Vista Gold Corp. Announces Completion of Purchase and First Stage of Transportation...

Vista Gold Corp. Announces Completion of Purchase and First Stage of
Transportation of Gold Processing Equipment for the Paredones Amarillos
Project

DENVER, April 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Vista Gold Corp. ("Vista" or
the "Corporation") (TSX & AMEX: VGZ) is pleased to announce that further to
the Company's January 7, 2008 press release, the Company has finalized the
purchase of gold ore processing equipment to be used at Vista's Paredones
Amarillos Project in Baja California Sur, Mexico as contemplated by the
Company's previously announced purchase agreement with A.M. King Industries,
Inc. ("A.M. King") and Del Norte Company Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of
A.M. King. The transportation of the major equipment items (gyratory crusher,
SAG mill, ball mills and pebble crusher) from the Colomac Mill Site in the
Northwest Territories in Canada to Edmonton, Alberta, pursuant to the
agreement terms, started on March 1, 2008 and concluded on April 17, 2008. A
portion of the other equipment acquired in the transaction has also been
shipped. All of the shipped equipment is now in Vista's lay-down yard in
Edmonton. Vista plans to transport the major equipment components for
reconditioning at certified repair facilities and the other equipment items
directly to its own facilities in Baja California Sur, Mexico for inspection
and repair. The remaining equipment at the Colomac site, which is not
critical to the development schedule, is scheduled to be dismantled during the
summer and transported on the 2009 ice road.
Fred Earnest, President and COO, stated, "The equipment is ready for
re-conditioning, which is scheduled to occur during the next six months. We
have acquired the major processing equipment for our proposed plant at the
Paredones Amarillos Project, at what we believe is a considerable savings in
time and expense, compared to the purchase of new equipment. We are currently
undertaking a definitive feasibility study to examine the technical and
economic parameters associated with a potential mine operation to produce
130-150,000 ounces of gold per year. This study is scheduled for completion
in July 2008. We expect to complete financing arrangements by the end of the
third quarter and commence construction immediately thereafter. We currently
anticipate a 12-month construction period, with first gold production planned
for the fourth quarter 2009."
About Vista Gold Corp.
Since 2001, Vista has acquired a number of gold projects with the
expectation that higher gold prices would significantly increase their value.
Vista has recently completed a preliminary feasibility study on the Paredones
Amarillos Project in Mexico that indicated positive results at gold prices
lower than those now prevailing. Vista plans to confirm these results with a
definitive feasibility study in 2008. Vista is undertaking programs to advance
the Paredones Amarillos Project so that construction can begin in the fourth
quarter of 2008. The results of a preliminary assessment completed in 2007 on
the Mt. Todd Project in Australia were encouraging and additional technical
studies are underway with a definitive feasibility study planned for
completion by mid-2009. Vista's other holdings include the Guadalupe de los
Reyes Project in Mexico, Yellow Pine Project in Idaho, Awak Mas Project in
Indonesia, and Long Valley Project in California.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning
of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934
and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities
laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in
this press release that address activities, events or developments that Vista
expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including such things
as transportation of gold processing equipment for the Paredones Amarillos
Project; the performance and results of feasibility studies including the
ongoing bankable feasibility study for the Paredones Amarillos Project; and
timing for commencement and completion of drilling and testing programs at the
Paredones Amarillos Project; anticipated timing of commencement of
construction and commencement of production at the Paredones Amarillos Project
and plans for financing construction of the Project; results of drilling
programs and prospects for exploration and conversion of resources at the Mt.
Todd Project and plans for a feasibility study at the Mt. Todd Project;
Vista's future business strategy, competitive strengths, goals, operations,
plans, potential project development, future share price and valuation; future
gold prices; and other such matters are forward-looking statements and
forward-looking information. When used in this press release, the words
"estimate", "plan", "anticipate", "expect", "intend", "believe" and similar
expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements and forward-
looking information. These statements involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results,
performance or achievements of Vista to be materially different from any
future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such
statements. Such factors include, among others, risks relating to delays and
incurrence of additional costs in connection with the feasibility study
underway at the Paredones Amarillos Project, uncertainty of feasibility study
results and preliminary assessments and of estimates on which such results are
based; risks relating to delays in commencement and completion of
construction at the Paredones Amarillos Project; risks of significant cost
increases; risks of shortages of equipment or supplies; risks that Vista's
acquisition, exploration and property advancement efforts will not be
successful; risks relating to fluctuations in the price of gold; the
inherently hazardous nature of mining-related activities; uncertainties
concerning reserve and resource estimates; potential effects on Vista's
operations of environmental regulations in the countries in which it operates;
risks due to legal proceedings; risks relating to political and economic
instability in certain countries in which it operates; and uncertainty of
being able to raise capital on favorable terms or at all; as well as those
factors discussed in Vista's latest Annual Report on Form 10-K and other
documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian
securities commissions. Although Vista has 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 such statements will prove to be
accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from
those anticipated in such statements. Except as required by law, Vista assumes
no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements or forward-
looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise.
For further information, please contact Connie Martinez at (720) 981-1185,
or visit the Vista Gold Corp. website at http://www.vistagold.com
SOURCE Vista Gold Corp.

Connie Martinez of Vista Gold Corp., +1-720-981-1185