Business
Vista Gold Corp. Announces Retirement of Michael B. Richings and Appointment of Frederick H. Earnest as Chief Executive Officer
DENVER, Jan. 3, 2012 /CNW/ - The Board of Directors of Vista Gold Corp. (TSX &...
About this update from Vista Gold Corp
[{"type":"text","content":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDENVER, Jan. 3, 2012 /CNW/ - The Board of Directors of Vista Gold Corp. (TSX & NYSE Amex Equities:  VGZ) (\"Vista\" or the \"Corporation\") is pleased to announce 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 will be 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. Mr. Richings will continue to be actively involved with Vista in his role as a director and the Chairman of the Board of Directors. \nMr. Richings, who returned to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation in 2004, leaves a legacy of creating shareholder value.  Following the acquisition of Vista's flagship Mt. Todd gold project in 2006, Mr. Richings conceived and led the transaction that resulted in the formation of Allied Nevada Gold Corp. (\"ANV\") and a significant distribution of value to the Corporation's shareholders in the form of ANV shares.  Mr. Richings was also integral to the recent contribution of the Corporation's Yellow Pine project to the recently formed Midas Gold Corp. (\"Midas\").  The current value of Vista's investment in Midas is approximately US$118 million.\nSucceeding Mr. Richings is Mr. Earnest, who is highly qualified for the role of Vista's Chief Executive Officer having worked closely with Mr. Richings and the Board of Directors for the past several years.  Since August 1, 2007, Mr. Earnest has served as Vista's President and Chief Operating Officer.  Mr. Earnest holds a degree in Mining Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines and has over 25 years of experience in the design, evaluation, permitting, construction and operation of mining projects in the Americas and Australia.  During his tenure with Vista, Mr. Earnest has successfully advanced the Corporation's core projects including overseeing the growth of the Corporation's Mt. Todd gold project in Australia and the pending completion of the project's bankable feasibility study.\nMr. Tom Ogryzlo, the Chairman of Vista's Corporate Governance Committee commented, \"on behalf of the Board of Directors and the shareholders of the Corporation...