VGZ 10-Q
Vista Gold Corp (VGZ)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
(Mark One)
| QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |
For the quarterly period ended | ||
or | ||
| TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |
For the transition period from to
Commission file number:
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
| ||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
| (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
| ||
|
| |
| ||
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) |
| (Zip Code) |
(
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class: |
| Trading Symbol |
| Name of each exchange on which registered: |
Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:
Large Accelerated Filer ☐ | Accelerated Filer ☐ | |
Smaller Reporting Company | Emerging Growth Company |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act): Yes
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practical date:
VISTA GOLD CORP.
FORM 10-Q
For the Quarter Ended September 30, 2024
INDEX
Page | |
3 | |
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS | 13 |
25 | |
25 | |
25 | |
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS | 25 |
26 | |
26 | |
26 | |
27 | |
2
PART I
ITEM 1. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
VISTA GOLD CORP.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollar amounts in U.S. dollars and in thousands)
September 30, | December 31, | ||||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| |||
Assets: | |||||||
Current assets: | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | | $ | | |||
Other current assets | | | |||||
Total current assets | | | |||||
Non-current assets: | |||||||
Mineral properties (Note 3) | | | |||||
Plant and equipment, net (Note 4) | | | |||||
Other non-current assets | | | |||||
Total non-current assets | | | |||||
Total assets | $ | | $ | | |||
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity: | |||||||
Current liabilities: | |||||||
Accounts payable | $ | | $ | | |||
Accrued liabilities and other (Note 5) | | | |||||
Total current liabilities | | | |||||
Non-current liabilities: | |||||||
Deferred gain on grant of royalty (Note 6) | — | | |||||
Other liabilities | | | |||||
Total non-current liabilities | | | |||||
Total liabilities | | | |||||
Commitments and contingencies (Note 8) | |||||||
Shareholders’ equity: | |||||||
Common shares, | | | |||||
Accumulated deficit | ( | ( | |||||
Total shareholders’ equity | | | |||||
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | | $ | | |||
Approved by the Board of Directors
/s/ Patrick F. Keenan Patrick F. Keenan Director | /s/ John M. Clark John M. Clark Director |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
VISTA GOLD CORP.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS)
(Dollar amounts in U.S. dollars and in thousands, except per share data)
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||
2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2024 |
| 2023 | |||||
Operating income (expense): | |||||||||||
Exploration, property evaluation and holding costs | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||
Corporate administration | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||
Depreciation and amortization | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||
Gain on grant of royalty interest in mineral titles (Note 6) | — | — | | — | |||||||
Gain on sale of plant and equipment (Note 4) | — | — | | — | |||||||
Total operating income (expense), net | ( | ( | | ( | |||||||
Non-operating income: | |||||||||||
Interest income | | | | | |||||||
Other income (expense) | ( | | ( | ( | |||||||
Total non-operating income | | | | | |||||||
Income (loss) before income taxes | ( | ( | | ( | |||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | | $ | ( | |||
Basic: | |||||||||||
Weighted average number of shares outstanding | | | | | |||||||
Net income (loss) per share | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | | $ | ( | |||
Diluted: | |||||||||||
Weighted average number of shares outstanding | | | | | |||||||
Net income (loss) per share | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | | $ | ( | |||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
VISTA GOLD CORP.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Dollar amounts in U.S. dollars and in thousands)
Total | ||||||||||||
Common | Accumulated | Shareholders’ | ||||||||||
| Shares |
| Amount |
| Deficit |
| Equity | |||||
Balances at July 1, 2023 | | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | |||||
Stock-based compensation | — | | — | | ||||||||
Net loss | — | — | ( | ( | ||||||||
Balances at September 30, 2023 | | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | |||||
Balances at July 1, 2024 | | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | |||||
Shares issued, net of offering costs | | | — | | ||||||||
Shares issued (DSUs vested) | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
Stock-based compensation | — | | — | | ||||||||
Net income | — | — | ( | ( | ||||||||
Balances at September 30, 2024 | | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | |||||
Total | ||||||||||||
Common | Accumulated | Shareholders’ | ||||||||||
Shares |
| Amount |
| Deficit |
| Equity | ||||||
Balances at January 1, 2023 | | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | |||||
Shares issued, net of offering costs | | | — | | ||||||||
Shares issued (RSUs vested, net of shares withheld) | | ( | — | ( | ||||||||
Shares issued (DSUs vested) | | — | — | — | ||||||||
Stock-based compensation | — | | — | | ||||||||
Net loss | — | — | ( | ( | ||||||||
Balances at September 30, 2023 | | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | |||||
Balances at January 1, 2024 | | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | |||||
Shares issued, net of offering costs | | | — | | ||||||||
Shares issued (RSUs vested, net of shares withheld) | | ( | — | ( | ||||||||
Shares issued (DSUs vested) | | — | — | — | ||||||||
Stock-based compensation | — | | — | | ||||||||
Net income | — | — | | | ||||||||
Balances at September 30, 2024 | | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | |||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
VISTA GOLD CORP.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollar amounts in U.S. dollars and in thousands)
Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||
| 2024 | 2023 |
| ||||
Cash flows from operating activities: | |||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | | $ | ( | |||
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operations: | |||||||
Depreciation and amortization | | | |||||
Stock-based compensation | | | |||||
Gain on grant of royalty interest in mineral titles | ( | — | |||||
Gain on sale of plant and equipment | ( | — | |||||
Change in working capital account items: | |||||||
Other current assets | | | |||||
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other | | | |||||
Net cash used in operating activities | ( | ( | |||||
Cash flows from investing activities: | |||||||
Proceeds from grant of royalty interest in mineral titles | | — | |||||
Net proceeds from sale of plant and equipment | | — | |||||
Additions to plant and equipment | ( | ( | |||||
Capitalized mineral property development costs | ( | — | |||||
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities | | ( | |||||
Cash flows from financing activities: | |||||||
Proceeds from equity financing, net | | | |||||
Payment of taxes from withheld shares | ( | ( | |||||
Net cash provided by financing activities | | | |||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | | ( | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | | | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | | $ | | |||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
6
VISTA GOLD CORP.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollar amounts in U.S. dollars and in thousands, except share-related amounts)
1. Overview of Operations and Basis of Presentation
Vista Gold Corp. and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Vista,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) operate in the gold mining industry. The Company’s flagship asset is its
The interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (“interim statements”) of the Company are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments and disclosures necessary for a fair presentation of these interim statements have been included. The results reported in these interim statements are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be reported for the entire year. These interim statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2023 as filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian securities regulatory authorities on Form 10-K (the “2023 Financial Statements”). The balance sheet as of December 31, 2023 as presented herein was derived from the Company’s audited financial statements and, in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q, certain information and footnote disclosures required by United States generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted.
These interim statements have been prepared on the going concern basis of accounting, which contemplates Vista having the ability to meet its obligations when due in the normal course of business for the foreseeable future. Because the Company does not have recurring cash inflows from operations or investments, we rely on other sources of financing to fund operations. Such funding sources may include sales of non-core assets, equity issuances, royalty or stream agreements, convertible instruments, and debt facilities. Although management estimates the Company has access to sufficient cash flows for the next twelve months, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain adequate funding, or that such funding will be on terms acceptable to the Company, to meet future operational needs which may result in the delay, reduction, or discontinuation of ongoing programs.
References to $ are to United States dollars and A$ are to Australian dollars.
2. Significant Accounting Policies
Significant accounting policies are included in the 2023 Financial Statements.
3. Mineral Properties
Mt Todd, Northern Territory, Australia
The capitalized mineral property values are as follows:
| At September 30, 2024 |
| At December 31, 2023 | ||||
Mt Todd, Australia | $ | | $ | | |||
Vista acquired Mt Todd in March 2006. The purchase price and related transaction costs of $
Drilling and related costs are capitalized for an ore body where proven and probable reserves exist, and the activities are directed at obtaining additional information about the ore body or converting measured, indicated, and inferred resources to proven and probable reserves. All other drilling and related costs are expensed as incurred. Capitalized mineral property development drilling costs totaled $
7
derecognized $
4. Plant and Equipment
September 30, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||
Accumulated | Accumulated | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cost |
| Depreciation |
| Net |
| Cost |
| Depreciation |
| Net |
| |||||||
Mt Todd, Australia | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||||||
Corporate, United States | | | | | | | |||||||||||||
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||||||
In March 2024, the Company recorded a gain of $
5. Other Current Liabilities
The following table sets forth the Company’s accrued liabilities and other at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
| At September 30, 2024 |
| At December 31, 2023 | ||||
Accrued accounts payable | $ | | $ | | |||
Accrued employee compensation and benefits | | | |||||
$ | | $ | | ||||
6. Gain on Grant of Royalty
On December 13, 2023, Vista Gold Australia Pty. Ltd. (“Vista Gold Australia”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a royalty agreement with Wheaton Precious Metals (Cayman) Co., an affiliate of Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. (“Wheaton”) in relation to Mt Todd (the “Royalty Agreement”).
Pursuant to the terms of the Royalty Agreement, Wheaton agreed to provide Vista with $
The Royalty Agreement provides for Vista Gold Australia to receive a total of $
A security interest was granted by Vista Gold Australia to Wheaton. The security includes, among other things, a mortgage over the Mt Todd tenements and a collateralized interest in the assets, rights and interests of Vista Gold Australia.
8
7. Common Shares
Equity Financing
Vista is party to an at-the-market offering agreement (the “ATM Agreement”) with H. C. Wainwright & Co., LLC (“Wainwright”), under which the Company has the right, but is not obligated, to sell and issue common shares in the capital of the Company (each a “Common Share”) through Wainwright for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company realized net proceeds of $
Warrants
Warrant activity is summarized in the following table.
Weighted | Weighted | |||||||
Average | Average | |||||||
Warrants | Exercise Price | Remaining Life | ||||||
| Outstanding |
| Per Share |
| (Years) |
| ||
As of December 31, 2022 | | $ | | |||||
As of December 31, 2023 | | $ | | |||||
Expired | ( | $ | | |||||
As of September 30, 2024 | | |||||||
All warrants expired on July 12, 2024.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company’s active stock-based compensation plans include restricted share units (“RSUs”) issuable pursuant to the Company’s long-term equity incentive plan and deferred share units (“DSUs”) issuable pursuant to the Company’s deferred share unit plan (“DSU Plan”). The Company's stock option plan remains in place, however no new issuances can be made at this time. Stock-based compensation may be issued to our directors, officers, employees, and consultants. The maximum number of Common Shares that may be reserved for issuance under the combined stock-based compensation plans is a variable number equal to
Stock-based compensation expense was:
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| |||||
RSUs | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||||
DSUs | — | — | | | |||||||||
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||||
As of September 30, 2024, unrecognized compensation expense for RSUs was $
9
Restricted Share Units
The following table summarizes RSU activity:
Weighted Average | ||||||
Number | Grant-Date Fair | |||||
| of RSUs |
| Value Per RSU | |||
Unvested - December 31, 2022 | |
| $ | |
| |
Granted | | | ||||
Cancelled/forfeited | ( | | ||||
Vested, net of shares withheld | ( | | ||||
Unvested - December 31, 2023 | |
| $ | |
| |
Granted | | | ||||
Cancelled/forfeited | ( | | ||||
Vested, net of shares withheld | ( | | ||||
Unvested - September 30, 2024 | | $ | | |||
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company withheld Common Shares with an equivalent value to meet employee withholding tax obligations of $
Deferred Share Units
The DSU Plan provides for granting of DSUs to non-employee directors. DSUs vest immediately; however, the Company will issue
The following table summarizes DSU activity:
Weighted Average | ||||||
Number of | Grant-Date Fair | |||||
| DSUs |
| Value per DSU |
| ||
Outstanding - December 31, 2022 | | $ | | |||
Granted | | | ||||
Shares issued to participants | ( | | ||||
Outstanding - December 31, 2023 | | $ | | |||
Granted | | | ||||
Shares issued to participants | ( | | ||||
Outstanding - September 30, 2024 | | $ | |
10
Stock Options
The following table summarizes option activity for vested awards:
Weighted Average | |||||||||||
Weighted Average | Remaining | Aggregate | |||||||||
Number of | Exercise Price | Contractual Term | Intrinsic | ||||||||
| Options |
| Per Option |
| (Years) |
| Value |
| |||
Outstanding - December 31, 2022 | |
| $ | | $ | | |||||
Expired | ( | | |||||||||
Outstanding - December 31, 2023 | |
| $ | | $ | | |||||
Expired | ( | | |||||||||
Outstanding - September 30, 2024 | | $ | | $ | | ||||||
Exercisable - September 30, 2024 | | $ | | $ | | ||||||
Weighted Average Common Shares
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||
2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2024 |
| 2023 | |||
Basic Common Shares | | | | | |||||
Effect of dilutive stock-based awards | — | — | | — | |||||
Diluted Common Shares | | | | | |||||
Unvested RSUs representing
As the Company was in a net loss position for the three months ended September 30, 2024, and the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, all potentially dilutive Common Shares were considered antidilutive.
8. Commitments and Contingencies
The Mt Todd site was not reclaimed by the predecessor owners when the mine closed in 2000. Reclamation obligations associated with the period before Vista’s purchase of Mt Todd are presently the responsibility of the Government of the Northern Territory, Australia (the “NT Government”). Vista may, but is not obligated to, give notice to the NT Government that it wishes to commence mining activities at Mt Todd. As a result of any such notice by the Company, the NT Government will transfer to Vista a) certain assets upon terms and conditions to be agreed or determined by an independent valuer and b) the historical rehabilitation liabilities that are presently the responsibility of the NT Government. The historical rehabilitation liabilities to be transferred to Vista are currently stated by the NT Government at approximately A$
Under agreements with the Jawoyn Association Aboriginal Corporation with respect to Mt Todd, we have agreed to a gross proceeds royalty (“GPR”) ranging between
Mt Todd is also subject to the Royalty Agreement with Wheaton; see Note 6.
Our exploration and development activities are subject to various laws and regulations governing the protection of the environment and our interactions with community stakeholders, among others. These laws and regulations are continually changing and are generally becoming more restrictive. Future expenditures that may be required for compliance with these laws and regulations cannot be predicted at this time. If the Company determines that it is probable that an obligation exists and the amount can be reasonably estimated, a provision would be recorded. This may include costs associated with actions
11
by the Company and actions attributable to others should no other responsible or potentially responsible parties be identified. We conduct our operations in a manner designed to minimize effects on stakeholders and the environment.
The Northern Territory’s Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (“AAPA”) is investigating potential surface impacts that resulted from drilling undertaken by Vista from 2020 through 2022. The Company is cooperating with the AAPA, but the potential outcome of this process is unknown at this time.
In August 2024, an assessment was issued by the Mexican tax authorities, known as the Servicio de Administración Tributaria (“SAT”), to the Company’s Mexican subsidiary, Minera Gold Stake (“MGS”). The assessment disallows the tax basis of certain mineral properties that was established by MGS in 2012 and subsequently utilized to offset taxable income in subsequent years and other deductions taken in 2012 that the SAT concluded should have been deducted over multiple years. In response, MGS filed suit against the SAT in the Tax Court in the State of Mexico in October 2024. MGS believes it has valid assertions against the SAT assessment and other available tax positions to partially mitigate the assessment issued by the SAT. The outcome of this matter is unknown, but management estimates the effect of the SAT assessment creates a potential income tax liability of up to approximately $
9. Geographic and Segment Information
The Company has
12
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, and the related notes thereto, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information that involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements and information as a result of many factors. See section heading “Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” below.
All dollar amounts are in U.S. dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, commodity prices, and currency exchange rates unless specified otherwise.
Overview
Vista Gold Corp. and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Vista,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) operate as a development-stage company in the gold mining industry. Vista does not currently generate cash flows from mining operations.
Our flagship asset is the Mt Todd Gold Project (“Mt Todd” or the “Project”), a shovel-ready development-stage gold deposit located in the Tier-1 jurisdiction of Northern Territory, Australia (the “NT”). Mt Todd offers significant scale, development optionality, growth opportunities, advanced local infrastructure, community support, and demonstrated economic feasibility.
We are positioning Mt Todd as a leading development opportunity within the gold sector. Our strategy is to advance Mt Todd in ways that efficiently position the project for development while exercising the discipline necessary to best realize value at the right time.
We expect continued strength in the gold price and believe that shovel-ready projects like Mt Todd are especially attractive development opportunities in the current environment of a strong gold market, diminishing major deposit discoveries, and depleting gold reserves.
The Project offers strategic optionality through development as a large or mid-scale project and has all major operating and environmental permits necessary to initiate development. A feasibility study for Mt Todd was completed in 2022 with project costs updated in 2024 demonstrating strong economics for development of a 50,000 tonnes per day (“ktpd”), nominally 17.5 million tonnes per annum (“mtpa”), operation.
In view of the substantial investment required to develop Mt Todd as a large-scale project, we completed an internal scoping study in 2023 for an alternative 15 ktpd operation, nominally 5.2 mtpa. A project of this scale could reduce financing, development, and operating risks.
We are finalizing trade-off studies and preliminary evaluations for Mt Todd and anticipate moving forward with a feasibility study targeting throughput in the range of 12-17 ktpd (4-6 mtpa), with 150,000 to 200,000 ounces (150-200 “koz”) of annual gold production, an initial capital cost of less than $400 million, and a mineral reserve grade of approximately 1 gram gold per tonne (“g Au/t”). By using contract mining, third-party power generation, and construction practices commonly used in Australia, we believe there is opportunity to maintain high capital efficiency at this project scale. The feasibility study will leverage prior technical studies and the work completed for the 50 ktpd feasibility study, preserve the potential for future expansion, and demonstrate the opportunity for Mt Todd to deliver substantial economic returns in a range of development scenarios. A decision to commence the feasibility study is expected prior to the end of the year.
The Company undertook a drilling program earlier this year in connection with the technical studies for an alternative scale development plan. This planned 6,000-7,000 meter program is nearing completion and is expected to have a total cost of approximately $2,000. To date, this drilling program has successfully confirmed the extension of the core zone and the
13
mineralized boundaries in the northern section of the Batman deposit and identified multiple high-grade intercepts in the South Cross Lode zone, a narrower mineralized structure adjacent to the Batman deposit that extends up to 400 meters to the northeast. Our geologists are presently working to understand the open pit and underground mining potential of this zone and develop a model for future exploration in this zone along with other known higher-grade targets northeast of the Batman deposit. For additional information on the Company’s recent exploration drilling results, see the Company’s news release dated September 14, 2024 available at www.sec.gov and under our profile at www.sedarplus.ca. This news release is referenced for informational purposes only and is not incorporated by reference into this quarterly report on Form 10-Q and should not be considered part of this or any other report filed with the SEC.
The Company continues to prioritize a low overall spending profile and efficient use of resources to advance Mt Todd. Our funding strategy is to maintain adequate liquidity while minimizing dilution as we seek to preserve, enhance, and realize value from Mt Todd. The Company periodically raises funds in the capital markets and considers alternative strategies and possible corporate opportunities as means to enhance its liquidity and deliver shareholder value.
Mt Todd 2024 Feasibility Study
The Batman deposit at Mt Todd hosts proven and probable mineral reserves of 6.98 million ounces as reported in the March 2024 feasibility study (the “Mt Todd FS”). There is opportunity to add gold mineral resources beyond presently defined mineral reserves through further exploration. Exploration at Mt Todd has identified additional growth targets immediately outside the Batman deposit along a 5.4 kilometer trend within the Company’s mining licenses and other precious and base metals prospects within the broader footprint of the Company’s exploration licenses.
The Mt Todd FS was completed in conjunction with our annual reporting of mineral resources and mineral reserves as disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as required pursuant to Item 1300 of Regulation S-K (“S-K 1300”) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The updated feasibility study reflects changes in project economics since the feasibility study filed in February 2022. Material capital and operating cost components were updated with quotes obtained in the first quarter of 2024. The updated study also reflects the outlook for the long-term gold price and foreign exchanges rates as of the first quarter of 2024, and the Royalty (as defined below). Mt Todd mineral resources and mineral reserves, mine plans, gold recoveries, and gold production schedules remain unchanged.
The Mt Todd FS contemplates a plant processing 50 ktpd and demonstrates the underlying value potential of a large-scale gold project. Highlights include:
| ● | estimated proven and probable mineral reserves of 6.98 million ounces of gold (280 Mt at 0.77 g Au/t) using a gold price of $1,500 for the mineral reserve estimate and a cut-off grade of 0.35 g Au/t(1)(2); |
| ● | average annual production of 395,000 ounces of gold over a 16-year mine life at an average cash cost of $913 per ounce(3); |
| ● | high capital efficiency, with initial capital requirements of $1.03 billion, or $163 per payable ounce of gold(3); |
| ● | after-tax NPV5% of $1.13 billion and internal rate of return (“IRR”) of 20.4% at a gold price of $1,800 per ounce; and |
| ● | after-tax NPV5% of $3.1 billion and IRR of 41.2% at a price of $2,600 per ounce of gold. |
| (1) | Note to investors: Proven and probable mineral reserves are estimated in accordance with S-K 1300 (as defined below) and CIM Definition Standards (as defined below). |
| (2) | See “Item 2. Properties – Mt Todd Gold Project, Northern Territory, Australia – Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserve Estimates” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 14, 2024 for additional information. |
| (3) | Cash costs, cash cost per ounce, and initial capital requirements per payable ounce of gold are non-U.S. GAAP financial measures; see Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures for additional disclosure. |
After completing the Mt Todd FS, the NT enacted the Mineral Royalties Act 2024 (“Royalties Act”) effective July 1, 2024. The Royalties Act replaces the prior net profits royalty regime with an ad valorem royalty regime for new mines. A 3.5% ad valorem royalty rate will be applied under the Royalties Act to gold production from Mt Todd. This represents a nearly
14
50% reduction in payable NT royalties compared to the Mt Todd FS and is expected to result in improved project economics. Under the previous net profits royalty regime, our base case economic analysis at an $1,800 gold price estimated the payment of $765 million in NT royalties over the life of the mine.
Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Estimates
The tables below present the estimated mineral resources and mineral reserves for the Project. The following mineral resources and mineral reserves were prepared in accordance with S-K 1300 as set forth in the Mt Todd FS, which is available as Exhibit 96.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC on March 14, 2024.
The Mt Todd FS is the technical report summary, prepared pursuant to S-K 1300, that was filed with the SEC on March 14, 2024 and is entitled “S-K 1300 Technical Report Summary – Mt Todd Gold Project – 50,000 tpd Feasibility Study – Northern Territory, Australia” with an effective date of March 12, 2024 and an issue date of March 14, 2024. The technical report summary remains current in all material respects.
A companion feasibility study for Canadian purposes, pursuant to National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”), was prepared in accordance with Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum definition standards (“CIM Definition Standards”) for reporting of mineral resources and mineral reserves and was filed on SEDAR on April 16, 2024 and is entitled “NI 43-101 Technical Report – Mt Todd Gold Project – 50,000 tpd Feasibility Study – Northern Territory, Australia” with an effective date of March 12, 2024 and an issue date of April 16, 2024. The companion report is referenced herein for informational purposes only. The mineral resources and mineral reserves for this report are the same as the mineral resources and mineral reserves for the report prepared in accordance with S-K 1300.
The Mt Todd FS is available for review at www.sec.gov and under our profile at www.sedarplus.ca. The Mt Todd FS is not incorporated by reference into this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.
Mt Todd Gold Project – Summary of Gold Mineral Resource (Exclusive of Gold Mineral Reserves)
Based on US$1,300/oz Gold
Batman Deposit | Heap Leach Pad | Quigleys Deposit | Total |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
Contained | Contained | Contained | Contained |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
Tonnes | Grade | Ounces | Tonnes | Grade | Ounces | Tonnes | Grade | Ounces | Tonnes | Grade | Ounces | ||||||||||||||
(000s) | (g Au/t) | (000s) | (000s) | (g Au/t) | (000s) | (000s) | (g Au/t) | (000s) | (000s) | (g Au/t) | (000s) |
| |||||||||||||
Measured |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 594 |
| 1.15 |
| 22 |
| 594 |
| 1.15 |
| 22 | |
Indicated | 10,816 | 1.76 | 613 | — | — | — | 7,301 | 1.11 | 260 | 18,117 |
| 1.49 |
| 873 | |||||||||||
Measured & Indicated | 10,816 |
| 1.76 |
| 613 | — |
| — |
| — | 7,895 |
| 1.11 |
| 282 | 18,711 |
| 1.49 |
| 895 | |||||
Inferred | 61,323 |
| 0.72 |
| 1,421 | — |
| — |
| — | 3,981 |
| 1.46 |
| 187 | 65,304 |
| 0.77 |
| 1,608 | |||||
Notes:
| ● | Measured & indicated mineral resources exclude proven and probable mineral reserves. |
| ● | The Point of Reference for the Batman and Quigleys deposits is in situ at the property. The Point of Reference for the Heap Leach is the physical Heap Leach pad at the property. |
| ● | Batman and Quigleys resources are quoted at a 0.40g-Au/t cut-off grade. Heap Leach mineral resources are the average grade of the heap, no cut-off applied. |
| ● | Batman: Mineral resources constrained within a US$1,300/oz gold WhittleTM pit shell. Pit parameters: Mining Cost US$1.50/tonne, Milling Cost US$7.80/tonne processed, G&A Cost US$0.46/tonne processed, G&A/Year US$8,201, Au Recovery, Sulfide 85%, Transition 80%, Oxide 80%, 0.2g-Au/t minimum for resource shell. |
| ● | Quigleys: Mineral resources constrained within a US$1,300/oz gold WhittleTM pit shell. Pit parameters: Mining cost US$1.90/tonne, Processing Cost US$9.779/tonne processed, Royalty 1% GPR, Gold Recovery Sulfide 82.0% and Ox/Trans 78.0%, water treatment US$0.09/tonne, Tailings US$0.985/tonne. |
| ● | Differences in the table due to rounding are not considered material. Differences between Batman and Quigleys mining and metallurgical parameters are due to their individual geologic and engineering characteristics. |
| ● | Rex Bryan of Tetra Tech, Inc. is the QP (as defined below) responsible for the Statement of Mineral Resources for the Batman, Heap Leach Pad and Quigleys deposits. |
15
| ● | Thomas Dyer of RESPEC is the QP responsible for developing the resource WhittleTM pit shell for the Batman Deposit. |
| ● | The effective date of the Batman Deposit, Heap Leach Pad, and Quigleys Deposit mineral resources estimates under the requirements of SK-1300 is December 31, 2023. There have been no changes in the mineral resource estimates since December 31, 2022 because upon review, the Company and the relevant qualified persons determined that the same material assumptions and estimates, including all economic parameters for resource estimation purposes, continued to apply as of December 31, 2023. |
| ● | The effective date of the Batman Deposit, Heap Leach Pad, and Quigleys Deposit mineral resource estimates under the requirements of NI 43-101 is December 31, 2023. |
| ● | Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves have no demonstrated economic viability and do not meet all relevant modifying factors. |
Mt Todd Gold Project – Summary of Gold Mineral Reserves
Based on 50,000 tpd, 0.35 g Au/t cut-off and $1,500 per Ounce Pit Design
Batman Deposit | Heap Leach Pad | Total |
| ||||||||||||||||
|
|
| Contained |
|
| Contained |
|
| Contained |
| |||||||||
| Tonnes |
| Grade |
| Ounces |
| Tonnes |
| Grade |
| Ounces |
| Tonnes |
| Grade |
| Ounces |
| |
(000s) | (g Au/t) | (000s) | (000s) | (g Au/t) | (000s) | (000s) | (g Au/t) | (000s) |
| ||||||||||
Proven |
| 81,277 |
| 0.84 |
| 2,192 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 81,277 |
| 0.84 |
| 2,192 | |
Probable |
| 185,744 |
| 0.76 |
| 4,555 |
| 13,354 |
| 0.54 |
| 232 |
| 199,098 |
| 0.75 |
| 4,787 | |
Proven & Probable |
| 267,021 |
| 0.79 |
| 6,747 |
| 13,354 |
| 0.54 |
| 232 |
| 280,375 |
| 0.77 |
| 6,979 | |
Economic analysis conducted only on proven and probable mineral reserves.
Notes:
| ● | Thomas L. Dyer, P.E., is the QP responsible for reporting the Batman Deposit Proven and Probable mineral reserves. |
| ● | Batman pit optimization and design are based on a gold price of US$1,500 per ounce of gold with an elevated cutoff grade of 0.35 g Au/t. |
| ● | Batman deposit Proven and Probable mineral reserves are reported with a Net Smelter Return (NSR) royalty based on a gold price of $1,800 per ounce of gold. Deepak Malhotra is the QP responsible for reporting the heap-leach pad mineral reserves. |
| ● | Because all the heap-leach pad reserves are to be fed through the mill, these reserves are reported without a cutoff grade applied. |
| ● | The mineral reserves point of reference is the point where material is fed into the mill. |
| ● | The effective date of the mineral reserve estimates under the requirements of S-K 1300 is December 31, 2023. There have been no changes in the mineral reserve estimates since December 31, 2022 because the Company and the relevant qualified persons determined that the same material assumptions and criteria continued to apply as of December 31, 2023, including that the Company used a cutoff grade higher than the economic cutoff grade such that any intervening changes in the underlying economic assumptions were not material and did not require use of a cutoff grade greater than 0.35 g Au/t for mineral reserve estimation purposes. |
| ● | The effective date of the mineral reserve estimates under the requirements of NI 43-101 is December 31, 2023. |
Cautionary note to investors: Proven and probable mineral reserves are estimated in accordance with each of S-K 1300 and CIM Definition Standards. A number of risk factors may adversely affect estimated mineral reserves and mineral resources, any of which may result in a reduction or elimination of reported mineral reserves and mineral resources. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company’s Form 10-K as filed with the SEC on March 14, 2024.
Results from Operations
Summary
Cash totaled $18,954 and working capital was $18,083 at September 30, 2024. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources”. The Company had no debt as of September 30, 2024.
Consolidated net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was $1,638 and $1,454, or $0.01 and $0.01 per basic share, respectively. Consolidated net income (loss) for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was $12,922 and ($4,928), or $0.11 and ($0.04) per basic share, respectively. The principal components of the period-over-period changes are discussed below.
16
Operating income and expenses
Gain on Grant of Royalty Interest in Mineral Titles
The Company recognized a gain on grant of royalty interest in mineral titles of $16,909 in June 2024. The gain comprises the previously deferred gain on instalment payments totaling $10,000 and the gain on $10,000 received for the final instalment, net of the associated mineral property carrying value of $3,091 as of the date the final instalment was received.
Exploration, property evaluation and holding costs
Exploration, property evaluation and holding costs were $1,099 and $848 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively; and $2,509 and $2,334 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase in 2024 for the comparable three-month and nine-month periods was primarily attributable to expenses related to the 2024 drilling program that did not qualify as development drilling and greater focus by corporate personnel on site-related projects.
Corporate administration
Corporate administration costs were $720 and $666 during the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively; and $2,726 and $2,712 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase in 2024 for the comparable three-month periods was partially due to personnel costs being higher by $67. The total expenses in the comparable nine-month periods were substantially unchanged.
Gain on sale of plant and equipment
In March 2024, the Company recorded a gain of $802 upon sale of certain components of our used mill equipment. Gross proceeds totaled $900 and were offset by selling expense of $98.
Non-operating income and expenses
Interest income
Interest income was $230 and $68 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively; and $496 and $207 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increases in the 2024 periods were due to higher average cash balances, which resulted primarily from the proceeds received under the Royalty Agreement (as defined below).
Financial Position, Liquidity and Capital Resources
Operating activities
Net cash used in operating activities was $3,808 and $4,090 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The decrease in operating cash outflows largely resulted from net changes in working capital components and capitalization of direct labor costs associated with the development drilling program that were recognized as investing activities.
Investing activities
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities was $16,139 and ($43) for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Company received the second instalment payment of $7,000 and final instalment payment of $10,000 under the Royalty Agreement and $802 for the sale of certain used mill equipment, net of selling costs, in the 2024 period. These inflows were partially offset by expenditures for capitalized development drilling costs of $1,503.
17
Financing activities
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, net cash of $554 and $871, respectively, was provided by financing activities. Cash provided by financing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $639 of net proceeds under the ATM Program (as defined below) offset by payments of $85 for employee withholding tax obligations in lieu of issuing common shares of the Company (“Common Shares”) earned from the vesting of restricted share unit awards. Cash provided by financing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was $1,013 of net proceeds under the ATM Program offset by payments of $142 for employee withholding tax obligations in lieu of issuing Common Shares earned from the vesting of restricted share unit awards.
Liquidity and capital resources
The Company considers available cash, cash equivalents, and any short-term investments to be its primary measure of liquidity. Our cash liquidity position as of September 30, 2024, comprising cash and cash equivalents of $18,954, reflected a net increase of $12,885 during the nine months ended September 30, 2024.
Current assets, net of current liabilities (“Working Capital”), is a secondary measure of liquidity for the Company. The Company had Working Capital of $18,083 and $5,576 at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company’s primary sources of cash inflows were: $17,000 from its grant of the Royalty on Mt Todd; $802 upon sale of a portion of its used mill equipment; $639 from equity financings, and $496 from interest income. As of September 30, 2024, Vista has received the entire $20,000 as set forth in the Royalty Agreement. Cash received from Wheaton is only for the purposes of advancing Mt Todd and general corporate purposes. These sources of cash were offset by net operating cash outflows of $3,808 and other expenditures of $1,748. Recurring costs for corporate administration and Mt Todd maintenance were most of the Company’s net operating cash outflows during the nine months ended September 30, 2024. Of the other expenditures, $1,503 related to Vista’s development drilling program at Mt Todd. Additional details regarding 2024 financial results are presented in the “Results from Operations” section above and the preceding discussions in this section regarding operating activities, investing activities, and financing activities.
For the ensuing 12 months following September 30, 2024, the Company estimates net recurring costs will be approximately $6,400, plus $4,200 relates to work plans at Mt Todd for the finalization of a 6,000-7,000-meter drilling program; purchase of equipment for a water evaporation system; various technical studies, and several planned maintenance projects. Management expects to fund Vista’s activities during the next twelve months from existing Working Capital and interest income.
In addition to Vista’s existing capital resources, we are a party to an at-the-market offering agreement (the “ATM Agreement”) with H. C. Wainwright & Co., LLC (“Wainwright”) to provide balance sheet flexibility at a potentially lower cost than other means of equity issuances. Under the ATM Agreement, the Company can, but is not obligated to, issue and sell Common Shares through Wainwright for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $10,000 (the “ATM Program”). During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company issued 1,018,564 Common Shares under the ATM Program for net proceeds of $639. As of September 30, 2024, $8,042 remained available under the ATM Program.
Offers and sales of Common Shares under the ATM Program were and will be made only in the United States in an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415 under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to an effective registration statement under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and no offers or sales of Common Shares under the ATM Agreement will be made in Canada. The Common Shares were and will be distributed at market prices prevailing at the time of sale.
Other potential sources of cash inflows may include other equity issuances not covered by the ATM Program, monetization of Vista’s remaining non-core assets, which include a royalty interest on a property in the U.S., another royalty interest on a property in Canada, and used mill equipment that is being marketed by a third-party mining equipment dealer.
We believe our Working Capital as of September 30, 2024, together with interest income, other potential future sources of
18
financing and sales of non-core assets, will be sufficient to fund our currently planned corporate expenses, Mt Todd holding costs, and anticipated discretionary programs for at least one year from the date of issuance of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.
Vista’s long-term viability depends upon our ability to realize value from our principal asset, Mt Todd. We seek to maintain adequate liquidity and minimize dilution as we advance our primary objective to maximize returns to our shareholders by preserving, enhancing, and realizing value from Mt Todd. Our funding strategy is to maintain a low expenditure profile, realize value from our remaining non-core assets and, when considered appropriate, issue additional equity or find other means of financing. Vista also considers possible corporate opportunities as a means to enhance our liquidity. The underlying value and recoverability of the amounts shown as mineral properties and plant and equipment as presented in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets depend on market and industry conditions, our ability to attract sufficient capital resources to execute our strategy, and the ultimate success of our programs to enhance and realize value at Mt Todd.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements.
Contractual Obligations
We have no material contractual obligations as of September 30, 2024.
Critical Accounting Policies
See "Critical Accounting Estimates and Recent Accounting Pronouncements" under Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 as filed with the SEC.
Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures
In this report, we have provided information prepared or calculated according to U.S. GAAP, as well as provided certain non-U.S. GAAP prospective financial performance measures. Because the non-U.S. GAAP performance measures do not have standardized meanings prescribed by U.S. GAAP, they may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. These measures should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for measures of performance prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. There are limitations associated with the use of such non-U.S. GAAP measures. Since these measures do not incorporate revenues, changes in working capital and non-operating cash costs, they are not necessarily indicative of potential operating profit or loss, or cash flow from operations as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
The non-U.S. GAAP measures associated with cash costs, cash costs per ounce, and initial capital requirements per payable ounce of gold metrics are not, and are not intended to be, presentations in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These metrics represent costs and unit-cost measures related to the Project.
We believe that these metrics help investors understand the economics of the Project. We present the non-U.S. GAAP financial measures for our Project in the tables below. Actual U.S. GAAP results may vary from the amounts disclosed in this report. Other companies may calculate these measures differently.
Cash Costs, Initial Capital Requirements per Payable Ounce of Gold, and Respective Unit Cost Measures
Cash costs, cash costs per ounce, and initial capital requirements per payable ounce of gold, are non-U.S. GAAP metrics developed by the World Gold Council to provide transparency into the costs associated with producing gold and provide a standard for comparison across the industry. The Company reports cash costs on a per ounce basis because we believe this metric appropriately reflects the direct mining costs associated with gold production over the life of mine. The Company reports initial capital cost requirements per payable ounce of gold because this metric provides a standard measurement of initial capital efficiency. Similar metrics are widely used in the gold mining industry as comparative benchmarks of performance.
19
Cash costs consist of Project operating costs, refining costs, and the Jawoyn Association royalty and Wheaton Royalty. The sum of these costs is divided by the corresponding payable gold ounces to determine cash cost per ounce.
Other costs excluded from cash costs include depreciation and amortization, income taxes, government royalties, financing charges, costs related to business combinations, asset acquisitions, and asset dispositions.
Initial capital requirements per payable ounce of gold consist of total initial capital requirements divided by the corresponding payable gold ounces.
The following tables demonstrate the calculation of cash costs, cash costs per ounce, and initial capital requirements per payable ounce metrics for amounts presented in this report.
Units | Life of Mine (16 years) | |
Payable gold | koz | 6,313 |
Operating costs | US$ millions | $5,420 |
Refining cost | US$ millions | $23 |
Royalties | US$ millions | $324 |
Cash costs | US$ millions | $5,767 |
Cash cost per ounce | US$/oz | $913 |
Initial capital requirements | US$ millions | $1,030 |
Initial capital requirements per payable ounce of gold | US$/oz | $163 |
Project Updates
Mt Todd Gold Project, Northern Territory, Australia
Recent Developments
The Company announced the results of updated SK-1300 and NI 43-101 feasibility studies in March and April 2024, respectively. The updated feasibility studies reflect changes in project economics since the feasibility study report filed in February 2022. Material capital and operating cost components have been updated with quotes obtained during the first quarter of 2024. The studies reflect the current outlook for the long-term gold price and foreign exchange rates, and the Wheaton Royalty. Mt Todd mineral resources and mineral reserves, mine plans, gold recoveries, and gold production schedules remain unchanged. The technical data and economic conclusions of the NI 43-101 report are materially identical to the results of the S-K 1300 report, with differences in the formatting of the reports and details of certain assumptions resulting only from the respective disclosure requirements of NI 43-101 and S-K 1300.
In December 2023, the Company announced a royalty agreement with Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. (the “Royalty Agreement” and “Wheaton”) whereby Vista granted a 1% gross revenue royalty, subject to adjustment, on future gold production from Mt Todd to Wheaton in exchange for cash payments totaling $20 million (the “Royalty”). As of June 30, 2024, the entire $20 million had been received by Vista.
The Company undertook a drilling program earlier this year as a precursor to beginning a feasibility study for an alternate development plan. This program is nearing completion of the planned 6,000-7,000 meter program. To date, this drilling program has successfully confirmed the extension of the core zone and the mineralized boundaries in the northern section of the Batman deposit and identified multiple high-grade intercepts in the South Cross Lode zone, a narrower mineralized structure that intersects the Batman deposit and extends up to 400 meters northeast.
20
Vista expects to incur expenditures of approximately $2,500 for its Mt Todd site management and environmental stewardship activities and $4,200 for discretionary programs for the ensuing 12 months following September 30, 2024, most of which relates to the 2024 drilling program.
The Northern Territory’s Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (“AAPA”) is investigating the potential surface impacts of drilling undertaken by Vista from 2020 through 2022. The Company is cooperating with the AAPA.
All scientific and technical information herein has been reviewed and approved by Maria Vallejo Garcia, Vista’s Director of Projects and Technical Services, and designated Qualified Person (or “QP”) as defined by S-K 1300 and NI 43-101.
Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
Vista believes it is possible the Company may be classified as a “passive foreign investment company” (“PFIC”) as defined under Section 1297 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, in recent years and expects to continue to be a PFIC in the future. Current and prospective United States shareholders should consult their tax advisors as to the tax consequences of PFIC classification and the U.S. federal tax treatment of PFICs. Additional information on this matter is included in Vista’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, under “Part II. Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities — Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations for U.S. Residents.”
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and forward-looking information under Canadian securities laws that are intended to be covered by the safe harbor created by such legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian securities commissions and in press releases and public statements by our officers or representatives that address activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements and forward-looking information, including, but not limited to, such things as those listed below.
Operations
| ● | Our belief that Mt Todd is a shovel-ready development-stage gold that offers significant scale, development optionality, growth opportunities, advanced local infrastructure, community support, and demonstrated economic feasibility; |
| ● | our belief the Mt Todd can be positioned as a leading development opportunity within the gold sector; |
| ● | our expectation that continued strength in the gold price and belief that shovel-ready projects like Mt Todd are especially attractive development opportunities in the current environment of a strong gold market, diminishing major deposit discoveries, and depleting gold reserves; |
| ● | our belief that Mt Todd offers strategic optionality through development as a large or mid-scale project and has all major operating and environmental permits necessary to initiate development; |
| ● | our belief that the feasibility study updated in 2024 demonstrates strong economics for development of a 50,000 tpd operation; |
| ● | our belief that there is an opportunity to add gold mineral resources beyond presently defined mineral reserves through further exploration; |
| ● | our belief that the Project has high capital efficiency; |
| ● | our belief that using contract mining and power generation and construction practices commonly used in Australia could create an opportunity to maintain high capital efficiency at a smaller initial project scale; |
21
| ● | our belief that a project at the scale of the internal scoping study could reduce financing, development, and operating risks; |
| ● | our anticipation of moving forward with a feasibility study targeting throughput in the range of 12-17 ktpd (4-6 mtpa), with 150,000 to 200,000 ounces (150-200 “koz”) of annual gold production, an initial capital cost of less than $400 million, and a mineral reserve grade of approximately 1 gram gold per tonne; |
| ● | our belief that the updated feasibility study will leverage prior technical studies and the work completed for the 50 ktpd feasibility study, preserve the potential for future expansion, and demonstrate the opportunity for Mt Todd to deliver substantial economic returns in a range of development scenarios; |
| ● | our expectation that a decision to commence the feasibility study would happen prior to the end of the year; |
| ● | our belief that the drilling program has successfully confirmed the extension of the core zone and the mineralized boundaries in the northern section of the Batman deposit and identified multiple high-grade intercepts in the South Cross Lode zone, a narrower mineralized structure that intersects the Batman deposit and extends up to 400 meters northeast; |
| ● | our belief that exploration at Mt Todd has identified additional growth targets immediately outside the Batman deposit; |
| ● | our estimates of future operating and financial performance; |
| ● | our belief that the 3.5% ad valorem royalty regime applied to gold production from Mt Todd represents a nearly 50% reduction in payable royalties and results in improved project economics and shareholder returns when compared to our 2024 updated Mt Todd FS, which included NT royalties equivalent to nearly a 7% ad valorum rate. Our belief that under the previous net profits royalty regime, our base case economic analysis at an $1,800 gold price estimated the payment of $765 million in NT royalties over the life of the mine; |
| ● | our belief that the 6,000-7,000 meter Mt Todd drilling program is expected to have an all-in cost of approximately $2,000 and is nearing completion; |
| ● | our belief our working capital as of September 30, 2024, together with interest income, other potential future sources of financing and sales of non-core assets, will be sufficient to fund our currently planned corporate expenses, Mt Todd holding costs, and anticipated discretionary programs for at least one year from the date of issuance of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q; |
| ● | our estimate that the outcome of the Mexico tax matter cannot be reasonably estimated at this time, and our estimate that the effect of the court ruling creates a potential income tax liability of up to approximately $2,000 plus assessable interest and penalties of up to an additional $1,500; |
| ● | our belief that Vista’s long-term viability depends upon our ability to realize value from our principal asset, Mt Todd; |
| ● | our objective to maintain adequate liquidity and minimize dilution as we advance our primary objective to maximize returns to our shareholders by preserving, enhancing, and realizing value from Mt Todd; |
| ● | our estimate that recurring costs will be approximately $6,400 in the ensuing twelve months following September 30, 2024; |
| ● | our expectation that Vista will incur approximately $2,500 for its Mt Todd site management and environmental stewardship activities and $4,200 for discretionary programs for the ensuing 12 months following September 30, 2024; |
Business and Industry
| ● | our belief that it is possible the Company may be classified as PFIC for U.S. Federal tax purposes; |
| ● | the potential that we may grant stock-based compensation to our directors, officers, employees and consultants; and |
22
| ● | the potential that future expenditures may be required for compliance with various laws and regulations governing the protection of the environment and our interactions with community stakeholders, among others. |
Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information have been based upon a number of estimates and assumptions including material estimates and assumptions related to our current business and operating plans, as approved by the Company’s Board of Directors; our cash and other funding requirements and timing and sources thereof; results of pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates, preliminary economic assessments and exploration activities; advancements of the Company’s required permitting processes; our experience working with regulators; current market conditions and project development plans. The words “estimate,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “intend,” “believe,” “will,” “may” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements and forward-looking information.
These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. These factors include risks such as:
Operating Risks
| ● | feasibility study results and the accuracy of estimates and assumptions on which they are based; |
| ● | mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates, the accuracy of such estimates and the accuracy of sampling and subsequent assays and geologic interpretations on which they are based; |
| ● | technical and operational feasibility and the economic viability of deposits; |
| ● | our ability to raise sufficient capital on favorable terms or at all to meet the substantial capital investment at Mt Todd; |
| ● | our ability to obtain, renew or maintain the necessary licenses, authorizations and permits for Mt Todd, including its development plans and operating activities; |
| ● | market conditions supporting a decision to develop Mt Todd; |
| ● | delays in commencement of construction at Mt Todd; |
| ● | our reliance on third-party power generation for the construction and operation of Mt Todd; |
| ● | increased costs that affect our operations or our financial condition; |
| ● | delays or disruptions in supply chains; |
| ● | our reliance on third parties to fulfill their obligations under agreements with us; |
| ● | whether projects not managed by us will comply with our standards or meet our objectives; |
| ● | whether our acquisition, exploration and development activities, as well as the realization of the market value of our assets, will be commercially successful and whether any transactions we enter into will maximize the realization of the market value of our assets; |
| ● | the success of any future joint ventures, partnerships and other arrangements relating to our properties; |
| ● | perception of the potential environmental impact of Mt Todd; |
| ● | known and unknown environmental and reclamation liabilities, including reclamation requirements at Mt Todd; |
| ● | impacts of noncompliance with applicable laws, regulations, and standards for operating; |
| ● | potential challenges to the title to our mineral properties; |
| ● | events or changes in conditions may affect land use authorizations; |
| ● | opposition to construction or operation of Mt Todd; |
23
| ● | future water supply issues at Mt Todd; |
| ● | litigation or other legal claims; |
| ● | environmental lawsuits; |
Financial and Business Risks
| ● | fluctuations in the price of gold; |
| ● | inflation and cost escalation; |
| ● | lack of adequate insurance to cover potential liabilities; |
| ● | the lack of cash dividend payments by us; |
| ● | our history of losses from operations; |
| ● | our ability to attract, retain and hire key personnel; |
| ● | volatility in our stock price and gold equities generally; |
| ● | our ability to obtain a development partner or other means of financing for Mt Todd on favorable terms, if at all; |
| ● | our ability to raise additional capital or raise funds from the sale of non-core assets on favorable terms, if at all; |
| ● | general economic conditions adverse to Mt Todd development or operation; |
| ● | the potential acquisition of a control position in the Company for less than fair value as a result of industry consolidation or otherwise; |
| ● | lack of success in our efforts to find an acceptable partner, external financing or other acceptable alternatives to move forward with development of Mt Todd; |
| ● | evolving corporate governance and public disclosure regulations; |
| ● | intense competition in the mining industry; |
| ● | tax legislation, rulings, assessments, initiatives, or changes resulting therefrom on domestic and international levels; |
| ● | fluctuation in foreign currency values; |
| ● | our possible status as a PFIC for U.S. federal tax purposes; |
| ● | cybersecurity breaches that threaten or disrupt our information technology systems; |
| ● | anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws; |
| ● | potential conflicts of interest arising from certain of our directors and officers serving as directors and officers of other companies in the natural resources sector; |
Industry Risks
| ● | inherent hazards of mining exploration, development, and operating activities; |
| ● | a shortage of skilled labor, equipment, and supplies; |
| ● | the accuracy of calculations of mineral reserves and mineral resources and mineralized material and fluctuations therein based on metal prices, estimated costs, and inherent vulnerability of the ore and recoverability of metal in the mining process; |
| ● | changes in environmental regulations to which our exploration and development operations are subject could result in increased operating costs or our ability to operate at all; and |
24
| ● | changes in greenhouse gas emissions regulations and standards could result in increased operating costs or our ability to operate at all. |
For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information, please see the risk factors contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, under “Part I-Item 1A. Risk Factors”. Although we have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements and forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that these statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in the statements. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial may also materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, cash flows, and/or future results. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements and forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
At the end of the period covered by this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, an evaluation was carried out under the supervision of and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of the design and operations of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based on that evaluation, the CEO and the CFO have concluded that as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that: (i) information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit to the SEC under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in applicable rules and forms and (ii) material information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow for accurate and timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended September 30, 2024, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
Information regarding legal proceedings is contained in Note 8 of the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this report and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.
There have been no material changes from the risk factors set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 as filed with the SEC and Canadian securities regulatory authorities in March 2024. The risks described in our Annual Report and as otherwise herein are not the only risks facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial may also materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, cash flows, and/or future results.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.
None.
25
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.
None.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE.
We consider health, safety, and environmental stewardship to be a core value for us.
Pursuant to Section 1503(a) of the United States Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2011 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), issuers that are operators, or that have a subsidiary that is an operator, of a coal or other mine in the United States are required to disclose in their periodic reports filed with the SEC information regarding specified health and safety violations, orders and citations, related assessments and legal actions, and mining-related fatalities under the regulation of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (“MSHA”) under the United States Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (the “Mine Act”). During the three months ended September 30, 2024, we had no U.S. properties subject to regulation by the MSHA under the Mine Act and consequently no disclosure is required under Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION.
(a) None.
(b) None.
(c) During the quarter ended September 30, 2024, none of our directors or officers
26
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS.
The following exhibits are filed as part of this report:
Exhibit Number |
| Description |
3.01 | ||
3.02 | ||
3.03 | ||
23.1* | ||
23.2* | ||
23.3* | ||
23.4* | ||
31.1* | ||
31.2* | ||
32.1* | ||
32.2* | ||
101.INS(1) | XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. | |
101.SCH(1) | XBRL Taxonomy Extension – Schema | |
101.CAL(1) | XBRL Taxonomy Extension – Calculations | |
101.DEF(1) | XBRL Taxonomy Extension – Definitions | |
101.LAB(1) | XBRL Taxonomy Extension – Labels | |
101.PRE(1) | XBRL Taxonomy Extension – Presentations | |
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File––the cover page interactive data file does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. |
* - Filed herewith
| (1) | Submitted electronically herewith. Attached as Exhibit 101 to this report are the following formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, and (iv) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. |
27
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| VISTA GOLD CORP. (Registrant) | |
Dated: October 23, 2024 | By: | /s/ Frederick H. Earnest |
| Frederick H. Earnest, | |
| Chief Executive Officer | |
Dated: October 23, 2024 | By: | /s/ Douglas L. Tobler |
| Douglas L. Tobler | |
| Chief Financial Officer | |
28