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Subsequent Events | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2011
Subsequent Events [Abstract] |
Subsequent Events | 22. Subsequent Events
| · | On January 1, 2012, we granted 300,000 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to certain employees. The terms of the restricted stock units agreement provide that the vesting period for the RSUs is at least one year and that the RSUs will vest when the average adjusted value of our Common Shares (or shares plus dividends or distribution value) measured over any consecutive 30-day period is two times the closing trading price of the Common Shares as listed on the New York Stock Exchange American Exchange (“NYSE AMEX”) on November 2, 2011 of $3.78 per share. The adjusted value is the closing trading price of the Common Shares as listed on the NYSE AMEX (on any given day) divided by one (1) plus the percentage change (increase/decrease) from date the RSUs were granted to the current date of the average of the AMEX Gold Basket of Unhedged Gold Stocks Index (“HUI”) and the Philadelphia Gold and Silver Sector Index (“XAU”). In the event the share-price vesting provision is met prior to the end of one year, the RSUs will vest at the end of one year regardless of the share price at that time.
| · | On January 3, 2012, we announced that effective January 1, 2012, Frederick H. Earnest, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Corporation was appointed to the role of Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Earnest's new title is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. Mr. Earnest's appointment follows the retirement of Michael B. Richings as Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. Mr. Richings will continue to be actively involved with Vista in his role as a director and the Chairman of the Corporation's Board of Directors.
| · | On February 3, 2012, Republic Gold Ltd. announced that it had suspended operations in Bolivia at the Amayapampa gold project pending regulatory and policy certainty specifically related to the nationalization of mining assets and the implications of the (draft) mining code. Republic Gold Ltd. stated that it will assess its options in Bolivia, which may include the sale of its assets. See “Item 8 – Consolidated Financial Statements – Note 3” for further discussion regarding Vista's interest in the Amayapampa project.
| · | On February 7, 2012, we announced that the Corporation had entered into an Earn-in Right Agreement (the “Earn-in Right Agreement”) with Mexico-based Invecture Group, S.A. de C.V. (“Invecture”) with respect to Vista's Concordia gold project in Baja California Sur, Mexico. Vista holds the Concordia gold project through its wholly-owned, Mexican subsidiary, Desarrollos Zapal, S.A. de C.V. (“DZ Mexico”). Under the terms of the Earn-in Right Agreement, Invecture made a non-refundable payment of $2,000 in exchange for the right to earn a 60% interest (subject to adjustment) in DZ Mexico (the “Earn-in Right”). The Earn-in Right will expire if not exercised by February 7, 2014, subject to extension in certain circumstances (the “Earn-in Period”). The Earn-in Right Agreement provides that during the Earn-in Period, Invecture will, at its sole expense, manage and operate the Concordia gold project and will undertake all commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the CUSF and the Authorization of Environmental Impact which are required to develop the project.
The Earn-in Right Agreement provides that the exercise of the earn-in right by Invecture is conditional upon, among other things: (i) receipt of the CUSF and the Authorization of Environmental Impact; (ii) the completion of a feasibility report on the Concordia gold project that updates the existing feasibility report with respect to costs; (iii) Invecture funding the Concordia gold project during the Earn-in Period; and (iv) Invecture making an additional payment of $20,000 to DZ Mexico, which amount will be used to repay intercompany loans owed by DZ Mexico to Vista. During the Earn-in Period and subject to the terms of the Earn-in Right Agreement, Vista holds 40% of the DZ Mexico shareholder voting rights. The remaining 60% of the DZ Mexico shareholder voting rights are held in a trust that will be instructed by representatives of Vista and Invecture. Upon Invecture's exercise of the Earn-in Right, Vista will continue to hold a 40% interest (subject to adjustment) in DZ Mexico and the Concordia gold project. As part of the Earn-in Right Agreement, DZ Mexico has transferred all of its other material assets, including the mill equipment acquired by Vista for the Concordia gold project in 2008 and the Guadalupe de los Reyes gold/silver project, to other entities in the Vista group of companies. Vista has granted Invecture the option to cause DZ Mexico to acquire the mill equipment for $16,000 plus storage, insurance and transportation costs and any applicable taxes. This option is exercisable by Invecture until February 7, 2013.
| · | On February 14, 2012, Midas Gold announced that it completed a private placement financing of a total of 9,085,000 special warrants at a price of C$4.45 ($4.45 based on the exchange rate on February 14, 2012) for aggregate proceeds of C$40,428 ($40,448 based on the exchange rate on February 14, 2012). Following completion of this private placement, Vista and Vista US together hold 31,802,615 Midas Gold Shares representing approximately 27.8% (basic) and 25.4% (fully diluted basis) of the issued and outstanding Midas Gold Shares. See “Item 8 – Consolidated Financial Statements – Note 7” for further discussion regarding Vista's investment in Midas Gold.

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- Definition The entire disclosure for significant events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date through the date the financial statements were issued or the date the financial statements were available to be issued. Examples include: the sale of a capital stock issue, purchase of a business, settlement of litigation, catastrophic loss, significant foreign exchange rate changes, loans to insiders or affiliates, and transactions not in the ordinary course of business. + References No definition available. + Details
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