DENVER, August 17 — Vista Gold Corp. (NYSE American and TSX: VGZ) is pleased to announce the appointment of Gavin Ferguson as Managing Director of Vista Gold Australia Pty Ltd., effective September 7, 2026. Mr. Ferguson will be based in the Company’s new West Perth office.
Mr. Ferguson is a highly accomplished executive who brings more than 35 years of international mining experience across mine development, project execution, operations, business transformation, and executive leadership. Most recently, he served as General Manager of the Carlin Mining Complex for Nevada Gold Mines, where he was accountable for five underground mines, three open pits and five processing facilities producing approximately 1.4 million ounces of gold annually. He led approximately 6,500 employees and contractors and was responsible for an annual operating budget of approximately $2.1 billion together with $300–$500 million in sustaining and growth capital.
Mr. Ferguson has held senior executive and operational leadership positions with Kinross Gold, K92 Mining, Teranga Gold, Newmont Mining, Anglo Platinum, Platinum Australia, and AngloGold Ashanti. His experience includes major operating turnarounds, mine restarts, greenfield and brownfield project development, feasibility studies, owner-operator transitions, major capital projects, and stakeholder engagement across multiple international jurisdictions. He has led teams and operated in a wide range of jurisdictional environments including South Africa, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Russia, West Africa, and North America.
Mr. Ferguson holds a Graduate Diploma in Mining Engineering from Curtin University, a Bachelor of Technology in Mining Engineering from the University of Johannesburg and has completed advanced management and leadership programs at the Saïd Business School, Oxford University. He is a Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM).
Frederick H. Earnest, President and CEO of Vista Gold, stated, “We are very pleased to welcome Gavin to Vista Gold. Gavin’s wide-ranging experience leading some of the world’s largest gold operations, together with his project development and turnaround experience, adds exceptional technical, operational and project execution capability to Vista Gold’s team. Gavin’s appointment underscores our commitment to building a strong Australia-based leadership team to advance Mt Todd. We are confident that he will play a vital leadership role in developing the project and creating long-term value for our shareholders.”
Gavin Ferguson, commented, “I am honored to join Vista Gold and lead the Australian project execution team at such an important stage in the advancement of Mt Todd.
“The 2025 Feasibility Study has established a compelling development proposition. The combination of a substantial gold reserve, long mine life, reduced initial capital requirement, and strong projected economics provides a strong foundation from which to advance the project.
“The opportunity now is to execute. I am committed to working with Vista’s Board and management teams to take the Mt Todd project from its current project stage through detailed engineering, development, and first gold. I also look forward to building strong relationships with the Northern Territory Government, Traditional Owners, local communities, contractors, and other stakeholders.”