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VISTA GOLD CORP - Quarter Report: 2013 June (Form 10-Q)

 

 

 

UNITED STATES 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 

Washington, D.C. 20549 

 

FORM 10-Q 

 

(Mark One) 

 

 

x

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2013

 

 

OR

 

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from ___________ to ______________

 

Commission File Number 1-09025 

 

VISTA GOLD CORP. 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) 

 

 

 

 

British Columbia, Canada

 

98-0542444

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

Suite 5, 7961 Shaffer Parkway

 

 

Littleton, Colorado

 

80127

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

 

(720) 981-1185 

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports); and (2) has been subject to the filing requirements for the past 90 days:  Yes x No  

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes x No    

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one): 

 

 

 

 

Large accelerated filer

 

Accelerated filer x

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer

 

Smaller reporting company 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act): Yes No x   

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: 81,788,835 common shares, without par value, outstanding as of July 29, 2013.

 

  

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VISTA GOLD CORP. 

(An Exploration Stage Enterprise) 

FORM 10-Q 

For the Quarter Ended June 30, 2013 

INDEX 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

ITEM 1.

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1

ITEM 2.

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

12

ITEM 3.

 

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

32

ITEM 4.

 

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

32

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

ITEM 1.

 

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

32

ITEM 1A.

 

RISK FACTORS

 

32

ITEM 2.

 

UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

33

ITEM 3.

 

DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

34

ITEM 4.

 

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE

 

34

ITEM 5.

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

34

ITEM 6.

 

EXHIBITS

 

34

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

35

 

 

 

 


 

VISTA GOLD CORP. (An Exploration Stage Enterprise)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollar amounts in U.S. dollars and in thousands, except shares)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

June 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

2013

 

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

9,299 

 

$

18,281 

Restricted cash

 

100 

 

 

70 

Marketable securities  (Note 4)

 

239 

 

 

626 

Other investments (Note 5)

 

22,167 

 

 

69,489 

Other current assets

 

2,100 

 

 

2,963 

   Total current assets

 

33,905 

 

 

91,429 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Mineral properties (Note 6)

 

13,701 

 

 

13,701 

Plant and equipment, net (Note 7)

 

5,256 

 

 

3,592 

Assets held for sale (Note 7)

 

10,000 

 

 

10,000 

Amayapampa interest (Note 15)

 

4,813 

 

 

4,813 

Long-term investments

 

65 

 

 

65 

Long-term deferred tax asset

 

7,472 

 

 

9,465 

   Total non-current assets

 

41,307 

 

 

41,636 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

$

75,212 

 

$

133,065 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

$

2,209 

 

$

4,409 

Debt (Note 8)

 

9,500 

 

 

 -

Accrued liabilities and other

 

1,836 

 

 

1,839 

Current deferred tax liability

 

7,472 

 

 

24,839 

   Total current liabilities

 

21,017 

 

 

31,087 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

635 

 

 

635 

   Total non-current liabilities

 

635 

 

 

635 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

21,652 

 

 

31,722 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies – (Note 14)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders' equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Common shares, no par value - unlimited shares authorized; shares

 

 

 

 

 

   outstanding: 2013 - 81,788,835 and 2012 - 81,563,498 (Note 9)

 

404,252 

 

 

403,583 

Additional paid-in capital (Note 10)

 

32,489 

 

 

32,155 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (Note 11)

 

(363)

 

 

Accumulated deficit (including during exploration stage: 2013 - $183,746 and 2012 - $135,325)

 

(382,818)

 

 

(334,397)

   Total shareholders' equity

 

53,560 

 

 

101,343 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$

75,212 

 

$

133,065 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Approved by the Board of Directors

 

 

 

/s/ John M. Clark

 

/s/ Tracy A. Stevenson

John M. Clark

 

Tracy A. Stevenson

Director

 

Director 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.  

1

 

 


 

VISTA GOLD CORP. (An Exploration Stage Enterprise)

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME/(LOSS) AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)

(Dollar amounts in U.S. dollars and in thousands, except shares and per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

Cumulative during Exploration

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

2013

 

2012

 

Stage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income and (expenses):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exploration, property evaluation and holding costs

$

(5,877)

$

(6,758)

$

(13,007)

$

(12,465)

$

(108,266)

Corporate administration

 

(1,225)

 

(2,003)

 

(3,135)

 

(4,077)

 

(47,242)

Depreciation and amortization

 

(267)

 

(132)

 

(542)

 

(258)

 

(2,940)

Loss on extinguishment of convertible debt

 

 -

 

 -

 

 -

 

 -

 

(1,218)

Gain/(loss) on currency translation

 

793 

 

(60)

 

372 

 

(84)

 

142 

Gain on disposal of mineral property, net

 

 -

 

 -

 

 -

 

934 

 

79,766 

Write-down of mineral property

 

 -

 

 -

 

 -

 

 -

 

(250)

   Total operating expense

 

(6,576)

 

(8,953)

 

(16,312)

 

(15,950)

 

(80,008)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-operating income and (expenses):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain/(loss) on sale of marketable securities

 

(24)

 

 -

 

(18)

 

143 

 

8,031 

Unrealized loss on other investments (Note 5)

 

(18,541)

 

(34,951)

 

(47,322)

 

(42,316)

 

(60,338)

Write-down of marketable securities

 

 -

 

 -

 

 -

 

 -

 

(959)

Write-down of plant and equipment

 

 -

 

 -

 

 -

 

 -

 

(7,117)

Interest income

 

12 

 

 

25 

 

21 

 

2,803 

Interest expense

 

(200)

 

 -

 

(206)

 

 -

 

(4,318)

Other income/(expense)

 

(97)

 

182 

 

38 

 

173 

 

(1,706)

   Total non-operating expense

 

(18,850)

 

(34,761)

 

(47,483)

 

(41,979)

 -

(63,604)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from continuing operations before income taxes

 

(25,426)

 

(43,714)

 

(63,795)

 

(57,929)

 

(143,612)

Deferred income tax benefit

 

4,411 

 

13,210 

 

15,374 

 

16,201 

 

(1)

Loss from continuing operations after income taxes

 

(21,015)

 

(30,504)

 

(48,421)

 

(41,728)

 

(143,613)

Loss from discontinued operations

 

 -

 

 -

 

 -

 

 -

 

(5,192)

Net loss

$

(21,015)

$

(30,504)

$

(48,421)

$

(41,728)

$

(148,805)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive loss:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized fair value decrease on available-for-sale securities

 

(145)

 

(23)

 

(365)

 

(83)

 

(363)

Comprehensive loss

$

(21,160)

$

(30,527)

$

(48,786)

$

(41,811)

$

(149,168)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares outstanding

 

81,745,476 

 

72,112,543 

 

81,671,873 

 

71,830,466 

 

 

Net loss per share

$

(0.26)

$

(0.42)

 

(0.59)

$

(0.58)

 

 

Diluted:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares outstanding

 

81,745,476 

 

72,112,543 

 

81,671,873 

 

71,830,466 

 

 

Net loss per share

$

(0.26)

$

(0.42)

 

(0.59)

$

(0.58)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common shares

 

Common stock

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

Accumulated Deficit

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)

 

Total shareholders' equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances at December 31, 2001

4,535,752 

$

197,900 

$

2,786 

$

(199,072)

$

 -

$

1,614 

Shares issued, net of transaction costs

57,384,000 

 

151,819 

 

9,329 

 

 -

 

 -

 

161,148 

Warrants and options

 -

 

 -

 

10,866 

 

 -

 

 -

 

10,866 

Dividend-in-kind

 -

 

 -

 

 -

 

(34,941)

 

 -

 

(34,941)

Other comprehensive income

 -

 

 -

 

 -

 

 -

 

929 

 

929 

Net loss

 -

 

 -

 

 -

 

(81,274)

 

 -

 

(81,274)

Balances at December 31, 2010

61,919,752 

$

349,719 

$

22,981 

$

(315,287)

$

929 

$

58,342 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares issued, net of transaction costs

9,584,131 

 

30,400 

 

588 

 

 -

 

 -

 

30,988 

Warrants and options

 -

 

 -

 

1,101 

 

 -

 

 -

 

1,101 

Other comprehensive loss

 -

 

 -

 

 -

 

 -

 

(754)

 

(754)

Net income

 -

 

 -

 

 -

 

51,546 

 

 -

 

51,546 

Balances at December 31, 2011

71,503,883 

$

380,119 

$

24,670 

$

(263,741)

$

175 

$

141,223 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares issued, net of transaction costs

10,059,615 

 

23,464 

 

 -

 

 -

 

 -

 

23,464 

Warrants and options

 -

 

 -

 

7,485 

 

 -

 

 -

 

7,485 

Other comprehensive loss

 -

 

 -

 

 -

 

 -

 

(173)

 

(173)

Net loss

 -

 

 -

 

 -

 

(70,656)

 

 -

 

(70,656)

Balances at December 31, 2012

81,563,498 

$

403,583 

$

32,155 

$

(334,397)

$

$

101,343 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares issued, net of transaction costs

225,337 

 

259 

 

 -

 

 -

 

 -

 

259 

Warrants and options

 

 

410 

 

334 

 

 -

 

 -

 

744 

Other comprehensive loss

 -

 

 -

 

 -

 

 -

 

(365)

 

(365)

Net loss

 -

 

 -

 

 -

 

(48,421)

 

 -

 

(48,421)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances at June 30, 2013

81,788,835 

$

404,252 

$

32,489 

$

(382,818)

$

(363)

$

53,560 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

Cumulative during

 

 

2013

 

 

2012

 

 

exploration stage

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss for the period

$

(48,421)

 

$

(41,728)

 

$

(148,805)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss for the period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  to net cash used in operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

542 

 

 

258 

 

 

2,940 

Stock-based compensation

 

744 

 

 

1,992 

 

 

12,795 

Loss/ (gain) on disposal of marketable securities

 

18 

 

 

(143)

 

 

(8,031)

Loss on extinguishment of convertible notes

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

1,218 

Accrued interest and accretion of interest

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

3,519 

Gain on disposal of mineral property

 

 -

 

 

(934)

 

 

(80,035)

Write-down of non-current assets

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

7,367 

Unrealized loss on other investments

 

47,322 

 

 

42,316 

 

 

60,338 

Write down of marketable securities

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

959 

Transaction costs

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

1,841 

Deferred tax benefit

 

(15,374)

 

 

(16,201)

 

 

Other non-cash items

 

(264)

 

 

 -

 

 

1,931 

Change in working capital account items:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other current assets

 

1,142 

 

 

(538)

 

 

(1,072)

Interest paid

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

(7,586)

Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other

 

(2,204)

 

 

(227)

 

 

2,592 

   Net cash used in operating activities

 

(16,495)

 

 

(15,205)

 

 

(150,028)

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of marketable securities

 

 -

 

 

(135)

 

 

(1,841)

Proceeds from sales of marketable securities

 

112 

 

 

230 

 

 

11,655 

Acquisition of long-term investments

 

 -

 

 

(45)

 

 

(3,632)

Additions to mineral property

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

(11,571)

Additions to plant and equipment

 

(2,206)

 

 

(589)

 

 

(24,849)

Change in restricted cash at Awak Mas

 

(30)

 

 

41 

 

 

(100)

Proceeds from non-current asset disposals

 

 -

 

 

3,500 

 

 

6,740 

Cash transferred to Allied Nevada Gold Corp., net of receivable

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

(24,517)

   Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities

 

(2,124)

 

 

3,002 

 

 

(48,115)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from debt financing, net (Note 8)

 

9,637 

 

 

 -

 

 

9,637 

Proceeds from equity financings, net

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

161,542 

Repayment of convertible notes

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

(26,108)

Proceeds from exercise of warrants

 

 -

 

 

1,100 

 

 

40,754 

Proceeds from exercise of compensation options

 

 -

 

 

733 

 

 

733 

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

4,068 

Issuance of convertible notes

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

28,345 

Cash paid in lieu of capital stock issuances

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

(107)

Transaction costs

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

(1,841)

   Net cash provided by financing activities

 

9,637 

 

 

1,833 

 

 

217,023 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

(8,982)

 

 

(10,370)

 

 

18,880 

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents - discontinued operations

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

(10,255)

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

(8,982)

 

 

(10,370)

 

 

8,625 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

18,281 

 

 

17,873 

 

 

674 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$

9,299 

 

$

7,503 

 

$

9,299 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation 

Vista Gold Corp. and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Vista,” the “Company,” the “Corporation,” “we,” “our” or “us”) operate in the gold mining industry. We are focused on the evaluation, acquisition, exploration and advancement of gold exploration and potential development projects, which may lead to gold production or value adding strategic transactions such as earn-in right agreements or leases to third parties, joint venture arrangements with other mining companies, or outright sales of assets for cash and/or other consideration. As such, we are considered an Exploration Stage Enterprise. Our approach to acquisitions of gold projects has generally been to seek projects within political jurisdictions with well-established mining, land ownership and tax laws, which have adequate drilling and geological data to support the completion of a third-party review of the geological data and to complete an estimate of the gold mineralization. In addition, we look for opportunities to improve the value of our gold projects through exploration drilling and/or technical studies resulting in changes to the operating assumptions underlying previous engineering work. 

 

These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts, which are based on information available as of the date of the financial statements. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments, which are of a normal and recurring nature, necessary to present fairly in all material respects the financial results for the period presented.   Operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2013 or for any future period. The December 31, 2012 condensed consolidated balance sheets were derived from audited financial statements, but do not include all disclosures required in the annual financial statements by U.S. GAAP.

 

2. Liquidity

 

These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis under which an entity is considered to be able to realize its assets and satisfy its liabilities in the normal course of business.  Accordingly, the continuing operations of the Company are dependent upon our ability to secure sufficient funding and to generate future profits from operations.  The underlying value and recoverability of the amounts shown as mineral properties, plant and equipment, assets held for sale, investments and other property interests in the consolidated balance sheets are also dependent on our ability to generate positive cash flow from operations and to continue to fund exploration and development activities that would lead to profitable production or proceeds from the disposition of these assets.  There can be no assurance that we will be successful in generating future profitable operations, disposing of these assets or securing additional funding in the future on terms acceptable to us or at all.  These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded assets or liabilities which might be necessary should we not be able to continue as a going-concern.

 

The Company’s cash burn rate is expected to be reduced to approximately $3,500 to $4,500 per quarter through the remainder of 2013, with further material reductions planned for 2014.  The reduction in cash burn rate is expected to result from reductions in the corporate staff,   reductions in cash compensation for executives, senior management and the Company’s Board of Directors, and the delay or elimination of various discretionary programs.  The Company believes that its current position is sufficient for the remainder of 2013. The Company continues to seek financing with a focus on non-dilutive sources such as monetization of non-core assets, however, there can be no assurance that we will be able to monetize the non-core assets.

 

3.  Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

Reporting of Amounts Reclassified out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

 

In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance related to items reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income. The new standard requires either in a single note or parenthetically on the face of the financial statements: (i) the effect of significant amounts reclassified from each component of accumulated other comprehensive income based on its sources; and (ii) the income statement line items affected by the reclassification.  The standard was effective for us as of January 1, 2013, with early adoption permitted.  The adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

 


 

VISTA GOLD CORP. (An Exploration Stage Enterprise) 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

(Dollar amounts in U.S. dollars and in thousands, except per share and per ounce amounts unless otherwise noted) 

 

Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, As Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists

 

In July 2013, the FASB issued guidance related to the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists.   The new standard requires that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward unless certain circumstances exist.  The standard is effective for us as of January 1, 2014, with early adoption permitted.  The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

4. Marketable Securities 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At June 30, 2013

 

At December 31, 2012

 

 

Cost

 

Unrealized loss

 

Fair value

 

 

Cost

 

Unrealized gain

 

 

Fair value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Marketable Equity Securities

$

602 

$

(363)

$

239 

 

$

624 

$

 

$

626 

 

$

602 

$

(363)

$

239 

 

$

624 

$

 

$

626 

 

During the year ended December 31, 2012, we determined that certain of our securities had an other-than-temporary decline in value and a write-down of $39 was recorded in other income/(expense) in our Consolidated Statements of Income/(Loss) and Comprehensive Income/(Loss). There were no such write-downs during the six months ended June 30, 2013. In January 2013, we received a non-cash distribution of $109 that was paid in shares from an investment we held recorded in other income/(expense) in our Consolidated Statements of Income/(Loss) and Comprehensive Income/(Loss).

 

5. Other Investments 

 

Midas Gold Corp. Combination

 

In April 2011, Vista completed a combination (the “Combination”) with Midas Gold, Inc. As part of the Combination, each party contributed their respective interests in gold assets in the Yellow Pine-Stibnite District in Idaho to form a new Canadian private company named Midas Gold Corp. (“Midas Gold”). In exchange for the contribution of its equity interests in Idaho Gold Holding Company, the holding company in which we held our assets in the Yellow Pine-Stibnite District,  Vista Gold U.S., Inc. (“Vista US”) was issued 30,402,615 common shares in the capital of Midas Gold. Concurrently with the Combination, we purchased 1,400,000 Midas Gold commons shares for an aggregate purchase price of $3,632 as part of a Midas Gold private placement. Following completion of these transactions, Vista holds a total of 31,802,615 Midas Gold shares, or 27.7%  of the total Midas Gold shares outstanding at March 31, 2013.

 

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, we recorded an unrealized loss on the Midas Gold shares of $18,541 and $47,322 with a corresponding US tax benefit of $6,806 and $17,371. As of June 30, 2013, the fair value of the Midas Gold shares we hold was $22,167.  

 

 

 

6. Mineral Properties 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At June 30, 2013

 

At December 31, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

Mt. Todd, Australia

$

2,146 

$

2,146 

Guadalupe de los Reyes, Mexico

 

2,752 

 

2,752 

Los Cardones, Mexico

 

8,053 

 

8,053 

Long Valley, United States

 

750 

 

750 

 

$

13,701 

$

13,701 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

VISTA GOLD CORP. (An Exploration Stage Enterprise) 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

(Dollar amounts in U.S. dollars and in thousands, except per share and per ounce amounts unless otherwise noted) 

 

 

7. Plant and Equipment 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 30, 2013

 

 

December 31, 2012

 

 

Cost

 

 

Accumulated depreciation and write downs

 

 

Net

 

 

Cost

 

 

Accumulated depreciation and write downs

 

 

Net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mt. Todd, Australia

$

5,485 

 

$

1,586 

 

$

3,899 

 

$

3,497 

 

$

1,124 

 

$

2,373 

Los Cardones, Mexico

 

1,194 

 

 

119 

 

 

1,075 

 

 

1,194 

 

 

109 

 

 

1,085 

Guadalupe de los Reyes, Mexico

 

21 

 

 

 

 

16 

 

 

21 

 

 

 

 

18 

Corporate, United States

 

774 

 

 

508 

 

 

266 

 

 

556 

 

 

440 

 

 

116 

Awak Mas, Indonesia

 

242 

 

 

242 

 

 

 -

 

 

242 

 

 

242 

 

 

 -

 

$

7,716 

 

$

2,460 

 

$

5,256 

 

$

5,510 

 

$

1,918 

 

$

3,592 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets held for sale (mill equipment)

$

10,000 

 

$

 -

 

$

10,000 

 

$

10,000 

 

$

 -

 

$

10,000 

 

 

8. Debt

 

On March 28, 2013, the Company entered into a credit agreement with Sprott Resources Lending Partnership (the “Lender”) for purposes of establishing a C$10,000 ($9,500) loan facility (the “2013 Facility”). The 2013 Facility matures March 28, 2014, however early repayment of the 2013 Facility, at the Company’s option, is allowed provided that at least four months interest has been paid.  The maturity date can be extended by one year, to March 28, 2015, by mutual agreement of the Company and the Lender, subject to the payment of a 3.5% extension fee, which is payable in Vista common shares, and the Lender’s satisfaction in Vistas capacity to repay the loan and that Vista’s assets are not, or are not about to become, impaired.

 

The 2013 Facility bears an interest rate of 8% per annum, payable monthly. In addition to interest, the 2013 Facility provided the Lender total fees associated with the closing of the 2013 Facility of 3.5% of the 2013 Facility amount, including C$100 ($99) in cash and the issue of 125,798 Vista common shares.  The 2013 Facility is secured by a general security agreement (“GSA”) with exclusions for the Mt. Todd gold project and the mill equipment. If the Company completes an asset disposition, other than of the assets excluded from the GSA, or a debt or equity financing the Company is required to utilize 50% of the net proceeds exceeding $1,000 to repay the 2013 Facility up to the full amount outstanding. The Company is in compliance with all related debt covenants.

 

9.  Capital Stock 

 

Common shares issued and outstanding 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of shares issued

As of December 31, 2012

 

81,563,498 

Shares issued for restricted stock units

 

99,539 

Shares issued in connection with debt issuance

 

125,798 

As of June 30, 2013

 

81,788,835 

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2013, the Company issued 99,539 common shares in connection with the vesting of restricted stock units (“RSUs”). The Company also issued 125,798 common shares as part of the 2013 Facility  (Note 8) which had a fair value of  $272 at the time of the debt issuance.

 

 


 

VISTA GOLD CORP. (An Exploration Stage Enterprise) 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

(Dollar amounts in U.S. dollars and in thousands, except per share and per ounce amounts unless otherwise noted) 

 

10.  Additional Paid-in Capital 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Warrants

 

 

Stock options and RSUs

 

 

Compensation options

 

 

Other paid-in capital

 

 

Total additional paid-in capital

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2012

$

12,936 

 

$

7,655 

 

$

294 

 

$

11,270 

 

$

32,155 

Stock options amortization

 

 -

 

 

218 

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

218 

Restricted stock units expensed

 

 -

 

 

526 

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

526 

Restricted stock units exercised

 

 -

 

 

(410)

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

(410)

Compensation options expired

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

(294)

 

 

294 

 

 

 -

As of June 30, 2013

$

12,936 

 

$

7,989 

 

$

 -

 

$

11,564 

 

$

32,489 

 

Warrants 

 

Warrant activity is summarized in the following table: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Warrants outstanding

 

Valuation

 

Weighted average exercise price per share

 

Weighted average remaining life (yrs.)

 

Intrinsic value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2012

 

19,977,743 

$

12,936 

$

4.25 

 

2.6 

$

 -

As of June 30, 2013

 

19,977,743 

$

12,936 

$

4.25 

 

2.1 

$

 -

 

The 19,977,743 outstanding warrants expire in the following time frames: 2,666,666 expire in July 2014, 2,091,275 expire in December 2014, and 15,219,802 expire in October 2015.

 

Compensation Options 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation options outstanding

 

 

Valuation

 

 

Weighted average exercise price per share

 

Expiry date

 

Weighted average remaining life (yrs.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2012

 

225,000 

 

$

294 

 

$

3.30 

 

April 2013

 

0.3 

Expired

 

(225,000)

 

 

(294)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of June 30, 2013

 

 -

 

$

 -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock-Based Compensation 

 

Under our Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”) and our Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan (the “LTIP”), we may grant stock options and/or restricted stock units (defined above as “RSUs”) or restricted stock awards (“RSAs”) to our directors, officers, employees and consultants. The combined maximum number of our common shares that may be reserved for issuance under the Plan and the LTIP is a variable number equal to 10% of the issued and outstanding common shares on a non-diluted basis. Options under the Plan are granted from time to time at the discretion of the Board of Directors (“Board”), with vesting periods and other terms as determined by the Board. The LTIP is administered by the Board, which can delegate the administration to the Compensation Committee of the Board or to such other officers and employees of Vista as designated by the Board. Stock-based compensation expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 is as follows: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended June 30,

 

Six months ended June 30,

 

 

 

2013

 

 

2012

 

2013

 

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock options

$

110 

 

$

205 

$

218 

 

$

442 

 

Restricted stock units

 

(242)

 

 

775 

 

526 

 

 

1,550 

 

 

$

(132)

 

$

980 

$

744 

 

$

1,992 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of June 30, 2013, stock options and RSUs had unrecognized compensation expense of $96 and $1,888, respectively, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.32 and 1.62 years, respectively. The negative RSU expense during the three months ended June 30, 2013 is due to cancelled or forfeited RSUs during the period. 

 

Stock Options 

 

A summary of stock option activity under the Plan as of June 30, 2013 and changes during the period then ended is set forth in the following table:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of options

 

Weighted average exercise price per option

 

Weighted average remaining contractual term

 

Aggregate intrinsic value

Outstanding - December 31, 2012

 

3,102,500 

$

2.80 

 

2.68 

$

637 

Cancelled/Forfeited

 

(130,000)

 

3.16 

 

 

 

 

Expired

 

(120,000)

 

3.57 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding - June 30, 2013

 

2,852,500 

$

2.76 

 

2.09 

$

 -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercisable - June 30, 2013

 

2,552,500 

$

2.73 

 

1.88 

$

 -

 

A summary of the status of our unvested stock options as of June 30, 2013 and changes during the period then ended is set forth in the following table: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of options

 

Weighted average grant-date fair value per option

 

Weighted average remaining amortization period (Years)

Unvested - December 31, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

300,000 

$

1.47 

 

 

Unvested - June 30, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

300,000 

$

1.47 

 

0.32 

 

Restricted Stock Units 

 

A summary of RSU activity under the LTIP as of June 30, 2013 and changes during the period then ended is set forth in the following table: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of units

 

Weighted average fair value

Unvested - December 31, 2012

 

1,994,507 

$

3.52 

Cancelled/forfeited

 

(351,340)

 

3.58 

Vested

 

(116,875)

 

3.51 

Granted

 

51,424 

 

1.68 

Unvested - June 30, 2013

 

1,577,716 

$

3.43 

 

In general, a portion of the RSUs vest over a defined period of time, usually three years, and the remainder vest subject to certain Company and/or share price performance criteria, provided the recipient continues to be affiliated with Vista on the vesting date.

 

 


 

VISTA GOLD CORP. (An Exploration Stage Enterprise) 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

(Dollar amounts in U.S. dollars and in thousands, except per share and per ounce amounts unless otherwise noted) 

 

11.  Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated
other comprehensive
income (loss)

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

As of December 31, 2012

$

$

Other comprehensive loss due to change in fair market value of marketable securities during period before reclassifications

 

(347)

 

(295)

Reclassifications due to realization of gain/loss on sale of marketable securities (1)

 

(18)

 

(15)

Net current-period other comprehensive loss

 

(365)

 

(310)

As of June 30, 2013

$

(363)

$

(308)

 

 

(1) Reclassified to gain/(loss) on sale of marketable securities on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income/(Loss) and Comprehensive Income/(Loss).

 

12.  Geographic and Segment Information 

 

We evaluate, acquire, explore and advance gold exploration and potential development projects, which may lead to gold production or value adding strategic transactions. These activities are focused principally in Australia, North America and Indonesia. We reported no revenues during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012. Geographic location of mineral properties and plant and equipment is provided in Notes 6 and 7, respectively. The Company has one reportable operating segment, consisting of evaluation, acquisition, and exploration activities.

 

13.  Related Party Transactions 

 

On April 1, 2009, we entered into an agreement with Sierra Partners LLC (“Sierra”) pursuant to which Sierra agreed to provide us with support for and analysis of our general corporate finance and strategy efforts. A founder and partner of Sierra is also one of our directors. As compensation for these services, we have agreed to pay Sierra a monthly retainer fee of $10 for the duration of the agreement. We  paid to Sierra $30 and $60 during each of the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2013 and 2012.

 

14.  Commitments and Contingencies 

 

The Company’s exploration and development activities are subject to various laws and regulations governing the protection of the environment. These laws and regulations are continually changing and are generally becoming more restrictive. As such, the future expenditures that may be required for compliance with these laws and regulations cannot be predicted. The Company conducts its operations to minimize effects on the environment and believes its operations are in compliance with applicable laws and regulations in all material respects. 

 

The Company has entered into, or may enter into, various agreements to find, lease or purchase mineral interests. These agreements typically require initial payments plus future payments for the life of the agreement, and may include provisions requiring the Company to pay a net smelter return (“NSR”) royalty on the gold produced. The Company can at its discretion terminate any of these agreements within defined notice periods.

 

15.  Fair Value Accounting

 

U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price) and establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value using the following definitions (from highest to lowest priority): 

 

·

Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities. 

 

·

Level 2 – Observable inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, including quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

 

·

Level 3 – Prices or valuation techniques requiring inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value at June 30, 2013

 

 

 

 

Total

 

Level 1

 

Level 3

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash equivalents

 

$

6,660 

$

6,660 

$

 -

 

Marketable securities

 

 

239 

 

239 

 

 -

 

Other investments (Midas Gold shares)

 

 

22,167 

 

22,167 

 

 -

 

Amayapampa interest

 

 

4,813 

 

 -

 

4,813 

 

Mill equipment

 

 

10,000 

 

 -

 

10,000 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value at December 31, 2012

 

 

 

 

Total

 

Level 1

 

Level 3

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash equivalents

 

$

15,834 

$

15,834 

$

 -

 

Marketable securities

 

 

626 

 

626 

 

 -

 

Other investments (Midas Gold shares)

 

 

69,489 

 

69,489 

 

 -

 

Amayapampa interest

 

 

4,813 

 

 -

 

4,813 

 

Mill equipment

 

 

10,000 

 

 -

 

10,000 

 

Our cash equivalent instruments, marketable securities and investment in Midas Gold are classified as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy as they are valued at quoted market prices in an active market. 

 

The estimated fair value of the Amayapampa interest is based on probability-weighted cash flow scenarios discounted using a risk-adjusted discount rate (15%) and assumptions including future gold prices (average gold prices realized range from $1,038 to $1,247 per ounce, depending on timing of assumed start-up), estimated life-of-mine gold production (ranging from 350,000 to 650,000 ounces) and the expected timing of commercial production (periods ranging from 3 to 6 years or never), which are management’s best estimates based on currently available information. Significant changes in any of the unobservable inputs in isolation would result in a significant change in fair value measurement. As a result of our analysis no change in fair value was deemed necessary as of June 30, 2013.

 

The Company incurred an impairment loss on certain mill equipment in 2012. This equipment was valued at $10,000 based on a third party assessment of the projected sale value. The mill equipment is categorized as assets held for sale on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

At June 30, 2013, the assets classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy represent 34% of the total assets measured at fair value.  There were no transfers between levels in 2013.  

 

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

 

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) should be read in conjunction with our interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and the related notes thereto, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). This MD&A contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions.  Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors.  See “Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” below. 

 

All dollar amounts stated herein are in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts and per ounce amounts. References to C$ refer to Canadian currency, A$ to Australian currency and $ to United States currency.   

 

Overview

 

Vista Gold Corp. and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Vista,” the “Company,” the “Corporation,” “we,” “our” or “us”) operate in the gold mining industry. We are focused on the evaluation, acquisition, exploration and advancement of gold exploration and potential development projects, which may lead to gold production or value adding strategic transactions such as earn-in right agreements or leases to third parties, joint venture arrangements with other mining companies, or outright sales of assets for cash and/or other consideration. As such, we are considered an Exploration Stage Enterprise. Our approach to acquisitions of gold projects has generally been to seek projects within political jurisdictions with well-established mining, land ownership and tax laws, which have adequate drilling and geological data to support the completion of a third-party review of the geological data and to complete an estimate of the gold mineralization. In addition, we look for opportunities to improve the value of our gold projects through exploration drilling and/or technical studies resulting in changes to the operating assumptions underlying previous engineering work. 

 

Our holdings include the Mt. Todd gold project in Australia, the Guadalupe de los Reyes gold/silver project in Mexico, the Los Cardones gold project in Mexico, the Long Valley gold project in California, the Awak Mas gold project in Indonesia, and mining claims in Utah. In addition, as of March 31, 2013, we owned approximately 28% of the common shares of Midas Gold Corp. (“Midas Gold”, TSX: MAX), a company exploring for gold and developing the Golden Meadows project in the Yellow Pine-Stibnite District in Idaho.

 

Outlook

 

Our Mt. Todd gold project in the Northern Territory, Australia is currently our principal focus.  Through the remainder of 2013, we plan to complete an environmental impact statement for the project, establish a mutually agreeable level of participation in the project with the Jawoyn Association Aboriginal Corporation, and advance discussions with respect to several key project issues including natural gas supply and pricing, taxation, environmental matters and labor readiness initiatives.  The latter discussions will be conducted with the Government of the Northern Territory under the auspices of Major Project Status accorded to the Mt. Todd gold project in April 2013.  Other programs, particularly significant development commitments, will be deferred until market conditions improve.     

 

We do not currently generate operating cash flows. Our principal source of financing in the past has been the issuance of our common shares. The prices for gold equities, particularly those with early stage projects, have decreased steadily during the past six months, and capital raising has become more difficult for junior mining companies which do not have producing assets.  Consequently, raising sufficient amounts of equity capital on reasonable terms has become increasingly difficult. These conditions are expected to continue in 2013, and could affect our ability to raise sufficient capital on reasonable terms, if at all.

 

Recent Corporate Events

 

On June 11, 2013, Vista Gold Corp. changed its jurisdiction of incorporation from the Yukon Territory, Canada to the Province of British Columbia, Canada under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) by way of a continuation (the “Continuation”).  Our shareholders approved the Continuation at the annual general and special meeting of shareholders held on April 30, 2013.  On June 11, 2013, we completed the filing of a continuation application with the Registrar of Companies for the Province of British Columbia and received a Certificate of Continuation from the Registrar of Companies.  For further details see our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 12, 2013.

 

 


 

 

 

Results from Operations 

 

Summary 

 

For the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2013,  we continued to advance our Mt. Todd gold project in Northern Territory, Australia with a view towards potential development. Consolidated net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2013 was $21,015 or $0.26 per basic share compared to consolidated net loss for the same period in 2012 of $30,504 or $0.42 per basic share. Consolidated net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2013 was $48,421 or $0.59 per basic share compared to consolidated net loss for the same period in 2012 of $41,728 or $0.58 per basic share. The principal components of these period-over-period changes are discussed below. 

 

Exploration, property evaluation and holding costs 

 

Exploration, property evaluation and holding costs were $5,877 during the three-month period ended June 30, 2013 compared to $6,758 for the same period in 2012. Exploration, property evaluation and holding costs were $13,007 during the six-month period ended June 30, 2013 compared to $12,465 for the same period in 2012.  During 2013 costs were primarily due to expenses at our Mt. Todd gold project associated with the significant water treatment program completed in the existing open pit, the pre-feasibility study and related activities, and environmental impact statement (“EIS”) preparation/environmental permitting. 2012 costs at Mt. Todd did not include water treatment costs but included a significant development drilling program. At our Los Cardones gold project, costs decreased substantially in 2013 from 2012 since, as of February 2012, Invecture Group, S.A. de C.V. (“Invecture”) has incurred all costs associated with the progression of this project under an earn-in right agreement (“Earn-in Right Agreement”). At our Guadalupe de los Reyes gold/silver project, costs decreased significantly in 2013 from 2012 as we incurred drilling costs in 2012 that were not incurred in 2013. 

 

Corporate administration

 

Corporate administration costs of $1,225 during the three-month period ended June 30, 2013 compared to $2,003 for the same period in 2012. Corporate administration costs of $3,135 during the six-month period ended June 30, 2013 compared to $4,077 for the same period in 2012. The decrease period over period was due to a decrease in legal fees and stock based compensation expense.

 

Depreciation and amortization 

 

Depreciation and amortization expense was $267 and $132 for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Depreciation and amortization expense was $542 and $258 for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The increase period-to-period was primarily attributable to increased capital expenditures at the Mt. Todd gold project. 

 

Gain on disposal of mineral property 

 

Pursuant to a joint venture agreement with Awak Mas Holdings Pty. Ltd. (“AM Holdings”), whereby AM Holdings may earn an 80% interest in our Awak Mas gold project in Indonesia, we received certain cash payments in excess of the carrying value of the project, which resulted in a realized gain of $934 during the six months ended June 30, 2012. 

 

The Company had no similar transactions during the six months ended June 30, 2013.

  

Non-operating income and expenses 

  

Unrealized loss on other investment

 

Unrealized loss on other investments was $18,541 and $34,951 for the three months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  Unrealized loss on other investments was $47,322 and $42,316 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. These amounts are the result of changes in fair value of our Midas Gold common shares. 

 

Deferred income tax benefit

 

The deferred income tax benefit/(expense) will fluctuate period-to-period based primarily on the change in the fair value of Vista Gold U.S., Inc.’s investment in Midas Gold. To the extent our U.S. deferred tax assets exceed our U.S. deferred tax liabilities that primarily relate to Vista Gold U.S., Inc.'s investment in Midas Gold, we establish a valuation allowance on our net U.S. deferred tax assets due to inability to determine that it is more likely than not that we will realize the benefit of the deferred tax assets. Deferred income tax benefit was $4,411 and $15,374 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, compared to $13,210 and $16,201 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively.

 

Financial Position, Liquidity and Capital Resources 

 

Cash used in operations 

 

Net cash used in operating activities was $16,495 for the six-month period ended June 30, 2013, compared to $15,205 for the same period in 2012. The increase of $1,290 was primarily the result of increases in exploration, property evaluation and holding costs as discussed above. 

 

Investing activities 

 

Net cash used in investing activities was $2,124 for the six-month period ended June 30, 2013 was primarily due to capitalized water treatment facility costs at the Mt. Todd gold project. Net cash provided by investing activities of $3,002 for the same period in 2012 was primarily due to receipt of $3,500 in accordance with option and earn-in agreements associated with certain mineral properties, which was partially offset by additions to plant and equipment of $589. 

 

Financing activities 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities was $9,637 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 due to the completion of a  loan facility in March 2013, as discussed below.  

 

We received cash of $733 from the exercise of compensation options and $1,100 from the exercise of compensation warrants during the six months ended June 30, 2012.  

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources 

 

At June 30, 2013, we had working capital of $12,888 compared with working capital of $60,342 at December 31, 2012, representing a decrease of $47,454. Our working capital decreased primarily due to the decrease in the fair value of our shares of Midas Gold, net of deferred tax benefit, the use of cash to fund operations and the addition of the 2013 Facility.  Included in the $12,888 working capital amount is $9,299 of cash and cash equivalents. 

 

Management is strongly committed to careful cash management and maintaining liquidity.  We continue to advance several important value-adding initiatives, including the authorization process for the Mt. Todd project environmental impact statement, none of which are particularly capital intensive. Discretionary programs requiring material capital commitments, exploration programs and technical studies in particular, have been deferred until market conditions improve. The Company’s cash burn rate is expected to be reduced to approximately $3,500 to $4,500 per quarter through the remainder of 2013, with further material reductions planned for 2014.  The expected reduction in cash burn rate includes reductions in the corporate staff, voluntary reductions of up to 50% in executive, senior management and Board cash compensation and the delay or elimination of various discretionary programs.  The Company believes that its current position is sufficient for the remainder of 2013. 

 

We continue to prioritize our capital raising efforts on non-dilutive sources. Potential near-term sources of additional cash include the proceeds from the sale of the mill equipment, which is currently being actively marketed, and has an estimated net value of $10,000; and the completion of the earn-in at the Los Cardones gold project in Mexico by the Invecture Group, which would result in a $20,000 payment to Vista. The Company is also considering options to monetize other non-core assets. However, there can be no assurance that any of these events will occur.

 

On March 28, 2013, we closed and drew a C$10,000 ($9,500) loan facility (the “2013 Facility”). The 2013 Facility matures March 28, 2014 and bears interest rate of 8% per annum.  The 2013 Facility is secured by a general security agreement on our assets, with carve-outs for our Mt. Todd gold project and our mill equipment. In the event that we complete a sale of the mill equipment, we are not required to use any portion of the proceeds to repay the 2013 Facility, and may instead use the proceeds on general operating expenses and the advancement of the Mt. Todd gold project.  We have the option to extend the 2013 Facility for an additional year to March 28, 2015 subject to the payment of a 3.5% fee, which is payable in our common shares, and the Lender’s satisfaction in our capacity to repay the loan and that our assets are not, or are not about to become, impaired. Should we be unable to raise the cash necessary for full repayment of the 2013 Facility when it is due on March 28, 2014, we will likely seek to extend the 2013 Facility and we may also seek additional sources of financing through debt or issuance of our common shares.  In the past year, capital raising has become more difficult for junior mining companies which do not have producing assets and these conditions are expected to continue in 2013 and possibly 2014.  Consequently, we may not be able to raise capital in sufficient amounts on reasonable terms, if at all.

 

The continuing operations of the Company are dependent upon our ability to secure sufficient funding and to generate future profits from operations.  The underlying value and recoverability of the amounts shown as mineral properties, plant and equipment, assets held for sale, investments and other property interests in our consolidated balance sheets are dependent on our ability to generate positive cash flow from operations and to continue to fund exploration and development activities that would lead to profitable production or proceeds from the disposition of these assets. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in generating future profitable operations, disposing of these assets or securing additional funding in the future on terms acceptable to us or at all.  Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded assets or liabilities which might be necessary should we not be able to continue as a going-concern.

 

Common shares issued and outstanding 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of shares issued

As of December 31, 2012

 

81,563,498 

Shares issued for restricted stock units

 

99,539 

Shares issued in connection with debt issuance

 

125,798 

As of June 30, 2013

 

81,788,835 

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2013, the Company issued 99,539 common shares in connection with the vesting of restricted stock. The Company also issued 125,798 common shares as part of the 2013 Facility, which had a fair value of $272 at the time of the debt issuance.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements 

 

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements required to be disclosed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. 

 

Contractual Obligations

 

At June 30, 2013, our contractual obligations consist of our 2013 Facility, discussed above, and a $635 obligation for the balance due on our acquisition of certain land for our Los Cardones gold project, which is due upon the achievement of certain milestones and is recorded in other long-term liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. 

 

Transactions with Related Parties

 

Agreement with Sierra Partners LLC 

 

On April 1, 2009, we entered into an agreement with Sierra Partners LLC (“Sierra”) pursuant to which Sierra agreed to provide us with support for and analysis of our general corporate finance and strategy efforts. A founder and partner of Sierra is also one of our directors. As compensation for these services, we have agreed to pay Sierra a monthly retainer fee of $10 for the duration of the agreement.  We  paid to Sierra $30 and $60 during each of the three month periods ended June 30, 2013 and 2012.

 

Project Updates 

 

Mt. Todd Gold Project, Australia

 

In April 2013, the Northern Territory (“NT”) Government awarded our Mt. Todd gold project Major Project Status, signifying the NT Government's support for the timely and responsible development of the Mt. Todd gold project. Major Project Status is awarded by the NT Government to projects that have the potential to provide significant economic opportunities for the Northern Territory and its citizens. Major Project Status prospectively provides a process and structure for decisions regarding matters of importance to the project to be made in an efficient and timely manner. Major Project Status is coordinated by a Cabinet-level committee and implementation is supervised by the office of the Chief Minister, thereby hopefully minimizing potential for delays in obtaining critical decisions.

 

In May 2013, we completed a prefeasibility study (the “PFS”) at our Mt. Todd gold project in Northern Territory, Australia pursuant to Canadian National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”). The technical report was filed on SEDAR on June 28, 2013, and is entitled “NI 43-101 Technical Report - Mt. Todd Gold Project 50,000 tpd Preliminary Feasibility Study – Northern Territory, Australia” and was issued on June 28, 2013 with an effective date of May 29, 2013.  

 

The PFS evaluates two development scenarios including a 50,000 tonne per day (“tpd”) project that develops more of the Mt. Todd resource (the “Base Case”) and generates a larger Net Present Value (“NPV”) and a smaller and higher-grade 33,000 tpd project that focuses on maximizing return and operating margins (the “Alternate Case”). 

Highlights of the 50,000 tpd Base Case include:

·

a 5% increase in contained gold ounces in the measured and indicated categories (+394,361 ozs) compared to the previous resource estimate (September 2012); and estimated proven and probable reserves of 5.90 million ounces of gold (223 million tonnes at 0.82 g Au/t) at a cut-off grade of 0.40 g Au/t, an increase of 44% from the Company's January 2011 prefeasibility study(1);

·

average annual production of 369,850 ounces of gold per year over the mine life, including average annual production of 481,316 ounces of gold per year during the first five years of operations;

·

life of mine average cash costs of $773 per ounce, including average cash costs of $662 per ounce during the first five years of operations;

·

a 13 year operating life;

·

after-tax NPV5% of $591.3 million and internal rate of return of 15.9% at $1,450 per ounce gold prices, increasing to $876.6 million and 21.1%, respectively, at $1,600 per ounce gold prices; and

·

initial capital requirements of $1,046 million

Highlights of the 30,000 tpd Alternate Case include:

·

estimated proven and probable reserves of 3.56 million ounces of gold (124 million tonnes at 0.90 g Au/t) at a cut-off grade of 0.45 g Au/t(1);

·

average annual production of 262,826 ounces of gold per year over the mine life, including average annual production of 294,502 ounces of gold per year during the first five years of operations;

·

life of mine average cash costs of $684 per ounce, including average cash costs of $676 per ounce during the first five years of operations;

·

an 11 year operating life;

·

after-tax NPV5% of $440.2 million and internal rate of return of 16.9% at $1,450 per ounce gold prices, increasing to $615.6 million and 21.4%, respectively, at $1,600 per ounce gold prices; and

·

Initial capital requirements of $761 million.

(1) Cautionary note to U.S. investors:  Proven and probable reserves are estimated in accordance with NI 43-101 and do not constitute SEC Industry Guide 7 compliant reserves see the section heading “Cautionary Note to United States Investors Regarding Estimates of Measured, Indicated and Inferred Resources and Proven and Probable Reserves” below.

 

 


 

 

 

Base Case Scenario Presented in PFS

Highlights of the PFS Base Case scenario are presented in the table below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Base Case (50,000 tpd) @ $1,450/oz Au

 

Years 1-5

 

Life of Mine ("LOM") (13 years)

 

 

Annual Average

 

Total

 

Annual Average

 

Total

Average Milled Grade (g/t)

 

1.03

 

0.82

Payable Gold (000's ozs)

 

481

 

2,407

 

370

 

4,808

Gold Recovery

 

82.0%

 

81.5%

Cash Costs ($/oz)

 

$662

 

$773

Strip Ratio (waste:ore)

 

2.5

 

2.7

Initial Capital ($ millions)

 

 

 

 

 

$1,046

Pre-tax NPV 5% ($ millions)

 

 

 

 

 

$1,094

After-tax NPV 5% ($ millions)

 

 

 

 

 

$591

Internal Rate of Return (Pre-tax/After-tax)

 

 

 

 

 

21.8% / 15.9%

After-tax Payback (Production Years)

 

 

 

 

 

3.5

    Note: Economics presented using $1,450/oz gold and a flat $1.00 USD : $1.00 AUD exchange rare and assumes deferral of certain Northern Territory tax obligations as well as realization of equipment salvage values at the end of the mine life.

The following table provides additional details of the Mt. Todd gold project’s Base Case economics at variable gold price and Australian dollar assumptions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After-Tax NPV 5%, in Millions

 

Base Case (50,000 tpd) Gold Price per Ounce

ForEx USD/AUD

 

$1,200

 

$1,300

 

$1,400

 

$1,450

 

$1,500

 

$1,600

 

$1,700

 

$1,800

USD$1.10

 

($51.4)

 

$155.9

 

$352.1

 

$448.4

 

$543.8

 

$734.5

 

$924.9

 

$1,114.1

USD$1.00

 

$108.1

 

$304.5

 

$496.1

 

$591.3

 

$686.6

 

$876.6

 

$1,065.6

 

$1,255.1

USD$0.90

 

$258.5

 

$448.3

 

$638.8

 

$733.6

 

$828.3

 

$1,017.2

 

$1,206.5

 

$1,395.9

USD$0.80

 

$400.6

 

$591.0

 

$780.0

 

$874.4

 

$968.9

 

$1,157.9

 

$1,347.2

 

$1,536.1

    Note: Changes in Foreign Exchange rates are only applied to operating costs and not applied to either initial or sustaining capital costs.

Base Case key capital expenditures for initial and sustaining capital requirements are identified in the following table:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital Expenditures ($ Millions)

 

 

 

 

 

Initial

 

Sustaining

Base Case (50,000) tpd)

 

 

 

 

 

Capital

 

Capital

Capitalized Stripping & Dewatering

 

 

 

 

 

$57

 

$40

Mobile Equipment

 

 

 

 

 

$139

 

$151

Process Facility

 

 

 

 

 

$410

 

 -

Tailings

 

 

 

 

 

$20

 

$184

Power Plant

 

 

 

 

 

$91

 

 -

Water Supply & Treatment

 

 

 

 

 

$19

 

 -

Owners Cost

 

 

 

 

 

$203

 

($10)

Sub-Total

 

 

 

 

 

$938

 

$366

Contingency

 

 

 

 

 

$107

 

$23

Salvage Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

($124)

Mine Closure

 

 

 

 

 

$1

 

$94

Total Capital

 

 

 

 

 

$1,046

 

$359

Total Capital per payable ounce gold

 

 

 

 

 

$218

 

$75

    Note: Amounts may not add due to rounding.  The negative value in the sustaining capital category of the owners' cost line is the recapture of the cash component of the project's cash reclamation bond, which is spend as cash under the Mine Closure category.

The following table presents a breakdown of Base Case operating costs. The project includes a 76MW gas-fired power plant in the initial capital.  The Base Case project consumes all power generated during the operating life.  Self-generated power creates significant savings in operating costs compared to a grid-sources power solution. During the four years of reclamation and closure, the PFS assumes we will continue to generate power and will sell that power into the Northern Territory electrical grid, for which there is a known market and indicative purchase rates have been provided by the government-owned utility. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Cost - Base Case (50,000 tpd)

 

First 5 Years

 

LOM Cost

 

 

Per tonne processed

 

Per ounce

 

Per tonne processed

 

Per ounce

Mining

 

$8.18

 

$302.30

 

$6.95

 

$321.88

Processing

 

$8.71

 

$321.47

 

$8.78

 

$406.86

Site General and Administrative

 

$0.49

 

$18.27

 

$0.50

 

$22.94

Jawoyn Royalty

 

$0.39

 

$14.50

 

$0.31

 

$14.50

Water Treatment

 

$0.07

 

$2.60

 

$0.10

 

$3.39

Refining Costs

 

$0.09

 

$3.19

 

$0.07

 

$3.19

Power Credit

 

 -

 

 -

 

 -

 

 -

Total Cash Costs

 

$17.93

 

$662.06

 

$16.70

 

$772.76

   Note: Jawoyn Royalty and Refining Costs calculated at $1,450 per ounce of gold.  Amounts may not add due to rounding.

The 50,000tpd Base Case mine plan contains plan contains 209.5 million tonnes of ore mined from the Batman open pit plus 13.4 million tonnes of ore from the existing heap leach pad that is processed through the mill at the end of the mine life.  Together, 222.8 million tonnes of ore containing 5.901 million ounces of gold at an average grade of 0.82 g Au/t are processed over the 13 year operating life.  Total gold recovered is expected to be 4.808 million ounces.  Average annual gold production over the life of mine is 369,850 ounces, averaging 481,316 ounces during the first five years of operations, with 580,472 ounces produced in the first year of operations.  Commercial production would begin following two years of construction and commissioning.

The following table highlights the Base Case production schedule:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Years

 

Ore Mined (kt)

 

Waste mined (kt)

 

Strip Ratio (W:O)

 

Milled Ore (kt)

 

Milled Grade (g/t)

 

Contained Ounces (kozs)

 

Mill Production (kozs)

(1)

 

11,764 

 

24,761 

 

2.1 

 

 -

 

 -

 

 -

 

 -

1

 

28,101 

 

33,803 

 

1.2 

 

17,799 

 

1.24 

 

708 

 

580 

2

 

20,983 

 

55,290 

 

2.6 

 

17,750 

 

0.92 

 

525 

 

430 

3

 

23,941 

 

78,227 

 

3.3 

 

17,750 

 

1.07 

 

613 

 

502 

4

 

18,285 

 

71,608 

 

3.9 

 

17,750 

 

0.82 

 

471 

 

386 

5

 

29,066 

 

58,329 

 

2.0 

 

17,799 

 

1.08 

 

620 

 

508 

6

 

7,561 

 

71,279 

 

9.4 

 

17,750 

 

0.71 

 

408 

 

334 

7

 

4,777 

 

54,405 

 

11.4 

 

17,750 

 

0.55 

 

312 

 

256 

8

 

7,078 

 

45,482 

 

6.4 

 

17,750 

 

0.53 

 

301 

 

247 

9

 

10,700 

 

38,710 

 

3.6 

 

17,799 

 

0.57 

 

325 

 

266 

10

 

24,331 

 

27,864 

 

1.1 

 

17,750 

 

0.83 

 

473 

 

388 

11

 

22,861 

 

2,592 

 

0.1 

 

17,750 

 

1.14 

 

653 

 

535 

12

 

 -

 

 -

 

 -

 

17,750 

 

0.57 

 

324 

 

258 

13

 

 -

 

 -

 

 -

 

9,659 

 

0.54 

 

168 

 

117 

Total

 

209,451 

 

562,349 

 

2.7 

 

222,805 

 

0.82 

 

5,901 

 

4,808 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Note: Amounts may not add due to rounding.  Total milled ore includes material from the heap leach pad that is processed at the end of the mine life.

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

The table below illustrates the updated reserve and resource estimate for the Project.  The effective date of the Batman deposit resource estimate is March 18, 2013.  The effective date of the heap leach resource estimate is May 29, 2013.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mt. Todd Gold Project Reserves, Base Case (50,000 tpd) 0.40 g Au/t cut-off.  Reserves calculated at $1,360 per ounce of gold

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Batman Deposit

 

Heap Leach Pad

 

Quigleys Deposit

 

Total

 

 

 

Tonnes (000s)

 

Grade (g/t)

 

Contained Ounces

 

Tonnes (000s)

 

Grade (g/t)

 

Contained Ounces

 

Tonnes (000s)

 

Grade (g/t)

 

Contained Ounces

 

Tonnes (000s)

 

Grade (g/t)

 

Contained Ounces

 

Proven

 

72,495 

 

0.88 

 

2,057 

 

 -

 

 -

 

 -

 

 -

 

 -

 

 -

 

72,495 

 

0.88 

 

2,057 

 

Probable

 

136,955 

 

0.82 

 

3,612 

 

13,354 

 

0.54 

 

232 

 

 -

 

 -

 

 -

 

150,309 

 

0.80 

 

3,844 

 

Proven and Probable

 

209,451 

 

0.84 

 

5,669 

 

13,354 

 

0.54 

 

232 

 

 -

 

 -

 

 -

 

222,805 

 

0.82 

 

5,901 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mt. Todd Gold Project Resources Base Case (50,000 tpd)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Batman Deposit

 

Heap Leach Pad

 

Quigleys Deposit

 

Total

 

 

 

Tonnes (000s)

 

Grade (g/t)

 

Contained Ounces

 

Tonnes (000s)

 

Grade (g/t)

 

Contained Ounces

 

Tonnes (000s)

 

Grade (g/t)

 

Contained Ounces

 

Tonnes (000s)

 

Grade (g/t)

 

Contained Ounces

 

Measured

 

77,793 

 

0.88 

 

2,193 

 

 -

 

 -

 

 -

 

571 

 

0.98 

 

18 

 

78,364 

 

0.88 

 

2,211 

 

Indicated

 

201,792 

 

0.80 

 

5,209 

 

13,354 

 

0.54 

 

232 

 

6,868 

 

 

181 

 

222,014 

 

0.79 

 

5,622 

 

Measured and Indicated

 

279,585 

 

0.82 

 

7,401 

 

13,354 

 

0.54 

 

232 

 

7,439 

 

0.83 

 

199 

 

300,378 

 

0.81 

 

7,832 

 

Inferred

 

72,458 

 

0.74 

 

1,729 

 

 -

 

 -

 

 -

 

11,767 

 

0.85 

 

320 

 

84,225 

 

0.76 

 

2,049 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Note: Measured and indicated resources include proven and probable reserves.  Batman and Quigleys resources are quoted at a 0.40g Au/t cut-off grade.  Heap leach resources are the average grade of the heap, no cut-off applied.  Economic analysis conducted on proven and probable reserves.

 

 

Cautionary note to U.S. investors:  Proven and probable reserves are estimated in accordance with NI 43-101 and do not constitute SEC Industry Guide 7 compliant reserves see the section heading “Cautionary Note to United States Investors Regarding Estimates of Measured, Indicated and Inferred Resources and Proven and Probable Reserves” below.

Alternative Case Scenario Presented in PFS

The key differences between the Base Case and the alternative case include:

·

a 33,000 tpd mining facility versus a 50,000 tpd facility in the Base Case with associated lower mining rates and a smaller fleet; and

·

a reserve pit shell of $925/oz versus $1,360/oz in the Base Case and the application of a higher cut-off grade (0.45g Au/t versus 0.40g Au/t).

 

 


 

 

 

Highlights of the PFS alternative case scenario are presented in the table below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alternate Case (30,000 tpd) @ $1,450/oz Au

 

Years 1-5

 

LOM (11 years)

 

 

Annual Average

 

Total

 

Annual Average

 

Total

Average Milled Grade (g/t)

 

0.95

 

0.90

Payable Gold (000's ozs)

 

295

 

1,473

 

263

 

2,891

Gold Recovery

 

82.0%

 

81.2%

Cash Costs ($/oz)

 

$676

 

$684

Strip Ratio (waste:ore)

 

2.1

 

2

Initial Capital ($ millions)

 

 

 

 

 

$761

Pre-tax NPV 5% ($ millions)

 

 

 

 

 

$777

After-tax NPV 5% ($ millions)

 

 

 

 

 

$440

Internal Rate of Return (Pre-tax/After-tax)

 

 

 

 

 

22.1% / 16.9%

After-tax Payback (Production Years)

 

 

 

 

 

3.2

    Note: Economics presented using $1,450/oz gold and a flat $1.00 USD : $1.00 AUD exchange rare and assumes deferral of certain Northern Territory tax obligations as well as realization of equipment salvage values at the end of the mine life.

The following table provides additional details of the project’s alternative case economics at variable gold price and Australian dollar assumptions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After-Tax NPV 5%, in Millions

 

Base Case (50,000 tpd) Gold Price per Ounce

ForEx USD/AUD

 

$1,200

 

$1,300

 

$1,400

 

$1,450

 

$1,500

 

$1,600

 

$1,700

 

$1,800

USD$1.10

 

$58.5

 

$187.2

 

$305.1

 

$363.2

 

$421.5

 

$538.2

 

$655.5

 

$773.2

USD$1.00

 

$146.4

 

$265.6

 

$381.9

 

$440.2

 

$498.5

 

$615.6

 

$733.2

 

$850.9

USD$0.90

 

$225.6

 

$342.4

 

$458.8

 

$517.1

 

$575.8

 

$693.2

 

$810.9

 

$928.6

USD$0.80

 

$303.3

 

$419.3

 

$535.9

 

$594.6

 

$653.2

 

$770.9

 

$888.6

 

$1,006.3

    Note: Changes in Foreign Exchange rates are only applied to operating costs and not applied to either initial or sustaining capital costs.

Alternate Case key capital expenditures for initial and sustaining capital requirement are identified in the table below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital Expenditures ($ Millions)

 

 

 

 

 

Initial

 

Sustaining

Alternative Case (33,000) tpd)

 

 

 

 

 

Capital

 

Capital

Capitalized Stripping & Dewatering

 

 

 

 

 

$24

 

$38

Mobile Equipment

 

 

 

 

 

$77

 

$73

Process Facility

 

 

 

 

 

$310

 

 -

Tailings

 

 

 

 

 

$19

 

$86

Power Plant

 

 

 

 

 

$64

 

 -

Water Supply & Treatment

 

 

 

 

 

$11

 

 -

Owners Cost

 

 

 

 

 

$75

 

($14)

Sub-Total

 

 

 

 

 

$680

 

$183

Contingency

 

 

 

 

 

$80

 

$11

Salvage Value

 

 

 

 

 

 -

 

($77)

Mine Closure

 

 

 

 

 

$1

 

$94

Total Capital

 

 

 

 

 

$761

 

$211

Total Capital per payable ounce gold

 

 

 

 

 

$263

 

$73

    Note: Amounts may not add due to rounding.  The negative value in the sustaining capital category of the owners' cost line is the recapture of the cash component of the project's cash reclamation bond, which is spend as cash under the Mine Closure category.

The following table presents a breakdown of Alternate Case operating costs.  The Alternate Case project includes a 58MW gas-fired power plant in initial capital.  During the operating life, the power plant generates excess power and Vista has assumed a power credit against operating costs.  Additionally, during the four years of reclamation and closure, Vista intends to generate and sell power into the Northern Territory electrical grid, for which there is a known market and indicative purchase rates have been provided by the government-owned utility.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Cost - Alternate Case (33,000 tpd)

 

First 5 Years

 

LOM Cost

 

 

Per tonne processed

 

Per ounce

 

Per tonne processed

 

Per ounce

Mining

 

$6.55

 

$260.99

 

$5.49

 

$234.75

Processing

 

$9.37

 

$373.32

 

$9.51

 

$406.86

Site General and Administrative

 

$0.74

 

$29.42

 

$0.74

 

$31.63

Jawoyn Royalty

 

$0.36

 

$14.50

 

$0.34

 

$4.50

Water Treatment

 

$0.08

 

$3.17

 

$0.11

 

$3.55

Refining Costs

 

$0.08

 

$3.19

 

$0.07

 

$3.19

Power Credit

 

($0.23)

 

($15.99)

 

($0.23)

 

($10.05)

Total Cash Costs

 

$16.97

 

$675.61

 

$15.99

 

$684.43

   Note: Jawoyn Royalty and Refining Costs calculated at $1,450 per ounce of gold.  May not add due to rounding.

The 33,000 tpd Alternate Case mine plan contains 110.4 million tonnes of ore mined from the Batman open pit plus 13.4 million tonnes of ore from the existing heap leach pad that is processed through the mill at the end of the mine life.  Together, 123.7 million tonnes of ore containing 3.562 million ounces of gold at an average grade of 0.90 g Au/t are processed over the 11 year operating life.  Total gold recovered is expected to be 2.891 million ounces.  Average annual gold production over the life of mine is 262,826 ounces, averaging 294,502 ounces during the first five years of operations, with 417,166 ounces produced in the first year of operations.  Commercial production would begin following two years of construction and commissioning.

The table below highlights the Alternate Case production schedule:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Years

 

Ore Mined (kt)

 

Waste mined (kt)

 

Strip Ratio (W:O)

 

Milled Ore (kt)

 

Milled Grade (g/t)

 

Contained Ounces (kozs)

 

Mill Production (kozs)

(1)

 

3,407 

 

8,483 

 

2.5 

 

 -

 

 -

 

 -

 

 -

1

 

16,872 

 

23,714 

 

1.4 

 

11,747 

 

1.35 

 

509 

 

417 

2

 

12,013 

 

23,611 

 

2.0 

 

11,715 

 

0.86 

 

323 

 

265 

3

 

17,775 

 

22,960 

 

1.3 

 

11,715 

 

1.16 

 

438 

 

359 

4

 

4,921 

 

35,191 

 

7.2 

 

11,715 

 

0.63 

 

237 

 

194 

5

 

10,331 

 

24,062 

 

2.3 

 

11,747 

 

0.77 

 

289 

 

237 

6

 

17,311 

 

23,934 

 

1.4 

 

11,715 

 

1.17 

 

442 

 

361 

7

 

2,681 

 

31,629 

 

11.8 

 

11,715 

 

0.65 

 

245 

 

201 

8

 

8,501 

 

22,889 

 

2.7 

 

11,715 

 

0.73 

 

277 

 

227 

9

 

12,597 

 

6,209 

 

0.5 

 

11,747 

 

0.99 

 

375 

 

308 

10

 

3,964 

 

49 

 

 -

 

11,715 

 

0.83 

 

314 

 

244 

11

 

 -

 

 -

 

 -

 

6,482 

 

0.54 

 

113 

 

79 

Total

 

110,374 

 

222,732 

 

2.0 

 

123,728 

 

0.90 

 

3,562 

 

2,891 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Note: Amounts may not add due to rounding.  Total milled ore includes material from the heap leach pad that is processed at the end of the mine life.

Project Description

Gold mineralization in the Batman deposit at the Project occurs in sheeted veins within silicified greywackes/shales/siltstones.  The Batman deposit strikes north-northeast and dips steeply to the east.  Higher grade zones of the deposit plunge to the south.  The core zone is approximately 200-250 meters wide and 1.5 km long, with several hanging wall structures providing additional width to the orebody.  Mineralization is open at depth as well as along strike, although the intensity of mineralization weakens to the north and south along strike.

The Project is designed to be a conventional, owner-operated, large open-pit mining operation that will utilize large-scale mining equipment in a blast/load/haul operation.  Ore is planned to be processed in a large comminution circuit consisting of a gyratory crusher, two cone crushers, two High Pressure Grinding Roll (“HPGR”) crushers, and three ball mills as discussed in greater detail below.  Vista plans to recover gold in a conventional carbon-in-leach (“CIL”) recovery circuit.

Metallurgy, Processing and Infrastructure

Our metallurgic test work programs support: (1) ore hardness estimates at the Batman deposit that are consistent and do not change at depth; (2) the selection of  HPGR technology as part of the comminution circuit; (3) estimated gold recovery rates based on optimized grind size and leach conditions; and (4) the processing of material from the historic heap leach pad at the end of the proposed mine life.

Ore Hardness

Samples used for the test work program were sourced from eight holes from the Company's 2010 and 2011 drilling program that were oriented to intersect the main Batman deposit beneath the existing pit and are believed to be representative of the ore within the limits of the preliminary feasibility pit.

Twenty of the samples were subjected to Bond ball mill work index (“BWi”) tests, the SMC Test (drop-weight and specific gravity tests) as well as Compressive Strength Tests and Crushing Work Index (“CWI”) tests.  The results of the BWi tests show an average BWi value of 26.2 kWh/t with a maximum value of 28.2 kWh/t and a minimum value of 23.6 kWh/t.

The results of this test work support two main conclusions: (1) that the hardness of ore at the Batman deposit is relatively constant; and (2) that ore at the Batman deposit does not change at depth.

This test work validates the Company's prior test work and supports Vista's comminution circuit design, which is designed to crush and grind ore with an average BWi of 27.4 kWh/t, a 5% factor of safety above the average BWi and closer to the 75th percentile of BWi test results.

HPGR Selection

Our proposed comminution circuit incorporates the use of a large gyratory crusher and two large cone crushers for the primary and secondary stages, but contemplates the use of HPGRs as the third-stage of the crushing circuit.  Much of our test work has focused on confirming the use of HPGRs.

Initially, we ran a series of parallel tests comparing a semi-autogenous grinding (“SAG”)/ball mill circuit with an HPGR crushing and ball mill circuit.  Based on the test work completed, HPGR technology was selected.  Industry experience has shown HPGRs to produce micro-fracturing in particles that reduce the overall particle strength and generate a greater distribution of fine material in the ball mill feed, reducing downstream ball mill energy requirements.  The ore at the Batman deposit consists of silicified greywackes/shales/siltstones and test work has shown the HPGRs tend to fracture ore at the Batman deposit along the bedding planes more than micro-fracturing.  The result, however, is consistent with other industry HPGR applications in that the HPGR product produces a lower BWi feed for the ball mills.  The test results indicate the SAG mill circuit produced a product with an average BWi of 26.4 kWh/t compared to the HPGR crushed product with an average BWi of 24.8 kWh/t, a reduction of over 6%.

Additionally, material crushed in the HPGR test resulted in up to 10% of the HPGR product being fine enough to by-pass the ball mills entirely and proceed straight to the leach circuit.  Vista has incorporated this HPGR advantage in its comminution circuit design.

The test work also assessed the difference in power requirements between a primary/SAG/ball mill circuit, a conventional 3-stage crush/ball mill circuit, and a 3-stage HPGR/ball mill circuit to generate a 90 μm P80 product.  The assessment concluded that the 3-stage HPGR/ball mill circuit has a significantly lower specific energy requirement than the primary/SAG/ball mill option and that a finer grind size can be achieved with the HPGR crushed material compared to conventionally crushed material ground for the same period of time.

This test work also confirms our prior test work and supports our comminution circuit design.  The use of HPGRs is anticipated to (a) produce a product that can be ground more efficiently (lower BWi) in the ball mills; and (b) reduce energy requirements when compared to a SAG mill design.

Gold Recoveries

Our focus was to solve the high reagent consumption, poor gold recovery and copper leaching issues encountered by previous operators.  Historic core samples indicated the presence of cyanide soluble secondary copper mineralization (chalcocite and bornite) in ore at the Batman deposit, and as such, our initial focus was to develop a flowsheet that incorporated the production of a copper concentrate.

However our drill programs from 2007–2012 indicated a significant change in the mineralogy of ore at the Batman deposit with depth with copper mineralogy changing from cyanide soluble secondary copper to non-cyanide soluble primary copper mineralization (chalcopyrite).  The change in mineralogy occurs at approximately 40 meters below surface and the majority of the ore containing cyanide soluble secondary copper was mined by previous operators.  As a result, more than 96% of ore at the Batman deposit contains low-to-non-cyanide soluble primary copper mineralization.  Therefore, our recovery circuit has been simplified and focuses only on recovering gold from ore at the Batman deposit through a conventional Carbon in Leach (“CIL”) circuit.

The remainder of our test work relating to gold recovery focused on optimal grind size, pre-conditioning of ore with lime (to reduce cyanide consumption), the identification of a reagent to suppress copper leaching (lead nitrate was selected), and optimal cyanide concentration.

After determining the optimal leach conditions, 99 samples covering a range of head grades from throughout the Batman deposit were subjected to leach tests resulting in gold extraction between 75% and 85%, with an average of 81.7%, net of solution losses.  Cyanide consumption was estimated at 0.77kg/t and lime consumption was estimated at 0.91kg/t.

This test work validates our prior recovery estimates (82%), indicates little gold recovery variability throughout the Batman deposit, and supports Vista's recovery plant design utilizing a conventional, industry-proven, CIL circuit.

Existing Heap Leach Pad

In addition to analysis of freshly-mined ore from the Batman deposit, Vista has analyzed the potential to incorporate nearly 13.4 million tonnes of material on the existing heap leach pad into the Mt. Todd gold project.  The original Mt. Todd gold project started as a heap leach operation with historic records indicating that the average grade of  material placed on the pad was 0.96 g Au/t.  Although the material was partially leached in the mid-1990s, Vista has drilled 24 air-rotary holes into the heap leach pad and assayed 361 samples, and created a 3D resource model that has an average grade of 0.54 g Au/t.

Initial evaluation efforts focused on re-starting the heap leach pad.  Bottle roll and column tests were completed, both of which supported the leachability of the material with gold recovery rates around 35%.  However, poor in situ permeability rates caused Vista to ultimately abandon plans to re-start the heap.

We subsequently submitted two heap leach variability composites and two drill hole composites from the leach pad for CIL cyanidation leach test work.  The samples were ground to P80 passing 90 μm and pre-treated with lime and 100g/t of lead nitrate to suppress copper leaching.  The material was then leached for 24 hours.  These results support recovery rates of 70% for this material when processed through the CIL plant.

 

 


 

 

 

Because the Mt. Todd gold project was an operating mine, infrastructure exists that reduces initial capital expenditure and significantly reduces capital risk related to infrastructure construction, which has been a major source of capital overruns in the mining industry over the last decade.  Existing mining infrastructure items include:

·

an existing tailings storage facility that will receive two raises and is expected to contain the initial 62 million tonnes of material processed;

·

an existing fresh water storage reservoir that will receive a two-meter dam raise and will harvest stormwater sufficient to provide process water for year-round operations;

·

a natural gas pipeline at site that can supply sufficient natural gas to meet the project's energy requirements and would save considerably on project operating costs compared to grid-supplied power;

·

a paved road to site;

·

current electrical connection to the Northern Territory electric grid; and

·

reduced earthworks costs due to the process plant location being the same as the previous process plant, which has already been cleared and graded.

Other benefits of the Mt. Todd gold project's Northern Territory location include:

·

the Stuart highway – the main North / South highway in the Northern Territory is less than 15km from the project site;

·

rail line parallel to the Stuart highway; and

·

the regional center of Katherine (population approximately 12,000) less than 60 km from site and the Northern Territory capital of Darwin less than 300 km from the project site, which has port access.

In June 2013, we also completed and submitted an initial environmental impact statement (“EIS”) to the Environmental Protection Agency of the NT Government (“NTEPA”) for review. This submission starts concurrent agency review and public consultation periods, the latter of which will close during August 2013.  Following closure of the public consultation and agency review periods, the NTEPA will provide a consolidated set of comments to us, which we will respond to in a final EIS and submit for approval We believe that we remain on track to receive permits around the end 2013.

Guadalupe de los Reyes Gold/Silver Project, Mexico

 

Preliminary Economic Assessment

 

In March 2013, we completed of a preliminary economic assessment (“PEA”) for the Guadalupe de los Reyes gold/silver project in Sinaloa, Mexico which evaluated the viability of a 1,500 tonne per day (540,000 tonne per annum) processing facility with positive results.  The PEA was completed pursuant to Canadian National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.  The technical report was filed on SEDAR on March 5, 2013 and is entitled “NI 43-101 Technical Report – Preliminary Economic Assessment of Guadalupe de los Reyes Gold/Siler Project – Sinaloa, Mexico” and was issued on March 4, 2013 with an effective date of February 8, 2013

 

The PEA is intended to provide only an initial review of the Guadalupe de los Reyes gold/silver project's potential and is preliminary in nature. The PEA includes inferred resources that are considered to be too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves, and there is no certainty that the economic results described in the PEA will be realized.

 

 


 

 

 

Project Economics

 

The following table provides details on the Project’s economics at variable gold price assumptions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financials @ 8% discount rate

 

Gold/Silver Price Assumptions

 

 

Units

 

$1,184/ $22.40

 

$1,332/ $25.20

 

$1,480/ $28       (Base Case)

 

$1,628/ $30.80

 

$1,776/ $33.60

Average Gold Cash Costs

 

US$/oz

 

631

 

631

 

631

 

631

 

631

After-Tax NPV

 

US$M

 

10.9

 

34.1

 

57.3

 

80.3

 

103.3

IRR (After-Tax)

 

%

 

11

 

16

 

21

 

25

 

29

Payback (After-Tax)

 

Years

 

6.0

 

4.0

 

3.6

 

3.4

 

3.2

 

Project Concept

 

The Guadalupe de los Reyes gold/silver project, as currently envisioned, consists of five small open pits within the Guadalupe de los Reyes system, all located within approximately 2.5km of each other. Conventional open pit methods are recommended for mining the five deposits.

 

The deposits are typical of a low sulfidation epithermal system with mineralization occurring in westward dipping structural zones that range from a few meters to tens of meters in thickness. The gold occurs as microscopic-sized, free to quartz-encapsulated electrum associated with silver sulfides. Historic metallurgic testwork focused on heap leach recovery methods; however Vista believes that finer grind size through milling could lead to better recoveries. Vista's testwork has focused on gold extraction under a conventional mill and CIL circuit and has resulted in an estimated average gold recovery of 93% and a range of silver recoveries, dependent on the specific deposit tested.

 

Mill throughput is assumed to be 1,500 tonnes per day or 540,000 tonnes per year. With this assumed production rate, the mine life would be approximately 11 years, with 5.5 million tonnes of material processed. The mine would have an overall strip ratio of 11.7 tonnes of waste rock per tonne of economic mineralized rock. Gold accounts for approximately 80% of the value of the payable metals with silver accounting for the balance.

 

Mineral Resources

 

The mineral resources utilized in this PEA are summarized in the table below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Resource Classification

 

Metric Tonnes

 

Gold Grade (grams Au/t)

 

Silver Grade (grams Ag/t)

 

Contained Gold Ounces

 

Contained Silver Ounces

Indicated (1)

 

6,842,238

 

1.73

 

28.71

 

380,323

 

6,315,407

Inferred (1)

 

3,246,320

 

1.49

 

34.87

 

155,209

 

3,639,163

 

 (1) Cautionary note to U.S. investors: See the section entitled “Cautionary Note to U.  S. Investors Regarding Estimates of Measured, Indicated and Inferred Resources and Proven and Probable Reserves” below.

 

 

 


 

 

 

Capital Costs

 

Capital costs estimates were done based on fourth quarter 2012, un-escalated U.S. dollars and are summarized in the table below.  Minor rounding errors may occur.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Area

 

Detail

 

Pre-Production

 

Sustaining

 

Total

 

 

 

 

(in millions of dollars)

Direct Costs

 

Mine

 

8.2 

 

6.7 

 

14.8 

 

 

Mill

 

36.7 

 

 -

 

36.7 

 

 

Tailings

 

6.5 

 

15.5 

 

22.0 

 

 

Infrastructure

 

12.3 

 

 -

 

12.3 

Mine Closure

 

 

 

 -

 

5.0 

 

5.0 

Owner Costs

 

 

 

4.8 

 

 -

 

4.8 

Contingency (30% applied to all)

 

 

 

20.5 

 

8.2 

 

28.7 

Total Capex Estimate with Contingency

 

 

 

88.9 

 

35.4 

 

124.3 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capex Without Contingency

 

 

 

68.4 

 

27.2 

 

95.6 

     Amounts may not add due to rounding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Costs

 

Operating cost estimates were based on fourth quarter of 2012 un-escalated U.S. dollars and are summarized in the table below.  Minor rounding errors may occur.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unit Cost Estimate

Item

 

$/t Mined

 

$/t Milled

 

Cash Costs $/Au Ounce Payable

Mining

 

1.31 

 

16.61 

 

223 

Processing

 

 

 

23.48 

 

315 

General and Administrative

 

 

 

1.50 

 

20 

Environmental

 

 

 

0.50 

 

Total (without silver credits)

 

 

 

42.06 

 

564 

     Amounts may not add due to rounding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

Annual Production

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year

 

Ore Mined

 

Gold Grade

 

Contained Gold

 

Silver Grade

 

Contained Silver

 

Waste

 

Strip Ratio

 

 

(kt)

 

(g/t)

 

(kozs)

 

(g/t)

 

(kozs)

 

(kt)

 

 

(1)

 

 

1.69 

 

0.11 

 

16.79 

 

1.08 

 

895 

 

447.5 

1

 

540 

 

1.89 

 

32.79 

 

12.35 

 

214.42 

 

2,698 

 

5.0 

2

 

540 

 

1.89 

 

32.79 

 

12.35 

 

214.42 

 

2,698 

 

5.0 

3

 

540 

 

1.89 

 

32.79 

 

12.35 

 

214.42 

 

2,698 

 

5.0 

4

 

540 

 

3.51 

 

60.93 

 

34.20 

 

593.84 

 

3,592 

 

6.7 

5

 

540 

 

1.69 

 

29.35 

 

16.79 

 

291.51 

 

4,058 

 

7.5 

6

 

540 

 

1.69 

 

29.35 

 

16.79 

 

291.51 

 

4,058 

 

7.5 

7

 

540 

 

1.69 

 

29.35 

 

16.79 

 

291.51 

 

4,058 

 

7.5 

8

 

540 

 

1.48 

 

25.67 

 

26.31 

 

456.83 

 

46,935 

 

8.6 

9

 

540 

 

1.57 

 

27.22 

 

38.43 

 

667.19 

 

7,479 

 

13.9 

10

 

540 

 

2.54 

 

44.08 

 

99.51 

 

1,727.57 

 

15,444 

 

28.6 

11

 

104 

 

2.54 

 

8.49 

 

99.51 

 

332.72 

 

12,215 

 

117.5 

Total/Avg

 

5,506 

 

1.99 

 

352.92 

 

29.92 

 

5,297.02 

 

64,561 

 

11.7 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exploration Upside

 

Vista's 2011-2012 exploration program was designed to confirm the existing resource and test the potential for higher gold and silver grades at depth.  The minimal amount of deep drilling conducted by the Company together with historical records indicate that the stockwork of the low sulfidation epithermal vein system that is the host for the deposits evaluated in the PEA consolidate into high-grade vein systems with widths that could be mined by underground mining methods.  We believe there is a possibility that with time and the appropriate exploration expenditures, a high-grade underground-mineable resource could potentially be developed.

 

The Guadalupe de los Reyes gold/silver project is without known mineral reserves under SEC Industry Guide 7 and the proposed program at Guadalupe de los Reyes is exploratory in nature.

For the remainder of 2013, our expenditures on the Guadalupe de los Reyes gold/silver project will be restricted to property holding costs and community support initiatives as the Company is primarily focused on the continued evaluation of the Mt. Todd gold project.

These Project Updates have been reviewed and approved by Mr. John W. Rozelle, Senior Vice President of Vista, under whose direction the Company’s technical reports are being carried out.  Mr. Rozelle is a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101. 

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors Regarding Estimates of Measured, Indicated and Inferred Resources and Proven and Probable Reserves 

   

The terms “mineral reserve”, “proven mineral reserve” and “probable mineral reserve” are Canadian mining terms as defined in accordance with NI 43-101 and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (the “CIM”) – CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the CIM Council, as amended (the “CIM Definition Standards”). These definitions differ from the definitions in the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Industry Guide 7 (“SEC Industry Guide 7”) under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Under SEC Industry Guide 7 standards, a “final” or “bankable” feasibility study is required to report reserves, the three-year historical average price is used in any reserve or cash flow analysis to designate reserves, and the primary environmental analysis or report must be filed with the appropriate governmental authority.

   

In addition, the terms “mineral resource”, “measured mineral resource”, “indicated mineral resource” and “inferred mineral resource” are defined in and required to be disclosed by NI 43-101; however, these terms are not defined terms under SEC Industry Guide 7 and are normally not permitted to be used in reports and registration statements filed with the SEC. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of a  mineral deposit in these categories will ever be converted into reserves. “Inferred mineral resources” have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all, or any part, of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, except in rare cases. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource exists or is economically or legally mineable. Disclosure of “contained ounces” in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute “reserves” by SEC standards as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures.

Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations 

Vista has been a “passive foreign investment company” (“PFIC”) as defined under Section 1297 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, in recent years and expects to continue to be a PFIC in the future. Current and prospective United States shareholders should consult their tax advisors as to the tax consequences of PFIC classification and the U.S. federal tax treatment of PFICs. Additional information on this matter is included in Vista’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, under “Part II. Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities — Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations.” 

 

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and “forward-looking information” under Canadian securities laws, that are intended to be covered by the safe harbor created by such legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this Quarterly Report that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements and forward-looking information, including, but not limited to, such things as those listed below: 

·

proposed use of proceeds from the Company’s 2013 Facility;

·

our expectation that is we are able to raise the cash necessary for full repayment of the 2013 Facility when it is due, that we will likely seek to extend the 2013 Facility and may potentially seek additional sources of financing; 

·

estimates of future operating and financial performance; 

·

potential funding requirements and sources of capital, including potential near-term sources of additional cash

·

our anticipated cash burn rare for the remainder of 2013, and our anticipated reductions to our cash burn rate for 2014;

·

the Company’s belief that its current cash position will be sufficient for the remainder of 2013;

·

the potential monetization of our non-core assets;

·

our expectation that raising capital for junior mining companies will continue to be difficult in 2013 and possibly 2014, and the potential impact of this on our ability to raise capital in sufficient amounts on reasonable terms;

·

our planned deferral of significant development commitments until market conditions improve;

·

our potential ability to generate proceeds from operations or the disposition of our assets;

·

the timing, performance and results of feasibility studies; 

·

plans and anticipated effects of the holding of approximately 28% of the issued and outstanding shares of Midas Gold;  

·

our potential entry into agreements to find, lease or purchase mineral interests;

·

plans for evaluation and advancement of the Mt. Todd gold project, including the Company’s plans to complete an environmental impact statement for the project, establish a mutually agreeable level of participation with the Jawoyn Association Aboriginal Corporation and advance discussions with respect to ley project issues

·

pre-feasibility study results at the Mt. Todd gold project, including the Base Case and Alternate Case development scenarios

·

the Company’s belief that it remains on track to receive permits for the Mt. Todd gold project around the end of 2013;

·

our ability to raise sufficient capital to complete a feasibility study of the Mt. Todd gold project;

·

the feasibility of the Mt. Todd gold project;

·

the proposed benefits from attaining Major Project status on the Mt. Todd gold project, including potentially minimizing delays in obtaining critical decisions;

·

our ability to raise sufficient capital on acceptable terms to finance the construction of the Mt. Todd gold project, should it be economically and technically feasible;

·

exploration, resource estimates and PEA results at the Guadalupe de los Reyes gold/silver project; 

·

Vista’s belief that fine grind size through milling could lead to better recoveries at the Guadalupe de los Reyes gold/silver project;

·

Vista’s belief that a high grade underground-minable resource could be potentially developed at the Guadalupe de los Reyes gold/silver project;

·

our plan to restrict expenditures on the Guadalupe de los Reyes gold/silver project for the remainder of 2013 to property holding costs and community support initiatives;

·

future business strategy, competitive strengths, goals and expansion and growth of the Company’s business; 

·

our potential status as a producer; 

·

plans and estimates concerning potential project development, including matters such as schedules, estimated completion dates and estimated capital and operating costs; 

·

estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources;

·

timing and receipt of proceeds from the sale of the mill equipment that the Company is currently seeking to sell;

·

completion and timing of the earn-in by Invecture at the Los Cardones project and related cash payments to Vista; and

·

our expectation that we will continue to be a PFIC in the future.

Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information have been based upon our current business and operating plans, as approved by the Board; our cash and other funding requirements and timing and sources thereof; results of pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, mineral resource and reserve estimates, preliminary economic assessments and exploration activities; advancements of the Company’s required permitting processes; current market conditions and project development plans. The words “estimate”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “expect”, “intend”, “believe”, “will”, “may” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. These factors include risks such as: 

·

pre-feasibility and feasibility study results and preliminary assessment results and the accuracy of estimates on which they are based; 

·

resource and reserve estimate results and the accuracy of sampling and subsequent  assays and geologic interpretations on which they are based; 

·

technical and operational feasibility and the economic viability of deposits; 

·

our ability to obtain, renew or maintain the necessary authorizations and permits for our business, including its development plans and operating activities; 

·

the timing and results of a feasibility study on the Mt. Todd gold project;

·

delays in commencement of construction at the Mt. Todd gold project;

·

our ability to secure the permits for the Mt. Todd gold project;

·

delays in commencement of construction on the Los Cardones gold project;

·

status of or required governmental permits for the Los Cardones gold project;

·

the amendment and re-filing of the Change of Forest Land Use Permit (“CUSF”) application and the uncertainty regarding the Mexican Secretariat of the Environment and Natural Resources review of our amended CUSF application;

·

political factors influencing the approval of our CUSF application; 

·

possible impairment or write-down of the carrying value of the Los Cardones gold project if the CUSF is not granted;

·

increased costs that affect our financial condition;

·

our reliance on third parties to fulfill their obligations under our agreements;

·

whether projects not managed by us will comply with our standards or meet our objectives;

·

a shortage of skilled labor, equipment and supplies;

·

whether our acquisition, exploration and development activities, as well as the realization of the market value of our assets will be commercially successful and whether any transactions we enter into will maximize the realization of the market value of our assets;

·

trading price of our securities and our ability to raise funds in new share offerings due to future sales of common shares in the public or private market and our ability to raise funds from the exercise of our warrants;

·

risks related to our 2013 Facility;

·

the lack of dividend payments by us;

·

the success of future joint ventures, partnerships and other arrangements relating to our properties;

·

the market price of the securities held by us;

·

our lack of production and experience in producing;

·

reclamation liabilities, including reclamation requirements at the Mt. Todd gold project;

·

our history of losses from operations;

·

future water supply issues;

·

environmental lawsuits;

·

lack of adequate insurance to cover potential liabilities;

·

our ability to retain and hire key personnel;

·

fluctuations in the price of gold;

·

inherent hazards of mining exploration, development and operating activities;

·

the accuracy of calculations of mineral reserves, mineral resources and mineralized material fluctuations therein based on metal prices, inherent vulnerability of the ore and recoverability of metal in the mining process;

·

changes in environmental regulations to which our exploration and development operations are subject;

·

changes in climate change regulations;

·

changes in corporate governance and public disclosure regulations;

·

uncertainty related to our receipt of future payments in connection with our disposal of the Amayapampa gold project;

·

intense competition in the mining industry;

·

our ability to raise additional capital on favorable terms, if at all;

·

conflicts of interest of some of our directors as a result of their involvement with other natural resource companies; 

·

potential challenges to the title to our mineral properties;

·

political and economic instability in Mexico and Indonesia;

·

fluctuation in foreign currency values; and

·

our likely status as a PFIC for U.S. federal tax purposes. 

For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information, please see the risk factors contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, under “Part I-Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “Part II-Item 2. Risk Factors” below. Although we have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements and forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that these statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in the statements. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements and forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

 

 


 

 

 

ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK 

 

We are engaged in the acquisition of gold projects and related activities, including exploration, engineering, permitting and the preparation of feasibility studies. The value of our properties, as well as our marketable securities and our investment in Midas Gold, is related to the price of gold, and changes in the price of gold could affect the value of, and/or our ability to generate revenue from, our portfolio of gold projects.

 

Gold prices may fluctuate widely from time to time and are affected by numerous factors, including: expectations with respect to the rate of inflation, exchange rates, interest rates, global and regional political and economic circumstances and governmental policies, including those with respect to gold holdings by central banks. The demand for and supply of gold affect gold prices, but not necessarily in the same manner as demand and supply affect the prices of other commodities. The supply of gold consists of a combination of new mine production and existing stocks of bullion and fabricated gold held by governments, public and private financial institutions, industrial organizations and private individuals. The demand for gold primarily consists of jewelry, industry, and investments. Additionally, hedging activities by producers, consumers, financial institutions and individuals can affect gold supply and demand. The market value for gold cannot be predicted for any particular time.

 

Because we have exploration operations in Mexico, Indonesia and Australia, we are subject to foreign currency fluctuations. We do not engage in currency hedging to offset any risk of currency fluctuations.

 

ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES 

 

DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES 

 

At the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2013,  an evaluation was carried out under the supervision of and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of the design and operations of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based on that evaluation, the CEO and the CFO have concluded that as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that: (i) information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit to the SEC under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in applicable rules and forms and (ii) material information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow for accurate and timely decisions regarding required disclosure. 

 

CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING 

 

In the second quarter of 2013, we implemented a new financial accounting system. The implementation was not made in response to any significant deficiency or material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. System controls and functionality were reviewed and successfully tested prior and subsequent to implementation. Management believes that the new system has been successfully implemented and is functioning as required to provide timely and accurate financial reporting.  There has been no other change in our internal control over financial reporting during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION 

 

ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS 

 

We are not aware of any material pending or threatened litigation or of any proceedings known to be contemplated by governmental authorities that are, or would be, likely to have a material adverse effect upon us or our operations, taken as a whole. 

 

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS 

 

Except as set forth below, there have been no material changes from the risk factors set forth in our Annual Report Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 as filed with the SEC on March 13, 2013. 

 

We may be unable to timely pay our obligations under our outstanding credit facility or successfully extend its maturity date, which may result in us losing some of our assets covered by the general security agreement related to the credit facility to the extent necessary to cover our obligations and may adversely affect our assets, results of operations and future prospects.

 

On March 28, 2013, we entered into a credit agreement with Sprott Resources Lending Partnership (the “Lender”) for purposes of establishing a C$10,000 ($9,500) loan facility (the “2013 Facility”). The 2013 Facility bears an interest rate of 8% per annum, payable monthly. The 2013 Facility matures March 28, 2014, however early repayment of the 2013 Facility, at our option, is allowed provided that at least four months interest has been paid.  The maturity date can be extended by one year, to March 28, 2015, by mutual agreement of us and the Lender, subject to the payment of a 3.5% extension fee, which is payable in our common shares, and the Lender's satisfaction in our capacity to repay the loan and that our assets are not, or are not about to become, impaired. The 2013 Facility is secured by a general security agreement with exclusions for our Mt. Todd gold project and the mill equipment held for sale.

 

If we are unable to timely satisfy our obligations under the 2013 Facility, including timely payment of the interest when due and payment of the principal amount at maturity and we are not able to successfully extend the maturity date or otherwise re-negotiate the terms of the facility, the Lender will have rights under the general security agreement to potentially seize or sell our assets to satisfy our obligations under the 2013 Facility.  Any failure to timely meet our obligations under the 2013 Facility may adversely affect our assets, results of operations and future prospects

 

ITEM 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS 

 

None.

 

 


 

 

 

ITEM 3.  DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES 

 

None. 

 

ITEM 4.  MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE 

 

We consider health, safety and environmental stewardship to be a core value for the Company. 

 

Pursuant to Section 1503(a) of the recently enacted United States Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2011 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), issuers that are operators, or that have a subsidiary that is an operator, of a coal or other mine in the United States are required to disclose in their periodic reports filed with the SEC information regarding specified health and safety violations, orders and citations, related assessments and legal actions, and mining-related fatalities under the regulation of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (“MSHA”) under the United States Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (the “Mine Act”). During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, our U.S exploration properties were not subject to regulation by the MSHA under the Mine Act and consequently no disclosure is required under Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act. 

 

ITEM 5.  OTHER INFORMATION 

 

None. 

 

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS 

 

 

 

3.01

Certificate of Continuation, previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 12, 2013.

3.02

Notice of Articles, previously filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 12, 2013.

3.03

Articles, previously filed as Exhibit 3.3 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 12, 2013.

31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

31.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

32.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101.INS(1) (2)

XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH(1) (2)

XBRL Taxonomy Extension – Schema

101.CAL(1) (2)

XBRL Taxonomy Extension – Calculations

101.DEF(1) (2)

XBRL Taxonomy Extension – Definitions

101.LAB(1) (2)

XBRL Taxonomy Extension – Labels

101.PRE(1) (2)

XBRL Taxonomy Extension – Presentations

 

(1)   Submitted Electronically Herewith. Attached as Exhibit 101 to this report are the following formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Statements of Income/(Loss) and Comprehensive Income/(Loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, (ii) Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, and (iv) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 

(2)   Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended or Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability. 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VISTA GOLD CORP.

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

Date: August 2, 2013

By:

/s/ Frederick H. Earnest

 

 

 Frederick H. Earnest

 

 

  Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

Date: August 2, 2013

By:

/s/ John F. Engele

 

 

  John F. Engele

 

 

  Chief Financial Officer