QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

Exhibit 23.5

[Mine Development Associates Letterhead]

CONSENT OF MINE DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATES

        The undersigned, Mine Development Associates, hereby states as follows:

        Our firm assisted with the "Feasibility Study, NI 43-101 Technical Report, Vista Gold Corp., Paredones Amarillos Gold Project, Baja California Sur, Mexico," the "Technical Report, Long Valley Project, Mono County, California, USA," and the "Technical Report, Preliminary Assessment, Long Valley Project, Mono County, California, USA" (collectively, the "Technical Reports") for Vista Gold Corp. (the "Company"), portions of which are summarized in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 (the "Form 10-K").

        We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-3 (Nos. 333-136980 and 333-132975) and in the related Prospectuses, and in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (Nos. 333-105621, 333-134767 and 333-153019) of the Company of the summary information concerning the Technical Reports, including the reference to our firm included with such information, as set forth above in the Form 10-K.

By:
	Name: Title:

Date: March 11, 2009

QuickLinks

Exhibit 23.5

[Mine Development Associates Letterhead]
CONSENT OF MINE DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATES