" Would there be greater satisfaction from the shareholders if the options thing was abandoned and replaced with a cash compensation instead? "

I'd like to thank you for a good insightful post as well. Your question quoted above is a very important one. Almost every company can use their cash for a better purpose to grow the company than to pay it out. For many small companies, such as Noront, they are always trying to raise cash for drilling. They really would be hampered more if they could not use options as part of a compensation package.

I think most seasoned investors recognize this. It is more apparent than ever that Noront is building upward pressure for a break-out. It will be most welcome to long suffering Noront holders.