Amendment No. 1 to Form S-3 Registration Statement

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 15, 2006

Registration No. 333-132975


UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


AMENDMENT NO. 1

TO

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 


VISTA GOLD CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


Yukon Territory, Canada

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

None

(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

Suite 5, 7961 Shaffer Parkway

Littleton, Colorado 80127

(720) 981-1185

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,

of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 


Michael B. Richings

President and Chief Executive Officer

Vista Gold Corp.

Suite 5, 7961 Shaffer Parkway

Littleton, Colorado 80127

(720) 981-1185

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,

of agent for service and authorized representative of registrant in the United States)

 


with copies to:

 

Susan K. Shapiro, Esq.

Burns & Levinson LLP

125 Summer Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02110

(617) 345-3000

  

Jason J. Brooks, Esq.

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

1200 Waterfront Centre

200 Burrard Street, P.O. Box 48600

Vancouver, B.C., Canada V7X 1T2

(604) 687-5744

 


Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as possible after this Registration Statement is declared effective.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  ¨

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  x

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ¨

 


The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until this Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.


The information contained in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. The selling security holders may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JUNE 15, 2006

VISTA GOLD CORP.

1,741,421 Common Shares

without par value

 


All of the 1,741,421 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 914,684 shares currently owned by selling security holders, 177,053 shares issuable to a selling security holder and 649,684 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 June 12, 2006, the closing price of a common share, as reported on the American Stock Exchange, was $7.93 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 June     , 2006.


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference herein constitute forward-looking statements concerning, among other things, 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, among others, risks that our 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 estimates; potential effects on our operations of environmental regulations in the countries in which we operate; and uncertainty of being able to raise capital on favorable terms. Please see “Risk Factors” below for more information about these and other risks. 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 and advancement of gold exploration and potential development projects. Our approach to acquisitions of gold projects has generally been to seek projects within political jurisdictions with well-established mining, land ownership and tax laws, which have adequate drilling and geological data to support the completion of a third-party review of the geological data and to complete an estimate of the mineralized material. In addition, we look for opportunities to improve the value of our gold projects through exploration drilling or introducing technological innovations. We expect that emphasis on gold project acquisition and improvement will continue in the future.

Currently our holdings include the Maverick Springs, Mountain View, Hasbrouck, Three Hills and Wildcat projects and the Hycroft mine, all in Nevada; the Long Valley project in California; the Yellow Pine project in Idaho; the Paredones Amarillos and Guadalupe de los Reyes projects in Mexico; the Amayapampa project in Bolivia; the Awak Mas project in Indonesia; and the 53 F.W. Lewis, Inc. properties in Nevada and Colorado that were purchased in December 2005 through our subsidiary Victory Gold Inc. We also own five exploration projects in Canada and approximately 25% of the shares of Zamora Gold Corp., a company exploring for gold in Ecuador. Effective March 1, 2006, we agreed to purchase the Mt. Todd gold mine in the Northern Territory, Australia.

We do not produce gold in commercial quantities and do not currently generate operating earnings. Through fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2006 to date, funding to acquire gold properties, explore

 

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and to operate Vista Gold has been acquired through private placements of equity units consisting of our common shares and warrants to purchase common shares. We expect to continue to raise capital through the exercise of warrants and through additional equity financings.

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 Inc. and Da Capo Resources Ltd. amalgamated under the name “Vista Gold Corp.”. Effective December 17, 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 or otherwise associated with an investment in our common shares. 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, and gold production is incidental to solution recirculation on the heaps.

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

 

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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 attempt 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 potential 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 or joint venture 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 proportion to variations in gold prices. The price of gold has fluctuated widely, and is affected by numerous factors beyond our control including, but not limited to, international, economic and political trends, expectations of inflation, currency exchange fluctuations, central bank activities, interest rates, global or regional consumption patterns and speculative activities. 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 would adversely affect our asset values, cash flows, potential revenues and profits.

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, inherent variability of the ore, and recoverability of metal in the mining process.

There is a degree of uncertainty attributable to the calculation of reserves and corresponding grades 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 projects. We are currently subject to environmental regulations with respect to our properties in Nevada, California and Idaho in the United States, as well as Bolivia, Mexico and Indonesia.

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, Nevada State Office. 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 U.S. 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 U.S. 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 U.S. Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (“CERCLA”), 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

 

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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 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.

California Laws

A new mining operation in California, such as the Long Valley project, which is on Federal unpatented mining claims within a National Forest, would require obtaining various Federal, State and local permits. Mining projects require the establishment and presentation of environmental baseline conditions for air, water, vegetation, wildlife, cultural, historical, geological, geotechnical, geochemical, soil, and socioeconomic parameters. An Environmental Impact Statement (“EIS”) would be required for any mining activities proposed on public lands. A Plan of Operations/Reclamation Plan would be required. Also required would be permits for waste-water discharge and wetland disturbance (dredge and fill); a county mining plan and reclamation plan; a county mining operations permit; special use permits from the U.S. Forest Service; and possibly others. In addition, compliance must be demonstrated with the Endangered Species Act and the National Historical Preservation Act consultation process. Possible county zoning and building permits and authorization may be required. Baseline environmental conditions 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. In addition, on December 12, 2002, California adopted a “Backfilling Law” requiring open-pit surface mining operations for metallic minerals to back-fill the mines. While we have determined that the geometry of our Long Valley project would lend itself to compliance with this law, future adverse changes to this law could have a corresponding adverse impact on our financial performance and results of operations, for example, by requiring changes to operating constraints, technical criteria, fees or surety requirements.

 

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Idaho Laws

Permitting a mining operation, such as Yellow Pine, located on patented mining claims within a National Forest in Idaho would require obtaining various Federal, State and local permits under the coordination of the Idaho Joint Review Process (“JRP”). Mining projects require the establishment and presentation of environmental baseline conditions for air, water, vegetation, wildlife, cultural, historical, geological, geotechnical, geochemical, soil and socioeconomic parameters. An Environmental Impact Statement would be required for any mining activities proposed on public lands. Permits would also be required for storm-water discharge; wetland disturbance (dredge and fill); surface mining; cyanide use, transport and storage; air quality; dam safety (for water storage and/or tailing storage); septic and sewage; water rights appropriation; and possibly others. In addition, compliance must be demonstrated with the Endangered Species Act and the National Historical Preservation Act consultation process. Possible county zoning and building permits and authorization may be required. Baseline environmental conditions 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 might have to 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. While we have all the necessary permits to place the Amayapampa project into production, when a production decision is reached, these permits will need to be re-affirmed and there can be no assurance that we will be able to acquire updates to necessary permits or authorizations on a timely basis. Delays in acquiring any permit or authorization update 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 (“EEIA”), which we submitted in 1997 and was subsequently approved. 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 might have to delay the start of production.

 

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Mexico Laws

We are required under Mexican laws and regulations to acquire permits and other authorizations before the Paredones Amarillos or Guadalupe de los Reyes projects can be developed and mined. 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 Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources of Mexico (“SEMARNAT”). While we have the necessary permits to place the Paredones Amarillos project into production, there can be no assurance that we will be able to acquire updates to necessary permits or authorizations on a timely basis. Likewise, there can be no assurance that we will be able to acquire the necessary permits or authorizations on a timely basis to place the Guadalupe de los Reyes project into production. Delays in acquiring any permit, authorization or updates could increase the development cost of the Paredones Amarillos project or the Guadalupe de los Reyes project, or delay the start of production.

The most significant environmental permitting requirements, as they relate to the Paredones Amarillos and the Guadalupe de los Reyes projects 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 the Paredones Amarillos or the Guadalupe de los Reyes projects are found to not be in compliance with any of these requirements, we could incur significant compliance costs, or might have to delay the start of production.

Indonesia Laws

We are required under Indonesian laws and regulations to acquire permits and other authorizations before our current Indonesian mining project, the Awak Mas project, can be developed and mined. In Indonesia, environmental legislation plays a significant role in the mining industry. Various environmental documents such as the Analysis of Environmental Impact (“AMDAL”) concerning the Awak Mas project, covering studies on, inter alia, air, water, sand, pollution, hazardous and toxic wastes and reclamation of mining area, must be prepared and submitted to the Ministry of Environment for approval. In addition, we are also required to submit periodical environmental reports to the relevant environmental government agencies pursuant to the AMDAL and other required environmental licenses (e.g. license for tailing waste).

 

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The preparation of AMDAL documents and other relevant environmental license documents involves incurrence of time and costs and there is no assurance that those approvals/licenses can be obtained in a timely manner. The Indonesian government also has administrative discretion not to approve AMDAL documents or grant the required environmental licenses (including any renewal or extensions of such documents). All these conditions may delay the production activity of the Awak Mas project.

Failure to meet all of the requirements with respect to the above environmental documents, licensing and report submissions could cause us to be subject to administrative and criminal sanctions as well as fines. In extreme cases, the administrative sanctions can also be imposed in the form of revocation of our business license and the contract of work that we have with the Indonesian Government.

As well, from time to time the implementation of the Regional Autonomy Law in Indonesia can cause uncertainty as to the existence and applicability of national and regional regulations (including in the environmental sector). Often regional regulations are in conflict with higher regulations that apply nationally. As a result we may incur cost and time to manage any issues which may arise and that could possibly affect the overall mining activity of the Awak Mas project.

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 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. We compete with other gold companies for capital. If we are unable to raise sufficient capital, our exploration and development programs may be jeopardized or we may not be able to acquire, develop or operate gold projects.

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 maintain and advance our existing property positions and to acquire new gold projects. 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.

 

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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 President and a director of Silver Standard Resources Inc., and is a director of Canplats Resources Corporation, Radiant Resources, Inc., IAMGold Corporation and Minco Silver Corporation. C. Thomas Ogryzlo is the President, CEO and a director of Polaris Geothermal Inc., and is a director of Tiomin Resources Inc., Birim Goldfields Inc. and Baja Mining Corp. Michael B. Richings, who is also our President and Chief Executive Officer, is a director of Triumph Gold Corp. (successor to IMC Ventures) and Zaruma Resources Inc., both of which hold interests in mining properties. John Clark is a director of Alberta Clipper Energy Inc. (a Canadian oil and gas exploration company) and CFO and a director of Polaris Geothermal Inc. W. Durand Eppler is CEO and a director of Coal International PLC and a director of Augusta Resource Corporation. 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 Yukon Territory 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, Mexico and Indonesia are subject to risks from political and economic instability in those countries.

We have property interests in Bolivia, Mexico and Indonesia, which may be affected by risks associated with political or economic instability in those countries. 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, Mexico or Indonesia 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.

Recent political developments in Bolivia may adversely affect our Amayapampa project. On May 1, 2006, President Evo Morales of Bolivia, who took office in January 2006, signed a decree which effectively nationalized Bolivia’s hydrocarbon industry. President Morales and others in his administration have made public statements regarding their desire to exert greater state control over all natural resource production in Bolivia, including mining.

To date, there have been no formal proposals to nationalize the mining industry and it is not clear that such nationalization would take place. The government may, however, alter its current policies with respect to the mining industry. If the Amayapampa project were nationalized, we might be unable to recover any significant portion of our investment in the project. The government could also substantially increase mining taxes or require significant royalty payments, which could have a material adverse effect on the profitability of the Amayapampa project.

 

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Our financial position and results are subject to fluctuations in foreign currency values.

Because we have mining exploration and evaluation operations in North and South America and in Indonesia, 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.

We measure and report our financial results in U.S. dollars. We have mining projects in Bolivia, Mexico and Indonesia, and we are looking for other projects elsewhere in the world. Economic conditions and monetary policies in these countries can result in severe currency fluctuations.

Currently all our material transactions in Mexico, Bolivia and Indonesia are denominated in U.S. dollars. However, if we were to begin commercial operations in any of these or other 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 operations in that country.

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 equity issuances in 2002-2006, and from exercise of options.

At June 13, 2006, we had outstanding 26,838,227 common shares. An additional 2,252,273 shares are issuable upon exercise of warrants, including warrants issued upon conversion of debentures, all as acquired from Vista Gold in private placement transactions in 2002 through 2006 to date, as described in this and previous filings with the SEC including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005. At June 13, 2006, we also had outstanding options to purchase 829,500 shares. If all of the warrants and options are exercised, the number of currently outstanding common shares would increase by approximately 11.5%, to 29,920,000. The impact of the issuance of a significant amount of common shares from these warrant and option 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:

 

    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

 

    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.

 

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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 1,741,421 common shares. These shares include 914,684 common shares currently owned by selling security holders, 177,053 shares issuable to the JAAC (as defined below) upon receipt of regulatory approvals and 649,684 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants. We issued the shares and warrants to the selling security holders (or in the case of the JAAC, have agreed to issue shares) in different transactions, as follows:

 

    Private Placement Financing. In February 2006, we issued an aggregate 649,684 equity units, each consisting of one common share and one warrant, in a private placement financing.

 

    Acquisition of F.W. Lewis, Inc. Properties. In December 2005 our subsidiary Victory Gold Inc. acquired all of the outstanding shares of F.W. Lewis, Inc., the assets of which include 55 mineral properties in Nevada and Colorado. The acquisition was made by exercise of a purchase option originally held by Century Gold LLC (“Century Gold”) of Spring Creek, Nevada. Century Gold assigned the option to us pursuant to an assignment and assumption agreement effective December 9, 2005. Under the terms of the assignment agreement, we paid cash to Century Gold (as set forth below) and issued to Century Gold 250,000 common shares of Vista Gold.

 

    Letter of Intent for Bridge Credit Facility. We issued 15,000 common shares to Quest Capital Corp. as consideration for entry in December 2005 into a non-binding letter of intent in connection with a credit facility to be provided by Quest. In January 2006, we decided not to proceed with the credit facility.

 

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    Acquisition of Mt. Todd Gold Mine. Effective March 1, 2006, we entered into agreements with Ferrier Hodgson, the Deed Administrators for Pegasus Gold Australia Pty Ltd., the government of the Northern Territory of Australia and the Jawoyn Association Aboriginal Corporation (“JAAC”) and other parties named therein, subject to regulatory approvals, to purchase the Mt. Todd gold mine in the Northern Territory, Australia. As part of the agreements, we agreed to pay Pegasus approximately $743,000 and receive a transfer of the mineral leases and certain mine assets, and to pay the Northern Territory’s costs of management and operation of the Mt. Todd site. Additionally, Vista Gold Corp. is to issue its common shares with a value of Cdn. $1.0 million (amounting to 177,053 common shares) as consideration for the JAAC entering into the agreement and for rent for the use of the surface overlying the mineral leases until a decision is reached to begin production.

These issuances are discussed below.

Issuances in Private Placement Financing

On February 2, 2006, we completed a non-brokered private placement financing in which we issued 649,684 units, each consisting of one common share and one common share purchase warrant, at a price of $5.05 per unit, for an aggregate purchase price of $3,280,904. Each warrant will entitle the holder to acquire one common share at an exercise price of $6.00 for a period of two years from the date of issue. We agreed in connection with this transaction to register all shares issuable in the transaction including shares issuable upon exercise of warrants.

The transaction was priced as of January 12, 2006. The common share component of the unit represented substantially all of the unit value. On January 12, 2006, the closing price for our common shares on the American Stock Exchange was $5.05. Our net proceeds were approximately $3,222,545 after transaction-related costs. No finder’s fee or commission was payable in connection with the placement. The net proceeds are being used to supplement our working capital following our expenditure in December 2005 of $5.2 million as partial consideration for the acquisition of the outstanding shares of F.W. Lewis, Inc., as discussed below, and also for the acquisition of additional projects, if suitable opportunities arise, maintenance and evaluation of current projects and on-going administration costs.

Issuance in Connection with Acquisition of F. W. Lewis, Inc. Properties

On December 13, 2005, as previously reported, Vista Gold’s subsidiary Victory Gold Inc. acquired all of the outstanding shares of F.W. Lewis, Inc., the assets of which include 55 mineral properties in Nevada and Colorado. The acquisition was made by exercise of a purchase option originally held by Century Gold LLC. Century Gold assigned the option to our subsidiary pursuant to an assignment and assumption agreement. Under the terms of the assignment agreement, we paid Century Gold $150,000 in cash and also reimbursed it for the $250,000 it

 

12


paid the owners of F.W. Lewis, Inc. toward the option exercise price of $5.1 million. In addition, subject to regulatory approval, we agreed to issue to Century Gold 250,000 common shares of Vista, which issuance has since been completed, and we agreed to register these shares. To complete the exercise of the option, we paid the owners of F.W. Lewis, Inc., the remaining $4.85 million of the outstanding purchase price. Century Gold retains a 100% interest in two properties and a 50% interest in two other properties. The 53 properties retained by Vista include a total of 9,280 acres of patented and 11,616 acres of unpatented mineral claims, the majority having gold, silver or copper discoveries or old mines located on the properties. F.W. Lewis, Inc. (now owned by our subsidiary Victory Gold) owns a production royalty interest in the Hycroft Mine. With this acquisition, we are no longer subject to payment of this royalty to an outside party.

Issuance in Connection with Entry into Non-Binding Letter of Intent for Credit Facility

On December 7, 2005, we entered into a non-binding letter of intent with Quest Capital Corp. pursuant to which Quest Capital agreed to provide a $2 million bridge credit facility to Vista. We issued 15,000 common shares to Quest Capital as consideration for their agreement to provide the credit facility and agreed to register these shares. In view of our recently completed private placement financing as described above, we have not entered into the contemplated credit agreement with Quest Capital.

Issuance in Connection with Acquisition of Mt. Todd Gold Mine

Effective March 1, 2006, Vista Gold Corp. and its subsidiary Vista Gold Australia Pty Ltd. entered into agreements with Ferrier Hodgson, the Deed Administrators for Pegasus Gold Australia Pty Ltd., the government of the Northern Territory of Australia and the Jawoyn Association Aboriginal Corporation (“JAAC”) and other parties named therein, subject to regulatory approvals, to purchase the Mt. Todd gold mine (also known as the Yimuyn Manjerr gold mine) in the Northern Territory, Australia. Under these agreements, Vista Gold Corp. is guarantor of the obligations of its subsidiary Vista Gold Australia Pty Ltd. (“Vista Australia” and with Vista Gold Corp., referred to as “Vista Gold” in summaries of agreement terms herein).

As part of the agreements, Vista Gold has agreed to pay Pegasus approximately $743,000 and receive a transfer of the mineral leases and certain mine assets; and pay the Northern Territory’s costs of management and operation of the Mt. Todd site up to a maximum of approximately $278,625 during the first year of the term (initial term is five years, subject to extensions), and assume site management and pay management and operation costs in following years. Additionally, Vista Gold Corp. is to issue its common shares with a value of Cdn. $1.0 million (amounting to 177,053 common shares) as consideration for the JAAC entering into the agreement and for rent for the use of the surface overlying the mineral leases until a decision is reached to begin production. Other agreement terms provide that Vista Gold will undertake a technical and economic review of the mine and possibly form one or more joint ventures with the JAAC. We anticipate that the transactions contemplated under the agreements will be completed and effective in June 2006. The amounts set forth above have been transferred to escrow accounts and will be released at that time, and the shares will be issued to the JAAC at that time.

 

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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 March 23, 2006, the number of shares being held of record or beneficially by the selling security holders that may be offered under this prospectus, all of which is based upon information currently available to us.

 

    

Beneficial Ownership of

Shares

Prior to Offering (1)

  

Beneficial Ownership of
Shares

After Offering (2)

Name of Selling Security Holder

   Number    Percent     Number of
Shares
Offered
Hereby (3)
   Number    Percent

First Trust Co. of Onaga, cust fbo Kenneth Jahre IRA

   20,000    *     20,000    0    *

Danna Homburger

   8,000    *     8,000    0    *

Emily Friedlander

   4,800    *     4,800    0    *

Hans Homburger Trust (4)

   91,400    *     91,400    0    *

Kenneth & Margorie Jahre JT

   20,000    *     20,000    0    *

The Drazan and Shohan Family Trust Dated March 9, 2005 (5)

   16,000    *     16,000    0    *

Linda Posner

   12,000    *     12,000    0    *

Lisa Homburger Trust (4)

   8,000    *     8,000    0    *

First Trust Co. of Onaga, cust fbo Louise Homburger IRA

   210,308    1.0 %   210,308    0    *

Marcy Friedlander

   4,800    *     4,800    0    *

ABN AMRO Bank N.V. London Branch (6)

   594,060    2.7 %   594,060    0    *

William L. Price

   50,000    *     50,000    0    *

Joan A. Frost

   10,000    *     10,000    0    *

William L. Price Charitable Foundation (7)

   10,000    *     10,000    0    *

The Thunen Family Trust Dtd 10/4/05 Garret G. Thunen & Carol Thunen TTEES

   80,000    *     80,000    0    *

ALB Private Investments, LLC (8)

   80,000    *     80,000    0    *

 

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Beneficial Ownership of

Shares

Prior to Offering (1)

  

Beneficial Ownership of
Shares

After Offering (2)

 

Name of Selling Security Holder

   Number    Percent     Number of
Shares
Offered
Hereby (3)
   Number    Percent  

Anthony B. Low-Beer c/o Scarsdale Equities

   40,000    *     40,000    0    *  

Phylis M. Esposito

   40,000    *     40,000    0    *  

Century Gold LLC (9)

   250,000    1.1 %   250,000    0    *  

Quest Capital Corp. (10)

   231,881    1.0 %   15,000    216,881    1.0 %

Jawoyn Association Aboriginal Corporation (11)

   177,053    *     177,053    0    *  

TOTAL

   1,958,302    8.6 %   1,741,421    216,881    1.0 %

* Represents less than 1% of the outstanding common shares.
(1) Applicable percentage of ownership is based on 21,957,287 common shares outstanding as of March 23, 2006, 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 number or percentage of common shares that each selling security holder will own upon completion of this offering. See Note (3) below concerning assumptions made, for purposes of this table, as to shares to be sold in this offering.
(3) Represents the total number of (i) common shares issued to the selling security holder in the private placement transaction and (ii) shares issuable to the holder upon exercise of warrants acquired in the private placement transaction; assumes in all cases that all shares in (i) and (ii) 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) Hans Homburger has investment control and voting control over the above securities.
(5) Anthony Drazan has investment control and voting control over the above securities.
(6) Kathy Fernandes, Company Secretary, has investment control and voting control over the above securities. ABN AMRO Bank N.V. London Branch, which is not a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, may be considered an affiliate of ABN AMRO Incorporated and of LaSalle Financial Services, Inc., both of which are registered broker-dealers and subsidiaries of ABN AMRO Bank N.V., by virtue of being under common control with such broker-dealers since the ABN AMRO Bank N.V. London Branch is also controlled by ABN AMRO Bank N.V. This selling security holder purchased the securities being registered on its behalf in the ordinary course of business, and at the time of the purchase of the securities to be resold, it had no agreements or understandings, directly or indirectly, with any party to distribute the securities.

 

(7) William Price and Joan Frost have investment control and voting control over the above securities.
(8) Anthony Low-Beer has investment control and voting control over the above securities.
(9) Donald Decker and Suzanne Decker have investment control and voting control over the above securities.

 

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(10) Includes 216,881 immediately exercisable warrants held by subsidiary Quest Securities Corporation. Brian Bayley has investment control and voting control over the above securities. Quest Capital Corp., which is not a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, may be considered an affiliate of Global Resource Investments Ltd., a registered broker-dealer, which is owned by entities controlled by Mr. A. R. Rule. Mr. Rule and affiliated entities also beneficially own approximately 10% of the outstanding common shares of Quest Capital Corp. This selling security holder purchased the securities being registered on its behalf in the ordinary course of business, and at the time of the purchase of the securities to be resold, it had no agreements or understandings, directly or indirectly, with any party to distribute the securities.

 

(11) Wes Miller, Executive Director of the Corporation, has investment control and voting control over the above securities.

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:

 

    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;

 

    purchases by a broker or dealer for its account pursuant to this prospectus;

 

    ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker solicits purchases;

 

    through options, swaps or derivatives;

 

    in privately negotiated transactions;

 

    in transactions to cover short sales;

 

    through a combination of any such methods of sale; or

 

    in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, rather than pursuant to this prospectus.

 

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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 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

 

17


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:

 

    the name of each such selling security holder and of the participating broker-dealer(s);

 

    the number of shares involved;

 

    the price at which such shares were sold;

 

    any commissions paid or discounts or concessions allowed to such broker-dealer(s); and

 

    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 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.

 

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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 Macdonald & Company of Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Vista Gold Corp. appearing in our Annual Report on Form 10-K (which has been amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto) for the year ended December 31, 2005, have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, 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 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information about the operation of the public reference room. 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.

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.

 

19


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 (File No. 1-9025) prior to the sale of all the common shares covered by this prospectus:

 

(1) Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, filed with the SEC on March 31, 2006 as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto, filed with the SEC on June 13, 2006;

 

(2) 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

 

(3) The description of our common shares contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A 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: Gregory G. Marlier, 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.

 

20


PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.

The following is a list of the expenses to be incurred by Vista Gold in connection with the preparation and filing of this Registration Statement. All amounts shown are estimates except for the SEC registration fee. We will pay all expenses in connection with the distribution of the common shares being registered hereby, 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.

 

SEC Registration Fee

   $ 1,062.09

Printing and Engraving Expenses

   $ 1,000.00

Accountants’ Fees and Expenses

   $ 1,000.00

Legal Fees and Expenses

   $ 10,000.00

Transfer Agent Fees and Expenses

   $ 500.00

Miscellaneous

   $ 700.00
      

Total Expenses

   $ 14,262.09
      

INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

Section 7.1 of our By-law No. 1 provides that no director will be liable for acts or omissions of any other director or any officer or employee, or for any loss, damage or expense sustained by Vista Gold through: defects in title to any property acquired by us or on our behalf; or for losses or damages sustained by us in connection with investment of our funds or property (including losses or damages arising from bankruptcy, insolvency or other tortious acts of an entity with which such funds or property are deposited); or for any loss caused by an error of judgment or oversight on the part of such director; or for any other liability that the director may incur in his capacity as director, except for liabilities occasioned by the director’s own willful neglect or default. This Section also provides that our directors and officers must act in accordance with the Business Corporations Act (Yukon Territory) (the “Act”) and regulations thereunder, and will not be relieved from liability for any breach of such Act or regulations.

Section 7.2 of our By-law No. 1 provides that, subject to limitations contained in the Act, and provided the indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to be indemnified by us, we will indemnify our directors and officers, including former directors and officers or persons acting at the request of Vista Gold as a director or officer of a corporation of which Vista Gold is or was a shareholder or creditor (or a person who undertakes or has undertaken any liability on behalf of

 

II-1


Vista Gold or any such other corporation), and heirs and legal representatives of such persons, against all costs and expenses, including amounts paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by such person in respect of any civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding to which such person is made a party by reason of being or having been a director or officer of Vista Gold or any such other corporation, if:

 

  (a) he acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of Vista Gold; and

 

  (b) in the case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, he had reasonable grounds for believing that his conduct was lawful.

Section 7.3 of our By-law No. 1 provides that, subject to limitations contained in the Act, we may purchase and maintain insurance for our directors and officers as determined by our Board of Directors. As discussed below, Vista Gold does maintain such insurance.

Subsection (1) of Section 126 of the Act provides that except in respect of an action by or on behalf of the corporation or body corporate to procure a judgment in its favor, a corporation may indemnify a director or officer of the corporation, a former director or officer of the corporation or a person who acts or acted at the corporation’s request as a director or officer of a body corporate of which the corporation is or was a shareholder or creditor, and his heirs and legal representatives (collectively, a “Person”), against all costs, charges and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by him in respect of any civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding to which he is made a party by reason of being or having been a director or officer of that corporation or body corporate, if:

 

  (a) he acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the corporation; and

 

  (b) in the case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, he had reasonable grounds for believing that his conduct was lawful.

A corporation may with the approval of the Supreme Court of the Yukon Territory (the “Court”) indemnify a Person in respect of an action by or on behalf of the corporation or body corporate to procure a judgment in its favor, to which he is made a party by reason of being or having been a director or an officer of the corporation or body corporate, against all costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred by him in connection with the action if he fulfills the conditions set out in paragraphs (1)(a) and (b) of Section 126 of the Act.

Notwithstanding anything in Section 126 of the Act, a Person is entitled to indemnity from the corporation in respect of all costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense of any civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding to which he is made a party by reason of being or having been a director or officer of the corporation or body corporate, if the person seeking indemnity:

 

  (a) was substantially successful on the merits in his defense of the action or proceeding;

 

II-2


  (b) fulfills the conditions set out in paragraphs (1)(a) and (b) of Section 126 of the Act; and

 

  (c) is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity.

A corporation may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of any Person against any liability incurred by him:

 

  (a) in his capacity as a director or officer of the corporation, except when the liability relates to his failure to act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the corporation; or

 

  (b) in his capacity as a director or officer of another body corporate if he acts or acted in that capacity at the corporation’s request, except when the liability relates to his failure to act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the body corporate.

A corporation or a Person may apply to the Court for an order approving an indemnity under Section 126 of the Act and the Court may so order and make any further order it thinks fit, including an order that notice be given to any interested person.

Vista Gold indemnifies its directors and executive officers, as well as their heirs and representatives, pursuant to indemnification agreements it has entered into with each such director and executive officer, against all liabilities and obligations, including legal fees and costs of investigation and defense of claims, as well as amounts paid to settle claims or satisfy judgments, that these directors and officers may incur in such capacities. While these agreements provide that Vista Gold will indemnify such director or officer regardless of conduct or fault of that person, the agreements also provide that we may only make such indemnification payments as permitted by applicable law. The agreements provide that Vista Gold’s obligations under the agreements are not diminished or otherwise affected by, among other things, any officers’ liability insurance placed by or for the benefit of the indemnitee, Vista Gold or any entity related to either.

In addition, Vista Gold maintains directors’ and officers’ liability insurance which insures against liabilities that its directors and officers may incur in such capacities.

Reference is made to “Undertakings,” below, for Vista Gold’s undertakings in this registration statement with respect to indemnification of liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

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EXHIBITS.

 

Exhibit

Number

 

Description of Document

       
5  

Opinion of Macdonald & Company (including the consent of such firm) regarding the

legality of the securities being offered

  *  
23.1   Consent of Macdonald & Company (included as part of Exhibit 5 hereto)   *  
23.2  

Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered public

accounting firm

   
23.3   Consent of Mine Reserve Associates, Inc.   *  
23.4   Consent of Snowden Mining Industry Consultants   *  
23.5   Consent of Mine Development Associates    
23.6   Consent of Pincock, Allen & Holt   *  
23.7   Consent of Resource Development Inc.   *  
23.8   Consent of Ore Reserves Engineering   *  
23.9   Consent of WLR Consulting, Inc.   *  
23.10   Consent of RSG Global Pty Ltd   *  
24   Powers of Attorney   *  

* Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-3, as filed with the Commission on April 4, 2006.

UNDERTAKINGS.

 

(a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in the volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the

 

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low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20-percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this Registration Statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement, or is contained in the form of a prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of this Registration Statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

(i) If the registrant is relying on Rule 430B:

(A) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424 (b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of this Registration Statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 (b)(2), or (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii),or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the

 

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securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date; or

(ii) If the registrant is subject to Rule 430C, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424 (b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:

The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

 

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(b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that, in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in Littleton, Colorado, on June 13, 2006.

 

VISTA GOLD CORP.
Registrant
By:  

/s/ Michael B. Richings

  Michael B. Richings
  President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Michael B. Richings          

Michael B. Richings

   President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer and Authorized Representative in the United States)  

June 13, 2006

/s/ Gregory G. Marlier            

Gregory G. Marlier

   Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)  

June 13, 2006

                         *                        

John M. Clark

   Director   June 13, 2006

                         *                        

C. Thomas Ogryzlo

   Director   June 13, 2006

                         *                        

W. Durand Eppler

   Director   June 13, 2006

                         *                        

Robert A. Quartermain

   Director   June 13, 2006

 

*By:   /s/ Gregory G. Marlier                            
  Gregory G. Marlier, Attorney-in-Fact

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

Number

 

Description of Document

       
5  

Opinion of Macdonald & Company (including the consent of such firm) regarding the

legality of the securities being offered

  *  
23.1   Consent of Macdonald & Company (included as part of Exhibit 5 hereto)   *  
23.2  

Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered public

accounting firm

   
23.3   Consent of Mine Reserve Associates, Inc.   *  
23.4   Consent of Snowden Mining Industry Consultants   *  
23.5   Consent of Mine Development Associates    
23.6   Consent of Pincock, Allen & Holt   *  
23.7   Consent of Resource Development Inc.   *  
23.8   Consent of Ore Reserves Engineering   *  
23.9   Consent of WLR Consulting, Inc.   *  
23.10   Consent of RSG Global Pty Ltd   *  
24   Powers of Attorney (included on signature page)   *  

* Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-3, as filed with the Commission on April 4, 2006.