March 26, 2010

CLIFFS NATURAL RESOURCES INC.

Our Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held on the 3 rd floor of 200 Public Square, Cleveland, Ohio 44114-2315 on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 11:30 A.M. (Cleveland time), which we refer to as our 2010 Annual Meeting.

At the 2010 Annual Meeting, shareholders will act upon proposals to: (i) elect Directors; (ii) approve and adopt an amendment to our Amended Articles of Incorporation to change certain supermajority shareholder voting requirements contained in the Ohio Revised Code to majority shareholder voting requirements; (iii) approve the amendment and restatement of the 2007 Incentive Equity Plan to (a) increase the authorized number of shares available for issuance under the plan by a total of 7,000,000 common shares, and (b) provide an annual limitation on the number of shares available to grant to any one participant in any fiscal year of 500,000 common shares; and (iv) ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm. An explanation of each of these matters is contained in the attached proxy statement and accompanying proxy card, first being mailed or otherwise distributed to shareholders on or about March 26, 2010.

The Board of Directors and management believe that the proposed actions are in the best interests of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. We urge you to exercise your voting rights by signing and dating the enclosed proxy card and returning it in the accompanying envelope to ensure that your shares will be represented whether or not you expect to be present at the 2010 Annual Meeting. In addition, record shareholders have the opportunity to appoint proxies to vote their shares over the Internet or by toll-free telephone if they wish. Instructions for appointing proxies over the Internet or by telephone are contained on your proxy card. Whichever of these methods you choose, the named proxies will vote your shares in accordance with your instructions. Please note that failure to vote surrenders voting power to those who exercise their voting right. If you attend the meeting, you will be entitled to vote in person.

Finally, James D. Ireland III will not be standing for re-election at the 2010 Annual Meeting. Mr. Ireland has ably served as a director of the company since 1986. Mr. Ireland has made great contributions to our growth and success through his expertise and independent judgment. We thank Mr. Ireland for his important contributions and wish him well.

We look forward to meeting with you at the 2010 Annual Meeting.

Sincerely,

Joseph A. Carrabba

Chairman, President and

Chief Executive Officer