Thanks for all of the information and the points of view.  To me, I am most concerned with the reputation and history of the company proposing the work.  When all hell breaks loose, what are they going to do about it?  

When my company (civil engineering firm) is evaluated for doing work of a public nature, we submit history, similar project portfolio, and have to disclose any issues and court proceedings before we are selected to perform the job.  I haven't yet read the reports, but that's where I'll key in.

In a proposed mining operation on public lands, reputation is everything.