My Opinion about CompensationFirst, an answer to a question. The Zijin Special Bonus, awarded in 2015 to five executives upon completion of the 412M Zijin Kamoa transaction, was USD 1.225 million plus 2.55 million shares, when the shares were under a dollar. I value compensation on fair intrinsic value of the shares, because that is effective dilution. This was at least CAD 4-5/share, which is where most cashed them out. So I would call it a USD 8-10 million bonus on the transaction. A pretty sizeable bonus.
In my opinion, compensation is grotesquely high in this sector, which generates no wealth for investors. At least this company is doing something good, not just burning the money like most in mining. I would prefer if all executives exercised options any time they wish, but sell only enough just to pay the strike and tax. Salaries are ample. Then with retention of shares by officers, interests are more aligned. There is room for improvement for compensation structures, but most other companies are worse, by the very fact of just not being very good companies, and still paying out obscene compensation.