Vista Gold Corp.(AMEX: VGZ) Toronto announced a net loss of $775,000, or $0.01 per share, for the three months ended June 30, 2000 as compared to a net loss of $4.5 million, or $0.05 per share, for the same period in 1999. The primary reason for the improvement and decrease in net losses was the discontinuance of operations at the Mineral Ridge Mine, which operated at a loss in 1999.
SUMMARY RESULTS
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30 June 30
2000 1999 2000 1999
Gold sales $1,217 $4,862 $2,615 $11,272
Net loss (775) (4,491) (917) (7,536)
Earnings (loss)
per share $(0.01) $(0.05) $(0.01) $(0.08)
Weighted average
shares outstanding 90,715,040 90,715,040 90,715,040 90,715,040
CONSOLIDATED PRODUCTION
(Ounces)
Hycroft mine gold
production 4,212 10,104 9,139 25,874
Mineral Ridge mine
gold production -- 7,908 -- 11,398
Total gold production 4,212 18,012 9,139 37,272
At the Hycroft mine, production (from ore previously mined and placed on the leach pads) is expected to be 12,000 ounces for year 2000. The Corporation has recently completed a feasibility study indicating favorable economics for restarting the Hycroft operation at a spot gold price of $300 per ounce. Vista is continuing to study other production models, which may support a restart of mining at prices below $300 per ounce.
Exploration activities at Hycroft are being directed towards the previously announced geochemical anomaly and have revealed a 2000-foot long silicified fault breccia in the foot-wall of the structure that defines the east margin of the Brimstone pit. The silicified breccia has been mapped with widths ranging from 20 to 120 feet. The zone has consistently anomalous gold and silver values, with gold ranging from .006 to .014 ounces per ton, and silver values ranging from one to five ounces per ton. Secondary oxidized silver values over 30 ounces per ton have been obtained from chip samples of five feet in width. The zone is a new target, which offers the opportunity to increase the current Brimstone oxide ore reserves.
In the immediate foot-wall of this silicified structure, chalcedonic veins and pyritic silicification have been sampled. Vein widths of up to three feet have been encountered with neighboring pyritic silicification reaching widths of five feet. Silver values of ten to 30 ounces per ton have been obtained in five-foot chip samples and while this zone has not yet been drilled by Vista, it indicates that higher grade, vein type mineralization is present on the Hycroft Property.
In light of the continued low gold prices, the Corporation has taken many steps to reduce the cost of its activities including significant reduction in holding costs. It is anticipated that the current cash position ($0.9 million, including unsold gold bullion), together with revenue from expected gold production and the effect of reduced expenditure levels will be sufficient to meet the Corporation's needs into 2001. The Corporation together with its financial advisor is examining a number of alternative corporate strategies. Vista also has contingency plans to dispose of surplus equipment, should it be necessary, which would provide an estimated additional one-year of funding at current expenditure levels.
The Corporation has relocated its executive office to 7961 Shaffer Parkway, Suite 5, Littleton, Colorado 80127. The new telephone number is (720) 981-1185 and the facsimile number is (720) 981-1186.
Vista Gold Corp. is an international gold mining, development and exploration company based in Denver, Colorado. Its holdings include the Hycroft mine in Nevada, a development project in Bolivia, and exploration projects in North and South America.
2000-08-31 13:15:34The statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements involving known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to vary materially from the targeted results. Such risks and uncertainties include those described in the Company's Form 10-K.
For further information, please contact Investor Relations at (720) 981-1185.
SOURCE: Vista Gold Corp.
Contact: Investor Relations of Vista Gold Corp., 720-981-1185
Website: http://www.vistagold.com/