Vista Gold (VGZ) 10-Q 24 Oct 19 2019 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Oct. 14, 2019
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	VISTA GOLD CORP.
Entity Central Index Key	0000783324
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2019
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		100,661,457
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,384	$ 1,071
Short-term investments (Note 3)	3,111	6,997
Other investments, at fair value (Note 3)	3,511	5,462
Other current assets	210	540
Total current assets	8,216	14,070
Non-current assets:
Mineral properties (Note 4)	2,146	2,421
Plant and equipment, net (Note 5)	5,635	5,635
Right-of-use assets (Note 2)	113
Total non-current assets	7,894	8,056
Total assets	16,110	22,126
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	193	195
Accrued liabilities and other	604	435
Provision for environmental liability	240	242
Total current liabilities	1,037	872
Deferred option gain (Note 4)	1,392
Lease liability (Note 2)	16
Total non-current liabilities	1,408
Total liabilities	2,445	872
Commitments and contingencies – (Note 7)
Shareholders' equity:
Common shares, no par value - unlimited shares authorized; shares outstanding: 2019 - 100,661,457 and 2018 - 100,268,161 (Note 6)	457,543	456,938
Accumulated deficit	(443,878)	(435,684)
Total shareholders' equity	13,665	21,254
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 16,110	$ 22,126

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANC_2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Shareholders' equity:
Common Shares, par value	$ 0	$ 0
Common shares outstanding	100,661,457	100,268,161

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMEN

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME/(LOSS) AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME/(LOSS) AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)
Revenues	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Operating expense:
Exploration, property evaluation and holding costs	(1,401)	(960)	(3,294)	(3,560)
Corporate administration	(865)	(969)	(3,079)	(3,280)
Depreciation and amortization	(14)	(12)	(40)	(252)
Total operating expense	(2,280)	(1,941)	(6,413)	(7,092)
Non-operating income/(expense):
Gain/(loss) on other investments (Note 3)	(234)	(274)	(1,951)	1,754
Interest income	27	72	103	322
Other income/(expense)	(11)	81	67	83
Total non-operating income/(expense)	(218)	(121)	(1,781)	2,159
Loss before income taxes	(2,498)	(2,062)	(8,194)	(4,933)
Net loss	(2,498)	(2,062)	(8,194)	(4,933)
Other comprehensive loss:
Comprehensive loss	$ (2,498)	$ (2,062)	$ (8,194)	$ (4,933)
Basic:
Weighted average number of shares outstanding (in shares)	100,606,542	99,805,266	100,490,309	99,600,267
Net loss per share, Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.08)	$ (0.05)
Diluted:
Weighted average number of shares outstanding (in shares)	100,606,542	99,805,266	100,490,309	99,600,267
Net loss per share, Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.08)	$ (0.05)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEM_2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Previously ReportedCommon Stock [Member]	Previously ReportedAccumulated Deficit [Member]	Previously ReportedAccumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) [Member]	Previously Reported	Common Stock [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) [Member]	Total
Cumulative adjustment related to Accounting Standard Update 2016-01 | Accounting Standards Update 2016-01						$ (2)	$ 2
Balances, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 456,053	$ (426,968)	$ (2)	$ 29,083	$ 456,053	(426,970)		$ 29,083
Balances, beginning of period (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017	99,412,007				99,412,007
Shares issued (RSUs vested, net of shares withheld) (Note 6)					$ (122)			(122)
Shares issued (RSUs vested, net of shares withheld) (Note 6) (in shares)					637,554
Shares issued (exercise of stock options) (Note 6)					$ 16			16
Shares issued (exercise of stock options) (Note 6) (in shares)					40,000
Stock-based compensation (Note 6)					$ 855			855
Option amendment (Note 6)					(72)			(72)
Net loss						(4,933)		(4,933)
Balances, end of period at Sep. 30, 2018					$ 456,730	(431,903)		24,827
Balances, end of period (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2018					100,089,561
Balances, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 456,053	$ (426,968)	$ (2)	$ 29,083	$ 456,053	(426,970)		$ 29,083
Balances, beginning of period (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017	99,412,007				99,412,007
Shares issued (exercise of stock options) (Note 6) (in shares)								218,600
Balances, end of period at Dec. 31, 2018					$ 456,938	(435,684)		$ 21,254
Balances, end of period (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018					100,268,161
Balances, beginning of period at Jun. 30, 2018					$ 456,614	(429,841)		26,773
Balances, beginning of period (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2018					99,569,949
Shares issued (RSUs vested, net of shares withheld) (Note 6)					$ (83)			(83)
Shares issued (RSUs vested, net of shares withheld) (Note 6) (in shares)					509,612
Shares issued (exercise of stock options) (Note 6) (in shares)					10,000
Stock-based compensation (Note 6)					$ 271			271
Option amendment (Note 6)					(72)			(72)
Net loss						(2,062)		(2,062)
Balances, end of period at Sep. 30, 2018					$ 456,730	(431,903)		24,827
Balances, end of period (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2018					100,089,561
Balances, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2018					$ 456,938	(435,684)		21,254
Balances, beginning of period (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018					100,268,161
Shares issued (RSUs vested, net of shares withheld) (Note 6)					$ (76)			(76)
Shares issued (RSUs vested, net of shares withheld) (Note 6) (in shares)					266,296
Shares issued (exercise of stock options) (Note 6)					$ 66			$ 66
Shares issued (exercise of stock options) (Note 6) (in shares)					127,000			127,000
Stock-based compensation (Note 6)					$ 615			$ 615
Net loss						(8,194)		(8,194)
Balances, end of period at Sep. 30, 2019					$ 457,543	(443,878)		13,665
Balances, end of period (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2019					100,661,457
Balances, beginning of period at Jun. 30, 2019					$ 457,425	(441,380)		16,045
Balances, beginning of period (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2019					100,537,541
Shares issued (RSUs vested, net of shares withheld) (Note 6)					$ (30)			(30)
Shares issued (RSUs vested, net of shares withheld) (Note 6) (in shares)					123,916
Stock-based compensation (Note 6)					$ 148			148
Net loss						(2,498)		(2,498)
Balances, end of period at Sep. 30, 2019					$ 457,543	$ (443,878)		$ 13,665
Balances, end of period (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2019					100,661,457

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEM_3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (8,194)	$ (4,933)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss for the period to net cash used in operations:
Depreciation and amortization	40	252
Stock-based compensation	615	855
(Gain)/loss on other investments	1,951	(1,754)
Change in working capital account items:
Other current assets	217	411
Provision for environmental liability	(2)
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other	183	(1,178)
Net cash used in operating activities	(5,190)	(6,347)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities		156
Disposition of short-term investments, net of acquisitions	3,886	6,115
Additions to plant and equipment	(40)	(86)
Proceeds from option/sale agreements, net	1,667
Net cash provided by investing activities	5,513	6,185
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payment of taxes from withheld shares	(76)	(122)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	66	16
Net cash provided by / (used in) financing activities	(10)	(106)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	313	(268)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	1,071	1,431
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 1,384	$ 1,163

Nature of Operations and Basis

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation
Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation	VISTA GOLD CORP. NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollar amounts in U.S. dollars and in thousands, except share amounts and per ounce amounts) 1. Nature of Operations and Basis Vista Gold Corp. and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Vista,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) operate in the gold mining industry. We are focused on evaluation, acquisition, exploration and advancement of gold exploration and potential development projects, which may lead to gold production or value adding strategic transactions such as earn-in right agreements, option agreements, leases to third parties, joint venture arrangements with other mining companies, or outright sales of assets for cash and/or other consideration. We undertake programs designed to improve the value of our gold projects through exploration drilling and/or technical studies focused on optimizing previous engineering work. The Company’s flagship asset is its 100% owned Mt Todd gold project (“Mt Todd” or the “Project”) in Northern Territory, Australia. Mt Todd is the largest undeveloped gold project in Australia. In January 2018, the Company received authorization for the last major environmental permit for Mt Todd. In September 2019, Vista announced the positive results of an updated preliminary feasibility study (the “2019 PFS”) for Mt Todd. Process improvements reflected in the 2019 PFS have resulted in improved estimated gold recovery and increased estimated gold production at Mt Todd. As of September 30, 2019, the Company also holds 7.8 million common shares of Midas Gold Corp. (“Midas Gold Shares”), a non-core project in Mexico subject to a third-party option agreement, and royalty interests in the United States and Indonesia. The interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (“interim statements”) of the Company are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments and disclosures necessary for a fair presentation of these interim statements have been included. The results reported in these interim statements are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be reported for the entire year. These interim statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2018 as filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian securities regulatory authorities on Form 10-K, as amended on Form 10-K/A on August 15, 2019. The year-end balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements and, in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q, certain information and footnote disclosures required by United States generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted. References to $ are to United States dollars and A$ are to Australian dollars.

Significant Accounting Policies

Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Significant Accounting Policies
Significant Accounting Policies	2. Significant Accounting Policies Lease Accounting In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases. This new standard established a right-of-use (“ROU”) model that requires a lessee to record an ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases are classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. The Company adopted the standard on January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective approach. We recognized additional liabilities of $186 on adoption, with corresponding ROU assets of the same amount, based on the present value of the remaining lease payments. Adoption of the standard did not affect lease classification or expense recognition. The Company does not include short term leases in its ROU asset and lease liability calculations. As of September 30, 2019, the ROU asset was $113 and the lease liability was $113, comprised of $97 included in accrued liabilities and other, and $16 in non-current liabilities. The Company’s leases had remaining terms ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 years as of September 30, 2019.

Short-term and Other Investment

Short-term and Other Investments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Short-term and Other Investments
Other Investments	3. Short-term and Other Investments Short-term investments As of September 30, 2019, and December 31, 2018, the amortized cost basis of our short-term investments was $3,111 and $6,997, respectively. The amortized cost basis approximates fair value at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018. Short-term investments at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 were comprised of U.S. government treasury bills and/or notes, all of which had maturity dates on the date of purchase greater than 90 days but less than one year. Other investments - Midas Gold Shares The Company’s investment in Midas Gold Shares was recorded at fair value in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Subsequent changes in fair value are recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss) in the period in which they occur. As of September 30, 2019, and December 31, 2018, the Company held 7,802,615 shares of Midas Gold valued at $3,511 and $5,462 respectively. The unrealized loss on these shares was $234 and $1,951 for the three and nine months ending September 30, 2019, respectively. The unrealized loss on these shares was $274 and the unrealized gain was $1,754 for the three and nine months ending September 30, 2018, respectively.

Mineral Properties

Mineral Properties	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Mineral Properties
Mineral Properties	4. Mineral Properties At September 30, 2019 At December 31, 2018 Mt Todd, Australia $ 2,146 $ 2,146 Guadalupe de los Reyes, Mexico — 275 $ 2,146 $ 2,421 During October 2017, we entered into an agreement (the “Option Agreement”) to option our interest in the Guadalupe de los Reyes gold and silver project in Sinaloa, Mexico (“Los Reyes”) to Minera Alamos Inc. and its subsidiary Minera Alamos de Sonora S.A. de C.V. (“Minera Alamos”). In June 2019, the Option Agreement was assigned from Minera Alamos to ePower Metals Inc. by way of assignment agreement (the “Assignment Agreement”), with our consent. ePower Metals Inc. subsequently changed its name to Prime Mining Corporation (“Prime Mining”). The Assignment Agreement provides that in certain circumstances, the rights under the Option Agreement will revert from Prime Mining to Minera Alamos. Pursuant to the terms of the Option Agreement and the Assignment Agreement, we granted Minera Alamos or Prime Mining, as applicable, (the “Optionholder”) an exclusive right and option right to earn a 100% interest in the Los Reyes project by: · making payments totaling $6,000, comprised of a payment of $1,500 made at the execution of the Option Agreement (the “Option Grant Date”); two successive payments of $1,500 each to be made at the one-year and two-year anniversaries of the Option Grant Date; and a final $1,500 payment to be made before the four-year anniversary of the Option Grant Date; · maintaining the concessions comprising the Los Reyes project in good standing; · fulfilling all obligations to the Ejido La Tasajera (the “Ejido”) as set out in the temporary occupation contract between us and the Ejido; · granting us a capped net smelter return royalty (“NSR”) on production from open pit mining (the “Open Pit NSR”) at rates that range from 1% (at gold prices of $1,400/oz or less) to a maximum of 2% (at gold prices above $1,600/oz) up to an aggregate of $2,000 in royalty payments; · granting us a perpetual NSR on production from underground mining (the “Underground NSR”) at rates that range from 1% (at gold prices of $1,400/oz or less) to a maximum of 2% (at gold prices above $1,600/oz); and · granting us the right to assume a 49% non-carried interest in an underground project if the Optionholder decides to develop an underground mine at the Los Reyes project (the “Back-in Right”). The Option Agreement provides that all cash payments are non-refundable and optional to the Optionholder, and in the event the Optionholder fails to pay any of the required amounts as set out in the Option Agreement, or fails to comply with its other obligations, the Option Agreement will terminate and the Optionholder will have no interest in the Los Reyes project. Provided it is not in breach of the Option Agreement, the Optionholder may, at its discretion, accelerate the above payment schedule. Subject to the Optionholder timely making all the option payments, and fulfilling its other obligations with respect to the Option Agreement, we will transfer 100% of the shares of the Company’s 100% owned subsidiary Minera Gold Stake S.A. de C.V., the entity which owns the Los Reyes project, to the Optionholder and the Open-Pit NSR and Underground NSR will be granted to us. If the Optionholder discovers and decides to develop an underground mine at the Los Reyes project and we exercise the Back-in Right, we and the Optionholder have agreed to form a joint venture to develop and operate the underground mine. If the joint venture is formed, the Underground NSR will terminate. In October 2018, the Company agreed to extend the due date for the second $1,500 option payment under the Los Reyes Option Agreement by six months to April 23, 2019, at which time the payment was made. As consideration for the deferral, the Company received an additional $150 in cash, $50 paid on October 24, 2018 and $100 paid on January 23, 2019. In addition, Minera Alamos paid interest of $67 at a rate of 1.5% per month on the unpaid balance of the $1,500 payment beginning January 24, 2019. The Company has determined that control of the Los Reyes project has not been transferred for accounting purposes. Therefore, the first option payment of $1,500 received in October 2017 and the $150 for extension of the second option payment were accounted for as a reduction to carrying value. Receipt of the second option payment of $1,500 and interest of $67 during April 2019 reduced the carrying value to zero and resulted in recognition of $1,392 as a deferred option gain. The third Los Reyes project option payment of $1,500 was received from Prime Mining in October 2019. This receipt will be recorded as additional deferred option gain. In addition, potential royalty revenue and future option payments have not been recognized for accounting purposes.

Plant And Equipment

Plant And Equipment	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Plant and Equipment
Plant And Equipment	5. Plant and Equipment September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 Accumulated Accumulated Cost depreciation Net Cost depreciation Net Mt Todd, Australia $ 5,237 $ 5,102 $ 135 $ 5,197 $ 5,062 $ 135 Corporate, United States 333 333 — 333 333 — Used mill equipment, Canada 5,500 — 5,500 5,500 — 5,500 $ 11,070 $ 5,435 $ 5,635 $ 11,030 $ 5,395 $ 5,635

Common Shares

Common Shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Common Shares
Common Shares	6. Common Shares Warrants All outstanding warrants expired unexercised in August 2019. Warrants activity is summarized in the following table: Weighted Weighted average average Warrants exercise price remaining life outstanding per share (yrs.) Intrinsic value As of December 31, 2017 6,514,625 $ 1.92 1.6 $ — As of December 31, 2018 6,514,625 $ 1.92 0.6 $ — Expired (6,514,625) $ 1.92 $ — As of September 30, 2019 — $ — — $ — Stock-Based Compensation Under the Company’s stock option plan (the “Plan”), we may grant options to purchase common shares in the capital of the Company (“Common Shares”) to our directors, officers, employees and consultants. The maximum number of Common Shares that may be reserved for issuance under the Plan, together with all other stock-based compensation arrangements, which include restricted share units (“RSUs”) currently outstanding under the Company’s long term equity incentive plan (“LTIP”) and deferred share units (“DSUs”) issuable pursuant to the Company’s deferred share unit plan (“DSU Plan”), is a variable number equal to 10% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted basis at any one time. In 2018, the Company issued phantom units to be settled in cash. Options, RSUs, DSUs, and phantom units are granted from time to time at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), with vesting periods and other terms as determined by the Board. Stock-based compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 is as follows: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 2018 2019 2018 Stock options $ 29 $ 107 $ 160 $ 307 Restricted stock units 119 164 246 548 Deferred share units — — 209 — $ 148 $ 271 $ 615 $ 855 Phantom units $ 28 $ 11 $ 72 $ 11 As of September 30, 2019, unrecognized compensation expense for stock options, RSUs, and phantom units was $88, $463, and $96, respectively, which is expected to be recognized over weighted average periods of 0.8, 1.3, and 1.3 years, respectively. Stock Options A summary of options under the Plan as of September 30, 2019 is set forth in the following table: Weighted average Weighted average remaining Aggregate Number of exercise price contractual term intrinsic options per option (years) value Outstanding - December 31, 2017 1,144,500 0.42 1.15 $ 346 Granted 1,142,000 0.71 Exercised (218,600) 0.39 36 Cancelled/Forfeited (748,751) 0.36 — Outstanding - December 31, 2018 1,319,149 $ 0.71 3.84 $ 1 Granted 350,000 0.73 Exercised (127,000) 0.52 29 Cancelled/Forfeited (35,149) 0.68 3 Outstanding - September 30, 2019 1,507,000 $ 0.73 3.73 $ 64 Exercisable - September 30, 2019 992,996 $ 0.73 3.64 $ 44 A summary of unvested stock options as of September 30, 2019 is set forth in the following table: Weighted Weighted average average remaining grant-date amortization Number of fair value period options per option (years) Unvested - December 31, 2017 246,250 0.22 0.99 Granted 1,142,000 0.45 Cancelled/Forfeited (246,250) 0.22 Vested (382,331) 0.45 Unvested - December 31, 2018 759,669 $ 0.45 1.14 Granted 350,000 0.30 Cancelled/Forfeited (35,000) 0.43 Vested (560,665) 0.41 Unvested - September 30, 2019 514,004 $ 0.40 0.78 The fair value of stock options granted to employees, directors and consultants was estimated at the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following weighted average assumptions: 2019 2018 Expected volatility 61.1 % 76.2 % Risk-free interest rate 2.0 % 2.7 % Expected life (years) 2.8 5.0 Dividend yield % % Forfeiture assumption % % Restricted Share Units The following table summarizes the RSUs outstanding under the LTIP as of September 30, 2019: Weighted average Number grant-date fair of RSUs value per RSU Unvested - December 31, 2017 1,567,907 $ 0.85 Granted 319,000 0.75 Cancelled/forfeited (246,683) 0.90 Vested, net of shares withheld (637,554) 0.88 Unvested - December 31, 2018 1,002,670 $ 0.78 Granted 1,412,500 0.49 Cancelled/forfeited (655,573) 0.76 Vested, net of shares withheld (266,296) 0.84 Unvested - September 30, 2019 1,493,301 $ 0.51 A portion of the RSU awards vest on a fixed future date provided the recipient continues to be affiliated with Vista on that date. Other RSU awards vest subject to certain performance and market criteria, including the accomplishment of certain corporate objectives and the Company’s share price performance. The minimum vesting period for RSUs is one year. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, the Company withheld Common Shares with an equivalent value to meet the employee withholding tax obligations which resulted from RSUs that vested in the period. Common Shares withheld are considered cancelled/forfeited. Deferred Share Units In May 2019, the Company’s shareholders approved the DSU Plan. The DSU Plan provides for granting of DSUs to non-employee directors. DSUs vest immediately, however the Company will issue one Common Share for each DSU only after the non-employee director has ceased to be a director of the Company. Additionally, in May 2019, the Company’s shareholders approved an amendment to the LTIP such that non-employee directors are excluded from future grants under the LTIP. At the time the DSU Plan was approved, the Board granted 366,000 DSUs and the Company recognized $209 in DSU expense. The following table summarizes the DSUs outstanding as of September 30, 2019: Weighted average Number of grant-date fair DSUs value per DSU Outstanding - December 31, 2018 — — Granted 366,000 0.57 Outstanding - September 30, 2019 366,000 0.57 Phantom Units In 2018, the Company granted a total of 265,000 phantom units to certain employees. The value of each unit is equal to the Company’s share price on the vesting date and is payable in cash. The phantom units vest on fixed future dates provided the recipient continues to be affiliated with Vista on those dates. The Company accounts for these units as awards classified as liabilities with $14 included in current liabilities as of September 30, 2019. The Company recognized $28 and $72 of compensation expense for these phantom units in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively. A summary of unvested phantom units as of September 30, 2019 is set forth in the following table: Weighted average remaining Number of vesting term phantom units (years) Unvested - December 31, 2017 — Granted 265,000 Unvested - December 31, 2018 265,000 1.50 Cancelled/forfeited (32,667) Vested (88,333) Unvested - September 30, 2019 144,000 1.25

Commitments And Contingencies

Commitments And Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Commitments And Contingencies
Commitments And Contingencies	7. Commitments and Contingencies Our exploration and development activities are subject to various laws and regulations governing the protection of the environment. These laws and regulations are continually changing and are generally becoming more restrictive. As such, future expenditures that may be required for compliance with these laws and regulations cannot be predicted. We conduct our operations in an effort to minimize effects on the environment and believe our operations are in compliance with applicable laws and regulations in all material respects. Under our agreement with the Jawoyn Association Aboriginal Corporation (the “JAAC”), the JAAC will be entitled to an annual cash payment, or payment in kind, equal to 1% of the value of the annual gold production from the current mining licenses, and a 1% NSR on other metals, subject to a minimum payment of A$50 per year. In addition, we have agreed to offer the JAAC the opportunity to establish a joint venture with Vista holding a 90% participating interest and the JAAC holding a 10% participating interest in Mt Todd.

Fair Value Accounting

Fair Value Accounting	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Fair Value Accounting
Fair Value Accounting	8. Fair Value Accounting The following table sets forth the Company’s assets measured at fair value by level within the fair value hierarchy. As required by accounting guidance, assets are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Fair value at September 30, 2019 Total Level 1 Level 3 Other investments (Midas Gold Shares) $ 3,511 $ 3,511 $ — Fair value at December 31, 2018 Total Level 1 Level 3 Other investments (Midas Gold Shares) $ 5,462 $ 5,462 $ — Used mill equipment (non-recurring) $ 5,500 $ — $ 5,500 Our investment in Midas Gold Shares is classified as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy as it is valued at quoted market prices in an active market. The used mill equipment is classified as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as its value at December 31, 2018 was based on an independent third-party valuation. As of September 30, 2019, management had not identified sufficient changes in conditions to require an update to the independent third-party evaluation. The mill equipment is included in plant and equipment on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for each period presented. There have been no transfers between levels in 2019, nor have there been any changes in valuation techniques.

Geographic And Segment Informat

Geographic And Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Geographic and Segment information
Geographic And Segment Information	9. Geographic and Segment Information The Company has one reportable operating segment. We evaluate, acquire, explore and advance gold exploration and potential development projects, which may lead to gold production or value adding strategic transactions. These activities are currently focused principally in Australia. We reported no revenues during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018. Geographic location of mineral properties and plant and equipment is provided in Notes 4 and 5, respectively.

Significant Accounting Polici_2

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Significant Accounting Policies
Lease Accounting	Lease Accounting In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases. This new standard established a right-of-use (“ROU”) model that requires a lessee to record an ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases are classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. The Company adopted the standard on January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective approach. We recognized additional liabilities of $186 on adoption, with corresponding ROU assets of the same amount, based on the present value of the remaining lease payments. Adoption of the standard did not affect lease classification or expense recognition. The Company does not include short term leases in its ROU asset and lease liability calculations. As of September 30, 2019, the ROU asset was $113 and the lease liability was $113, comprised of $97 included in accrued liabilities and other, and $16 in non-current liabilities. The Company’s leases had remaining terms ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 years as of September 30, 2019.

Mineral Properties (Tables)

Mineral Properties (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Mineral Properties
Schedule of Mineral Properties	At September 30, 2019 At December 31, 2018 Mt Todd, Australia $ 2,146 $ 2,146 Guadalupe de los Reyes, Mexico — 275 $ 2,146 $ 2,421

Plant And Equipment (Tables)

Plant And Equipment (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Plant and Equipment
Schedule Of Plant And Equipment	September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 Accumulated Accumulated Cost depreciation Net Cost depreciation Net Mt Todd, Australia $ 5,237 $ 5,102 $ 135 $ 5,197 $ 5,062 $ 135 Corporate, United States 333 333 — 333 333 — Used mill equipment, Canada 5,500 — 5,500 5,500 — 5,500 $ 11,070 $ 5,435 $ 5,635 $ 11,030 $ 5,395 $ 5,635

Common Shares (Tables)

Common Shares (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Common Shares
Summary of outstanding warrants	Weighted Weighted average average Warrants exercise price remaining life outstanding per share (yrs.) Intrinsic value As of December 31, 2017 6,514,625 $ 1.92 1.6 $ — As of December 31, 2018 6,514,625 $ 1.92 0.6 $ — Expired (6,514,625) $ 1.92 $ — As of September 30, 2019 — $ — — $ —
Summary of stock-based compensation expense	Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 2018 2019 2018 Stock options $ 29 $ 107 $ 160 $ 307 Restricted stock units 119 164 246 548 Deferred share units — — 209 — $ 148 $ 271 $ 615 $ 855 Phantom units $ 28 $ 11 $ 72 $ 11
Summary of option activity	Weighted average Weighted average remaining Aggregate Number of exercise price contractual term intrinsic options per option (years) value Outstanding - December 31, 2017 1,144,500 0.42 1.15 $ 346 Granted 1,142,000 0.71 Exercised (218,600) 0.39 36 Cancelled/Forfeited (748,751) 0.36 — Outstanding - December 31, 2018 1,319,149 $ 0.71 3.84 $ 1 Granted 350,000 0.73 Exercised (127,000) 0.52 29 Cancelled/Forfeited (35,149) 0.68 3 Outstanding - September 30, 2019 1,507,000 $ 0.73 3.73 $ 64 Exercisable - September 30, 2019 992,996 $ 0.73 3.64 $ 44
Summary of the status of unvested stock options	Weighted Weighted average average remaining grant-date amortization Number of fair value period options per option (years) Unvested - December 31, 2017 246,250 0.22 0.99 Granted 1,142,000 0.45 Cancelled/Forfeited (246,250) 0.22 Vested (382,331) 0.45 Unvested - December 31, 2018 759,669 $ 0.45 1.14 Granted 350,000 0.30 Cancelled/Forfeited (35,000) 0.43 Vested (560,665) 0.41 Unvested - September 30, 2019 514,004 $ 0.40 0.78
Summary of stock option assumptions	2019 2018 Expected volatility 61.1 % 76.2 % Risk-free interest rate 2.0 % 2.7 % Expected life (years) 2.8 5.0 Dividend yield % % Forfeiture assumption % %
Summary of restricted stock unit activity	Weighted average Number grant-date fair of RSUs value per RSU Unvested - December 31, 2017 1,567,907 $ 0.85 Granted 319,000 0.75 Cancelled/forfeited (246,683) 0.90 Vested, net of shares withheld (637,554) 0.88 Unvested - December 31, 2018 1,002,670 $ 0.78 Granted 1,412,500 0.49 Cancelled/forfeited (655,573) 0.76 Vested, net of shares withheld (266,296) 0.84 Unvested - September 30, 2019 1,493,301 $ 0.51
Summary of deferred stock units	Weighted average Number of grant-date fair DSUs value per DSU Outstanding - December 31, 2018 — — Granted 366,000 0.57 Outstanding - September 30, 2019 366,000 0.57
Summary of phantom units	Weighted average remaining Number of vesting term phantom units (years) Unvested - December 31, 2017 — Granted 265,000 Unvested - December 31, 2018 265,000 1.50 Cancelled/forfeited (32,667) Vested (88,333) Unvested - September 30, 2019 144,000 1.25

Fair Value Accounting (Tables)

Fair Value Accounting (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Fair Value Accounting
Schedule of assets measured at fair value	Fair value at September 30, 2019 Total Level 1 Level 3 Other investments (Midas Gold Shares) $ 3,511 $ 3,511 $ — Fair value at December 31, 2018 Total Level 1 Level 3 Other investments (Midas Gold Shares) $ 5,462 $ 5,462 $ — Used mill equipment (non-recurring) $ 5,500 $ — $ 5,500

Nature of Operations and Basi_2

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation (Details) - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Midas Gold Shares [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Shares owned	7,802,615	7,802,615
Mt Todd, Australia
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership in project	100.00%

Significant Accounting Polici_3

Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jan. 01, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Significant Accounting Policies
Minimum period for maturity dates for short-term investments		90 days
Accumulated deficit		$ (443,878)		$ (435,684)
Lease accounting
Operating lease liabilities		113
Right of use operating assets		113
Operating Lease, Liability, Current		$ 97
Operating Lease, Liability, Current, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]		Accrued Liabilities, Current
Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent		$ 16
Minimum
Lease accounting
Lessee, Operating Lease, Renewal Term		6 months
Maximum
Lease accounting
Lessee, Operating Lease, Renewal Term		2 years 6 months
Guadalupe De Los Reyes, Mexico | Option Agreement Two
Significant Accounting Policies
Value of carrying value for option payment proceeds to be recognized as contract liability	$ 0
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 | Restatement adjustment
Lease accounting
Operating lease liabilities			$ 186
Right of use operating assets			$ 186

Short-term and Other Investme_2

Short-term and Other Investments, Short-term (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Short-term investments
Minimum period for maturity dates for short-term investments	90 days
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	$ 3,111	$ 6,997

Short-term and Other Investme_3

Short-term and Other Investments, Summary (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Other Investments
Gain (loss) during the period	$ (234)	$ (274)	$ (1,951)	$ 1,754
Other investments	3,511		3,511		$ 5,462
Midas Gold Shares [Member]
Other Investments
Other investments, unrealized loss	234	$ 274	1,951
Other investments, unrealized gain				$ 1,754
Other investments	$ 3,511		$ 3,511		$ 5,462
Midas Gold Shares held at end of the period	7,802,615		7,802,615		7,802,615

Mineral Properties, Properties

Mineral Properties, Properties (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Mineral Properties, Net	$ 2,146	$ 2,421
Mt Todd, Australia
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Mineral Properties, Net	$ 2,146	2,146
Guadalupe De Los Reyes, Mexico
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Mineral Properties, Net		$ 275

Mineral Properties, Guadalupe (

Mineral Properties, Guadalupe (Details)	Jan. 23, 2019USD ($)	Oct. 24, 2018USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2019USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2019USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2018USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2017USD ($)item	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Proceeds from option/sale agreements, net							$ 1,667,000
Deferred option gain							$ 1,392,000
Guadalupe De Los Reyes, Mexico | Option Agreement Two
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Interest has right to earn (as a percent)						100.00%
Sale price of gold/silver project						$ 6,000,000
Number of successive payments | item						2
Back in Right (as a percent)						49.00%
Ownership interest if terms of option agreement not fulfilled (as a percent)						0.00%
Ownership to be transferred (as a percent)						100.00%
Proceeds from option/sale agreements, net	$ 100,000	$ 50,000		$ 1,500,000	$ 150,000	$ 1,500,000
Interest income				67,000
Deferred option gain				1,392,000
Value of carrying value for option payment proceeds to be recognized as contract liability				$ 0
Interest rate (as a percent)					1.50%
Guadalupe De Los Reyes, Mexico | Option Agreement Two | Subsequent Event [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Proceeds from option/sale agreements, net			$ 1,500,000
Guadalupe De Los Reyes, Mexico | Option Agreement Two | Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2018-10-01
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Future payment					$ 1,500,000
Timing of future payment					6 months
Guadalupe De Los Reyes, Mexico | Option Agreement Two | Open Pit Mining
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Aggregate royalty payments to be received						2,000,000
Guadalupe De Los Reyes, Mexico | Option Agreement Two | Execution of Option Agreement
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Sale price of gold/silver project						1,500,000
Guadalupe De Los Reyes, Mexico | Option Agreement Two | One Year Anniversary
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Sale price of gold/silver project						1,500,000
Guadalupe De Los Reyes, Mexico | Option Agreement Two | Two Year Anniversary
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Sale price of gold/silver project						1,500,000
Guadalupe De Los Reyes, Mexico | Option Agreement Two | Before Four Year Anniversary
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Sale price of gold/silver project						$ 1,500,000
Guadalupe De Los Reyes, Mexico | Option Agreement Two | Minimum | Open Pit Mining
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Net smelter return royalty (as a percent)						1.00%
Gold price (USD per ounce)						$ 1,600
Guadalupe De Los Reyes, Mexico | Option Agreement Two | Minimum | Underground Mining
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Net smelter return royalty (as a percent)						1.00%
Gold price (USD per ounce)						$ 1,600
Guadalupe De Los Reyes, Mexico | Option Agreement Two | Maximum | Open Pit Mining
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Net smelter return royalty (as a percent)						2.00%
Gold price (USD per ounce)						$ 1,400
Guadalupe De Los Reyes, Mexico | Option Agreement Two | Maximum | Underground Mining
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Net smelter return royalty (as a percent)						2.00%
Gold price (USD per ounce)						$ 1,400
Guadalupe De Los Reyes, Mexico | Minera Gold Stake S A de C V | Option Agreement Two
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Ownership interest (as a percent)						100.00%

Plant And Equipment (Details)

Plant And Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Cost	$ 11,070	$ 11,030
Accumulated depreciation	5,435	5,395
Net	5,635	5,635
Mt Todd, Australia
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Cost	5,237	5,197
Accumulated depreciation	5,102	5,062
Net	135	135
Corporate, United States
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Cost	333	333
Accumulated depreciation	333	333
Used mill equipment, Canada
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Cost	5,500	5,500
Net	$ 5,500	$ 5,500

Common Shares - Warrants (Detai

Common Shares - Warrants (Details) - Warrants [Member] - $ / shares	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrants outstanding (in shares)		6,514,625	6,514,625
Warrants expired (in shares)	(6,514,625)
Weighted average exercise price of warrants outstanding (in dollars per share)		$ 1.92	$ 1.92
Weighted average exercise price of warrants expired (in dollars per share)	$ 1.92
Weighted average remaining life, warrants outstanding		7 months 6 days	1 year 7 months 6 days

Common Shares - Stock-Based Com

Common Shares - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of issued and outstanding Common Shares				10.00%
Stock-based compensation expense		$ 148	$ 271	$ 615	$ 855
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense		29	107	160	307
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense		119	164	246	548
Deferred Stock Units (DSU) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 209			209
Phantom Share Units (PSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense		$ 28	$ 11	$ 72	$ 11

Common Shares - Unrecognized Co

Common Shares - Unrecognized Compensation (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options	$ 88
Weighted average unrecognized compensation recognition period	9 months 18 days
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested awards	$ 463
Weighted average unrecognized compensation recognition period	1 year 3 months 18 days
Phantom Share Units (PSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested awards	$ 96
Weighted average unrecognized compensation recognition period	1 year 3 months 18 days

Common Shares - Summary Of Opti

Common Shares - Summary Of Option Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Common Shares
Number of options, beginning of period (in shares)	1,319,149	1,144,500
Granted, Number of options (in shares)	350,000	1,142,000
Number of options, Exercised (in shares)	(127,000)	(218,600)
Number of options, Cancelled/Forfeited (in shares)	(35,149)	(748,751)
Number of options, end of period (in shares)	1,507,000	1,319,149	1,144,500
Number of options, Exercisable (in shares)	992,996
Weighted average exercise price per option, beginning of period (in dollars per share)	$ 0.71	$ 0.42
Weighted average exercise price per option, Granted (in dollars per share)	0.73	0.71
Weighted average exercise price per option, Exercised (in dollars per share)	0.52	0.39
Weighted average exercise price per option, Cancelled/Forfeited (in dollars per share)	0.68	0.36
Weighted average exercise price per option, end of period (in dollars per share)	0.73	$ 0.71	$ 0.42
Weighted average exercise price, Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$ 0.73
Weighted average remaining contractual term, Outstanding	3 years 8 months 23 days	3 years 10 months 2 days	1 year 1 month 24 days
Weighted average remaining contractual term, Exercisable	3 years 7 months 21 days
Aggregate intrinsic value, Outstanding, beginning of period (in dollars)	$ 1	$ 346
Aggregate intrinsic value, Exercised (in dollars)	$ 29	36
Aggregate intrinsic value, Cancelled/Forfeited (in dollars)	$ 3,000
Aggregate intrinsic value, Outstanding, end of period (in dollars)	$ 64	$ 1	$ 346
Aggregate intrinsic value, Options, Exercisable	$ 44

Common Shares - Summary Of The

Common Shares - Summary Of The Status Of Unvested Stock Options (Details) - $ / shares	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted, Number of options (in shares)	350,000	1,142,000
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unvested, Number of options, beginning of period (in shares)	759,669	246,250
Granted, Number of options (in shares)	350,000	1,142,000
Cancelled/Forfeited, Number of options (in shares)	(35,000)	(246,250)
Vested, Number of options (in shares)	(560,665)	(382,331)
Unvested, Number of options, end of period (in shares)	514,004	759,669	246,250
Unvested, Weighted average grant date fair value, beginning of period (in dollars per share)	$ 0.45	$ 0.22
Granted, Weighted average grant-date fair value per option (in dollars per share)	0.30	0.45
Cancelled/Forfeited, Weighted average grant-date fair value per option (in dollars per share)	0.43	0.22
Vested, Weighted average grant-date fair value per option (in dollars per share)	0.41	0.45
Unvested, Weighted average grant date fair value per option, end of period (in dollars per share)	$ 0.40	$ 0.45	$ 0.22
Weighted average remaining amortization period	9 months 11 days	1 year 1 month 21 days	11 months 27 days

Common Shares - Assumptions (De

Common Shares - Assumptions (Details) - Stock Options [Member]	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected volatility (as a percent)	61.10%	76.20%
Risk-free interest rate (as a percent)	2.00%	2.70%
Expected life (years)	2 years 9 months 18 days	5 years
Dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%
Forfeiture assumption (as a percent)	0.00%	0.00%

Common Shares - Summary Of Rest

Common Shares - Summary Of Restricted Stock Units Activity (Details) - Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] - $ / shares	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unvested, Number of units, beginning of period (in shares)	1,002,670	1,567,907
Granted, Number of units (in shares)	1,412,500	319,000
Cancelled/forfeited, Number of units (in shares)	(655,573)	(246,683)
Vested, net of shares withheld, Number of units (in shares)	(266,296)	(637,554)
Unvested, Number of units, end of period (in shares)	1,493,301	1,002,670
Unvested, weighted average fair value, beginning of year (in dollars per share)	$ 0.78	$ 0.85
Granted, Weighted average fair value (in dollars per share)	0.49	0.75
Cancelled/forfeited, Weighted average fair value (in dollars per share)	0.76	0.90
Vested, Weighted average fair value (in dollars per share)	0.84	0.88
Unvested, weighted average fair value, end of year (in dollars per share)	$ 0.51	$ 0.78
Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period	1 year

Common Shares - Summary Of Defe

Common Shares - Summary Of Deferred Share Units Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense		$ 148	$ 271	$ 615	$ 855
Deferred Stock Units (DSU) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted, Number of units (in shares)	366,000			366,000
Unvested, Number of units, end of period (in shares)		366,000		366,000
Granted, Weighted average fair value (in dollars per share)				$ 0.57
Unvested, weighted average fair value, end of year (in dollars per share)		$ 0.57		$ 0.57
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$ 209			$ 209

Common Shares - Summary Of Phan

Common Shares - Summary Of Phantom Units Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Current liabilities	$ 1,037		$ 1,037		$ 872
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 148	$ 271	$ 615	$ 855
Phantom Share Units (PSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unvested, Number of units, beginning of period (in shares)			265,000
Granted, Number of units (in shares)					265,000
Cancelled/forfeited, Number of units (in shares)			(32,667)
Vested, net of shares withheld, Number of units (in shares)			(88,333)
Unvested, Number of units, end of period (in shares)	144,000		144,000		265,000
Weighted average remaining contractual term			1 year 3 months		1 year 6 months
Current liabilities	$ 14		$ 14
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 28	$ 11	$ 72	$ 11

Commitments And Contingencies (

Commitments And Contingencies (Details) - Mt Todd, Australia $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019AUD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership in project	100.00%
Scenario, Plan
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership in project	90.00%
Scenario, Plan | Jawoyn Association Aboriginal Corporation
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership in project	10.00%
Percentage of royalty on gold	1.00%
Percentage of royalty on other metals	1.00%
Minimum payment per year	$ 50

Fair Value Accounting (Details)

Fair Value Accounting (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Fair Value Accounting
Other investments	$ 3,511	$ 5,462
Fair Value Transfers Between Levels	0
Midas Gold Shares [Member]
Fair Value Accounting
Other investments	3,511	5,462
Recurring | Midas Gold Shares [Member]
Fair Value Accounting
Other investments	3,511	5,462
Recurring | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Midas Gold Shares [Member]
Fair Value Accounting
Other investments	$ 3,511	5,462
Non-recurring | Used mill equipment, Canada
Fair Value Accounting
Used mill equipment (non-recurring)		5,500
Non-recurring | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Used mill equipment, Canada
Fair Value Accounting
Used mill equipment (non-recurring)		$ 5,500

Geographic And Segment Inform_2

Geographic And Segment Information (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)segment	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)
Geographic and Segment information
Number of reportable segments | segment			1
Revenues | $	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0