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 17, 2011 at 11:30 A.M. (Cleveland time), which we refer to as our 2011 Annual Meeting.

At the 2011 Annual Meeting, shareholders will be asked to: (i) elect Directors; (ii) approve an amendment to our Second Amended Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized common shares from 224,000,000 to 400,000,000; (iii) hold an advisory vote on named executive officer compensation; (iv) hold an advisory vote on the frequency of shareholder votes on our named executive officer compensation; (v) consider a shareholder proposal regarding majority voting in Director elections; and (vi) 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 April , 2011.

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 2011 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, Ronald C. Cambre will not be standing for re-election at the 2011 Annual Meeting pursuant to the retirement policy contained in our Corporate Governance Guidelines. Mr. Cambre has served as a Director of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. since 1996. Mr. Cambre has made great contributions to our growth and success through his valued expertise and independent judgment. We thank Mr. Cambre for his important contributions and wish him well.

We look forward to meeting with you at the 2011 Annual Meeting.

Sincerely,

Joseph A. Carrabba

Chairman, President and

Chief Executive Officer