the lessee for net rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such Sale and Leaseback Transaction including any period for which such lease has been extended or may, at the option of the lessor, be extended. Such present value shall be calculated using a discount rate equal to the rate of

interest implicit in such transaction, determined in accordance with GAAP; provided that if such Sale and Leaseback Transaction constitutes a Capital Lease Obligation, the amount of Indebtedness represented thereby will be determined in accordance with the definition of “Capital Lease Obligation.” As used in the preceding sentence, the “net rental payments” under any lease for any such period shall mean the sum of rental and other payments required to be paid with respect to such period by the lessee thereunder, excluding any amounts required to be paid by such lessee on account of maintenance and repairs, insurance, taxes, assessments, water rates or similar charges. In the case of any lease that is terminable by the lessee upon payment of penalty, such net rental payment shall also include the amount of such penalty, but no rent shall be considered as required to be paid under such lease subsequent to the first date upon which it may be so terminated.

“Available Cash” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Partnership Agreement, as in effect on the date of this Indenture.

“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, United States Code, as may be amended from time to time, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

“Beneficial Owner” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), such “person” will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such “person” has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition. The terms “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” have correlative meanings. For purposes of this definition, a Person shall be deemed not to Beneficially Own securities that are the subject of a stock purchase agreement, merger agreement, amalgamation agreement, arrangement agreement or similar agreement until consummation of the transactions or, as applicable, series of related transactions contemplated thereby.

“Board of Directors” means:

(1) with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation or any committee ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ authorized to act on behalf of such board;

(2) with respect to a partnership, the board of directors or board of managers of the general partner of the partnership or, if such general partner is itself a limited partnership, then the board of directors or board of managers of its general partner;

(3) with respect to a limited liability company, the board of managers or directors, the managing member or members or any controlling committee of managing members thereof; and

(4) with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such Person serving a similar function.

“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the applicable Person to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of such Person and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

“Business Day” means each day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York or Houston, Texas or the place of payment are authorized or required by law to remain closed.

“Capital Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any lease (whether entered into before or after the date of this Indenture) that would have been classified as an operating lease pursuant to GAAP as in effect on the date of this Indenture will be deemed not to represent a Capital Lease Obligation.

“Capital Stock” means:

(1) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;

(2) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;

(3) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership interests (whether general or limited) or membership interests; and

(4) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.

“Cash Equivalents” means:

(1) United States dollars;

(2) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality of the United States government (provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support of those securities) having maturities of not more than six months from the date of acquisition;

(3) certificates of deposit and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding one year and overnight bank deposits or with any

domestic commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of $250.0 million and a Thomson Bank Watch Rating of “B” or better;

(4) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (2) and (3) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (3) above;

(5) commercial paper having one of the two highest ratings obtainable from ▇▇▇▇▇’▇ or S&P and in each case maturing within six months after the date of acquisition; and

(6) money market funds at least 95% of the assets of which constitute Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (1) through (5) of this definition.

“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:

(1) the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets (including Capital Stock of the Restricted Subsidiaries) of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, to any “person” other than a Qualifying Owner (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), which occurrence is followed by a Rating Decline within 90 days of the consummation of such transaction;

(2) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company or the removal of the General Partner by the limited partners of the Company;

(3) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), other than a Qualifying Owner, becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of the General Partner or the Company, measured by voting power rather than the number of shares, units or the like, which occurrence is followed by a Rating Decline within 90 days thereof; or

(4) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), other than a Qualifying Owner, becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of Holdco, measured by voting power rather than number or percentage of membership interests, at a time when Holdco Beneficially Owns more than 50% of the Voting Stock of the General Partner or

the Company, measured by voting power rather than number or percentage of membership interests, which occurrence is followed by a Rating Decline within 90 days thereof.

Notwithstanding the preceding, a conversion of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from a limited partnership, corporation, limited liability company or other form of entity to a limited partnership, corporation, limited liability company or other form of entity or an exchange of all of the outstanding Equity Interests in one form of entity for Equity Interests for another form of entity shall not constitute a Change of Control, so long as following such conversion or exchange, the “persons” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) who Beneficially Owned the Capital Stock of the Company immediately prior to such transactions continue to Beneficially Own, in the aggregate, more than 50% of the Voting Stock of such entity, or continue to Beneficially Own sufficient Equity Interests in such entity, to elect a majority of its directors, managers, trustees or other persons serving in a similar capacity for such entity or its general partner, as applicable, and, in either case no “person,” excluding any Qualifying Owner, Beneficially Owns more than 50% of the Voting Stock of such entity or its general partner, as applicable.

“Class A PIK Units” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Partnership Agreement as in effect on the Initial Issuance Date.

“Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, or any successor securities clearing agency.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

“Commission” or “SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Consolidated Cash Flow” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period plus:

(1) an amount equal to any net loss realized by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Sale, to the extent such losses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(2) provision for taxes based on income or profits of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such provision for taxes was deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(3) consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued and whether or not capitalized (including, without limitation, amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, imputed interest with respect to Attributable Debt,

commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers’ acceptance financings), and net of the effect of all payments made or received pursuant to interest rate Hedging Obligations, to the extent that any such expense was deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(4) depreciation and amortization (including amortization of intangibles but excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior period), impairment and other non-cash expenses (excluding any such non‑cash expense to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash expenses in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was paid in a prior period) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period to the extent that such depreciation and amortization, impairment and other non-cash expenses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(5) unrealized non-cash losses resulting from foreign currency balance sheet adjustments required by GAAP to the extent such losses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(6) all extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring items of loss or expense to the extent such items were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; minus

(7) non-cash items increasing such Consolidated Net Income for such period, other than items that were accrued in the ordinary course of business;

in each case, on a consolidated basis and determined in accordance with GAAP.

“Consolidated EBITDA” means, Consolidated EBITDA as defined in the Partnership Agreement as in effect on the Initial Issuance Date.

“Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with GAAP, provided that:

(1) the Net Income (but not loss) of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting will be included, but only to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions paid in cash to the specified Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person;

(2) the Net Income of any Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person that is not a Guarantor will be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of that Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by

operation of the terms of its charter or any judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders, partners or members except to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions paid in cash to the Issuers or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(3) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles will be excluded;

(4) unrealized losses and gains for such period under derivative instruments included in the determination of consolidated Net Income, including, without limitation, those resulting from the application of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic No. 815, will be excluded; and

(5) any nonrecurring charges relating to any premium or penalty paid, write off of deferred finance costs or other charges in connection with redeeming or retiring any Indebtedness prior to its Stated Maturity (including premiums or penalties paid to counterparties in connection with the breakage, termination or unwinding of Hedging Obligations) will be excluded.

“Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means, with respect to any Person at any date of determination, the aggregate amount of total assets included in such Person’s most recent quarterly or annual consolidated balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP minus the sum of: (a) all current liabilities reflected in such balance sheet (other than current maturities of long term debt) and (b) all goodwill, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discounts and expenses and other like intangibles reflected in such balance sheet.

“Consolidated Total Indebtedness” means, as at any date of determination, an amount equal to the aggregate amount of all outstanding Indebtedness of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis consisting of Indebtedness for borrowed money, Obligations in respect of Capital Lease Obligations and debt obligations evidenced by promissory notes and similar instruments.

“Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio” means, as at any date of determination, the ratio of (1) Consolidated Total Indebtedness of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such event for which such calculation is being made to (2) the Company’s Consolidated EBITDA for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such event for which such calculation is being made shall occur, in each case determined on a pro forma basis consistent with the pro forma adjustment provisions set forth in the definition of “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.”

“Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee” means the office of the Trustee in Texas at which at any particular time its corporate trust business in relation to the Notes shall be administered, which office on the date hereof is located at ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇

550, Dallas, Texas 75248, or in any case such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Issuers, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Issuers).

“Credit Agreement” means the Revolving Credit Agreement.

“Credit Facilities” means one or more debt facilities (including, without limitation, the Credit Agreement), commercial paper facilities, loan agreements or indentures, in each case with banks or other institutional lenders or investors providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables), letters of credit, or debt securities, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced (including refinancing with any capital markets transaction) in whole or in part from time to time.

“Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, sequestrator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

“Customary Recourse Exceptions” means, with respect to any Non-Recourse Debt of an Unrestricted Subsidiary, exclusions from the exculpation provisions with respect to such Non-Recourse Debt for the voluntary bankruptcy of such Unrestricted Subsidiary, fraud, misapplication of cash, environmental claims, waste, willful destruction and other circumstances customarily excluded by lenders from exculpation provisions or included in separate indemnification agreements in non-recourse financings.

“Default” means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default.

“Depository” has the meaning provided in the Appendix.

“Disqualified Equity Interest” means any Equity Interest that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible, or for which it is exchangeable, in each case at the option of the holder of the Equity Interest), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the holder of the Equity Interest, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the date on which the Notes mature, in each case other than in exchange for Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) of the Company. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any Equity Interest that would constitute a Disqualified Equity Interest solely because the holders of the Equity Interest have the right to require the Company to repurchase or redeem such Equity Interest upon the occurrence of a change of control or an asset sale will not constitute a Disqualified Equity Interest if the terms of such Equity Interest provide that the Company may not repurchase or redeem any such Equity Interest pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with Section 4.07.

“Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).

“Equity Offering” means any public or private sale of Capital Stock (other than a Disqualified Equity Interest) made for cash on a primary basis by the Company after the date of this Indenture.

“Euroclear” means Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. or any successor securities clearing agency.

“Exchange Act” means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

“Exchange Notes” has the meaning specified in the Appendix.

“Existing Indebtedness” means the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Agreement which is considered incurred under clause (1) of the second paragraph of Section 4.09 and other than intercompany Indebtedness) in existence on the date of this Indenture, until such amounts are repaid.

“fair market value” means the value that would be paid by a willing buyer to an unaffiliated willing seller in a transaction not involving distress or necessity of either party, determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the General Partner in the case of amounts of $50.0 million or more and otherwise by an Officer of the General Partner.

“Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means with respect to any specified Person for any four-quarter reference period, the ratio of the Consolidated Cash Flow of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the event that the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurs, assumes, guarantees, repays, repurchases or redeems any Indebtedness (other than ordinary working capital borrowings) or issues, repurchases or redeems preferred stock subsequent to the commencement of the applicable four‑quarter reference period and on or prior to the date on which the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the “Calculation Date”), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio will be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, guarantee, repayment, repurchase or redemption of Indebtedness, or such issuance, repurchase or redemption of preferred stock, and the use of the proceeds therefrom as if the same had occurred at the beginning of such period. If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest expense on such Indebtedness will be calculated as if the average rate in effect from the beginning of such period to the Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any interest Hedging Obligation applicable to such Indebtedness, but if the remaining term of such interest Hedging Obligation is less than 12 months, then such interest Hedging Obligation shall only be taken into account for that portion of the period equal to the remaining term thereof). If any Indebtedness that is being given pro forma effect bears an interest rate at the option of such Person, the interest

rate shall be calculated by applying such optional rate chosen by such Person. Interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or, if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as such Person may designate.

In addition, for purposes of calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio:

(1) acquisitions that have been made by the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including through mergers, consolidations or otherwise (including acquisitions of assets used in a Permitted Business), and including in each case any related financing transactions (including repayment of Indebtedness) during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to the Calculation Date, will be given pro forma effect as if they had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period, including any Consolidated Cash Flow and any pro forma expense and cost reductions that have occurred or are reasonably expected to occur within the next 12 months, in the reasonable judgment of the chief financial or accounting officer of the General Partner or Holdco (regardless of whether those cost savings or operating improvements could then be reflected in pro forma financial statements in accordance with Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act or any other regulation or policy of the Commission related thereto);

(2) the Consolidated Cash Flow attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded;

(3) the Fixed Charges attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded, but only to the extent that the obligations giving rise to such Fixed Charges will not be obligations of the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries following the Calculation Date;

(4) any Person that is a Restricted Subsidiary of the specified Person on the Calculation Date will be deemed to have been a Restricted Subsidiary of the specified Person at all times during such four-quarter period;

(5) any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary of the specified Person on the Calculation Date will be deemed not to have been a Restricted Subsidiary of the specified Person at any time during such four-quarter period; and

(6) interest income reasonably anticipated by such Person to be received during the applicable four-quarter period from cash or Cash Equivalents held by such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person, which cash or

Cash Equivalents exist on the Calculation Date or will exist as a result of the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, will be included.

“Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:

(1) the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued (including, without limitation, amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount, non‑cash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, imputed interest with respect to Attributable Debt, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers’ acceptance financings), and net of the effect of all payments made or received pursuant to interest rate Hedging Obligations; plus

(2) the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period; plus

(3) any interest expense on Indebtedness of another Person that is guaranteed by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries, whether or not such guarantee or Lien is called upon; plus

(4) all dividends, whether paid or accrued and whether or not in cash, on any series of Disqualified Equity Interests of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than dividends on Equity Interests payable solely in Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) or to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company,

in each case, on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP. For the avoidance of doubt, distributions and charges with respect to the Preferred Securities will not be Fixed Charges.

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, applied in accordance with customary requirements thereof, as in effect from time to time.

“General Partner” means NRP (GP) LP, a Delaware limited partnership, and its successors as general partner of the Company.

“Global Note” has the meaning provided in the Appendix.

“Government Securities” means direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed by, the United States of America for the payment of which guarantee or obligations the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged.

“guarantee” means a guarantee other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business, direct or indirect, in any manner including, without limitation, by way of a pledge of assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness. When used as a verb, “guarantee” has a correlative meaning.

“Guarantors” means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that executes a supplement to this Indenture in accordance with Section 4.13 or 10.03 hereof, and the respective successors and assigns of such Restricted Subsidiaries, as required under Article 10 hereof, in each case, until such time as any such Restricted Subsidiary shall be released and relieved of its obligations pursuant to Section 8.02, 8.03 or 10.04 hereof.

“Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any specified Person, the obligations of such Person incurred not for speculative purposes under:

(1) interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap agreements and interest rate collar agreements entered into with one or more financial institutions and designed to protect the Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries entering into the agreement against fluctuations in, or to otherwise manage exposure to, interest rates with respect to Indebtedness incurred;

(2) foreign exchange contracts and currency protection agreements entered into with one or more financial institutions and designed to protect the Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries entering into the agreement against fluctuations in, or to otherwise manage exposure to, currency exchanges rates with respect to Indebtedness incurred;

(3) any commodity futures contract, commodity option or other similar agreement or arrangement designed to protect against fluctuations in, or to otherwise manage exposure to, the price of Hydrocarbons used, produced, processed or sold by that Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries at the time; and

(4) other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries against fluctuations in interest rates, commodity prices or currency exchange rates.

“Holdco” means GP Natural Resource Partners LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

“Holder” or “Noteholder” means a Person in whose name a Note is registered.

“Hydrocarbons” means coal, crude oil, natural gas, casinghead gas, drip gasoline, natural gasoline, condensate, distillate, liquid hydrocarbons, gaseous hydrocarbons and all constituents, elements or compounds thereof and products refined or processed therefrom.

“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any specified Person, any indebtedness of such Person, whether or not contingent:

(1) in respect of borrowed money;

(2) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof);

(3) in respect of bankers’ acceptances;

(4) representing Capital Lease Obligations and Attributable Debt in respect of Sale and Leaseback Transactions;

(5) representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property, except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable; or

(6) representing any net Hedging Obligations,

if and to the extent any of the preceding items (other than letters of credit and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of the specified Person prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the term “Indebtedness” includes all Indebtedness of any other Person secured by a Lien on any asset of the specified Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by the specified Person) and, to the extent not otherwise included, the guarantee by the specified Person of any Indebtedness of any other Person. The term “Indebtedness,” however, excludes any repayment or reimbursement obligation of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to Customary Recourse Exceptions, unless and until an event or circumstance occurs that triggers the Person’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s direct repayment or reimbursement obligation (as opposed to contingent or performance obligations) to the lender or other Person to whom such obligation is actually owed, in which case the amount of such direct payment or reimbursement obligation shall constitute Indebtedness.

The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date will be:

(1) the accreted value of the Indebtedness, in the case of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount;

(2) in the case of any Hedging Obligation, the termination value of the agreement or arrangement giving rise to such Hedging Obligation that would be payable by such Person at such date; and

(3) the principal amount of the Indebtedness, together with any interest on the Indebtedness that is more than 30 days past due, in the case of any other Indebtedness.

“Indenture” means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time.

“Independent Financial Advisor” means an accounting, appraisal, investment banking firm or consultant to Persons engaged in similar businesses of nationally recognized standing that is, in the good faith judgment of the Company, qualified to perform the task for which it has been engaged.

“Initial Issuance Date” means March 2, 2017.

“Initial Notes” has the meaning provided in the Appendix.

“Initial Notes Purchasers” has the meaning provided in the Appendix.

“Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by ▇▇▇▇▇’▇ or BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P.

“Investments” means, with respect to any Person, all direct or indirect investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms of loans (including guarantees or other obligations), advances or capital contributions (excluding (1) commission, travel and similar advances to officers and employees made in the ordinary course of business and (2) advances to customers in the ordinary course of business that are recorded as accounts receivable on the balance sheet of the lender), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities, together with all items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP.

“Joint Venture” means any Person that is not a direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company in which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries makes any Investment.

“Legal Holiday” means any calendar day other than a Business Day. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday, payment may be made on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.

“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under Applicable Law, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction other than a precautionary financing statement respecting a lease not intended as a security agreement. In no event will a right of first refusal or right of first offer be deemed to constitute a Lien.

“Make Whole Premium” means, with respect to a Note at any time, the excess, if any, of (a) the present value at such time of (i) the redemption price of such Note at March 15, 2019 (as set forth in the table in Section 3.07(a), excluding accrued and unpaid interest) plus (ii) any required interest payments due on such Note through March 15, 2019 (except for currently accrued and unpaid interest), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points, discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months), over (b) the principal amount of such Note.

“Moody’s” means ▇▇▇▇▇’▇ Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

“Net Income” means, with respect to any specified Person, the net income (loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of preferred stock dividends, excluding, however:

(1) any gain or loss, together with any related provision for taxes on such gain or loss, realized in connection with: (a) any Asset Sale; or (b) the disposition of any securities by such Person or the extinguishment of any Indebtedness of such Person; and

(2) any extraordinary gain or loss, together with any related provision for taxes on such extraordinary gain or loss.

“Net Proceeds” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any cash received upon the sale or other disposition of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale), net of:

(1) the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale, including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and sales commissions, and any relocation expenses incurred as a result of the Asset Sale;

(2) taxes paid or payable as a result of the Asset Sale, in each case, after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements;

(3) amounts required to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness secured by a Lien on the properties or assets that were the subject of such Asset Sale; and

(4) any amounts to be set aside in any reserve established in accordance with GAAP or any amount placed in escrow, in either case for adjustment in respect of the sale price of such properties or assets or for liabilities associated with such Asset Sale and retained by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries until such time as such reserve is reversed or such escrow arrangement is terminated, in which case Net Proceeds shall include only the amount of the reserve so reversed or the amount returned to the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries from such escrow arrangement, as the case may be.

“Non-Guarantor Restricted Subsidiaries” means any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor.

“Non-Recourse Debt” means Indebtedness:

(1) as to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness) or (b) is directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise, except for Customary Recourse Exceptions;

(2) no default with respect to which (including any rights that the holders of the Indebtedness may have to take enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit, upon notice, lapse of time or both, any holder of any other Indebtedness (other than the Notes) of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to declare a default on such other Indebtedness or cause the payment of the Indebtedness to be accelerated or payable prior to its Stated Maturity; and

(3) as to which the lenders have been notified in writing that they will not have any recourse to the stock or assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, except for Customary Recourse Exceptions and as contemplated by clause (9) of the definition of Permitted Liens.

For purposes of determining compliance with Section 4.09, in the event that any Non‑Recourse Debt of any of the Company’s Unrestricted Subsidiaries ceases to be Non‑Recourse Debt of such Unrestricted Subsidiary, such event will be deemed to constitute an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.

“Notes” has the meaning specified in the Appendix.

“Notes Custodian” has the meaning specified in the Appendix.

“Obligations” means any principal, premium, if any, interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization, whether or not a claim for post-filing interest is allowed in such proceeding), penalties, fees, charges, expenses, indemnifications, reimbursement obligations, damages, guarantees, and other liabilities or amounts payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness or in respect thereto.

“Officer” means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary or any Vice President of such Person or, in the case of the Company, its General Partner or Holdco.

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of each of the Company and Finance Corp. by two Officers of each of the Company and Finance Corp. that meets the requirements of Section 11.05 hereof.

“OpCo Consolidated EBITDA” means Consolidated EBITDA, but determined with respect only to the Non-Guarantor Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

“OpCo Consolidated Total Indebtedness” means, as at any date of determination, an amount equal to the aggregate amount of all outstanding Indebtedness of the Non-Guarantor Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis consisting of Indebtedness for borrowed money, Obligations in respect of Capital Lease Obligations and debt obligations evidenced by promissory notes and similar instruments, but excluding Indebtedness owed to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary.

“OpCo Leverage Ratio” means, as at any date of determination, the ratio of (1) OpCo Consolidated Total Indebtedness as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such event for which such calculation is being made to (2) OpCo Consolidated EBITDA for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such event for which such calculation is being made shall occur, in each case determined on a pro forma basis consistent with the pro forma adjustment provisions set forth in the definition of “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.”

“Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion from legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, that meets the requirements of Section 11.05 hereof. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company or the Trustee.

“Pari Passu Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Excess Proceeds from Asset Sales, Indebtedness of an Issuer or any Guarantor that ranks equally in right of payment with the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees, as the case may be, and the terms of which require the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to apply such Excess Proceeds to offer to repurchase such Indebtedness.

“Partnership Agreement” means the Fifth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Company, dated as of March 2, 2017, as in effect on the date of this Indenture and as such may be further amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.

“Permitted Business” means:

(1) the business of acquiring, leasing, managing, exploring, exploiting, developing, producing, operating and disposing of interests in coal, oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids, other Hydrocarbons, minerals, aggregates, sand, gravel, limestone or other products produced in association with any of the foregoing, or timberland or timber or forest products, or of creating and/or restoring wetlands and wetland credits;

(2) the business of gathering, marketing, distributing, treating, processing, fractionating, handling, storing, refining, selling and transporting of any production from such interests or properties and products produced in association therewith and the marketing of coal, oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids, other Hydrocarbons, minerals, aggregates, sand, gravel, limestone or related products obtained from other Persons; and

(3) any business or activity relating to, arising from, or necessary, appropriate or incidental to the activities described in the foregoing clauses (1) and (2) of this definition.

“Permitted Business Investments” means Investments by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in any Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company or in any Joint Venture, provided that:

(1) either (a) at the time of such Investment and immediately thereafter, the Company could incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of Section 4.09 or (b) such Investment does not exceed the aggregate amount of Incremental Funds (as defined in Section 4.07) not previously expended at the time of making such Investment;

(2) if such Unrestricted Subsidiary or Joint Venture has outstanding Indebtedness at the time of such Investment, either (a) all such Indebtedness is Non-Recourse Debt or (b) any such Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary or Joint Venture that is recourse to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (which shall include, without limitation, all Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary or Joint Venture for which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may be directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, obligated to pay, whether pursuant to the terms of such Indebtedness, by law or pursuant to any guarantee, including, without limitation, any “claw-back,” “make‑well” or “keep-well” arrangement) could, at the time such Investment is made, be incurred at that time by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries under the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of Section 4.09; and

(3) such Unrestricted Subsidiary’s or Joint Venture’s activities are not outside the scope of the Permitted Business.

“Permitted Investments” means:

(1) any Investment in the Company or in a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (including through purchases of Notes or other Indebtedness and otherwise permitted under this Indenture);

(2) any Investment in Cash Equivalents;

(3) any Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in a Person, if as a result of such Investment:

(a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; or

(b) such Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its properties or assets to, or is liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

(4) any Investment made as a result of the receipt of non-cash consideration from:

(a) an Asset Sale that was made pursuant to and in compliance with Section 4.10; or

(b) pursuant to clause (7) of the items deemed not to be Asset Sales under the definition of “Asset Sale”;

(5) any Investment in any Person solely in exchange for the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) of the Company;

(6) any Investments received in compromise of obligations of trade creditors or customers that were incurred in the ordinary course of business, including pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of any trade creditor or customer, or as a result of a foreclosure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to any secured Investment in default;

(7) Hedging Obligations permitted to be incurred under Section 4.09;

(8) Permitted Business Investments;

(9) Investments owned by any Person at the time such Person merges with or into the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or is acquired by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, provided such Investments (a) are not incurred in contemplation of such merger or acquisition and (b) are, in the good faith determination of the Company, incidental to such merger or acquisition, and in each case renewals or extensions thereof in amounts not greater than the amount of such Investment; and

(10) other Investments in any Person having an aggregate fair market value (measured on the date each such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (10) that are at the time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of $90.0 million or 5.0% of the Company’s Consolidated Net Tangible Asset determined at the time of such Investment; provided, however, that if any Investment pursuant to this clause (10) is made in any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company at the date of the making of such Investment and such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company after such date, such Investment shall thereafter be deemed to have been made

pursuant to clause (1) above and shall cease to have been made pursuant to this clause (10) for so long as such Person continues to be a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.

“Permitted Liens” means:

(1) Liens securing any Indebtedness under any Credit Facility permitted to be incurred under this Indenture;

(2) Liens in favor of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(3) Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged with or into or consolidated with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, provided that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such merger or consolidation and do not extend to any assets (other than improvements thereon, accessions thereto and proceeds thereof) other than those of the Person merged into or consolidated with the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary;

(4) Liens on property existing at the time of acquisition of the property by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such acquisition;

(5) any interest or title of a lessor to the property subject to a Capital Lease Obligation or operating lease;

(6) Liens on any property or asset acquired, constructed or improved by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, which (a) are in favor of the seller of such property or assets, in favor of the Person developing, constructing, repairing or improving such asset or property, or in favor of the Person that provided the funding for the acquisition, development, construction, repair or improvement cost, as the case may be, of such asset or property, (b) are created within 360 days after the acquisition, development, construction, repair or improvement, (c) secure the purchase price or development, construction, repair or improvement cost, as the case may be, of such asset or property in an amount up to 100% of the fair market value of such acquisition, construction or improvement of such asset or property, and (d) are limited to the asset or property so acquired, constructed or improved (including the proceeds thereof, accessions thereto and upgrades thereof);

(7) Liens existing on the date of this Indenture;

(8) Liens to secure the performance of tenders, bids, statutory obligations, surety or appeal bonds, government contracts, performance bonds or other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(9) Liens on and pledges of the Equity Interests of any Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Joint Venture owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the extent securing Non-Recourse Debt or other Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary or Joint Venture;

(10) Liens upon specific items of inventory, receivables or other goods or proceeds of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries securing such Person’s obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances or receivables securitizations issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory, receivables or other goods or proceeds and permitted by Section 4.09;

(11) Liens securing Obligations of the Issuers or any Guarantor under the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees, as the case may be;

(12) Liens securing any Indebtedness equally and ratably with all Obligations due under the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee pursuant to a contractual covenant that limits Liens in a manner substantially similar to Section 4.12;

(13) Liens to secure performance of Hedging Obligations of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(14) Liens arising under operating agreements, joint venture agreements, partnership agreements, construction agreements, interconnection agreements, coal leases, mineral leases, oil and gas leases, farmout agreements, division orders, contracts for sale, transportation, wheelage, handling, cutting, purchase, gathering, treating, processing, natural gas storage or exchange of coal, minerals, or oil and natural gas, unitization and pooling declarations and agreements, area of mutual interest agreements and other similar agreements arising in the ordinary course of the Company’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s business that are customary in the Permitted Business; provided that any such Liens only attach to the assets covered by the applicable agreement and, in the case of operating agreements, joint venture agreements, partnership agreements and other similar agreements, the Equity Interests of the applicable joint venture, partnership or other Person that is the subject of such agreement;

(15) Liens on pipelines or pipeline facilities or other facilities that arise by operation of law;

(16) Liens securing Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, provided that, after giving effect to any such incurrence, the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness then outstanding and secured by any Liens incurred pursuant to this clause (16) does not exceed the greater of $50.0 million or 3.0% of the Company’s Consolidated Net Tangible Assets determined at the time of incurrence; and

(17) any Lien renewing, extending, refinancing or refunding a Lien permitted by clauses (1) through (15) above; provided that (a) the principal amount of the Indebtedness secured by such Lien is not increased and (b) no assets encumbered by any such Lien other than the assets permitted to be encumbered immediately prior to such renewal, extension, refinance or refund are encumbered thereby (other than improvements thereon, accessions thereto and proceeds thereof).

“Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than intercompany Indebtedness); provided that:

(1) the principal amount or accreted value of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded (plus all accrued interest on the Indebtedness and the amount of all expenses and premiums incurred in connection therewith);

(2) such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date no earlier than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded (or has a final maturity date and Weighted Average Life to Maturity at least 91 days after the maturity date of the Notes);

(3) if the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees on terms at least as favorable to the Noteholders as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded; and

(4) such Indebtedness is not incurred (other than by way of a guarantee) by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (other than Finance Corp.) if the Company is the issuer or other primary obligor on the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded.

“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company, government or other entity.

“Preferred Securities” means those certain Class A Convertible Preferred Units issued pursuant to the Class A Convertible Preferred Unit and Warrant Purchase Agreement, dated March 2, 2017, by and among Natural Resource Partners L.P., BTO Carbon Holdings L.P.,

Blackstone Family Tactical Opportunities Investment Partnership ESC L.P., Goldentree 2004 Trust, Goldentree Insurance Fund Series Interests of the Sali Multi Series Fund, LP, San Bernardino County Employees’ Retirement Association, Louisiana State Employees’ Retirement System and GT NM, LP, and governed by the Partnership Agreement.

“Priority Indebtedness” means indebtedness for borrowed money that is (i) Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is secured by a Lien on property or assets of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Permitted Lien described in clauses (2), (3), (4), (7), (11), (12), or (17) of the definition thereof), (ii) Indebtedness of the Company that is guaranteed by any Restricted Subsidiary (other than Finance Corp.) that is not a Guarantor or (iii) Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than Finance Corp.) that is not a Guarantor (other than indebtedness owed to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary).

“Priority Indebtedness Ratio” as of any date of determination means the ratio of (x) the aggregate amount of Priority Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date of determination to (y) Consolidated Cash Flow of the Company for the four most recent fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such event for which such calculation is being made shall occur, in each case determined on a pro forma basis consistent with the pro forma adjustment provisions set forth in the definition of “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.”

“Purchase Agreement” has the meaning provided in the Appendix.

“QIB” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act.

“Qualifying Owners” means (1) ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇., his spouse, children, lineal descendants, and the heirs, estate or any trust for the benefit of any of the foregoing, or any entity controlled by any of the foregoing, and (2) any Beneficial Owners of Capital Stock of Holdco or the General Partner on the date of this Indenture or any entity controlled by any of the foregoing.

“Rating Category” means:

(1) with respect to S&P, any of the following categories: AAA, AA, A, BBB, BB, B, CCC, CC, C and D (or equivalent successor categories); and

(2) with respect to ▇▇▇▇▇’▇, any of the following categories: Aaa, Aa, A, Baa, Ba, B, Caa, Ca, C and D (or equivalent successor categories).

“Rating Decline” means a decrease in the rating of the Notes by either ▇▇▇▇▇’▇ or S&P by one or more gradations (including gradations within Rating Categories as well as between Rating Categories). In determining whether the rating of the Notes has decreased by one or more gradations, gradations within Rating Categories, namely + or – for S&P, and 1, 2,

and 3 for ▇▇▇▇▇’▇, will be taken into account; for example, in the case of S&P, a rating decline either from BB+ to BB or BB- to B+ will constitute a decrease of one gradation.

“Registered Exchange Offer” has the meaning provided in the Appendix.

“Registration Rights Agreement” has the meaning provided in the Appendix.

“Regulation S” has the meaning provided in the Appendix.

“Reporting Default” means a Default described in Section 6.01(d).

“Responsible Officer,” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and, in each case, who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

“Restricted Global Note” has the meaning provided in the Appendix.

“Restricted Investment” means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.

“Restricted Subsidiary” of a Person means any Subsidiary of the referent Person that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary. Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, Finance Corp. shall be a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.

“Revolving Credit Agreement” means that certain Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 16, 2015, among NRP (Operating) LLC, certain other Subsidiaries of the Company as guarantors, Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the other lenders party thereto, including any related notes, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and in each case as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced from time to time.

“Rule 144A” has the meaning provided in the Appendix.

“S&P” refers to S&P Global Ratings, or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

“Sale and Leaseback Transaction” means, with respect to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, any arrangement relating to property now owned or hereafter acquired whereby the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary sells or transfers such property to a Person (other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) in a transaction qualifying as an Asset Sale, and the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary leases it from such Person.

“SEC” or “Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

“Senior Debt” means:

(1) all Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary outstanding under Credit Facilities and all Hedging Obligations with respect thereto;

(2) any other Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary permitted to be incurred under the terms of this Indenture, unless the instrument under which such Indebtedness is incurred expressly provides that it is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee; and

(3) all Obligations with respect to the items listed in the preceding clauses (1) and (2).

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding sentence, Senior Debt will not include:

(a) any intercompany Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to the Company or any of its Affiliates; or

(b) any Indebtedness that is incurred in violation of this Indenture.

For the avoidance of doubt, “Senior Debt” will not include any trade payables or taxes owed or owing by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary.

“Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Regulation is in effect on the date of this Indenture.

“Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any installment of interest or principal on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which the payment of interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the original documentation governing such Indebtedness, and will not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof.

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any specified Person:

(1) any corporation, association or other business entity (other than a partnership or limited liability company) of which more than 50% of the total voting power of Voting Stock 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); and

(2) any partnership (whether general or limited) or limited liability company (a) the sole general partner or the managing general partner or managing

member of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person, or (b) if there is more than a single general partner or member, either (x) the only general partners or managing members of which are such Person or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person (or any combination thereof) or (y) such Person owns or controls, directly or indirectly, a majority of the outstanding general partner interests, member interests or other Voting Stock of such partnership or limited liability company, respectively.

“Subsidiary Guarantee” means the guarantee issued by any Guarantor pursuant to Article 10 hereof.

“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb) and the rules and regulations thereunder, as in effect on the date on which this Indenture is qualified under the TIA (except as provided in Section 9.01(h) and 9.03 hereof).

“Treasury Rate” means the yield to maturity at the time of computation of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 which has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to the date fixed for redemption (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the redemption date to March 15, 2019; provided, however, that if such period is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury security for which a weekly average yield is given, the Company shall obtain the Treasury Rate by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the weekly average yields of United States Treasury securities for which such yields are given, except that if the period from the redemption date to March 15, 2019 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used. The Company will (a) calculate the Treasury Rate on the second Business Day preceding the applicable redemption date and (b) prior to such redemption date file with the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the Make Whole Premium and the Treasury Rate and showing the calculation of each in reasonable detail. The Trustee shall have no responsibility to verify the Make-Whole Premium or Treasury Rate.

“Transfer Restricted Securities” has the meaning provided in the Appendix.

“Trustee” means the party named as such above until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.

“Uniform Commercial Code” means the New York Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time.

“Unrestricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company (other than Finance Corp.) that is designated by the Board of Directors of the General Partner or Holdco as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a Board Resolution, but only to the extent that such Subsidiary:

(1) except to the extent permitted by subclause (2)(b) of the definition of “Permitted Business Investments,” has no Indebtedness other than Non‑Recourse Debt owing to any Person other than the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(2) is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company unless the terms of any such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding are no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of the Company; and

(3) is a Person with respect to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect obligation (a) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests or (b) to maintain or preserve such Person’s financial condition or to cause such Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results, except in each case to the extent such obligation is treated as a Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment otherwise permitted under this Indenture.

In addition, as of the date of this Indenture, each of BRP LLC, ▇▇▇▇▇ Leasing Company, LLC and NRP Oil and Gas LLC shall be deemed to be Unrestricted Subsidiaries without further action. All Subsidiaries of an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall also be Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

Any designation of a Subsidiary of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a Board Resolution giving effect to such designation and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the preceding conditions and was permitted by Section 4.07. If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it will thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of this Indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary will be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as of such date and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred as of such date under Section 4.09, the Company will be in default of such covenant.

“Voting Stock” of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person, if any, that is at the time entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.

“Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing:

(1) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect of the Indebtedness, by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by

(2) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.

Section 1.02. Other Definitions.



Term	Defined in Section
“Act”	11.14
“Affiliate Transaction”	4.11
“Appendix”	2.01
“Asset Sale Offer”	4.10
“Change of Control Offer”	4.15
“Change of Control Payment”	4.15
“Change of Control Settlement Date”	4.15
“Covenant Defeasance”	8.03
“Discharge”	8.08
“Event of Default”	6.01
“Excess Proceeds”	4.10
“Incremental Funds”	4.07
“incur”	4.09
“Legal Defeasance”	8.02
“Offer Amount”	3.09
“Offer Period”	3.09
“Paying Agent”	2.03
“Payment Default”	6.01
“Permitted Debt”	4.09
“Registrar”	2.03
“Reinstatement Date”	4.18
“Restricted Payments”	4.07
“Settlement Date”	3.09
“Suspended Covenants”	4.18
“Suspension Period”	4.18
“Termination Date”	3.09

Section 1.03. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.

Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. Any terms incorporated in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA have the meanings so assigned to them.

Section 1.04. Rules of Construction.

Unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) a term has the meaning assigned to it;

(2) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

(3) “or” is not exclusive;

(4) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;

(5) provisions apply to successive events and transactions;

(6) references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act shall be deemed to include substitute, replacement or successor sections or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time;

(7) when used to express an obligation, the words “shall” and “will” have the same meaning; and

(8) “herein,” “hereof” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole (as amended or supplemented from time to time) and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.

ARTICLE 2

THE NOTES

Section 2.01. Form and Dating.

Provisions relating to the Initial Notes and the Exchange Notes are set forth in the Rule 144A/Regulation S Appendix attached hereto (the “Appendix”) which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made part of this Indenture. The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication therefor shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 1 to the Appendix which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Indenture. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule, agreements to which an Issuer is subject, if any, or usage (provided that any such notation, legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Company). Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The terms of the Notes set forth in the Appendix are part of the terms of this Indenture.

Section 2.02. Execution and Authentication.

An Officer shall sign the Notes on behalf of each Issuer by manual or facsimile signature.

If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note, the Note shall be valid nevertheless.

A Note shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Note. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.

On the Initial Issuance Date, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver $345,638,000 of Initial Notes and, at any time and from time to time thereafter, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver Notes for original issue in an aggregate principal amount specified in such order, in each case upon a written order of the Issuers. Such order shall specify the amount of the Notes to be authenticated, the date on which the original issue of Notes is to be authenticated and to whom the Notes shall be registered and delivered and, in the case of an issuance of Additional Notes pursuant to Section 2.13 after the Initial Issuance Date, shall certify that such issuance is in compliance with Section 4.09.

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Issuers to authenticate the Notes. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as any Registrar, Paying Agent or agent for service of notices and demands.

Section 2.03. Registrar and Paying Agent.

The Issuers shall maintain an office or agency in the continental United States where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (the “Registrar”) and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (the “Paying Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. The Issuers may have one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar, and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent.

The Issuers shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar or Paying Agent not a party to this Indenture, which shall incorporate the terms of the TIA. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such agent. The Issuers shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any such agent. If the Issuers fail to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such and shall be entitled to appropriate compensation therefor pursuant to Section 7.07. The Company or any Subsidiary may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

If a Holder has given wire transfer instructions to the Issuers, the Issuers will pay all principal, interest and premium, if any, on that Holder’s Notes in accordance with those instructions until given written notice to the contrary. All other payments on the Notes will be made at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, unless the Issuers elect to make interest payments by checks mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders.

The Issuers initially appoint the Trustee as Registrar and Paying Agent in connection with the Notes at its offices indicated in the definition of Corporate Trust Office of

the Trustee in Section 1.01. The Issuers may change the Paying Agent or Registrar without prior notice to the Noteholders.

Section 2.04. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

Prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on each due date of the principal and interest on any Note, an Issuer shall deposit with the Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such principal and interest when so becoming due. The Issuers shall require each Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Noteholders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or interest on the Notes and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Issuers in making any such payment. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate the money held by it as Paying Agent and hold it as a separate trust fund. The Issuers at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by the Paying Agent. Upon complying with this Section 2.04, the Paying Agent shall have no further liability for the money delivered to the Trustee.

Section 2.05. Noteholder Lists.

The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Noteholders. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Issuers shall furnish to the Trustee, in writing at least five Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of Noteholders.

Section 2.06. Transfer and Exchange.

The Notes shall be issued in registered form and shall be transferable only upon the surrender of a Note for registration of transfer. When a Note is presented to the Registrar with a request to register a transfer, the Registrar shall register the transfer as requested if the requirements of this Indenture and Section 8-401(a) of the Uniform Commercial Code are met. When Notes are presented to the Registrar with a request to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Notes of other denominations, the Registrar shall make the exchange as requested if the same requirements are met. The Issuers may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any taxes, assessments or other governmental charges in connection with any transfer or exchange pursuant to this Section 2.06 (other than any such transfer taxes, assessments or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Section 3.06, 4.10, 4.15 or 9.05).

Section 2.07. Replacement Notes.

If a mutilated Note is surrendered to the Registrar or if the Holder of a Note claims that the Note has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Issuers shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Note if the requirements of Section 8-405 of the Uniform Commercial Code are met and the Holder satisfies any other reasonable requirements of

the Trustee. If required by the Trustee or the Issuers, such Holder shall furnish an indemnity bond sufficient in the judgment of the Issuers and the Trustee to protect the Issuers, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Registrar from any loss which any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Issuers and the Trustee may charge the Holder for their expenses in replacing a Note.

Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Issuers.

Section 2.08. Outstanding Notes.

Notes outstanding at any time are all Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation and those described in this Section 2.08 as not outstanding. Except as otherwise provided in TIA §316(a), a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Note.

If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee and the Issuers receive proof satisfactory to them that the replaced Note is held by a protected purchaser.

If the Paying Agent segregates and holds in trust, in accordance with this Indenture, by 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on a redemption date or other maturity date money sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, interest and Additional Interest, if any, payable on that date with respect to the Notes (or portions thereof) to be redeemed or maturing, as the case may be, then on and after that date such Notes (or portions thereof) cease to be outstanding and interest and Additional Interest, if any, on them cease to accrue.

Section 2.09. Temporary Notes.

Until definitive Notes are ready for delivery, the Issuers may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of definitive Notes but may have variations that the Issuers consider appropriate for temporary Notes. Without unreasonable delay, the Issuers shall prepare and upon written order of the Issuer, the Trustee shall authenticate definitive Notes and deliver them in exchange for temporary Notes.

Section 2.10. Cancellation.

An Issuer at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else shall cancel (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act) all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment or cancellation. Upon written request, the Trustee will deliver a certificate of such cancellation to the Issuers unless the Issuers direct the Trustee to deliver canceled Notes to the Issuers instead (subject to the Trustee’s retention policy). The Issuers may not issue new Notes to replace Notes they have redeemed, paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

Section 2.11. Defaulted Interest.

If the Issuers default in a payment of interest on the Notes (without regard to any grace period in Section 6.01(a), the Issuers shall pay defaulted interest (plus interest on such defaulted interest to the extent lawful) in any lawful manner. The Issuers may pay the defaulted interest to the Persons who are Noteholders on a subsequent special record date. The Issuers shall fix or cause to be fixed any such special record date and payment date to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee and shall promptly give to each Noteholder a notice that states the special record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest to be paid.

Section 2.12. CUSIP Numbers.

The Issuers in issuing the Notes may use “CUSIP” numbers and corresponding “ISINs” (if then generally in use) and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers and corresponding “ISINs” in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided, however, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Issuers will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers and corresponding “ISINs”

Section 2.13. Issuance of Additional Notes.

The Issuers shall be entitled, subject to their compliance with Section 4.09, to issue Additional Notes under this Indenture which shall have identical terms as the Initial Notes issued on the Initial Issuance Date, other than with respect to the date of issuance, the issue price and the date from which interest begins to accrue. The Initial Notes issued on the Initial Issuance Date, any Additional Notes and all Exchange Notes issued in exchange therefor shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture, including, without limitation, waivers, consents, directions, declarations, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase.

With respect to any Additional Notes, the Issuers shall set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, which shall be delivered to the Trustee, the following information:

(1) the aggregate principal amount of such Additional Notes to be authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture;

(2) the issue price, the issue date and the CUSIP number and any corresponding ISIN of such Additional Notes; and

(3) whether such Additional Notes shall be Transfer Restricted Securities.

ARTICLE 3
REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

Section 3.01. Notices to Trustee.

If the Issuers elect to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Section 3.07 hereof, they shall furnish to the Trustee, at least five Business Days (unless a shorter period shall be agreeable to the Trustee) before the date of giving notice of the redemption pursuant to Section 3.03, an Officers’ Certificate setting forth (i) the clause of Section 3.07 pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (ii) the redemption date, (iii) the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed, (iv) the redemption price, and (v) whether it requests the Trustee to give notice of such redemption (provided, however, that in the case of a partial redemption, or if the Trustee is requested to give notice, to the Holders of Notes on behalf of the Issuer, pursuant to Section 3.03, the Officers’ Certificate required hereunder shall be given to the trustee not less than 45 days before the Redemption Date unless a shorter priod is satisfactory to the Trustee). Any such notice may be cancelled at any time prior to giving notice of such redemption to any Holder and shall thereby be void and of no effect.

Section 3.02. Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed.

If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be redeemed among the Holders of the Notes as follows: (1) if the Notes are listed on any national securities exchange, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange on which the Notes are listed; or (2) if the Notes are not listed on any national securities exchange, on a pro rata basis (or, in the case of Global Notes, the Notes represented thereby will be selected in accordance with the Depository’s prescribed method). In the event of partial redemption other than on a pro rata basis, the particular Notes to be redeemed shall be selected, not less than five (5) Business Days (unless a shorter period shall be agreeable to the Trustee) prior to the giving of notice of the redemption pursuant to Section 3.03, by the Trustee from the outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption.

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuers in writing of the Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Note selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. No Notes of $2,000 or less can be redeemed in part. Notes and portions of Notes selected shall be in minimum amounts of $2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder, even if such amount does not equal $2,000 or a multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, shall be redeemed. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption.

The provisions of the immediately preceding paragraph of this Section 3.02 shall not apply with respect to any redemption affecting only a Global Note, whether such Global Note is to be redeemed in whole or in part. In case of any such redemption in part, the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of the Global Note shall be in an authorized denomination.

Section 3.03. Notice of Redemption.

At least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Issuers shall mail by first class mail, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address, except that optional redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a Legal Defeasance, Covenant Defeasance or Discharge.

The notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed (including “CUSIP” numbers and corresponding “ISINs”, if applicable) and shall state:

(a) the redemption date;

(b) the redemption price or, if the redemption price is not then determinable, the manner in which it is to be determined;

(c) if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion shall be issued in the name of the Holder upon cancellation of the original Note;

(d) the name and address of the Paying Agent;

(e) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

(f) that, unless the Issuers default in making such redemption payment, interest and Additional Interest, if any, on Notes called for redemption cease to accrue on and after the redemption date and the only remaining right of the Holders of such Notes is to receive payment of the redemption price upon surrender to the Paying Agent of the Notes redeemed;

(g) the paragraph of the Notes and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed;

(h) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP or ISIN number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes; and

(i) any conditions precedent to such redemption.

If any of the Notes to be redeemed is in the form of a Global Note, then the Issuers shall modify such notice to the extent necessary to accord with the procedures of the Depository applicable to redemption.

At the Issuers’ request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Issuers’ names and at their expense; provided, however, that the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee, as provided in Section 3.01, an Officers’ Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the second preceding paragraph.

Section 3.04. Effect of Notice of Redemption.

Once notice of redemption is given in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, subject to satisfaction of any conditions precedent set forth in the notice of redemption, Notes called for redemption shall become irrevocably due and payable on the redemption date at the redemption price. If given in the manner provided for in Section 3.03, the notice of redemption shall be conclusively presumed to have been given whether or not a Holder receives such notice. Failure to give timely notice or any defect in the notice shall not affect the validity of the redemption.

Section 3.05. Deposit of Redemption Price.

Prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the redemption date, the Issuers shall deposit with the Paying Agent (or, if the Company or a Subsidiary thereof is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 2.04 hereof) money sufficient in same day funds to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest and Additional Interest, if any, on all Notes to be redeemed on that date. The Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Issuers any money deposited with the Paying Agent by an Issuer in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest and Additional Interest, if any, on all Notes to be redeemed.

If the Issuers comply with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, on and after the redemption date, interest and Additional Interest, if any, shall cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption whether or not such Notes are presented for payment, and the only remaining right of the Holders of such Notes shall be to receive payment of the redemption price upon surrender to the Paying Agent of the Notes redeemed. If any Note called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender for redemption because of the failure of an Issuer to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the redemption date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful, on any interest and Additional Interest, if any, not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof.

Section 3.06. Notes Redeemed in Part.

Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed in part, the Issuers shall issue in the name of the Holder and the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Issuers a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered.

Section 3.07. Optional Redemption.

(a) Except as set forth in clauses (b), (c) and (d) of this Section 3.07, the Issuers shall not have the option to redeem the Notes pursuant to this Section 3.07 prior to March 15, 2019. On or after March 15, 2019, the Issuers may redeem all or a part of the Notes, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes redeemed to the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date), if redeemed during the 12 month period beginning on March 15 of the years indicated below:



PERIOD	PERCENTAGE
2019	105.250	%
2020	102.625	%
2021 and thereafter	100.000	%

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of clause (a) of this Section 3.07, at any time prior to March 15, 2019, the Issuers may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes (including any Additional Notes) issued under this Indenture at a redemption price of 110.500% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date), in an amount not greater than the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings by the Company, provided that:

(1) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes (including any Additional Notes) issued on the date of this Indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (excluding any Notes held by the Company and its Subsidiaries); and

(2) the redemption occurs within 180 days of the date of the closing of each such Equity Offering.

(c) Prior to March 15, 2019, the Issuers may on one or more occasions redeem all or part of the Notes at a redemption price equal to the sum of:

(1) 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus

(2) the Make Whole Premium at the redemption date,

plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date).

(d) The Issuers shall have the right to redeem the Notes in accordance with the terms, and subject to the conditions, set forth in Section 4.15(6) hereof.

(e) Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01 through Section 3.06 hereof.

Section 3.08. Mandatory Redemption.

Except as set forth in Sections 4.10 and 4.15 hereof, neither of the Issuers is required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes or to repurchase the Notes at the option of the Holders.

Section 3.09. Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds.

In the event that, pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof, the Company shall be required to commence an Asset Sale Offer, it shall follow the procedures specified below.

The Asset Sale Offer shall remain open for a period of 20 Business Days following its commencement and no longer, except to the extent that a longer period is required by Applicable Law (the “Offer Period”). No later than five Business Days after the termination of the Offer Period (the “Settlement Date”), the Company shall purchase and pay for the principal amount of Notes required to be purchased pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof (the “Offer Amount”) or, if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes validly tendered in response to the Asset Sale Offer.

Payment for any Notes so purchased shall be made in the manner prescribed in the Notes.

Upon the commencement of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company shall send a notice to each of the Holders, with a copy to the Trustee. The notice shall contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer. The Asset Sale Offer shall be made to all Holders. The notice, which shall govern the terms of the Asset Sale Offer, shall state:

(a) that the Asset Sale Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 3.09 and Section 4.10 hereof and the length of time the Asset Sale Offer shall remain open, including the time and date the Asset Sale Offer will terminate (the “Termination Date”);

(b) the Offer Amount and the purchase price;

(c) that any Note not tendered or accepted for payment shall continue to accrue interest and Additional Interest, if any;

(d) that, unless the Company defaults in making such payment, any Note accepted for payment pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer shall cease to accrue interest and Additional Interest, if any, after the Settlement Date;

(e) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer may only elect to have all of such Note purchased and may not elect to have only a portion of such Note purchased;

(f) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to any Asset Sale Offer shall be required to surrender the Note, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of the Note completed, to the Company or a Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice, before the Termination Date;

(g) that Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Company or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, prior to the Termination Date, a telegram, electronic image scan, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Note the Holder delivered for purchase and a statement that such ▇▇▇▇▇▇ is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased;

(h) that, if the aggregate principal amount of Notes surrendered by Holders and Pari Passu Indebtedness surrendered by holders or lenders, collectively, exceeds the amount the Company is required to repurchase, the Trustee shall select the Notes and the Company will select such Pari Passu Indebtedness to be purchased or redeemed on a pro rata basis on the basis of the aggregate principal amount of tendered Notes and Pari Passu Indebtedness (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Company so that only Notes in denominations of $2,000, or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, shall be purchased); and

(i) that Holders whose Notes were purchased only in part shall be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered (or transferred by book-entry transfer).

If any of the Notes subject to an Asset Sale Offer is in the form of a Global Note, then the Company shall modify such notice to the extent necessary to accord with the procedures of the Depository applicable to repurchases.

Promptly after the Termination Date, the Company shall, to the extent lawful, accept for payment Notes or portions thereof tendered pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer in the aggregate principal amount required by Section 4.10 hereof, and prior to the Settlement Date it shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that such Notes or portions thereof were accepted for payment by the Company in accordance with the terms of this Section 3.09 and Section 4.10. Prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Settlement Date, the Company or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the purchase price of the Notes tendered by such Holder and accepted by the Company for purchase, and the Company shall issue a new Note, and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail or deliver such new Note to such Holder, in a principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered. Any Note not so accepted shall be promptly

mailed or delivered by the Company to the Holder thereof. The Company shall publicly announce the results of the Asset Sale Offer on or before the Settlement Date.

ARTICLE 4

COVENANTS

Section 4.01. Payment of Notes.

The Issuers shall pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes. Principal, premium, if any, interest and Additional Interest, if any, shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, holds as of 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the due date money deposited by an Issuer or a Guarantor in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, interest and Additional Interest, if any, then due.

The Issuers shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, at the rate equal to the interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; and they shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Additional Interest, if any (without regard to any applicable grace period), at the same rate to the extent lawful.

The Company shall notify the Trustee of the amounts and payment dates of any Additional Interest that may become payable under any Registration Rights Agreement no later than the proposed payment date for the Additional Interest. The Trustee shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holder of Notes to determine the Additional Interest, or with respect to the nature, extent, or calculation of the amount of Additional Interest owed, or with respect to the method employed in such calculation of the Additional Interest.

Section 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency.

The Issuers shall maintain an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee) where Notes may be presented or surrendered for payment, and they will maintain in the continental United States, an office or agency where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange. The Issuers shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any change in the location of such office or agency. If at any time the Issuers shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with notice of a change in the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, may be made at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

The Issuers may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies, which shall be in the continental United States, where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations. The Issuers shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

Section 4.03. Reports and other Information Rights.

(a) Notwithstanding that the Company may not be subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Company will make publicly available on its website or file with the SEC for public availability within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations under the Exchange Act:

(1) all quarterly and annual financial and other information with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries that would be required to be contained in a filing with the SEC on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the Company were required to file such forms, including a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and, with respect to the annual information only, a report on the annual financial statements by the Company’s certified independent accountants; and

(2) all current reports that would be required to be filed with the SEC on Form 8-K if the Company were required to file such reports (except to the extent that the Company reasonably determines that such report would not be material to investors in debt securities).

Any and all Defaults or Events of Default arising from a failure to furnish or file in a timely manner any information or report required by this Section 4.03 shall be deemed cured (and the Company shall be deemed to be in compliance with this Section 4.03) upon furnishing or filing such information or report as contemplated by this Section 4.03 (but without regard to the date on which such information or report is so furnished or filed); provided that such cure shall not otherwise affect the rights of the Holders under Article 6 if principal, premium, if any, and interest have been accelerated in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and such acceleration has not been rescinded or cancelled prior to such cure. The Company shall at all times comply with TIA § 314(a).

(b) The Company and the Guarantors shall furnish to the Holders and Beneficial Owners of the Notes, prospective purchasers of the Notes and securities analysts, upon their request, the information, if any, required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

(c) If the Company has designated any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries, and any such Unrestricted Subsidiary is or, taken together with all other Unrestricted Subsidiaries as a whole, would be a Significant Subsidiary, then, to the extent material, the quarterly and annual financial information required by paragraph (a) of this Section 4.03 shall include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes to the financial statements and in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Company.

(d) Delivery of reports, information and documents to the Trustee under this Section 4.03 is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of the foregoing shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuers’ compliance with any of their covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).

(e) The Company shall conduct a conference call following each fiscal quarter beginning with the quarter ending March 31, 2017, that the Holders and Beneficial Owners of Notes may attend to discuss the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the most recently ended period for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Sections 4.03(a) and (b), at a date and time to be determined by the Company with reasonable advance notice to the Trustee, the Holders and the Beneficial Owners of Notes; provided that the above requirements will be deemed satisfied if the Company holds a conference call open to the public to discuss the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the most recently ended period for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Sections 4.03(a) and (b).

Section 4.04. Compliance Certificate.

(a) The Issuers shall deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, beginning with the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, an Officers’ Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto).

(b) The Issuers shall, so long as any of the Notes are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, forthwith upon any of their respective Officers becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, a statement specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

Section 4.05. Taxes.

The Company shall pay, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay, prior to delinquency, all material taxes, assessments, and governmental levies except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes.

Section 4.06. Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.

Each of the Issuers and the Guarantors covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and each of the Issuers and the Guarantors (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it shall not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

Section 4.07. Limitation on Restricted Payments.

(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

(1) declare or pay any dividend or make any other payment or distribution on account of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests (including, without limitation, any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) or to the direct or indirect holders of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests in their capacity as such (other than dividends, payments or distributions payable in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) of the Company or payable to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company);

(2) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value (including, without limitation, in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company) any Equity Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company (other than in exchange for Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) of the Company);

(3) make any payment on or with respect to, or purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Indebtedness that is subordinated to the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees (other than intercompany indebtedness), except a payment of interest or principal within 180 days of the Stated Maturity thereof; or

(4) make any Restricted Investment (all such payments and other actions set forth in these clauses (1) through (4) above being collectively referred to as “Restricted Payments”),

unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment, no Default (except a Reporting Default) or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur as a consequence of such Restricted Payment and either:

(1) if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company’s most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment is not less than 1.75 to 1.0, such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7) and (8) of Section 4.07(b)) with respect to the quarter for which such Restricted Payment is made, is less than the sum, without duplication, of:

(a) Available Cash with respect to the Company’s preceding fiscal quarter, plus

(b) 100% of the aggregate net proceeds received by the Company (including the fair market value of any Permitted Business or long-term assets that are used or useful in a Permitted Business to the extent acquired in consideration of Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Equity Interests)) after the date of this Indenture as a contribution to its common equity capital or from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) or from the issue or sale of convertible or exchangeable Disqualified Equity Interests or convertible or exchangeable debt securities of the Company that have been converted into or exchanged for such Equity Interests (other than Equity Interests (or Disqualified Equity Interests or debt securities) sold to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company), plus

(c) to the extent that any Restricted Investment that was made after the date of this Indenture is sold for cash or otherwise liquidated or repaid for cash, the lesser of (i) the cash return of capital with respect to such Restricted Investment (less the cost of disposition, if any) and (ii) the initial amount of such Restricted Investment, plus

(d) the net reduction in Restricted Investments resulting from dividends, repayments of loans or advances, or other transfers of assets in each case to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from any Person (including, without limitation, Unrestricted Subsidiaries) or from redesignations of Unrestricted Subsidiaries as Restricted Subsidiaries, to the extent such amounts have not been included in Available Cash for any period commencing on or after the date of this Indenture (items (b), (c) and (d) being referred to as “Incremental Funds”), minus

(e) the aggregate amount of Incremental Funds previously expended since the date of this Indenture pursuant to this clause (1) and clause (2) below; or

(2) if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company’s most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are

available at the time of such Restricted Payment is less than 1.75 to 1.00, such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (2), (3), (4), (5), (6) and (7) of Section 4.07(b) but including, solely for the purposes of calculating capacity under this clause (2), the amount of any Restricted Payments made under Section 4.07(b)(8)) with respect to the quarter for which such Restricted Payment is made (such Restricted Payments for purposes of this clause (2) meaning only distributions on partnership interests or units of the Company), is less than the sum, without duplication, of:

(a) $125.0 million less the aggregate amount of all prior Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to this clause (2)(a) since the date of this Indenture, plus

(b) Incremental Funds to the extent not previously expended since the date of this Indenture pursuant to this clause (2) or clause (1) above.

(b) The preceding provisions will not prohibit:

(1) the payment of any dividend or distribution within 60 days after the date of its declaration, if at the date of declaration the payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;

(2) to the extent not otherwise expended under Section 4.07(a) or applied under Section 4.07(b)(8), the purchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of any subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor or of any Equity Interests of the Company in exchange for, or out of the net cash proceeds of the substantially concurrent (a) contribution (other than from a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) to the equity capital of the Company or (b) sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) of, Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Equity Interests), with a sale being deemed substantially concurrent if such purchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value occurs not more than 120 days after such sale; provided, however, that the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any such purchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value will be excluded or deducted from the calculation of Available Cash and Incremental Funds;

(3) the purchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor with the net cash proceeds from an incurrence of, or in exchange for, Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;

(4) the payment of any dividend or distribution by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the holders of its Equity Interests on a pro rata basis;

(5) the purchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of the Company or direct or indirect parent of the Company pursuant to any director or employee equity subscription agreement or equity option agreement or other employee benefit plan or to satisfy obligations under any Equity Interests appreciation rights or option plan or similar arrangement; provided that the aggregate price paid for all such purchased, redeemed, acquired or retired Equity Interests may not exceed $5.0 million in any calendar year, with unused amounts in any calendar year being carried over to succeeding calendar years subject to a maximum of $10.0 million in any calendar year;

(6) any purchase, redemption, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition for value of any subordinated Indebtedness pursuant to the provisions of such subordinated Indebtedness upon a Change of Control or an Asset Sale after the Company shall have complied with the provisions of Section 4.10 or Section 4.15 hereof, as the case may be, and repurchased all Notes validly tendered for payment in connection with the Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer, as the case may be;

(7) any redemption of Class A PIK Units; or

(8) provided that the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio is less than 3.50 to 1.00 at the time of such redemption or repurchase (after giving pro forma effect to such redemption or repurchase), redemptions or repurchases of Preferred Securities in an aggregate amount since the Initial Issuance Date not to exceed the sum of (x) $200.0 million plus (y) to the extent not otherwise expended under Section 4.07(a) or Section 4.07(b)(2), 100% of the aggregate net proceeds received by the Company (including the fair market value of any Permitted Business or long-term assets that are used or useful in a Permitted Business to the extent acquired in consideration of Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Equity Interests)) after the date of this Indenture as a contribution (other than from a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) to its common equity capital or from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Equity Interests and other than Equity Interests sold to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company), provided that the amount of any such net proceeds referred to in this clause (y) that are utilized for any such purchase or redemption will be excluded or deducted from the calculation of Incremental Funds and, if applicable, Available Cash.

(A) if the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio is greater than 4.00 to 1.00 at the time of such Restricted Payment (after giving pro forma effect to any Restricted Payment), the Company (i) shall not be permitted to increase the amount of distributions payable per unit on the Company’s publicly traded units above the per unit amount paid in the previous fiscal quarter, with such amount for the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2016 being $0.45 per unit (adjusted for (1) common unit splits or combinations, (2) dividends on common units payable in the Company’s units or partnership interests or in securities convertible or exchangeable thereto, and (3) any issuances of Company common units for more than 50% below fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors) pursuant to a rights offering or similar offering that is made to all, or substantially all, holders of common units of the Company), (ii) shall not be permitted to make more than 50% of the Class A Preferred Unit Distributions (as defined in the Partnership Agreement as in effect on the Initial Issuance Date) with respect to the Preferred Securities in the form of cash, and (iii) shall not be permitted to redeem any Class A PIK Units; and

(B) the Company shall not redeem any Preferred Securities except pursuant to clauses (2), (7) or (8) of Section 4.07(b) (and for the avoidance of doubt, shall not be entitled to redeem Preferred Securities pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.07(a)).

(d) The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) will be the fair market value, on the date of the Restricted Payment, of the Restricted Payment proposed to be made or the asset(s) or securities proposed to be transferred or issued by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to the Restricted Payment, except that the fair market value of any non-cash dividend or distribution paid within 60 days after the date of its declaration shall be determined as of such date. The fair market value of any Restricted Payment, assets or securities that are required to be valued by this Section 4.07 shall be determined in accordance with the definition of that term. For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.07, (x) in the event that a Restricted Payment meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Restricted Payments described in the clauses (1) through (6) of Section 4.07(b), or is permitted pursuant to Section 4.07(a), the Company will be permitted to classify (or later classify or reclassify in whole or in part in its sole discretion) such Restricted Payment (or portion thereof) on the date made or later reclassify such Restricted Payment (or portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this covenant; and (y) in the event a Restricted Payment is made pursuant to clause (1) or (2) of Section 4.07(a), the Company will be permitted to classify whether all or any portion thereof is being (and in the absence of such classification shall be deemed to have classified the minimum amount possible as having been) made with Incremental Funds.

Section 4.08. Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries.

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:

(1) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or pay any Indebtedness or

other obligations owed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries provided that the priority that any series of preferred securities of a Restricted Subsidiary has in receiving dividends or liquidating distributions before dividends or liquidating distributions are paid in respect of common stock of such Restricted Subsidiary shall not constitute a restriction on its ability to make dividends or distributions on its Capital Stock for purposes of this Section 4.08;

(2) make loans or advances to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (it being understood that the subordination of loans or advances made to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary to other Indebtedness incurred by the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary will not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make loans or advances); or

(3) transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

However, the preceding restrictions of this Section 4.08 will not apply to encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

(1) agreements as in effect on the date of this Indenture (including the Credit Agreement and instruments governing Existing Indebtedness) and any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of those agreements or the Indebtedness to which they relate, provided that the amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend, distribution and other payment restrictions than those contained in those agreements on the date of this Indenture;

(2) this Indenture, the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees;

(3) applicable law;

(4) any instrument governing Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such acquisition (except to the extent such Indebtedness or Capital Stock was incurred in connection with or in contemplation of such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired, provided that, in the case of Indebtedness, such Indebtedness was otherwise permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be incurred;

(5) Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings or purchase money obligations, in each case for property acquired in the ordinary course of business that impose restrictions on that property of the nature described in clause (3) of the preceding paragraph;

(6) any agreement for the sale or other disposition of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that restricts distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary pending its sale or other disposition;

(7) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, provided that the restrictions contained in the agreements governing such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness are no more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness being refinanced;

(8) Liens securing Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be incurred under the provisions of Section 4.12 that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets subject to such Liens;

(9) provisions with respect to the disposition or distribution of assets or property in joint venture agreements, asset sale agreements, stock sale agreements and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business, or customary non-assignment provisions in Hydrocarbon purchase and sale or exchange agreements or similar operational agreements or licenses or leases entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(10) any agreement or instrument relating to any property or assets acquired after the date of this Indenture, so long as such encumbrance or restriction relates only to the property or assets so acquired and is not and was not created in anticipation of such acquisitions;

(11) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(12) any encumbrance or restriction contained in the terms of any Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under this Indenture or any agreement pursuant to which such Indebtedness was incurred if either (a) the encumbrance or restriction applies only in the event of a payment default or a default with respect to a financial covenant in such Indebtedness or agreement or (b) the Company determines that any such encumbrance or restriction will not materially affect the Company’s ability to make principal or interest payments on the Notes, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors or an officer of the General Partner or Holdco, whose determination shall be conclusive; and

(13) any other agreement governing Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is permitted to be incurred under Section 4.09; provided, however, that such encumbrances or restrictions are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in this Indenture, the Credit Agreement or the instruments governing the Existing Indebtedness as they exist on the date of this Indenture.

Section 4.09. Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Equity Interests.

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to (collectively, “incur”) any Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt), and the Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, issue any Disqualified Equity Interests; provided, however, that the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) or issue Disqualified Equity Interests, if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company’s most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified Equity Interests are issued would have been at least 2.0 to 1.0, determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred or Disqualified Equity Interests had been issued, as the case may be, at the beginning of such four-quarter period.

The first paragraph of this Section 4.09 will not prohibit the incurrence of any of the following items of Indebtedness (collectively, “Permitted Debt”) or the issuance of any Disqualified Equity Interests described in clause (11) below:

(1) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness (including letters of credit) under one or more Credit Facilities in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding under this clause (1) (with letters of credit being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the maximum potential liability of the Company and its Subsidiaries thereunder) not to exceed the greater of $400.0 million and 20.0% of the Company’s Consolidated Net Tangible Assets determined at the time of incurrence;

(2) the incurrence by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries of the Existing Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness under clause (3));

(3) the incurrence by the Issuers of Indebtedness represented by (a) the Notes issued and sold on the Initial Issuance Date, (b) the Exchange Notes issued pursuant to any Registration Rights Agreement or (c) any Subsidiary Guarantee;

(4) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness represented by Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings or purchase money obligations, in each case, incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of construction or improvement of property, plant or equipment used in the business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary (or Capital Stock of an entity owning such property, plant or equipment), provided that after giving effect to any such incurrence, the principal amount of all Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (4) and then outstanding, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to

this clause (4), does not exceed the greater of (a) $90.0 million or (b) 5.0% of the Company’s Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of incurrence;

(5) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund Indebtedness that was permitted by this Indenture to be incurred under the first paragraph of this Section 4.09 or clause (2), (3) or (4) of this paragraph or this clause (5);

(6) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that:

(a) if the Company is the obligor on such Indebtedness and a Guarantor is not the obligee, such Indebtedness must be expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all Obligations with respect to the Notes, or if a Guarantor is the obligor on such Indebtedness and neither the Company nor another Guarantor is the obligee, such Indebtedness must be expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all Obligations with respect to the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Guarantor; and

(b) (i) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such Indebtedness being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and (ii) any sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person that is neither the Company nor a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company will be deemed, in each case, to constitute an incurrence of such Indebtedness by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, that was not permitted by this clause (6);

(7) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Hedging Obligations;

(8) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Acquired Debt in connection with a merger or consolidation meeting any one of the financial tests set forth in clause (d) of Section 5.01;

(9) the guarantee by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that was permitted to be incurred by another provision of this Section 4.09, provided that if the Indebtedness being guaranteed is subordinated to or pari passu with the Notes, then the guarantee shall be subordinated or pari passu, as applicable, to the same extent as the Indebtedness guaranteed;

(10) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness in respect of bid, performance, surety and similar bonds issued for the account of the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, including guarantees and obligations of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to letters of credit supporting such obligations (in each case other than an obligation for money borrowed);

(11) the issuance by any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries to the Company or to any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any Disqualified Equity Interests; provided, however, that:

(a) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such Disqualified Equity Interests being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; and

(b) any sale or other transfer of any such Disqualified Equity Interests to a Person that is not either the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company shall be deemed, in each case, to constitute an issuance of such Disqualified Equity Interests by such Restricted Subsidiary that was not permitted by this clause (11); and

(12) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of additional Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount then outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (a) $90.0 million or (b) 5.0% of the Company’s Consolidated Net Tangible Assets determined at the time of incurrence.

The Company will not incur, and will not permit Finance Corp. or any Guarantor to incur, any Indebtedness (including Permitted Debt) that is contractually subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Company, Finance Corp. or such Guarantor unless such Indebtedness is also contractually subordinated in right of payment to the Notes and the applicable Subsidiary Guarantee on substantially identical terms; provided, however, that no Indebtedness of a Person will be deemed to be contractually subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of such Person solely by virtue of being unsecured or by virtue of being secured on a first or junior Lien basis.

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.09, in the event that an item of Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Debt described in clauses (1) through (12) above, or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to the first paragraph of this Section 4.09, the Company will be permitted to classify (or later classify or reclassify in whole or in part in its sole discretion) such item of Indebtedness in any manner that complies with this covenant.

The accrual of interest, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest on any Indebtedness in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same

terms, and the payment of dividends on Disqualified Equity Interests in the form of additional shares of the same class of Disqualified Equity Interests will not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness or an issuance of Disqualified Equity Interests for purposes of this Section 4.09; provided, in each such case, that the amount thereof is included in Fixed Charges of the Company as accrued. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 4.09, the maximum amount of Indebtedness that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may incur pursuant to this Section 4.09 will not be deemed to be exceeded solely as a result of fluctuations in exchange rates or currency values. Further, the accounting reclassification of any obligation of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as Indebtedness will not be deemed an incurrence of Indebtedness for purposes of this covenant.

Notwithstanding the foregoing,

(a) the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall not be permitted to incur any Priority Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness but excluding any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clauses (2) or (5) of the definition of Permitted Debt above) in excess of the greater of (i) $300.0 million and (ii) 15.0% of the Company’s Consolidated Net Tangible Assets determined at the time of incurrence, if the Priority Indebtedness Ratio is greater than 4.00 to 1.00 at the time of such incurrence (and after giving pro forma effect to such incurrence and the application of the proceeds therefrom); and

(b) the Non-Guarantor Restricted Subsidiaries shall not be permitted to incur any Indebtedness for borrowed money or incur any Capital Lease Obligations or other debt obligations evidenced by promissory notes or similar instruments (except as provided for in the following sentence and other than Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clauses (2), (5), (6) or (9) (with respect to guarantees of Indebtedness of the Non-Guarantor Restricted Subsidiaries by other Non-Guarantor Restricted Subsidiaries only), of the definition of Permitted Debt above), if the OpCo Leverage Ratio is in excess of 3.00 to 1.00 at the time of such incurrence (and after giving pro forma effect to such incurrence and the application of the proceeds therefrom and assuming that the greater of (i) $150.0 million of Indebtedness (or, if less, at the election of the Issuers, the amount of total lending commitments under the Revolving Credit Agreement and any other pari-passu revolving credit facility) and (ii) the actual amount of Indebtedness outstanding is outstanding under the Revolving Credit Agreement). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Non-Guarantor Restricted Subsidiaries may at any time incur up to an aggregate of $150.0 million under the Revolving Credit Agreement and incremental, pari-passu revolving credit capacity together which will not exceed $150.0 million (which amount shall be deemed to be incurred under clause (1) of the second paragraph of this Section 4.09), provided, however, that such $150.0 million shall be reduced, on a dollar-for-dollar basis, to the extent the Issuers have made the election in clause (i) of the preceding sentence to calculate capacity using revolving credit facility commitments below $150.0 million (such lower amount, the “Revolver Basket”), and provided, further, that the Revolver Basket may only be increased, up to a maximum Revolver Basket of $150.0 million, if the OpCo Leverage Ratio at the time of such increase (and after giving pro forma effect to such increase, assuming the Revolver Basket is outstanding) is less than or equal to 3.00 to 1.00.

Section 4.10. Limitation on Asset Sales.

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale unless:

(1) the Company (or a Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) receives consideration at the time of the Asset Sale at least equal to the fair market value of the assets or Equity Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of; and

(2) at least 75% of the aggregate consideration received by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Asset Sale is in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents. For purposes of this provision, each of the following will be deemed to be cash:

(a) any liabilities, as shown on the Company’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet, of the Company or such Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets pursuant to an agreement that releases the Company or such Subsidiary from further liability therefor; and

(b) any securities, notes or other obligations received by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are, within 90 days after the Asset Sale, converted by the Company or such Subsidiary into cash, to the extent of the cash received in that conversion.

Within 365 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale, the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary may apply those Net Proceeds at its option to any combination of the following:

(1) to repay, redeem or otherwise retire any Indebtedness of Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors;

(2) repay, redeem or otherwise retire Senior Debt of the Issuers and the Guarantors, including the Notes;

(3) to acquire all or substantially all of the properties or assets of a Person primarily engaged in a Permitted Business;

(4) to acquire a majority of the Voting Stock of a Person primarily engaged in a Permitted Business;

(5) to make capital expenditures; or

(6) to acquire other long-term assets that are used or useful in a Permitted Business.

The provisions of clauses (3), (4), (5) or (6) of the preceding paragraph shall be deemed to be satisfied if a bona fide binding contract committing to make the acquisition or expenditure referred to therein is entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries within the time period specified in the preceding paragraph and such Net Proceeds are subsequently applied in accordance with such contract within the later of 365 days from the receipt of Net Proceeds from the Asset Sale or six months following the date such agreement is entered into.

Pending the final application of any Net Proceeds, the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary may temporarily reduce revolving credit borrowing or otherwise invest the Net Proceeds in any manner that is not prohibited by this Indenture. Any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not applied or invested as provided in the preceding paragraph will constitute “Excess Proceeds.”

When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds then exceeds $25.0 million, within 10 days the Company will make a pro rata offer (an “Asset Sale Offer”) to all Holders of Notes, and to all holders of Pari Passu Indebtedness then outstanding, to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds. The offer price in any Asset Sale Offer will be equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the Settlement Date, subject to the right of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the Settlement Date, and will be payable in cash. If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may use those Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes tendered into such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds allocated to the purchase of Notes, the Trustee will select the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Company so that only Notes in denominations of $2,000, or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, will be purchased). Upon completion of each Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset at zero.

The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with each repurchase of Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Section 4.10, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under such provisions by virtue of such conflict.

Section 4.11. Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates.

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate (each, an “Affiliate Transaction”), unless:

(1) the Affiliate Transaction is on terms that taken as a whole are either not materially less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person or are otherwise fair to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view;

(2) the Company delivers to the Trustee, with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $50.0 million, a resolution of the Board of Directors of the General Partner or Holdco set forth in an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions complies with the preceding clause (1) of this Section 4.11 and has been approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors of the General Partner or Holdco or otherwise approved in accordance with affiliate transaction procedures specified in the Partnership Agreement; and

(3) with respect any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $150.0 million, the Company uses commercially reasonable efforts (as determined in good faith by the Company) to deliver to the Trustee a favorable opinion as to the fairness of such transaction or series or related transactions to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, from a financial point of view, from an Independent Financial Advisor.

The following items will not be deemed to be Affiliate Transactions and, therefore, will not be subject to the provisions of the prior paragraph of this Section 4.11:

(1) any employment agreement or arrangement, equity award, equity option or equity appreciation agreement or plan entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and any payments or awards pursuant thereto;

(2) transactions between or among any of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(3) transactions with a Person (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company) that is an Affiliate of the Company solely because the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries owns an Equity Interest in such Person;

(4) transactions permitted or contemplated by the terms of (a) the Partnership Agreement with respect to accounting, treasury, information technology, insurance and other corporate services, general overhead and other administrative matters and expense reimbursements, including reimbursement of the General Partner for expenses allocable to the Company or otherwise incurred by the General Partner in connection with the operation of the Company’s business, (b) any other agreements in effect on the date of this Indenture, in each

case as such agreements are in effect on the date of this Indenture, and any amendment or replacement of any of such agreements so long as such amendment or replacement agreement is not materially less favorable to the Company than the agreement so amended or replaced;

(5) customary compensation, indemnification and other benefits made available to officers, directors or employees of the Company, a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, the General Partner or Holdco, including reimbursement or advancement of out-of-pocket expenses and provisions of officers’ and directors’ liability insurance;

(6) sales of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interest) to Affiliates of the Company;

(7) Restricted Payments or Permitted Investments that are permitted by Section 4.07; and

(8) transactions pursuant to sale, purchase, service or lease agreements or contracts that are entered into in the ordinary course of business on terms substantially similar to those contained in similar contracts or agreements entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with unrelated third parties or otherwise on terms not materially less favorable to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries than those that would be available in a transaction with an unrelated third party.

Section 4.12. Limitation on Liens.

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any Lien of any kind (other than Permitted Liens) securing Indebtedness upon any of their property or assets, now owned or hereafter acquired, unless the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee of such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, is secured on an equal and ratable basis with (or on a senior basis to, in the case of obligations subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or such Subsidiary Guarantee, as the case may be) the obligations so secured until such time as such obligations are no longer secured by a Lien (other than Permitted Liens).

Section 4.13. Additional Subsidiary Guarantees.

If, after the date of this Indenture, any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is not already a Guarantor guarantees any other Indebtedness with respect to which the Company is the primary obligor under a Credit Facility, then that Subsidiary will become a Guarantor by executing a supplemental indenture substantially in the form of Annex A hereto and delivering it to the Trustee within 20 Business Days of the date on which it guaranteed such Indebtedness together with any Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel required by Section 9.06; provided, however, that the preceding shall not apply to Subsidiaries of the Company that have properly been designated as Unrestricted Subsidiaries in accordance with this Indenture for so long as

they continue to constitute Unrestricted Subsidiaries. Notwithstanding the preceding, any Subsidiary Guarantee of a Restricted Subsidiary that was incurred pursuant to this Section 4.13 will be released in the circumstances described in Section 10.04.

Section 4.14. Corporate Existence.

Except as otherwise permitted pursuant to the terms hereof (including consolidation and merger permitted by Section 5.01), the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its partnership existence, and the corporate, partnership or other existence of each of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time) of the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve the existence of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (except Finance Corp.) if the Company shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes.

Section 4.15. Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control.

(1) Except as provided herein, within 30 days following the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company shall make an offer (a “Change of Control Offer”) to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of each Holder’s Notes at a purchase price (the “Change of Control Payment”) in cash equal to 101% (or at the Company’s option, a greater percentage) of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, thereon to the date of settlement (the “Change of Control Settlement Date”), subject to the right of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the Change of Control Settlement Date. No later than 30 days following any Change of Control, the Company will mail a notice of the Change of Control Offer to each Holder and the Trustee describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control and stating:

(a) that the Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 4.15 and that all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn will be accepted for payment;

(b) the purchase price and the Change of Control Settlement Date, which date will be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed, pursuant to the procedures required by this Section 4.15 and described in such notice;

(c) that the Change of Control Offer will expire as of the time specified in such notice and that the Company shall pay the Change of Control Payment for all Notes purchased as of the termination of the Change of Control Offer promptly thereafter on the Change of Control Settlement Date;

(d) that any Note not tendered will continue to accrue interest and Additional Interest, if any;

(e) that, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer shall cease to accrue interest and Additional Interest, if any, after the Change of Control Settlement Date;

(f) that Holders electing to have any Notes purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be required to surrender the Notes, properly endorsed for transfer, together with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of the Notes completed and such customary documents as the Company may reasonably request, to the Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice prior to the termination of the Change of Control Offer on the Change of Control Settlement Date;

(g) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Paying Agent receives, prior to the termination of the Change of Control Offer, a telegram, electronic image scanning, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of Notes delivered for purchase, and a statement that such ▇▇▇▇▇▇ is withdrawing its election to have the Notes purchased; and

(h) that Holders whose Notes are being purchased only in part will be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, which unpurchased portion must be equal to $2,000 in principal amount or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.

If any of the Notes subject to a Change of Control Offer is in the form of a Global Note, then the Company shall modify such notice to the extent necessary to accord with the procedures of the Depository applicable to repurchases. Further, the Company shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of Notes as a result of a Change of Control. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Section 4.15, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under such provisions by virtue of such conflict.

(2) On or before the Change of Control Settlement Date, the Company shall, to the extent lawful, accept for payment all Notes or portions thereof (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer. Promptly thereafter on the Change of Control Settlement Date, the Company will:

(a) deposit with the Paying Agent by 11:00 a.m., New York City time, an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions thereof so tendered; and

(b) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes so accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions of Notes being purchased by the Company.

On the Change of Control Settlement Date, the Paying Agent shall mail to each Holder of Notes properly tendered the Change of Control Payment for such Notes (or, if all the Notes are then in global form, make such payment through the facilities of the Depository) and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any; provided, however, that each such new Note will be in a minimum principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. The Company shall publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Settlement Date.

(3) The Change of Control provisions described above shall be applicable whether or nor any other provisions of this Indenture are applicable.

(4) The Company shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control if:

(a) a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the time and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company and purchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under the Change of Control Offer; or

(b) a notice to redeem all outstanding Notes has been given pursuant to Section 3.03, unless and until there is a default in payment of the applicable redemption price.

(5) A Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, and conditioned upon the occurrence of the Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time of making the Change of Control Offer. Notes repurchased by the Issuers pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will have the status of Notes issued but not outstanding or will be retired and cancelled, at either of the Issuers’ option. Notes purchased by a third party pursuant to the preceding paragraph will have the status of Notes issued and outstanding.

(6) In the event that Holders of not less than 90% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes accept a Change of Control Offer and the Company (or the third party making the Change of Control Offer in lieu of the Company) purchases all of the Notes held by such Holders, the Issuers will have the right, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, given not more than 30 days following the purchase pursuant to the

Change of Control Offer described above, to redeem all of the Notes that remain outstanding following such purchase at a redemption price equal to the Change of Control Payment plus, to the extent not included in the Change of Control Payment, accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes that remain outstanding, to the date of redemption (subject to the right of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date).

Section 4.16. Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

The Board of Directors of the General Partner or Holdco may designate any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary if that designation would not cause a Default or Event of Default. If, after the date of this Indenture, a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the aggregate fair market value of all outstanding Investments owned by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Subsidiary properly designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be deemed to be either (a) an Investment made as of the time of the designation that will reduce the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 4.07(a) or (b) a Permitted Investment, as determined by the Company. That designation will only be permitted if the Investment would be permitted at that time and if the Subsidiary so designated otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

The Board of Directors of the General Partner or Holdco may at any time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such designation will be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary and such designation will only be permitted if (1) such Indebtedness is permitted under Section 4.09, calculated on a pro forma basis as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the four-quarter reference period, and (2) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence following such designation.

Section 4.17. Business Activities.

The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, engage in any business other than a Permitted Business, except to such an extent as would not be material to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

Finance Corp. may not incur Indebtedness unless (1) the Company is a co-obligor or guarantor of such Indebtedness or (2) the net proceeds of such Indebtedness are loaned to the Company or another of its Restricted Subsidiaries, used to acquire outstanding debt securities issued by the Company or another of its Restricted Subsidiaries or used to repay Indebtedness of the Company or another of its Restricted Subsidiaries as permitted under Section 4.09. Finance Corp. may not engage in any business not related directly or indirectly to obtaining money or arranging financing for the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries.

Section 4.18. Covenant Suspension.

If at any time (a) the rating assigned to the Notes by both S&P and ▇▇▇▇▇’▇ is an Investment Grade Rating and (b) no Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture, then upon notice to the Trustee, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will no longer be subject to the provisions of Sections 3.09, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11 and clause (d) of Section 5.01 of this Indenture (collectively, the “Suspended Covenants”). However, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will remain subject to the other provisions of this Indenture.

If at any time the Notes’ credit rating is downgraded from an Investment Grade Rating by ▇▇▇▇▇’▇ or S&P, then the Suspended Covenants will thereafter be reinstated as if such covenants had never been suspended (the “Reinstatement Date”) and be applicable pursuant to the terms of this Indenture (including in connection with performing any calculation or assessment to determine compliance with the terms of this Indenture), unless and until the Notes subsequently attain an Investment Grade Rating by both S&P and ▇▇▇▇▇’▇ and no Default or Event of Default is in existence (in which event the Suspended Covenants shall no longer be in effect for such time that the Notes maintain an Investment Grade Rating by both S&P and ▇▇▇▇▇’▇); provided, however, that no Default, Event of Default or breach of any kind shall be deemed to exist under the Indenture, the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees with respect to the Suspended Covenants based on, and none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall bear any liability for, any actions taken or events occurring during the Suspension Period (as defined below), regardless of whether such actions or events would have been permitted if the applicable Suspended Covenants remained in effect during such period. The period of time between the date of suspension of the covenants and the Reinstatement Date is referred to as the “Suspension Period.”

On the Reinstatement Date, all Indebtedness incurred during the Suspension Period will be classified to have been incurred pursuant to the first paragraph of Section 4.09 or one of the clauses set forth in the second paragraph of Section 4.09 (to the extent such Indebtedness would be permitted to be incurred thereunder as of the Reinstatement Date and after giving effect to Indebtedness incurred prior to the Suspension Period and outstanding on the Reinstatement Date). To the extent such Indebtedness would not be so permitted to be incurred pursuant to the first or second paragraph of Section 4.09 such Indebtedness will be deemed to have been outstanding on the Initial Issuance Date, so that it is classified under clause (2) of the second paragraph of Section 4.09. Calculations made after the Reinstatement Date of the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under Section 4.07 will be made as though the covenant described under Section 4.07 had been in effect since the Initial Issuance Date and throughout the Suspension Period. Accordingly, Restricted Payments made during the Suspension Period may reduce the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under Section 4.07(a).

During any Suspension Period, the Board of Directors of the General Partner may not designate any of the Company’s Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries under this Indenture.

The Company will provide the Trustee and the Holders with prompt written notice of any suspension of the Suspended Covenants or the subsequent reinstatement of such Suspended Covenants. The Trustee shall have no duty to monitor the ratings of the Notes, nor shall it be deemed to have any knowledge of the ratings of the Notes and shall have no duty to notify the Holders if the Investment Grade Rating of the Notes changes.

Section 4.19. Ratings.

The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain and maintain credit ratings on the Notes by both S&P and Moody’s.

Section 4.20. Redemption of Remaining 2013 Notes and Use of Proceeds.

The Issuers will use a portion of the net proceeds from the sale of Notes issued on the Initial Issuance Date under this Indenture and the issuance and sale of Preferred Securities to redeem and cancel at least $90.0 million in principal amount of 2013 Notes in accordance with the terms of the 2013 Indenture not later than 60 days after the Initial Issuance Date. In addition, the Issuers will redeem and cancel any and all 2013 Notes that remain outstanding following such redemption not later than 60 days after October 1, 2017.

ARTICLE 5
SUCCESSORS

Section 5.01. Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets.

Neither of the Issuers may, directly or indirectly, (1) consolidate or merge with or into another Person (whether or not such Issuer is the survivor), or (2) sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets in one or more related transactions to another Person, unless:

(a) either (1) such Issuer is the survivor, or (2) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Issuer) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition has been made is a Person organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia; provided, however, that Finance Corp. may not consolidate or merge with or into any Person other than a corporation satisfying such requirement so long as the Company is not a corporation;

(b) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Issuer) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition has been made expressly assumes all the obligations of such Issuer under the Notes and this Indenture pursuant to a supplemental indenture;

(d) in the case of a transaction involving the Company and not Finance Corp., either:

(i) the Company or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition has been made will, on the date of such transaction after giving pro forma effect thereto and any related financing transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of Section 4.09 hereof; or

(ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis and any related financing transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition has been made will be equal to or greater than the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company immediately before such transaction; and

(e) such Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or disposition and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture and all conditions precedent therein relating to such transaction have been satisfied.

Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph of this Section 5.01, the Company may reorganize as any other form of entity in accordance with the following procedures provided that:

(1) the reorganization involves the conversion (by merger, sale, contribution or exchange of assets or otherwise) of the Company into a form of entity other than a limited partnership formed under Delaware law;

(2) the entity so formed by or resulting from such reorganization is an entity organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

(3) the entity so formed by or resulting from such reorganization assumes all the obligations of the Company under the Notes, this Indenture and the applicable Registration Rights Agreement;

(4) immediately after such reorganization no Default or Event of Default exists;

(5) such reorganization is not materially adverse to the Holders or Beneficial Owners of the Notes (for purposes of this clause (5) a reorganization will not be considered materially adverse to the Holders or Beneficial Owners of the Notes solely because the successor or survivor of such reorganization (a) is subject to federal or state income taxation as an entity or (b) is considered to be an “includible corporation” of an affiliated group of corporations within the meaning of Section 1504(b) of the Code or any similar state or local law); and

(6) the Company delivers an Officers’ Certificate to the Trustee to the effect that the foregoing requirements are satisfied.

Section 5.02. Successor Substituted.

Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of an Issuer in accordance with Section 5.01 hereof, the successor formed by such consolidation or into or with which such Issuer is merged or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and may exercise every right and power of, such Issuer under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor had been named as such Issuer herein and shall be substituted for such Issuer (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to the “Company” or “Finance Corp.,” as the case may be, shall refer instead to the successor and not to the Company or Finance Corp., as the case may be); and thereafter, except in the case of a lease of all or substantially all of its properties or assets in accordance with this Indenture, such Issuer shall be discharged and released from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Notes. The Trustee shall enter into a supplemental indenture to evidence the succession and substitution of such successor and such discharge and release of such Issuer.

ARTICLE 6
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 6.01. Events of Default.

An “Event of Default” occurs if one of the following shall have occurred and be continuing (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be involuntary or be effected by operation of law):

(a) an Issuer defaults in the payment when due of interest or Additional Interest, if any, with respect to, the Notes, and such default continues for a period of 30 days;

(b) an Issuer defaults in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, on the Notes when due at its Stated Maturity, upon optional redemption, upon required repurchase, upon declaration or otherwise;

(c) the Issuers fail to comply with their obligations to offer to purchase or purchase Notes pursuant to Sections 3.09, 4.10, 4.15 or fail to comply with Section 5.01 hereof;

(d) the Company fails to comply with any other covenant or other agreement in this Indenture or the Notes for 60 days (or 120 days with respect to the provisions of Section 4.03 hereof) after notice to the Company by the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding of such failure;

(e) a default occurs under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there is issued or by which there is secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists, or is created after the Initial Issuance Date, if that default:

(1) is caused by a failure to pay principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of any grace period provided in such Indebtedness (a “Payment Default”); or

(2) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its Stated Maturity,

and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $30.0 million or more; provided that if any such Payment Default is cured or waived or any such acceleration rescinded, or such Indebtedness is repaid, within a period of 30 days from the continuation of such Payment Default beyond the applicable grace period or the occurrence of such acceleration, as the case may be, such Event of Default and any consequential acceleration of the Notes shall be automatically rescinded, so long as such rescission does not conflict with any judgment or decree;

(f) the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries fails to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $30.0 million (to the extent not covered by insurance by a reputable and creditworthy insurer as to which the insurer has not disclaimed coverage), which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days;

(g) except as permitted by this Indenture, any Subsidiary Guarantee is held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or ceases for any reason to be in full force and effect or any Guarantor, or any Person acting on behalf of any Guarantor, denies or disaffirms its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee; and

(h) the Company, Finance Corp., any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary of the Company or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary of the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of Bankruptcy Law:

(1) commences a voluntary case,

(2) consents in writing to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,

(3) consents in writing to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,

(4) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or

(5) admits in writing it generally is not paying its debts as they become due; or

(i) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

(1) is for relief against the Company, Finance Corp., any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary of the Company or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary of the Company in an involuntary case;

(2) appoints a Custodian of the Company, Finance Corp., any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary of the Company or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary of the Company or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company, Finance Corp., any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary of the Company or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company, that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary of the Company; or

(3) orders the liquidation of the Company, Finance Corp., any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary of the Company or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary of the Company;

and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days.

Section 6.02. Acceleration.

If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee, by notice to the Issuers, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes, by notice to the Issuers and the Trustee, may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately. Upon any such declaration, the Notes shall become due and payable immediately, together with all accrued and unpaid interest, Additional Interest, if any, and premium, if any, thereon. Notwithstanding the preceding, if an Event of Default specified in clause (h) or (i) of Section 6.01 hereof occurs with respect to the Company, Finance Corp., any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary of the Company or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary of the Company, all outstanding Notes shall become due and payable without further action or notice, together with all accrued and unpaid interest, Additional Interest, if any, and premium, if any, thereon. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of all of the Holders rescind an acceleration and its consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default (except with respect to nonpayment of principal, interest, premium or Additional Interest, if any, that have become due solely because of the acceleration) have been cured or waived.

Section 6.03. Other Remedies.

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal of, and premium, interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder of a Note in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

Section 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults.

Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences hereunder, except a continuing Default or Event of

Default in the payment of the principal of or premium, interest or Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration) including in connection with an offer to purchase. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 6.05. Control by Majority.

Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders of Notes.

Section 6.06. Limitation on Suits.

A Holder of a Note may pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes only if:

(a) the Holder of a Note gives to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default;

(b) the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

(c) such Holder of a Note or Holders of Notes offer and, if requested, provide to the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

(d) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer and, if requested, the provision of indemnity; and

(e) during such 60-day period the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.

A Holder of a Note may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder of a Note or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder of a Note (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not such use prejudices the rights of another Holder of a Note or obtains a preference or priority over another Holder of a Note).

Section 6.07. Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Note to receive payment of principal of and premium, interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note (including in connection with an offer to purchase), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

Section 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee.

If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a) or (b) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Issuers and the Guarantors for the whole amount of principal of, premium, interest and Additional Interest, if any, remaining unpaid on the Notes and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest and Additional Interest, if any, and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

Section 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders of the Notes allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuers (or any other obligor upon the Notes), their creditors or their property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

Section 6.10. Priorities.

If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article 6, it shall pay out the money in the following order:

First: to the Trustee, its agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.07 hereof, including payment of all compensation, expense and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and the Trustee’s costs and expenses of collection;

Second: to Holders of Notes for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, interest and Additional Interest, if any, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium, interest and Additional Interest, if any, respectively; and

Third: to the Issuers or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders of Notes pursuant to this Section 6.10.

Section 6.11. Undertaking for Costs.

In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of a Note pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.

ARTICLE 7
TRUSTEE

Section 7.01. Duties of Trustee.

(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

(i) the duties of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to

the requirements of this Indenture. However, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts, statements, opinions or conclusions stated therein).

(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(i) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.01;

(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 hereof; and

(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 7.01.

(e) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with an Issuer. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

Section 7.02. Rights of Trustee.

(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel of its own selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

(c) The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.

(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from an Issuer shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of such Issuer.

(f) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holder shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

(g) The Trustee shall have no duty to inquire as to the performance of the Company’s covenants in Article 4 hereof. In addition, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default except: (1) any Event of Default occurring pursuant to Section 6.01(a) (with respect to payment of interest, but not the payment of Additional Interest) or 6.01(b) hereof; or (2) any Default or Event of Default of which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or of which written notice is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture.

(h) The permissive right of the Trustee to act hereunder shall not be construed as a duty.

(i) The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety or to expend or risk its own funds in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder.

(j) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder.

(k) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for punitive special, indirect, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

(l) The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fire; flood; terrorism; wars and other military disturbances; sabotage; epidemics; riots; interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; accidents; labor disputes; acts of civil or military authority and governmental action; it being understood that the Trustee shall use commercially reasonable efforts which are

consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as reasonably practicable under the circumstances.

(m) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, debenture, note or other paper or document unless requested in writing to do so by the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Issuer, personally or by agent or attorney, at the expense of the Issuer and shall Incur no liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.

(n) The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith at the direction of the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Notes as to the time, method and place of conducting any proceedings for any remedy available to the Trustee or the exercising of any power conferred by this Indenture.

(o) Any action taken, or omitted to be taken, by the Trustee in good faith pursuant to this Indenture upon the request or authority or consent of any person who, at the time of making such request or giving such authority or consent, is the holder of any Note shall be conclusive and binding upon future holders of Notes and upon Notes executed and delivered in exchange therefor or in place thereof.

(p) The Trustee may request that the Issuer deliver an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officer’s Certificate may be signed by any Person authorized to sign an Officer’s Certificate, including any Person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.

(q) The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the execution of the trusts and powers under this Indenture.

(r) No provision of this Indenture will require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it. The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights and powers under this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders, unless such Holder has offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

Section 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee.

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Issuers, any Guarantor or any Affiliate of the

Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest (as defined in the TIA) after a Default has occurred and is continuing, it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue as trustee or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11 hereof.

Section 7.04. Trustee’s Disclaimer.

The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for either Issuer’s use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to an Issuer or upon either Issuer’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication of the Notes.

Section 7.05. Notice of Defaults.

If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall give to Holders of Notes a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal of or premium, if any, interest or Additional Interest, if any, on any Note, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders of Notes.

Section 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes.

Within 60 days after each May 1 beginning with May 1, 2018, and for so long as Notes remain outstanding, the Trustee shall give to the Holders of the Notes a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with TIA § 313(a) (but if no event described in TIA § 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also shall comply with TIA § 313(b)(2) and § 313(b)(1). The Trustee shall also transmit all reports as required by TIA § 313(c).

A copy of each report at the time of its sending to the Holders of Notes shall be given to the Issuers and filed with the SEC and each stock exchange on which the Notes are listed in accordance with TIA § 313(d). The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee when the Notes are listed on any stock exchange.

Section 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity.

The Issuers shall pay to the Trustee from time to time such reasonable compensation as the Issuers and the Trustee may agree in writing for the Trustee’s acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any

law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Issuers shall reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

The Issuers and the Guarantors shall indemnify the Trustee, jointly and severally, and hold the Trustee harmless against any and all fees, costs, damages, losses, liabilities or expenses incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Issuers and the Guarantors (including this Section 7.07) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by an Issuer, any Guarantor or any Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent any such loss, liability or expense may be attributable to its gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. The Trustee shall notify the Issuers and the Guarantors promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Issuers and the Guarantors shall not relieve the Issuers or the Guarantors of their obligations hereunder. The Issuers and the Guarantors shall defend any third party claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Issuers and the Guarantors shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Issuers and the Guarantors need not pay for any settlement made without their consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Neither the Issuers nor the Guarantors need reimburse the Trustee for any expense or indemnity against any liability or loss of the Trustee to the extent such expense, liability or loss is attributable to the gross negligence, or willful misconduct of the Trustee, as determined by a final non-applicable order, judgment, or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction.

The obligations of the Issuers and the Guarantors under this Section 7.07 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.

To secure the Issuers’ and the Guarantors’ payment obligations in this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal and interest on particular Notes. Such Lien shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(h) or (i) hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

The Trustee shall comply with the provisions of TIA § 313(b)(2) to the extent applicable.

The immunities, protections and exculpations available to the Trustee under this Indenture shall also be available to each Agent, and the Company’s obligations under this Section 7.07 to compensate and indemnify the Trustee shall extend likewise to each Agent.

Section 7.08. Replacement of Trustee.

A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08.

The Trustee may resign in writing upon 30 days’ notice at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Issuers. The Holders of Notes of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Issuers in writing and may appoint a successor trustee with the consent of the Issuers. The Issuers may remove the Trustee if:

(a) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof;

(b) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

(d) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Issuers shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Issuers.

If a successor Trustee does not take office within 30 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Issuers or the Holders of Notes of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may petition, at the expense of the Issuers, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder of a Note who has been a Holder of a Note for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof, such Holder of a Note may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuers. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall give a notice of its succession to Holders of Notes. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, provided all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the

Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Issuers’ and the Guarantors’ obligations under Section 7.07 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

Section 7.09. Successor Trustee by ▇▇▇▇▇▇, etc.

If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee. As soon as practicable, the successor Trustee shall give a notice of its succession to the Issuers and the Holders of the Notes.

Section 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification.

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA § 310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee is subject to TIA § 310(b).

Section 7.11. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuers.

The Trustee is subject to TIA § 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA § 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA § 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

ARTICLE 8
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

Section 8.01. Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

The Issuers may, at the option of their respective Boards of Directors evidenced by a resolution set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, at any time, exercise their rights under either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof with respect to all outstanding Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 8.

Section 8.02. Legal Defeasance and Discharge.

Upon the Issuers’ exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Issuers shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have discharged their obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes, and each Guarantor shall be deemed to have discharged its obligations with respect to its Subsidiary Guarantee, on the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Issuers shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes, and each Guarantor shall be deemed to have paid and discharged its

Subsidiary Guarantee (which in each case shall thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (a) and (b) below) and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Notes or Subsidiary Guarantee and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Issuers, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (a) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive solely from the trust fund described in Section 8.04 hereof, and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of and premium, if any, interest and Additional Interest, if any, on such Notes when such payments are due, (b) the Issuers’ obligations with respect to the Notes under Sections 2.03, 2.04, 2.07, 2.09 and 4.02 hereof and the Appendix, (c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Issuers’ and the Guarantors’ obligations in connection therewith and (d) the Legal Defeasance provisions of this Article 8. Subject to compliance with this Article 8, the Issuers may exercise their option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 hereof.

If the Issuers exercise their Legal Defeasance option, each Guarantor will be released and relieved of any obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee, and any security for the Notes (other than the trust) will be released.

Section 8.03. Covenant Defeasance.

Upon the Issuers’ exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Issuers shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from their obligations under the covenants contained in Article 4 (other than those in Sections 4.01, 4.02, 4.06 and 4.14) and in clause (d) of Section 5.01 hereof on and after the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes shall thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes to the extent permitted by GAAP). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes, the Issuers and any Guarantor may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Issuers’ exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03 hereof, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, Sections 6.01(c) through 6.01(g) hereof shall not constitute Events of Default.

If the Issuers exercise their Covenant Defeasance option, each Guarantor will be released and relieved of any obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee and any security for the Notes (other than the trust) will be released.

Section 8.04. Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance:

(a) the Issuers must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of and premium, interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the outstanding Notes on the date of fixed maturity or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Issuers must specify whether the Notes are being defeased to the date of fixed maturity or to a particular redemption date;

(b) in the case of an election under Section 8.02 hereof, the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that:

(1) the Issuers have received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or

(2) since the Initial Issuance Date, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law,

in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

(c) in the case of an election under Section 8.03 hereof, the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

(d) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the incurrence of Indebtedness or the grant of Liens securing such Indebtedness, all or a portion of the proceeds of which will be used to defease the

Notes pursuant to this Article 8 concurrently with such incurrence or within 30 days thereof);

(e) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture and the agreements governing any other Indebtedness being defeased, discharged or replaced) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;

(f) the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Issuers with the intent of preferring the Holders over any other creditors of the Issuers or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of the Issuers or others; and

(g) the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for or relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.

Section 8.05. Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all money and non-callable Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.04 or 8.08 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company or any of its Subsidiaries acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, interest and Additional Interest, if any, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

The Issuers shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 or 8.08 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.

Anything in this Article 8 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Issuers from time to time upon the written request of the Issuers any money or non-callable Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 8.04 or 8.08 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(a) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be

required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance, Covenant Defeasance or Discharge, as the case may be.

Section 8.06. Repayment to Issuers.

Subject to applicable escheat and abandoned property laws, any money or non‑callable Government Securities deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by an Issuer, in trust for the payment of the principal of or premium, interest or Additional Interest, if any, on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium, interest or Additional Interest, if any, has become due and payable shall be paid to the Issuers on their written request or (if then held by an Issuer) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter, as an unsecured creditor, look only to the Issuers for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money or non-callable Government Securities, and all liability of the Issuers as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Issuers cause to be published once, in the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Issuers.

Section 8.07. Reinstatement.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or non-callable Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.05 hereof, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Issuers’ obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.05 hereof; provided, however, that, if an Issuer makes any payment of principal of or premium, interest, Additional Interest, if any, on any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, such Issuer shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

Section 8.08. Discharge.

This Indenture shall be satisfied and discharged and shall cease to be of further effect as to all Notes issued hereunder (except for (a) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive solely from the trust fund described in clause (1)(b) of this Section 8.08, and as more fully set forth in such clause (1)(b), payments in respect of the principal of and premium, if any, interest and Additional Interest, if any, on such Notes when such payments are due, (b) the Issuers’ obligations with respect to such Notes under Sections 2.03, 2.04, 2.07, 2.09 and 4.02 hereof and the Appendix and (c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Issuers’ obligations in connection therewith), when:


(1)	either:

(a) all Notes that have been authenticated, except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes that have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Issuers, have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(b) all Notes that have not been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable or will become due and payable within one year by reason of the mailing of a notice of redemption or otherwise, and the Issuers or any Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in amounts as will be sufficient without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Notes not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the date of fixed maturity or redemption (provided that if such redemption is made as provided in Section 3.07(c) hereof, (x) the amount of cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, that must be irrevocably deposited will be determined using an assumed Make Whole Premium calculated as of the date of such deposit and (y) the depositor must irrevocably deposit or cause to be deposited additional money in trust on the redemption date as necessary to pay the Make Whole Premium as determined by such date);

(2) the Issuers or any Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under this Indenture;

(3) the Issuers have delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at fixed maturity or on the redemption date, as the case may be; and

(4) the Issuers have delivered an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture (“Discharge”) have been satisfied.

ARTICLE 9
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

Section 9.01. Without Consent of Holders of Notes.

Notwithstanding Section 9.02 of this Indenture, the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Notes without the consent of any Holder of a Note:

(a) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

(b) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of Notes in registered, certificated form;

(d) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights hereunder of any Holder;

(e) to secure the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees pursuant to the requirements of Section 4.12 or otherwise;

(f) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in this Indenture;

(g) to add any additional Guarantor with respect to the Notes or to evidence the release of any Guarantor from its Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with Article 10 hereof;

(h) to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;

(i) to provide for the reorganization of the Company as any other form of entity in accordance with the second paragraph of Section 5.01 hereof; or

(j) to evidence or provide for the acceptance of appointment under this Indenture of a successor Trustee.

Upon the request of the Company, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 9.06 hereof, the Trustee shall join with the Issuers and the Guarantors in the execution of any amended or supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into such amended or supplemental indenture that affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Section 9.02. With Consent of Holders of Notes.

Except as provided above in Section 9.01 and below in this Section 9.02, the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture and the Notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes), and, subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default or compliance with any provision of this Indenture or

the Notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes). However, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver may not (with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder):

(a) reduce the principal amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

(b) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any Note or alter any of the provisions with respect to the redemption or repurchase of the Notes (other than notice provisions and other than with respect to Sections 3.09, 4.10 and 4.15 hereof);

(d) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, interest or Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

(e) make any Note payable in currency other than that stated in the Notes;

(f) make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or Events of Default or the rights of Holders of Notes to receive payments of principal of or premium, interest or Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes (except as permitted in clause (g) below);

(g) waive a redemption or repurchase payment with respect to any Note (other than a payment required by Sections 3.09, 4.10 or 4.15 hereof);

(h) release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee or this Indenture, except in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; or

(i) make any change in the preceding amendment, supplement and waiver provisions.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Notes under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company shall send to the Holders of Notes affected thereby a notice briefly

describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Company to send such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental Indenture or waiver.

Section 9.03. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.

To the extent required, every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes shall be set forth in an amended or supplemental indenture that complies with the TIA as then in effect.

A consent to any amendment, supplement or waiver under this Indenture by any Holder given in connection with a purchase, tender or exchange of such Holder’s Notes shall not be rendered invalid by such purchase, tender or exchange.

Section 9.04. Effect of Consents.

After an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every Holder, unless such amendment, supplement or waiver makes a change described in any of clauses (a) through (i) of Section 9.02, in which case, the amendment, supplement or waiver shall bind only each Holder of a Note who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same Indebtedness as the consenting Holder’s Note.

Section 9.05. Notation on or Exchange of Notes.

The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Issuers, in exchange for all Notes, may issue and the Trustee shall authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.

Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

Section 9.06. Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

The Issuers shall sign any amended or supplemental indenture authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may, but need not, sign it. In signing such amendment or supplement, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive and, subject to Section 7.01, shall be fully protected in relying upon an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating, in addition to the matters required by Section 11.05, that such amendment or supplement is authorized or permitted by this Indenture, and all conditions precedent required hereunder to such amendment or supplement have been satisfied.

ARTICLE 10
GUARANTEES OF NOTES

Section 10.01. Subsidiary Guarantees.

The Notes issued on the Initial Issuance Date will not initially be guaranteed. Subject to this Article 10, each of the Guarantors that become party to this Indenture as a Guarantor, by virtue of such, hereby, jointly and severally, unconditionally guarantees, on a senior unsecured basis, to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Notes held thereby and the Obligations of the Issuers hereunder and thereunder, that: (a) the principal of and premium, if any, interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes will be promptly paid in full when due, subject to any applicable grace period, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration, upon repurchase or redemption or otherwise, and interest (to the extent permitted by law) on the overdue principal of, premium, if any, interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes, and all other payment Obligations of the Issuers to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder will be promptly paid in full and performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other Obligations, the same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, subject to any applicable grace period, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration, upon repurchase or redemption or otherwise. Failing payment when so due of any amount so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors will be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. An Event of Default under this Indenture or the Notes shall constitute an event of default under the Subsidiary Guarantees, and shall entitle the Holders to accelerate the obligations of the Guarantors hereunder in the same manner and to the same extent as the Obligations of the Issuers.

The Guarantors agree that their obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against an Issuer, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance (other than complete performance) which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a Guarantor. Each Guarantor further, to the extent permitted by law, waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of an Issuer, any right to require a proceeding first against an Issuer, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that its Subsidiary Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the Obligations contained in the Notes and this Indenture.

If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to an Issuer, the Guarantors, or any Custodian, Trustee or other similar official acting in relation to any of the Issuers or the Guarantors, any amount paid by an Issuer or any Guarantor to the Trustee or such Holder, the Subsidiary Guarantees, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect. Each Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to, and hereby waives,

any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any Obligations guaranteed hereby.

Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (a) the maturity of the Obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 hereof for the purposes of its Subsidiary Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Obligations guaranteed thereby, and (b) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such Obligations as provided in Article 6 hereof, such Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantor for the purpose of its Subsidiary Guarantee. The Guarantors shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Subsidiary Guarantees.

Section 10.02. Execution and Delivery of Subsidiary Guarantee.

The Subsidiary Guarantee of a Guarantor shall be evidenced by its execution and delivery of a supplement to this Indenture.

Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Subsidiary Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 hereof will remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Note a notation of such Subsidiary Guarantee.

The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, will constitute due delivery of the Subsidiary Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.

Section 10.03. Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms.

(a) No Guarantor shall consolidate with or merge with or into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person), another Person (other than the Company or another Guarantor), unless, (i) either (1) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Guarantor) unconditionally assumes all the obligations of such Guarantor, pursuant to a supplemental indenture, substantially in the form of Annex A hereto, under the Notes, this Indenture and its Subsidiary Guarantee on terms set forth therein, or (2) such transaction does not violate the provisions of Section 4.10, and (ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists.

(b) In the case of any such consolidation or merger and upon the assumption by the successor Person, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and substantially in the form of Annex A hereto, of the Subsidiary Guarantee and the due and punctual performance of all of the covenants of this Indenture to be performed by the Guarantor, such successor Person shall succeed to and be substituted for the Guarantor with the same effect as if it had been named herein as a Guarantor.

Section 10.04. Releases of Subsidiary Guarantees.

The Subsidiary Guarantee of a Guarantor shall be released: (1) in connection with any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of that Guarantor (including by way of merger or consolidation) to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, if the sale or other disposition does not violate Section 4.10; (2) in connection with any sale or other disposition of the Capital Stock of that Guarantor to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, if the sale or other disposition does not violate Section 4.10 and the Guarantor ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as a result of such sale or other disposition; (3) if the Company designates that Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with Section 4.16 of this Indenture; (4) upon Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance or Discharge in accordance with Article 8; or (5) at such time as that Guarantor ceases to guarantee any other Indebtedness of the Company under a Credit Facility.

Upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that any of the conditions described in the foregoing clauses (1) – (5) has occurred, the Trustee shall execute any documents reasonably requested by the Company in order to evidence the release of any Guarantor from its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee. Any Guarantor not released from its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee shall remain liable for the full amount of principal of and premium, interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes and for the other obligations of such Guarantor under this Indenture as provided in this Article 10.

Section 10.05. Limitation on Guarantor Liability.

The obligations of each Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee will be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor and after giving effect to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee or pursuant to its contribution obligations under this Indenture, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under federal or state law and not otherwise being void or voidable under any similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.

Section 10.06. “Trustee” to Include Paying Agent.

In case at any time any Paying Agent other than the Trustee shall have been appointed and be then acting hereunder, the term “Trustee” as used in this Article 10 shall in each case (unless the context shall otherwise require) be construed as extending to and including such Paying Agent within its meaning as fully and for all intents and purposes as if such Paying Agent were named in this Article 10 in place of the Trustee.

ARTICLE 11
MISCELLANEOUS

Section 11.01. Trust Indenture Act Controls.

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by TIA §318(c), such TIA-imposed duties shall control.

Section 11.02. Notices.

Any notice or communication by an Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing (in the English language) and delivered in person or mailed by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), or sent by telecopier or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:

If to any of the Issuers or the Guarantors:

Natural Resource Partners L.P.
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
Telecopier No.: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇

If to the Trustee:

Wilmington Trust, National Association

▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇

Dallas, Texas 75248

Attention: Administrator, Natural Resource Partners

Telecopier No.: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇

An Issuer, any of the Guarantors or the Trustee, by notice to the others, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt is acknowledged, if telecopied; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery in each case to the address shown above.

Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be (i) mailed by first class mail, certified or registered, to its address shown on the register kept by the Registrar, with return receipt requested, (ii) sent to such address by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery or (iii) if the Holder is the Depository, sent by such other means as the Depository may specify, notwithstanding any contrary indication elsewhere in this Indenture. Any notice or communication shall also be so mailed to any Person described in TIA § 313(c), to the extent

required by the TIA. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.

If a notice or communication is given in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

If either of the Issuers sends a notice or communication to Holders, it shall send a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

Section 11.03. Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes.

Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA § 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Issuers, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA § 312(c).

Section 11.04. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

Upon any request or application by an Issuer to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, such Issuer shall upon request by the Trustee furnish to the Trustee:

(a) an Officers’ Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and

(b) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied.

Section 11.05. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA § 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of TIA § 314(e) and shall include:

(a) a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

(b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

(c) a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an

informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been satisfied; and

(d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been satisfied.

Section 11.06. Rules by Trustee and Agents.

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

Section 11.07. No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Unitholders and No Recourse to General Partner.

Neither the General Partner nor any past, present or future director, officer, partner, employee, incorporator, manager or unitholder or other owner of Capital Stock of the Issuers, the General Partner, Holdco or any Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or any Guarantor under the Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees or this Indenture, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

Section 11.08. Governing Law.

THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

Section 11.09. Waiver of Trial by Jury.

EACH OF THE ISSUER, THE GUARANTORS, THE HOLDERS AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE SECURITIES, OR THE TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED THEREBY.

Section 11.10. Consent to Jurisdiction.

(a) Each of the Issuer and Guarantors hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of any New York State court or federal court of the United States sitting in the State and City of New York, County, and Borough of Manhattan, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Indenture or the Notes, or for the recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such state court sitting in the State and City of New York, County and Borough of Manhattan or, to the

extent permitted by law, in such federal court sitting in the State and City of New York, County and Borough of Manhattan.

(b) Each of the Issuer and Guarantors hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Indenture or the Notes in any New York State or federal court. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

Section 11.11. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or its Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

Section 11.12. Successors.

All agreements of the Issuers and the Guarantors in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind their respective successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.

Section 11.13. Severability.

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 11.14. Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

Section 11.15. Counterparts.

The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture, and each party hereto may sign any number of separate copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

Section 11.16. Acts of Holders.

(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by the Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agents duly appointed in writing, and may be given or obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, outstanding Notes; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Issuers if made in the manner provided in this Section 11.16.

(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to such witness, notary or officer the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 11.16, the principal amount and serial numbers of Notes held by any Holder, and the date of holding the same, shall be proved by the register of the Notes maintained by the Registrar as provided in Section 2.03.

(d) If the Issuers shall solicit from the Holders of the Notes any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Issuers may, at their option, by or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, but the Issuers shall have no obligation to do so. Notwithstanding TIA Section 316(c), such record date shall be the record date specified in or pursuant to such Board Resolution, which shall be a date not earlier than the date 30 days prior to the first solicitation of Holders generally in connection therewith or the date of the most recent list of Holders forwarded to the Trustee prior to such solicitation pursuant to Section 2.05, whichever is later, and not later than the date such solicitation is completed. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purposes of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of the then outstanding Notes have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for that

purpose the then outstanding Notes shall be computed as of such record date; provided that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders on such record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than eleven months after the record date.

(e) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Note shall bind every future Holder of the same Note and the Holder of every Note issued upon the registration or transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or an Issuer in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Note.

(f) Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled hereunder to take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Note may do so itself with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Note or by one or more duly appointed agents each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any part of such principal amount.

(g) For purposes of this Indenture, any action by the Holders that may be taken in writing may be taken by electronic means comporting with the applicable procedures of the Depository or by any other means reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

Section 11.17. Patriot Act.

The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information within their possession or control as it may reasonably request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. Patriot Act.

[Signatures on following page]

SIGNATURES



	NATURAL RESOURCE PARTNERS L.P.


	By:	NRP (GP) LP, ITS GENERAL PARTNER


	By:	GP NATURAL RESOURCE PARTNERS
	LLC, ITS GENERAL PARTNER

	By:	/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
		Name: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
		Title: Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer



	NRP FINANCE CORPORATION


	By:	/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
		Name: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
		Title: Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer



	WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL
	ASSOCIATION,
	AS TRUSTEE

	By:	/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
		Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
		Title: Assistant Vice President

RULE 144A/REGULATION S APPENDIX

PROVISIONS RELATING TO INITIAL NOTES
AND EXCHANGE NOTES

1.Definitions

1.1 Definitions.

For the purposes of this Appendix the following terms shall have the meanings indicated below:

“Depository” means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees and their respective successors.

“Exchange Notes” means (1) the 10.500% Senior Notes due 2022 issued pursuant to the Indenture in connection with a Registered Exchange Offer pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement and (2) Additional Notes, if any, issued pursuant to a registration statement filed with the SEC under the Securities Act.

“Initial Notes” means (1) $345,638,000 aggregate principal amount of 10.500% Senior Notes due 2022 issued on the Initial Issuance Date and (2) Additional Notes, if any, issued in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

“Initial Notes Purchasers” means any Person purchasing or acquiring Initial Notes on the date hereof pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.

“Notes” means the Initial Notes, the Additional Notes and the Exchange Notes, treated as a single class.

“Notes Custodian” means the custodian with respect to a Global Note (as appointed by the Depository), or any successor Person thereto and shall initially be the Trustee.

“Purchase Agreement” means (1) with respect to the Initial Notes issued on the Initial Issuance Date, the Exchange and Purchase Agreement dated February 22, 2017 among the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Initial Notes Purchasers, and (2) with respect to each issuance of Additional Notes, the purchase agreement or underwriting agreement among the Issuers and the Persons purchasing such Additional Notes.

“Registered Exchange Offer” means the offer by the Issuers, pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement, to certain Holders of Initial Notes, to issue and deliver to such Holders, in exchange for the Initial Notes, a like aggregate principal amount of Exchange Notes registered under the Securities Act.

“Registration Rights Agreement” means (1) with respect to the Initial Notes issued on the Initial Issuance Date, the Registration Rights Agreement dated March 2, 2017 among the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Initial Notes Purchasers, and (2) with respect to each issuance of

App. - 1

Additional Notes issued in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, the registration rights agreement, if any, among the Issuers and the Persons purchasing such Additional Notes under the related Purchase Agreement.

“Transfer Restricted Securities” means Notes that bear or are required to bear the legend set forth in Section 2.3(b) hereof.

1.2 Other Definitions.



Term	Defined in Section:
“Agent Members”	2.1(b)
“Distribution Compliance Period”	2.1(b)
“Global Notes”	2.1(a)
“Regulation S”	2.1(a)
“Regulation S Notes”	2.1(a)
“Restricted Global Note”	2.1(a)
“Rule 144A”	2.1(a)
“Rule 144A Notes”	2.1(a)

2. The Notes.

2.1 (a) Form and Dating. Initial Notes offered and sold to QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A (“Rule 144A Notes”) under the Securities Act (“Rule 144A”) or in reliance on Regulation S (“Regulation S Notes”) under the Securities Act (“Regulation S”), in each case as provided in a Purchase Agreement, shall be issued initially in the form of one or more permanent global Notes in definitive, fully registered form without interest coupons with the Global Notes Legend and Restricted Notes Legend set forth in Exhibit 1 hereto (each, a “Restricted Global Note”), which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Initial Notes represented thereby with the Trustee, as custodian for the Depository (or with such other custodian as the Depository may direct), and registered in the name of the Depository or a nominee of the Depository, duly executed by the Issuers and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. Beneficial interests in a Restricted Global Note representing Initial Notes sold in reliance on either Rule 144A or Regulation S may be held through Euroclear or Clearstream, as indirect participants in the Depository. The aggregate principal amount of the Global Notes may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee and the Depository or its nominee as hereinafter provided. Exchange Notes shall be issued in global form (with the Global Notes Legend set forth in Exhibit 1 hereto) or in certificated form as provided in Section 2.4 of this Appendix. Exchange Notes issued in global form and Restricted Global Notes are sometimes referred to in this Appendix as “Global Notes.”

(b) Book-Entry Provisions. This Section 2.1(b) shall apply only to a Global Note deposited with or on behalf of the Depository.

App. - 2

The Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with this Section 2.1(b), authenticate and deliver initially one or more Global Notes that (a) shall be registered in the name of the Depository for such Global Note or Global Notes or the nominee of such Depository and (b) shall be delivered by the Trustee to such Depository or pursuant to such Depository’s instructions or held by the Trustee as custodian for the Depository. If such Global Notes are Restricted Global Notes, then separate Global Notes shall be issued to represent Rule 144A Notes and Regulation S Notes so long as required by law or the Depository.

Members of, or participants in, the Depository (“Agent Members”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depository or by the Trustee as the custodian of the Depository or under such Global Note, and the Issuers, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuers or the Trustee shall be entitled to treat the Depository as the absolute owner of such Global Note for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Issuers, the Trustee or any agent of the Issuers or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depository or impair, as between the Depository and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices of such Depository governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of a beneficial interest in any Global Note.

Until the 40th day after the later of the commencement of the offering of any Initial Notes and the original issue date of such Initial Notes (such period, the “Distribution Compliance Period”), a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note representing Regulation S Notes may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in a Restricted Global Note representing Rule 144A Notes only if the transferor first delivers to the Trustee a written certificate (in the form provided in Exhibit 1 hereto) to the effect that such transfer is being made to a Person who the transferor reasonably believes is purchasing for its own account or accounts as to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that such Person is a QIB, in each case in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States or any other jurisdiction. After the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period, such certification requirements shall not apply to such transfers of beneficial interests in a Restricted Global Note representing Regulation S Notes.

Beneficial interests in a Restricted Global Note representing Rule 144A Notes may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in a Restricted Global Note representing Regulation S Notes, whether before or after the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period, only if the transferor first delivers to the Trustee a written certificate (in the form provided in Exhibit 1 hereto) to the effect that such transfer is being made in accordance with Rule 904 of Regulation S or Rule 144 (if available).

(c) Certificated Notes. Except as provided in Section 2.3 or 2.4, owners of beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes shall not be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated Notes. Certificated Notes shall not be exchangeable for beneficial interests in Global Notes.

(d) Notes shall bear the OID Legend set forth in Exhibit 1 if applicable.

App. - 3

2.2 Authentication. The Trustee shall authenticate and deliver: (1) on the Initial Issuance Date, an aggregate principal amount of $345,638,000 10.500% Senior Notes due 2022, (2) any Additional Notes for an original issue in an aggregate principal amount specified in the written order of the Issuers pursuant to Section 2.02 of the Indenture and (3) Exchange Notes for issue only in a Registered Exchange Offer, pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement, for a like principal amount of Initial Notes, in each case upon a written order of the Issuers. Such order shall specify the amount of the Notes to be authenticated, the date on which the original issue of Notes is to be authenticated and to whom the Notes shall be registered and delivered and, in the case of any issuance of Additional Notes pursuant to Section 2.13 of the Indenture, shall certify that such issuance is in compliance with Section 4.09 of the Indenture.

2.3 Transfer and Exchange.

(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. (i) The transfer and exchange of Global Notes or beneficial interests therein shall be effected through the Depository, in accordance with this Indenture (including applicable restrictions on transfer set forth herein, if any) and the procedures of the Depository therefor. A transferor of a beneficial interest in a Global Note shall deliver to the Registrar a written order given in accordance with the Depository’s procedures containing information regarding the participant account of the Depository to be credited with a beneficial interest in the Global Note. The Registrar shall, in accordance with such instructions instruct the Depository to credit to the account of the Person specified in such instructions a beneficial interest in the Global Note and to debit the account of the Person making the transfer the beneficial interest in the Global Note being transferred.

(ii) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Appendix, a Global Note may not be transferred as a whole except by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository or by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or another nominee of the Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such successor Depository.

(iii) In the event that a Restricted Global Note is exchanged for Notes in certificated form pursuant to Section 2.4 of this Appendix, prior to the consummation of a Registered Exchange Offer with respect to such Notes, such Notes may be exchanged only in accordance with such procedures as are substantially consistent with the provisions of this Section 2.3 (including the certification requirements set forth on the reverse of the Initial Notes intended to ensure that such transfers comply with Rule 144A or Regulation S, as the case may be) and such other procedures as may from time to time be adopted by the Company.

(b) Restricted Notes Legend.

(i) Except as permitted by the following paragraphs (ii), (iii) and (iv), each Note certificate evidencing the Restricted Global Notes (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or in substitution thereof) shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

App. - 4

THE NOTES EVIDENCED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER SUCH NOTES NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. THE HOLDER OF ANY NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OR (B) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING SUCH NOTE IN AN “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION” PURSUANT TO RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT, PRIOR TO THE DATE WHICH IS ONE YEAR AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF (OR OF ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH NOTE) OR THE LAST DAY ON WHICH WE OR ANY OF OUR AFFILIATES WERE THE OWNERS OF SUCH NOTE (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH NOTE) (THE “RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE”), OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH NOTE EXCEPT (A) TO AN ISSUER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE NOTES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (“RULE 144A”), TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON‑U.S. PERSONS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) PURSUANT TO RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL GIVE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM SUCH NOTE IS TRANSFERRED PRIOR TO THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND, SUBJECT TO THE ISSUERS’ AND THE TRUSTEE’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER (i) THAT IS (A) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (2)(D) PRIOR TO THE END OF THE 40 DAY DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (B) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (2)(F) PRIOR TO THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM, AND (ii) IN EACH OF THE

App. - 5

FOREGOING CASES IN CLAUSES (i)(A) OR (B), TO REQUIRE THAT A CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER IN THE FORM SPECIFIED IN THE INDENTURE IS COMPLETED AND DELIVERED BY THE TRANSFEROR TO THE TRUSTEE. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED AS TO ANY NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY UPON DELIVERY TO THE TRUSTEE BY US OR THE HOLDER THEREOF OF A WRITTEN REQUEST FOR THE REMOVAL HEREOF, IN ANY CASE AT ANY TIME AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION,” “UNITED STATES” AND “U.S. PERSON” HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

(ii) Upon any sale or transfer of a Transfer Restricted Security (including any Transfer Restricted Security represented by a Restricted Global Note) pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, the Registrar shall permit the transferee thereof to exchange such Transfer Restricted Security for a certificated Note that does not bear the legend set forth above and rescind any restriction on the transfer of such Transfer Restricted Security, if the transferor thereof certifies in writing to the Registrar that such sale or transfer was made in reliance on Rule 144 (such certification to be in the form set forth on the reverse of the Note).

(iii) Subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, the Restricted Notes Legend on any Initial Notes shall be removed at the request of the Holder thereof on or after the Resale Restriction Termination Date thereof.

(iv) Upon the consummation of a Registered Exchange Offer with respect to the Initial Notes, all requirements pertaining to such Initial Notes that Initial Notes issued to certain Holders be issued in global form will still apply with respect to Holders of such Initial Notes that do not exchange their Initial Notes, and Exchange Notes in certificated or global form will be available to Holders that exchange such Initial Notes in such Registered Exchange Offer.

(c) Cancellation or Adjustment of Global Note. At such time as all beneficial interests in a Global Note have either been exchanged for certificated Notes, redeemed, purchased or canceled, such Global Note shall be returned to the Trustee for cancellation or retained and canceled by the Trustee. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for certificated Notes, redeemed, purchased or canceled, or if any certificated Note is exchanged for such a beneficial interest, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced or increased, as appropriate, and an adjustment shall be made on the books and records of the Trustee (if it is then the Notes Custodian for such Global Note) with respect to such Global Note, by the Trustee or the Notes Custodian, to reflect such reduction or increase, as the case may be.

(d) Obligations with Respect to Transfers and Exchanges of Notes.

App. - 6

(i) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate certificated Notes and Global Notes at the Registrar’s request.

(ii) No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Issuers may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax, assessments or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes, assessments or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 3.06, 4.10, 4.15 and 9.05 of the Indenture).

(iii) The Registrar shall not be required to register the transfer of or exchange of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, it need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed.

(iv) Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Note, the Issuers, the Guarantors, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar may deem and treat the Person in whose name a Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of, premium, if any, interest and Additional Interest, if any, on such Note and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Note is overdue, and none of the Issuers, the Guarantors, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

(v) All Notes issued upon any transfer or exchange pursuant to the terms of this Indenture shall evidence the same debt and shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Notes surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.

(e) No Obligation of the Trustee.

(i) The Trustee shall have no responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of a Global Note, a member of, or a participant in the Depository or other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depository or its nominee or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Notes or with respect to the delivery to any participant, member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depository) of any notice (including any notice of redemption) or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Notes. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to Holders under the Notes shall be given or made only to or upon the order of the registered Holders (which shall be the Depository or its nominee in the case of a Global Note). The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Note shall be exercised only through the Depository subject to the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository. The Trustee may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depository with respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners.

(ii) The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or

App. - 7

under Applicable Law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among Depository participants, members or beneficial owners in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

(iii) Neither the Trustee nor any Agent shall have any responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by the Depositary.

2.4 Certificated Notes.

(a) A Global Note deposited with the Depository or with the Trustee as custodian for the Depository pursuant to Section 2.1 shall be transferred to the beneficial owners thereof in the form of certificated Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Global Note, in exchange for such Global Note, only if such transfer complies with Section 2.3 and (i) the Depository notifies the Issuers that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for such Global Note or if at any time such Depository ceases to be a “clearing agency” registered under the Exchange Act and in either event a successor depositary is not appointed by the Issuers within 90 days, or (ii) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Depository notifies the Trustee of its decision to exchange the Global Note for a certificated Note. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, and notwithstanding any contrary indication in Section 2.3(b), beneficial interests in a Global Note may be exchanged for certificated Notes only with the consent of the Company, including if an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company acquires such interests.

(b) Any Global Note that is transferable to the beneficial owners thereof pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall be surrendered by the Depository or the Notes Custodian to the Trustee located at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee to be so transferred, in whole or from time to time in part, without charge, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, upon such transfer of each portion of such Global Note, an equal aggregate principal amount of certificated Notes of authorized denominations. Any portion of a Global Note transferred pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall be executed, authenticated and delivered only in minimum denominations of $2,000 principal amount and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof and registered in such names as the Depository shall direct. Any certificated Note delivered in exchange for an interest in the Global Note shall, except as otherwise provided by Section 2.3(b), bear the Restricted Notes Legend set forth in Exhibit 1 hereto.

(c) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.4(b), the Holder of a Global Note shall be entitled to grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Agent Members and Persons that may hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action which a Holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Notes.

(d) In the event of the occurrence of any of the events specified in Section 2.4(a), the Issuers shall promptly make available to the Trustee a reasonable supply of certificated Notes in definitive, fully registered form without interest coupons.

App. - 8

EXHIBIT 1 TO RULE 144A/REGULATION S APPENDIX

[FORM OF FACE OF NOTE]

[Global Notes Legend]

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, TO AN ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC) ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.

[Restricted Notes Legend]

Ex. 1 to App. - 1

AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE NOTES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (“RULE 144A”), TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PERSONS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) PURSUANT TO RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL GIVE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM SUCH NOTE IS TRANSFERRED PRIOR TO THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND, SUBJECT TO THE ISSUERS’ AND THE TRUSTEE’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER (i) THAT IS (A) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (2)(D) PRIOR TO THE END OF THE 40 DAY DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (B) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (2)(F) PRIOR TO THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM, AND (ii) IN EACH OF THE FOREGOING CASES IN CLAUSES (i)(A) OR (B), TO REQUIRE THAT A CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER IN THE FORM SPECIFIED IN THE INDENTURE IS COMPLETED AND DELIVERED BY THE TRANSFEROR TO THE TRUSTEE. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED AS TO ANY NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY UPON DELIVERY TO THE TRUSTEE BY US OR THE HOLDER THEREOF OF A WRITTEN REQUEST FOR THE REMOVAL HEREOF, IN ANY CASE AT ANY TIME AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION,” “UNITED STATES” AND “U.S. PERSON” HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

[Additional Restricted Notes Legend for Notes Offered in Reliance on Regulation S]

BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER HEREOF REPRESENTS THAT IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON NOR IS IT PURCHASING FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

[OID LEGEND]

[FOR THE PURPOSES OF SECTIONS 1272, 1273 AND 1275 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED, THIS SECURITY IS BEING ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT. YOU MAY CONTACT THE COMPANY AT NATURAL

Ex. 1 to App. - 2

RESOURCE PARTNERS, L.P., ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇, ATTENTION: CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, AND THE COMPANY WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH THE ISSUE PRICE, THE AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, THE INITIAL ISSUANCE DATE AND THE YIELD TO MATURITY OF THIS SECURITY.]²



² Include if applicable.

Ex. 1 to App. - 3

NATURAL RESOURCE PARTNERS L.P.

NRP FINANCE CORPORATION



No.		$
		CUSIP No.
		ISIN No.

10.500% Senior Note due 2022

Natural Resource Partners L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and NRP Finance Corporation, a Delaware corporation, jointly and severally promise to pay to _________, or registered assigns, the principal sum of _________ Dollars on March 15, 2022 [or such greater or lesser amount as may be indicated on the Schedule attached hereto].³

Interest Payment Dates: March 15 and September 15, commencing September 15, 2017.

Record Dates: March 1 and September 1.

Additional provisions of this Note are set forth on the other side of this Note.

NATURAL RESOURCE PARTNERS L.P.

BY: NRP (GP) LP, ITS GENERAL PARTNER

By: GP Natural Resource Partners LLC, its general partner

By:

Name:

Title:

NRP FINANCE CORPORATION

By:

Name:

Title:



3	If this Note is a Global Note,	add this provision

Ex. 1 to App. - 4

Ex. 1 to App. - 5

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF
AUTHENTICATION

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee, certifies that
this is one of the Notes
referred to in the Indenture.

Authorized Signatory

Dated:

Ex. 1 to App. - 6

[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF NOTE]

10.500% Senior Note due 2022

Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

1.Interest. Natural Resource Partners L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Company”), and NRP Finance Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Finance Corp.” and, together with the Company, the “Issuers”), jointly and severally promise to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of this Note at 10.500% per annum [and shall pay any Additional Interest payable pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement referred to below. References herein to “interest” include such Additional Interest to the extent applicable.]⁴ The Issuers will pay interest semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year, commencing September 15, 2017, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each an “Interest Payment Date”). Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from [ ] [the date of original issuance]; provided that if there is no existing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date, except in the case of the original issuance of Notes, in which case interest shall accrue from the date of authentication. The Issuers shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at a rate that is the rate then in effect, to the extent lawful; and they shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods), from time to time on demand at the same rate, to the extent lawful. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.



4	Include for Initial Notes, if	applicable

Ex. 1 to App. - 7

2. Method of Payment. The Issuers will pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the March 1 or September 1 next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are cancelled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.11 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. Holders must surrender Notes to the Paying Agent to collect payments of principal and premium, if any, together with accrued and unpaid interest due at maturity. The Notes will be payable as to principal, premium, if any, and interest at the office or agency of the Issuers maintained for such purpose or, at the option of the Issuers, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders, and provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account in the United States will be required with respect to any amounts due on all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which shall have provided wire transfer instructions to the Issuers or the Paying Agent. Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

3. Paying Agent and Registrar. Initially, the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

4. Indenture. The Issuers issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of March 2, 2017 (“Indenture”) among the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S. Code §§ 77aaa-77bbbb). The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. If the terms of this Note conflict with the Indenture, the Indenture shall govern. The Notes are unsecured senior obligations of the Issuers limited to $345,638,000 aggregate principal amount in the case of Notes issued on the Initial Issuance Date (as defined in the Indenture).

5. Optional Redemption.

(a)Except as set forth in subparagraphs (b), (c) and (d) of this Paragraph 5, the Issuers shall not have the option to redeem the Notes prior to March 15, 2019. On or after March 15, 2019, the Issuers may redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon prior notice as set forth in Paragraph 8, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes redeemed to the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date that is on or prior to the redemption date), if redeemed during the 12 month beginning March 15 of the years indicated below:

Ex. 1 to App. - 8



PERIOD	PERCENTAGE
2019	105.250	%
2020	102.625	%
2021 and thereafter	100.000	%

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph 5, at any time prior to March 15, 2019, the Issuers may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes (including any Additional Notes) issued under the Indenture at a redemption price of 110.500% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and thereon to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date that is on or prior to the redemption date), in an amount not greater than the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings by the Company; provided that (i) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes (including any Additional Notes) issued on the date of the Indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (excluding any Notes held by the Company and its Subsidiaries) and (ii) the redemption occurs within 180 days of the date of the closing of each such Equity Offering.

(c) Prior to March 15, 2019, the Issuers may on one or more occasions redeem all or part of the Notes at a redemption price equal to the sum of (1) 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus (2) the Make Whole Premium at the redemption date, plus (3) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date that is on or prior to the redemption date)

(d) The Notes may also be redeemed, as a whole, following certain Change of Control Offers, at the redemption price and subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.15(6) of the Indenture.

6. Mandatory Redemption.

Except as set forth in Paragraph 7 below, neither of the Issuers is required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes or to repurchase the Notes at the option of the Holders.

7. Repurchase at Option of Holder.

(a) Except as provided in the Indenture, within 30 days following the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company shall make an offer (a “Change of Control Offer”) to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of each Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% (or at the Company’s option, a greater percentage) of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the date of settlement (the “Change of Control Settlement Date”), subject to the right of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date that is on or prior to the Change of Control

Ex. 1 to App. - 9

Settlement Date. The Company will mail a notice of the Change of Control Offer to each Holder and the Trustee describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control and setting forth the procedures governing the Change of Control Offer as required by Section 4.15 of the Indenture.

(b) When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds then exceeds $25.0 million, within 10 days the Company shall commence a pro rata offer to all Holders of Notes (an “Asset Sale Offer”) pursuant to Section 3.09 of the Indenture, and to all holders of any Pari Passu Indebtedness then outstanding, to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds, at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, thereon to the date of settlement, subject to the right of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date that is on or prior to the Change of Control Settlement Date, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture. Holders of Notes that are the subject of an offer to purchase will receive an Asset Sale Offer from the Company prior to any related purchase date and may elect to have such Notes purchased by completing the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of the Notes.

8. Notice of Redemption. Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days (except as otherwise provided in the Indenture if the notice is issued in connection with a Legal Defeasance, Covenant Defeasance or Discharge) before the redemption date to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address. If given in the manner provided for in Section 3.03 of the Indenture, the notice of redemption shall be conclusively presumed to have been given whether or not a Holder receives such notice. Failure to give timely notice or any defect in the notice shall not affect the validity of the redemption. Notes in denominations larger than $2,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, unless all of the Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed. On and after the redemption date interest and Additional Interest, if any, will cease to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption.

9. Denominations, Transfer, Exchange. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents, and the Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes due on transfer or exchange. The Issuers need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, they need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed.

10. Persons Deemed Owners. The registered holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.

11. Amendment, Supplement and Waiver. Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture or the Notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of a

Ex. 1 to App. - 10

majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes, and any existing default or compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes. Without the consent of any Holder of a Note, the Indenture or the Notes may be amended or supplemented (1) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, (2) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes, (3) to provide for the assumption of an Issuer’s obligations to Holders of Notes pursuant to Article 5 of the Indenture, (4) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the Indenture of any such Holder, (5) to secure the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees pursuant to Section 4.12 of the Indenture, (6) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in the Indenture, (7) to add any additional Guarantor with respect to the Notes or to evidence the release of any Guarantor from its Subsidiary Guarantee, in each case as provided in the Indenture, (8) to comply with the requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act, (9) to provide for the reorganization of the Company as any other form of entity in accordance with the second paragraph of Section 5.01 of the Indenture or (10) to evidence or provide for the acceptance of appointment under the Indenture of a successor Trustee.

12. Defaults and Remedies. The Events of Default relating to the Notes are defined in Section 6.01 of the Indenture. If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee, by notice to the Issuers, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes, by notice to the Issuers and the Trustee, may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately. Notwithstanding the preceding, in the case of an Event of Default arising from such events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization described in Section 6.01(h) or 6.01(i) of the Indenture, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable without further action or notice. Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power conferred on it. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal, interest or premium) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under the Indenture except as provided in the Indenture. The Issuers are required to deliver to the Trustee annually an Officers’ Certificate regarding compliance with the Indenture, and, so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Issuers are required upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default or Event of Default.

13. Defeasance and Discharge. The Notes are subject to defeasance and discharge upon the terms and conditions specified in the Indenture.

14. No Recourse Against Others. Neither the General Partner, nor any past, present or future director, officer, partner, employee, incorporator, manager or unitholder or other

Ex. 1 to App. - 11

owner of Capital Stock of the Issuers, the General Partner, Holdco or any Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or any Guarantor under the Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes.

15. Authentication. This Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of an authorized signatory of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

16. Abbreviations. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

17. [Additional Rights of Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities. In addition to the rights provided to Holders of Notes under the Indenture, Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities shall have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of March 2, 2017, among the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Initial Notes Purchasers (the “Registration Rights Agreement”).]⁵

18. CUSIP Numbers. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Issuers have caused CUSIP numbers and corresponding ISIN numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers and corresponding ISIN numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.



5	Include for Initial Notes,	if applicable

Ex. 1 to App. - 12

19. Governing Law. THE INDENTURE AND THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

20. Successors. In the event a successor assumes all the obligations of an Issuer under the Notes and the Indenture, pursuant to the terms thereof, such Issuer will be released from all such obligations.

The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture or the Registration Rights Agreement. Requests may be made to:

Natural Resource Partners L.P.
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: Chief Financial Officer

Ex. 1 to App. - 13

ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

I or we assign and transfer this Note to

Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

(Insert assignee’s Soc. Sec. or Tax I.D. No.)

and irrevocably appoint __________________ agent to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuers. The agent may substitute another to act for him.



Date:	Your Signature:
	Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note.

Signature Guarantee:

(Signature must be guaranteed)

Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

[In connection with any transfer of any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate occurring prior to the expiration of one year after the later of the date of original issuance of such Notes (or the date of any subsequent reopening of the Notes) and the last date, if any, on which such Notes were owned by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company (or, in the case of Regulation S Notes, prior to the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period), the undersigned confirms that such Notes are being transferred in accordance with its terms:

CHECK ONE BOX BELOW


(1)	to an Issuer; or


(2)	pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933; or

Ex. 1 to App. - 14

(3)

inside the United States to a person who the undersigned reasonably believes is a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933) that is purchasing for its own account or for the account of a qualified institutional buyer to whom notice is given that such transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A, in each case pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933; or


(4)	outside the United States in an offshore transaction within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act in compliance with Rule 904 under the Securities Act of 1933; or


(5)	pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933.

Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Trustee will refuse to register any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate in the name of any person other than the registered holder thereof; provided, however, that if box (4) or (5) is checked, the Trustee shall be entitled to require, prior to registering any such transfer of the Notes, such legal opinions, certifications and other information as the Company has reasonably requested to confirm that such transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, such as the exemption provided by Rule 144 under such Act.

Signature

TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (3) ABOVE IS CHECKED.

The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this Note for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Issuers and any Guarantors as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the undersigned’s foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A.



Dated:	Your Signature:
	Notice: To be executed by an executive officer]⁶



6	Include for Initial Note

Ex. 1 to App. - 15

OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.15 of the Indenture, check the box below:

Section 4.10 Section 4.15

If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.15 of the Indenture, state the amount (in minimum denomination of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof) you elect to have purchased: $____________



Date:	Your Signature:
		(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note)

Soc. Sec. or Tax Identification No.:

Signature Guarantee:

(signature must be guaranteed)

Ex. 1 to App. - 16

[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL NOTE]

SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL NOTE

The following increases or decreases in this Global Note have been made:



Date	Amount of decrease in Principal Amount of this Global Note	Amount of increase in Principal Amount of this Global Note	Principal Amount of this Global Note following such decrease or increase	Signature of authorized officer of Trustee or Notes Custodian

Ex. 1 to App. - 17

ANNEX A

NATURAL RESOURCE PARTNERS L.P.

NRP FINANCE CORPORATION

and

the Guarantors named herein

__________________________________________

10.500% Senior Notes due 2022

__________________________________________

_____________________

FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
AND AMENDMENT — SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEE

Dated as of __,_

_____________________

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

_____________________

A-1

This SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of, is among Natural Resource Partners L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Company”), NRP Finance Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Finance Corp.” and, together with the Company, the “Issuers”), each of the parties identified under the caption “Guarantors” on the signature page hereto (the “Guarantors”) and Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national banking association, as Trustee.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Issuers, the initial Guarantors and the Trustee entered into an Indenture, dated as of March 2, 2017 (the “Indenture”), pursuant to which the Issuers have issued $345,638,000 in principal amount of 10.500% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “Notes”);

WHEREAS, Section 9.01(g) of the Indenture provides that the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture in order to comply with Section 4.13 or 10.03 thereof, without the consent of the Holders of the Notes; and

WHEREAS, all acts and things prescribed by the Indenture, by law and by the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws (or comparable constituent documents) of the Issuers, of the Guarantors and of the Trustee necessary to make this Supplemental Indenture a valid instrument legally binding on the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee, in accordance with its terms, have been duly done and performed;

NOW, THEREFORE, to comply with the provisions of the Indenture and in consideration of the above premises, the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee covenant and agree for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective Holders of the Notes as follows:

ARTICLE 1

Section 1.01 This Supplemental Indenture is supplemental to the Indenture and does and shall be deemed to form a part of, and shall be construed in connection with and as part of, the Indenture for any and all purposes.

Section 1.02 This Supplemental Indenture shall become effective immediately upon its execution and delivery by each of the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee.

ARTICLE 2

From this date, in accordance with Section 4.13 or 10.03 of the Indenture and by executing this Supplemental Indenture, the Guarantors whose signatures appear below are subject to the provisions of the Indenture to the extent provided for in, and subject to the limitations of, Article 10 thereunder.

ARTICLE 3

Section 3.01 Except as specifically modified herein, the Indenture and the Notes are in all respects ratified and confirmed (mutatis mutandis) and shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with their terms with all capitalized terms used herein without definition having the same respective meanings ascribed to them as in the Indenture.

Section 3.02. No duties, responsibilities or liabilities are assumed, or shall be construed to be assumed, by the Trustee by reason of this Supplemental Indenture. This Supplemental Indenture is executed and accepted by the Trustee subject to all the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture with the same force and effect as if those terms and conditions were repeated at length herein and made applicable to the Trustee with respect hereto. The Trustee is not responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein.

Section 3.03 THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

Section 3.04 The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of such executed copies together shall represent the same agreement.

[NEXT PAGE IS SIGNATURE PAGE]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the date first written above.

NATURAL RESOURCE PARTNERS L.P.

BY: NRP (GP) LP, ITS GENERAL PARTNER

Name:

Title:

NRP FINANCE CORPORATION

Name:

Title:

GUARANTORS
[_]

Name:

Title:

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
AS TRUSTEE

Name:

Title:

NRP FINANCE CORPORATION 10.500% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2022 INDENTURE Dated as of March 2, 2017 WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

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