Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration No. 333-102384
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JANUARY ___, 2003
VISTA GOLD CORP.
3,012,409 Common Shares
without par value
All of the 3,012,409 Vista Gold common shares offered by this prospectus
may be offered and sold, from time to time, by the selling security holders
identified in this prospectus. These shares include 1,511,639 shares currently
owned by selling security holders and 1,500,770 shares issuable upon exercise of
warrants, all as described in this prospectus under "Selling Security Holders."
We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares by the selling
security holders.
The selling security holders may sell the common shares from time to time
in public or private transactions, on or off the American Stock Exchange or the
Toronto Stock Exchange, at prevailing market prices, or at privately negotiated
prices. The selling security holders may sell shares directly to purchasers or
through brokers or dealers. Brokers or dealers may receive compensation in the
form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the selling security holders.
Our common shares are traded on the American Stock Exchange and on the
Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol VGZ. On January 3, 2003, the closing
price of a common share, as reported on the American Stock Exchange, was $4.35
per share.
INVESTING IN OUR COMMON SHARES INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK. SEE "RISK
FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 2 TO READ ABOUT CERTAIN RISKS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER
BEFORE BUYING OUR COMMON SHARES.
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE
ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
The date of this prospectus is January 13, 2003.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements in this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by
reference herein constitute forward-looking statements concerning, among other
things, projected annual gold production, mineralized material, proven or
probable reserves and cash operating costs. Forward-looking statements typically
contain words or phrases such as "anticipates," "estimates," "projects,"
"foresees," "management believes," "believes" and words or phrases of similar
import. These 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 include those identified in this document under "Risk Factors" below.
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.
VISTA GOLD CORP.
Vista Gold Corp. is engaged in the evaluation, acquisition and exploration
of mineral properties with the potential to host gold deposits, as well as the
development and operation of gold properties in the Americas. Our primary focus
currently is on the acquisition of properties that contain gold deposits. Since
1971, Vista Gold and its predecessor companies have held participating interests
in seven mines, four of which were discovered by Vista Gold. We have also
operated five of the seven mines.
During 2001 and 2002, our primary operation, the Hycroft mine in Nevada,
remained shut down pending an increase in prevailing gold prices. However, the
Hycroft mine continued to be the principal source of cash for Vista Gold because
gold and by-product silver continued to be produced from ore previously placed
on the heap leach pads.
Vista Gold owns the Amayapampa gold property in Bolivia. A feasibility
study for this property was completed in 1997 and a revised feasibility study
was completed in the first quarter of 2000. We hold several mining claims in
Canada and own approximately a 25% equity interest in Zamora, a Canadian mineral
exploration company with interests in mineral concessions in southern Ecuador.
Vista Gold performed no exploration or development activity in 2001 or 2002.
On August 29, 2002, we completed the acquisition of the 100% interest held
by Viceroy Resource Corporation in the Paredones Amarillos gold project on the
Baja Peninsula, Mexico. The total purchase price was Cdn. $3 million
(approximately U.S. $2 million), payable 50% in cash, with Cdn. $1.0 million due
at closing and Cdn. $0.5 million due one year from closing, and 50% in Vista
Gold equity units consisting of one common share and one two-year warrant to
purchase one common share. The price of the equity units was Cdn. $4.95
(approximately U.S. $3.17), being 90% of the weighted average closing price of
Vista Gold's common shares on the five trading days immediately preceding the
date of the definitive purchase agreement. The exercise price of the warrants
was 125% of that weighted average closing price, or Cdn. $6.87 (approximately
U.S. $4.40). Accordingly, at closing we paid Cdn. $1.0 million and issued to
Viceroy Resource 303,030 Vista Gold equity units.
On October 8, 2002, we completed the acquisition of a 100% interest in the
Maverick Springs gold and silver project and the Mountain View gold project,
both in Nevada, from Newmont USA Limited, doing business as Newmont Mining
Corporation, and its wholly-owned subsidiary Newmont Capital Limited. The total
purchase price for both projects included Vista Gold assuming all of the
sellers' obligations with respect to the properties, including work
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commitments, and paying a purchase price of U.S. $1.5 million. Of this amount,
$1 million was payable at closing, including $300,000 in cash (all paid to
Newmont USA) and issuance of $700,000 in Vista Gold equity units consisting of
one common share and one two-year warrant to purchase one common share. The
price of the equity units was $3.54, being the weighted average closing price of
Vista Gold's common shares on the ten trading days ended August 29, 2002. The
exercise price of the warrants was 125% of that weighted average closing price,
or $4.43. Accordingly, at closing we paid $300,000 to Newmont USA and issued an
aggregate 197,740 equity units, of which 141,243 were issued to Newmont USA and
56,497 to Newmont Capital. On the first anniversary of the closing, Vista Gold
will issue to Newmont USA $500,000 in equity units, with pricing based on the
weighted average closing price of our common shares on the 10 trading days
immediately preceding the first anniversary date. The warrants in this
installment will also have a two-year term and an exercise price of 125% of the
respective equity unit valuation. In addition, Newmont USA, at its option, will
retain either a 1 1/2% net smelter returns royalty (which is a royalty based on
the value of production) or the right to acquire 51% of either or both projects,
after four years, by paying Vista Gold cash equaling 200% of the expenditures
made by Vista Gold on the related property (including acquisition cost).
Vista Gold was originally incorporated under the Company Act (British
Columbia) in 1983 under the name "Granges Exploration Ltd.". In 1985, Granges
Exploration Ltd. and Pecos Resources Ltd. amalgamated under the name "Granges
Exploration Ltd." and in 1989, Granges Exploration Ltd. changed its name to
"Granges Inc.". In 1995, Granges and Hycroft Resources & Development Corporation
were amalgamated under the name "Granges Inc.". In 1996, Granges and Da Capo
Resources Ltd. amalgamated under the name "Vista Gold Corp.". Effective December
19, 1997, Vista Gold was continued from British Columbia to the Yukon Territory,
Canada under the Business Corporations Act (Yukon Territory).
Our principal executive offices are located at Suite 5, 7961 Shaffer
Parkway, Littleton, Colorado 80127, and our telephone number is (720) 981-1185.
Unless otherwise specified, monetary amounts in this prospectus are
reported in U.S. dollars.
RISK FACTORS
An investment in our common shares involves a high degree of risk. You
should carefully consider the risks described below and the other information
contained in this prospectus before deciding to invest in our common shares. The
risks described below are not the only ones facing our company. Additional risks
not presently known to us or which we currently consider immaterial may also
adversely affect our business. We have attempted to identify the major factors
under the heading "Risk Factors" that could cause differences between actual and
planned or expected results, and we have included all material risk factors. If
any of the following risks actually happen, our business, financial condition
and operating results could be materially adversely affected. In this case, the
trading price of our common shares could decline, and you could lose part or all
of your investment.
We cannot be certain that our acquisition, exploration and development
activities will be commercially successful.
We currently have no properties that produce gold in commercial
quantities. Our gold production has declined steadily since mining activities
were suspended at the Hycroft mine in 1998. Gold production is now nominal and
is incidental to heap leach pad rinsing activities. In
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these circumstances, proceeds realized from the sale of gold are not reported as
revenues, but rather are netted against operating costs.
Substantial expenditures are required to acquire existing gold properties,
to establish ore reserves through drilling and analysis, to develop
metallurgical processes to extract metal from the ore and, in the case of new
properties, to develop the mining and processing facilities and infrastructure
at any site chosen for mining. We cannot assure you that any gold reserves or
mineralized material acquired or discovered will be in sufficient quantities to
justify commercial operations or that the funds required for development can be
obtained on a timely basis.
The price of gold is subject to fluctuations, which could adversely affect the
realizable value of our assets and potential future results of operations and
cash flow.
Our principal assets are gold reserves and mineralized material. We intend
to acquire additional properties containing gold reserves and mineralized
material. The price that we pay to acquire these properties will be, in large
part, influenced by the price of gold at the time of the acquisition. Our future
revenues are expected to be, in large part, derived from the mining and sale of
gold from these properties or from the outright sale of some of these
properties. The value of these gold reserves and mineralized material, and the
value of any potential gold production therefrom, will vary in direct proportion
to variations in gold prices. The price of gold has fluctuated widely, and is
affected by numerous factors beyond our control, including international,
economic and political trends, expectations of inflation, currency exchange
fluctuations, central bank activities, interest rates, global or regional
consumption patterns (such as the development of gold coin programs),
speculative activities and increased production due to new mine developments and
improved mining and production methods. The effect of these factors on the price
of gold, and therefore the economic viability of any of our projects, cannot
accurately be predicted. Any drop in the price of gold or other precious metals
would adversely affect our asset values, revenues, profits and cash flows.
Mining exploration, development and operating activities are inherently
hazardous.
Mineral exploration involves many risks that even a combination of
experience, knowledge and careful evaluation may not be able to overcome.
Operations in which Vista Gold has direct or indirect interests will be subject
to all the hazards and risks normally incidental to exploration, development and
production of gold and other metals, any of which could result in work
stoppages, damage to property and possible environmental damage. The nature of
these risks is such that liabilities might exceed any liability insurance policy
limits. It is also possible that the liabilities and hazards might not be
insurable, or, Vista Gold could elect not to insure itself against such
liabilities due to high premium costs or other reasons, in which event, we could
incur significant costs that could have a material adverse effect on our
financial condition.
Reserve calculations are estimates only, subject to uncertainty due to factors
including metal prices and recoverability of metal in the mining process.
There is a degree of uncertainty attributable to the calculation of
reserves and corresponding grades being mined or dedicated to future production.
Until reserves are actually mined and processed, the quantity of ore and grades
must be considered as an estimate only. In addition, the quantity of reserves
and ore may vary depending on metal prices. Any material change in the quantity
of reserves, mineralization, grade or stripping ratio may affect the economic
viability of our properties. In addition, there can be no assurance that gold
recoveries or other metal recoveries in small-scale laboratory tests will be
duplicated in larger scale tests under on-site conditions or during production.
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Our exploration and development operations are subject to environmental
regulations, which could result in our incurring additional costs and
operational delays.
All phases of our operations are subject to environmental regulation.
Environmental legislation is evolving in some countries or jurisdictions in a
manner which will require stricter standards and enforcement, increased fines
and penalties for non-compliance, more stringent environmental assessments of
proposed projects and a heightened degree of responsibility for companies and
their officers, directors and employees. There is no assurance that future
changes in environmental regulation, if any, will not adversely affect our
operations. We are currently subject to environmental regulations with respect
to our properties in Nevada, Mexico and Bolivia.
The Hycroft mine in Nevada occupies private and public lands. The public
lands include unpatented mining claims on lands administered by the U.S. Bureau
of Land Management. These claims are governed by the laws and regulations of the
U.S. federal government and the state of Nevada.
U.S. Federal Laws
The Bureau of Land Management requires that mining operations on lands
subject to its regulation obtain an approved plan of operations subject to
environmental impact evaluation under the National Environmental Policy Act. Any
significant modifications to the plan of operations may require the completion
of an environmental assessment or Environmental Impact Statement prior to
approval. Mining companies must post a bond or other surety to guarantee the
cost of post-mining reclamation. These requirements could add significant
additional cost and delays to any mining project we undertake.
Under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, mining companies may
incur costs for generating, transporting, treating, storing, or disposing of
hazardous waste, as well as for closure and post-closure maintenance once they
have completed mining activities on a property. Our mining operations may
produce air emissions, including fugitive dust and other air pollutants, from
stationary equipment, storage facilities, and the use of mobile sources such as
trucks and heavy construction equipment which are subject to review, monitoring
and/or control requirements under the Federal Clean Air Act and state air
quality laws. Permitting rules may impose limitations on our production levels
or create additional capital expenditures in order to comply with the rules.
The Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act of
1980, as amended imposes strict, joint and several liability on parties
associated with releases or threats of releases of hazardous substances. Those
liable groups include, among others, the current owners and operators of
facilities which release hazardous substances into the environment and past
owners and operators of properties who owned such properties at the time the
disposal of the hazardous substances occurred. This liability could include the
cost of removal or remediation of the release and damages for injury to the
surrounding property. We cannot predict the potential for future CERCLA
liability with respect to our Nevada property or surrounding areas.
Nevada Laws
At the state level, mining operations in Nevada are also regulated by the
Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Division of
Environmental Protection. Nevada state law requires the Hycroft mine to hold
Nevada Water Pollution Control Permits, which dictate operating controls and
closure and post-closure requirements directed at protecting surface and ground
water. In addition, we are required to hold Nevada Reclamation Permits required
under NRS 519A.010 through 519A.170. These permits mandate concurrent and
post-mining reclamation of mines and require the posting of reclamation bonds
sufficient to guarantee the cost of mine reclamation. Other
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Nevada regulations govern operating and design standards for the construction
and operation of any source of air contamination, and landfill operations. Any
changes to these laws and regulations could have an adverse impact on our
financial performance and results of operations by, for example, required
changes to operating constraints, technical criteria, fees or surety
requirements.
Mexico Laws
We are required under Mexican laws and regulations to acquire permits and
other authorizations before we can develop and mine the Paredones Amarillos
project. Since the passage of Mexico's 1988 General Law on Ecological
Equilibrium and Environmental Protection, a sophisticated system for
environmental regulation has evolved. In addition, North American Free Trade
Agreement (NAFTA) requirements for regulatory standards in Mexico equivalent to
those of the U.S. and Canada have obligated the Mexican government to continue
further development of environmental regulation. Most regulatory programs are
implemented by various divisions of the Environment, Natural Resources and
Fisheries Secretariat (SEMARNAP). There can be no assurance that we will be able
to acquire necessary permits or authorizations on a timely basis. Delays in
acquiring any permit or authorization could increase the development cost of the
Paredones Amarillos project, or delay the start of production.
The most significant environmental permitting requirements, as they relate
to the Paredones Amarillos project are: developing reports on environmental
impacts; regulation and permitting of discharges to air, water and land; new
source performance standards for specific air and water pollutant emitting
sources; solid and hazardous waste management regulations; developing risk
assessment reports; developing evacuation plans; and monitoring inventories of
hazardous materials. If our project is found to not be in compliance with any of
these requirements, we could incur significant compliance costs, or delay the
start of production.
Bolivia Laws
We are required under Bolivian laws and regulations to acquire permits and
other authorizations before we can develop and mine the Amayapampa project. In
Bolivia there is relatively new comprehensive environmental legislation, and the
permitting and authorization process may be less established and less
predictable than in the United States. There can be no assurance that we will be
able to acquire necessary permits or authorizations on a timely basis. Delays in
acquiring any permit or authorization could increase the development cost of the
Amayapampa project, or delay the start of production.
Under Bolivian regulations, the primary component of environmental
compliance and permitting is the completion and approval of an environmental
impact study known as Estudio de Evaluacion de Impacto Ambiental, or EEIA. The
EEIA provides a description of the existing environment, both natural and
socio-economic, at the project site and in the region; interprets and analyzes
the nature and magnitude of potential environmental impacts that might result
from project activities, and describes and evaluates the effectiveness of the
operational measures planned to mitigate the environmental impacts. Baseline
environmental conditions, including meteorology and air quality, hydrological
resources and surface water, are the basis by which direct and indirect
project-related impacts are evaluated and by which potential mitigation measures
are proposed. If our project is found to significantly adversely impact any of
these baseline conditions, we could incur significant costs to correct the
adverse impact, or delay the start of production.
We face intense competition in the mining industry.
The mining industry is intensely competitive in all of its phases. As a
result of this competition, some of which is with large established mining
companies with substantial capabilities
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and with greater financial and technical resources than ours, we may be unable
to acquire additional attractive mining claims or financing on terms we consider
acceptable. Vista Gold also competes with other mining companies in the
recruitment and retention of qualified managerial and technical employees. If we
are unable to successfully compete for qualified employees, our exploration and
development programs may be slowed down or suspended.
Some of our directors may have conflicts of interest as a result of their
involvement with other natural resource companies.
Some of our directors are directors or officers of other natural resource
or mining-related companies. Robert A. Quartermain is currently President and a
director of Silver Standard Resources Inc., and is an officer and a director of
Canplats Resources Corporation and of Pacific Sapphire Company Ltd. He is a
director of Repadre Capital Corporation (which holds interests in resource
properties), Western Copper Holdings Ltd., Paso Rico Resources and Reliant
Ventures Ltd. C. Thomas Ogryzlo is the President and Chief Executive Officer of
Canatec Development Corporation. Michael B. Richings is President and a director
of Kinrade Resources Limited. These associations may give rise to conflicts of
interest from time to time. In the event that any such conflict of interest
arises, a director who has such a conflict is required to disclose the conflict
to a meeting of the directors of the company in question and to abstain from
voting for or against approval of any matter in which such director may have a
conflict. In appropriate cases, the company in question will establish a special
committee of independent directors to review a matter in which several
directors, or management, may have a conflict. In accordance with the laws of
the Yukon Territory, the directors of all companies are required to act
honestly, in good faith and in the best interests of a company for which they
serve as a director.
There may be challenges to our title in our mineral properties.
There may be challenges to title to the mineral properties in which we
hold a material interest. If there are title defects with respect to any of our
properties, we might be required to compensate other persons or perhaps reduce
our interest in the affected property. Also, in any such case, the investigation
and resolution of title issues would divert management's time from ongoing
exploration and development programs.
Our property interests in Bolivia are subject to risks from political and
economic instability in that country.
We have property interests in Bolivia, which may be affected by risks
associated with political or economic instability in that country. The risks
include, but are not limited to: military repression, extreme fluctuations in
currency exchange rates, labor instability or militancy, mineral title
irregularities and high rates of inflation. Changes in mining or investment
policies or shifts in political attitude in Bolivia may adversely affect our
business. We may be affected in varying degrees by government regulation with
respect to restrictions on production, price controls, export controls, income
taxes, expropriation of property, maintenance of claims, environmental
legislation, land use, land claims of local people, water use and mine safety.
The effect of these factors cannot be accurately predicted.
Our financial position and results are subject to fluctuations in foreign
currency values.
Because we have mining exploration and development operations in North and
South America, we are subject to foreign currency fluctuations, which may
materially affect our financial position and results. We do not engage in
currency hedging to offset any risk of currency fluctuations.
6
We measure and report our financial results in U.S. dollars. We have a
mining project in Bolivia and an advanced gold project in Mexico, and we are
looking for other projects in Mexico and in Central and South America. Economic
conditions and monetary policies in these countries can result in severe
currency fluctuations (as evidenced by the 1999 devaluation of the Brazilian
Real). The Mexican Peso, for example, has fluctuated between $0.088 and $0.112,
or 26%, over the past 12 months; the Bolivian Boliviano has fluctuated between
U.S. $0.129 and $0.154, or 19%, over the past 12 months.
Currently all our material transactions in Mexico and Bolivia are
denominated in U.S. dollars. However, if we begin commercial operations in
Mexico or Bolivia (or other Latin American countries) it is possible that
material transactions incurred in the local currency, such as engagement of
local contractors for major projects, will be settled at a U.S. dollar value
that is different from the U.S. dollar value of the transaction at the time it
was incurred. This could have the effect of undermining profits from our
operations in that country.
We may be unable to raise additional capital on favorable terms.
The exploration and development of our development properties,
specifically the construction of mining facilities and commencement of mining
operations, may require substantial additional financing. Significant capital
investment is required to achieve commercial production from each of our
non-producing properties. We will have to raise additional funds from external
sources in order to restart mining activities at the Hycroft mine or begin
construction and development activities at the Amayapampa project in Bolivia.
There can be no assurance that additional financing will be available at all or
on acceptable terms and, if additional financing is not available, we may have
to substantially reduce or cease our operations.
The market price of our common shares could decrease as a result of the impact
of the significant increase in the number of our outstanding shares that may
result from exercise of warrants pursuant to our 2002 issuances.
At December 31, 2002, we had outstanding 10,744,613 common shares. Of the
3,012,409 shares being offered by our selling security holders under this
prospectus, 1,511,639 are currently outstanding and therefore are already
reflected in our total outstanding shares, and the remaining 1,500,770 are
issuable upon exercise of warrants. An additional 3,320,251 shares are issuable
upon exercise of warrants, including warrants issued upon conversion of
debentures, all as acquired from Vista Gold in private placement transactions we
undertook earlier this year as described in our previous filings with the SEC
including our Form 10-QSB for the period ended March 31, 2002. If all of the
warrants are exercised, the number of our currently outstanding shares would
increase by approximately 45%, to 15,565,634. The impact of the issuance of a
significant amount of common shares from these warrant exercises may place
substantial downward pressure on the market price of our common shares.
It may be difficult to enforce judgments or bring actions outside the United
States against us and certain of our directors and officers.
Vista Gold is a Canadian corporation and certain of its directors and
officers are neither citizens nor residents of the United States. A substantial
part of the assets of several of these persons, and of Vista Gold, are located
outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for an
investor:
o to enforce in courts outside the United States judgments obtained in
United States courts based upon the civil liability provisions of
United States federal securities laws against these persons and
Vista Gold; or
7
o to bring in courts outside the United States an original action to
enforce liabilities based upon United States federal securities laws
against these persons and Vista Gold.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Vista Gold will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the common
shares offered by the selling security holders.
SELLING SECURITY HOLDERS
The selling security holders identified in the following table are
offering for sale a total of 3,012,409 common shares. These shares include
1,511,639 common shares currently owned by selling security holders and
1,500,770 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants. We issued the shares and
warrants to the selling security holders in different transactions, as follows:
o Acquisitions of Property Interests. In August 2002, we issued
303,030 equity units, each consisting of one common share and one
warrant, to Viceroy Resource Corporation, as partial consideration
for our purchase of the Paredones Amarillos gold project in Mexico.
In October 2002, we issued an aggregate 197,740 equity units, each
consisting of one common share and one warrant, to Newmont USA
Limited and Newmont Capital Limited, as partial consideration for
our purchase of the Maverick Springs gold and silver project and the
Mountain View gold project, both in Nevada.
o Private Placement Financing. In December 2002, we issued an
aggregate 1,000,000 equity units, each consisting of one common
share and one warrant, to Vertical Ventures Investments, LLC,
Cleveland Overseas Ltd. and PanAmerica Capital Group, Inc. in a
private placement financing.
o Compensation for Financial Advisory Services. In December 2002, we
issued 10,869 common shares to Endeavour Financial Corporation Inc.
as compensation for financial advisory services.
These issuances are discussed below.
Issuances in Connection with Acquisitions of Property Interests
As described on page 1 under "Vista Gold Corp.", on August 29, 2002, we
completed the acquisition of the 100% interest held by Viceroy Resource
Corporation in the Paredones Amarillos gold project in Mexico. The total
purchase price was Cdn. $3 million (approximately U.S. $2 million), payable 50%
in cash, with Cdn. $1.0 million due at closing and Cdn. $0.5 million due one
year from closing, and 50% in Vista Gold equity units consisting of one common
share and one two-year warrant to purchase one common share. The price of the
equity units was Cdn. $4.95 (approximately U.S. $3.17), being 90% of the
weighted average closing price of Vista Gold's common shares on the five trading
days immediately preceding August 29, 2002, the date of the definitive purchase
agreement. On that date, the closing price for our common shares on the American
Stock Exchange was $3.97. The exercise price of the warrants was 125% of that
weighted average closing price, or Cdn. $6.87 (approximately U.S. $4.40).
Accordingly, at closing we paid Cdn. $1.0 million and issued to Viceroy Resource
303,030 Vista Gold equity units.
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Also as described under "Vista Gold Corp.", on October 8, 2002, we
completed the acquisition of a 100% interest in each of the Maverick Springs
gold and silver project and the Mountain View gold project, both in Nevada, from
Newmont USA Limited, doing business as Newmont Mining Corporation, and its
wholly-owned subsidiary Newmont Capital Limited. The total purchase price for
both projects included Vista Gold assuming all of the sellers' obligations with
respect to the properties, and paying a purchase price of U.S. $1.5 million. Of
this amount, $1 million was payable at closing, including $300,000 in cash (all
paid to Newmont USA) and issuance of $700,000 in Vista Gold equity units
consisting of one common share and one two-year warrant to purchase one common
share. The price of the equity units was $3.54, being the weighted average
closing price of Vista Gold's common shares on the ten trading days ended August
29, 2002, which was the last trading day prior to the date of the related letter
of intent. The exercise price of the warrants was 125% of that weighted average
closing price, or $4.43. Accordingly, at closing we paid $300,000 to Newmont USA
and issued an aggregate 197,740 equity units, of which 141,243 were issued to
Newmont USA and 56,497 to Newmont Capital. On the first anniversary of the
closing, we will issue to Newmont USA $500,000 in equity units, with pricing
based on the weighted average closing price of our common shares on the 10
trading days immediately preceding the first anniversary date. The warrants in
this installment will also have a two-year term and an exercise price of 125% of
the respective equity unit valuation. For accounting purposes, the valuation of
the property interests acquired was based on the fair value of the consideration
on October 8, 2002.
We agreed in connection with these transactions to register all shares
issuable in the transactions including shares issuable upon exercise of
warrants.
Issuances in Private Placement Financing
On December 27, 2002, we completed a private placement financing in which
we issued 1,000,000 equity units at a price of $2.35 per unit, with the common
share component of the unit representing substantially all of the unit value.
The transaction was priced as of December 4, 2002, based on a 15% discount to
the five-day weighted average price of our common shares on the Toronto Stock
Exchange (adjusted for U.S./Canadian dollar exchange rates), during the five
trading days ending on that date. Each unit consists of one common share and one
warrant, exercisable over a two-year period from the issuance date, to purchase
one common share for $3.04 during the first year and $3.45 during the second
year. On December 4, 2002, the closing price for our common shares on the
American Stock Exchange was $2.95. Our net proceeds of approximately $2.3
million will be used to evaluate and acquire gold mining properties, and to hold
and maintain these properties for development or sale in anticipation of higher
gold prices. We agreed in connection with this transaction to register all
shares issuable in the transaction including shares issuable upon exercise of
warrants.
Issuances as Compensation for Financial Advisory Services
Pursuant to our agreement with Endeavour Financial Corporation Inc. dated
August 22, 2002, as amended on November 30, 2002, Endeavour is to provide
financial advisory services to us for a monthly fee of $10,000, payable on the
first business day of the month following that in which services are provided.
The monthly fee is payable by the issuance to Endeavour of a non-transferable
convertible promissory note, which is in turn automatically converted into Vista
Gold common shares at a price per share equal to the weighted average closing
price of the shares on the American Stock Exchange on the last 10 trading days
of the month prior to the business day on which the fee becomes due. We agreed
to register all shares issued to Endeavour under this agreement. As of December
20, 2002, we had issued 10,869 common shares to Endeavour under the terms of
this agreement, as follows:
9
AMEX 10-Day
Weighted-Average Number of Shares
Date Convertible Principal Amount of Closing Price Preceding Issuable upon
Note Issued Convertible Note Note Issuance Conversion of Note
----------- ---------------- ------------- ------------------
September 1, 2002 $ 5,000 $3.54 1,412
October 1, 2002 10,000 4.56 2,193
November 1, 2002 10,000 3.00 3,334
December 1, 2002 10,000 2.54 3,930
------- ------
Totals $35,000 10,869
The selling security holders may offer their common shares for sale from
time to time at market prices prevailing at the time of sale or at negotiated
prices, and without payment of any underwriting discounts or commissions except
for usual and customary selling commissions paid to brokers or dealers.
The following table sets forth, as of December 31, 2002, the number of
shares being held of record or beneficially by the selling security holders that
may be offered under this prospectus, and provides by footnote reference any
material relationship between Vista Gold and the selling security holder, all of
which is based upon information currently available to us.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beneficial Ownership of Beneficial Ownership of
Selling Security Holder Shares
Prior to Offering (1) After Offering (2)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of
Shares Offered
Name of Selling Security Holder Number Percent Hereby (3) Number Percent
------ ------- ---------- ------ -------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Viceroy Resource Corporation (4) 606,060 5.5% 606,060 0 *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newmont USA Limited (5) 282,486 2.6% 282,486 0 *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newmont Capital Limited (5) 112,994 1.0% 112,994 0 *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vertical Ventures Investments, LLC (6) 765,956 6.9% 765,956 0 *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cleveland Overseas Ltd. (7) 382,978 3.5% 382,978 0 *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PanAmerica Capital Group, Inc. (8) 989,285 8.8% 851,066 138,219 1.1%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Endeavour Financial Corporation Inc. (9) 10,869 * 10,869 0 *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL 3,150,628 25.6% 3,012,409 138,219 1.1%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Represents less than 1% of the outstanding common shares.
(1) Applicable percentage of ownership is based on 10,744,613 common shares
outstanding as of December 31, 2002, plus any securities held by such
holder exercisable for or convertible into common shares within sixty (60)
days after the date of this prospectus, in accordance with Rule
13d-3(d)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(2) Because the selling security holders may sell all, some or none of their
shares or may acquire or dispose of other common shares, we cannot
estimate the aggregate number of shares which will be sold in this
offering or the
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number or percentage of common shares that each selling security holder
will own upon completion of this offering.
(3) Unless otherwise noted, represents the total number of (i) common shares
issued to the selling security holder and (ii) shares issuable to the
holder upon exercise of warrants (if any) acquired in transactions as
described above, and assumes in all cases that all shares are sold
pursuant to this offering and that no other common shares are acquired or
disposed of by the selling security holders prior to the termination of
this offering.
(4) Viceroy Resource Corporation is a widely-held, publicly-traded Canadian
corporation. Viceroy trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange. A. Murray
Sinclair, who was a director of Vista Gold until October 24, 2002, is its
Chairman and does not own any shares of Viceroy. Ronald K. Netolitzky is
its President and Chief Executive Officer and is the beneficial owner of
approximately 4.4% of its outstanding common shares. Exploration Capital
Partners 2000 Limited Partnership, a Nevada limited partnership, and its
General Partner, Resource Capital Investment Corp., own in aggregate
approximately 11% of the outstanding common shares and warrants which, if
exercised, would increase their aggregate holdings to 14% of the then
outstanding common shares. Resource Capital is a Nevada corporation that
is 90% owned by the Rule Family Trust u/d/t 12/17/98. A. Richards Rule is
President and a Director of Resource Capital, and, with his wife, is
co-Trustee of the Rule Family Trust. To the knowledge of Viceroy's
management, no other person beneficially owns 5% or more of its
outstanding common shares.
(5) Newmont USA Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Newmont Mining
Corporation, which is a widely-held, publicly-traded U.S. corporation. The
President of Newmont USA is Bruce Hansen, and the Chairman of the Board
and Chief Executive Officer of Newmont Mining is Wayne Murdy. Based on the
most recent Schedule 14A Information Statement filed with the SEC, FMR
Corp. of Massachusetts owns approximately 9% of the outstanding common
stock of Newmont Mining. To the knowledge of Newmont Mining management, no
other person beneficially owns 5% or more of its outstanding common
shares. Newmont Capital Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Newmont
Mining.
(6) Vertical Ventures Investments, LLC is a privately-held limited liability
company based in New York. Based on its filing with the Toronto Stock
Exchange in connection with its purchase of equity units from Vista Gold
in December 2002, Joshua Silverman is a partner and authorized signatory,
and no person beneficially owns 10% or more of its outstanding equity.
(7) Cleveland Overseas Ltd. is a privately-held limited liability company
based in Liechtenstein. Ewald Vogt is a director of Cleveland Overseas,
and GTF Global Trade & Finance S.A., also based in Liechtenstein, owns all
of its outstanding equity. Mr. Vogt owns 50% of the outstanding equity of
GTF.
(8) PanAmerica Capital Group, Inc., is a privately-held corporation based in
Panama. Based on its filing with the Toronto Stock Exchange in connection
with its purchase of equity units from Vista Gold in December 2002, its
President is Patrick M. Abraham, and no person beneficially owns 10% or
more of its outstanding equity. Ownership totals include 59,889
previously acquired common shares and 78,330 common shares issuable upon
exercise of previously acquired warrants, that are not being registered
for inclusion in this offering.
(9) Endeavour Financial Corporation Inc. is a privately-held corporation based
in the Cayman Islands. Its directors are Wayne McManus, Neil Woodyer and
William Koutsouras, who is also its sole officer. Its controlling
shareholders are: Dragon Capital Holdings Limited (a United Kingdom
incorporated company), Yeoman Investments Inc. (an Antigua incorporated
company) and Omega Holdings (a Barbados incorporated company). Further
information as to these companies is not available.
11
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Vista Gold is registering the shares on behalf of the selling security
holders. We will pay all expenses in connection with the registration of the
common shares being sold by the selling security holders, except for the fees
and expenses of any counsel and other advisors that any selling security holders
may employ to represent them in connection with the offering and any brokerage
or underwriting discounts or commissions paid to broker-dealers in connection
with the sale of the shares. Vista Gold will not receive any of the proceeds of
the sale of the shares offered by the selling security holders.
The selling security holders have not advised us of any specific plan for
distribution of the shares offered hereby, but it is anticipated that the shares
will be sold from time to time by the selling security holders or by pledgees,
donees, transferees or other successors in interest on a best efforts basis
without an underwriter. Such sales may be made on the American Stock Exchange,
the Toronto Stock Exchange, any exchange upon which our shares may trade in the
future, over-the-counter, or otherwise, at prices and at terms then prevailing
or at prices related to the then current market price, or in negotiated
transactions. The shares may be sold by one or more of the following, without
limitation:
o a block trade in which the broker or dealer so engaged will attempt
to sell the shares as agent but may position and resell a portion of
the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;
o purchases by a broker or dealer for its account pursuant to this
prospectus;
o ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker
solicits purchases;
o through options, swaps or derivatives;
o in privately negotiated transactions;
o in transactions to cover short sales;
o through a combination of any such methods of sale; or
o in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, rather than
pursuant to this prospectus.
The selling security holders may sell their shares directly to purchasers
or may use brokers, dealers, underwriters or agents to sell their shares.
Brokers or dealers engaged by the selling security holders may arrange for other
brokers or dealers to participate. Brokers or dealers may receive commissions,
discounts or concessions from the selling security holders, or, if any such
broker-dealer acts as agent for the purchaser of shares, from the purchaser in
amounts to be negotiated immediately prior to the sale. The compensation
received by brokers or dealers may, but is not expected to, exceed that which is
customary for the types of transactions involved. Broker-dealers may agree with
a selling security holder to sell a specified number of shares at a stipulated
price per share, and, to the extent the broker-dealer is unable to do so acting
as agent for a selling security holder, to purchase as principal any unsold
shares at the price required to fulfill the broker-dealer commitment to the
selling security holder. Broker-dealers who acquire shares as principal may
thereafter resell the shares from time to time in transactions, which may
involve block transactions and sales to and through other broker-dealers,
including transactions of the nature described above, in the over-the-counter
market or otherwise at prices and on terms then prevailing
12
at the time of sale, at prices then related to the then-current market price or
in negotiated transactions. In connection with resales of the shares,
broker-dealers may pay to or receive from the purchasers of shares commissions
as described above.
The selling security holders and any broker-dealers or agents that
participate with the selling security holders in the sale of the shares may be
deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities Act. In that
event, any commissions received by broker-dealers or agents and any profit on
the resale of the shares purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting
commissions or discounts under the Securities Act.
From time to time the selling security holders may engage in short sales,
short sales against the box, puts and calls and other hedging transactions in
our securities, and may sell and deliver the shares in connection with such
transactions or in settlement of securities loans. These transactions may be
entered into with broker-dealers or other financial institutions. In addition,
from time to time, a selling security holder may pledge its shares pursuant to
the margin provisions of its customer agreements with its broker-dealer. Upon
delivery of the shares or a default by a selling security holder, the
broker-dealer or financial institution may offer and sell the pledged shares
from time to time.
We have advised the selling security holders that the anti-manipulation
rules of Regulation M under the Exchange Act may apply to sales of shares in the
market and to the activities of the selling security holders and their
affiliates. In addition, we will make copies of this prospectus available to the
selling security holders for the purpose of satisfying the prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act.
Upon our being notified by a selling security holder that any material
arrangement has been entered into with a broker-dealer for the sale of the
shares through a block trade, special offering, exchange distribution or
secondary distribution or a purchase by a broker or dealer, a supplement to this
prospectus will be filed, if required, pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the
Securities Act, disclosing:
o the name of each such selling security holder and of the
participating broker-dealer(s);
o the number of shares involved;
o the price at which such shares were sold;
o any commissions paid or discounts or concessions allowed to such
broker-dealer(s); and
o other facts material to the transaction.
In order to comply with the securities laws of certain jurisdictions the
shares must be offered or sold only through registered or licensed brokers or
dealers. In addition, in certain jurisdictions, the shares may not be offered or
sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale or an exemption is
available and complied with.
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
We have authorized an unlimited number of common shares, no par value per
share, and an unlimited number of shares of preferred stock, no par value per
share. Our common shareholders are entitled to one vote per share on all matters
on which holders of common shares are entitled to
13
vote and do not have any cumulative voting rights. Subject to the rights of
holders of shares of any series of preferred stock, our common shareholders are
entitled to receive such dividends as our board of directors may declare, out of
legally available funds. Holders of common shares have no pre-emptive,
conversion, redemption, subscription or similar rights. If Vista Gold were to be
liquidated, dissolved or wound up, common shareholders would be entitled to
share equally in any of our assets legally available for distribution after we
satisfy any outstanding debts and other liabilities as well as any amounts that
might be due to holders of preferred stock, if any.
Our shares of authorized preferred stock are undesignated. Our board or
directors has authority, without seeking stockholder approval, to determine the
designation, preferences, rights and other privileges for any series of
preferred stock that the board of directors may designate, which could include
preferences on liquidation or as to dividends, voting rights including the right
to vote as a separate class on certain corporate events or to elect directors
designated by the holders of such series, and rights to conversion or redemption
of their shares and other matters. Our board of directors has not as of the date
of this prospectus designated and issued any shares of our preferred stock.
We have no charter or by-law provisions that would delay, defer or prevent
a change in control of Vista Gold.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the common shares being offered hereby has been passed
upon for Vista Gold Corp. by Campion Macdonald of Whitehorse, Yukon Territory,
Canada.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Vista Gold Corp. appearing in
Amendment No. 1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December
31, 2001, have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent auditors,
as set forth in their report thereon included therein and incorporated herein by
reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by
reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as
experts in accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We are a reporting company and file annual, quarterly and current reports,
proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. You may read and copy any document we file with the SEC at the
public reference facilities the SEC maintains at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also obtain copies of such
material by mail from the Public Reference Section of the SEC (450 Fifth Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549) at prescribed rates. Please call the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330 for further information about the operation of the public
reference rooms. Our SEC filings are also available at the SEC's website at
www.sec.gov.
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the
SEC. The registration statement contains more information than this prospectus
regarding us and the securities, including certain exhibits and schedules. You
can obtain a copy of the registration statement from the SEC at the above
address or from the SEC's Internet site.
14
Our world wide web address is www.vistagold.com. We have not incorporated
by reference into this prospectus the information on our website, and you should
not consider it to be a part of this document. Our web address is included in
this document as an inactive textual reference only.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" information contained in
documents that we file with them, which means that we can disclose important
information to you by referring you to those other documents. The information
incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and
information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and
supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed
below and any future filings we will make with the SEC under Section 13(a),
13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 prior to the sale of
all the common shares covered by this prospectus:
(1) Our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB (File No. 1-9025) for the year ended
December 31, 2001 (subsequently amended; see (14) below);
(2) Our Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-9025) filed with the SEC on
January 23, 2002;
(3) Our Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-9025) filed with the SEC on
February 1, 2002;
(4) Our Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-9025) filed with the SEC on March
20, 2002;
(5) Our Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-9025) filed with the SEC on April
29, 2002;
(6) Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB (File No. 1-9025) for the quarter ended
March 31, 2002;
(7) Our Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-9025) filed with the SEC on May
22, 2002;
(8) Our Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-9025) filed with the SEC on May
30, 2002;
(9) Our Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-9025) filed with the SEC on June
17, 2002;
(10) Our Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-9025) filed with the SEC on July
24, 2002;
(11) Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB (File No. 1-9025) for the quarter ended
June 30, 2002;
(12) Our Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-9025) filed with the SEC on
August 30, 2002;
(13) Our Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-9025) filed with the SEC on
September 3, 2002;
(14) Amendment No. 1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB (File No. 1-9025) for
the year ended December 31, 2001 filed with the SEC on September 17, 2002;
(15) Our Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-9025) filed with the SEC on
September 20, 2002;
(16) Our Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-9025) filed with the SEC on
October 9, 2002, as amended and filed with the SEC as Form 8-K/A (File No.
1-9025) on October 31, 2002;
15
(17) Our Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-9025) filed with the SEC on
November 6, 2002;
(18) Our Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-9025) filed with the SEC on
November 8, 2002;
(19) Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB (File No. 1-9025) for the quarter ended
September 30, 2002;
(20) Our Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-9025) filed with the SEC on
November 21, 2002;
(21) Our Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-9025) filed with the SEC on
December 17, 2002;
(22) Our Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-9025) filed with the SEC on
December 18, 2002;
(23) All our filings pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 after the
date of filing the initial registration statement and prior to effectiveness of
the registration statement; and
(24) The description of our common shares contained in our registration
statement on Form 8-A (File No. 1-9025) filed with the SEC on January 4, 1988,
including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating that
description. For the most recent description, please see "Description of Capital
Stock" in this prospectus.
You may request, orally or in writing, a copy of these documents, which
will be provided to you at no cost, by contacting:
Vista Gold Corp.
Suite 5, 7961 Shaffer Parkway
Littleton, Colorado 80127
Attention: John F. Engele, Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer
(720) 981-1185
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus,
including information incorporated by reference as described above, or any
supplement that we have referred you to. We have not authorized anyone else to
provide you with different information. You should not assume that the
information in this prospectus or any supplement is accurate as of any date
other than the date on the front of those documents or that any document
incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than its filing date.
You should not consider this prospectus to be an offer or solicitation relating
to the securities in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation
relating to the securities is not authorized. Furthermore, you should not
consider this prospectus to be an offer or solicitation relating to the
securities if the person making the offer or solicitation is not qualified to do
so, or if it is unlawful for you to receive such an offer or solicitation.
16