Vista Gold Corp. (Amex: VGZ; TSX) is pleased to announce that recent exercises of outstanding warrants issued as part of the Corporation's private placement of February 2006, which expired February 4, 2008, have resulted in the addition of approximately US$2.9 million in cash into the Corporation's treasury. This addition brings the Corporation's cash on hand to approximately US$11.0 million. The Corporation also holds securities valued at approximately US$10.9 million as of December 31, 2007. With the share issuances from these warrant exercises, there will be approximately 34.4 million common shares of the Corporation issued and outstanding and approximately 36.3 million common shares on a fully diluted basis.
In reviewing this and other developments, Fred Earnest, President and COO, commented, "This recent influx of cash will help us maintain a strong balance sheet while we arrange financing to advance the Paredones Amarillos Project. We anticipate the arrangement of interim financing through various bridge loan or convertible debt alternatives in the near future to fund the recent purchase of processing equipment for the Paredones Amarillos Project (see press releases of January 2 and January 8, 2008) and detailed engineering and other costs associated with the development of the project. Upon completion of the definitive feasibility study, we intend to have financing in place that will allow the start of construction on the project. We expect that the feasibility study at Paredones Amarillos will be completed early in the third quarter of 2008 and that construction can begin later in the year."
Mr. Earnest continued, "Vista was successful in acquiring gold resources during the 2002-2007 period, which included sustained times of depressed gold prices and completion of the transaction involving the transfer of Vista's Nevada assets to Allied Nevada Gold Corp., growing Vista's gold resource base from 1.8 million ounces to 18.1 million ounces at an average acquisition cost of US$0.62 per ounce of gold acquired. With gold prices continuing to rise, Vista is working to become a mid-size producer, with the goal of producing 350,000 to 400,000 ounces of gold per year by 2011. This level of production is predicated upon the successful achievement of our plans to construct and commission the Paredones Amarillos mine by late 2009 and the Mt. Todd mine by late 2010 or early 2011, subject to completion of definitive feasibility studies and obtaining acceptable financing arrangements."
About Vista Gold Corp.
In June 2007, Vista completed a preliminary feasibility study update on the Paredones Amarillos Project in Mexico that indicated positive results which show it could produce 1.4 million gold ounces over a ten-year life at gold prices lower than those now prevailing. The Corporation hopes to confirm these results with a definitive feasibility study in 2008. Based on the favorable results from the preliminary feasibility study and the higher gold prices, Vista has undertaken programs to advance development of the Paredones Amarillos Project, including the purchase of used mill equipment, with the objective of commencing construction during the second half of 2008.
The results of a preliminary assessment completed in 2007 on the Mt. Todd Project in Australia were encouraging, showing that 266,000 gold ounces and 4.3 million pounds of copper (with a US$32 per gold ounce copper credit at copper prices of US$2.00 per pound) could be produced annually over a ten-year life for a total gold production of nearly 2.7 million ounces and nearly 43 million pounds of copper at an average operating cost of US$391 per gold ounce net of copper credits. A development drilling program was completed in 2007 which will result in a new resource estimate planned to be completed during the first quarter of 2008. Additional technical studies and a drilling program are planned for 2008 at Mt. Todd and a definitive feasibility study is planned for completion during the first half 2009 with construction then possible as soon as financing is arranged if the results of the definitive feasibility study warrant. Vista's other holdings include the Guadalupe de los Reyes Project in Mexico, where Vista recently completed the consolidation of the known gold resources in the district under its ownership. During the remainder of the year, the Corporation will undertake preliminary exploration and development activities at Guadalupe de los Reyes. Vista also controls the Yellow Pine Project in Idaho where the results of a preliminary assessment published in December 2006 indicated that with an initial capital investment of approximately US$150 million to process three million tons of ore per year at operating costs of US$402 per ounce and annual production of 189,000 ounces of gold, results are encouraging at gold prices above US$550 per ounce. During 2008, the Corporation plans to undertake further engineering and environmental studies at Yellow Pine. Currently, development of the Yellow Pine Project is not expected to commence until after the successful start of the Paredones Amarillos Project. The Awak Mas Project in Indonesia and the Long Valley Project in California have had preliminary assessments completed recently. Vista is considering various options including potential joint venture arrangements or sale of the Amayapampa Project in Bolivia.
For further information on the Paredones Amarillos Project, the Mt. Todd Project and the Yellow Pine Project, see the following reports filed under Vista Gold Corp. on SEDAR: "Updated Technical Report, Paredones Amarillos Project, Baja California Sur, Mexico", June 20, 2007, prepared under the direction of Mr. Neil Prenn, an independent qualified person; "Preliminary Economic Assessment, Mt. Todd Gold Project, Northern Territory Australia", December 29, 2006, prepared under the direction of Mr. John Rozelle, an independent qualified person; and "CNI 43-101 Technical Report, Preliminary Assessment of the Yellow Pine Project, Yellow Pine, Idaho", December 13, 2006, prepared under the direction of Mr. Richard J. Lambert, an independent qualified person.
The preliminary assessments of the Mt. Todd Project and the Yellow Pine Project are preliminary in nature and include inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. There is no certainty that the preliminary assessments will be realized. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
Showing posts with label Vista Gold Corp.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vista Gold Corp.. Show all posts
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Vista Gold Corp. Announces Board of Directors and Corporate Personnel Changes; Decision to Fund Initial Development of Paredones Amarillos Project, Me
Vista Gold Corp. (Amex: VGZ; TSX) announces that it is with regret that the Corporation's Board of Directors accepted the resignation of Robert A. Quartermain from the Board of Directors effective today. Mr. Quartermain cited pressing business requirements at Silver Standard Resources, Inc., where he is President and a director; as his reason for resigning; but announced that he will continue to assist the Corporation over the next 12 months as Special Advisor to the Board of Directors. On behalf of the Corporation, the Board of Directors expressed its appreciation for the services rendered to the Corporation by Mr. Quartermain during his tenure on the Board.
As a new independent director, the Board approved the appointment of Tracy A. Stevenson to the Board of Directors. Mr. Stevenson is a senior mining executive who worked for Rio Tinto plc and related companies for 26 years where he served in senior positions in information technology, finance, planning and business development and has been involved with many major exploration, development, and financing projects. Mr. Stevenson has served as Global Head of Information and Technology and Global Head of Business Process Improvement for Rio Tinto plc, Senior Vice President Finance and Control at Kennecott Corporation, and Executive Vice President Financial Services and Strategy at Comalco Limited. Mr. Stevenson holds a B.Sc. Accounting from the University of Utah, is a CPA and spent four years with a predecessor to the firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP.
The Board also approved the appointment of Michael B. Richings (Chief Executive Officer) to the additional position of Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors, the appointment of Frederick H. Earnest (President and Chief Operating Officer) to the Board of Directors and the promotion of Kenneth W. Deter (Manager of Engineering and Metallurgy) to Vice President, Engineering and Metallurgy.
In other matters, the Board approved funding for the initial development of the Paredones Amarillos project in Mexico, such funding to include the purchase of items with long delivery times as they are identified. Vista completed a preliminary feasibility study in September 2005 (see Vista's press release of September 26, 2005), which was updated in June 2007 (see Vista's press release of June 21, 2007) to reflect 1st quarter 2007 cost parameters. As previously reported by Vista, the updated study indicated that the Paredones Amarillos project could be developed to produce an average of 113,000 ounces of gold per year for a 12.5 year production life at an average cash cost of US$358 per ounce with an initial investment of US$110 million. The project would consist of an open-pit mine with a flotation concentrator that would produce a concentrate from which gold would be recovered on-site. The study estimated the internal rate of return before taxes to be 12.5% at a gold price of US$550 per ounce. At gold prices of around US$650 per ounce, the return on investment before taxes is estimated at 23.8%. The Corporation is currently preparing a definitive feasibility study for the project reflecting an anticipated increased production rate to 130,000-150,000 ounces of gold per year. The Corporation plans to commence construction on the project in the second half of 2008.
The pre-feasibility study prepared in September 2005 is entitled "Technical Report, Paredones Amarillos Project, Baja California Sur, Mexico" and dated September 23, 2005. The June 2007 update of the technical report is entitled "Updated Technical Report, Paredones Amarillos Project, Baja California Sur, Mexico" and dated June 20, 2007. Mr. Neil Prenn, P. Eng. of Mine Development Associates of Reno, Nevada, an independent qualified person, prepared the technical reports referred to in this press release.
About Vista Gold Corp.
Since 2001, Vista has acquired a number of gold projects with the expectation that higher gold prices would significantly increase their value. As gold prices have risen, Vista has completed various preliminary evaluations that have demonstrated that some of the projects would be potentially viable operations at current gold prices. Vista is undertaking technical programs to bring the most advanced projects to the point where decisions can be made to put these projects into production, either by Vista, or through sale or joint venture to other mining companies. Vista's holdings include the Paredones Amarillos and Guadalupe de los Reyes Projects in Mexico, Mt. Todd Project in Australia, Yellow Pine Project in Idaho, Awak Mas Project in Indonesia, Long Valley Project in California, and the Amayapampa Project in Bolivia.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that Vista expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including such things as potential development of the Paredones Amarillos project including anticipated timing of commencement of construction of the project, availability of funding for development of the Paredones Amarillos project and estimates of cash costs and required capital investment for the project, estimates of production life, rates of production and internal rates of return if production is commenced at the Paredones Amarillos project, Vista's future business strategy, competitive strengths, goals, operations, plans, potential project development, future share price and valuation, future gold prices, Vista's potential status as a producer, and other such matters are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, the words "estimate", "plan", "anticipate", "expect", "intend", "believe" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Vista to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, risks relating to delays and occurrence of additional costs in connection with the feasibility study underway at the Paredones Amarillos project; uncertainty of feasibility study results and estimates on which such results are based; risks relating to delays in commencement and completion of construction at the Paredones Amarillos project; risks of shortages of equipment or supplies; risks of inability to achieve anticipated production volume or manage cost increases; risks that Vista's acquisition, exploration and property advancement efforts will not be successful; risks relating to fluctuations in the price of gold; the inherently hazardous nature of mining-related activities; uncertainties concerning reserve and resource estimates; potential effects on Vista's operations of environmental regulations in the countries in which it operates; risks due to legal proceedings; risks relating to political and economic instability in certain countries in which it operates; uncertainty of being able to raise capital on favorable terms or at all; and external risks relating to the economy and credit markets in general; as well as those factors discussed in Vista's latest Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and other documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Although Vista has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Vista assumes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
As a new independent director, the Board approved the appointment of Tracy A. Stevenson to the Board of Directors. Mr. Stevenson is a senior mining executive who worked for Rio Tinto plc and related companies for 26 years where he served in senior positions in information technology, finance, planning and business development and has been involved with many major exploration, development, and financing projects. Mr. Stevenson has served as Global Head of Information and Technology and Global Head of Business Process Improvement for Rio Tinto plc, Senior Vice President Finance and Control at Kennecott Corporation, and Executive Vice President Financial Services and Strategy at Comalco Limited. Mr. Stevenson holds a B.Sc. Accounting from the University of Utah, is a CPA and spent four years with a predecessor to the firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP.
The Board also approved the appointment of Michael B. Richings (Chief Executive Officer) to the additional position of Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors, the appointment of Frederick H. Earnest (President and Chief Operating Officer) to the Board of Directors and the promotion of Kenneth W. Deter (Manager of Engineering and Metallurgy) to Vice President, Engineering and Metallurgy.
In other matters, the Board approved funding for the initial development of the Paredones Amarillos project in Mexico, such funding to include the purchase of items with long delivery times as they are identified. Vista completed a preliminary feasibility study in September 2005 (see Vista's press release of September 26, 2005), which was updated in June 2007 (see Vista's press release of June 21, 2007) to reflect 1st quarter 2007 cost parameters. As previously reported by Vista, the updated study indicated that the Paredones Amarillos project could be developed to produce an average of 113,000 ounces of gold per year for a 12.5 year production life at an average cash cost of US$358 per ounce with an initial investment of US$110 million. The project would consist of an open-pit mine with a flotation concentrator that would produce a concentrate from which gold would be recovered on-site. The study estimated the internal rate of return before taxes to be 12.5% at a gold price of US$550 per ounce. At gold prices of around US$650 per ounce, the return on investment before taxes is estimated at 23.8%. The Corporation is currently preparing a definitive feasibility study for the project reflecting an anticipated increased production rate to 130,000-150,000 ounces of gold per year. The Corporation plans to commence construction on the project in the second half of 2008.
The pre-feasibility study prepared in September 2005 is entitled "Technical Report, Paredones Amarillos Project, Baja California Sur, Mexico" and dated September 23, 2005. The June 2007 update of the technical report is entitled "Updated Technical Report, Paredones Amarillos Project, Baja California Sur, Mexico" and dated June 20, 2007. Mr. Neil Prenn, P. Eng. of Mine Development Associates of Reno, Nevada, an independent qualified person, prepared the technical reports referred to in this press release.
About Vista Gold Corp.
Since 2001, Vista has acquired a number of gold projects with the expectation that higher gold prices would significantly increase their value. As gold prices have risen, Vista has completed various preliminary evaluations that have demonstrated that some of the projects would be potentially viable operations at current gold prices. Vista is undertaking technical programs to bring the most advanced projects to the point where decisions can be made to put these projects into production, either by Vista, or through sale or joint venture to other mining companies. Vista's holdings include the Paredones Amarillos and Guadalupe de los Reyes Projects in Mexico, Mt. Todd Project in Australia, Yellow Pine Project in Idaho, Awak Mas Project in Indonesia, Long Valley Project in California, and the Amayapampa Project in Bolivia.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that Vista expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including such things as potential development of the Paredones Amarillos project including anticipated timing of commencement of construction of the project, availability of funding for development of the Paredones Amarillos project and estimates of cash costs and required capital investment for the project, estimates of production life, rates of production and internal rates of return if production is commenced at the Paredones Amarillos project, Vista's future business strategy, competitive strengths, goals, operations, plans, potential project development, future share price and valuation, future gold prices, Vista's potential status as a producer, and other such matters are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, the words "estimate", "plan", "anticipate", "expect", "intend", "believe" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Vista to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, risks relating to delays and occurrence of additional costs in connection with the feasibility study underway at the Paredones Amarillos project; uncertainty of feasibility study results and estimates on which such results are based; risks relating to delays in commencement and completion of construction at the Paredones Amarillos project; risks of shortages of equipment or supplies; risks of inability to achieve anticipated production volume or manage cost increases; risks that Vista's acquisition, exploration and property advancement efforts will not be successful; risks relating to fluctuations in the price of gold; the inherently hazardous nature of mining-related activities; uncertainties concerning reserve and resource estimates; potential effects on Vista's operations of environmental regulations in the countries in which it operates; risks due to legal proceedings; risks relating to political and economic instability in certain countries in which it operates; uncertainty of being able to raise capital on favorable terms or at all; and external risks relating to the economy and credit markets in general; as well as those factors discussed in Vista's latest Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and other documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Although Vista has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Vista assumes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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