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                                                            Exhibit 99.1

[GRAPHIC OMITTED]  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 APPOINTMENT OF NEW BOARD MEMBER

DENVER, COLORADO OCTOBER 13, 2004 - Vista Gold Corp. (TSX & AMEX: VGZ) is
pleased to announce the appointment of W. Durand Eppler of Denver, Colorado, to
the Board of Directors effectively immediately. Mr. Eppler holds an M.S. degree
in Mineral Economics from the Colorado School of Mines. Recently, with Newmont
Mining Corporation, he held positions of Vice President of Newmont Capital,
Ltd., President of Newmont Indonesia, Vice President of Corporate Development
and Vice President of Corporate Planning. He also has considerable domestic and
international banking experience with major U.S. banks. Mr. Eppler fills a Board
vacancy with a term that expires at the next annual general meeting of
shareholders. The vacancy was created by the unexpected passing of President
Jock McGregor in late May.

"The addition of Randy Eppler brings strength to our company, particularly in
the business development and financial areas, and we are very pleased to welcome
him to our Board of Directors," said Mike Richings, President and CEO.

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, Hycroft and Wildcat projects in Nevada, the Long
Valley project in California, the Yellow Pine project in Idaho, 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 Greg Marlier at (720) 981-1185, or
visit the Vista Gold Corp. website at www.vistagold.com
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