UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

ý	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2004
OR
o	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission File Number 1-9025

 

VISTA GOLD CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

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 such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes ý   No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)

Yes o   No ý

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:

15,737,951

 

Common Shares, without par value, outstanding at August 11, 2004

 

 

VISTA GOLD CORP.

(An Exploration Stage Enterprise)

FORM 10-Q

For the Quarter Ended June 30, 2004

 

INDEX

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.	FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
ITEM 2.	MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
ITEM 3.	QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ITEM 4.	CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1.	LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ITEM 2.	CHANGES IN SECURITIES, USE OF PROCEEDS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
ITEM 3.	DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
ITEM 4.	SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
ITEM 5.	OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 6.	EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
SIGNATURES

 

In this Report, unless otherwise indicated, all dollar amounts are expressed in United States dollars.

 

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PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - UNAUDITED

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)		June 30, 2004			December 31, 2003
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	4,414		$	5,520
Marketable securities		57			31
Accounts receivable - Note 12		180			642
Supplies inventory, prepaids and other		287			292
Current assets		4,938			6,485
Restricted cash - Note 3		3,972			1,684
Mineral properties - Note 4		16,764			16,598
Plant and equipment - Note 5		1,444			1,513
		18,208			18,111
Total assets		$	27,118		$	26,280
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity:
Accounts payable		$	121		$	26
Accrued liabilities and other		164			382
Current liabilities		285			408
Accrued reclamation and closure costs - Note 9		4,180			4,169
Total liabilities		4,465			4,577
Capital stock, no par value: - Note 6
Preferred - unlimited shares authorized; no shares outstanding
Common - unlimited shares authorized; shares outstanding: 2004 - 15,598,007 and 2003 - 14,561,832		142,110			138,458
Warrants - Note 7		206			456
Options - Note 8		1,097			41
Contributed surplus		13			13
Deficit		(120,773		)	(117,265		)
Total shareholders’ equity		22,653			21,703
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		$	27,118		$	26,280

 

Nature of operations and going concern - Note 2

Commitments and contingencies - Note 9

Subsequent events - Note 13

 

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

 

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VISTA GOLD CORP. (An Exploration Stage Enterprise)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF LOSS - UNAUDITED

 

														Cumulative during Exploration Stage
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)		2004			2003			2004			2003
Costs and expenses:
Exploration, property evaluation and holding costs		$	465		$	258		$	949		$	600		$	2,581
Corporate administration and investor relations		806			445			1,329			863			4,187
Depreciation, depletion and amortization		52			14			104			27			390
Provision for reclamation and closure costs		—			—			—			—			1,048
Interest (income)/expense		(5		)	—			(22		)	—			(8		)
Gain on disposal of assets		—			—			(8		)	—			(91		)
Other expense (income)		—			(9		)	(44		)	(19		)	(346		)
Stock-based compensation - Note 1		76			—			232			—			286
Loss on currency translation		(3		)	6			(3		)	25			41
Gain on disposal of marketable securities		—			(74		)	—			(74		)	(149		)
Write-down of marketable securities		—			—			—			33			118
Total costs and expenses		1,391			640			2,537			1,455			8,057
Net loss		$	(1,391	)	$	(640	)	$	(2,537	)	$	(1,455	)	$	(8,057	)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding		15,383,662			12,610,954			15,015,732			11,977,983
Basic and diluted loss per share		$	(0.09	)	$	(0.05	)	$	(0.17	)	$	(0.12	)

 

VISTA GOLD CORP. (An Exploration Stage Enterprise)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF DEFICIT - UNAUDITED

 

		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
(U.S. dollars in thousands)		2004			2003			2004			2003
Deficit, beginning of period, as previoulsy reported		$	(119,382	)	$	(115,335	)	$	(117,265	)	$	(114,520	)
Stock-based compensation - Note 1		—			—			(971		)	—
Deficit, beginning of period, as restated		(119,382		)	(115,335		)	(118,236		)	(114,520		)
Net loss		(1,391		)	(640		)	(2,537		)	(1,455		)
Deficit, end of period		$	(120,773	)	$	(115,975	)	$	(120,773	)	$	(115,975	)

 

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

 

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VISTA GOLD CORP. (An Exploration Stage Enterprise)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - UNAUDITED

 

														Cumulative during Exploration Stage
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
(U.S. dollars in thousands)		2004			2003			2004			2003
Cash flows from operating activities:
Loss for the period		$	(1,391	)	$	(640	)	$	(2,537	)	$	(1,455	)	$	(8,057	)
Adjustments to reconcile loss for the period to cash provided by / (used in) operations:														—
Depreciation, depletion and amortization		52			14			104			27			390
Provision for reclamation and closure costs		—			—			—			—			1,048
Reclamation and closure costs accrued/(paid), net		9			—			11			—			(2		)
Stock based compensation		76			—			232			—			286
Gain on disposal of assets		—			—			(8		)	—			(91		)
Cost recoveries related to USF&G lawsuit		—			—			—			—			(240		)
Write-down of marketable securities		—			—			—			33			118
Gain on sale of marketable securities		—			(74		)	—			(74		)	(149		)
Loss on currency translation		—			6			—			25			44
Other non-cash items		—			30			—			60			120
Change in operating assets and liabilities:														—
Accounts receivable		6			141			462			55			(0		)
Supplies inventory and prepaid expenses		(4		)	(28		)	5			80			14
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		45			10			76			29			(991		)
Net cash used in operating activities		(1,207		)	(541		)	(1,655		)	(1,220		)	(7,510		)
Cash flows from investing activities:														—
Restricted cash - Note 3		(1		)	—			(2,288		)	(443		)	(3,972		)
Acquisition of marketable securities		(11		)	—			(26		)	(40		)	(66		)
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities		—			154			—			154			260
Additions to mineral properties, net		(55		)	193			(168		)	(52		)	(3,102		)
Additions to plant and equipment		(3		)	(2		)	(33		)	(49		)	(94		)
Proceeds on disposal of fixed assets and supplies		—			—			8			—			254
Net cash used in investing activities		(70		)	345			(2,507		)	(430		)	(6,720		)
Cash flows from financing activities:														—
Net proceeds from private placements		—			(28		)	—			2,874			8,646
Proceeds from exercise of warrants - Note 6		853			—			3,039			731			8,934
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options - Note 6		—			361			17			37			390
Net cash provided by financing activities		853			333			3,056			3,642			17,970
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(424		)	137			(1,106		)	1,992			3,740
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		4,838			5,298			5,520			3,443			674
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		$	4,414		5,435			$	4,414		5,435			$	4,414

 

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

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(U.S. dollars unless specified otherwise)

 

1.                                      General

 

The consolidated interim financial statements of Vista Gold Corp. (an Exploration Stage Enterprise) (the “Corporation”), as of June 30, 2004, and for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2004, have been prepared by the Corporation without audit and do not include all of the disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles in Canada for annual financial statements. As described in Note 11, generally accepted accounting principles in Canada differ in certain material respects from generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.  In the opinion of management, all of the adjustments necessary to fairly present the interim financial information set forth herein have been made.  These adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the operating results of a full year or of future years.  These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with

 

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the financial statements and related footnotes included in the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

 

These interim financial statements follow the same accounting policies and methods of their application as the most recent annual financial statements, with the exception that on January 1, 2004, the Corporation adopted the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based compensation. Previously, the Corporation did not record any compensation cost on the granting of stock options to employees and directors as the exercise price was equal to or greater than the market price at the date of the grants. The adoption of the fair value method resulted in a cumulative increase of $971,000 to the opening deficit at January 1, 2004 and increases of $139,000 and $832,000 to common share capital and stock options, respectively, at January 1, 2004.

 

2.                                      Nature of operations and going concern

 

(a)          Nature of operations

 

The Corporation evaluates, acquires and explores gold exploration and potential development projects. As such, the Corporation is considered an Exploration Stage Enterprise and has been since January 1, 2002.  The Corporation’s 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, the Corporation looks for opportunities to improve the value of its gold projects through exploration drilling, and/or reengineering the operating assumptions underlying previous engineering work.

 

(b)         Going concern

 

These unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which assumes that the Corporation will continue in operation for the foreseeable future and will be able to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business.  At June 30, 2004, the Corporation holds working capital of $4.6 million which is not sufficient to satisfy current general and administrative activities, bonding requirements (Note 9) and property obligations which will be approximately $5.0 million over the next twelve months.  Therefore, there is substantial doubt about the Corporation’s ability to continue as a going concern.

 

The Corporation is investigating the possibility of raising additional capital through private placements (Note 13) and, although management has been successful in the past, there can be no assurance that it will be able to raise additional capital in the future.  The Corporation continues to actively pursue alternatives to monetize its assets and attract other investors.

 

The ability of the Corporation to continue as a going concern and to realize the carrying values of its assets and discharge its liabilities and obligations when due is dependent upon the successful completion of the planned actions or other alternatives noted above.  Management believes successful completion of raising additional capital will mitigate the adverse conditions and events which raise doubt about the validity of the going concern assumption used in preparing these financial statements.  These financial statements do not give effect to any adjustments, which may be necessary should the Corporation be unable to continue as a going concern and such adjustments may be material.

 

3.                                      Restricted cash

 

The Corporation has paid $2.3 million and assigned collateralized letters of credit for $1.7 million, for an aggregate amount of $4.0 million, for a new bonding instrument provided by member companies of American International Group, Inc. which includes an insurance component and covers all existing reclamation liabilities at the Hycroft mine (Note 9).

 

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4.                                      Mineral properties

 

		2003			2004
($ 000’s)		December 31, net balance			Acquisition costs			Option payments			Exploration & land costs			Cost recovery			Year to date activity			June 30, Ending Balance
Maverick Springs, United States		$	1,143		$	—		$	—		$	6		$	(6	)	$	—		$	1,143
Mountain View, United States		460			—			25			$	9		—			$	34		494
Long Valley, United States		193			—			—			$	—		—			—			193
Wildcat, United States		593			—			—			$	17		—			17			610
Hasbrouck and Three Hills, United States		353			—			—			$	—		—			—			353
Yellow Pine, United States		192			100			—			$	6		—			106			298
Paredones Amarillos, Mexico		2,443			—			—			$	5		—			5			2,448
Guadalupe de los Reyes, Mexico		511			—			—			$	—		—			—			511
Amayapampa, Bolivia		10,710			—			—			$	3		(68		)	(65		)	10,645
Other		—			6			—			$	63		—			69			69
		$	16,598		$	106		$	25		$	109		$	(74	)	$	166		$	16,764

 

The recoverability of the carrying values of the Corporation’s mineral properties is dependent upon the successful start-up and commercial production from, or sale, or lease, of these properties.  Development and/or start-up of any of these projects will depend, among other things, on management’s ability to raise additional capital for these purposes.  Although the Corporation has been successful in raising such capital in the past, there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so in the future.

 

5.                                      Plant and equipment

 

		June 30, 2004									December 31, 2003
($ 000’s)		Cost			Accumulated Depreciation and Write-downs			Net			Cost			Accumulated Depreciation and Write-downs			Net
Hycroft mine, United States		$	12,031		$	10,625		$	1,406		$	12,031		$	10,528		$	1,503
Corporate, United States		378			340			38			343			333			10
		$	12,409		$	10,965		$	1,444		$	12,374		$	10,861		$	1,513

 

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6.                                      Capital stock

 

Common Shares issued and outstanding

 

		Number of shares issued		Capital stock
				($ 000’s)
As of December 31, 2003, as previously reported		14,561,832		$	138,458
Stock-based compensation - Note 1		—		139
As of January 1, 2004, as restated		14,561,832		138,597
Warrants exercised, for cash - Note 7		604,186		2,186
Warrants exercised, fair value - Note 7		—		186
Stock options exercised, for cash - Note 8		5,000		17
Stock options exercised, fair value - Note 8		—		7
Issued during three months ended March 31, 2004		609,186		2,396
As of March 31, 2004		15,171,018		$	140,993
Warrants exercised, for cash		378,030		853
Warrants exercised, fair value		—		64
Stock issued for property payment		48,959		200
Stock options exercised, for cash		—		—
Stock options exercised, fair value		—		—
Issued during three months ended June 30, 2004		426,989		1,117
As of June 30, 2004		15,598,007		$	142,110

 

7.                                      Warrants

 

Warrants granted, exercised and outstanding during the period are summarized in the following table:

 

		Warrants granted(1)		Valuation			Warrants exercised		Warrants outstanding		Weighted average exercise prices (U.S. $)			Expiry date		Weighted average remaining life (yrs)
				(000’s)
As of December 31, 2003		7,023,679		$	456		(2,781,162	)	4,242,518		$	2.46				—
Private placement February 2003		—		—			(190,000	)	(190,000	)	3.32		(1)	Feb-07		2.9
Private placement February-March 2002		—		—			(118,400	)	(118,400	)	1.50			Feb - Mar-07		3.0
Private placement December 2002		—		—			(70,786	)	(70,786	)	3.45		(2)	Dec-04		0.7
Acquisition of Paredones Amarillos		—		(186		)	(225,000	)	(225,000	)	5.17			Aug-04		0.4
For the three months ended March 31, 2004		—		(186		)	(604,186	)	(604,186	)	5.14
As of March 31, 2004		7,023,679		$	270		(3,385,348	)	3,638,332		$	2.44
Private placement February-March 2002		—		$	—		(300,000	)	(300,000	)	$	1.50		Feb-07		2.6
Acquisition of Paredones Amarillos		—		$	(64	)	(78,030	)	(78,030	)	$	5.15		Aug-04		0.2
For the three months ended June 30, 2004		—		$	(64	)	(378,030	)	(378,030	)	$	5.14
As of June 30, 2004		7,023,679		$	206		(3,763,378	)	3,260,302		$	2.46

 

(1) The exercise price increased to $3.32 from $3.14 in February 2004

(2) The exercise price increased to $3.45 in December 2003

 

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8.                                      Stock options

 

The total number of options outstanding at the end of the quarter is 770,125 with exercise prices ranging from approximately $1.86 to $4.76 and remaining lives of 1.9 to 4.9 years.  The total number of options outstanding represents 5.0% of issued capital.

 

Under the Corporation’s Stock Option Plan, 30,000 stock options were issued to non-employees of the Corporation in March 2004 and have been recorded at an estimated fair value of $93,387 using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.  In May 2004, 10,000 stock options were issued to an employee and have been recorded at fair value of $12,229.  In addition, compensation expense of $126,452 was recognized during the six months ended June 30, 2004, for options previously granted and vesting over time.

 

		Number of Shares		Value
Outstanding - December 31, 2003		735,125		$	41
Stock-based compensation - Note 1		—		832
As of January 1, 2004, as restated		735,125		873
Granted		30,000		93
Exercised		(5,000	)	(7		)
Vested, Fair Value		—		63
Outstanding - March 31, 2004		760,125		$	1,022
Granted		10,000		12
Exercised		—		—
Vested, Fair Value		—		63
Outstanding - June 30, 2004		770,125		$	1,097

 

Effective January 1, 2004, the Corporation adopted the fair value method of accounting for stock-based compensation (Note 1). Had compensation expense been recorded using the fair value method for the six   months ended June 30, 2003, the Corporation’s loss and loss per share would have been adjusted to the pro forma amounts indicated below:

 

		Six Months Ended June 30, 2003
Net Loss - as reported (000’s)		$	(1,455	)
Stock-based compensation		(204		)
Net Loss - pro forma (000’s)		$	(1,659	)
Loss per share - as reported		$	(0.12	)
Loss per share - pro forma		$	(0.14	)

 

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The fair value of stock options granted to employees and directors was estimated at the grant date based on the Black-Scholes option pricing model, using the following weighted average assumptions:

 

		June 2004		June 2003
Expected volatility		80.0	%	50.0	%
Risk-free interest rate		2.74	%	3.50	%
Expected lives (years)		5		3
Dividend yield		0	%	0	%

 

Option pricing models require the input of highly subjective assumptions including the expected price volatility.  Changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, and therefore, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable measure of the fair value of the Corporation’s stock options.

 

9.                                      Commitments and contingencies

 

The Bureau of Land Management, Nevada State Office (“BLM”) has required the Corporation to provide a total surety amount of $6.8 million for the approved Hycroft mine reclamation plan.  In December 2003, the Corporation’s wholly-owned subsidiary Hycroft Resources & Development, Inc. (“HRDI”) reached agreement with member companies of American International Group, Inc. for a new bond package for the Hycroft mine which includes an insurance component and covers all existing reclamation liabilities at Hycroft.  The new bond calls for an initial payment of $4.0 million and two additional payments of $1.3 million each due July 22, 2004, and December 22, 2004.  The Corporation has remitted payment of $2.3 million and assigned letters of credit for $1.7 million to be applied to the initial payment amount.  On April 16, 2004, the BLM approved the new insurance/assurance bonding instrument which has accordingly replaced the former bond made up of a $5.1 million non-cash collateralized bond from American Home Insurance Company, letters of credit of $1.7 million posted directly with the BLM and the existing indemnity agreement between the Corporation and its HRDI subsidiary.

 

The Corporation estimates that the related asset retirement expenditures will commence approximately five years after the start-up of the Hycroft mine (an event not scheduled) and continue for several years after that time.   Using a credit-adjusted rate of 7.75%, the fair value of the estimated $6.8 million obligation is $4.1 million, as accrued in these financial statements.

 

10.                               Geographic and segment information

 

The Corporation evaluates, acquires and explores gold exploration and potential development projects.  These activities are focused principally in North America and South America. Substantially all related costs are incurred in the United States. The Corporation reported no revenues in the three-month or six-month periods ended June 30, 2004, or for the same periods in 2003.  Geographic segmentation of capital assets is provided in Notes 4 and 5.

 

11.                               Differences between Canadian and United States generally accepted accounting principles

 

The Corporation prepares its financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in Canada, which differ in some respects from those in the United States.  The significant differences between generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in Canada and in the United States, as they relate to these financial statements, are as follows:

 

(a)                               In accordance with U.S. GAAP, exploration, mineral property evaluation, holding costs, option payments and related acquisition costs for mineral properties acquired under an option agreement are expensed as incurred.  When proven and probable reserves are determined for a property and a bankable feasibility study is completed, then subsequent exploration and development costs on the

 

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property would be capitalized.  Total capitalized cost of such properties is measured periodically for recoverability of carrying value under SFAS No. 144.

 

(b)                               In accordance with U.S. GAAP, items such as marketable securities are to be measured at fair value at the balance sheet date and related unrealized gains and losses are required to be shown separately in the derivation of comprehensive income.

 

The significant differences in the consolidated statements of loss relative to U.S. GAAP were:

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF LOSS - UNAUDITED

 

														Cumulative during Exploration Stage
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)		2004			2003			2004			2003
Net loss – Canadian GAAP		$	(1,391	)	$	(640	)	$	(2,537	)	$	(1,455	)	$	(8,057	)
Realized gain/(loss) on marketable securities		—			—			—			33			(85		)
Unrealized gain/(loss) on marketable securities		—			—			—			—			85
Exploration, property evaluation and holding costs (a)		(101		)	(34		)	(234		)	(279		)	(871		)
Financing costs		—			—			—			—			(222		)
Beneficial conversion feature		—			—			—			—			(2,774		)
Net loss – U.S. GAAP		(1,492		)	(674		)	(2,771		)	(1,701		)	(11,924		)
Unrealized gain/(loss) on marketable securities (b)		(35		)	19			(87		)	(14		)	143
Comprehensive loss – U.S. GAAP		$	(1,527	)	$	(655	)	$	(2,858	)	$	(1,715	)	$	(11,781	)
Basic and diluted loss per share – U.S. GAAP		$	(0.10	)	$	(0.05	)	$	(0.19	)	$	(0.14	)

 

The significant differences in the consolidated statement of cash flows relative to U.S. GAAP were:

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - UNAUDITED

 

														Cumulative during Exploration Stage
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
(U.S. dollars in thousands)		2004			2003			2004			2003
Cash flows from operating activities:
Loss for the period		$	(1,391	)	$	(640	)	$	(2,537	)	$	(1,455	)	$	(8,057	)
Adjustments to reconcile loss for the period to cash used in operations:
Non-cash items		137			(24		)	339			71			1,524
Additions to mineral properties, net (a)		(101		)	(34		)	(234		)	(279		)	(871		)
Change in operating assets and liabilities:		47			123			543			164			(977		)
Net cash used in operating activities		(1,308		)	(575		)	(1,888		)	(1,499		)	(8,381		)
Cash flows from investing activities:		(70		)	345			(2,507		)	(430		)	(6,720		)
Additions to mineral properties, net (a)		101			34			234			279			871
Net cash used in investing activities		31			379			(2,273		)	(151		)	(5,849		)
Cash flows from financing activities:		853			333			3,056			3,642			17,970
Net cash provided by financing activities		853			333			3,056			3,642			17,970
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(424		)	137			(1,106		)	1,992			3,740
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		4,838			5,298			5,520			3,443			674
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		$	4,414		$	5,435		$	4,414		$	5,435		$	4,414

 

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The significant differences in the consolidated balance sheets as at June 30, 2004, and December 31, 2003, relative to U.S. GAAP were:

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - UNAUDITED

 

		June 30, 2004										December 31, 2003
(U.S. $ 000’s)		Per Cdn. GAAP				Cdn./U.S. Adj.			Per U.S. GAAP			Per Cdn. GAAP			Cdn./U.S. Adj.			Per U.S. GAAP
Current assets (b)		$		4,938		$	143		$	5,081		$	6,485		$	230		$	6,715
Restricted cash		3,972				—			3,972			1,684			—			1,684
Property, plant and equipment (a)		18,208				(8,658		)	9,550			18,111			(8,424		)	9,687
Total assets		$		27,118		$	(8,515	)	$	18,603		$	26,280		$	(8,194	)	$	18,086
Current liabilities		285				—			285			408			—			408
Long term liabilities		4,180				—			4,180			4,169			—			4,169
Total liabilities		4,465				—			4,465			4,577			—			4,577
Capital stock		142,110				76,754			218,864			138,458			76,754			215,212
Special warrants		—				222			222			—			222			222
Warrants and options		1,303				—			1,303			497			—			497
Contributed surplus		13				5,560			5,573			13			5,560			5,573
Other comprehensive income (loss) (a)		—				143			143			—			230			230
Deficit (a,b)		(120,773			)	(91,194		)	(211,967		)	(117,265		)	(90,960		)	(208,225		)
Total shareholders’ equity		22,653				(8,515		)	14,138			21,703			(8,194		)	13,509
Total liabilities & shareholders’ equity		$	27,118			$	(8,515	)	$	18,603		$	26,280		$	(8,194	)	$	18,086

 

12.                               Related party transactions

 

Maverick Springs

 

In June 2003, the Corporation formalized an agreement to grant to Silver Standard Resources Inc. (“SSRI”) an option to acquire the Corporation’s interest in the silver resources hosted in the Maverick Springs project in Nevada. The Corporation and SSRI have a common director.  Under the terms of the agreement, the Corporation will retain its 100% interest in the gold mineralized material, and SSRI will pay the Corporation $1.5 million over four years including a cash payment of $300,000 which was paid at closing.  The remaining $1.2 million will be used to fund exploration programs, land holding costs and option payments on the Maverick Springs project.  As of June 30, 2004, the Corporation has received payments from SSRI aggregating $961,823 and included in current assets is a receivable amount due from SSRI in the amount of $5,705 to reimburse the Corporation for exploration expenditures incurred on the Maverick Springs project.

 

13.                               Subsequent events

 

On July 22, 2004, the Corporation made a scheduled payment to American International Group Inc. of $1.3 million as required for the new bonding package for the Hycroft mine (Note 9).

 

On July 28, 2004, the Corporation announced that subject to regulatory approval, it plans to undertake a private placement financing, which if completed, will raise gross proceeds of up to $6.5 million from the sale of up to 1.96 million units priced at $3.30 per unit.  The proceeds will be used for the acquisition of additional projects, if suitable opportunities arise; maintenance and evaluation of current projects and on-going administration costs.  Each unit will consist of one common share and one warrant.  Each warrant will entitle the holder to acquire one common share at an exercise price of $4.75 for a period of two years from the date of issue.

 

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On August 2, 2004, the Corporation issued 138,428 common shares valued at $500,000 to Enrique Gaitan Maumejean pursuant to the Corporation’s scheduled August 1, 2004 payment obligation under its August 1, 2003 agreement to acquire the Guadalupe de los Reyes project.

 

On August 2, 2004, the Corporation announced that it agreed with Luzon Minerals Ltd. to modify the terms of the original purchase option agreement regarding its Amayapampa project in Bolivia.  Under the modified terms subject to regulatory approval, as soon as practicable following August 1, 2004, Luzon will issue Vista 200,000 common shares and assume all holding costs for the project.  On January 15, 2005, Luzon will make a further payment of US$900,000 and issue Vista an additional 2,000,000 common shares.  To date, Luzon has paid Vista US$100,000 and issued Vista 50,000 common shares.  The initial agreement called for Luzon to pay Vista US$1,000,000, less any payments made, at the end of the due diligence period and issue Vista an additional 2,000,000 common shares.  Luzon may withdraw at any time by forfeiting all payments made as of that time.  The remainder of the agreement is the same as reported in December 2003.

 

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

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands, unless specified otherwise)

 

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Corporation for the three years ended December 31, 2003 and the related notes thereto, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in Canada.  Reference to Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements should be made for a discussion of differences between Canadian and United States GAAP and their effect on the financial statements.  All amounts stated herein are in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted.

 

Results from Operations

 

The Corporation’s consolidated net loss for the three-month period ended June 30, 2004, was $1.4 million or $0.09 per share compared to a consolidated net loss of $0.6 million or $0.05 per share for the same period in 2003.  The Corporation’s consolidated net loss for the six-month period ended June 30, 2004 was $2.5 million or $0.17 per share compared to a consolidated net loss of $1.5 million or $0.12 per share for the same period in 2003.  The increases in the consolidated losses of $0.8 million and $1.0 million from the respective prior periods are the result of increased exploration, property evaluation and holding costs of $0.2 million and $0.35 million from the respective prior periods and increased corporate administration and investor relations costs of $0.4 million and $0.5 million from the respective prior periods and increased stock-based compensation of $0.08 million and $0.23 million from the respective prior periods.

 

Exploration, property and holding costs

 

Exploration, property and holding costs increased to $465,000 during the three-month period ended June 30, 2004, compared to $258,000 for the same period in 2003.  Exploration, property and holding costs increased to $949,000 for the six-month period ended June 30, 2004, compared to $600,000 for the same period in 2003.  The increase for each of these periods is principally the result of payments for property holding costs.

 

Corporate administration and investor relations

 

Corporate administration and investor relations costs increased to $806,000 during the three-month period ended June 30, 2004, compared to $445,000 for the same period in 2003.  Corporate administration and investor relations costs increased to $1,329,000 during the six-month period ended June 30, 2004, compared to $863,000 for the same period in 2003.  The increased costs are attributable to increased activity in the Corporation’s investor relations program and related travel and entertainment expenses; and legal, professional and regulatory fees.

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization increased to $52,000 during the three-month period ended June 30, 2004, compared to $14,000 for the same period in 2003.  Depreciation, depletion and amortization increased to $104,000 during the six-month period ended June 30, 2004, compared to $27,000 for the same period in 2003.  The increase is the result of plant and equipment at the Hycroft mine being depreciated from previously written down market values and depreciation on computer and information technology equipment acquired for the corporate offices in late 2003.

 

Stock-based compensation

 

Stock-based compensation was $76,000 for the three-month period ended June 30, 2004, compared to $127,000 which would have been recorded, had the fair value method of stock-based compensation been used for the same period in 2003.  Stock-based compensation was $232,000 for the six-month period ended June 30, 2004, compared to $204,000 which would have been recorded, had the fair value method of stock-based compensation been used for the same period in 2003.  Stock-based compensation in the second quarter of 2004

 

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is the result of stock options granted to an employee of the Corporation and recognized expense for the vesting of options granted to employees in 2003 and in 2004.

 

Other income and expense

 

In aggregate, other income and expense items, including interest income, gain on the disposal of assets and other income, resulted in a net gain of $5,000 for the three-month period ended June 30, 2004, as compared to a net gain of $9,000 in 2003.  In aggregate, other income and expense items, including interest income, gain on the disposal of assets and other income, resulted in a net gain of $74,000 for the six-month period ended June 30, 2004, compared to a net gain of $19,000 for the same period in 2003.

 

Marketable securities

 

For both the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2004, there were no gains on disposal, or write-downs, of marketable securities, compared to gains of $74,000 for the three-month period and $41,000 for the six-month period ended June 30, 2003.

 

Financial Position, Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Cash used in operations

 

Cash used in operations was $1,207,000 for the three-month period ended June 30, 2004, compared to $541,000 for the same period in 2003.  Cash used in operations was $1,655,000 for the six-month period ended June 30, 2004, compared to $1,220,000 for the same period in 2003.

 

The increase can be primarily attributed to the use of cash in property payments, corporate administration costs, investor relations, holding costs at the Hycroft mine and the reduction of accounts receivable.

 

Investing activities

 

Net cash used for investing activities increased to $70,000 for the three-month period ended June 30, 2004, from a net provision of $(345,000) for the same period in 2003.  The increase is primarily due to additions to mineral properties of $0.3 million for the Hasbrouck and Three Hills projects.  In the 2003 period, cash was provided from the sale of marketable securities of $154,000 and net disposals of mineral properties of $193,000.  Net cash used for investing activities increased to $2,507,000 for the six-month period ended June 30, 2004, from $430,000 for the same period in 2003.  The increase is primarily due to the restricted cash payment of $2.3 million in connection with the new bonding instrument for the Hycroft mine (Note 9).

 

Financing activities

 

Net cash provided by financing activities increased to $853,000 for the three-month period ended June 30, 2004, from $333,000 for the same period in 2003.  Net cash provided by financing activities decreased to $3,056,000 for the six-month period ended June 30, 2004, compared to $3,642,000 for the same period in 2003.  The $3,056,000 proceeds in the 2004 period were all from the exercise of warrants and options.  During the 2003 period, the Corporation had raised $3,642,000 in net proceeds from exercises of stock options, warrants and proceeds from the private placement completed in February 2003, in which the Corporation had raised net proceeds of $2.9 million.

 

Liquidity and capital resources

 

At June 30, 2004, the Corporation’s total assets were $27.1 million compared to $26.3 million at December 31, 2003, representing an increase of $0.8 million.  At June 30, 2004, the Corporation had working capital of $4.6 million compared to $6.1 million at December 31, 2003, representing a decrease of $1.5 million.  This decrease is primarily attributed to corporate administration, exploration and property holding costs of $2.2 million in aggregate and a restricted cash payment for bonding requirements at the Hycroft mine of $2.3 million, which

 

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have been partially offset by proceeds received for the exercise of warrants of $3.0 million during the six-month period ending June 30, 2004.

 

The principal component of working capital at both June 30, 2004, and December 31, 2003, is cash and cash equivalents of $4.4 million and $5.5 million, respectively.  At June 30, 2004, the Corporation held no debt with banks or financial institutions.

 

Major cash commitments for the remainder of 2004 are related to corporate administration and operations of approximately $1.3 million, property options and expenditure commitments of approximately $0.8 million, and bonding package cash requirements of $2.6 million for an aggregate cash usage of approximately $4.7 million.

 

These unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which assumes that the Corporation will continue in operation for the foreseeable future and will be able to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business.  At June 30, 2004, the Corporation hold working capital of $4.6 million which is not sufficient to satisfy current general and administrative activities, bonding requirements (Note 9) and property obligations which will be approximately $5.0 million over the next twelve months.  Therefore, there is substantial doubt about the Corporation’s ability to continue as a going concern.

 

The Corporation is investigating the possibility of raising additional capital through private placements and, although management has been successful in the past, there can be no assurance that it will be able to raise additional capital in the future.  The Corporation continues to actively pursue options to monetize its assets and attract other investors.

 

At June 30, 2004, warrants outstanding to purchase Common Shares of the Corporation totaled 3,260,302 with a weighted average exercise price of $2.46 and potential gross proceeds of $8.0 million.  Although the Corporation has received significant cash proceeds from the exercise of warrants issued in private placements, there can be no assurance that cash proceeds from the exercise of warrants will be received in the future.

 

Uncertainty of Forward-Looking Statements

 

This document contains forward-looking statements concerning, among other things, the Corporation’s financial and operating results and estimates, and business prospects.  Such statements are typically punctuated by words or phrases such as “anticipates”, “estimates”, “projects”, “foresees”, “management believes”, “believes” and words or phrases of similar import.  Such statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties or assumptions.  If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated or projected.  Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements are identified in the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, under “Part I — Item 1. Business — Risk Factors”.  That section of that Form 10-K is incorporated in this filing and investors should refer to it.  Vista Gold assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions, or changes in other factors affecting such statements.

 

ITEM 3.                                                     QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

The Corporation is engaged in the acquisition of gold projects and related activities including exploration engineering, permitting and the preparation of feasibility studies.  The value of the Corporation’s properties is related to gold price and changes in the price of gold could affect the Corporation’s ability to generate revenue from its portfolio of gold projects.

 

Gold prices may fluctuate widely from time to time and are affected by numerous factors, including the following: 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 gold price fell to a 20-year low of $253 in July 1999 and recovered significantly since that time to reach a level of $415 by December 31, 2003 and was $396 at June 30, 2004.  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

 

16

 

organizations and private individuals.  The demand for gold primarily consists of jewelry and investments.  Additionally, hedging activities by producers, consumers, financial institutions and individuals can affect gold supply and demand.  While gold can be readily sold on numerous markets throughout the world, its market value cannot be predicted for any particular time.

 

Because the Corporation has several exploration operations in North and South America, it is subject to foreign currency fluctuations.  The Corporation does not engage in currency hedging to offset any risk of currency fluctuations as insignificant monetary amounts are held for immaterial land holding costs related to the properties owned.

 

The Corporation has no debt outstanding, nor does it have any investment in debt instruments other than highly liquid short-term investments.  Accordingly, the Corporation considers its interest rate risk exposure to be insignificant at this time.

 

ITEM 4.                                                     CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

The principal executive officer and principal financial officer have evaluated the effectiveness of the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of June 30, 2004.  Based on the evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures in place are adequate to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Corporation, including consolidated subsidiaries, in reports that the Corporation files or submits under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported on a timely basis in accordance with applicable time periods specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms.  There has been no change in the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended June 30, 2004, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

17

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.                                                     LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

Please see “Part I – Item 3. Legal Proceedings” as included in the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, for information about a legal dispute initiated in Bolivia in April 1998 by a Mr. Estanislao Radic who brought legal proceedings in the lower penal court against Mr. Raul Garafulic and the Corporation, questioning the validity of Mr. Garafulic’s ownership of the Amayapampa property.  The Corporation does not anticipate that this dispute will result in any material adverse impact on the Corporation or the value of its holdings in Bolivia; however, in the interest of full disclosure, this matter is reported herein.

 

ITEM 2.                                                     CHANGES IN SECURITIES, USE OF PROCEEDS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

None.

 

ITEM 3.                                                                                                     DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

None.

 

ITEM 4.                                                                                                     SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

 

At the Annual General Shareholders’ Meeting of the Corporation held on May 10, 2004, the following matters

 

were submitted to a vote of the shareholders.

 

(i)                                     Directors elected to the Corporation’s Board of Directors, together with respective votes were:  Ronald J. McGregor – 11,008,927 votes for, 27,293 votes abstained and withheld; John M. Clark – 10,970,117 votes for, 66,103 votes abstained and withheld; C. Thomas Ogryzlo – 10,970,217 votes for, 66,003 votes abstained and withheld; Michael B. Richings –11,009,262 votes for, 26,958 votes abstained and withheld; Robert A. Quartermain – 10,970,142 votes for, 66,078 votes abstained and withheld.

 

(ii)                                  Appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Chartered Accountants, as auditor to hold office until the next annual general meeting.  The motion was approved with 10,973,988 votes for, 62,232 votes abstained, withheld and spoiled.

 

ITEM 5.                                                                                                     OTHER INFORMATION

 

None.

 

ITEM 6.                                                                                                     EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

 

(a)                                  Exhibits

 

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

 

18

 

(b)                                 Reports on Form 8-K

 

The following Current Reports on Form 8-K were filed by the Corporation during the quarter ended June 30, 2004:

 

1.                                       Report dated April 21, 2004, pursuant to Items 5 and 7, regarding the results of an updated resource analysis for the Maverick Springs project.

2.                                       Report dated May 17, 2004, pursuant to Items 5 and 7, regarding first quarter 2004 financial results and election of directors and re-appointment of independent auditor at the annual general meeting of shareholders.

3.                                       Report dated May 25, 2004, pursuant to Item 5, regarding the death of President and CEO Ronald J. (Jock) McGregor.

4.                                       Report dated May 25, 2004, pursuant to Item 5, regarding the appointment of Michael B. Richings as Interim President and CEO.

5.                                       Report dated June 1, 2004, pursuant to Item 5, regarding the appointment of Gregory G. Marlier as Chief Financial Officer and the grant by the Corporation to Luzon Minerals, Ltd. of an extension to August 1, 2004, to complete due diligence on the Amayapampa project.

6.                                       Report dated June 23, 2004, pursuant to Item 5, regarding an agreement with Pintail Environmental Solutions, LLC for evaluation of gold recoverability at the Hycroft mine and potential for joint venture.

 

19

 

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 11, 2004	By:	/s/ Michael B. Richings
		Michael B. Richings
		President and Chief Executive Officer
		(Principal Executive Officer)
Date:  August 11, 2004	By:	/s/ Gregory G. Marlier
		Gregory G. Marlier
		Chief Financial Officer
		(Principal Financial Officer)

 

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