"it just seems that some overflow to these companies has to occur with clf's rise in share price."

Maybe, or Cliffs is just doing what dozens of other similar companies are doing and that is attracting investors back in after deep overselling of a good company with good fundamentals. I wouldn't attach as much to their increase in sp because of their involvement in the ROF. Presently it's just a little blip in the news for Cliff investors old and new.