The purpose of the company is to acquire, hold, manage and dispose of participations in companies in Switzerland and abroad, which are particularly active in the mining sector. The company may establish subsidiaries and branches and participate in other companies. However, participation in and the establishment of companies with their registered office in Switzerland, whose actual purpose is the acquisition of real estate in Switzerland that does not serve as a permanent business establishment of a commercial, manufacturing or other business operated in a commercial manner, a craft business or a liberal profession, is excluded, unless the shares of such company are listed on a stock exchange in Switzerland. The company may acquire, hold, encumber and dispose of real estate in Switzerland for business purposes (business premises), real estate abroad and intellectual property rights. The company may also carry out all commercial, financial and other activities that are directly or indirectly related to the purpose of the company. The company may grant loans and other direct or indirect financing to group companies and third parties, including its (direct and indirect) shareholders and their group companies, and provide security for their liabilities of any kind, including by way of pledges on or fiduciary transfers of the company's assets or guarantees of any kind, whether remunerated or not.