UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

For the transition period from              to

Commission file number: 001-9025

VISTA GOLD CORP.

 (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

(720) 981-1185

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code)

Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant (1) 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 ☒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 (§ 229.405 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 ☒No □

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

      Large Accelerated Filer □   Accelerated Filer ☒  Non-Accelerated Filer □

Smaller Reporting Company  □  Emerging Growth Company  □



If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  



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

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practical date: 98,196,308 common shares, without par value, outstanding as of July 26, 2017.

VISTA GOLD CORP. 

(An Exploration Stage Enterprise) 

FORM 10-Q 

For the Quarter Ended June 30, 2017

INDEX  

PART I

ITEM 1.  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

VISTA GOLD CORP.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

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

Approved by the Board of Directors

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

VISTA GOLD CORP.

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

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

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

VISTA GOLD CORP.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Dollar amounts in U.S. dollars and in thousands)

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

VISTA GOLD CORP.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollar amounts in U.S. dollars and in thousands)

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

1. Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation

Vista Gold Corp. and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Vista,” the “Company,” “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, option agreements, leases to third parties, joint venture arrangements with other mining companies, or outright sales of assets for cash and/or other consideration.  We look for opportunities to improve the value of our gold projects through exploration drilling and/or technical studies focused on optimizing previous engineering work. 

The Company’s flagship asset is its 100% owned Mt Todd gold project (“Mt Todd”) in the Northern Territory (“NT”) Australia, where we are seeking approval of our final environmental authorization and evaluating potential material process improvements preparatory to an update of our Mt Todd Preliminary Feasibility Study (completed May 2013 and amended July 2014)  (“PFS”). We also hold 4.3% of the outstanding common shares in the capital of Midas Gold Corp. (“Midas Gold Shares”), a non-core project in Mexico and royalty interests in the United States and Indonesia. 

The interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (“interim statements”) of the Company are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments and disclosures necessary for a fair presentation of these interim statements have been included. The results reported in these interim statements are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be reported for the entire year. These interim statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2016 as filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian securities regulatory authorities on February 22, 2017 on Form 10-K. The year-end balance sheet data was derived from the audited financial statements and, in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q, certain information and footnote disclosures required by United States generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted. 

References to C$ refer to Canadian currency, A$ to Australian currency and $ to United States currency.

2. Short-term and Other Investments

Short-term investments

As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the amortized cost basis of our short-term investments was $18,132 and $21,975, respectively. The amortized cost basis approximates fair value at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016. Short-term investments at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are comprised of U.S. government treasury bills and/or notes, all of which have maturity dates greater than 90 days but less than one year. 

Other investments - Midas Gold Shares 

Upon initial recognition of our investment in the Midas Gold Shares, we elected to apply the fair value option, and as such, the investment in Midas Gold Shares is recorded at fair value in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Subsequent changes in fair value are recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income/(Loss) and Comprehensive Income/(Loss) in the period in which they occur. 

The following table summarizes our investment in Midas Gold Shares as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016.

3. Mineral Properties

Long Valley Claims

During the first half of 2017, we sold our Long Valley unpatented mining claims located in California for consideration, net of transaction costs, of $358 which was paid at closing; a future payment of $500 one month after the start of commercial production; a future payment of $500 on or prior to the first anniversary of the start of commercial production; and a  net smelter return royalty (“NSR”) on any future production from said claims at a variable rate between 0.5% and 2.0% depending on the average gold price realized. This sale resulted in a realized gain of $358 in the first half of 2017.

Utah Claims

During the first half of 2016, we sold our unpatented mining claims located in Utah for $150 and a 2% NSR on any future production from said claims. This sale resulted in a realized gain of $150 in the first half of 2016. 

4. Plant and Equipment

5. Common Shares

Warrants

Warrant activity is summarized in the following table:

Stock-Based Compensation

Under our Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”) and our Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan (the “LTIP”), we may grant options and/or restricted stock units (“RSUs”) or restricted stock awards to our directors, officers, employees and consultants.  The combined maximum number of our common shares (“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 at any one time.  Options and RSUs under the Plan and LTIP, respectively, are granted from time to time at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Company (“Board”), with vesting periods and other terms as determined by the Board. 

During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company adopted, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (Accounting Standards Update 2016-09), which included our election to change our accounting policy from estimating forfeiture rates to accounting for forfeitures as they occur.  Stock-based compensation expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 is as follows: 

As of June 30, 2017, stock options and RSUs had unrecognized compensation expense of $18 and $440, respectively, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.2 and 1.0 years, respectively.   

Stock Options

A summary of options under the Plan as of June 30, 2017 is set forth in the following table:

A summary of our unvested stock options as of June 30, 2017 is set forth in the following table:

Restricted Stock Units

The following table summarizes the RSUs outstanding under the LTIP as of June 30, 2017:

A portion of the RSU awards vest on a fixed future date provided the recipient continues to be affiliated with Vista on that date.  Other RSU awards vest subject to certain performance and market criteria, including the accomplishment of certain corporate objectives and the Company’s share price performance.  The minimum vesting period for RSUs is one year.  

6. Commitments and Contingencies

Our 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. We conduct our operations in an effort to minimize effects on the environment and believe our operations are in compliance with applicable laws and regulations in all material respects.

Under our agreement with the Jawoyn Association Aboriginal Corporation (the  “JAAC”), we must offer the JAAC the opportunity to establish a joint venture with Vista holding a 90% participating interest and the JAAC holding a 10% participating interest in Mt Todd. In addition, the JAAC will be entitled to an annual cash payment, or payment in kind, equal to 1% of the value of the annual gold production from the current mining licenses, and a 1% NSR on other metals, subject to a minimum payment of A$50 per year.

During November 2015, we entered into a two-year lease agreement to store our used mill equipment.  Monthly rent for the term of the lease is C$18 ($13). This lease agreement was subsequently extended for an additional year on substantially the same terms.

7. Fair Value Accounting

The following table sets forth the Company’s assets measured at fair value by level within the fair value hierarchy. As required by accounting guidance, assets are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. 

Our marketable securities and investment in Midas Gold Shares are classified as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy as they are valued at quoted market prices in an active market.  Marketable securities are included in other current assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for each period presented.

The used mill equipment is classified as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as its value at December 31, 2016 was based on an independent third party valuation. As of June 30, 2017, an independent third party evaluation was not deemed necessary.  The mill equipment is included in plant and equipment on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for each period presented.

There have been no transfers between levels in 2017, nor have there been any changes in valuation techniques.

8. Geographic and Segment Information

The Company has one reportable operating segment.  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 currently focused principally in Australia. We reported no revenues during the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016.  Geographic location of mineral properties and plant and equipment is provided in Notes 3 and 4, respectively.

9. Research and Development Grant

During the six months ended June 30, 2016, the Company received Research & Development (“R&D”) Tax Incentive refunds, net of costs to prepare and file, paid under the Australian Government’s R&D Tax Incentive Program, a program designed to encourage industry to engage in R&D activities that benefit Australia.  The R&D Tax Incentive Program is a self-assessment process, and as such, the Australian Government has the right to review the qualifying programs and expenditures for a period of four years. As of June 30, 2017, the Australian Government has not initiated a formal review.  

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

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, and the related notes thereto, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions.  Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements and information as a result of many factors.  See section heading “Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” below.

All dollar amounts stated herein are in U.S. dollars in thousands, except per share amounts and currency exchange rates unless specified otherwise. 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,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) are engaged 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, option agreements, leases to third parties, joint venture arrangements with other mining companies, or outright sales of assets for cash and/or other consideration.  We look for opportunities to improve the value of our gold projects through exploration drilling and/or technical studies focused on optimizing previous engineering work. We do not currently generate cash flows from mining operations.

The Company’s flagship asset is its 100% owned Mt Todd gold project (“Mt Todd”) in the Northern Territory (“NT”) Australia, where we are seeking approval of our final environmental authorization and evaluating potential material process improvements in anticipation of commencing an update of our Mt Todd Preliminary Feasibility Study (completed May 2013 and amended July 2014) (“PFS”).

As one of the largest, undeveloped single-deposit gold projects in Australia, we believe Mt Todd is a highly strategic gold project with several potential paths to production. Our strong working capital position provides us the flexibility to advance work at Mt Todd and select a development strategy that we believe will maximize shareholder value. 

Results from Operations

Summary

Through June 30, 2017, we continued to effectively execute a strategy of strict cost control while completing selected discretionary programs that are expected to add value to Mt Todd.  As a result of an equity financing completed in 2016, we believe we are well funded, and we have no debt.

Consolidated net (loss)/income for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 was $(2,682) and $1,637 or $(0.03) and $0.02 per share, respectively.  Consolidated net (loss)/income for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 was $(5,529) and $923 or $(0.06) and $0.01 per share, respectively.  The principal components of these year-over-year changes are discussed below.

Exploration, property evaluation and holding costs

Exploration, property evaluation and holding costs were $1,308 and $824 during the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $3,060 and $1,811 for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. These costs are predominantly associated with Mt Todd. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, our fixed costs (which include cash expenditures necessary to ensure that we preserve our property rights and meet all of our safety, regulatory and environmental responsibilities) were substantially unchanged period over period, consistent with our expectations. The magnitude of discretionary program spending during the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 was significantly higher than the discretionary program spending during the three and six months ended June 30, 2016,

and this trend is expected to continue through 2017.  During the first half of 2017, discretionary costs were incurred in completing the drilling program to generate approximately 20 tonnes of PQ (3.75 inch diameter) core from the Batman deposit.  The core is being used for metallurgical studies, which are in progress.  In addition, significant progress has been made in completing a draft of the Mine Management Plan (“MMP”). In July 2017, an update of the PFS was started.

Corporate administration

Corporate administration costs were $775 and $650 during the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $1,796 and $1,738 for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  Corporate fixed cash costs were substantially unchanged year over year. 

Gain on disposal of mineral property

Long Valley claims

During the first half of 2017, we sold our Long Valley unpatented mining claims located in California for consideration, net of transaction costs, of $358 which was paid at closing; a future payment of $500 one month after the start of commercial production; a future payment of $500 on or prior to the first anniversary of the start of commercial production; and a  net smelter return royalty (“NSR”) on any future production from said claims at a variable rate between 0.5% and 2.0% depending on the average gold price realization. This sale resulted in a realized gain of $358 in the first half of 2017.

Utah claims

During the first half of 2016, we sold our unpatented mining claims located in Utah for $150 and a 2% NSR on any future production from said claims. This sale resulted in a realized gain of $150 in the first half of 2016. 

Non-operating income and expenses  

Gain/(loss) on other investments

Gain/(loss) on other investments was $(468) and $3,277 for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $(780) and $3,820 for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  These amounts are the result of changes in fair value of our common shares of Midas Gold Corp. (“Midas Gold Shares”).  

Research and development grant

During the six months ended June 30, 2016, the Company received $744, net of costs to prepare and file, from the Australian Government related to R&D activities at Mt Todd.  These refunds are related to costs we incurred during the 2014 fiscal year for qualifying R&D programs. Grants in 2017, if any, are not expected to be material.

Financial Position, Liquidity and Capital Resources

Operating activities

Net cash used in operating activities was $4,039 and $2,709 for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  Cash used in 2016 is net of grants totaling $744 from the Government of Australia related to R&D expenditures we incurred in 2014.  No similar grants were received in 2017. Fluctuations in accounts payable partially offset other factors that contributed to the period over period change which are discussed in “Results from Operations” above. 

Investing activities

Net cash of $4,201 and $3,161 for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, was primarily provided by the disposition of short-term investments, net of acquisitions.

Liquidity and capital resources

Our cash and short-term investments as of June 30, 2017 decreased to $20,198 from $23,879 at December 31, 2016; and our net working capital decreased to $23,637 as at June 30, 2017 from $28,438 at December 31, 2016 due mainly to expenditures for operating and discretionary activities.

We believe that our existing working capital, coupled with potential future sources of non-dilutive financing, will be sufficient to cover our fixed costs and project activities for several years.  Our fixed costs include cash expenditures necessary to ensure that we preserve our property rights and meet all of our safety, regulatory and environmental responsibilities. We also believe that we can fund all of the critical milestones, including permitting and feasibility studies, necessary to advance the Mt Todd gold project to the point of a development decision. 

Potential future sources of non-dilutive financing include the sale of non-core assets such as our used mill equipment and the Guadalupe de los Reyes gold/silver project; and, depending on market conditions, the sale of some or all of our remaining Midas Gold Shares.  We do not currently expect that R&D grants from the Australian Government will be a material source of near term funding. 

The continuing long-term viability of the Company is dependent upon our ability to secure sufficient funding and ultimately to generate future profits from operations or sales of assets. The underlying value and recoverability of the amounts shown as mineral properties and plant and equipment in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets are dependent on our ability to fund exploration and development activities that could lead to profitable production or proceeds from the disposition of these assets.

Fair Value Accounting

The following table sets forth the Company’s assets measured at fair value by level within the fair value hierarchy. As required by accounting guidance, assets are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. 

Our marketable securities and investment in Midas Gold Shares are classified as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy as they are valued at quoted market prices in an active market.  Marketable securities are included in other current assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for each period presented.

The used mill equipment is classified as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as its value at December 31, 2016 was based on an independent third party valuation. As of June 30, 2017, an independent third party evaluation was not deemed necessary.  The used mill equipment is included in plant and equipment on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for each period presented.

There have been no transfers between levels in 2017, nor have there been any changes in valuation techniques.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements.

Contractual Obligations

During November 2015, we entered into a two-year lease agreement to store our used mill equipment.  Monthly rent for the term of the lease is C$18 ($13). This lease agreement was subsequently extended for an additional year on substantially the same terms. 

Project Updates

Mt Todd Gold Project, Northern Territory, Australia

The following scientific and technical disclosures about Mt Todd have been reviewed and approved by Mr. John Rozelle, Senior Vice President of Vista.  Mr. Rozelle is a qualified person as defined by Canadian National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

In late 2016, we completed preliminary process area optimization studies that indicated that selectively screening and rejecting sub-economic, coarse crusher product prior to grinding could be expected to produce higher gold recoveries and lower process area operating costs.  These results warranted additional metallurgical test work.  Accordingly, in December 2016, we initiated a drill program to generate approximately 20 tonnes of PQ (3.75 inch diameter) core from the Batman deposit, which was completed in January 2017.  The core comprised four 5-tonne bulk samples of ore representing different parts of the deposit. The samples were crushed and screened at 5/8" (16 mm) at an HPGR test facility.  Crushing was completed in late June 2017 and approximately 18% of each HPGR-crushed sample was retained as plus 5/8" material (“coarse fraction”).  The coarse fraction was then subjected to two-step automated sorting tests designed to separate the gold-bearing sulfide minerals and quartz veining from non-gold bearing waste material which were completed in early July 2017.

Following the sorting tests, the fine fraction from the HPGR crushing test  (minus 5/8" material) together with the sorted coarse fraction were shipped to a laboratory where grind-size and leach recovery optimization and tailings characterization studies will be completed. The results of these tests are expected to provide the design criteria to grind the ore finer for enhanced leaching and gold recovery.

Sorting the non-gold bearing waste material from the gold bearing material, after the HPGR and prior to the grinding circuit, would enable us to reduce the overall material going to the grinding and leaching circuits, improve the grinding circuit head-grade and reduce operating costs. We believe these design changes can be implemented without materially changing the project’s capital requirements.

The Company expects to be able to announce the final results of the test work in September 2017.  Based on the results of the crushing and sorting tests, we have commenced the studies needed to update our previously published PFS.  The PFS update is expected to include design changes incorporating an automated sorting circuit, two-stage grinding, current gold price and current foreign exchange rates. 

We also plan to complete a first draft of the MMP by the end of the third quarter of 2017.  The MMP is essentially the plan of operations, and is one of the final remaining major permits.

In May 2017, the Company executed an extension of its Mt Todd agreement with the Northern Territory of Australia.  The agreement extends through December 31, 2023 and includes the option for an additional 3-year extension.  Under the ongoing terms of the agreement, the Company holds the exclusive right to develop the Mt Todd gold project and commits to the appropriate care and management of the site. Vista Gold, at its sole option, may elect to proceed with the development of the project by giving notice to the NT Government, which in turn will result in the transfer of NT-owned

assets at Mt Todd and all pre-existing environmental liability for the Mt Todd project from the NT to the Company. Prior to providing notice of its intention to mine, the Company retains no environmental liability for the condition of the site prior to its involvement in 2006. 

Corporate Update

Pursuant to the equity financing completed in August 2016, we are contractually required to maintain an effective registration statement with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“U.S. SEC”). Our existing shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the U.S. SEC is set to expire August 15, 2017.  Accordingly, we filed a replacement for the expiring Form S-3, which became effective July 5, 2017 (the “Current Shelf”).  The Current Shelf preserves our flexibility to complete future financings for corporate growth and development in an efficient manner; and will allow us to make offerings of common shares, warrants, subscription receipts or units for aggregate proceeds of up to $100,000 during the next three years to potential purchasers in the United States.

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, 2016, 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 for U.S. Residents.”

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the 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 on Form 10-Q, our other filings with the SEC and Canadian securities commissions and in press releases and public statements by our officers or representatives that address activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate 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: