I'm sure this will cost the company some substantial dough, but it will depend on exactly what and when the services are provided. A retainer of some sort will be paid.

I find it very interesting that they have hired an environmental firm this early. They obviously see a need to be planning for some major disturbances of the ground. Maybe it has to do with planning a ramp, and having to deal with huge volumes of rock, although the rock would likely be treated as ore, and processed, or at least stockpiled for processing later. Water runoff is a major factor, so they are likely having to figure out where collection and settling ponds will go.

Pender