EXHIBIT 99.1

[VISTA GOLD CORP. LOGO]    7961 SHAFFER PARKWAY
                           SUITE 5
                           LITTLETON, COLORADO 80127
                           TELEPHONE (720) 981-1185
                           FAX (720) 981-1186

                                      Trading Symbol: VGZ
                                      Toronto and American Stock Exchanges

______________________________________________ NEWS ___________________________

VISTA GOLD CORP. ANNOUNCES SUSPENSION OF PROPOSED PRIVATE PLACEMENT

DENVER, COLORADO OCTOBER 15, 2003 - Vista Gold Corp. (TSX & AMEX: VGZ) announces
that due to current market volatility in the gold price and share price, and
other factors, the management of Vista has decided not to pursue the previously
announced private placement at this time.

"We would rather wait until market conditions stabilize to proceed with a
placement," said Jock McGregor, President and CEO. "While we have sufficient
funds for our immediate needs, we will continue to look at opportunities to keep
our treasury healthy, so we can take advantage of new acquisition opportunities
as they arise."

Vista Gold Corp., based in Littleton, Colorado, evaluates and acquires gold
projects with defined gold resources. Additional exploration and technical
studies are undertaken to maximize the value of the projects for eventual
development. The Corporation's holdings include the Maverick Springs, Mountain
View, Hasbrouck, Three Hills and Hycroft projects in Nevada, the Long Valley
project in California, the Paredones Amarillos and Guadalupe De Los Reyes
projects in Mexico, and the Amayapampa project in Bolivia.







The statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements
involving known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
results to vary materially from targeted results. Such risks and uncertainties
include those described from time to time in the Corporation's periodic reports,
including the annual report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission. The Corporation assumes no obligation to publicly update
any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise.

For further information, please contact Jock McGregor at (720) 981-1185, or
visit the Vista Gold Corp. website at www.vistagold.com