ZURICH AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY, Plaintiff,
v.
COEUR ROCHESTER, INC., Defendant.
No. 3:08-CV-109-ECR-RAM.
United States District Court, D. Nevada.
June 24, 2010.*1224 Andrew A. Goode, Jonathan Gross, Jay E. Framson, Tony Abdollahi, Bishop, Barry, Drath, Emeryville, CA, Christian L. Moore, David R. Grundy, Lemons, Grundy & Eisenberg, Reno, NV, for Plaintiff.
Brad M. Johnson, Holland & Hart, LLP, Reno, NV, Jose A. Ramirez, Holland & Hart, LLP, Greenwood Village, CO, Walter *1225 H. Bithell, Holland & Hart, LLP, Boise, ID, J. Stephen Peek, Holland & Hart, LLP, Las Vegas, NV, for Defendant.
Order
EDWARD C. REED, JR., District Judge.
This diversity case arises out of a coverage dispute between an insurer and its insured. Plaintiff Zurich American Insurance Company ("Zurich") filed suit for declaratory relief after denying a claim filed by Defendant Coeur Rochester, Inc. ("Coeur") for loss or damage of Coeur's insured property, a gold and silver mine. Coeur counterclaimed, alleging breach of contract, bad faith, and unfair claims practices. Both parties have filed motions for summary judgment or partial summary judgment, and Zurich has raised several evidentiary matters.
The motions are ripe, and we now rule on them.
I. Factual and Procedural Background
Coeur operates the Rochester and Nevada Packard Mine ("Rochester Mine"), which consists of approximately 11,000 acres of property near Lovelock, Nevada, on which Coeur both owns patented mining claims and controls unpatented mining claims. The Rochester Mine includes the open-pit mine at issue in this case (the "Rochester Pit"), which produces gold and silver ore. The usual method of mining at the Rochester Pit, like any open-pit mine, involves dynamite blasts. The blasts break ore from the ground in the pit, which is then hauled away from the blast site for processing. On September 21, 2006, a planned dynamite blast not only dislodged the expected bench[1] of ore on the pit floor, but also resulted in the collapse of a section of the highwall[2] above the bench. After the collapse, it was determined that the highwall was unstable, so that further mining of the affected area would be unsafe. Coeur later began operating the Rochester Pit again under a revised mining plan, designed to avoid the danger of the unstable highwall. This revised mining plan, however, required leaving a substantial amount of high-grade ore in place, while mining lowergrade replacement ore instead.
Coeur filed an insurance claim based on the policy issued to it by Zurich ("the *1226 Policy"); the claim was for a total of $7,435,327. Coeur's calculation of its damages has since been modified.[3] Coeur now asserts a claim for net revenue from ore lost or damaged in the highwall collapse in the amount of $7,010,714, a sum which includes $8,467,068 for high-grade ore that could not be mined because of the collapse, minus $1,456,353 in lower-grade replacement ore mined as mitigation of damages. (D.'s Opp. at 6 (# 89)).[4] In the alternative, Coeur asserts that it is entitled to collect the $7,010,714 under the business interruption coverage of the Policy. (D.'s Opp. at 22 (#89).) Also, Coeur seeks $51,839 in extra expenses incurred as a result of its mitigation efforts. (Id. at 26.)
After an investigation, Zurich denied the claim on various grounds by means of a letter dated September 20, 2007. (See Letter from Tracy Smith to Carolyn Turner (Sept. 20, 2007) ("Denial Letter"), Bithell Decl., Ex. T (# 103-22).) Coeur disputed this determination, but after further investigation, on December 5, 2007, Zurich informed Coeur that it had decided to adhere to its decision to deny the claim.
On February 29, 2008, Zurich filed its Complaint (# 1), seeking a declaratory judgment that Coeur's claim was properly denied. On June 11, 2008, Coeur filed its Answer and Counterclaim (# 8), seeking damages for breach of contract, bad faith, and violation of Nevada's Unfair Trade Practices Act, Nev.Rev.Stat. § 686A.310.
Zurich filed the pending "Motion for Summary Judgment or, in the Alternative, Partial Summary Judgment [Plaintiff Zurich American's Claim for Declaratory Relief; Counterclaimant Coeur Rochester's Claim for Breach of Contract]" (# 81) on September 1, 2009. Coeur opposed (# 89) the motion (#81), and Zurich replied (# 98). Zurich also filed objections (# 99) to certain evidence submitted by Coeur in opposition to the motion (#81). Coeur opposed (# 113) Zurich's objections (# 99), and Zurich replied (# 125)
On September 28, 2009, Zurich filed a "Motion for Partial Summary Judgment [Coeur Rochester's Claims for Bad Faith, Violation of Nev.Rev.Stat. § 686A.310, Punitive Damages]" (# 91). Coeur opposed (# 103) the motion (# 91), and Zurich replied (# 115). On October 30, 2009, Zurich filed a "Motion to Exclude Evidence of Coeur's Damages Pertaining to Bad Faith, Statutory Violations Claims [FRCP 37(c) ]" (# 119). This motion (# 119) seeks to exclude certain evidence Coeur submitted in opposition to Zurich's motion for partial summary judgment (# 91). Coeur opposed (# 126) the motion (# 119), and Zurich replied (# 127).
Also on September 28, 2009, Coeur filed a "Motion for Partial Summary Judgment on Liability" (# 94). Zurich opposed (# 106) the motion (# 94), and Coeur replied (# 122).
Zurich requested (# 100) oral argument on the pending motions for summary judgment and partial summary judgment. We granted (# 129) the request (# 100). The parties presented their oral arguments at a hearing on June 15, 2010, after which the Court took the matter under submission.
II. Summary Judgment Standard
Summary judgment allows courts to avoid unnecessary trials where no material factual dispute exists. N.W. Motorcycle Ass'n v. U.S. Dep't of Agric., 18 F.3d 1468, *1227 1471 (9th Cir.1994). The court must view the evidence and the inferences arising therefrom in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party, Bagdadi v. Nazar, 84 F.3d 1194, 1197 (9th Cir.1996), and should award summary judgment where no genuine issues of material fact remain in dispute and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. FED. R.CIV.P. 56(c). Judgment as a matter of law is appropriate where there is no legally sufficient evidentiary basis for a reasonable jury to find for the nonmoving party. FED.R.CIV.P. 50(a). Where reasonable minds could differ on the material facts at issue, however, summary judgment should not be granted. Warren v. City of Carlsbad, 58 F.3d 439, 441 (9th Cir.1995), cert. denied, 516 U.S. 1171, 116 S. Ct. 1261, 134 L. Ed. 2d 209 (1996).
The moving party bears the burden of informing the court of the basis for its motion, together with evidence demonstrating the absence of any genuine issue of material fact. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323, 106 S. Ct. 2548, 91 L. Ed. 2d 265 (1986). Once the moving party has met its burden, the party opposing the motion may not rest upon mere allegations or denials in the pleadings, but must set forth specific facts showing that there exists a genuine issue for trial. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248, 106 S. Ct. 2505, 91 L. Ed. 2d 202 (1986). Although the parties may submit evidence in an inadmissible formnamely, depositions, admissions, interrogatory answers, and affidavitsonly evidence which might be admissible at trial may be considered by a trial court in ruling on a motion for summary judgment. FED.R.CIV.P. 56(c); Beyene v. Coleman Sec. Servs., Inc., 854 F.2d 1179, 1181 (9th Cir.1988).
In deciding whether to grant summary judgment, a court must take three necessary steps: (1) it must determine whether a fact is material; (2) it must determine whether there exists a genuine issue for the trier of fact, as determined by the documents submitted to the court; and (3) it must consider that evidence in light of the appropriate standard of proof. Anderson, 477 U.S. at 248, 106 S. Ct. 2505. Summary judgment is not proper if material factual issues exist for trial. B.C. v. Plumas Unified Sch. Dist., 192 F.3d 1260, 1264 (9th Cir.1999). "As to materiality, only disputes over facts that might affect the outcome of the suit under the governing law will properly preclude the entry of summary judgment." Anderson, 477 U.S. at 248, 106 S. Ct. 2505. Disputes over irrelevant or unnecessary facts should not be considered. Id. Where there is a complete failure of proof on an essential element of the nonmoving party's case, all other facts become immaterial, and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Celotex, 477 U.S. at 323, 106 S. Ct. 2548. Summary judgment is not a disfavored procedural shortcut, but rather an integral part of the federal rules as a whole. Id.
III. Discussion
Both Zurich and Coeur seek summary judgment on Zurich's declaratory judgment claim and on the issue of liability with regard to Coeur's breach of contract claim. (P.'s Mot. (# 81); D.'s Mot. (# 94).) In addition, Zurich seeks summary judgment on Coeur's claims for bad faith and for violation of Nevada's Unfair Trade Practices Act. (P.'s Mot. (# 91).) We will discuss these matters, and the related evidentiary motions filed by Zurich, separately.
A. Zurich's Objections (# 99)
Zurich presents several objections to evidence submitted by Coeur in support of its opposition (# 89) to Zurich's motion for summary judgment (# 81). Specifically, Zurich objects to a spreadsheet attached *1228 as an exhibit to the Declaration of Casey Kiel (#89-3), as well as portions of the Kiel Declaration itself. (See Objections at 2 (# 99).) Zurich also objects to one paragraph of the Declaration of Alan Tattersall (# 89-4). (Id.) We will consider each of these matters separately.
1. Exhibit to Kiel Declaration
Attached to the Kiel Declaration as Exhibit 1 is a spreadsheet describing the damages Coeur alleges it suffered because of the south highwall collapse. (Kiel Decl., Ex. 1 (#89-3).) This spreadsheet has four separate boxes, the first three of which calculate the net revenue from high-grade ore allegedly lost or damaged as a result of the highwall collapse, while the fourth accounts for the lower-grade replacement ore that Coeur mined instead. (Id.) Zurich objects that when this document was initially disclosed to them, the fourth box was omitted, and that Coeur never disclosed the information contained therein pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26. As such, Zurich argues that the items described in the fourth box constitute a new damages claim not disclosed during discovery, which should be excluded from evidence pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 37(c).
Coeur asserts, and Zurich does not dispute, that Coeur notified Zurich of the omitted fourth box of the spreadsheet at a discovery status conference on March 30, 2009. Coeur provided Zurich with the full, corrected version of the spreadsheet on April 1, 2009, with a letter explaining why the fourth box was omitted from the previously provided version: it seems that there was a formatting error that occurred in the conversion of the document from an Excel document to a PDF document. (See Ramirez Decl., Ex. 3 (# 114-3).) Zurich's argument that the fourth box on the spreadsheet constitutes a new claim, therefore, rests on a perceived distinction between "providing" a document describing claimed damages to an opposing party and "disclosing" such a document pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26. (See P.'s Reply at 3 (# 125).)
Rule 26 requires that "a party must . . . provide to the other parties . . . a computation of each category of damages claimed by the disclosing party." FED.R.CIV.P.26(a)(1)(A)(iii). Rule 26 further requires that such a disclosure must be supplemented "in a timely manner if the party learns that in some material respect the disclosure or response is incomplete or incorrect, and if the additional or corrective information has not otherwise been made known to the other parties during the discovery process or in writing." FED. R.CIV.P. 26(e)(1)(A). Here, Coeur learned that its initial disclosure was incorrect because of the formatting problem that caused the omission of the fourth box of the spreadsheet. By providing the corrected document to Zurich, together with an explanation of the reason for the correction, Coeur effectively supplemented its initial disclosure. Furthermore, even accepting for the sake of argument Zurich's perceived distinction between "provide" and "disclose"a distinction that is dubious at best, in light of the appearance of the former word in the text of Rule 26(a) it is undisputed that the additional or corrective information was made known to Zurich during the discovery process. As such, Zurich's argument that Coeur failed to comply with Rule 26 is without merit.
Moreover, Zurich's contention in its Reply (# 125) that "Rule 37(c) mandates the exclusion of evidence that that [sic] has not been disclosed `as required by Rule 26(a) or (e)'" is a false statement of the rule. (P.'s Reply at 3 (# 125).) Rule 37(c) requires exclusion only if the failure to disclose was not "substantially justified or harmless," and even then sanctions other than exclusion are available. See FED. *1229 R.Civ.P. 37(c)(1)(A-C). Coeur does not contend that there was any justification for the omission, it was simply an error. It appears, however, that the error was entirely harmless. Coeur informed Zurich of the missing fourth box of the spreadsheet during discovery, and provided Zurich with the corrected spreadsheet. If Zurich required additional discovery based on the newly provided information, it could have requested it, either by stipulation or by motion.[5] The information in the fourth box of the spreadsheet does not describe an additional damages claim, but rather Coeur's attempt to mitigate its damages, which reduced Coeur's claim against Zurich by $1,456,353. As such, even if Coeur's actions with regard to the spreadsheet were to constitute a violation of Rule 26which they do notsanctions pursuant to Rule 37 would be inappropriate.[6]
2. Kiel Declaration
Zurich objects to paragraph 6 of the Kiel declaration, which reads in full: "A portion of Coeur's claim is for the loss of ore that had been broken and severed from the 6100 bench by the blast just prior to the collapse." (Kiel Decl. ¶ 6 (# 89-3).) Zurich argues that this statement contradicts Mr. Kiel's deposition testimony. Zurich asserts that Mr. Kiel testified that Coeur's claim for "loss" of ore did not include any such broken and severed ore, or "muck." Zurich asserts on this basis that paragraph 6 of Mr. Kiel's declaration should be excluded from consideration on summary judgment as a sham affidavit. (Mot. at 2(# 99).) We disagree.
At summary judgment, a district court may "disregard `sham' affidavits that contradict deposition testimony submitted solely to generate [an] issue of fact for summary judgment purposes." Adler v. Fed. Republic of Nigeria, 107 F.3d 720, 728 (9th Cir.1997) (citing Kennedy v. Allied Mut. Ins. Co., 952 F.2d 262, 266-67 (9th Cir.1991)). A contradictory affidavit, however, is not necessarily a sham affidavit. Rather, the court must make a "factual determination that the contradiction was actually a `sham,'" as opposed to an attempt to explain certain aspects of confused deposition testimony, for example. Id. In making this determination, the Court must consider, among other things, whether "the party submitting the affidavit or declaration provides a sufficient explanation for the contradiction." Martinez v. Marin Sanitary Serv., 349 F. Supp. 2d 1234, 1242 (N.D.Cal.2004).
During the portion of Mr. Kiel's deposition at issue, he was being questioned by Zurich's counsel about the damages spreadsheet discussed abovespecifically, *1230 the version that was initially disclosed, missing the fourth section describing Coeur's mitigation efforts. Zurich correctly notes that Mr. Kiel stated that "[t]here is no muck included on this spreadsheet." (Kiel Depo. at 67:21-22 (#85-25).) In context, however, Zurich's interpretation of Mr. Kiel's statement is unpersuasive. Zurich's counsel asked Mr. Kiel to show him where on the spreadsheet was "set forth the amount of muck that was left in the Coeur Rochester pit." (Id. at 66:4-6.) Mr. Kiel indicated the box for the 6100 benchcontaining the number 100,749, representing tons of ore in that bench but Mr. Kiel conceded that not this entire amount was muck. (Id. at 66:14-18, 67:5.) Zurich's counsel pressed the matter, stating "I'm trying to find out where on this spreadsheet is it stated the amount of muck that was left in the Coeur Rochester pit." (Id. at 67:16-18.) In response to this comment by Zurich's counsel, Mr. Kiel stated that there "is no muck included on this spreadsheet." (Id. at 67:21-22.)
In context, it is apparent that Mr. Kiel was not disclaiming any amount of muck as an element of Coeur's claimed damages in this case, as Zurich would have it. Rather, Mr. Kiel was acknowledging that the total amount of claimed lost or damaged ore from the 6100 bench in the third section of the spreadsheet, 100,749 tons, was not broken out anywhere on the spreadsheet into a separate section for "muck" and a separate section for ore that remained "in-wall" as of the time of the highwall collapse. In his declaration, Mr. Kiel answers a question that Zurich's counsel never asked him: how much of the ore listed at the 6100 bench consisted of muck? Mr. Kiel states in his declaration that "a portion of Coeur's claim is for loss of ore that had been broken and severed from the 6100 bench by the blast just prior to the collapse," and specifies that this amount was 89,768 tons, with a value of $348,787. (Id. ¶¶ 6-7.) Thus, Mr. Kiel does not contradict his deposition testimony in his declaration, but rather explains it by expanding upon it. To the extent that Mr. Kiel's deposition testimony could be interpreted to contradict his declaration, Coeur has provided a sufficient explanation for the contradiction. Paragraph six of the Kiel Declaration is not a "sham," and Zurich's objection to it will be overruled.
Zurich also objects to paragraph 8 of Mr. Kiel's declaration, which reads in full as follows: "Some of the broken and blasted ore at the 6100 bench sustained direct physical damage by being covered up by the slide material after the collapse." (Id. ¶ 8.) Zurich objects to the use of the phrase "direct physical damage"; Zurich argues that Mr. Kiel's characterization constitutes a legal conclusion or an opinion about an ultimate issue in the case, which should be excluded. (P.'s Mot. at 3-4.)
Zurich's apparent point in raising this objection is well taken: Mr. Kiel's use of the phrase "direct physical damage" is not probative of the meaning of the phrase "direct physical damage" as that term is used in the Policy, nor is it probative of whether any ore suffered such damage as a result of the highwall collapse. Nevertheless, Coeur does not offer Mr. Kiel's declaration as evidence for that purpose (see D.'s Opp. at 10-11), nor will we consider it for that purpose. The remainder of paragraph 8 is essentially a gloss on what Mr. Kiel means by the phrase: he saw broken and blasted ore covered up by slide material. As a lay observation of what happened during the slide, this statement is unobjectionable. Moreover, for reasons that will become apparent below, the issue is moot: our rulings on the pending dispositive motions do not turn on the issue of whether there was "direct physical damage" to the ore or not. Zurich's objection, therefore, will be overruled.
*1231 3. Tattersall Declaration
Zurich objects to paragraph 7 of Mr. Tattersall's declaration, which reads in part as follows: "On September 21, 2006, Coeur conducted a production blast on the 6100 bench of the Rochester Mine. The blast broke and severed ore from the 6100 bench." Zurich contends that Mr. Tattersall testified at his deposition that blasting was conducted on the 6125 bench on the day of the slide, and that his declaration to the contrary should be stricken.
Mr. Tattersall's deposition testimony identifying the 6125 bench as the site of blasting on September 21, 2006, appears to have been the result of a failure of memory. Though he answered Zurich's counsel's questions referring to blasting on the 6125 bench on the day of the highwall collapse, Mr. Tattersall also testified that he did not recall for certain what bench was being worked on, and suggested that Mr. Kiel, whose deposition was to be taken the next day, would be a better source of information on that issue. (See Tattersall Depo. at 274-275 (#85-24).) As noted above, Mr. Kiel explained in his deposition testimony that blasts set off in holes drilled down from the 6125 foot elevation are on the 6100 shelf according to the designations used by Coeur. To the extent that Mr. Tattersall's declaration contradicts his deposition testimony, Coeur provides a sufficient explanation for the contradiction, and we are convinced the declaration is not a sham designed solely to generate an issue of fact for summary judgment purposes.
Moreover, Zurich has not pointed out, nor have we discovered, any issue now pending before the Court, the resolution of which changes as a result of striking or not striking this portion of Mr. Tattersall's declaration. As such, Zurich's objection is moot and would be overruled on that basis, even if it did not fail on its merits.
B. Zurich's Liability under the Policy
Both Zurich and Coeur have moved for summary judgment on the issue of Zurich's liability under the Policy. Zurich contends that it has no liability under the Policy; Coeur contends that Zurich is liable for the entire value of the high grade ore that now cannot be mined as a result of the highwall collapse, minus the value of lower-grade ore mined in mitigation of those damages, but plus extra expenses incurred as a result of those mitigation efforts. (See P.'s Mot. (# 81); D.'s Mot. (# 94).) For the reasons stated below, Zurich has the better side of this dispute.
In diversity actions, federal courts apply substantive state law. Erie R.R. Co. v. Tompkins, 304 U.S. 64, 78, 58 S. Ct. 817, 82 L. Ed. 1188 (1938); Nitco Holding Corp. v. Boujikian, 491 F.3d 1086, 1089 (9th Cir.2007). Under Nevada law, "[a]n insurance policy is a contract that must be enforced according to its terms to accomplish the intent of the parties." Farmers Ins. Exch. v. Neal, 119 Nev. 62, 64 P.3d 472, 473 (2003). When the facts are not in dispute, contract interpretation is a question of law. Grand Hotel Gift Shop v. Granite State Ins. Co., 108 Nev. 811, 839 P.2d 599, 602 (1992). The language of the insurance policy must be viewed "from the perspective of one not trained in law," and we must "give plain and ordinary meaning to the terms." Farmers Ins. Exch., 64 P.3d at 473 (internal quotation marks omitted). "Unambiguous provisions will not be rewritten; however, ambiguities are to be resolved in favor of the insured." Id. (footnote omitted); see also Fed. Ins. Co. v. Am. Hardware Mut. Ins. Co., 184 P.3d 390, 392 (Nev.2008) ("In the insurance context, we broadly interpret clauses providing coverage, to afford the insured the greatest possible coverage; correspondingly, clauses *1232 excluding coverage are interpreted narrowly against the insurer.") (internal quotation marks omitted); Capitol Indemnity Corp. v. Wright, 341 F. Supp. 2d 1152, 1156 (D.Nev.2004) (noting that "a Nevada court will not increase an obligation to the insured where such was intentionally and unambiguously limited by the parties").
The Policy is an "all-risk" policy: rather than providing coverage by reference to "enumerated perils," as in a typical liability policy, an all-risk policy covers against any fortuitous loss or damage to covered property, while specific exclusions "generally are the limitations on coverage." Jackson v. State Farm Fire & Cas. Co., 108 Nev. 504, 835 P.2d 786, 789 n. 4 (1992) (citing Garvey v. State Farm Fire & Casualty Co., 48 Cal. 3d 395, 257 Cal. Rptr. 292, 770 P.2d 704, 711 (1989)). Thus, the Policy covers "all risks of direct physical loss or damage . . . from any external cause, except as specifically excluded." (Policy at 2, 6 (# 89-16).) The property covered by the Policy is also described in broad terms, including, among other things, "[t]he interest of [Coeur] in all Real and Personal Property owned by [Coeur] . . . comprising a part of and/or appertaining to their operations" at any location listed on a separate schedule, which the parties agree includes the Rochester Pit. (Id. at 6.)
Zurich contends that Coeur's claim for lost or damaged highgrade ore was properly rejected because, inter alia, it falls under several specific exclusions.[7] We agree. Property specifically excluded from coverage under the Policy includes "[c]urrency, deeds, evidence of debt or title, notes, jewelry, precious stones, furs, fine arts, gold, silver, platinum and other precious alloys or metals except as provided elsewhere in this policy." (Id.) Though Coeur frames its claim as one for high-grade ore, rather than for gold or silver, the ore's only value is that of the precious metals contained therein, less the cost of extraction. (See Depo. of Carolyn Turner at 78:17-79:3 (# 85-13); Depo. of Elizabeth Druffel at 46:25-49:1, 49:22-50:9 (#85-18); Kiel Decl., Ex. 1 (#89-3).) The gold and silver in the ore is not transformed or changed during processing; it is only separated from the rock in which it was previously embedded.[8] As such, based on the plain language of this exclusion, the gold and silver contained in the claimed high-grade ore is not property covered under the Policy.
Coeur invokes the doctrines of noscitur a sociis and ejusdem generis, arguing that the exclusion is better read to apply only to coins made of precious metals or "items of personal adornment," as opposed to precious metals that remain unextracted from ore. (D.'s Opp. at 17-18 (# 89).) At oral argument, Coeur refined this argument somewhat, suggesting that the exclusion applies to items of personal property, which can easily be removed or stolen. Coeur's arguments, however, are not persuasive. "Currency, deeds, evidence of *1233 debt or title, notes" and "fine arts" are neither coins nor items of personal adornment, and precious stones and precious metals are only sometimes used for such purposes. Similarly, fine arts, gold, silver, and other precious metals are only sometimes in forms that can be considered personal property, easily removed or stolen. Moreover, Coeur's arguments do not account for the last clause of the exclusion: ". . . except as provided elsewhere in this policy." The Policy specifically provides elsewhere for $2 million limit on coverage for "Precious Metals (Coverage provided only while Precious Metals situated in Pour Room at Lovelock, NV location)." (Policy at 2 (#89-16).) This provision suggests that it is not the form that the precious metals are in, but rather their location that determines whether or not they are excluded from coverage under the Policyor, more precisely, whether they are excepted from exclusion from coverage. We conclude, therefore, that Coeur's claim for lost or damaged high-grade ore was properly denied under the Policy's exclusion for gold, silver, and other precious metals.
Zurich also could have properly denied all, or at least most, of Coeur's claim for loss or damage to high-grade ore under the exclusion for "[c]rude oil, natural gas, coal or other minerals prior to recovery above ground." (Id. at 6.) Coeur argues that this exclusion does not apply to open-pit mines, but only to underground mines. (D.'s Opp. at 20-21 (# 89).) This argument, however, is unsupported by the plain language of the exclusion, which makes no distinction between underground mines and open-pit mines. Furthermore, even in an open-pit mine, the minerals that are being extracted are underground, in the plain and ordinary meaning of the term, until they are recoveredhence the need to drill down from the surface of the pit into a bench of ore and set off dynamite blasts to sever it from deeper benches. Coeur has a plausible argument that this exclusion does not apply to ore from the 6100 bench that was blasted and severed from the underlying benches immediately prior to the south highwall collapse. On this view, the ore in the 6100 bench was recovered above ground, at least momentarily, before being covered by debris from the highwall collapse.[9] Nevertheless, only a small percentage of Coeur's total claim is for ore that had been broken and severed from the 6100 bench. (See Kiel Decl. ¶ 5-7 (#89-3).) And, as discussed above, the claim for even that small portion of the ore was properly denied under the exclusion for gold, silver, and other precious metals. Thus, Coeur's entire claim for $7,010,714 based on the value of gold and silver contained in allegedly lost or damaged ore was properly denied pursuant to specific exclusions in the Policy.[10]
Coeur also asserts, in the alternative, that it is entitled to recover on its claim pursuant to the business interruption provisions of the Policy. The Policy provides *1234 coverage "against loss resulting directly from the necessary interruption of business caused by direct physical damage to or destruction of real or personal property, except finished stock, by the peril(s) insured against, during the term of this policy, on premises occupied by the Insured and situated as described under the Property Insured." (Policy at 15 (#89-16).) Business interruption coverage does not apply, however, until the period of the interruption exceeds 360 hours. Zurich's liability is further limited to 100% of "gross earnings," as that term is defined in the Policy, that would have been earned during the twelve months immediately following the date of the interruption, no matter how long the interruption continues. (Policy at 3, 5 (# 89-16).)
It is undisputed that Coeur's employees and equipment were put back to work on other portions of the Rochester Mine shortly after the highwall collapse, well within the 360 hour deductible. Coeur's argument, however, is that the highwall collapse permanently interrupted its business by requiring abandonment of its previous mining plan. This resulted in a reduction of gross earnings, measurable by the difference between the value of ore that would have been mined under the old mining plan, minus the value of lowergrade ore mined instead under the revised mining planin other words, the same $7,010,714 as Coeur claims under the physical damage provisions of the policy.
Business interruption insurance does not provide a guarantee that the insured's business plan will be fully implemented as hoped, as Coeur would have it. On its own terms, the Policy provides coverage for losses resulting "directly from the necessary interruption of business," that is, the interruption of mining operations, not interruption of work pursuant to any particular mining plan. See, e.g., Winters v. State Farm Fire & Cas. Co., 73 F.3d 224, 228-29 (9th Cir.1995) (citing Pac. Coast Eng'g Co. v. St. Paul Fire & Marine Ins. Co., 9 Cal. App. 3d 270, 88 Cal. Rptr. 122 (1970), for the proposition that "business interruption insurance provides coverage only for losses directly resulting from interruption of business and not merely from interruption of work on a particular product"); Buxbaum v. Aetna Life & Cas. Co., 103 Cal. App. 4th 434, 126 Cal. Rptr. 2d 682, 691-692 (2002) (rejecting law firm's claim under business interruption policy because the policy provided coverage "only for losses resulting directly from interruption of the business, i.e., operation of the firm, and not merely from interruption of the work being done on a particular client matter at the time of the occurrence of a peril insured against") (quoting Pac. Coast Eng'g Co., 88 Cal. Rptr. at 124).[11] Business interruption coverage is only available under the Policy when the "determined period of interruption" of mining operations "exceeds 360 hours." (Policy at 3 (#89-16).) Here, there was no such interruption of greater than 360 hours; though mining operations had to be moved to other, apparently less productive areas of the Rochester Mine, *1235 Coeur's employees and equipment from the area affected by the highwall collapse were back in business shortly after the collapse. Thus, Coeur is not entitled to recover under the business interruption provisions of the Policy.
Several courts have been sympathetic to the view espoused by Coeur that such a conclusion in essence punishes Coeur for attempting to mitigate its damages in a timely manner. See Maher v. Cont'l Cas. Co., 76 F.3d 535, 539 n. 1 (4th Cir.1996); Am. Med. Imaging Corp. v. St. Paul Fire & Marine Ins. Co., 949 F.2d 690, 692-93 (3d Cir.1991). We disagree. "If the insured continues to operate despite physical damage, business interruption coverage does not apply." Buxbaum, 126 Cal. Rptr.2d at 693-94. An insured "is not `punished' by continuing business at a lower level following an event causing a physical loss or damage because, if in fact the insured is able to continue business following the event, the business interruption coverage never applied in the first place." Id. at 694. Here, Coeur was forced to interrupt its business for a short period of time, but was able to resume operations well within the 360 hour deductible that applies to its business interruption coverage. As such, the business interruption coverage of the Policy never applied, and Coeur's claim on that basis was properly rejected.
Coeur's claim for extra expenses associated with mitigating its damages depends on Coeur having a viable claim under either the physical damage provisions or the business interruption provisions of the Policy. (See D.'s Opp. at 27 (# 89) (arguing that the "Extra Expense Coverage is contained in a separate section of the policy and applies to losses under both the property damage and business interruption coverage provisions").) Zurich disputes Coeur's interpretation of the Policy with regard to extra expenses, arguing that the extra expense coverage applies only to claims under the business interruption provisions of the Policy, and not to the physical damage provisions. (See D.'s Mot. at 31 (# 82).) We have concluded, however, that Coeur is not entitled to recover under either theory. As such, there is no basis for Coeur to recover its claimed extra expenses, and we need not resolve the dispute between the parties regarding the applicability of the extra expense provisions of the Policy.
In short, Coeur's claims under the Policy were properly rejected by Zurich. Coeur's claim for lost or damaged ore falls under one or more specific exclusions from coverage. The business interruption provisions of the Policy were not triggered, because Coeur's business was not interrupted for a period longer than the applicable 360 hour deductible. Coeur's claim for extra expenses fails because Coeur has no valid claim under either the physical damage provisions or business interruption provisions of the Policy. As such, Zurich is entitled to summary judgment in its favor on the issue of liability under the Policy.
C. Coeur's Bad Faith Claim
Zurich seeks summary judgement in its favor on Coeur's second claim for relief for bad faith breach of an insurance contract. Under Nevada law, bad faith is "an actual or implied awareness of the absence of a reasonable basis for denying benefits of the insurance policy." Allstate Ins. Co. v. Miller, 212 P.3d 318, 324 (Nev. 2009) (citing U.S. Fid. v. Peterson, 91 Nev. 617, 540 P.2d 1070, 1071 (1975)). Here, as discussed above, Zurich had a reasonable basis for denying Coeur's claims, namely, Coeur is not entitled to recover under the terms of the Policy. As such, Zurich is entitled to summary judgment in its favor on this claim for relief.
*1236 D. Coeur's Claim Pursuant to Nev. Rev. Stat. § 686A.310.
Zurich also seeks summary judgment on Coeur's claim for relief pursuant to Nev.Rev.Stat. § 686A.310 regarding the manner in which Zurich processed its claim. Our conclusions regarding the propriety of Zurich's denial of the claim and lack of bad faith are not dispositive of this issue. Unlike a cause of action for bad faith, the provisions of Nev.Rev.Stat. § 686A.310 "address the manner in which an insurer handles an insured's claim whether or not the claim is denied." Schumacher v. State Farm Fire & Cas. Co., 467 F. Supp. 2d 1090, 1095 (D.Nev. 2006) (citing Pioneer Chlor Alkali Co., Inc. v. Nat'l Union Fire Ins. Co., 863 F. Supp. 1237, 1243 (D.Nev.1994)). Coeur argues that Zurich breached six subsections of Nev.Rev.Stat. § 686A.310. We will analyze each of these arguments separately.
1. NEV.REV.STAT. § 686A.310(1)(a)
Coeur argues that Zurich violated the subsection that defines "misrepresenting to insureds or claimants pertinent facts or insurance policy provisions relating to any coverage at issue" to be an "unfair practice." NEV.REV.STAT. § 686A.310(1)(a). Coeur points to two alleged misrepresentations of pertinent facts in particular, both from the September 20, 2007, letter in which Zurich denied Coeur's claim. (See Denial Letter (# 103-22).) In each case, Coeur complains that Zurich misrepresents Coeur's claims. First is a passage that reads as follows:
[the claimed lost ore] has not itself suffered any "direct physical" loss or damage. Nor is Coeur presenting a claim for any such `direct physical' loss or damage' to that ore itself. Instead, Coeur is seeking to recover the lost mining value because of the ore's inaccessibility in the step-out and the berm. The mere detrimental economic impact because of Coeur's lost mining capacity does not present a claim for "direct physical loss or damage to property. . . ."
(Id. at 16-17.) Coeur argues that, to the contrary, it has asserted precisely a claim for "direct physical loss or damage to that ore itself." Second, Coeur objects to the letter's next paragraph, in which Zurich finds that, even if there were direct physical loss or damage, such loss or damage would be properly denied pursuant to an exclusion for damage resulting from "faulty workmanship," "faulty methods of construction," and/or "faulty errors or omissions in design." (Id. at 17.) Coeur argues that this assertion amounts to a misrepresentation of Coeur's claim because Coeur never made a claim for damage to the highwall, so as to trigger the provisions of the Policy that could relate to the design or construction of the highwall, but only made a claim for lost ore.
Coeur has not pointed out, nor have we discovered, any authority supporting the notion that such statements could constitute a violation of Nev.Rev.Stat. § 686A.310(1)(a). This subsection prohibits such malfeasance as an insurer misrepresenting the terms of an insurance policy to its insured, or misrepresenting to its insured facts that are within the insurer's knowledge that could give rise to coverage. See, e.g., Albert H. Wohlers & Co. v. Bartgis, 114 Nev. 1249, 969 P.2d 949, 961 (1998) (insurer misrepresented to the insured that a policy was similar to the insured's previous policy and unilaterally inserted provisions into the policy without disclosing their effect to the insured); Stalberg v. W. Title Ins. Co., 230 Cal. App. 3d 1223, 282 Cal. Rptr. 43, 50 (1991) (under similar provision of California law, finding substantial evidence of violation where insurer created and recorded "wild" deeds containing fictitious easements, and concealed this fact from its insured). Zurich's characterizations of Coeur's claim in the Denial Letter *1237 are not misrepresentations of the terms of the Policy or of pertinent facts relating to coverage, but rather constitute Zurich's analysis of the Policy and the facts pertinent to Coeur's claim. An insurer's analysis of an insured's claim in a letter denying coverage need not necessarily be framed in the manner that the insured would prefer. As such, Zurich is entitled to summary judgment on Coeur's claim pursuant to Nev.Rev.Stat. § 686A.310(1)(a).
2. NEV.REV.STAT. § 686A.310(1)(c)
Coeur argues that Zurich violated the subsection that defines "[f]ailing to adopt and implement reasonable standards for the prompt investigation and processing of claims arising under insurance policies" to be an "unfair practice." NEV. REV. STAT. § 686A.310(1)(c). Coeur's claim under this subsection relates primarily to the qualifications and performance of the people conducting the investigation of Coeur's claim.[12] Coeur concedes that Zurich did adopt and implement best practices guidelines in April 2007. (D.'s Opp. at 27-28 (# 103).) Coeur's argument is only that Zurich's employees or agents violated those standards, which is perhaps a subspecies of failure to implement reasonable standards, though Coeur does not present, and we have not discovered, any authority in support of that proposition. Moreover, there is no indication that the qualifications or performance of the people conducting the investigation of Coeur's claim had any bearing on the outcome or timing of Zurich's coverage decision. Zurich did not fail to investigate Coeur's claim appropriately; rather, Zurich rejected Coeur's reasoning in support of its claim. Cf. Pioneer Chlor Alkali, 863 F.Supp. at 1249 (finding genuine issue of fact regarding section 686A.310(c) claim where there was some evidence that the insurance company did not investigate all claimed theories regarding cause of loss). As such, Zurich did not violate this subsection, and is entitled to summary judgment in its favor on this issue.
3. NEV.REV.STAT. § 686A.310(1)(d)
Coeur argues that Zurich violated the subsection that defines "[f]ailing to affirm or deny coverage of claims within a reasonable time after proof of loss requirements have been completed and submitted by the insured" to be an "unfair practice." NEV.REV.STAT. § 686A.310(1)(d). Coeur argues that its claim was submitted on December 1, 2006, and that "detailed documentation" of the claim was submitted in January 2007. The "detailed documentation" to which Coeur refers, however, is only a brief letter summarizing Coeur's understanding of the facts, and a brief summary of the claim; it is not "detailed documentation" of the claim. In fact, the first paragraph of the letter indicates that if Zurich were to "desire more detail," Coeur would "attempt to accommodate [Zurich's] request." (See Letter from Carolyn Turner to Joe Bauer (January 24, 2007), Bithell Decl., Ex. L (# 103-14).) In the following months Coeur submitted certain documentation in support of the revised claim, but did not immediately complete its proof of loss requirements; the evidence in the record supports Zurich's contention that the proof of loss requirements were not completed until July 11, 2007.[13] (See D.'s Mot. at 27 (# 92); Framson Decl., Ex. 23 (# # 95-24) (summary of dates on which *1238 documentation from Coeur was received).) As noted above, Zurich denied Coeur's claim on September 20, 2007. Thus, there was a delay of just over two months, from July 11, 2007, until September 20, 2007, between Coeur completing its proof of loss requirements and Zurich's decision regarding the claim. There is no authority in support of the notion that such a short delay could support a claim under Nev.Rev.Stat. § 686A.310(d), especially with regard to a large claim involving relatively complex technical questions. Cf. Estate of LoMastro ex rel. LoMastro v. Am. Family Ins. Group, 195 P.3d 339, 351-52 (Nev.2008) (finding genuine issue of material fact as to whether ten-month delay without affirming or denying coverage on a claim involving a single-vehicle rollover accident was unreasonable). As such, Zurich is entitled to summary judgment in its favor on this claim.
4. NEV.REV.STAT. § 686A.310(1)(e)
Coeur argues that Zurich violated the subsection that defines "[f]ailing to effectuate prompt, fair and equitable settlements of claims in which liability of the insurer has become reasonably clear" to be an "unfair practice." NEV.REV.STAT. § 686A.310(1)(e). As discussed above, Zurich is not liable here. Thus, Coeur's arguments relating to this subsection fail.
5. NEV.REV.STAT. § 686A.310(1)(f)
Coeur argues that Zurich violated the subsection that defines "[c]ompelling insureds to institute litigation to recover amounts due under an insurance policy by offering substantially less than the amounts ultimately recovered in actions brought by such insureds, when the insureds have made claims for amounts reasonably similar to the amounts ultimately recovered" to be an "unfair practice." NEV.REV.STAT. § 686A.310(1)(f). Again, Coeur's claims under the Policy were properly rejected, so Zurich did not violate this subsection.
6. NEV.REV.STAT. § 686A.310(1)(n)
Coeur argues that Zurich violated the subsection that defines "[f]ailing to provide promptly to an insured a reasonable explanation of the basis in the insurance policy, with respect to the facts of the insured's claims and the applicable law, for the denial of his claim or for an offer to settle or compromise his claim" to be an "unfair practice." NEV.REV.STAT. § 686A.310(1)(n). As discussed above, Zurich's denial of Coeur's claim was reasonably timely. Furthermore, the September 20, 2007, denial letter is a detailed explanation of Zurich's basis for denying the claim, examining in detail the Policy, the facts of Coeur's claim and the applicable law. (Denial Letter, (# 103-22).) Though the letter's analysis reaches the same conclusion we have by means of somewhat different reasoning, there is nothing inherently unreasonable or absurd about Zurich's analysis. In short, there is no evidence in the record that could support Coeur's claim that Zurich violated this subsection.
E. Zurich's Motion to Exclude (# 119)
Zurich has moved to exclude certain evidence relating to damages submitted by Coeur in support of its opposition to Zurich's motion for summary judgment regarding Coeur's bad faith claim and claim pursuant to Nev.Rev.Stat. § 686A.310. For the reasons stated above, Zurich is entitled to summary judgment in its favor on those claims, whether or not Coeur's evidence is excluded. As such, Zurich's motion (# 119) is moot, and will be denied on that basis.
IV. Conclusion
Zurich properly denied Coeur's claims under the Policy because the alleged property damage was specifically excluded *1239 from coverage and Coeur suffered no business interruption longer than the Policy's 360 hour deductible. Thus, Coeur's causes of action for breach of contract and bad faith fail. Further, the evidence in the record is insufficient to support any of Coeur's allegations under Nevada's Unfair Trade Practices Act, Nev.Rev.Stat. § 686A.310. Zurich is therefore entitled to summary judgment in its favor on its claim for declaratory relief, and with regard to all of Coeur's counterclaims.
IT IS, THEREFORE, HEREBY ORDERED THAT Zurich's "Objections to Evidence Submitted by Coeur Rochester in Opposition to Zurich American's Motion for Summary Judgment" (# 99) are OVERRULED.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED THAT Zurich's "Motion to Exclude Evidence of Coeur's Damages Pertaining to Bad Faith, Statutory Violations Claims [FRCP 37(c) ]" (# 119) is DENIED as moot.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED THAT Zurich's "Motion for Summary Judgment or, in the Alternative, Partial Summary Judgment [Plaintiff Zurich American's Claim for Declaratory Relief; Counterclaimant Coeur Rochester's Claim for Breach of Contract]" (# 81) is GRANTED.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED THAT Zurich's "Motion for Partial Summary Judgment [Coeur Rochester's Claims for Bad Faith, Violation of Nev.Rev.Stat. § 686A.310, Punitive Damages]" (#91) is GRANTED.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED THAT Coeur's "Motion for Partial Summary Judgment on Liability" (# 94) is DENIED.
NOTES
[1] In his deposition testimony, Casey Kiel, a Coeur employee, explains that mining in the Rochester Pit was conducted in sections, called "benches," measuring 25 feet in height and denoted by their lowest elevation. Thus, the "6100 bench" consisted of a section of rock with an elevation of 6100 feet at its bottom, and 6125 feet at its top. A bench is mined by drilling holes into the top of the bench, packing the holes with dynamite, setting off a blast, and then hauling away the broken and severed ore, or "muck," loosened by the explosion from ore that remained "in-wall." (See Kiel Depo. at 59:2-25 (# 114-1).) This terminology appears to have been the cause of some confusion about whether the blasting on September 21, 2006, was conducted on the 6125 bench or the 6100 bench. (Compare P.'s MSJ at 4 (# 82) (describing the blast as conducted on the 6125 bench) with D.'s Opp. at 9 (describing the blast as conducted on the 6100 bench); see also Kiel Depo. at 59:2-9 (Zurich's counsel asks "the blasting . . . occurred on the 6125 bench; is that correct?" and Kiel responds "the 6125 is the top . . . for operations we considered that the 6100 bench, because that's where we had mined to and that's where the final elevation would be of that.").) It appears to be undisputed that the blast that caused the highwall collapse on September 21, 2006, was set off in holes drilled down from the 6125 foot elevationthere is no evidence sufficient to support a different conclusion in our record. This would mean the blast was on the 6100 bench, as Mr. Kiel and Coeur use the term, and as we will use it in this Order.
[2] The term "highwall" refers to the face of unexcavated rock left in place as mining progresses downward into the pit.
[3] Zurich's objections to Coeur's evidence in support of its latest calculation of damages will be addressed below.
[4] We note that $8,467,068 minus $1,456,353 totals $7,010,715. The discrepancy between that amount and the $7,010,714 claimed by Coeur is apparently the result of a typo or mathematical error, or perhaps an artifact of rounding. (See D.'s Opp. at 6(# 89); Kiel Decl., Ex. 1 (# 89-3).)
[5] It is worth noting that at Mr. Kiel's deposition on May 22, 2009, he was questioned about the incomplete version of the spreadsheet even though Zurich had been provided the version containing the initially omitted fourth box on April 1, 2009. Zurich's counsel's comments during the deposition confirm that he was aware that there were several versions of the document. Mr. Kiel asked to see "that net rev, the four box deal, the final net rev," to assist him in answering a question. (Kiel Depo. at 65-66 (# 85-25).) Zurich's counsel responded: "Well, let's see. I have one version of it," referring to the three-box version, and then proceeded to question Mr. Kiel about that version. (Id. at 66.) Zurich's counsel thus had an opportunity to depose Mr. Kiel about the complete version of the spreadsheet, and chose not to make use of that opportunity.
[6] Not only are Rule 37 sanctions inappropriate, Zurich's objections to the spreadsheet attached as an exhibit to the Kiel Declaration are so profoundly lacking in merit that the Court has been forced to consider whether to require counsel for Zurich to show cause why they should not be sanctioned for violation of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11(b)(2). We have decided not to do so at this time. Counsel for Zurich are cautioned, however, that we may decide differently if they engage in further conduct of a similar nature.
[7] Coeur has not asserted any right to recover on the basis of direct physical damage to the Rochester Pit itself from the highwall collapse, though it would seem that the collapse would constitute direct physical damage to real property. It may be that Coeur only holds an unpatented mining claim for the real estate at issue, and therefore does not have own any interest in the land itself, so as to potentially trigger coverage on that basis. Our record, however, is silent on this specific question. (See D.'s Countercls. ¶ 1 (# 8) (stating that Couer both owns patented mining claims and controls unpatented mining claims in the area referred to as the Rochester Mine).) In any case, at every stage of this dispute, Coeur has sought to recover for allegedly lost or damaged ore, and we will consider its claim on that basis.
[8] Thus, the analogy suggested by Coeur at oral argument to wine produced from grapes or sugar from sugar beets is imprecise.
[9] Zurich argues that "recovery above ground" does not occur until the broken and blasted ore is lifted off of the ground by loaders for placement in trucks; until then, the ore has merely been "loosened" from the underlying layers of ore. (P.'s Reply at 12-13 (# 98).) In light of the requirement that ambiguous provisions be interpreted "to afford the insured the greatest possible coverage," Fed. Ins. Co., 184 P.3d at 392, Zurich has the weaker argument here.
[10] We need not address the parties' further arguments relating to other exclusions in the Policy, or the question of whether there was a "direct physical loss or damage" of the ore, in the meaning of the policy. We also emphasize that our analysis is based solely on the language of the policy itself and the undisputed facts: the parties' arguments regarding the meaning of the Policy based on evidence other than the language of the Policy itself are irrelevant, and were not considered.
[11] As noted above, Nevada law applies in this case. Nevada case law interpreting business interruption clauses, however, is sparse. Where the Nevada Supreme Court has not addressed an issue, "we must use our best judgment to predict how that court would decide it." Capital Dev. Co. v. Port of Astoria, 109 F.3d 516, 519 (9th Cir.1997) (quoting Allen v. City of L.A., 92 F.3d 842, 847 (9th Cir.1996)). In the context of interpreting insurance policy terms, the Nevada Supreme Court has often looked to persuasive precedent from other jurisdictions, especially California. See, e.g., Fed. Ins. Co., 184 P.3d at 395 (beginning a discussion of authority from other jurisdictions with analysis of California appellate court decision); Jackson, 835 P.2d at 789 n. 4 (citing California appellate court decision regarding all-risk policies). We shall take a similar approach here.
[12] Coeur also repeats arguments that primarily relate to Nev.Rev.Stat. § 686A.310(1)(d). We will address these arguments below.
[13] Contrary to Coeur's assertion, presented at oral argument, it was perfectly appropriate for Zurich to wait for a complete assessment regarding the cause of the highwall collapse before affirming or denying coverage on Coeur's claim.