The tables below provide a structured reference for reviewing mining contractor COIs against typical site access agreement requirements. Your specific SAA governs - always reference the actual access agreement or MSA insurance exhibit, not this generic checklist.
Work through each section before approving site access. A single unresolved gap is grounds to withhold access until remediated.
Section 1: Core Coverage Limits by Work Category
Mining Insurance Requirements
$5M+
GL per occurrence for Tier 1 contractors
$25M
Maximum umbrella for high-hazard work
6
Coverage types commonly required in mining
Tier 1 - High Hazard (Drilling, Blasting, Underground Operations)
| Coverage |
Minimum Requirement |
COI Shows |
Compliant? |
| GL - each occurrence |
$2,000,000-$5,000,000 |
___ |
☐ |
| GL - aggregate |
$4,000,000-$10,000,000 |
___ |
☐ |
| Auto liability (CSL) |
$2,000,000 |
___ |
☐ |
| Workers' compensation |
Statutory |
___ |
☐ |
| Employers' liability (per accident) |
$1,000,000 |
___ |
☐ |
| Employers' liability (policy limit) |
$1,000,000 |
___ |
☐ |
| Employers' liability (per employee) |
$1,000,000 |
___ |
☐ |
| Contractor's Pollution Liability |
$5,000,000 |
___ |
☐ |
| Umbrella / Excess |
$10,000,000-$25,000,000 |
___ |
☐ |
| Blasting liability (if GL excludes) |
Per SAA |
___ |
☐ |
Tier 2 - Standard Operations (Equipment Operation, Surface Earthwork, Construction)
| Coverage |
Minimum Requirement |
COI Shows |
Compliant? |
| GL - each occurrence |
$2,000,000 |
___ |
☐ |
| GL - aggregate |
$4,000,000 |
___ |
☐ |
| Auto liability (CSL) |
$1,000,000-$2,000,000 |
___ |
☐ |
| Workers' compensation |
Statutory |
___ |
☐ |
| Employers' liability (per accident) |
$1,000,000 |
___ |
☐ |
| Contractor's Pollution Liability |
$2,000,000-$5,000,000 |
___ |
☐ |
| Umbrella / Excess |
$5,000,000-$10,000,000 |
___ |
☐ |
| Equipment floater (if required) |
Replacement cost |
___ |
☐ |
Tier 3 - Environmental / Remediation
| Coverage |
Minimum Requirement |
COI Shows |
Compliant? |
| GL - each occurrence |
$1,000,000-$2,000,000 |
___ |
☐ |
| GL - aggregate |
$2,000,000-$4,000,000 |
___ |
☐ |
| Auto liability (CSL) |
$1,000,000 |
___ |
☐ |
| Workers' compensation |
Statutory |
___ |
☐ |
| Employers' liability (per accident) |
$1,000,000 |
___ |
☐ |
| Contractor's Pollution Liability |
$5,000,000 (occurrence form preferred) |
___ |
☐ |
| Umbrella / Excess |
$5,000,000 |
___ |
☐ |
Tier 4 - Professional Services (Engineering, Geology, Consulting)
| Coverage |
Minimum Requirement |
COI Shows |
Compliant? |
| GL - each occurrence |
$1,000,000 |
___ |
☐ |
| GL - aggregate |
$2,000,000 |
___ |
☐ |
| Auto liability (CSL) |
$1,000,000 |
___ |
☐ |
| Workers' compensation |
Statutory |
___ |
☐ |
| Professional liability (E&O) |
$1,000,000-$5,000,000 |
___ |
☐ |
| Professional liability retroactive date |
Confirm |
___ |
☐ |
Tier 5 - Support and Logistics (Catering, Fuel Delivery, Administrative)
| Coverage |
Minimum Requirement |
COI Shows |
Compliant? |
| GL - each occurrence |
$1,000,000 |
___ |
☐ |
| GL - aggregate |
$2,000,000 |
___ |
☐ |
| Auto liability (CSL) |
$1,000,000 |
___ |
☐ |
| Workers' compensation |
Statutory |
___ |
☐ |
| CPL (fuel delivery, chemical supply) |
$1,000,000 |
___ |
☐ |
Section 2: Policy-Level Checks (Cannot Be Verified from COI Face)
| Check |
Method |
Status |
| XCU exclusions removed (GL - Tier 1/2) |
Request GL declarations or agent letter |
☐ |
| CPL policy form (occurrence vs. claims-made) |
Confirm with CPL insurer |
☐ |
| CPL retroactive date on or before work start |
Confirm with CPL insurer |
☐ |
| CPL coverage scope: hydrocarbons covered |
Confirm with CPL insurer |
☐ |
| CPL coverage scope: site-specific pollutants covered |
Confirm with CPL insurer |
☐ |
| No mining industry exclusion in CPL |
Confirm with CPL insurer |
☐ |
| Umbrella follow-form over GL, auto, WC |
Request umbrella declarations |
☐ |
| No underground operations exclusion in umbrella |
Review umbrella declarations |
☐ |
| No pollution exclusion in umbrella |
Review umbrella declarations |
☐ |
| Equipment floater at replacement cost (not ACV) |
Confirm with inland marine insurer |
☐ |
| WC covers all operating states |
Confirm All States endorsement |
☐ |
Section 3: Endorsement Verification Checklist
| Endorsement |
Required On |
Verification Method |
Status |
| Additional Insured (operator) |
GL, auto, umbrella |
Confirm with insurer |
☐ |
| Additional Insured (CPL policy) |
CPL |
Confirm with CPL insurer separately |
☐ |
| Additional Insured (affiliates/JV partners if required) |
GL, auto, umbrella, CPL |
Confirm with insurer |
☐ |
| Primary / Non-Contributory |
GL at minimum |
Request endorsement form |
☐ |
| Waiver of Subrogation (all policies) |
GL, auto, umbrella, CPL |
Confirm with each insurer |
☐ |
| Waiver of Subrogation (WC) |
WC |
Confirm with WC insurer |
☐ |
| 30-Day Cancellation Notice |
All policies |
Confirm policy provision |
☐ |
Section 4: Administrative Verification
| Item |
Check |
Status |
| Named insured matches SAA contracting entity |
Exact legal match |
☐ |
| Certificate holder is operator's correct legal entity |
Correct name and address |
☐ |
| Policy effective dates confirmed |
Policies currently in force |
☐ |
| Insurer AM Best rating A- or better |
Verify at ambest.com |
☐ |
| COI requested from agent directly |
Not from contractor |
☐ |
| Renewal calendar entry created |
60-day advance request |
☐ |
| Review documented with date and reviewer |
For audit trail |
☐ |
| Pre-access approval issued or denied |
Formal decision recorded |
☐ |
Section 5: Red Flags That Require Immediate Escalation
- Named insured does not match SAA contracting entity
- Any required coverage type absent from COI
- Any limit below SAA minimum - even by $1
- CPL policy is claims-made and retroactive date cannot be confirmed before work start
- Umbrella policy excludes underground operations or pollution
- XCU exclusion not confirmed as removed for Tier 1/2 contractors
- Mining industry exclusion in CPL policy
- Insurer AM Best rating below A-
- Equipment floater at ACV rather than replacement cost when SAA requires replacement cost
- WC does not cover all operating states for multi-state contractors
Specialty Coverage by Mining Operation Type
| Mine Type |
Additional Coverage to Verify |
| Underground metal mining |
Umbrella must cover underground ops; higher employers' liability |
| Coal mining |
Federal coal mine WC provisions; black lung coverage for long-term contractors |
| Surface open-pit |
High auto liability for heavy haul; XCU for blasting operations |
| Heap leach / chemical processing |
CPL specifically covers cyanide or sulfuric acid; process chemical scope |
| Uranium mining |
Radiation liability; specific CPL scope |
| Tailings management |
CPL occurrence form; coverage for gradual release; seepage/contamination |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this checklist for contractors at all mine types?
This checklist covers the most common requirements across surface and underground metal mining operations. Coal mining, uranium mining, and offshore/marine mining have additional regulatory requirements and coverage needs. Always use your specific SAA as the governing document.
How do I handle a contractor who says they can't find pollution insurance that covers cyanide?
Specialty pollution insurers (Ironshore, Zurich, AIG Environmental, ACE) regularly write CPL policies for mining operations including heap leach and cyanide-based processing. If a contractor's standard commercial insurer can't provide the coverage, the contractor needs a specialty environmental insurer. This is a contractor's procurement problem, not a compliance exception.
Should all mining contractors carry the same umbrella limit?
No. Umbrella limits should be calibrated to the worst-case scenario for the contractor's specific work scope. Tier 1 contractors (drilling, blasting, underground) warrant $10M-$25M umbrellas. Tier 5 contractors (catering, administrative support) may be adequately protected at $1M. The SAA should specify limits by contractor category.
This checklist is a starting point. The SAA governs for your specific site and contractor relationships.
See how Bramble automates this checklist for Mining operators or learn how contract vs. COI comparison works.
Replace the checklist with clause-level automation. Book a demo at getbramble.com.