All Canyon Resources Employees REMINDER ABOUT THE 4O1(K) PLAN AND SUMMARY OF RECENT CHANGES

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1 TO: RE: All Canyon Resources Employees REMINDER ABOUT THE 4O1(K) PLAN AND SUMMARY OF RECENT CHANGES WHAT IS THE 401(k) PLAN? The 401(k) plan is designed to help you save for your retirement. You decide how much to contribute and, with the help of investment professionals, you decide how to allocate contributions among your investments. The combined contributions to a 401(k) plan are made from every paycheck at a rate you specify. A 401(k) plan offers a potential tax benefit. Pre-tax contributions to a 401(k) plan are excluded from your taxable income. Contributions and investment earnings grow tax-deferred. No taxes are owed until distributions are taken from the plan. DON T MISS OUT ON THE COMPANY CONTRIBUTION!! Atna Resources offers a generous match for those who participant in the Plan. Atna Resources matches 100% on the 1 st 3% of pay and 50% on the next 2%. For example, if you contribute 5% of your paycheck, Atna Resources will give you an additional 4%. This is FREE money and a great incentive to contribute to the plan. UPCOMING INVESTMENT CHANGES In an effort to provide you with the most valuable retirement plan program available, Atna Resources has recently completed a review of the investment options offered through our 401(k) plan. After careful consideration, we have decided to proceed with a few changes to our investment menu. Please carefully review the attached notice outlining the fund changes. Effective 09/04/2012 the following fund option(s) will be added to our program: (A Mid-Cap growth fund) Franklin Utilities A Fund (A large, value and utility sector fund) Principal Stable Value fund (High- quality stable fixed-income fund) Oppenheimer International diversified A Fund (An international large growth fund) Prudential Jennison Natural Resources A Fund (A large, growth and natural resource sector fund) Effective 09/04/2012 the following fund option(s) will be closed (i.e., they will no longer be available) MidCap Growth Separate Account (Replaced by American Century) Diversified International Separate Account (Replaced by Oppenheimer International) Money Market Separate Account (Replaced by ) Guaranteed Interest Account 5 year (Replaced by ) U.S. Property Separate Account (Not replaced, but funds not other wise transferred will be moved to Prudential Jennison Natural Resources) Principal Financial group, Inc. stock Separate Account (Transfers to Large Cap S&P 300 Index Sep Account)

2 Our goal is to provide a reasonable number of high quality investment options which would allow each of you to construct a portfolio suited to your personal risk levels and retirement needs. As such, we will continue to monitor the plan s investments over time and make appropriate changes when warranted. NEED MORE HELP?? During the week of August 6 th, you will have the opportunity to discuss how the Plan works, review investment options, and request assistance with paperwork from an on-site representative. The secret to any successful savings program is consistent saving and investing. Our plan gives you a great opportunity to make savings a part of your overall budget and to pay first the most important person you know YOU! We hope you continue to take full advantage of our Company s retirement plan and all it has to offer!

3 Introducing Important Changes for CANYON RESOURCES CORPORATION 401K RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN Important New Changes The CANYON RESOURCES CORPORATION 401K RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN (the Plan) is a great way to save for retirement. The goal of the plan is to continue helping you build a more secure financial future by providing a wide array of investment options. Recently, we restructured the investment option line-up. Read on for more details on the upcoming investment option changes and effective date(s). (Please see the attached information so you may compare the current and new investment options.) Summary of Changes A summary of the investment option changes and remaining investment options are listed below. Closed (s) - Effective 09/04/2012 s Columbus Circle Investors Principal Global Investors Principal Global Investors Principal Real Estate Inv MidCap Growth Separate Account A Diversified International Separate Account A Money Market Separate Account A U.S. Property Separate Account* A Guaranteed Interest Account 5 year Principal Financial Group, Inc. Stock Separate Account* New (s) - Effective 09/04/2012 American Century Inv. Mgmt. Franklin Advisers, Inc Morley Financial Services, Inc OppenheimerFunds, Inc. Prudential Investments, LLC s Franklin Utilities A Fund Prudential Jennison Natural Resources A Fund Complete List of the Plan s Available s - Effective 09/04/2012 s Type of Fund American Beacon American Beacon Large Cap Value Investor Large Cap Value Fund Fund American Century Inv. Mgmt. Domestic Growth Fund Black Rock Advisors, LLC Black Rock Small Cap Growth Equity A Fund Small Cap Growth Columbia Management Advisors Columbia Small Cap Core A Fund Small Cap Core Columbia Management Advisors Columbia Small Cap Value I A Fund Small Cap Value Franklin Advisers, Inc Franklin Utilities A Fund Bond Mutual Funds Goldman Sachs/LA Capital Mgmt Mid Cap Value I Separate Account A Mid Cap Value Morley Financial Services, Inc Fixed Income Oppenheimer Funds, Inc. International Growth Fund PIMCO PIMCO Total Return A Fund Mutual Fund Principal Global Investors Large Cap S&P 500 Index Separate Account A Large Cap S&P

4 s Type of Fund Principal Global Investors Mid Cap Blend Separate Account A Mid Cap Blend Prudential Investments, LLC Prudential Jennison Natural Resources A Fund Natural Resource Equity T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. T. Rowe Price Retirement 2005 R Fund Retirement Fund T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. T. Rowe Price Retirement 2010 R Fund Retirement Fund T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. T. Rowe Price Retirement 2015 R Fund Retirement Fund T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. T. Rowe Price Retirement 2020 R Fund Retirement Fund T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. T. Rowe Price Retirement 2025 R Fund Retirement Fund T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. T. Rowe Price Retirement 2030 R Fund Retirement Fund T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. T. Rowe Price Retirement 2035 R Fund Retirement Fund T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. T. Rowe Price Retirement 2040 R Fund Retirement Fund T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. T. Rowe Price Retirement 2045 R Fund Retirement Fund T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. T. Rowe Price Retirement 2050 R Fund Retirement Fund T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. T. Rowe Price Retirement 2055 R Fund Retirement Fund T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. T. Rowe Price Retirement Income R Fund Retirement Fund T. Rowe Price/Brown Advisory Large Cap Growth I Separate Account A Large Cap Growth T. Rowe / Clearbridge Advisors Large Cap Blend II Separate Account A Large Cap Blend How the Changes Impact You Effective 09/04/2012, certain investment options listed below will no longer be available. If you are currently directing contributions into one or all of these closed investment options, your investment direction and balances will be redirected as illustrated in the table below, unless you direct otherwise prior to the effective date. Redirection for closing investment Option(s) - Effective 09/04/2012 (Please note if the effective date is a closed market date the retirement funds will be redirected on the next open market date.) Closed New Columbus Circle Investors Principal Global Investors Principal Global Investors Existing Redirected to MidCap Growth American Century Separate Account A Inv. Mgmt. Diversified International Separate Account A OppenheimerFund s, Inc. Money Market Morley Financial Separate Account A Services, Inc New Investment Options American Century Heritage Inv Fund G Oppenheimer International Diversified A Fund G Principal Stable Value Fund G Effective 09/04/2012, the Guaranteed Interest Account 3 year investment option will no longer be available. Existing retirement funds may remain in the closed investment option. Upon maturity, retirement funds in this investment option will be directed as illustrated in the table below, unless you direct otherwise prior to the maturity date. If you are currently directing your contributions into this closed investment option, your investment direction for new contributions to the Plan will be changed as illustrated in the table below, unless you direct otherwise prior to the effective date. Redirection for closing investment Option(s) - Effective 09/04/2012 (Please note if the effective date is a closed market date the retirement funds will be redirected on the next open market date.)

5 Closed New Existing Redirected to New Investment Options Guaranteed Interest Account 5 year Morley Financial Services, Inc Principal Stable Value Fund G As of 06/01/2009, the US Property Separate Account investment option was no longer available. Effective 09/04/2012, balances in this investment option will be directed as illustrated in the table below, unless you direct otherwise prior to the effective date. If you elect to contribute funds into the Principal U.S. Property Separate Account, you may not be able to immediately withdraw funds. A contractual limitation in the group annuity contract may be implemented, which will allow for withdrawal requests to be delayed and satisfied over time among all those who request a withdrawal, to help manage this Separate Account. Please log on to the participant website at for more details. Redirection for closing investment Option(s) - Effective 09/04/2012 (Please note if the effective date is a closed market date the retirement funds will be redirected on the next open market date.) Closed New Existing Redirected to New Investment Options Principal Real Estate Inv U.S. Property Separate Account A Prudential Investments, LLC Prudential Jennison Natural Resources A Fund E As of 12/07/2001, the Principal Financial Group, Inc. Stock Separate Account investment option was no longer available. Effective 09/04/2012, balances in this investment option will be directed as illustrated in the table below, unless you direct otherwise prior to the effective date. Redirection for closing investment Option(s) - Effective 09/04/2012 (Please note if the effective date is a closed market date the retirement funds will be redirected on the next open market date.) Closed New Existing Redirected to New Investment Options Principal Financial Group, Inc. Stock Separate Account Principal Global Investors LargeCap S&P 500 Index Separate Account A E Default If you currently contribute, but have not elected an investment direction, contributions will be directed to a T. Rowe Price Retirement R Fund based on your current age and the Normal Retirement age as stated in the Plan, unless you direct otherwise. Other Changes (Please see the attached information so you may compare the current and new investment options.)

6 Effective 09/04/2012 the investment options currently being used for the Plan's RetireView populated models are changing. If you are using the RetireView populated models, your contributions and balances will be directed as illustrated in the RetireView populated models summary, unless you direct otherwise by opting out of the RetireView asset allocation education service and elect from the Plan's other investment options prior to the effective date of the change in the expense ratios. Please visit The Principal participant Web site for more information at for more details. How To Get More Information Prior to the effective date(s) outlined in this document, you may find it useful to review your investment allocation to determine if these investment changes impact you. To do so, please: Log into principal.com to view your account information, OR Call our automated phone system at Either of the above options will allow you to view and/or change how your current balances or future contributions are being invested. Take a few moments to review the Plan's investment option information today.

7 Investors should carefully consider a mutual fund s investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses prior to investing. A prospectus, or summary prospectus if available, containing this and other information can be obtained by contacting a financial professional, visiting principal.com, or calling Read the prospectus carefully before investing. Before directing retirement funds to a separate account, investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the separate account as well as their individual risk tolerance, time horizon and goals. For additional information contact us at or by visiting principal.com. If you elect to contribute funds into the Principal U.S. Property Separate Account, you may not be able to immediately withdraw funds. A contractual limitation in the group annuity contract may be implemented, which will allow for withdrawal requests to be delayed and satisfied over time among all those who request a withdrawal, to help manage this Separate Account. Please log on to the participant website at for more details. Several investment companies have decided to impose redemption fees and/or transfer restrictions on certain plan and/or participant transactions. One or more of the investment options in your employer's retirement plan may be impacted. For more information, visit us at The Principal Retirement Service Center at Separate Accounts are available through a group annuity contract with the Principal Life Insurance Company. Insurance products and plan administrative services are provided by Principal Life Insurance Company a member of the Principal Financial Group, Des Moines, IA As allowed by their prospectuses, several mutual fund companies have decided to impose redemption fees and/or transfer restrictions on certain plan and/or participant transactions. One or more of the investment options in your employer's retirement plan may be impacted. For more information, visit us at The Principal Retirement Service Center at Insurance products and plan administrative services are provided by Principal Life Insurance Company. Securities are offered through Princor Financial Services Corporation, , member SIPC and/or independent broker dealers. Securities sold by a Princor Registered Representative are offered through Princor. Princor and Principal Life are members of the Principal Financial Group, Des Moines, IA The value of the investment options will fluctuate so that when redeemed, shares or units may be worth more or less than the original cost. A Sub-advised s include Separate Accounts available through a group annuity contract with the Principal Life Insurance Company. Insurance products and plan administrative services are provided by Principal Life Insurance Company a member of the Principal Financial Group, Des Moines, IA For more information about this investment option, including its full name, please visit or call for assistance from a retirement specialist. Certain investment options may not be available in all states or U.S. commonwealths. E - Mapping Balances Only G - Mapping Balances and Future Contributions Fixed-income investment options are subject to interest rate risk, and their value will decline as interest rates rise. Neither the principal of bond investment options nor their yields are guaranteed by the U.S. government. High-yield investment options are subject to greater credit risk associated with high yield bonds. Small-cap and mid-cap investment options are subject to more fluctuation in value and may have additional risks than other investment options with stocks of larger, more stable companies. International and global investment options are subject to additional risk due to fluctuating exchange rates, foreign accounting and financial policies, and other economic and political environments. Specialty investment options may experience greater volatility than funds with a broader investment strategy due to sector focus. These investment options are not intended to serve as a complete investment program by itself. Real estate investment options are subject to some risks inherent in real estate and Real Estate Investment Trusts, such as risks associated with general and local economic conditions. Money market investment options are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although the investment option may seek to preserve the value of $1.00 per share or unit value it is possible to lose money. Money market investment options are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), or any other government agency. Although the investment option may seek to preserve the value of an investment, it is possible to lose money by investing in the portfolio.

8 Each index-based investment option is invested in the stocks or bonds of the index it tracks. Performance of indexes reflects the unmanaged result for the market segment the selected stocks or bonds represent. There is no assurance an index-based investment option will match the performance of the index tracked. Equity investment options involve greater risk, including heightened volatility, than fixed-income investment options. Fixed-income investment options are subject to interest rate risk, and their value will decline as interest rates rise. Asset allocation does not guarantee a profit or protect against a loss. Investing in real estate, small-cap, international, and highyield investment options involves additional risk. Additionally there is no guarantee an asset allocation investment option will provide adequate income at or through retirement. Fixed-income and asset allocation investment options that invest in mortgage securities are subject to increased risk due to real estate exposure. The Principal U.S. Property investment option is subject to investment and liquidity risk and other risks inherent in real estate such as those associated with general and local economic conditions. Payment of principal and earnings may be delayed. Following an asset allocation model does not assure a profit or guarantee that a participant will not incur a loss. Performance of the individual models may fluctuate and will be influenced by many factors. In applying particular asset allocation models to their individual situations, participants or beneficiaries should consider their other assets, income and investments (e.g., equity in a home, IRA investments, savings accounts and interests in other qualified and nonqualified plans) in addition to their interests in the plan. The models created by Ibbotson Associates for RetireView ("Models") are intended to be used as an additional information source for retirement plan participants making investment allocation decisions. Pursuant to Department of Labor Interpretive Bulletin 96-1, such Models (taken alone or in conjunction with this document) do not constitute investment advice for purposes of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and there is no agreement or understanding between Ibbotson Associates, the plan, any plan fiduciary or any plan participant, under which the plan participant receives information, recommendations or advice concerning investments which are to be used as a primary basis for any investment decisions relating to the plan. Accordingly, neither Ibbotson Associates, any member of the Principal Financial Group nor any Financial Advisor is a fiduciary under ERISA with respect to the creation of the Models and/or the use or implementation of RetireView. t ar

9 July 17, 2012 RetireView Populated Models Conservative Moderate Conservative Moderate Moderate Aggressive Aggressive 5 Years or less to Retirement Asset Allocation Model C1 MC1 M1 MA1 A1 PIMCO Total Return A Fund American Beacon Large Cap Value Investor Fund LargeCap S&P 500 Index Separate Account LargeCap Growth I Separate Account Columbia Small Cap Value I A Fund MidCap Value I Separate Account Columbia Small Cap Core A Fund BlackRock Small Cap Growth Equity A Fund % 3.5% Years to Retirement Asset Allocation Model C2 MC2 M2 MA2 A2 PIMCO Total Return A Fund American Beacon Large Cap Value Investor Fund LargeCap S&P 500 Index Separate Account LargeCap Growth I Separate Account Columbia Small Cap Value I A Fund MidCap Value I Separate Account Columbia Small Cap Core A Fund BlackRock Small Cap Growth Equity A Fund Years to Retirement Asset Allocation Model C3 MC3 M3 MA3 A3 PIMCO Total Return A Fund American Beacon Large Cap Value Investor Fund LargeCap S&P 500 Index Separate Account LargeCap Growth I Separate Account Columbia Small Cap Value I A Fund MidCap Value I Separate Account Columbia Small Cap Core A Fund BlackRock Small Cap Growth Equity A Fund % 5.5% Years to Retirement Asset Allocation Model C4 MC4 M4 MA4 A4 PIMCO Total Return A Fund American Beacon Large Cap Value Investor Fund LargeCap S&P 500 Index Separate Account LargeCap Growth I Separate Account Columbia Small Cap Value I A Fund MidCap Value I Separate Account Columbia Small Cap Core A Fund BlackRock Small Cap Growth Equity A Fund % 3.5% RetireView asset allocation models are effective 05/15/2012 Note: RetireView populated model weightings are based on the RetireView asset allocation model effective date. These asset allocation targets may change periodically. If you are already utilizing the RetireView asset allocation education services and have not elected the most recent RetireView asset allocation models that are effective 05/15/2012 your investment direction weightings may not align with the weightings shown here.