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Significant Accounting Policies and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP) | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2011
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure And Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Significant Accounting Policies and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP) | 2. Significant Accounting Policies and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”) Principles of Consolidation The consolidated interim financial statements of Vista consolidate the accounts of entities in which we have a controlling financial interest under the voting control model. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements. Our subsidiaries and percentage ownership in these entities are:
| Ownership
Vista Gold U.S., Inc. and its subsidiary | 100%
Vista California, LLC | 100%
Granges Inc. | 100%
Desarrollas Zapal Holding Corp. and its subsidiaries | 100%
Desarrollas Zapal S.A. de C.V. (1% owned by Granges Inc.) and its subsidiaries | 99%
Servicios Administrativos MPA S.A. de C.V. (1% owned by Granges Inc.) | 99%
Servicios Industriales MPA S.A. de C.V. (1% owned by Granges Inc.) | 99%
Vista Gold (Barbados) Corp. and its wholly-owned subsidiary | 100%
Salu Siwa Pty. Ltd and its subsidiary | 100%
PT Masmindo Dwi (1% owned by Vista Gold (Barbados) Corp.) | 99%
Vista Minerals (Barbados) Corp. and its wholly-owned subsidiary | 100%
Vista Gold Australia Pty Ltd. | 100%
Minera Gold Stake Holdings Corp. (name changed from Vitliq Holdings Corp. effective January 23, 2012) | 100%
Minera Gold Stake S.A. de C.V. (name changed from Vitliq S.A. de C.V. effective January 23, 2012) (1% owned by Granges Inc.) | 99%
Basis of Presentation We have, from our inception until December 31, 2010, reported to securities regulators in both Canada and the U.S. using Canadian generally accepted accounting principles (“Canadian GAAP”) financial statements with reconciliation to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). However, a change in the position of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in late 2009 required Canadian companies, such as Vista, that do not qualify as foreign private issuers to file their financial statements in the U.S. using U.S. GAAP for periods beginning after December 31, 2010. Therefore, we have retrospectively adopted U.S. GAAP effective January 1, 2011 for all U.S. and Canadian filings. Canadian securities regulators announced that they will continue to accept financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. A comparison of our December 31, 2011 and 2010 balance sheets in U.S. GAAP to our balance sheet at December 31, 2010 as reported in Canadian GAAP is as follows:
|  | U.S. GAAP December 31, 2011 |  |  | U.S. GAAP December 31, 2010 |  |  | Canadian GAAP December 31, 2010 |
Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents |  | $ | 17,873 |  |  | $ | 39,838 |  |  | $ | 39,838 |
Mineral properties (1) |  |  | 16,517 |  |  |  | 16,622 |  |  |  | 54,195 |
Other assets |  |  | 146,213 |  |  |  | 26,512 |  |  |  | 26,409 |
Total assets |  | $ | 180,603 |  |  | $ | 82,972 |  |  | $ | 120,442 |
Liabilities |  | $ | 39,380 |  |  | $ | 24,630 |  |  | $ | 24,135 |
Shareholders' equity (1) |  |  | 141,223 |  |  |  | 58,342 |  |  |  | 96,307 |
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity |  | $ | 180,603 |  |  | $ | 82,972 |  |  | $ | 120,442 |
Note:
| (1) | The decrease in mineral properties and increase in the shareholders' equity during exploration stage is due to the conversion to U.S. GAAP from Canadian GAAP. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, our property acquisition costs, including directly related acquisition costs, are capitalized when incurred, and mineral property exploration costs are expensed as incurred. Under Canadian GAAP, however, both acquisition costs and exploration expenditures had been capitalized when incurred.
Use of Estimates The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant areas requiring the use of estimates include capital costs of projects, mine closure and reclamation obligations, useful lives for asset depreciation purposes, impairment of mineral properties, deferred income taxes, valuation of investments and the calculation of stock-based compensation. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, demand balances held with banks and certificates of deposit all with maturities of three months or less when purchased. Marketable Securities We classify marketable securities as available-for-sale. Accordingly, these securities are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses being reported in other comprehensive income until such time that the securities are disposed of or become impaired. At that time, any gains or losses will then be realized and reported in our Consolidated Statement of Income/(Loss). We use the specific identification method for determining carrying value in computing realized gains and losses on sales of investment securities. We evaluate investments in a loss position to determine if such a loss is other-than-temporary. If so, such loss will be recognized and reported during that period. Mineral Properties Mineral property acquisition costs, including directly related acquisition costs, are capitalized when incurred, and mineral property exploration costs are expensed as incurred. When we determine that a mineral property can be economically developed in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the costs then incurred to develop such property are capitalized. When ore reserves associated with the projects can be determined, capitalized costs will be depleted using the units-of-production method over the estimated life of the proven and probable reserves. If mineral properties are subsequently abandoned or impaired, any capitalized costs will be charged to loss in that period. We assess the carrying cost of our mineral properties for impairment whenever information or circumstances indicate the potential for impairment. Such evaluations compare estimated future net cash flows with our carrying costs and future obligations on an undiscounted basis. If it is determined that the future undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of the property, a write down to the estimated fair value is charged to loss for the period. Where estimates of future net cash flows are not available and where other conditions suggest impairment, management assesses if the carrying value can be recovered. Plant and Equipment Plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, ranging primarily from three to ten years. Significant expenditures that increase the life of an asset, including interest capitalized on expenditures on qualifying assets, are capitalized and depreciated over the remaining estimated useful life of the asset. Upon sale or retirement of assets, the costs and related accumulated depreciation or amortization are eliminated from the respective accounts and any resulting gains or losses are reflected in operations. Asset Retirement Obligation and Closure Costs The fair value of a liability for our legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets is recognized in the period in which it is incurred. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset unless the asset has been previously written off, in which case the amount is expensed. The liability will be adjusted for changes in the expected amounts and timing of cash flows required to discharge the liability and accreted to the full value over time through periodic charges to income. Warrants Warrants and compensation options issued are recorded at fair value. Stock-Based Compensation We record compensation expense on the granting of all stock-based compensation awards, including stock options grants, restricted stock units grants and restricted stock awards grants, calculated using the fair-value method. We use the Hull-White Trinomial method of determining the fair value of the stock option on the date of the grant. When an option is granted, the fair value of the immediately vested portion is expensed and included within the stock-based compensation balance within shareholders' equity. As to the options vesting, the fair value is amortized using the straight-line method over the vesting period and expensed on a monthly basis. When an option is exercised, the grant-date fair value of the options is transferred to common stock. When options are cancelled, the vested fair-value balance of the stock options is transferred to additional paid-in capital. When stock options are forfeited prior to becoming fully vested, any expense previously recorded is reversed through income. When options expire, the related fair value is transferred to additional paid-in capital. We use the fair-value method of determining the fair value of restricted stock units and restricted stock awards on the date of grant. The fair value is amortized using the straight-line method over the vesting period and expensed on a monthly basis. Certain restricted stock units vest upon the achievement of specified performance and market criterion, but not to be less than one year. On a quarterly basis, management, using the best information available through that time, assesses the probability of achieving those performance and market milestones in determining the appropriate vesting period for the purpose of recording the expense associated with those restricted stock units. On the date of vesting, the grant-date fair value of the restricted stock units or restricted stock awards is transferred to common stock. When restricted stock units or restricted stock awards are forfeited prior to vesting, any expense previously recorded is reversed through income. Foreign Currency Exchange Gains or Losses Our functional currency is the U.S. dollar. All of our foreign subsidiaries are direct and integral components of Vista and are dependent upon the economic environment of our functional currency. Therefore, the functional currency of our foreign entities is considered to be the U.S. dollar in accordance with the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 830, “Foreign Currency Matters,” and accordingly, translation gains and losses are reported in the loss for that period. Assets and liabilities of these foreign operations are translated using period-end exchange rates and revenues and expenses are translated using average exchange rates during each period. Income Taxes We provide for income taxes using the liability method of tax allocation. Under this method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on deductible or taxable temporary differences between financial statement values and tax values of assets and liabilities using enacted income tax rates expected to be in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred tax is measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the asset is realized or the liability is settled, based on tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date. Deferred tax is recognized as income or an expense and included in the profit or loss for the period, except when it arises from a transaction that is recognized directly in equity, in which case the deferred tax is also recognized directly in equity, or when it arises from a business combination that is an acquisition, in which case the deferred tax is included in the resulting goodwill or the amount of any excess of the acquirer's interest in the net fair value of the acquiree's identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities over the cost of the combination. We establish a valuation allowance against the future income tax assets if, based on available information, it is more likely than not that all of the assets will not be realized. Uncertainty in Income Tax Positions The Company recognizes tax benefits from uncertain tax positions only if it is at least more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement with the taxing authorities. The Company records the related interest expense and penalties, if any, as tax expense in the tax provision. Net Income/(Loss) Per Share Basic income/(loss) per share amounts are calculated by using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted income/(loss) per share amounts reflect the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts that may require the issuance of common shares in the future were converted unless their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. Subsequent Events We have evaluated events, if any, which occurred subsequent to December 31, 2011 to ensure that such events have been properly reflected in these consolidated financial statements. Recent Accounting Pronouncements Business Combinations In December 2010, ASC guidance for business combinations was updated to clarify existing guidance that requires a public entity to disclose pro forma revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combination(s) that occurred during the current year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual period only. The update also expands the supplemental pro forma disclosures required to include a description of the nature and amount of material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments directly attributable to the business combination included in the reported pro forma revenue and earnings. The updated guidance became effective for our fiscal year that began on January 1, 2011. Adoption of this guidance had minimal impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Fair Value Accounting In January 2010, the ASC guidance for fair-value measurements and disclosures was updated to require enhanced detail in the Level 3 reconciliation, which includes financial instruments valued using management's judgment and estimations. The updated guidance became effective for our fiscal year that began on January 1, 2011. Adoption of this guidance had minimal impact on our consolidated financial statements for year ended December 31, 2011. In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued additional guidance to provide a consistent definition of fair value and to ensure that the fair value measurement and disclosure requirements are similar between U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. The guidance changes certain fair value measurement principles and enhances the disclosure requirements particularly for Level 3 fair value measurements. The guidance is effective for us in 2012 and should be applied prospectively. We do not believe the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. Presentation of Comprehensive Income In June 2011, the FASB issued guidance that requires an entity to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement has been eliminated. This guidance is effective for us in the first quarter of 2012 and should be applied prospectively. Our presentation of comprehensive income already complies with this new guidance.

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- Definition The entire disclosure for the organization, consolidation and basis of presentation of financial statements disclosure, and significant accounting policies of the reporting entity. May be provided in more than one note to the financial statements, as long as users are provided with an understanding of (1) the significant judgments and assumptions made by an enterprise in determining whether it must consolidate a VIE and/or disclose information about its involvement with a VIE, (2) the nature of restrictions on a consolidated VIE's assets reported by an enterprise in its statement of financial position, including the carrying amounts of such assets, (3) the nature of, and changes in, the risks associated with an enterprise's involvement with the VIE, and (4) how an enterprise's involvement with the VIE affects the enterprise's financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. Describes procedure if disclosures are provided in more than one note to the financial statements. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 22 -Paragraph 8 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Name Statement of Position (SOP) -Publisher AICPA -Number 94-6 -Paragraph 10 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Name FASB Interpretation (FIN) -Publisher FASB -Number 46R -Paragraph 4, 14, 15 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. + Details
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